Haldon Gold Cup day is the highlight of the season at Exeter where Tom George’s God’s Own (2.20) can land back-to-back renewals under regular partner Paddy Brennan. The selection is 5lb higher for beating the ill-fated Balder Succes in the corresponding race last year but couldn’t have been more impressive that day and held his form well thereafter; placing in Grade 1 Novices’ Chase at both the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals.
He was last seen falling in the Celebration Chase at Sandown, with the re-opposing Court Minstrel and Vibrato Valtat finishing down the field, and providing that tumble hasn’t left its mark he is a confident selection to carry on the excellent form of the Tom George stable at the likely expense of former Champion Chaser Sire De Grugy. Gary Moore’s stable star bids to concede upwards of 7lb to his five rivals and boasts an excellent record fresh however, disappointed last term and is best watched on his seasonal debut under the trainer’s son Jamie.
Trainer Dan Skelton sends unbeaten bumper winners Walking in the Air and Welsh Shadow down for the opening pair of Novices’ Hurdles on the card and whilst both are respected, they are best watched for a yard that are far from firing on all cylinders. Jollyallan won the corresponding 2m Novices’ Hurdle last year in the famous green and gold hoops of owner JP McManus and connections can celebrate further success with Alan King‘s Yanworth (1.50) under Barry Geraghty. The selection looked an exciting prospect when making a winning reappearance last year at Newbury on the bridle. He followed-up with excellent efforts in defeat at Ascot and Cheltenham, finishing fourth in the Festival Bumper, and looks the ideal type to progress further over timber.
Seven head to post for a competitive renewal of the 3m Novices’ Chase and Southfield Vic, Flintham and The Tourard Man (2.50) all fascinating runners making their debut over fences with the latter given the nod under Wayne Hutchinson. Alan King’s 9-y-o was progressive over hurdles last season, scoring at Southwell and Warwick, and placing in a pair of competitive races over course and distance last season. He should prove even better over the larger obstacles and after a recent pipe-opener should be stripped-fitter to get the better of his main two market rivals on their respective seasonal debuts.
Fourteen head to post for a competitive renewal of the 3m Handicap Chase where Ziga Boy (3.20) can cap-off an excellent afternoon for both King and Hutchinson. The selection was a well-backed favourite for the corresponding race last year when disappointing on that occasion but bounced back to score on his next start in emphatic fashion under Tom Bellamy at Wincanton. The gelding lost his way thereafter but has been given a chance by the handicapper and remains potentially well-treated to score for a second time over fences.
The curtain is drawn on the season at Redcar where What Could She Be (1.30) is taken to relish the forecast testing conditions to score at the belated tenth time of asking. Michael Dods’ filly put her best foot forward last time out over course and distance when unfortunate to bump into one of David O’Meara. First-time cheek-pieces should hopefully eek out that bit more improvement out of her and she should remain competitive from a 3lb higher mark.
There’s action on the all-weather at Wolverhampton where David O’Meara’s Foreign Diplomat (5.10) can land the feature 7f handicap under Danny Tudhope. The selection has shaped with promise in both starts for his new yard since leaving the William Haggas stable, not beaten far in competitive handicaps at Musselburgh and Kempton, and can make it third time lucky for his relatively new handler from a career-low mark of 76.
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