AS Gordon Elliott dominated Down Royal on Friday, Paul Nicholls governed Exeter on the same afternoon, with Greaneteen regaining the Haldon Gold Cup for the Ditcheat trainer who has now won the Exeter feature no fewer than eight times.

The champion trainer made no secret of how fit Greaneteen (156+) was in comparison to last year, which was a confidence obviously shared by Harry Cobden who dominated from flag fall to win easily from his stable companion Dolos.

The fastest overall time of the day was supplemented by easily the quickest final circuit as the dual Grade 1 winner covered the ground in 3.1secs and 4.3secs quicker than Thyme Hill (130) and Masters Legacy (130) respectively.

Masters Legacy proved to be the equal of Greaneteen in the home straight and, although the Philip Hobbs-trained winner had the luxury of missing the fences in the back straight before finishing with gusto, it indicates there is still more to come from the seven-year-old who was running for the second time back off a wind operation.

Outlaw Peter (134+) outclassed his rivals in the opening novice, posting the fastest time of the day over hurdles in effortless fashion.

The race was over as a contest entering the home straight as the six-year-old galloped strongly to the line, jumping the final three hurdles with alacrity.

Trainer and jockey quickly doubled up in the second race as Lallygag (122+) was equally as impressive visually if not quite matching his stable mate on the clock.

However, his finishing effort from the third last of 37.5secs compared favourably with the Outlaw Peter, who covered the same ground in 38.4secs.

Of the two handicaps over hurdles, I would nominate the mares’ contest won by The Height Of Fame (118) as worthy of closer inspection.

In fending off multiple challengers, Kieran Burke’s mare stopped the clock at 37.8secs for her concluding sectional.

I would expect the winner to follow up before having to move up in grade, while I would also recommend a tracker entry for Bonnie Bresil (115) and Whisky Express (114) who will both improve for their seasonal debut.