It’s the big race in Exeter’s calendar this afternoon as they stage the Grade 2 Haldon Gold Cup (2.25) on an eight-race card.
Flagship Uberalles, Best Mate, Cue Card and current two-mile kingpin Politologue are all past winners of the race and Paul Nicholls will be aiming for his seventh Haldon Gold Cup with the favourite today.
You can watch all eight races from Exeter (12.55-4.25) via live streaming when logged into MansionBet and our tipster has selections for all the action.
12.55 – Kenn Novices’ Hurdle Division 1 (2m5½f)
The penalised duo ASK A HONEY BEE and Es Perfecto make the plenty appeal in the opener. The latter held off Nickelsonthedime at Warwick early last month and there shouldn’t be much between them again but Fergal O’Brien’s charge is preferred.
After a brief dry spell, the yard are back amongst the winner and his Wetherby success was boosted when runner-up Ashdown Lad scored there on Saturday. He’s got plenty scope for better.
Selection: Ask A Honey Bee @ 11/10
1.25 – Kenn Novices’ Hurdle Division 2 (2m5½f)
Newton Abbot winner Noble Behest is respected under penalty while the Paul Nicholls’ newcomer Flash Collonges merits a chunk of attention with the stable is such good form.
Steady Away has valuable experience in the bag and will have learned a lot in finishing second to a good yardstick at Market Rasen in the spring but this might go to INCA ROSE. He looked in need of the run at Wetherby on return and should do better upped in trip for a trainer/jockey in fine fettle.
Selection: Inca Rose @ 6/1
1.55 – Kennford Novices’ Hurdle (2m1f)
BRAVEMANSGAME lost very little in defeat when collared late on by the promising Soaring Glory at Chepstow last month, the pair having stretched well clear.
He galloped right through the line have attempted to get away from the jolly in the home straight. He sets a decent standard and can give the Nicholls/Cobden alliance a boost before the big race.
Dal Horrisgle was rated 102 on the Flat for William Haggas at best and is race-fit ahead of his hurdles bow for Alan King. He’s potentially a major danger.
Selection: Bravemansgame @ 4/5
2.25 – Haldon Gold Cup (Limited Handicap Chase) (Grade 2, 2m1½f)
A race that Paul Nicholls has plundered six times in his career, most recently in 2017 with Politologue. The Ditcheat supremo has a superb strike-rate at this venue (28 per-cent last five years) and GREANETEEN makes lots of appeal in this.
He won his first three over fences last season, looking very progressive and ran a sound race in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham in fourth, faring best of those racing prominently.
There’s more to come from him and the stable are in a rich vein of form. Esprit du Large was a Grade 1-winning novice and could bounce back from a fall in the Arkle, while Glen Forsa is very dangerous to dismiss given his back form and low-mileage.
Selection: Greaneteen @ 15/8
2.55 – Kate Brook Novices’ Chase (3m)
ENRILO looked a sure winner all the way at Chepstow on chase bow last month before being collared late by The Mighty Don, who was extremely brave having come under pressure a fair ways out.
Nick Gifford’s runner eschews the penalty and rematch now, having become a late non-runner, and compensation surely awaits Harry Cobden’s mount given how well he travelled last time (front pair miles clear).
Selection: Enrilo @ 4/9
3.25 – Harcombe Handicap Chase (3m)
Fortescue was all out to win over C&D in March and, while retaining scope for better, has more to do from this increased mark on his return. He has won fresh before though.
Philip Hobbs has a pair of viable contenders in Larkbarrow Lad and Truckin Away, but in a very open contest BROADCLYST is given a chance.
He went close at Wincanton on seasonal bow last time and was running a big race at that venue when coming down late in March on his final run. He should register over fences this term.
Selection: Broadclyst @ 12/1
3.55 – Plymouth Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (2m5½f)
Having looked outpaced at a stage, AIRGEAD SUAS rallied well in fourth on handicap bow at Hereford last month, the winner having made short work of the task up ahead.
Stuart Edmonds’ mare ought to be suited with this longer journey and will have sound claims in that case. Wilde Spirit again went close at Ludlow over a similar trip on return last month and must surely break through before long.
Selection: Airgead Suas @ 6/1
4.25 – Chudleigh Handicap Hurdle (2m1f)
LADY RESET (second) had almost four-lengths in hand on Frankincense (third) when she made her handicap bow at Stratford last month. That was a much-improved showing from David Pipe’s runner and a better jump at the last might have sealed the deal for her.
Fergus Gillard is enjoying a nice time of things recently and has a standout chance in the Exeter finale. Lady Chuffnell and Jobesgreen Lad need a look on their respective handicap bows.
Selection: Lady Reset @ 2/1
*All odds correct at time of writing