Haldon Gold Cup preview: Going Global at Exeter

Views from connections

Greaneteen bids to provide Paul Nicholls with a seventh victory in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter.

It is 22 years since the Ditcheat handler first claimed the Grade Two prize with Lake Kariba (1998) – since when he has added to his tally with Flagship Uberalles (1999), Azertyuiop (2004), Tchico Polos (2010), Vibrato Valtat (2015) and Politologue (2017).

Flagship Uberalles, Azertyuiop and Politologue all feature on the roll of honour for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, with Flagship Uberalles and Politologue also claiming victory in the Tingle Creek at Sandown.

Nicholls is hoping Greaneteen, who won his first three starts over fences last season before finishing fourth in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham in March, can earn himself a shot at the top level with a successful reappearance on Tuesday.

Nicholls said: “He’s had this as his target since he came in, and we’re looking forward to him running.

“He appears in good shape, and we’re hopeful of a good run.”

Ben Pauling’s Global Citizen and the Evan Williams-trained Esprit Du Large both run for the first time since contesting the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham in the spring. Global Citizen finished fourth, while Esprit Du Large fell two fences from home.

“This is a race we thought might suit. It’s competitive, but we’ll give it a go,” said Williams.

“It’s a starting point, and you’ve got to start somewhere. It was either go up to Carlisle on Sunday and start on deep ground, or go down to Exeter and start on a less taxing surface, so we thought we’d go down there.

“I think the majority of the horses in the race are in the same type of boat – it’s all about who has improved and who hasn’t. This will tell us where everyone is.

“The only place to find out if we’ve improved is on the race track. We’ll soon know where we are.”

Mick Channon’s Glen Forsa has not been seen in competitive action since finishing third in a Newbury handicap chase 12 months ago.

Channon said: “He’s in great heart, and we’re very hopeful. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very hot race, but he couldn’t be in better nick.

“He had a little setback after Newbury – but his preparation for this race has gone well, and I’m very pleased with him.

“He’s been very consistent in what he’s done, so we’ll see what happens.”

The weights are headed by Bun Doran, whose trainer Tom George has won the race on three occasions – twice with the popular God’s Own and once with Sir Valentino.

Dan Skelton’s Not That Fuisse and Marracudja, Colin Tizzard’s Vision Des Flos, the David Brace-trained Pink Eyed Pedro and Moonlighter from Nick Williams’ yard complete the line-up.

Man On The Spot Verdict

Some top two-milers have won this Grade 2 in the past and there is a bigger field than usual this year. Having rattled up a hat-trick earlier, Greaneteen was probably a bit unlucky in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham in March. GLOBAL CITIZEN is headstrong but is very much at home at this level and was slightly hampered when fourth in the Arkle in the spring. He would almost certainly have finished ahead of Esprit Du Large that day had the latter not fallen two out. Vision Des Flos could be well treated but didn’t get far on his reappearance at Aintree and Glen Forsa may need this but Bun Doran has plenty of class and goes well fresh. This may be too competitive for the likes of Moonlighter, Not That Fuisse and Pink Eyed Pedro.