Today sees the first meeting of the autumn at Exeter, one of my favourite ‘rural’ tracks, and the chance to make a bit of money from Philip Hobbs’ runners.

The ‘master trainer’, as ATR’s Matt Chapman rightly calls Hobbs, intends running two of his most promising horses – KORNATI KID in the novices’ chase (3.20) and COPPER BLEU in the closing novices’ hurdle (4.50).

“Kornati Kid won on his only previous visit to Exeter in January and at Wincanton the time before,” said Hobbs.

“I’m inclined to forgive his last run at Taunton on heavy ground as he was keen and pulled too hard.

“He is a fine big-staying type whose dam won hunter chases.

“Copper Bleu is much stronger than last season. He won a bumper at Cork before we got him and then ran well at Aintree.

“He’s a half-brother to Presenting Copper, who has won three for us.”