JPR One kicks off his second season over fences by giving weight to five rivals in the Grade 2 Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on Friday.
The Lightning Novices’ Chase winner was last seen finishing seventh in the Arkle and returns for trainer Joe Tizzard after a wind operation and with a tongue tie applied.
Stablemate Scarface is the only horse in the line-up with race fitness on his side after a sub-par comeback at last month’s Showcase Meeting and champion jockey Harry Cobden is booked to ride.
Dan Skelton also fields a pair of runners in the form of Etalon – the pick of Harry Skelton – and Greatwood Gold Cup winner Heltenham, who has plenty of ground to find with Sans Bruit from April’s Red Rum Handicap Chase.
Djelo, meanwhile, brings a high level of form to the table for Friday’s 14:25 after landing Grade 2 honours and placing third in the Turners Novices’ Chase in his maiden campaign over the larger obstacles.
The latest Haldon Gold Cup odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Haldon Gold Cup 2024 verdict
Timeform: ETALON made giant strides forward following his switch to chasing last season, winning 3 times prior to shaping better than the bare result in Grade 1 company on his final start. Still unexposed and retaining potential for better still, he shades the vote on return, with Jpr One, who boasts a smashing record fresh, and Djelo heading up the dangers.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Haldon Gold Cup 2024 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Haldon Gold Cup 2024.
JPR One
Trainer: Joe Tizzard Jockey: Brendan Powell Age: 7 Weight: 11st 12lbs
3-time hurdles winner who tasted success twice over fences last term, latterly bagging a Lingfield Gr 2 in January. Weakened out of things when seventh in Arkle at Cheltenham in March but this rates more suitable and record fresh is impressive. Tongue strap on/had wind surgery.
****
Djelo
Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Charlie Deutsch Age: 6 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Won first 3 starts over fences, latterly an Ascot Grade 2 last December. Placed in Golden Miller at Cheltenham prior to a lesser effort in Aintree Grade 1 on final start but he remains low-mileage as a 6-y-o and he commands respect back in handicap/after 6 months off.
****
Heltenham
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Ciaran Gethings Age: 7 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Improved again last season, the highlight being his victory in the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury (2½m, soft) in March. Was travelling well when falling 4 out at Ayr on final start of last season and while jockey bookings suggest that Etalon is the stable No 1, he’s not discounted.
***
Etalon
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Harry Skelton Age: 7 Weight: 11st 4lbs
Took his form to a new level sent chasing last season, bringing up the hat-trick with another wide-margin victory in 10-runner Sandown handicap (15.5f) in February. Blunder didn’t help his cause upped to Grade 1 level at Aintree in April and he remains the type to do better again this term.
*****
Sans Bruit
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Bryony Frost Age: 6 Weight: 11st 2lbs
Ex-French gelding jumped his rivals into submission from the front in Red Rum handicap at Aintree in April. Ran well to finish third turned out quickly at Ayr later that month and he appeals as the type who has more wins in him this campaign.
***
Scarface
Trainer: Joe Tizzard Jockey: Harry Cobden Age: 7 Weight: 10st 9lbs
Thrived over fences when cheekpieces went on, winning 3 times around 2½m between January and April. Feasible to think last month’s Cheltenham return effort will have brought him on but yard may well hold stronger claims with Jpr One.
***
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