EXETER Racecourse stages its richest raceday on Tuesday, November 3, with top billing going to the William Hill Haldon Gold Cup, and with a value of £75,000 it has attracted some top class chasers.
Philip Hobbs plans to run Planet of Sound who won two novice chases at Newbury last season before his luck ran out at the Cheltenham Festival where he missed the break in the Arkle.
'For a second season novice it's the ideal place to start. and if the ground isn't too soft that's where we'll go with Planet of Sound,' said the trainer.
Paul Nicholls has earmarked the race for Twist Magic, who ended last season winning the Celebration Chase at Sandown. Last year he was fourth in the race, carrying 3lbs more, and if this race goes well he then heads for the Tingle Creek, also at Sandown.
Last year's Racing Post Chase winner Nacarat is also on course to make his seasonal reappearance in the race, with his major goal the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Managing director Steven Clarke said: 'The other races on the card should also attract a high class entry, which can prove pointers for the Cheltenham Festival in March.'
Potential top calibre horses who could line up are Nicholls' pair Royal Charm, who will run in a novice hurdle and Red Harbour, described as a 'smashing prospect' for staying novice hurdles.
The first of six races is off at 1.30pm, with William Hill sponsoring the card. A National Hunt novices' hurdle begins the day. Run over two miles three furlongs, it has an added value of £8,000.
Next on the card is a novices' hurdle over two miles one furlong. The novices' steeplechase will be run over an extended two miles one furlong, the handicap steeplechase is over three miles with £15,000 added and the handicap hurdle is over two miles seven and half furlongs.