Tingle Creek beckons for Greaneteen after pouncing late to land Haldon Gold Cup

Greaneteen established himself as the young pretender in the star-studded two-mile chasing division with a brave last-gasp effort to land the Haldon Gold Cup, providing Paul Nicholls with a seventh win in Exeter’s biggest race.

The six-year-old progressed rapidly last season, notching a hat-trick over fences before a fine fourth in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival. On Tuesday, he took another huge step towards the elite level, putting in a stylish jumping display and leaving the impression he had still yet to reach his peak.

Greaneteen was nestled in the pack and picked off his rivals to travel best turning for home under a confident Harry Cobden.

With two out he had only 10-1 shot Moonlighter left to catch and, despite a nervy few seconds between the penultimate and final fence, the 15-8 favourite quickened in smart fashion to snatch it from Tom Scudamore’s mount by a neck.

Relive Greaneteen's exciting duel with Moonlighter

Chris Giles’s now six-time winner will likely put his top-level credentials to the test in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase next, for which he was cut to 6-1 (from 12-1) with the sponsors.

On that target, Nicholls said: “He'll go up a bit [in the weights] now and when you get near the 160s you might as well just run in Graded races rather than handicaps. I suspect that's where we'll go and we'll find out then. He'll have to take another step forward but it wouldn't surprise me if he did.”

Greaneteen (far side) reeled in Moonlighter to score by a neckCredit: Steve Davies

The trainer continued his sparkling start to the season with a four-timer and was delighted by the performance, anticipating Greaneteen would step forward for the run and improve further when upped in trip.

“I think jumping the second-last he made half a mistake and blew up a little bit,” Nicholls added. “I'd say he'll improve for the run a little bit, he's a little bit buzzy at home. There's plenty to come from him, the great thing today is that he settled as he'd been keen in his races.

“Harry was well impressed and said he's got loads of boot for two miles and jumps well but would probably be better eventually over two and a half [miles].”

Three of Nicholls’ seven winners in the race – Flagship Uberalles, Azertyuiop and Politologue – also captured the Champion Chase. Greaneteen is a general 20-1 to take that record to four at this season’s festival in March.

Making comparisons between Greaneteen and the trio, the 11-time champion trained added: “They were all real Grade 1 horses and he's gone from a handicap so will need to keep progressing. We'll see [if he’s up to that level] next time but it's really exciting.”

Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden: looking at the Tingle Creek next for GreaneteenCredit: Steve Davies

Connor Brace was lucky not to be unseated aboard Pink Eyed Pedro at the third and, after his impressive recovery, the pair stayed on to finish four and a half lengths behind Moonlighter in third.

Esprit Du Large fell at the eighth and was reported to be fine after the race by trainer Evan Williams. Glen Forsa fell two out, while Global Citizen was pulled-up.

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