JPR One looks to win back Haldon Gold Cup crown as race moved to Aintree

The autumn National Hunt calendar features a dramatic change of scene this November. The Grade 2 Haldon Gold Cup Handicap Chase, traditionally staged on the rolling Devon terrain at Exeter, will instead be held on Merseyside at Aintree Racecourse.

Why the Haldon Gold Cup Has Moved from Exeter

The iconic two-mile contest has been forced off Haldon Hill due to major drainage re-development work and track maintenance at Exeter.

Following severe waterlogging issues during recent autumn campaigns, Jockey Club executives took the strategic decision to relocate the centerpiece fixture for the 2026 renewal.

With the Aintree flat and fast Mildmay Course stepping in as the ideal replacement host, offering a fair, high-speed alternative for Britain’s top middle-distance chasers.

Spotlight on the Favorite: JPR One Seeks Double Glory

The headliner in this historic relocation is JPR One, trained by Joe Tizzard.

A standout winner of the 2024 Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter under Brendan Powell, JPR One established himself as one of the most slickly accurate two-mile jumpers in the division.

Now returning as one of the prime 2026 favorites, JPR One aims to become a rare dual-winner of the race across two entirely different racecourses.

JPR One will be looking to become the first horse since God’s Own to win back the Haldon Gold Cup crown.

With the Tom George runner winning the Exeter pot in 2014 aged 6 and again in 2018 aged 10.

His trainer, Joe Tizzard, holds a special affection for this fixture-having won it as a jockey aboard Lake Kariba (1998), Flagship Uberalles (1999), and Cue Card (2012), before training Elixir De Nutz (2023) and JPR One (2024) to victory.

While Paul Nicholls is the winning-most trainer in the Haldon Gold Cup, with EIGHT successes.

Friday’s Aintree contest will also be shown live on ITV Racing (ITV4).

2026 Haldon Gold Cup Race Details

• Date: Friday, November 6, 2026
• Post Time: 15:00 GMT
• Track: Aintree Racecourse (Mildmay Course)
• Trip / Distance: 2 Miles
• TV Coverage: ITV4 & Racing TV
• Prize Purse (winner): £59,440

Haldon Gold Cup 2026 Runners, Trainers & Market Odds

• Mirabad – Dan Skelton 6/4
• JPR One – Joe Tizzard 5/2 (Fav)
• Rubaud – Paul Nicholls 6/1
• Stencil – Tom George 6/1
• 8/1 bar 

Note: Odds are subject to change 

Last 10 Haldon Gold Cup Winners

Trainer Dan Skelton won this race for the first time in 2025 when his Thistle Ask got the job done.

• 2025 Thistle Ask – Dan Skelton/Harry Skelton
• 2024 JPR One – Joe Tizzard/Brendan Powell
• 2023 Elixir De Nutz – Joe Tizzard/Freddie Gingell
• 2022 Greaneteen – Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden
• 2021 Eldorado Allen – Colin Tizzard/Brendan Powell
• 2020 Greaneteen – Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden
• 2019 Janika – Nicky Henderson/Daryl Jacob
• 2018 God’s Own – Tom George/Paddy Brennan
• 2017 Politologue – Paul Nicholls/Sam Twiston-Davies
• 2016 Sir Valentino – Tom George/Adrian Heskin

A Rich History: Springboard for Champions

First run in 1969, the Haldon Gold Cup has long served as a vital early-season litmus test for top-tier National Hunt chasers. Its honour roll includes some of the most celebrated figures in jump racing history.

Best Mate (2001): Henrietta Knight’s legendary chaser claimed the 2001 Haldon Gold Cup before establishing his immortality with three consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cup triumphs (2002, 2003, 2004). But also sadly died in the 2005 race.

Azertyuiop (2004): Paul Nicholls’ master chaser produced a brilliant weight-carrying performance at Exeter in 2004 following his earlier wins in both the Arkle Trophy and Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Edredon Bleu (2002, 2003): A dual  winner of this race who also captured both the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the King George VI Chase.

Viking Flagship (1997) & Politologue (2017): Champion Chase heroes who proved their class in the Devon showcase before dominating on the biggest festival stages.

Cue Card (2012): The beloved fan favorite used his 2012 Haldon Gold Cup win as the foundation for a career that included success in the Ryanair Chase and King George VI Chase.