The English champion trainer Martin Pipe was last night considering a Jockey Club appeal after one of his runners was judged to be a non-trier yesterday.

Magnus, the top weight in the Coral Eurobet Cup and ridden by Barry Geraghty, finished second-last of the 26 finishers in the big handicap, but landed both Pipe and Geraghty in hot water.

The top Irish jockey received a 12-day ban, the horse was suspended from racing for 40 days, and Pipe was hit with a £2,000 fine under the non-trier rule.

"It's totally wrong," declared Pipe who ironically won the race with the 25 to 1 outsider, Ilnamar. "He was there to do his best and try to win. Mr Johnson (the owner) backed it.

"I'm very disappointed they did that to the jockey who has come over here only trying to win. We will look at an appeal, but it's probably a waste of time. Have you ever dealt with the stewards? The horse was trying. I stake my life on that. I can say no more," Pipe said.

Rarely can a race have provided a wider range of emotions because the only horse that finished behind Magnus was the 11 to 2 favourite Golden Alpha, who was also trained by Pipe. However, Ilnamar totally belied his odds and won easily for Irish-born rider Rodi Greene.

"Rodi's got me out of trouble. It's a surprise but they all count. I had six in the race and I fancied four of them with the ones out the handicap having it all to do. I told Rodi off for winning too far!" Pipe said.

But the surprises weren't over. Tony McCoy was on another favourite in the Mildmay Of Flete and led over the last only to be hauled back by Blowing Wind - also trained by Pipe, and also a 25 to 1 shot.

"I just wish I'd backed them. Ruby (Walsh) gave him a great ride," said the trainer who had a disaster on the first day, including the loss of Valiramix. "That was the lowest. You never get over those days," he added.