THE JOCKEY CLUB WEST COUNTRY WEEKEND
Celebrating the best of the South West, with the double header of the Betway Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on Friday 4 November and Badger Chase Day at Wincanton on Saturday 5 November THE WEST COUNTRY WEEKEND
F or the first year in its history, the Betway Haldon Gold Cup will be run on a Friday, having traditionally been run on a Tuesday. It is Devon’s richest race, and this year the card will be worth £161,000 – a new record for Exeter Racecourse. The Grade 2 contest has an illustrious roll of honour, including Cue Card, God’s Own, Edredon Bleu, Best Mate and 2020 prestigious race of the year, and General Manager Jack Parkinson is looking forward to the fixture’s new position in the week. “Haldon Gold Cup Day is a brilliant raceday,” he says. “It always has a fantastic atmosphere, and the racing is always great. We’re delighted to be able to stage the race on the Friday and create it as Day One of what will become the West Country Weekend.” Run over 2m5f, the Betway Haldon Gold Cup is often considered a stepping stone for chasers on Betway Champion Chaser Politologue. The Haldon Gold Cup is Exeter’s most
their way to the Tingle Creek at Sandown, and ultimately, the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at The Festival in March, and always has an exciting line-up. Last year’s winner Eldorado Allen, ridden by Brendan Powell and trained by the Tizzard team, went on to have a successful season. The eye-catching grey won the Denman Chase at Newbury, beating off rivals such as Clan Des Obeaux and Royale Pagaille before putting up a gallant performance to finish third in the Ryanair Chase at The Festival behind the mighty Allaho. The race is always a key indicator for the season, with the 2021 fourth-place finisher, Greaneteen, going on to win the Tingle Creek a few weeks later at Sandown Park and the Celebration Chase at the end of the season. It is likely that we will see the star chaser begin his new season campaign back at Haldon Hill this year. The South West has been home to many top Jump racing trainers for years, from the great
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