Weld strikes gold for on-song Murphy

Hot Weld made history today by becoming the first horse to capture the Coral Scottish National and the Betfred Gold Cup when powering to glory on the final day of the jumps season at Sandown.

Just seven days after scoring from pillar to post at Ayr, Ferdy Murphy's charge made the trip down south to plunder the end-of season finale under a confident Graham Lee.

The 6-1 shot set out to lead once again but dropped away late in the first circuit before responding to his pilot's urgings passing the stands.

From then he was never headed and, despite a bunching group chasing him at the Pond Fence, Hot Weld strode out with purpose and came home three lengths clear of 9-4 favourite Reveillez.

My Will was a further six lengths adrift in third, with Zabenz dropping back to fifth having been just a length behind Hot Weld when making a bad blunder at the last.

Murphy said: "We've been having a great run and I've had a good year.

"I said after the Scottish National that he wouldn't run here as he had a hard race.

"But Niall Hannity (Murphy's assistant) rang me and said he was in the Betfred and we should go for it as we'd never get another chance like this.

"We don't knock the horses about early in the season so they don't have much mileage on the clock and can take their racing, but you are never sure until you put them in a race.

"I didn't think he was going that well early in the race but he warmed to it, as he only has one pace there is only once place to be.

"I hadn't seen him since Monday as I have been in Punchestown, so full credit to the great team I have at home.

Lee, who was capping a memorable first season with Murphy, said: "That was some training performance.

"To get a Scottish Grand National winner out again after a week was superb.

"Full credit to the horse too. He wasn't having it early on but his guts got up him back up to the head of affairs.

"I just filled him up and filled him up going to the Pond Fence and it is just amazing.

"What a difference 12 months makes too. I've had a great year and I am happy, which is the main thing."

Reveillez's trainer James Fanshawe said: "He ran very well. Tony (McCoy) just said he took a false step on the first circuit and might have hurt himself, but it was some achievement by the winner."