Old Guard unscathed after fluffing lines on chase debut

Old Guard was full of life as he bounded back along the horsewalk beside the River Teign, which was good news for everyone, particularly Paul Nicholls even though he had to take evasive action.

The classy hurdler had not jumped a fence in public before arriving at Newton Abbot and left the track having blundered the only one he encountered in the 2m½f novice chase for which he had been sent off at odds of 1-5.

Pulled up by Sam Twiston-Davies, last year’s winner of the Greatwood Hurdle and International Hurdle was led back kindly towards the stands before his pleasing display of post-race exuberance.