KEY POINTS:
Tommy Hazlett says the recent banning of jockeys wearing spurs was partially responsible for him being fined $400for excessive use of the whip in finishing third on Just A Swagger in the Grand National.
Jockeys have traditionally used spurs as a method of propelling ahorse forward.
And Hazlett says although he doesn't entirely disagree with them being banned, jockeys have only the whip as an alternative.
"When I came into the last fence I was running second to Gauchito Bastado," said Hazlett.
"If the leader had made a mistake that would have left me in front, so I had to keep my horse rolling."
Whip regulations require a jockey to place their hands back on the reins after hitting a horse six times.
Phillip Turner on fourth-placed Repete and Chad Ormsby (Rainline, 7th) were each fined $250 for the same offence.
It's often difficult to make a case that a horse was blocked for a run in a steeplechase, but Grand National runner-up Stitched looked a good thing, beaten after being held up approaching the home bend.
Stitched is a dour, roll-on horse and was severely inconvenienced by the halt to his momentum.
Trainer Allan Sharrock was critical of the ride by Kenny Watson, particularly for attempting an inside run so close to the finish.
Black Eagle did his chances no favours when he had an issue with Havana City at the first fence and then later did all but throw rider Shelley Houston over his head at a fencemid-race.
Black Eagle was found to be distressed when inspected by the club's veterinarian. Havana City pulled up sore.
