Aintree ban riles McCoy

Racing

Tony McCoy's agent, Dave Roberts, yesterday called for a Jockey Club inquiry after the jockey was belatedly ruled out of the Grand National following a fall at Uttoxeter last Tuesday. McCoy was originally signed off for 10 days for concussion by the racecourse doctor, Andrew Toman. However, the Jockey Club's chief medical adviser, Dr Michael Turner, ruling the initial ban "inappropriate", increased it to 21 days.

"Tony is upset that the decision took so long to be made," Roberts said, "and that he was informed at 10.30 at night. The doctor at the racecourse allowed Tony to drive home from Uttoxeter. If he was unconscious for three minutes this should never have been allowed."

Dr Turner said: "The racecourse doctor did not follow the Rules of Racing and handed Tony an inappropriate suspension, which had to be modified. I have merely imposed the Rules and rectified the error."