Heskin takes the Haldon on Valentino The Adrian Heskin ridden Sir Valentino just pipped Garde La Victoire in an exciting finish to the 188Bet Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. There was nothing beaten the pair over the last two fences and they took the final obstacle in unison. Neither gave up on the run-in, with Sir Valentino (10-1) just edging the spoils by a short head from the even-money favourite to strike for trainer Tom George and his new stable jockey Adrian Heskin. The two main protagonists drew 11 lengths clear of top weight Dodging Bullets in third. George said: "This is probably his optimum - two-mile-one on a stiff track. He had a nice weight and he did the job well. "We ran him in the Summer Plate (at Market Rasen) over two-mile-five, but it was a bit too far for him. "He's better over a strongly-run two miles and he probably won't go further than this again. The Summer Plate was just too far, but he travelled well. It was the wrong sort of track. He's better off over a big, galloping track like this." He went on: "We've had a good run of it and have been quite close in a couple big races and have hit the crossbar a couple of times, but it's nice to get one in the back of the net. "Adrian is a good lad and is obviously a big asset to the team. "I suppose he'll have to go for some of big two-mile chases. We'll have to think about the Tingle Creek, I never thought of him as that type of horse, but I suppose he is improving."
