Aintree hero Patrick handed suspension

GRAND National winning jockey Patrick Mullins has been suspended for eight days after being found to have used his whip one above the permitted level aboard Nick Rockett on Saturday.

- By CONNOR O'NEILL ECHO Reporter

Mullins steered the eight-year-old to a two-and-a-half-length victory in the world's most famous steeplechase.

The win was made even more special for the 35-year-old as Nick Rockett is trained by his dad, Willie.

But following a review by the Whip Review Committee, Mullins has been found to have used his whip one above the permitted level of seven from the final fence, and as the Grand National is a Class One race, the usual penalty of four days for such an offence was doubled.