Grand National-winning jockey Jason Maguire may miss the Cheltenham Festival after receiving a 14-day banunder the ‘non-triers’ rule.
‘Very tired’
Jason was found guilty of “schooling/conditioning” the horse Born To Succeedin theOnny Maiden Hurdle at Ludlow, afterhe was beaten by nearly 24 lengths.
The 34-year-old jockey who won the Grand National in 2011, is appealing the ban.
A statement issued by the British Horseracing Authority said: “The rider stated that his instructions were to drop the gelding in and get him settled and then to do his best work late on.”
According to Jason, the five-year-old gelding became very tired on the home straight, which meant he wasn’t “quick enough to take any gaps” and didn’t jump well.
“He therefore felt it prudent to keep a good hold of the horse,” the statement continued.
‘Extremely nervous’
Trainer Ben Pauling said Jason had ridden according to his instructions. Born To Succeed is apparently “extremely nervous” at home and he was therefore “keen that the horse should be allowed to get home in its race in order to progress its education.”
Jason missed the Cheltenham Festival last year after a bad fall at Stratford, which left him with a fractured sternum and bleeding on the liver.