Hot Weld continues hot form

Graham Lee guides Hot Weld over the last fence

Hot Weld landed his second big staying chase in successive weeks with a game victory in the Betfred Gold Cup at Sandown.

As expected, Graham Lee's mount was first to break with Zabenz keeping him company, followed by top-weight My Will.

Lee increased the tempo on trainer Ferdy Murphy's 6-1 shot when the field started out on their seond and final circuit.

This seemed to find out 9-4 favourite Reveillez as Tony McCoy's ride began putting in sloppy jumps.

Hot Weld's relentless gallop was taking its toll on his rivals, and only Zabenz threatened to peg back the eight-year-old back.

That was some training performance - to get a Scottish Grand National winner out again after a week was superb Graham Lee praises Ferdy Murphy

However, a horrendous mistake at the last ended his bid and jockey Richard Johnson did well to stay in the saddle.

The winner, who was 11lb out of the handicap, is the first horse to complete the Scottish National-Betfred Gold Cup double.

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

It later transpired that Reveillez had lost a hind shoe.

His 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."