JPR One has a lot in his favor if he wants to retain his BetMGM Haldon Gold Cup title in Exeter on Friday.
Eight-year-old Joe Tizzard won the race 12 months ago when he beat Venetia Williams’ Djelo – winner of last weekend’s Charlie Hall – on good ground, conditions he will encounter again this time.
He was the top-rated horse in the race at the time and this time Paul Nicholls’ Kalif Du Berlais has ahead of him in the ratings, but Tizzard is confident the gelding can kick off his campaign in good style.
“He is in great form and Exeter have been really lucky for him,” he said. “He obviously loves it and he will love the ground.
“Paul clearly has the top-rated horse in Kalif Du Berlais, (and) if he is as good as he thinks he is, he will take a lot of beating in the handicap.
“JPR ticks all the boxes though, he’s going really well fresh and I couldn’t be happier with where he is now – I think he’ll have a massive race.”
Jane Williams’ Saint Segal is another contender for the Grade Two, a horse who has already made a good impression with a good win over Il Ridoto at Chepstow on his debut.
That run has seen his goal rise to a career high, and a loyal group of syndicate owners will gather in Devon to see him run at his local track for the first time.
“I was very impressed with him last time. He was very happy, very confident, his jumping was particularly good that day,” Williams said of the seven-year-old.
“He seems very pleased with himself after that. He’s a funny horse, but he’s been very consistent.
“We have a lot to compete with against the other horses, but the point is that the owners are so excited to go.
“We have a big club (the Culverhill Racing Club) and as well as good days they have had a lot of bad days with him.
“There’s something festive about it. It’s nice to be there on these good days. Whether you expect to win or not, it lights up people’s lives.”
Maghull Chase winner Kalif Du Berlais holds the top weight under Harry Cobden, while Nicholls said on his Betfair blog: “Kalif Du Berlais is the apple of my eye but he needs to take the next step forward.
“It’s okay to have a lot of dreams, but he now has to fulfill them on the track. He had a lovely day away with Quebecois and others in Newbury last week, so he’s had a gallop on the racecourse. He looks fit and good, he’s had a good preparation.”
“We can talk all we want about what we think, but he now has to prove it on the track and take the next step on the ladder if he wants to become champion.”
The Williams-trained Martator, Dan Skelton’s Thistle Ask and Dylan Cunha’s Here Comes Georgie complete the field.
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