AFTER his fluent victory in the Greatwood at the Paddy Power meeting, there were unlikely to be any more handicap opportunities for Old Guard so Paul Nicholls took the decision to move him up to graded level straightway. That bold policy paid off as the 7/1 chance proved a length too good for Willie Mullins’ Sempre Medici in the Grade 2 stanjames.com Intermediate Hurdle.

Nicky Henderson’s Hargam finished an honourable third but stable-companion Peace And Co, sent off at 4/5 to make a winning reappearance, pulled much too hard and finished last of six.