2023 Betway Haldon Gold Cup: runner-by-runner guide and tip

Trainer: Gary Moore. Rating: 165. Best odds: 4-1.

Developed into a useful handicapper during the 2021-22 Jumps season but took his form up a notch when causing an upset in the Desert Orchid Chase last year, and proved that was no fluke by landing the Grade One Clarence House Chase on his next outing.

Those two performances are the strongest pieces of form on offer here, and while he disappointed on his final two outings in Grade One contests last season, he did have excuses on both of those occasions (connections believed the ground went against him at the Cheltenham Festival and he was unable to lead in the Celebration Chase).

Looked in need of the run on his first outing last season, and was a tired horse when unseating at the last on his return to action in 2021, so the lack of a recent run is a concern here. It will also require a big performance to win this off a rating of 165.

Trainer: Paul Nicholls. Rating: 149. Best odds: 100-30.

Has had a few issues with his breathing, but produced a career best to win the Pendil Novices' Chase on his return from a wind op in February, and Datsalrightgino and Boothill have both franked that form since.

It was disappointing he could not land a blow in the Oaksey Chase on his next outing, although he was on the backfoot after making a mistake in the back straight, and was travelling OK up until that point.

Paul Nicholls advised in a recent stable tour on racingtv.com that this race has been the plan for Solo, and "he will be ready for it". He also bolted up on his return to action last season, and Nicholls is seeking his ninth win in this contest.

This seven-year-old holds decent claims if producing his best here, although probably doesn't have much in hand off a rating of 149.

Trainer: Venetia Williams. Rating: 148. Best odds: 5-1.

Progressed rapidly during his first season over fences, and ended his season with an outing in the Arkle (where he fell) after finishing third in the Kingmaker Novices' Chase.

Looked set for another successful campaign when carrying 12st 1lb to victory at Aintree where he won with plenty to spare off a rating of 146 on his return last year, but things did not go to plan in three starts thereafter.

Has been given a wind op ahead of this season, and returns on a rating of 148, a mark he looks more than capable of defying if back to his best.

Needs to bounce back, but is a leading player if he does, and recent results suggest it's surely only a matter of time before Venetia Williams hits top form.

Trainer: Mouse Morris. Rating: 147. Best odds: 6-1.

Indiana Jones' connections are fresh from landing the Charlie Hall Chase on Saturday, and this seven-year-old has a fitness edge over most of his rivals here having endured a pipe-opener at Cork in October where he wasn't given the hardest time under pressure.

His jumping let him down two seasons ago, but he produced some decent performances last term, including when landing a Grade Three at Navan plus he also finished third in the G1 Barberstown Castle Novice Chase.

He's forced to run off a career-high rating of 147 here, and while further progress will be needed to win this contest, he's sure to have more improvement left in him. He also has the advantage of race fitness, so there's a good chance we could see 'Indiana Jones and the raid of the Haldon Gold Cup' as a headline on Friday afternoon!

Trainer: Joe Tizzard . Rating: 146. Best odds: 11-2.

Grade One-winning hurdler who has reached a decent level over fences, and progressed again over the larger obstacles last season, with his second in the Game Spirit Chase a noticeable piece of form.

He was narrowly denied off this rating on his final start last season, and he usually needs his first outing after a break, so should be primed to run a big race following his exertions at Chepstow in October (where he finished tired).

Joe Tizzard has been operating at a strike-rate of 23 per cent in the past fortnight (5 winners from 22 runners, at the time of writing) and his charge went close on his only start at this track over hurdles.

He's one for the shortlist, despite the fact he looks high enough in the handicap based upon his performances in handicaps last seaon, and Freddie Gingell taking off a valuable 7lb will help his cause.

Trainer: Joe Tizzard. Rating: 140. Best odds: 4-1.

Produced some strong form (including when fourth in the Arkle) two seasons ago but failed to sparkle last term plus was a well-beaten third in this contest 12 months ago.

He now returns on a rating of 140, so is nicely treated on his best form, and has had a wind op ahead of this season. His form following a 180-plus day break reads 1213, so is capable of running well fresh, and he doesn't appear ground dependent.

This eight-year-old comes with risks attached until he returns to form, though.

A wide-open contest on paper, despite only six runners heading to post.

Editeur Du Gite is the class act, but may just need the outing, while Solo doesn't appear to have a huge amount in hand off a rating of 149.

Elixir De Nutz has the benefit of race fitness, as does Irish raider Indiana Jones, although the former is another who is high enough in the handicap against this opposition, and the latter will need to step up again to defy a rating of 147.

War Lord hasn't won for a while plus comes with risks attached, and although BRAVE SEASCA also has a few question marks to answer, there are reasons to believe he will bounce back here.

Venetia Williams' charge won in fine style on his return last year, so is handicapped to go close off a 2lb higher mark, and he's had a wind op following three below-par runs last season.

His handler is beginning to hit top form, as she regularly does at this time of year, and the selection should still have more to offer over fences.