SPORTINGBET EXTENDS ITS SUPPORT OF THE ROAD TO CHELTENHAM WITH SPONSORSHIP OF THE HALDON GOLD CUP AT EXETER

PHILIP HOBBS SET TO RUN STABLE STARS IN THE RACE

SPONSOR OFFERS SPRINTER SACRE SPECIAL BET

It was announced today that leading bookmaker Sportingbet has added another race in the two mile steeplechase 'Road to Cheltenham' series, with its backing of the Sportingbet Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter.

 

The Grade Two race, a two mile, one and a half furlong limited handicap won in recent years by the likes of Medermit, Planet Of Sound, Impek and Azertyuiop, is the most high profile and valuable contest of Exeter's season and is held this year on November 6.

It is followed by two Grade One races, the Sportingbet Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown Park on December 8 and the Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on March 13, 2013.

Russ Wiseman, Head of Media at Sportingbet, said: "The Sportingbet Haldon Gold Cup is a superb addition to our sponsorship portfolio. The race is steeped in tradition and quality and reaffirms our commitment to supporting some of the finest contests that National Hunt Racing has to offer."

Tim Darby, General Manager of Exeter, added: "We are thrilled to welcome Sportingbet as sponsor of our most prestigious race, as the company extends its support of the two mile steeplechases on the 'Road to Cheltenham'. The Sportingbet Haldon Gold Cup is always one of the most eagerly awaited races of the autumn and I'm sure this year's renewal will be as competitive as ever." 

 

The Sportingbet Haldon Gold Cup is the early target of two of trainer Philip Hobbs' stable stars, Menorah, who finished third in the Racing Post Arkle Chase at The Festival and went on to win at Aintree, and Captain Chris.

The Somerset trainer said: "We are looking at the Sportingbet Haldon Gold Cup for Menorah and he is very likely to start his season off there. He is in good form and seems fine at the moment. It's a case of seeing how he gets on at Exeter before deciding what route he will go down this season.

"Captain Chris ran in the Sportingbet Haldon Gold Cup last year and he is likely to run as well. He ran a good race when fourth in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and it was pleasing to see him return to a bit of form."

Menorah is currently 33/1 for the Sporting Queen Mother Champion Chase with the sponsors.

To mark its increased support of the 'Road to Cheltenham', Sportingbet will be offering the current hot favourite for the Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase, Sprinter Sacre, at Evens with a Non Runner No Bet concession for a limited time from 9am to a maximum stake of £100 on Tuesday, October 9.

Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase latest odds

Evens             Sprinter Sacre         

7/1                 Sanctuaire

8/1                 Finian's Rainbow

8/1                 Sizing Europe

25/1                Bar

a quarter the odds a place 1,2,3, others on request

available at www.sportingbet.com