The 2025 Haldon Gold Cup features a defending champion and a Grade 1 winner in its six-strong field. In what could be one of the more informative renewals in recent years, GG tipster Joe Napier looks into the field and gives his verdict.
Favourites
A winner at the top table when last seen, Kalif Du Berlais is spoken of in Ditcheat circles as the next big thing for Paul Nicholls. He has won five of his eight career starts and three of his five over fences, falling on his debut before back-to-back wins at Newbury and Cheltenham. He found the 2m4 Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase too tough a test for him on heavy ground, but bounced back in style to land the Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree back over 2m on good. These conditions will suit and the Champion Chase is already his aim for the campaign.
One of those set to make it as tough as possible is last year’s Haldon hero JPR One. The eight-year-old is now 4lb higher for his defeat of subsequent Peterborough Chase and Charlie Hall winner Djelo, who he was conceding 2lb to 12 months ago. He found life tougher afterwards, but was keeping strong company and was not beaten far off 155 at Plumpton to conclude last season. Off 2lb lower now and with a superb record fresh, he should give another very good account.
Contenders
Having previously been a frustrating horse to follow, Saint Segal is now on a hat-trick having won his last two starts at Chepstow either side of his summer break. He had also run away with a 2m4f handicap at Newbury earlier that season and could easily remain progressive even on his highest career mark by some way. The suspicion is that he may not have had to beat much on his return though.
Martator, conversely, was on a superb run until December last season, winning five in a row before hitting a stumbling block. His form fell apart from January, although he had shot up the weights and he was excellent in this part of last season; Venetia Williams’ charge is also only 1lb higher than when last winning by 11 lengths at Ascot last November. The yard usually start firing in winners at this time of year.
Outsiders
Both of the outsiders in this field are out of the weights, with Thistle Ask officially 5lb wrong. However, he is at least thoroughly progressive, winning his last three, which include his first two runs for Dan Skelton, the latest by 7½ lengths. He gets to carry just 10st 6lb, though this is a significantly tougher race, effectively up 15lb for that win a week ago.
In an even tougher position is Here Comes Georgie, 9lb out of the weights currently. He competed in the Irish Arkle when trained by Patrick Neville last season, but that was as much of a tilt at windmills as this is for the seven-year-old’s new trainer Dylan Cunha.
Verdict
Kalif Du Berlais could well graduate to open Grade 1 company this season and he should be able to give 3lb to last year’s JPR One, who is nevertheless a big threat while fresh. However, the vote goes to MARTATOR, in whom faith is placed that he can return to his form from last autumn. Having lost his way in the second half of last term, the eight-year-old has now dropped to just 1lb above his last winning mark, off which he was a rampant 11-length winner at Ascot, and his yard are fairly reliable at this time of the year. Thistle Ask could also be progressive enough to emerge as a contender.
- Martator
- Kalif Du Berlais
- JPR One
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.