Philip Hobbs' Captain Chris makes his seasonal return on Tuesday afternoon when he takes on six others in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. The Cheltenham Arkle hero shares favouritism for the Group Two contest with Paul Nicholls' Ghizao, as race sponsor Betfred price the pair at odds of 9/2.
Captain Chris tops the weights for this 2 mile, one and half furlong affair, although we fancy the 7-year-old is capable of conceding weight all round. It will be the gelding's first appearance since confirming his reputation as one of the most progressive horses around at Punchestown.
The son of King's Theatre followed up his Grade One Arkle Trophy success at Cheltenham with victory in the Grade One Ryanair Novice Chase in Ireland during the spring. It was the tenth consecutive race that he has finished in the top two and conditions look perfect at Exeter for him to extend that run to eleven, with Richard Johnson, winning jockey in three of the last six Haldon Gold Cup renewals, taking the ride.
Ghizao looks to offer a credible threat to Captain Chris as Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh bid to retain the title they won with Tchico Polos last year. Ghizao had the beating of Captain Chris twice last year, at Newbury and by ten lengths at Cheltenham. However, Captain Chris turned the tables when it mattered as Ghizao could only finish fifth in the Arkle. The 7-year-old made costly mistakes in his final two races in the spring and his jumping will need to be much improved this week.
It is a strong renewal of the race this week as in-form trainer Alan King enters Medermit, who is next best in the odds at 9/2 with Betfred.com. The 7-year-old beat Captain Chris in the Grade One Scilly Isles Novices Chase at Sandown in February but Hobbs' gelding turned the tables at Cheltenham. King is expected his gelding to improve for the run after finishing second to Wishfull Thinking at Aintree in April.
Elsewhere, Colm Murphy enters Zaarito (8/1) as the Irish contender makes a first appearance for nearly ten months. The 9-year-old gelding is an inconsistent sort and his jumping is a big concern, although he was runner up in a Grade Two at Fairyhouse on his last outing back in December.
Colin Tizzard's hold-up chaser Oiseau de Nuit is available at odds of 9/1 and he will be hoping his gelding can continue this season the way he finished last. The 9-year-old won the Grand Annual at Cheltenham Festival and was in the frame in an Aintree Grade Three and Sandown Grade Two on his last two appearances.
Nick Williams' Cornas edged Oiseau out for second by a neck at Sandown, and the 9-year-old should be a lot sharper than the rest after finishing runner-up in France recently. The gelding may have finished sixth here last year but the odds of 10/1 look very tempting for a horse that could surprise a few.
200/1 outsider Thunder Child faces a huge task off bottom weight this week and it could be top weight Captain Chris who confirms his class for the season ahead.
9/4 Captain Chris
9/4 Ghizao
9/2 Medermit
8/1 Zaarito
9/1 Oiseau de Nuit
10/1 Cornas
200/1 BAR
Odds are provided by Betfred.com bookmakers, who sponsor the 2011 Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter.
Posted: Monday, 31st October 2011
Author: Chris James
Tags: haldon gold cup, captain chris, ghizao, betfred,
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