Sport

The Emma Lavelle-trained Silver Thorn won the feature Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, making virtually all the running to score by two lengths from co-favourite El Granjero at Exeter yesterday, where the sun shone on a beautiful day at Haldon Hill.

The grey had won his previous start at Doncaster in December, with his trainer reporting that he was progressing well. Lavelle said: “He’s still learning and he only ever really does as much as he needs to, which is great as he’ll keep improving. We’re very pleased with how he’s handled the ground today, which means he’ll go on...

Exeter Chiefs and Italian international scrum-half Stephen Varney has signed a new contract with the club, kicking off an exciting start to the second half of Chiefs’ 2025/26 campaign.

Now an integral part of the game plan for both club and country, Varney has enjoyed an impressive start to his Chiefs career playing in eight out of 13 games so far this season.

Varney said: “I’m delighted to be re-signing with Chiefs. Although I’ve only been here for this season, it’s been a place I’ve really enjoyed from day one.

“The group of players, the staff, and the...

Dexter, Exeter Racecourse’s much-loved mascot, swapped the parade ring for a special festive mission last week as he delivered bags of Christmas presents to children on Bramble Ward at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

The gifts were donated by generous racegoers who attended Exeter Racecourse’s recent ELF Raceday, held in support of the Exeter Leukaemia Fund (ELF). Dozens of presents were collected at the racecourse’s gifting drop-off point and will now be shared with children and young patients in the lead-up to Christmas.

General manager Jack Parkinson said: “We...

Exeter student running sensation Innes Fitzgerald has won gold at the European Cross-Country Championships, bagging her a triple gold win in her age bracket.

On Sunday, Innes, 19, won the 4.5k race in Lagoa, Portugal for a third consecutive year, this year with a time of 14.35. Her 32-second lead is the biggest margin of victory in women’s under 20 racing in the history of the events. It caps a year that has seen the rising star smash a number of under 20 records.

It comes after the second year Exercise and Sport Sciences student at the University of Exeter was named...