Grand National jockey banned after not stopping tired horse before fall at final fence

Grand National jockey banned after not stopping tired horse before fall at final fence Chris Davie Published April 12, 2026 12:00am Updated April 12, 2026 12:00am Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Comment now Comments Toby McCain-Mitchell opted not to pull up Top Of The Bill (Reuters)

A Grand National jockey has been banned after refusing to pull up his tired horse before it fell at the final fence.

Toby McCain-Mitchell has been handed a 10-day suspension for his failure to stop Top Of The Bill, who required treatment from racecourse vets after his fall.

The 24-year-old, who was making his debut in the showpiece race at Aintree, is the grandson of the late Ginger McCain, who trained Red Rum – the only horse to have won the Grand National three times.

McCain-Mitchell carried a lock of Red Rum’s hair in his gloves as a lucky charm for Saturday’s race.

Top Of The Bill made an error at Valentine’s Brook and fell back through the field but McCain-Mitchell opted to carry on before the horse fell at the final fence.

Top Of The Bill required medical attention after his fall at the last fence (Reuters)

The stewards’ report at Aintree said: ‘An inquiry was held to consider whether Toby McCain-Mitchell, the rider of Top Of The Bill, who fell at the last fence, should have pulled the gelding up, having been in a prominent position before weakening rapidly.

‘The rider and the veterinary officer were interviewed and recordings of the incident were viewed. Having considered the evidence, McCain-Mitchell was suspended for 10 days for failing to pull up when the horse had tailed off.’

Grand National 2026 results

1. I Am Maximus – 9/1 fav
2. Firefox – 40/1
3. Iroko – 18/1
4. Jordans – 28/1
5. Johnnywho – 12/1
6. High Class Hero – 66/1
7. Favori De Champdou – 40/1
8. Final Orders – 22/1
9. Champ Kiely – 25/1
10. Three Card Brag – 50/1
11. Monty’s Star – 14/1
12. Answer To Kayf – 100/1
13. Gorgeous Tom – 20/1
14. Imperial Saint – 50/1
15. Haiti Couleurs – 28/1
16. Twig – 40/1

Top Of The Bill eventually managed to walk back to the stables, where he was one of three horses undergoing veterinary assessment.

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Quai De Bourbon fell at the second fence, Mr Vango came down at the sixth obstacle with both horses transported back to the stables by a horse ambulance.

An update on Saturday evening from Aintree read: ‘Top of The Bill fell at the final fence and was assessed on course. He was walked back to the stables where he underwent further expert veterinary assessment. He is expected to travel home this evening.

‘Mr Vango walked onto the horse ambulance following his fall at the sixth fence, having been assessed, and returned to the stables where he underwent further expert veterinary assessment. He has travelled to Leahurst Equine Hospital for further tests.

‘Quai De Bourbon walked onto the horse ambulance, having been assessed, following his fall at the second fence. He underwent further expert veterinary assessment in the stables and will return home overnight.’

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