Well it is rare to get such a decent race mid-week and the 2016 Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter today is a real early season treat.
The market for today’s race is headed by Garde La Victoire who has a run under his belt already this season, with an emphatic win at Ffos Las last month in the Welsh Champion Hurdle. He is back over fences today and the main concern has to be his falls at Cheltenham and Aintree last term in Grade 1 company. However, prior to that he won three chases comfortably, so hopefully he will get a clear round today, but I could not be taking 7/4 on him.
Paul Nicholl’s targets this race and won it last year with Vibrato Valtat beating the likes of God’s Own, Sire De Grugy and Third Intention. He is pinning this year’s hopes on the 2015 Champion Chase winning Dodging Bullets who took his time to get back to fitness last season after an injury delayed his comeback. However, his final run at Sandown in the Celebration Chase, where he finished 3rd behind Sprinter Sacre and Un De Sceaux was a sign that he was coming back to near his best and the break will have done him good.
Harry Fry’s Presenting Arms is becoming a nearly horse and creeping up the handicap, now running off a mark of 145. He will be race fit after runs at Market Rasen and Cheltenham already this season, both finishing in 2nd place. He is a strong contender, but the front two should have too much for him today.
Dan Skelton has had 7 winners in the past 2 weeks and Pain Au Chocalat has won twice for the yard over fences since moving from Alan King last year plus a 3rd in the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton. Aginthe concern is his fall at Ayr in April. He is only 5yo and should have plenty more to come over fences, the first time tongue tie today could also be a major plus.
I would recommmend focusing on the top of the market for today’s race and I have shared my selection with my Racing Profits Email Subscription Service subscribers this morning, whichever way you go – enjoy the race.
