Captain set for Exeter test

CAPTAIN CHRIS, last season’s top two-mile novice chaser, is set to begin the new campaign in the Betfred Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on Tuesday.

The Philip Hobbs-trained seven-year-old progressed as the 2010-2011 season went on and ended with victories in the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham and the Ryanair Novice Chase at Punchestown.

Connections of the Diana Whateley-owned gelding are toying with the idea of stepping him up in trip as the winter develops.