Venetia Williams believes jockey Callum Whillans

Venetia Williams believes jockey Callum Whillans "should be commended" after guiding Gorgehous Lliege to the runner-up spot in controversial circumstances in Saturday's West Wales National at Ffos Las.

The nine-year-old was one of just two horses from 10 starters still in contention rounding the home turn, with the other participants exiting at various stages of the three-and-a-half-mile heat.

The Rebecca Curtis-trained Bob Ford began to assert from the third-last fence in the hands of Paul Townend and looked set to finish alone when Gorgehous Lliege appeared to pull up approaching the final obstacle.

However, after giving his mount a few moments to recover, Whillans and Gorgehous Lliege then jumped the obstacle in their own time to finish a distant second, picking up a little over £8,000 in prize-money.

The stewards on-course at the Welsh circuit were satisfied Whillans had not broken any Rules and Williams, who watched on television from Sandown, was happy with her rider's actions and reports her charge to be none the worse on Sunday morning.

She said: "First of all, the horse is absolutely fine.

"I was actually at Sandown and watched the race on a small screen, but from what I could see, most of the horses that pulled up did so at around the three-mile distance.

"Turning for home there were the two of them left clear, the two that had been in the first two pretty well all the way, and both of them were still on the bridle.

"The winner went on to win the race virtually on the bridle, while Gorgehous Lliege got tired up the straight.

"I think Callum did a sensible thing. The horse is a very good jumper and I don't think he made a single mistake on the way round.

"Callum gave him chance to get a breather and catch his breathe. Then, once Callum realised there were no other horses behind him and there was no urgency, he allowed the horse to pop over the fence in his own time.

"I think all the jockeys were sensible and pulled up at the correct time and Callum should be commended for what he did.

"We actually won a two-mile chase at Sandown. They went a very strong pace, the ground wasn't as soft as it was at Ffos Las, but the horses were still finishing tired, which is inevitable when the ground is soft at this time of year.

"Gorgehous Lliege is not a quick horse and when stamina is not at a premium, he isn't going to have much of a chance.

"He's not blessed with speed, but what he is blessed with is great jumping ability and stamina."