Breath overcomes wobble to show bright promise

With stable star Barters Hill sidelined for the season, trainer Ben Pauling may have another potential flagbearer in A Hare Breath, who made a winning debut over fences in the 2m1½f novice chase.

Apart from being a little ponderous and less than fluent at the first fence, the eight-year-old jumped well in the main and showed a good attitude up the home straight to see off longtime leader Gala Ball.

Pauling did not want to overplay the victory and said cautiously: “He'll be nine in the new year but this was only his eighth start, which rightly indicates he's had his issues in the past, but luckily he hasn't had a problem since he's been with us.