JPR One Poised for Strong Defense of Haldon Crown Title

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ago 2 hours

JPR One Poised for Strong Defense of Haldon Crown Title

JPR One is gearing up to defend his title at the upcoming BetMGM Haldon Gold Cup, scheduled for Friday at Exeter. The eight-year-old racehorse previously won this prestigious event, securing victory last year against Venetia Williams’ Djelo on similarly good ground conditions.

Key Competitors and Conditions

While JPR One was the top-rated horse during last year’s race, he now faces stiff competition, with Paul Nicholls’ Kalif Du Berlais ranked higher this time. Joe Tizzard, JPR One’s trainer, remains optimistic about his horse’s performance.

Trainer: Joe Tizzard
Last Year’s Winner: JPR One
Runner-Up Last Year: Djelo
Current Competitor: Kalif Du Berlais (Paul Nicholls)
Other Notable Horse: Saint Segal (Jane Williams)

Trainer Insights

Tizzard expressed confidence in JPR One’s form, stating, “He’s in great form and Exeter has been really lucky for him.” He acknowledges the challenge posed by Kalif Du Berlais but feels JPR One possesses the attributes to perform well.

Saint Segal’s Rising Profile

Jane Williams’ entry, Saint Segal, is also drawing attention. This seven-year-old horse recently achieved a career-high rating following a strong debut victory over Il Ridoto. Williams remarked on the excitement surrounding the race, particularly for the Culverhill Racing Club owners who will be attending.

Debut Winner: Saint Segal
Owner’s Club: Culverhill Racing Club

Kalif Du Berlais: The Horse to Watch

Kalif Du Berlais, with jockey Harry Cobden, carries the top weight for this event. Nicholls, who considers Kalif Du Berlais as a potential star, emphasized the need for him to demonstrate his abilities on the racecourse. “He’s got to prove it on the track now,” Nicholls noted, expressing his expectations following a solid training session.