Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter

Easily the best race of the day is the Haldon Gold Cup, a limited handicap chase over 2 miles 1 furlongs at 15.35 at Exeter. This valuable event is a race for specialists, and 4 of the 9 runners ran here last year. Cornas (Nick Williams/ Barry Geraghty) did best, finishing runner-up, with German-bred Twist Magic (Paul Nicholls/ Noel Fehily) third, Mahogany Blaze (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan) 4th and I´msingingtheblues (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore) 6th. Cornas is already in good form this season, having won a Grade Three in Ireland, and is the logical selection. Twist Magic is the class act here, but he seems to be rather moody these days and reserves his best form for Sandown. He is in any case burdened with a huge weight, so it is no surprise that Ruby Walsh has chosen to ride Tchico Polos, even though he is out of the handicap. The super-consistent Somersby (Henrietta Knight/ Hadden Frost) is the likely favourite; he was first or second on all his starts last season, including top events at Cheltenham and Aintree, but today we prefer Cornas.

Madison du Berlais (Pipe/ Scu) is a fascinating runner in the opening novice hurdle at 14.35. He has not run over hurdles for years, but is a top chaser - running up to Kauto Star in the King George at Kempton last year for instance. However we are not sure that he has the speed to win this, and Mr. Hudson (Nicholls/ Walsh), an easy bumper winner here in May, is preferred. Nicholls and Walsh can also take the second division at 17.35 with Join Together, and they also have good chances in the novice chase at 16.05 wth Qosak and the handicap hurdle an hour later with joint top-weight Prince Tom. Best bet of the day however is Dare Me (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson), a smart bumper horse who made an excellent start over the sticks by winning over this CD a fortnight ago, and who should be able to defy a 6tb penalty in the novice hurdle at 15.05.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Mr Hudson - George Nympton - Madison Du Berlais
2. Race: Dare Me - Silver Roque - Eddie Boy
3. Race: Somersby - Cornas - Tchico Polos
4. Race: Phidippides - Qozak - Rock Noir
5. Race: Swing Bill - Vamizi - Victory Parade
6. Race: Prince Tom - Omix D`Or - John`S Gift
7. Race: Join Together - Court In Motion - Oscar Papa