6th November 2012

For those who caught the brief post last night, here's today's full write up. No rocket science today with 3 favourites, but they do look worthy of that tag and should take all the beating today.

14.50 Exeter

The Haldon Gold Cup has managed to attract a few big names down the year, and I'm hoping that this will be the start of a year at the top for CUE CARD. He looks a horse to be on the right side of this year and should have enough for this small field. He is the absolute apple of his trainer's eye and after a season of not quite living up to what they expected of him, this will be a good starting point. He went down by 7 lengths to Sprinter Sacre in the Arkle last time out at Cheltenham but was nowhere near making an impression on the winner. What was important though was how he beat today's opponent Menorah by 22 lengths and he is assisted by 3 pounds today. Last season also included a short head defeat to Bobs Worth conceding 7 pounds, and although Cue Card's future ultimately lies over two and a half miles and possibly beyond, this extended 2 miles will be just fine today. His jumping at times let him down last year but he is more than capable of putting in a good round to land this. Menorah is another whose jumping has been nervy ever since he made the switch from top class hurdler to novice chaser. His best performance was his win in the Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree beating Cristal Bonus, who we saw win so impressively at the weekend. Ultimately though that was down to fast ground and the latter being over the top by that point and I expect the Tizzards' horse to confirm running. The rapidly improved Edgardo Sol will actually be the biggest threat today, rising 30 pounds up the ratings last year and with Nicholls' good record in the race he is respected. However whether he is ready to take Cue Card on off level weights I'm not so sure and ultimately class should prevail here. Evens Paddy Power (available only at 9pm at 11/10 this has been snapped up)

15.20 Exeter

HINTERLAND makes his long awaited chasing debut and he's always been regarded as a chaser by his trainer. He receives a handy 8 pounds from the majority of his rivals and nearly a stone from Peckhamecho and should take all the beating. He has the scope and ability to go a long way in this sphere and this should be a facile victory for another of Nicholls' young horses. It's tremendous to see Hinterland, Kauto Stone, Cristal Bonus and Silviniaco Conti so far this season win after the retirements of Kauto Star, Denman, Neptune Collonges and the likely long absence of Masterminded. This race should hopefully show the Ditcheat handler is bringing together another great young string of chasers. 4/9 Paddy Power

12.55 Punchestown

DEDIGOUT makes his seasonal reappearance but looks set to go off at a silly price in this race. He was one of A J Martin's stable stars last year along with Bog Warrior, and although the latter didn't perform well on debut, that will only have made his trainer keener to win today. This horse looks set for a big career over fences, especially on testing ground like today and he is worthy of including in a treble. 1/4 Bet 365


Good luck!

The Horse Whisperer