Twist Magic misses seasonal bow due to fast ground

TWIST Magic will miss his intended seasonal bow in today’s William Hill Gold Cup at Exeter as Paul Nicholls is reluctant to risk the smart chaser under top weight on fast ground.

The five-year-old looked top-class in winning the Grade One Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree last spring and was also in the process of running a huge race in the Arkle when he came down two out.

Nicholls had pinpointed the race, registered as the Haldon Gold Cup, as his ideal starting point for the season, but the absence of top weight Voy Por Ustedes also impacted on his decision.