Greaneteen bids to land back-to-back Haldon Gold Cups en route to Tingle Creek

Tuesday: 1.55 Exeter
Betway Haldon Gold Cup (Grade 2) | 2m1½f | 4yo+ | RTV

Greaneteen will bid to become the first back-to-back winner of the Betway Haldon Cup since Edredon Bleu in 2002 and 2003 before returning to Sandown for next month's Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase.

The seven-year-old finished fourth in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival before ending his season with victory in the Grade 1 Celebration Chase under Bryony Frost, who keeps the ride.

Trainer Paul Nicholls has often used this race as a prep race for some of his top chasers, including Azertyuiop, Kauto Star and Politologue.

"Greaneteen progressed well last season. He ran a great race in the Champion Chase when only beaten a couple of lengths into fourth and then won the Celebration Chase at Sandown," said Nicholls.

"He's now rated 168, which is a big difference from when he won last season, but he's in good shape and I've always used this race as a stepping stone for the Tingle Creek for some of my better horses."

The 12-time champion jumps trainer will also be represented in the Grade 2 – which he has won seven times – by five-year-old Hitman, who is part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson and was last seen finishing third in the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree in April.

Hitman, who won twice from five starts over fences last season, will be ridden by Harry Cobden and gets 17lb from his stablemate.

"I've had this race in mind for Hitman ever since he ran in the Grade 1 at Aintree last season," added Nicholls. "It's a great starting point for a second-season novice. It's a stiff track and it will suit him well."

What they say

Joe Tizzard, assistant to Colin Tizzard, trainer of Eldorado Allen
I think the trip will be perfect. He was second in the Arkle and we thought the two and a half miles would suit him at Aintree, but he didn't run his race and a line can be put through that run. It's a great place to start with him and he's got a chance. Every piece of work he's done this season has been alongside Fiddlerontheroof, so he should be fit enough. Off 151 we hope he should be competitive and he won't mind a bit of cut in the ground.

Eldorado Allen: should be suited by the trip and cut in the groundCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com)

Dan Skelton, trainer of King D'Argent
This was always the plan after Kelso and we were glad to get his season under way. The benefit of a run will not be lost on him. It's a very competitive race and we're going there hoping for a place.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Zanza
He's going well at home and we're happy with him. Obviously we'd prefer it if he wasn't 4lb up in the handicap but I hope he's got an each-way chance. Good to soft ground should be fine for him.

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