FOLLOWING a retrospective inquiry (a fairly rare event), Aidan Coleman has been given a four-day suspension Feb 1st-4th) for excessive use of the whip on Welsh Grand National winner Emperor’s Choice.

The ride, which did not attract attention at the time, looked a perfect case of doing all that was necessary, but no more than that, to get a tired horse home at the end of nearly three and three-quarter miles. The Chepstow stewards should have looked at it at the time but were busy examining what caused a false start.