Exeter Haldon Gold Cup Day Tips
The West Country weekend kicks off with the BetMGM Haldon Gold Cup day at Exeter on Friday followed by the Badger Beer Day at Wincanton on Saturday.
The action at Exeter has a host of competitive action with the Grade 2 Haldon Gold Cup Handicap Chase (14:25) being the feature.
There are a total of seven races on the card at Exeter on Friday and we have selected our best bets.
12:40 - Radmore & Tucker, Stihl Garden Machinery Novices' Hurdle
This is an interesting contest with a few of these making their debut under rules and some with a bit to prove with minimal runs over hurdles. One horse who catches the eye is KEL DU LARGE , who has been off the track since February 2025.
Having been absent for so long there will be some questions to be asked over his fitness, however, he is unbeaten on his three starts and, if he is able to pick up where he left off, he can go well against these newcomers.
Selection: Kel du Large
13:15 - Radmore & Tucker, Stihl Garden Machinery "Challenger" Mares' Handicap Hurdle
This Mares Handicap Hurdle looks to be a deep and competitive race on paper with not a lot between these in terms of ratings. Evan Williams’ TOUR OVALIE should come along well after finishing down the field in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Chepstow last time out.
Williams’ six-year-old was a five-time winner last campaign and ran admirably at a big price in the Mares’ Novice Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last season.
She’s a little higher than ideal in the weights but if she can replicate last year’s form she should have a good chance here.
Selection: Tour Ovalie
13:50 - 'Future Stars' Silver Bowl Novices' Chase
This race was unfortunate to have been dealt a walkover last year, but has thrown up some good winners in the past, including Stay Away Fay and Thyme Hill.
Trainer Paul Nicholls holds a good record in this having won five of the last seven renewals and he can keep that trend going with QUEBECOIS.
Nicholls’ six-year-old has a useful pedigree and looks like he could be a good chaser in the making, he enjoyed a good novice hurdle campaign and can start life over fences well here at Exeter this afternoon.
Selection: Quebecois
14:25 - BetMGM Haldon Gold Cup Handicap Chase
Last year’s winner JPR ONE is fancied to retain his title in the feature race of the day. He’s 4lb higher than last year's success which seems fair given the fact he secured victory over this year’s Charlie Hall winner Djelo, despite giving Venetia Williams’ charge 2lb that day.
The Tizzards often target this race and will be hoping they can keep up their good form in this contest.
Selection: JPR One
15:00 - Handicap Hurdle
Yet another competitive handicap on the cards for punters to get stuck into on Haldon Gold Cup day and MOORLAND RAMBLER catches the eye at a price.
Jane Williams’ charge will be running for the tenth time at the West Country course and arrives here 4lb below his previous winning mark. The gelding will enjoy the testing conditions and will love any rain that has fallen.
Selection: Moorland Rambler
15:35 - 'Challenger' Stayers' Handicap Chase
THEONEWEDREAMOF was unfortunate to bump into a strong rival on his seasonal reappearance at Chepstow when finishing second last time out.
However, she finished an impressive 10 lengths clear of the horse in third that day and arrives at Exeter off an unchanged mark.
She should have a good chance of going one better today and getting off the mark for her new yard since making the switch from Gavin Cromwell to Dan Skelton.
Selection: Theonewedreamof
16:10 - Handicap Hurdle
While he was disappointing toward the back end of last season, Jamie Snowden’s JACK SPRAT looked to turn his form around when finishing second at Bangor last time out.
The seven-year-old holds a good record here having only failed to finish outside the top two once in three starts; including a win over course and distance in January.
He arrives here just 2lb higher than that winning mark and a rating of 104 looks more than manageable for the gelding.
Selection: Jack Sprat
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
