Elixir De Nutz takes home Haldon Gold for Tizzard team

Life has been anything but plain sailing for rider Freddie Gingell over the past three years and the teenage jockey celebrated what he described as the ‘best day’ of his career after securing an emotional success aboard Elixir De Nutz in the feature Betway Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on Friday.

Just days after passing his driving test the 17-year-old, who lost his mum Kim Gingell to cancer in May 2020, landed the biggest success of his career when steering the gelded son of Al Namix to a popular victory in the extended two miles and a furlong contest at the Devon track.

Having needed his first run of the season when finishing last of five on his re-appearance at Chepstow 27 days ago the nine-year-old, who is trained by Gingell’s uncle Joe Tizzard, appeared all the sharper for that effort in the Grade Two contest.

Racing up with the pace from the outset the 13-2 chance was narrowly headed as the field swung into the home straight for the final time to face the last four fences before regaining an advantage he would not surrender.

Although entering the race as a Grade One winner over hurdles, having landed the 2019 Unibet Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown Park, Elxir De Nutz had yet to reach anywhere near the same heights over fences but that was all about to change as Gingell kicked his mount for home.

Meeting the final four fences on a good stride Elixir De Nutz continued to bound away under his featherweight of 10 stone before scoring by three and a quarter lengths - much to the delight of Gingell and the members of his family watching on including his dad Dave and grandad Colin Tizzard.

Gingell said: “That is unreal. A big thank you Terry Warner (the horse’s owner) and his family and to Joe and Colin as well.

“I went in and schooled him on Wednesday and Joe said where would you rather go, Fontwell or Exeter? I said I would love to go to Exeter to ride him as it is a big race and Joe has won it a few times. Riding in it was a big thing, but I never thought this would happen.

“The plan was to get a good start and go from there as there were five other very good horses in it. He was a bit slow going to the first, but he then jumped the first and took off with me. He was jumping outside the wings every time I gave him a squeeze and asked him.

“Harry (Cobden on Solo) came upsides me turning in and I thought I will see what happens, but I managed to get a breather into him as I thought Harry was coming with a very big challenge now. I thought I will keep plugging onto the line, but I thought we might have got racing a bit too early.

“For a moment or two I couldn’t believe it happened. I looked around and thought did I just win it sort of thing then Brendan (Powell) came and pat me on the back and it then really started to hit me.

“It is a big day and the last three years haven’t been easy. I can’t thank them enough for supporting me as it has been a really tough time. I passed my driving test last Tuesday and I have ridden a few winners, so it is all going well.

“He had ten stone seven pounds and with me claiming my seven pounds off he had bottom weight and it was almost cheating! This is by far the best day of my career.”

The victory also left triumphant trainer Tizzard, who won the race three times as a jockey aboard Lake Kariba (1998), Flagship Uberalles (1999) and Cue Card (2012), fighting back the tears after watching his plan first hatched on a drive back from Scotland in April come together in style.

Tizzard said: “We said it after we left Ayr last year about going for the Haldon Gold Cup. I said he always needs his first run and that worked a treat. The race suited him today. We were a bit worried about the ground, but the trip and the track were perfect for him. It is emotional.

“The horses are running well. I’ve had two lovely horses finish second today and I hate that, but tomorrow morning I will see the bigger picture.

“They are in good nick at the moment. I won this race three times and had a lot of fun in it and we are local. Races like this are why I’m training horses.

“This is one of the first good races you can win so hopefully we can roll on and have a good season.”

Not only was Tizzard delighted with the result on a personal note, but he was quick to praise the ride Elixir De Nutz was given by his nephew Gingell.

He added: “That is as good a ride that I’ve seen Fred give a horse to be honest. I wanted to get him revved up to be positive on him. He is only seventeen years old, but he asked him at every fence. It is lovely for Terry and his wife who have made it down as they don’t get to the race all the time.

“That’s why me and dad are a little bit emotional (because we are thinking of Kim), but he (Freddie) didn’t need a lot of help.

“Fred is part of the family so it is lovely. I’m proud of Fred. He is a 17-year-old boy and he is a seven pounds claimer. He has got a great job with Paul (Nicholls), but we are trying to give him a chance in these bigger races.

“He is razor sharp and he is a good jockey. He gave him an absolute belter I thought. I’m chuffed to bits with him. He is riding with lots of confidence and that is what you need. He gave that a proper ride and I don’t think he could have ridden it any better.

While admitting this was very much Elixir De Nutz’s main objective for the season Tizzard earmarked a trip to Kempton Park on December 27th for the Grade Two Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Handicap Chase as his next target.

Tizzard added: “He was very talented early on, but he is pretty exposed. This was his day today and that was his Gold Cup. It has all come together nicely.

“The Desert Orchid now comes into it. It clashes with the Welsh Grand National, but it is the sort of race that will suit this horse and it is already on the radar. It looks like an obvious target in six weeks’ time.”