A look ahead to the Gold Cup

Willie Mullins feels it will be tough for On His Own to reproduce his incredible Cheltenham Gold Cup performance in the Bibby Financial Services Ireland Punchestown Gold Cup on Wednesday.

The Graham Wylie-owned 10-year-old was prominent throughout in the blue riband last month but looked like being swallowed up down the back straight.

To his immense credit, On His Own battled back to be beaten just a short head after he was carried across the track by the winner, Lord Windermere. A lengthy inquiry followed, but Lord Windermere was allowed to keep the race and Wylie decided not to appeal the decision.

"We're used to disappointment. Racing is about 99 per cent disappointment, but he ran a cracker. After the Bobbyjo Chase I thought maybe we had a horse good enough for the Gold Cup and he subsequently proved that," said Mullins.

"We've another year or two to give him a crack at the Gold Cup and he'll have a different prep next year maybe. He had a hard race at Cheltenham and it will be tough to replicate that run."

Mullins has another strong string to his bow with Aintree winner Boston Bob. Also owned by Wylie, he has threatened to be a very good horse for some time but had suffered several bouts of misfortune. However, it all came together at the Grand National meeting when he won the Melling Chase over two and a half miles.

He is the choice of Ruby Walsh, with Paul Townend on On His Own.

"He always promised to be as good as he showed in Aintree at home. He just wasn't doing it on the racetrack. Paul (Townend) gave him a lovely, cool ride (at Aintree) and just waited for the horse to be ready himself to go, rather than pushing him. That seemed to work better. He's bred to stay and get this sort of a trip," Mullins told At The Races.

Not far behind On His Own at Cheltenham was the Dessie Hughes-trained Lyreen Legend, who was another to outrun his odds with a big performance. Hughes is hoping this slightly shorter trip will see him in an even better light.

The County Kildare handler told www.irishhorse.tv: "He ran a hell of a race in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. He hit the second-last, which knocked the wind out of him a bit, other than that we thought he would have been placed. It was three miles and two (furlongs) at Cheltenham and it's three miles and one at Punchestown and that might suit him better."

Mouse Morris has reached for the blinkers with First Lieutenant after what he felt was of of the nine-year-old's worst ever runs at Aintree. He was beaten less than four lengths by Silviniaco Conti but never really looked like retaining his Betfred Bowl crown.

"I was disappointed with him at Aintree, he was never really travelling. It was one of his worst performances, I'd say. We're trying the blinkers and hopefully they will make him travel a bit better," said Morris.

"I think he's probably just a bit slower now and he found Liverpool a bit sharp. But, in saying that, he was only beaten four lengths. He's terrifically well, though, so hopefully the blinkers work."

Tom Taaffe's Argocat was just in front of First Lieutenant at Aintree and again has Tony McCoy on board, while Long Run is back over traditional fences after falling in the Grand National.

Medermit had nearly two years off the track before returning in the Grade One Ascot Chase in February when fourth to Captain Chris. He was only eighth behind Dynaste in the Ryanair at Cheltenham and Alan King feels he now needs three miles to be seen at his best.

"This trip will suit him better than the two miles and five in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham, where he was in top gear all the way. He would also have needed that match practice, so we'll give it a go and hope for the best," the Barbury Castle handler told www.alankingracing.co.uk.

The consistent Foildubh and Paul Nolan's Noble Prince complete the field. Nolan is slightly worried about running again so quickly after the 10-year-old finished second at Cork on April 20.

He said: "It was more like his old self last time and he's getting his consistency back. I'm just a little worried that it might be coming a bit soon, but on better ground he might get away with it."