Mullins ponders Own options

Willie Mullins has not ruled out an appeal against the decision of the Cheltenham stewards to allow Lord Windermere to keep the race after a desperately tight finish to the Gold Cup.

Mullins trains On His Own, who ran a great race to finish second and was beaten only a short head after the front two came close together on the run-in.

"I thought he was interfered with and he was beaten a short head and was in front after the line. The stewards felt he didn't deserve to get it and what more can I do at this stage? David (Casey) was disappointed at the outcome of the inquiry," said the handler.

Asked if he might appeal, Mullins said: "I'll have a chat with the owners and see what they want to do. I'll have a chat with David and then speak to people who are more experienced than me on appeals in England.

"Four weeks ago he was just a handicapper going for the Grand National, then he ran a terrific race in the Bobbyjo and we said we'd go to Punchestown for the Gold Cup there, then I got home and thought why not go for the Gold Cup in England?

"I had a look at the supplementary fee and talked to Graham (Wylie, owner) and he said yes. Coming here this morning if I thought we'd get second I'd have been delighted. He'll go back to Punchestown."

Casey told Channel 4 Racing: "I'm sick as a parrot. I got a great ride through and I just got done. I thought when I landed at the last, even though Davy jumped past me, I still had a chance and he picked up again - the rest is history.

"It could be worse, I was fortunate enough to get the ride as two other lads got injured and I was next in line. I thought I had a chance of getting the race and I do genuinely feel that if we'd raced in a straight line I'd have won."

Wylie added: "I just think my horse has run a fantastic race. I wasn't expecting to come here and win it. We knew there were good horses in the race. The way he battled up the hill, I was so proud of him."

David Bridgwater said of The Giant Bolster: "That was brilliant. It wasn't the smoothest race and he had traffic problems, but I'm delighted. I think you will look at that race and with a bit of luck say we could have won. I hope people realise he's a good horse now."

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Silvinaco Conti, who finished fourth, said: "He ran a blinder and I thought jumping the last he'd won. He travelled well, he quickened at the second-last and galloped all the way to the line, but it was amazing that three came up the outside to pass him. It might have helped if he'd had something to race with, but I'm thrilled with him."

Barry Geraghty, rider of Bobs Worth, said: "Silviniaco Conti jinked across and Bobs saw a yellow jacket and ducked across, but it cost us nothing. He has run a great race, but we were outpaced the whole way and his jumping came under pressure. I was all-out. I struggled to get past Silviniaco Conti and the others came past."

The Philip Fenton-trained Last Instalment has had a history of leg problems, something which surfaced again during the race. His ground-related participation was only confirmed at the 11th hour, and his owner Michael O'Leary told Racing UK: "His leg has gone again. There was always that risk and we'll retire him now."