Bun Doran bids to give owners a third Haldon Gold Cup win in seven years

2.25 Exeter
Haldon Gold Cup (Grade 2 limited handicap chase) | 2m1½f, 4yo+ | RTV

The Crossed Fingers Partnership have won Devon's richest race twice before with God's Own and are back for more with Bun Doran, who must give weight to his nine opponents.

Having bagged this Grade 2 with God's Own in 2014 and 2018, Bun Doran's trainer Tom George also won it in 2016 with Sir Valentino as well as having other runners make the frame over the past decade.

Bun Doran achieved his most notable success over fences when winning the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton last December, before running a creditable third in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

George said: "The Haldon Gold Cup is a race we like and one which has served us well in recent years. The Crossed Fingers Partnership, which consists of two gentlemen, have enjoyed a lot of success in it with God's Own, and Bun Doran looks sure to give them another good day out.

"They are good supporters of mine and have never pushed me in any particular direction with their horses. As we know, this is not an easy race in which to give weight away, but Bun Doran is a Grade 1 horse now and this looks a good starting point. He likes some juice in the ground, so hopefully it doesn't dry out too much."

What they say

Brian Hughes, rider of Glen Forsa
It's a good while since I've ridden at Exeter, but I did ride Somersby in the race for the same connections a few years ago. I rode Glen Forsa over hurdles and he's a nice spare to pick up.

Evan Williams, trainer of Esprit Du Large
It was either this or a graduation chase up north on bad ground to start him back. He had a bad fall in the Arkle last time and hopefully he has a better experience at Exeter which will set him up for a good winter.

Ben Pauling, trainer of Global Citizen
He's as good as I've had him at home and this looks a good starting point. We're keen to explore going further than two miles this season, so this trip looks right for now. The ground should play to his strengths.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Greaneteen
This has been the target ever since he came back in and he goes there in good shape. He needs to improve a few pounds to win it, but he's a progressive horse and there's no reason why he can't be thereabouts.

Marracudja: Haldon Gold Cup has been the aim for some time says trainer Dan SkeltonCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Dan Skelton, trainer of Marracudja and Not That Fuisse
We've had this race in mind for Marracudja for some time and he'll enjoy coming back in trip after Chepstow last time, although he's still a bit high in the handicap. I'm convinced Not That Fuisse is better than he showed at Cheltenham last time. He deserves to take his chance.

Colin Tizzard, trainer of Vision Des Flos
He unseated at the second at Aintree first time out so we didn't learn a lot, but he's been disappointing. On his day he can be quite good.

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