Planet Of Sound (near) on his way to victory in the William Hill Gold Cup

Planet Of Sound made a successful step out of novice company to give Richard Johnson his fourth victory in the William Hill Gold Cup at Exeter.

The 4-1 favourite, who was third in both the Arkle and at Aintree, still had a bit to do turning in and only put his head in front over the last before fighting tooth and nail with Mahogany Blaze and the well-backed runner-up Cornas.

He took control on the short run-in, eventually winning by three and a half lengths, while Twist Magic staged a fine comeback to be third under 11st 10lb.

Trainer Philip Hobbs said: "I am delighted with him. Richard has always thought he should go over two and a half miles and looking at that race, he needs to step up.

"I don't know where we go now. We might look at the Peterborough and possibly the big two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase at the Cheltenham December meeting."

There was plenty of cheer for Paul Nicholls and his jockey Christian Williams as they combined for a double completed by 5-1 shot Tchico Polos in the williamhill.com/bonus25 - £25 Free Bet Bonus Novices' Chase.

Williams established a large lead from the outset and although it had been reduced by the home straight, Tchico Polos came in three and three-quarter lengths ahead of Dee Ee Williams.

Nicholls said: "He has got to be super-fit. He was a little fresh but he's obviously an improving horse and what he'll do now is go for the Henry VIII at Sandown."

Timmy Murphy took a fall from Darstardly Dick and went to hospital for a check-up on a shoulder injury.

Nicholls' 4-9 favourite Royal Charm took the Live Casino Games At williamhill.com Novices' Hurdle pretty easily from General Kutuzov and will go fo a two-and-a-half-mile race on the Friday of the Tingle Creek meeting at Sandown.