All roads lead to Haldon Hill on Tuesday, November 7, when Devon’s richest raceday, featuring the fabulous Grade 2 188Bet Haldon Gold Cup, takes place.

This is one of Devon’s most celebrated sporting occasions, steeped in history and tradition with fast, furious and spectacular action and a terrific supporting card, too, including a £20,000 novice steeple chase, which often attracts the stars of the future.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has saddled five winners of the race including 2015 Vibrato Valtat. He said: ‘It’s one of the early chasing highlights of the season and I try and save a nice horse for it.

‘It’s a very good start for two-mile horses. Kauto Star finished second in the race in 2005 before he went on to win the Tingle Creek, and we’ve won it with Lake Kariba, Flagship Uberalles, Azertyuiop, Tchico Polos and, of course, Vibrato Valtat.’

Other winners include Best Mate, Cue Card (pictured) and the 2017 victor Sir Valentino, who is set to make his reappearance in the race this year alongside the Nicholls-trained San Benedeto and Brian Ellison’s highly thought of Forest Bhitan.

Racecourse general manager Jack Parkinson said: ‘The popularity of Exeter’s Haldon Gold Cup meeting extends far beyond the county of Devon and racegoers come from far and wide to watch top class horses in action and to savour our racecourse’s very special atmosphere. It’s a race that really raises the roof tops and there’s nothing better than hearing Exeter’s vocal crowds, for which it is famed, cheering home the winners,’

The first of seven races comes under starters’ orders at 1.20pm.