Bear beaten on debut

Nick Gifford insisted he was happy with Straw Bear's performance despite being beaten on his chasing debut at Exeter, where Paul Nicholls did have a novice winner in the form of The Tother One.

The talented hurdler was expected to sparkle on debut over the larger obstacles at Exeter in the Best Mate Beginners' Chase, but he was beaten into second place by Alan King's Sir Harry Ormesher.

Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdle winner Straw Bear struggled to keep on terms with the eventual winner and Pasco who led at the final fence.

Tony McCoy did not have to get too serious on his mount to overtake Pasco and ion the end Straw Bear was closing on Sir Harry Ormesher but ran out of ground.

Delighted

"I'm genuinely delighted with that," said Gifford despite Straw Bear's defeat.

"He hit a little flat spot and his jumping was careful rather than exuberant so he will have learned a lot.

"There's a beginners' chase back here in a month that we'll look at. We'll see if he's a superstar then."

King was pleasantly surprised by the winner, but admits he might not be entered for the top-class contests this season.

"We didn't think he'd be good enough but it's a nice surprise," said the trainer.

"He gets two and a half miles but we think better ground will suit him.

"He can be a bit volatile - he's better than last year - and we might not take him to the big meetings just yet."

Nicholls win

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls says his novice chaser win at Exeter, with The Tother One taking the Homesave Beginners' Chase as the Ruby Walsh-ridden 8-11 favourite.

The Tother One continued his battle with Gone To Lunch that had started over hurdles last season and another close finish went the way of the favourite in a fine tussle.

"He has not been the most natural jumper at home but he'll keep progressing and might be one to keep back for the three-mile race at the Hennessy meeting," said Nicholls.

Winning owner Graham Roach had previously watched his hurdler The Nightingale throw away the Bathwick Tyres Taunton Novices' Hurdle when stumbling and falling on the flat.

After clearing the final hurdle in front and looking good for the win, The Nightingale saw something in the wood chip p atch and fell on the run-in to hand another victory to King and Robert Thornton on Shalone.

"I think he stumbled before the crossing then slipped up," said Nicholls. "I thought he had broken his leg so thank God he's OK."