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The setting sun caused the Grand National Steeplechase to be lessened from 16 jumps to 12.

The removal of two fences in the straight could not stop Inayforhay running out a comfortable winner in the final jumps race of the 2021 season, the Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat. 

The scheduled finishing time of 4.25pm was delayed as another ambulance was required after Chris McCarthy was transported to hospital following a fall from The Dominator in the preceding race, but several jockeys voiced concern over shadows cast by the setting sun. 

Stewards and jockeys were agreeance and the two jumps in home straight were removed, resulting in Sunday's 4500m steeplechase being cut from 16 obstacles to 12. 

Winning jockey Lee Horner would have liked the additional jumps for the winner Inayforhay, but was in agreeance with the move on safety grounds. 

"Anyone that knows jumping, when the sun is blinding a jump and the shadow is four feet, and you've got horse trying to take off, they can't all get over and that's when mistakes are made," Horner said. 

"You see it overseas a lot and they take fences down when the sun comes down. 

"It was starting to happen in the BM120 'chase (a race earlier) and the sun comes down pretty fast." 

Sunday's victory was Horner's second in succession having partnered Bee Tee Junior last year. 

He said it was a "bittersweet" victory as he raced past his wife's horse, Flying Agent, at the 700m mark when the jumping was complete. 

Horner said he had to thank trainer Paul Preusker for sticking with him following an injury earlier in the season 

"When I got injured, he had to replace me and then I had to fight to get back on," Horner said. 

"In the Grand National Hurdle, which is a big race, I was always going to ride Inayforhay today over my wife's horse as Paul had shown the loyalty to me to put me back on and back-to-back wins is good." 

A heavily backed $2.90 second favourite, Inayforhay raced to an eight-length win from the $1.75 favourite Social Element with Riding High ($10) nine lengths away third. 

Like Horner, Preusker was concerned with the missing jumps, but knew he had an incredible stayer on his hands. 

"Last year we put the plan together and you love getting it right," Preusker said. 

"It's always a risk putting all the eggs in one basket but in this case it's been worth it. 

"Over the years I've always fancied the jumpers and these sorts of races, so to get the opportunity to be in it for a start and to get the job done, that's another thing again."