Tingle Creek hero Greaneteen heads classy field of five for Haldon Gold Cup

Last season's Tingle Creek Chase hero and three-time Grade 1 winner Greaneteen will make his seasonal return on Friday as he features among a high-class field of five for the Haldon Gold Cup (3.35) at Exeter.

The eight-year-old won this race in 2020 and will be joined by stablemate Dolos as Paul Nicholls seeks a record-extending eighth win in the Grade 2.

The Tizzard stable and Brendan Powell were successful last year with Eldorado Allen and will aim to repeat that feat with War Lord on his reappearance.

Third Time Lucki, a dual Grade 2-winning novice chaser last season, will make his first start since finishing third in the Maghull Novices' Chase at the Grand National meeting in April.

Us And Them, who was last seen in June when falling at Uttoxeter in a 2m handicap chase, completes the field for Exeter's feature race of the season.

On the same card, star staying hurdler Thyme Hill will make his chasing bow when he faces two rivals in the 3m novice chase (2.25).

Pied Piper (red): in action at Down Royal on FridayCredit: John Grossick

At Down Royal, Gordon Elliott is set to have a significant day. Fil Dor and Pied Piper, two star performers in the juvenile division last season, feature among a field of five for the Grade 2 WKD Hurdle (2.05).

The trainer's Mighty Potter, a Grade 1 winner at Punchestown on his last start, faces seven rivals on his chasing bow (3.15), while Champion Bumper runner-up American Mike will make his hurdling debut in the opening maiden (12.20).

Haldon Gold Cup runners and riders

GreaneteenHarry Cobden
Third Time LuckiHarry Skelton
War LordBrendan Powell
DolosLorcan Williams
Us And ThemTom O'Brien

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