Exeter Racecourse's richest raceday to be held on 6th November

Exeter Racecourse stages its richest raceday on Tuesday November 6 with the prestigious sportingbet Haldon Gold Cup taking centre stage.

The grade two race is one of the highlights of the early jump racing season and this year is part of the ‘Road to Cheltenham’ series sponsored by leading bookmaker sportingbet.com.

The race is steeped in tradition and quality and former winners include Best Mate, Medermit, Planet of Sound and Azertyuiop. Former runners include Kauto Star and Desert Orchid.

The race is the early target for two of trainer Philips Hobbs’ stable stars, Menorah and Captain Chris. Their owner Diana Whateley has already tasted success at Exeter this season with Garde La Victoire carrying her famous blue colours to victory in the bumper at its second October meeting.

Hobbs said: “We are looking at the sportingbet.com Haldon Gold Cup for Menorah and he is very likely to start his season off there. He is in good form and seems fine at the moment. It’s a case of seeing how he gets on at Exeter before deciding what route he will go down this season.

"Captain Chris ran in the sportingbet.com Haldon Gold Cup last year and he is likely to run as well. He ran a good race in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and it was pleasing to see him return to a bit of form.”

Tim Darby, General Manager of Exeter added: “We are thrilled to welcome sportingbet.com as sponsor of our most prestigious race, as the company extends its support of the two mile steeplechases on the ‘Road to Cheltenham’. The Sportingbet Haldon Gold Cup is always one of the most eagerly awaited races of the autumn and I’m sure this year’s renewal will be as competitive as ever.”

Two novice hurdle races are also on the card with top prospects likely to feature in the line up. A National Hunt novices’ hurdle over two miles three furlongs gets the card underway at 1.50pm and then a two miles one furlong novices' hurdle takes place half an hour later.

Tickets start from £13 if booked in advance and can be booked online at Exeter-raceourse.co.uk or by calling 08445 793005. A free raceday bus service is available leaving Exeter St David’s railway station and Exeter Bus & Coach Station and returning 30 minutes after the last race.