Fox calls ten-day ban 'harsh' as he considers whether to appeal

Grand National-winning jockey Derek Fox is considering lodging an appeal against the ten-day suspension imposed on him and two other jockeys after they ignored a stop-race flag at Perth on Monday.

Fox, Sean Quinlan and Stephen Mulqueen continued riding on the run to the line, close to where Johnny Go was being treated for what proved to be fatal injuries.

Three yellow flags were deployed up the home straight but the three banned jockeys argued they saw only the final flag raised towards the end of the voided contest.

Peter Scudamore, partner and assistant to Fox's boss, Lucinda Russell, on Monday criticised the decision to suspend the riders, while Fox on Tuesday questioned the severity of the penalty.

Red Giant, the first horse past the post, clears the final fence under Sean Quinlan before the stop-race flag was raisedCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"I haven't decided about an appeal yet and am still sitting on the fence," said Fox. "I don't think this was a clear-cut, black or white incident, so ten days seems harsh.

"I saw the final flag only at the last minute, and only then out of the corner of my eye, as I had my head down in a driving finish. By then, though, it was too late.

"It was all really unfortunate. It's a pity there wasn't someone actually stood in front of one of the fences up the straight."