Be Aware follows in the footsteps of L'Eau Du Sud as he makes a winning start over fences for Dan Skelton

Be Aware, who contested several hot handicaps last season, made a winning start over fences in the feature 2m3½f handicap chase.

The Dan Skelton-trained six-year-old finished eighth in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival and was having his first start since Aintree's Grand National meeting. 

The 5-4 favourite raced in a close second behind Grandeur D’Ame, and when that rival fell at the last, he quickened clear under Harry Skelton to score by four lengths.

Murphy and Bowen continue fine form

Wandering Ego continued his progress with a commanding 14-length victory in the first division of the 2m½f novice hurdle.

Trained by Olly Murphy, the five-year-old had his first start over hurdles at Perth in September when he finished in midfield but he went into the lead at the second hurdle and, despite an awkward jump at the third, always looked in command under Sean Bowen.

Murphy said: “He won that well, and it was a good performance which didn’t surprise me. He needed that run at Perth; it was a good blowout. Hopefully, he’ll be a nice horse. He’ll stay over two miles and looks a progressive type.”

Taurus looks good buy 

Taurus Bay made a winning start in the second division of the 2m½f novice hurdle for Ben Pauling.

The four-year-old was bought for £155,000 after winning an Irish point-to-point and he made his price tag look a wise investment with a convincing eight-and-a-half-length victory under Ben Jones.

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