November 04 / 16.35 Exeter

16.35

Good

Betway Haldon Gold Cup (A Limited Handicap Chase) (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £47552
  • 2m 1f 109y
  • Class 1
  • 5 runners
ITV4
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Betway Haldon Gold Cup (A Limited Handicap Chase) (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

5/2 (Won)

Form: 41251- CD

Last run: 195 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 168

Form & Verdict
He was 17lb lower when winning this two years back and was only fourth off this mark 12 months ago having raced keenly; however, he went on to win two Grade 1s at Sandown and, if anywhere near his best, his class should see him be very competitive; Paul Nicholls reckons his work is better than ever.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

29th Apr 2023

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

13:40 Sandown

Greaneteen

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Three-time Grade 1 winner over this C&D, including last two editions of this race; hasn't really sparkled since emphatic win at Exeter (2m1f, good; Grade 2 handicap) on seasonal debut in November but a bad jumping error probably cooked his goose in last month's Champion Chase and he can't be opposed with any confidence on his return to this track; handles slow ground but probably best on good/good to soft.

5/2

3rd

6

15th Mar 2023

Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

15:30 Cheltenham

Greaneteen

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, bad mistake and lost ground 4 out, well held but kept on from 2 out, pecked on landing last, pushed out and went modest third final 110yds

20/1

3rd

2

11th Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 92y

Class 1

15:00 Newbury

Greaneteen

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Bagged a second Haldon Gold Cup success (good ground) on reappearance, then ran respectably behind Edwardstone when bidding for a second Tingle Creek win; only third in this race two years ago having had an identical preparation, but he's clear on ratings in this easier renewal.

4/9

Form: 7817-2 D

Last run: 170 days

W: 10st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Particularly effective at Sandown and most of his wins have come during the second half of the season, including three in the same handicap chase at his favourite track in early February; has slipped back to a favourable mark but he has an air of vulnerability about him in this company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

1st May 2023

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:50 Kempton

Dolos

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened quickly, pulled up 2 out

4/1

5th

1

2nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Dolos

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Pulled up about two months ago at Sandown, the venue for three of his last four wins; it's hard to be confident on this first run since but he fared respectably on his two other starts this season and has edged down to a handy mark; versatile ground-wise and not ruled out if bouncing back.

7/1

1

4th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

13:45 Sandown

Dolos

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

10yo with a remarkable record in this race, winning it for the third time 12 months ago and narrowly beaten on two other occasions; 3lb higher than last year but he's well treated on old form and a third in the Desert Orchid at Kempton last time suggests he arrives here in good form; high on the list.

11/4

Form: 12142-

Last run: 211 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict
His only defeats as a novice came at the highest level and even then he held his own, notably when a staying-on fourth in the Arkle at Cheltenham (good to soft); this trip on a stiff track might be just the ticket for him and with 10st 7lb he could take some beating.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

20th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 3

15:40 Plumpton

War Lord

11st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Very useful chaser in his prime but last month's hurdling win at Fontwell (2m5f, good) came off a hugely reduced handicap mark and it's not easy to predict whether his revival will gather momentum.

4/1

1st

2

22nd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

17:20 Fontwell

War Lord

12st 0lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Has been through a quiet spell but he ran respectably when fourth at Worcester (2m4f, good; tongue-tie refitted) last time; likely to need more.

13/2

6

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Worcester

War Lord

11st 6lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Very useful chaser in his prime but this year's efforts, in three hurdles and a chase, make him tough to recommend.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 13123- D

Last run: 209 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 153

Form & Verdict
Made a mistake at just the wrong time when below his best in the 2m Grade 1 at Aintree in April and his only previous defeats over fences came at the hands of Arkle winner Edwardstone, behind whom he finished virtually upsides War Lord at Sandown last December (off level weights); commands the utmost respect, though his tendency to race freely is a concern first time back and this will be the furthest he's raced under rules.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

24th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 199y

Class 2

15:35 Cheltenham

Third Time Lucki

10st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Had his troubles after such a promising start over fences for the Skeltons but he's back in the good books after small-field handicap wins at Bangor and Uttoxeter (both on good ground; effective on softer); returns to far classier company here and may be found wanting.

9/1

1st

2

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 2

16:20 Uttoxeter

Third Time Lucki

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Has regressed since showing such smart form for the Skeltons but looked back on good terms with himself when comfortably accounting for Fringill Dike at Bangor (2m1f, good), having led from halfway; back up 9lb but might well have turned a corner.

3/1

1st

5

17th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 2

14:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Third Time Lucki

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Very well handicapped on old form but, following a long absence, did not really fire on any of five starts for new stable last season; not beaten far when last of five in Ascot race won by Coastguard Station in March and another 5lb lower here but still needs to up his game.

13/2

Form: 583-UF D

Last run: 131 days

W: 10st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Useful on his day when with Joseph O'Brien but jumping issues remain after making race-ending mistakes in his two handicaps for this yard during the summer; should know better after 25 starts over fences and, even with a trouble-free round, these terms look beyond him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

25th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

15:35 Taunton

Us And Them

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Joe Ponting

prominent, weakened before 2 out

50/1

5

21st Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Warwick

Us And Them

11st 10lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Joe Ponting

Smart chaser in his prime but absent since 38l defeat on stable debut at Sedgefield in November 2023; reverts to hurdling on a very tempting mark but it takes a leap of faith to support him.

33/1

5th

1

16th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 3f 65y

Class 4

13:25 Sedgefield

Us And Them

12st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joe Ponting

Had some smart form over fences when trained by Joseph O'Brien including when runner-up in the 2019 Arkle, but not at the same level now and was last seen finishing third of five in a claiming hurdle for Alan Jones at Fakenham (2m, good to soft) in March; makes his debut for another new yard after eight months off and lots to prove.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £27.31

Selections

Telegraph:

Third Time Lucki

RP Ratings:

Dolos

SPOTLIGHT:

War Lord

Daily Mirror:

Greaneteen

WEST COUNTRY:

War Lord

The Times:

War Lord

Daily Mail:

Third Time Lucki

D Express:

Third Time Lucki

The Sun:

Third Time Lucki

The Star:

Third Time Lucki

Daily Record:

Greaneteen

TOPSPEED:

Dolos

POSTDATA:

Dolos

The Guardian:

Dolos