188Bet Haldon Gold Cup Chase
Grade 2, Exeter 14:20 £62,500 added, 4yo plus, 2m 1f 109y, Class 1
Tuesday 1st November 2016

1 Sir Valentino 10/1
2 Garde La Victoire EvensF
3 Dodging Bullets 5/1
8 ran Distances: shd, 11l, 4½l
TIME 3m 57.50s (fast by 5.50s)

Sir Valentino edges out Garde La Victoire in a thriller

Sir Valentino
© Racehorse Photos

Tom George's Sir Valentino dug deep to edge out hot-favourite Garde La Victoire.

George won this prize with God's Own two years ago and he reclaimed the trophy thanks to Sir Valentino, who got the better of a prolonged scrap with Garde La Victoire in the home straight.

Ultragold took them along but weakened after the turn for home when Dodging Bullets made it a three-way fight with the aforementioned duo.

The big weight tooks its toll on the former Champion Chase winner two out, leaving Garde La Victoire and Sir Valentino to battle between themselves.

It had looked like Philip Hobbs' even-money favourite had done enough when he jumped the last in front, but Sir Valentino showed great battling qualities to get back in front and win by a short head.

George said: "He probably is a true two miler and a stiff two miles and a furlong over this sort of track probably brought out best in him.

"He's [new stable jockey Adrian Heskin] settled in very well and the horses have been running very well for him."

188Bet Haldon Gold Cup Chase
(Limited Handicap)
£62,500 added, 4yo plus, 2m 1f 109y, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good, Good to Firm in places

Pos	D	Horse SP	Jockey Weight	Trainer	Age
1st		Sir Valentino (FR) 10/1	A P Heskin 10-8	T R George	7
2nd	s.h	Garde La Victoire (FR) Evsf	R Johnson 10-12	P J Hobbs	7
3rd	11	Dodging Bullets 5/1	Nick Scholfield 11-10	P F Nicholls	8
4th	4½	Presenting Arms (IRE) 6/1	N D Fehily 10-6	H Fry	9
5th	nk	Ultragold (FR) 10/1	T Scudamore 10-0	C L Tizzard	8
6th	4	Pain Au Chocolat (FR) 10/1	Harry Skelton 10-6	D Skelton	5
7th	10	Dresden (IRE) 16/1	J M Davies 10-5	Henry Oliver	8
8th	5	Purple 'n Gold (IRE) 50/1	David Noonan (3) 10-0	D Pipe	7