Murphy Hoping For Something Special

Graham Lee will team up with You're Special for the first time on Saturday as trainer Ferdy Murphy chases a £250,000 bonus in the Betfred Gold Cup.

The bookmakers offer the huge prize to any horse that can win at the Cheltenham Festival before going on to success in the Grade Three feature on the final day of the jumps season at Sandown.

You're Special has his Festival win in the bag after taking the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup, although Murphy could have opted to run fellow Cheltenham winner Hot Weld, successful in the National Hunt Chase, instead.

However, he believes six-time chase winner You're Special stands a better chance of landing the jackpot than his more lightly-raced stablemate.

'We had the choice between running him and Hot Weld but we felt Hot Weld probably wasn't experienced enough for a big race like the Betfred,' explained the Leyburn handler.

The gelding was partnered by amateur Richard Harding at Cheltenham but Lee steps in as he seeks a first win in the end-of-season showpiece.

'You're Special did a very good piece of work on Friday morning and the best news of all is that we have booked Graham Lee,' added Murphy.

'He likes decent ground and it looks like he has a good racing weight so I'm hoping for the best.

'The bonus on top of the prize money makes it a very good pot to aim at.'

Ladbrokes make You're Special the 8-1 co-favourite along with Eric's Charm and Innox.

? PA Sport