Three National Hunt cards and two Flat fixtures make up Friday’s horse racing schedule across the UK and Ireland.
It’s Haldon Gold Cup day at Exeter (12.40-4.10pm), with additional jump racing at Fontwell (12.50-3.45) and Hexham (1.02-3.55).
The action then shifts to the all-weather tracks with fixtures from Newcastle (3.28-7.15) and Dundalk (5.00-8.30).
Our selections for Friday come from the Devon course, including one of trainer Joe Tizzard’s two contenders in the Grade 2 feature race.
Horse racing tips today – Exeter
Lee Sharp’s picks for Friday are below. Scroll down to read the expert analysis behind them.
Nap: JPR One (Exeter, 2.25) @ SP with BetMGM
Next best: Coco Mademoiselle (Exeter, 3.35) @ SP with BetMGM
Other: It’s Easy (Exeter, 3.00) @ SP with BetMGM
Odds, correct at time of publishing, may be subject to change.
Horse racing tips: Exeter 2.25
The Grade 2 Haldon Gold Cup has drawn a field of six, with Dan Skelton, Paul Nicholls, and Venetia Williams all bringing strong contenders.
However, the Joe Tizzard-trained JPR ONE could emerge as a deserving favourite.
The seven-year-old didn’t show his best when finishing a distant seventh in the Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Yet, for much of last season, he was among Britain’s top novice chasers over two miles.
Like several others in the race, JPR One is stepping into open company for the first time on Friday, but he tops the ratings.
Having clinched a Grade 2 victory at Lingfield in January, he should find the forecast good ground to his liking.
Notably, this will be his first outing since undergoing a wind operation, but if he’s fully tuned up, he’s the one to beat.
Selection: JPR One @ SP with BetMGM
Horse racing tips: Exeter 3.35
Dan and Harry Skelton have been in strong form lately, and COCO MADEMOISELLE came close to adding to their impressive tally of winners at Worcester at the end of September.
The six-year-old mare was heavily backed that day, and after a smooth round of jumping, appeared the likely winner at the final fence, only to be narrowly edged out on the line.
The form of that run has since been franked by Christian Williams’ Weveallbeencaught, who finished six lengths behind Coco Mademoiselle before putting in a solid performance at Cheltenham in October.
It feels like only a matter of time before she secures a win over fences, and this three-mile handicap chase could be the one to get her into the winner’s circle.
Selection: Coco Mademoiselle @ SP with BetMGM
Horse racing tips: Exeter 3.00
Jimmy Frost’s Asian Spice returns to defend her title in this 2m 2½f mares’ handicap hurdle. However, she may face a tough task with many of her rivals in good form.
IT’S EASY, now under Welsh trainer Evan Williams, put in a solid effort on her stable debut at Stratford last time out, finishing second over two miles.
She remains on the same handicap mark, and the step up in distance should suit this former French raider.
While her best form has come on softer ground, she’s still capable of delivering a strong performance here.
Selection: It’s Easy @ SP with BetMGM
