Norman Williamson will miss the first day of the Martell Grand National meeting after receiving a 10-day ban for his Cheltenham whip offence.

Williamson fell foul of the whip guidelines covering Grade and Group One contests following his ride on Direct Route in the Queen Mother Champion Chase last Wednesday.

The Jockey Club's disciplinary committee yesterday ruled that Williamson had "struck Direct Route on numerous occasions in places other than the horse's hind quarters".

In a separate whip inquiry, Paul Flynn, the season's leading amateur who is currently sidelined through injury, was also given a 10-day suspension for using his whip with excessive frequency on Phardante Flyer, fourth in the Capel Cure Sharp Supreme Novices' Hurdle, the first race of the Festival.

Williamson accepted his punishment, which begins this Friday and covers those days on which jump racing is scheduled to take place, without complaint.

Flynn had no complaints at his punishment which will be served while he recovers from the broken right collar bone he sustained on the final day of the Festival.

The Irishman was recording his second ban for a whip offence since arriving in Britain.