Jockey Jack Andrews Banned 12 Days After Missing Fence at Stratford

Jack Andrews was leading a 2m1f handicap chase at Stratford-on-Avon on Xcitations when he made the kind of navigational error that ends races before they finish. Bypassing the water jump at the fifth fence, Andrews took the wrong course entirely, then pulled up the 11-year-old gelding once the mistake became clear. The stewards handed him a 12-day suspension.

The inquiry found that Andrews had appeared to take the incorrect course after jumping the first fence in the home straight on the first circuit. The stewards' statement read: "The rider was interviewed and shown recordings of the incident. Andrews was suspended for 12 days for taking the wrong course as he had failed to jump the water jump and subsequently pulled the gelding up."

The complicating factor here is course configuration. It had been pre-agreed that the sixth fence would be omitted for chase races, and Andrews, riding Pam Sly's Xcitations, appears to have been thrown by that arrangement when approaching the water jump. The error was self-correcting in one sense: Andrews recognised the mistake quickly and pulled up rather than continuing. It did not save him from the ban.

With the leader out, the race went to Harel Du Marais, ridden by James Bowen, who won by three and a quarter lengths. Bowen told Racing TV afterward: "He switched off well, which he hasn't done so well previously, and I was able to be a lot more handy on him than usual. I ended up challenging for the lead too soon but once I got by I thought I was always going to stay there."

Andrews brings an unusual profile to jump racing. At 6ft 4in, he is widely described as the world's tallest jockey, standing over a foot taller than most of his counterparts, and has spoken about the discipline required to manage his weight at that height. "I don't know of anyone riding under rules who is taller than me," he said in 2023. "But I'm very self-critical and constantly trying to make myself better, especially with my riding."

The Stratford-on-Avon meeting produced two additional suspensions. A jockey named Gilligan received a one-day ban for misconduct at the start after failing to walk or jog on the second attempt to get the race underway, triggering another false start. Stewards interviewed both Gilligan and the Starter and reviewed footage before issuing the penalty. In that race, Gilligan and Will Do finished 11th, while Nicky Henderson's Holloway Queen, ridden by Bowen, took the win. Separately, Conor Stone-Walsh was given a two-day ban for careless riding after his mount Iceberg Theory drifted left-handed toward the rail without being sufficiently clear of Donagh Meyler and Backersackme, despite finishing fifth.

The Andrews suspension was released ahead of the Cheltenham Festival, giving the ban an awkward backdrop. Whether Andrews intends to appeal, and precisely when his 12-day ban begins and ends, has not been confirmed.