Hoc cruises to Whitbread glory

Ad Hoc put up a remarkable performance to land the Whitbread Gold Cup as the British jumps season drew to a close at Sandown Park today.

Just seven days after finishing second in the Scottish Grand National, galloping four miles and a furlong at Ayr, he bounced back to turn the last big race of the campaign into a procession.

The Paul Nicholls-trained 14-1 chance looked full of running as he cruised up to join leader What`s up Boys (6-1) after the second-last fence in the stg£125,000 event.

And he burst clear once asked for his effort by jockey Ruby Walsh, going on to score by 19 lengths.

There was another 15 lengths back to Scotton Green (40-1) who got the better of Dark Stranger (28-1) for third place, with 7-2 favourite Beau fading into fifth after showing prominent for a long way.

Nicholls, saddling his 11th winner in the last 48 hours, was delighted with both horse and jockey.

'Didn`t he give him a brilliant ride?' he enthused.

'The horse has been a bit unlucky. He lost his confidence but the Ayr race did him good.

'We were a bit worried about the ground but I told Ruby, in the Hennessy he was cantering when he fell at the cross fence, so he may go on it.'

Walsh added: 'He jumped absolutely super and travelled really well. It was just a case of not hitting the front too soon.'