(Image by: exeterraces)
Saturday serves up a treat for racing fans. The Listed class duo of the Wentworth Stakes and Gillies Fillies’ Stakes, alongside the November Handicap light up a cracking flat card at Doncaster, whilst the Badger Beers Trophy, Rising Stars Novices’ Chase, and Elite Hurdle headline Wincanton’s jumps card. All that, and we still haven’t mentioned the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase, as the runners and riders tackle the Grand National fences for the first time this season.
Much to look forward to, and Friday sees Exeter provide an appetiser with the 2024 edition of the Haldon Gold Cup. First run in 1969, this 2m1½f contest has been claimed by superstar names, including Viking Flagship, Flagship Uberalles, Best Mate, and Cue Card.
Whether there is anything of that calibre in this year’s field remains to be seen. However, with the runners and riders now confirmed, we have an intriguing field of six assembling for the seasonal highlight at the Devonshire venue.
2024 Haldon Gold Cup – Runners and Riders
1. JPR One – 9/4 with BetVictor
Trainer: Joe Tizzard
Jockey: Brendan Powell
A talented performer who landed a Novice Hurdle at this track in November 2021. Whilst progressive over the smaller obstacles, chasing appears to be his game. Scored with the minimum of fuss on his chase debut at Newton Abbot and was set to hack up in the Grade 2 Arkle Trial, only to unseat at the last. He added a Grade 2 at Lingfield in January before disappointing in the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Boasting form figures of 111 following a break of 190 days or more, this could be the time to catch him with the dry conditions in his favour.
(Image by: joe_tizzard_racing)
2. Djelo – 10/3 with BetVictor
Trainer: Venetia Williams
Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
Venetia Williams landed the 2000 edition of this but has failed to hit the mark since. Perhaps this consistent sort could be the one to put that right. The highlight of three wins during his debut chase campaign came when slamming the useful Kandoo Kid in the Grade 2 Lightning Novices’ Chase. Versatile regarding underfoot conditions and a winner at up to 2m3f, he has won first time out in the past three seasons.
3. Heltenham – 14/1 with BetVictor
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Ciaran Gethings
If judged on the jockey bookings, this seven-year-old is the second string from the in-form Dan Skelton operation. Picking up three wins during a productive 2023/24 campaign, his big day came when he saw Kandoo Kid in the Grade 3 Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury. However, he received 9lbs from that rival - leaving him with work to do with Djelo - and all five chase wins have come at around 2m4f.
4. Etalon – 11/4 with BetVictor
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton
Rated 119 over hurdles, this Sholokhov gelding proved a more formidable force in his debut campaign over fences. Rattling off a quick-fire hattrick by a combined winning distance of 57¾l, he headed to the Grade 1 Maghull Novices’ Chase with high hopes. That proved a step too far, but he wasn’t helped by being carried right at the start and looks a threat to all back in handicap company.
5. Sans Bruit – 6/1 with BetVictor
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Bryony Frost
With eight previous wins, Paul Nicholls is the most successful trainer in Haldon Gold Cup history. Flying the flag for the Ditcheat yard in 2024 is this rapidly improving six-year-old. Only joining the yard in January, he initially struggled to settle into his new surroundings but blossomed to post a sizzling success in the Red Rum Handicap Chase at the Grand National meeting. Bryony Frost takes her first British ride since August, but with all previous wins coming on soft, the ground is a question mark.
(Image by: paulnichollsracing)
6. Scarface – 12/1 with BetVictor
Trainer: Joe Tizzard
Jockey: Harry Cobden
This seven-year-old did his bit for the Tizzard yard with two wins in the Spring. He is also the only runner in the line-up with the benefit of a run, having blown away the cobwebs with a fifth-placed effort at Cheltenham in October. The big concern is whether he has the speed for this test, with all five previous wins coming over trips of 2m3½f+.
The Verdict
Heltenham (jockey bookings), Sans Bruit (going), and Scarface (trip) all have their potential negatives. Splitting Etalon, Djelo, and JPR One isn’t so straightforward. It’s a close call, but we just favour Djelo. The Venetia Williams runner is a Grade 2 winner on good to soft, and his placed performances in the Grade 1 Turners’ Novices’ Chase and Scilly Isles’ Novices Chase read well in the context of this. Those efforts came over 2m4f, but he isn’t short of pace and can keep tabs on the leaders before staying on best in the straight.
Recommended Bet: Djelo to win @ 10/3 with BetVictor
Paul Harrison
Falling in love with racing at a young age, Paul’s passion for sports and betting took him to Salford University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics with Gambling Studies. Having spent ten years in the employment of a leading bookmaker, Paul opted to go it alone and pursue his dream job as a freelance writer.
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