Dan Skelton was in scintillating form at Exeter Racecourse yesterday, landing the BetMGM Haldon Gold Cup and saddling two other winners on the seven-race card.
Thistle Ask set a fierce pace that proved unassailable in the 2m1f contest, with his nearest pursuer, the Jane Williams-trained Saint Segal, putting up a valiant effort to finish seven lengths behind in second.
“This is what Dan is all about. This horse was at the bottom of the handicap, and Dan took a brave step to run him,” said jockey Harry Skelton, who was on board for his brother.
Owner Terry Mckeever very nearly opted to watch the race from his armchair, making a last-minute decision to travel to Devon from his Warwickshire home. “I’m glad I did. That was a super performance,” he said. “We bought him in May for £100,000 after James Ewart quit training, and it’s been a good decision!”
Doyen Quest started the ball rolling for the Skeltons in the preceding ‘Future Stars’ Silver Bowl Novices’ Steeple Chase, a win that proved poignant for Tracey Lake Rees, whose father, Norman Lake, was a true stalwart of the Westcountry racing scene. “He was one of Dan’s first owners when he trained Work Bench for us, and we have half a dozen horses with him now. Dad has left us a wonderful legacy, and it’s lovely to enjoy it with the family,” said Tracey, who celebrated the win with her brother Martin and son Josh, a local family from Torquay.
Theonewedreamof completed the treble, landing the stayers’ steeplechase for the Only Here For The Beer syndicate, a group of owners all involved in the pub trade.
The Joe Tizzard-trained Lisbon Park got the day underway with an all-the-way success in the opening novices’ hurdle. He’s owned by John Romans, whose JPR One finished third in the Haldon Gold Cup.
Nicky Martin maintained her 100 per cent record when Apples Moon won the mares’ handicap hurdle. “She’s very feisty and wants good ground. She was bottom weight, and I wanted to run today to see where we stood. We’ll have to see what the handicapper says. I think she’ll jump a fence, but she won’t run on the soft,” said the trainer who is based at Withypool.
Rookie trainer Chester Williams’ magnificent run of form continued in the Oddschecker Handicap Hurdle with Haas Boy, who won by a length in the hands of Harry Cobden. “That was great to see him follow up his Newton Abbot performance,” said Williams, who trains a team of ten adjacent to his mother Jane’s yard at George Nympton.
Concluding race of the day went to 16-1 chance Stratton Oakment who bounced away with the handicap hurdle in the hands of Jack Tudor, winning by nine and a half lengths.
“He loves Exeter, he loves being out in front, and he’s had it all his own way today,” said winning trainer Kayley Woollacott.
Exeter’s next races on Monday, 17 November with its Heavitree Brewery Raceday.
