DEVON’S richest raceday takes place next Tuesday (November 3) when high class horses will be heading to Exeter Racecourse to contest the Grade Two Sportingbet Haldon Gold Cup.

The prestigious two-mile one-furlong race is fast, furious and spectacular and with £62,500 in prize money it’s one that trainers make an early season target.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has earmarked Vibrato Valtat, a winner of four novice chases and fourth in the Racing Post Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival, for the race.

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.”

The Haldon Gold Cup is a race that typically attracts some of the country’s best chases, including past winners Edredon Bleu, Best Mate, Viking Flagship, Cue Card and Somersby, and is widely regarded as the first major contest over two miles in the jump racing calendar.

The first of seven races comes under starters’ orders at 1.20pm and sponsors include Bathwick Tyres, Vix Technology and Smith and Williamson.

Gates open at 11.20pm. A free bus service to the racecourse is available from Exeter St David’s railway station at 11.45am and the bus and coach station at 12 noon, returning half-an-hour after the last race.

Tickets are available from £15 if pre-booked online and hospitality packages are available with details at: www.exeter-racecourse.co.uk .