Exeter today

Easily the best racing in the U.K. today is Exeter´s jumps meeting, featuring the William Hill Gold Cup over 2 miles 1 1/2 furlongs at 16.00 CET. This limited handicap has attracted 9 runners, including the winner Ashley Brook (Kevin Bishop/ Colin Bolger), runner-up Mahogany Blaze (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan) and 4th (Twist Magic (Paul Nicholls/ Noel Fehily) from last year. Ashley Brook has been well beaten since, but is only minimally higher than 2008, and we think this exuberant jumper and front-runner can score again.

German-bred Twist Magic has been dropped in the weights, but still faces a stiff task under top-weight, and we think that two leading novices from last season, now moving up in grade, could be the big dangers - Planet of Sound (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson)- 3rd in the Arkle- and Oh Crick (Alan King/ Robert Thornton), who finished last season with two easy wins but has shot up the weights as a result. Paul Nicholls can however take the first two races, both novice hurdles, with smart bumper Red Harbour at 15.00 and Royal Charm- runner-up twice in decent races- at 15.30. Both will be ridden by Christian Williams, as Ruby Walsh is currently injured. Nicholls amd Williams also have a chance with Tchico Pulos in the novice chase at 16.30. However, as the only previous chase winner in the field, he has to carry a penalty and on hurdles form he cannot give the weight to Dee Ee Williams (Nick Gifford/ Liam Treadwell) and Sunnyhillboy (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy), winner of 4 of his last 5 races, and we expect that pair to fight out the finish.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Red Harbour - Qroktou - Moleskin
2. Race: Royal Charm - Robo - General Kutuzov
3. Race: Oh Crick - Nacarat - Twist Magic
4. Race: Sunnyhillboy - Tchico Polos - Dee Ee Williams
5. Race: Supreme Keano - Richard`S Sundance - Triggernometry
6. Race: Love Of Tara - Clyffe Hanger - Gilsland