Exitas showing the way for trainer Phil Middleton after veterans' success

Buckinghamshire trainer Phil Middleton has sent out only five horses so far this jumps season, including undoubted standard-bearer Exitas.

For the second autumn running, Exitas has enjoyed a rare old time. Last year it culminated in a Listed win at Ascot and on Sunday he landed a second win within a month, cruising to success in the £30,000 veterans' chase.

Middleton, who also part-owns Exitas, was not at the track and was instead represented by Simon Thomas, who said: "He's a hard horse to get right, which is why he's run so much recently, but when he's right he's good."