Today's Horse Racing Tips: Champagne to pop his rivals at Exeter

A seven-race National Hunt card begins at Midday at Exeter this afternoon, and our in-house tipster Steve Chambers picks out his best bets on the card here...

13:05 Exeter

Down the field in the Paddy Power Plate at the Cheltenham Festival in March, CHAMPAGNE COURT has returned to the hurdling sphere of late and showed signs of promise when finishing a decent second at Fontwell two starts ago. Rated as high as 140 in his prime over fences, Jeremy Scott's charge lines up off a mark of 126 today, so if he can produce his best then he has to be a leading contender. He found life a little tough last time out at Sandown, but he's worth another shout at this level, and he marks decent value in a competitive betting heat.

13:40 Exeter

Jonjo O'Neill's MORNING SPIRIT showed significant promise over hurdles, but he made a disappointing switch to the chasing sphere last time out when he fell at Aintree, so he will look to make amends this afternoon by putting in a clear round in the 13:40 at Exeter. There will no doubt be question marks over his jumping following chasing debut tumble, but he's shaped every bit a chaser and has to be respected, despite having top weight in what is a cracking betting heat for punters heading to the West Country track on Thursday afternoon.

14:15 Exeter

Stuart Edmunds is hoping MASKADA can break her duck over fences this afternoon in the 14:15 at Exeter, and providing she can build on two chase runs to date then she can duly outclass her rivals in an intriguing contest over the larger obstacles. Third at Uttoxeter on chasing debut, the five-year-old then went on to finish second at Bangor-on-Dee, so if she can build on that effort this afternoon then she can strike gold in the five-runner contest.