The Haldon Gold Cup card on Friday, 8 November is the most valuable meeting at Exeter races of the entire season. Field sizes don’t do the prize money on offer from The Jockey Club track in Devon justice this year, however.
Poor turnouts are due to unseasonably good ground for this stage of the National Hunt season. That means punters face challenges in finding value on horse racing betting sites, but a meeting of this stature always deserves further analysis.
And it’s that point where our experts step in with their preview of Exeter races for the big day. Supporting the Grade 2 Haldon Gold Cup, run as a limited handicap chase, is the 3m Silver Bowl for novices over fences.
Read on and see how our pro punters mark your card for all the action from the Devon venue despite small fields.
Exeter Races Preview for Haldon Gold Cup Day (8 November)
12:40 – 2m 5f 137y Class 3 Novice Hurdle
JACK BLACK has three thirds next to his name, yet that form looks stronger. Dan Skelton’s charge hit the frame behind Quebecois here in December, and fellow subsequent hurdles winners Bill Joyce and Clap Of Thunder at Warwick. Jack Black also has hurdles experience from Newbury where he couldn’t go the pace, so stepping him up in trip makes sense.
Nicholls also runs Super Saint, but he’s very much the Ditcheat second string to Captain Bellamy. Despite the longest racecourse absence, Check The Score won a Point and the Fergal O’Brien runner could improve for fences. A Moments Madness was only second between the flags and completes the field for Warren Greatrex.
1:15 – 2m 161y Class 2 Novice Hurdle
Most horses sent out from Ditcheat have needed their reappearance, so Sorceleur should now be spot on to land this. Wellington Arch defected from Newbury in preference for a run here, but the Jonjo O’Neill representative has plenty to find with the selection on Aintree bumper form.
Carlisle faller Yhprum’s Law is difficult to get a handle on after just two starts. He could still be anything for the Skelton stable. Lowly rated Flat convert Kingston Joy makes up the numbers with a paltry mark of 52 on the level.
1:50 – 3m 54y Class 2 Future Stars Silver Bowl Novices’ Chase
He also landed the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle around Newbury over the Christmas period. Captain Teague delivered in his Irish Point before joining Nicholls; so, even at prohibitive odds, can’t really be opposed.
Deafening Silence can chase him home for Skelton after taking the Grade 2 Winter Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown last term. Daring Plan, the rank outsider of three, is a 100/1 shot against these two fearsome rivals.
2:25 – 2m 1f 109y Grade 2 Haldon Gold Cup Limited Handicap Chase
Venetia Williams entrant DJELO goes well fresh, however, and gets a tentative vote. It is hard to rule any of the six out completely with online betting sites agreeing, but this typical French import to the yard could continue to climb the ranks.
On Aintree form, Etalon finished in front of Djelo and is an obvious danger. The pick of two Skelton runners beat subsequent Ascot Premier Handicap winner Martator on reappearance at Newbury last term.
Heltenham completes the sextet and, like Scarface, probably wants further. Harry Skelton is on Etalon, rather than the Greatwood Gold Cup winner, though. Brendan Powell prefers JPR One to Scarface, who is now a spare Harry Cobden ride.
3:00 – 2m 2f 111y Class 4 Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (0-115)
Exeter races regular Asian Spice may attract support off bottom weight for father-daughter duo of Jimmy and Bryony Frost, but Kim Bailey’s BRENDAS ASKING could follow-up on her Ludlow success. Tom Bellamy takes the ride for the first time here and, but for stumbling at the final hurdle last time, she would’ve won even more impressively.
The back form of Brendas Asking also reads well in relation to this modest level. Miss Goldfire could be open to further improvement, but Harry Fry runners haven’t done that well this month so far.
Of the others, Taunton Listed third Jaminska should go well for Jane Williams if coming on for her reappearance dropping down in trip. David Pipe’s course bumper winner Micronormous has Cobden aboard, an interesting jockey booking.
3:35 – 3m 54y Class 3 Stayers Handicap Chase (0-130)
Coco Mademoiselle placed behind a subsequent Grade 2 scorer over hurdles and filled the runner-up spot again in the Seafield Trophy during the Scottish Grand National card around Ayr. Given her Point background, she can only improve for her first try at the larger obstacles.
Egbert won first time out over fences for Alan King and has now dropped in the weight to just 4lb above his last winning mark. Tea Clipper likes a sound surface, but has often flattered to deceive. A much-reduced mark of 127 for Tom Lacey’s charge might be too tempting to ignore for some punters.
