Treadwell calls it a day

JOCKEY Liam Treadwell, who landed the 2009 Grand National on 100- 1 shot Mon Mome, announced his retirement on the day the weights for the 2018 Aintree spectacular were announced.

The 32-year-old said he never truly recovered from the effects of a fall in March 2016 and that his decision to retire and leave the sport ‘ on his own terms’ was a relief.

Treadwell, who rode almost 300 winners, said: ‘It was a difficult decision but one that needed to be made for my mindset as much as anything else.

‘Since 2016 when I got knocked out, the thought processes have been different. I have had plenty of success since but a couple of injuries too, and that makes the effort of being a jockey harder.

‘The pressure I put on myself to succeed and not let people down was too much. I didn’t sleep on Saturday night with my mind going in circles.

‘When I admitted to myself and my wife that the best thing to do was to start a new chapter, it was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders.’

Meanwhile, Brian Ellison-trained Definitly Red will be top weight of 11st 10lb in this year’s National on April 14. Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained favourite Blaklion will have to race off a 9lb higher rating.