Grand National hearing ends in all 39 jockeys being cautioned

Thirty-nine jockeys were found in breach of a rule relating to the controversial start of this year’s Crabbie’s Grand National – but were given no more than a caution at a British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel hearing yesterday.

It was an outcome that raised as many questions as it did answers, with the jockeys feeling they were able to salvage something of a minor victory by escaping without punishment, but it appears that it will have implications on future starting procedures of the famous race, and the relationship between riders and their governing body is not at an all-time high.

Five of the 39 riders accused – Tom Scudamore, Aidan Coleman, Brian Hughes, Sam Twiston-Davies and Tom O’Brien – attended BHA HQ at High Holburn in London but only the first three were actually called to give evidence as to whether they were in breach of rule (D)44.4, in the light of rule (D)44.5, in that they “attempted to line up and/or take a position for the start before being instructed to do so by the starter.” There had been an abortive attempt to start the race, during which time assistant starter Simon McNeill was knocked over by several of the field as they approached the tape, and then one false start.