The focus is on Exeter racecourse on Tuesday 2nd November as they stage the 2021 Haldon Gold Cup Chase – a Grade 2 limited handicap run over 2m1f.
Here at RACING AHEAD we've got all the key stats to look out for ahead of the 2021 renewal, this year run on Tuesday 2nd November.
Did you know – 13 of the last 19 winners were French-bred, while ALL of the last 19 winners returned 10/1 or shorter in the betting.
Recent Haldon Gold Cup Winners
2020 – GREANETEEN (15/8 fav)
2019 – JANIKA (5/2 fav)
2018 – GOD'S OWN (7/2)
2017 – POLITOLOGUE (5/2 fav)
2016 – SIR VALENTINO (10/1)
2015 – VIBRATO VALTAT (5/2 fav)
2014 – GOD'S OWN (8/1)
2013 – SOMERSBY (9/2)
2012 – CUE CARD (5/6 fav)
2011 – MEDERMIT (7/2)
2010 – TCHICO POLOS (3/1)
2009 – PLANET OF SOUND (4/1 fav)
2008 – ASHLEY BROOK (8/1)
2007 – PABLO DU CHARMIL (9/2)
2006 – IMPEK (9/1)
2005 – MONKERHOSTIN (10/1)
2004 – AZERTYUIOP (6/5 fav)
2003 – EDREDON BLEU (7/2)
2002 – EDREDON BLEU (10/1)
Haldon Gold Cup Betting Trends
19/19 – Returned 10/1 or shorter in the betting
18/19 – Having their 1st run of the new season
17/19 – Officially rated 150 or higher
17/19 – Had won a chase race over at least 2m2f before
16/19 – Had won at least 3 times over fences before
13/19 – Won by a French-bred horse
13/19 – Carried 10-9 or more
12/19 – Aged 6 or 7 years-old
11/19 – Ran at either Aintree (5) or Cheltenham (5) last time out
10/19 – Winning distance – 3 lengths or more
10/19 – Finished in the top 3 last time out
8/19 – Had won just 3 previous times over fences
7/19 – Winning favourites
7/19 – Unplaced favourites
5/19 – Had won over fences at Exeter before
5/19 – Carried 11-10
5/19 – Trained by Paul Nicholls
4/19 – Aged 7 years-old
3/19 – Trained by Tom George
3/19 – Won their last race
2/19 – Trained by Philip Hobbs
The average winning SP in the last 19 years is 5/1
RACING AHEAD VERDICT: The Paul Nicholls-trained GREANETEEN landed this prize 12 months ago and he's back for more this year – he'll be hoping to become the first back-to-back winner since the mighty Edredon Bleu took the race in 2002 and 2003. He rounded off last season beating Altior in the Celebration Chase at Sandown too and is the clear top-rated in the field off a mark of 168. He's a horse that goes well fresh and the in-form Bryony Frost, who rode him last time out, remains in the saddle. It won't be easy having to carry 11-10 and give a lot of weight away to some fair sorts, but at the age of just 7 there should be more to come from this improving 2m chaser, who could have a big season ahead. Nicholls also runs Hitman in the race, who has won two of his 5 starts over fences. He's also had a wind op over the summer and with just 10-7 to carry could be dangerous to his stablemate. The only negative being his slight lack of experience. If the rest Eldorado Allen was runner-up in the Arkle at the Festival ad commands respect, while Moonlighter, who was runner-up in this race 12 months ago, King D'Agent and Zanza are all useful on their day and with the trio all rated 148 there shouldn't be a lot between them. We can expect the front-running MOONLIGHTER (e/w) though to make another bold bid from the front with just 10-4 to carry. He was only beaten a neck in the race 12 months ago and is a pound better off this time.
