Haldon Gold Cup top target for Jpr One

Joe Tizzard is expecting a big performance from Jpr One in Exeter’s BetMGM Haldon Gold Cup Handicap Chase on Friday.

The Tizzard family has enjoyed great success at the Exeter highlight, with Joe riding the winner three times and his father Colin was the winning trainer twice.

Last season Joe Tizzard trained the winner Elixir De Nutz with nephew Freddie Gingell in the saddle, and this year he has two chances in Jpr One and Scarface.

Jpr One, who won twice last season including a graded victory in the Lightning Novices’ Chase, will be partnered as usual by Brendan Powell and carries a top-weight of 11st 12lb.

“This has been our target with him from day one this season, it’s something we were always talking about last year as a place for him to start,” said Tizzard.

“He’s had a lovely prep for the race and we’re really excited about running him again.

“He’s got top-weight, but he’s run right up to this mark in the past so there’s no reason he shouldn’t put in a really big performance.

“He’s gone well fresh in the past, he’s good first time out in the season. He’s fit and well and my horses have all being running well recently.

“The ground will be lovely for him, he loves a bit of decent ground and he didn’t really get it at the back end of last season.”

Scarface makes a fifth-placed run in a two-mile handicap at Cheltenham in October.

“He had a good year last year, he was very consistent,” Tizzard said.

“He was just needing the run at Cheltenham at the start of the season, but there are not many runners and it’s a good chance to nick some decent prize-money.

“He’s fit and well, he’d need to run a lifetime best to win it, but there’s no reason why he couldn’t run a big race and nick a place.”