Cracking the Premier Puzzle: Charlie Huggins provides his tips for Exeter's Haldon Gold Cup card

Charlie Huggins with his advice for Exeter's Premier meeting on Friday . . .

1.15 Exeter
Goskydive.com Novices' Hurdle, 2m½f

Charlie's tip: Sorceleur

Small fields due to good ground means there is going to be very little value at Exeter and it is perhaps worth sticking these selections in a multiple. Sorceleur should get any accumulator off to a good start as he finished fifth in the Grade 2 bumper at the Grand National meeting before bumping into the potentially smart Pony Soprano on his hurdling debut here last month. He represents Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden, who have won this race three times in the last four years, including with Bravemansgame in 2020.

Sorceleur13:15 Exeter

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Jky: Harry Cobden Tnr: Paul Nicholls

1.50 Exeter ICL Conscious Of Our Impact 'Future Stars' Silver Bowl Novices' Chase, 3m

Charlie's tip: Deafening Silence

Essentially a match as Daring Plan is rated 28lb and 37lb inferior to Deafening Silence and Captain Teague. The latter is understandably favourite as a Grade 1 winner, courtesy of his Challow Hurdle success, but he disappointed at the Cheltenham Festival and has never raced on ground quicker than good to soft. Deafening Silence beat subsequent Hunters' Chase winner Sine Nomine by seven lengths in his point-to-point win at Alnwick, won on this card last year and landed a contest which included Grade 2 winner Personal Ambition and Silver Trophy scorer Josh The Boss when last seen.

Deafening Silence13:50 Exeter

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Jky: Harry Skelton Tnr: Dan Skelton

2.25 Exeter
BetMGM Haldon Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 2), 2m1½f

Charlie's tip: Etalon

Etalon beat Djelo by two and a quarter lengths off level weights when last seen and meets that rival, whose best performances have all come over further, on 6lb better terms. That clash came when Etalon finished seventh in Grade 1 company at Aintree and he is unbeaten in three starts in handicap chases, so switching back to that sphere should suit.

The Dan Skelton-trained seven-year-old has a good record fresh, beating Martator – now rated 23lb higher after winning four times since, including at Ascot last Saturday – when making a winning chase debut on his reappearance at Newbury in November last year, and he can put in a career-best performance on his first start this season.

Etalon14:25 Exeter

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Jky: Harry Skelton Tnr: Dan Skelton

3.00 Exeter
ICL, Impact For A Sustainable Future Challenger Mares Handicap Hurdle, 2m2½f

Charlie's tip: Asian Spice

France-based Bryony Frost is an eyecatching booking for Asian Spice, trained by her father Jimmy Frost. The six-year-old is a regular at Exeter, winning twice, and shaped well over the course and distance a month ago under a 3lb claimer, staying on after coming off the pace in a slowly run race. A mark of 96 looks perfectly fair and a bold bid is on the cards.

Asian Spice15:00 Exeter

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Jky: Bryony Frost Tnr: Jimmy Frost

3.35 Exeter
Haldon 'Challenger' Stayers' Handicap Chase, 3m

Charlie's tip: Tightenourbelts

The last time Tightenourbelts ran over this 3m trip over fences he finished fourth behind Il Est Francais in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase on good ground. The seven-year-old also split subsequent Grade 1 Scilly Isles winner Nickle Back and Colin Parker Memorial Chase scorer Marble Sands when third at Newbury last December.

The son of Mahler is rated only 5lb higher than when scoring by ten lengths at Ludlow almost a year to the day and has been crying out for this step up in trip. He had a good prep run over hurdles when sixth of 17 in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow last month and champion jockey Harry Cobden is an eyecatching booking.