A jockey arrested for drink-driving after watching the Grand National has been banned from the road for 28 months.

Christopher Murray, 24, who was three times over the legal limit, was detained for 18 hours after being involved in a crash in which another driver was injured.

He was released from custody with just enough time to reach his next race at Lingfield racecourse in Surrey.

The accident happened after Murray had spent the afternoon in a Brighton pub watching the Grand National on television on April 3.

Brighton magistrates heard he decided to drive the short distance to his girlfriend's home but shunted into the car in front at a red traffic light in Lewes Road.

Juliet Evans, prosecuting, told the court Murray, who is based at Home Gate Stables in Plumpton, near Lewes, agreed to pull over at a nearby garage to exchange insurance details with the other driver, who suffered whiplash.

But after stopping briefly, Murray drove off.

He was stopped shortly afterwards by police, who said he appeared drunk as he had difficulty standing without help.

He gave a test reading of 118mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

He was driving on a provisional licence and without insurance.

At an earlier hearing Murray, who has no previous convictions, admitted drink-driving, careless driving and failing to stop after an accident. He was warned he could face jail.

When he appeared again in court yesterday he was spared a prison sentence.

Instead he was banned from driving for 28 months and ordered to carry out 80 hours' community punishment and pay £34 towards costs.

Michael Cole, defending, said Murray felt remorse for what had happened.

He said the jockey had drunk four or five pints but the alcohol had greater impact because he was on a diet in a bid to keep his weight down.

He said: "He is well liked and trusted. He is a nice person who has made a mistake on this occasion."

Mr Cole said Murray would not lose his job because of his arrest.