CARLISLE 16:15

All 7 ran. Hurdles: 9.

Time: 4m 23.7s Closing Sectional: (5.5f): 91.8s (93.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 109%, Betfair SP 101.2%

Form to be positive about as far as the principals are concerned, the winner certainly on an upward curve now, whilst Poker School looked well treated coming into it too.

GREYBOUGG was unpenalised for Exeter 2 days earlier but still showed further improvement to follow up quite emphatically, most progressive now he's handicapping and the stable have hit top form; made all, jumped well, went with zest, drew clear after 2 out, well on top finish; he obviously faces a hike in the weights but is open to further improvement.

POKER SCHOOL (IRE) ended up beaten a long way but only by a progressive sort, running creditably, and perhaps he didn't handle the quick turnaround (ran at Doncaster just 6 days ago) quite as well as the winner; in touch, travelled well, chased leader 3 out, ridden next but one paced and no match for winner; he remains unexposed and with some potential, though due to be 6 lb higher in the future which obviously makes it tougher.

MASIRANN (IRE) wasn't disgraced on handicap debut behind an interesting pair but does need to improve to be more competitive from opening mark and could do with brushing up his jumping; tracked pace, jumped none too fluently, outpaced 3 out, plugged on.

DRUNKEN COUNSEL (IRE) after 8 weeks off, shaped better than distance beaten suggests and, although he is a weak finisher, less testing ground is probably ideal; prominent, travelled better than most, folded tamely after 3 out.

CATHEDRAL ran poorly but, given Flat profile, there's a suspicion less testing conditions will prove ideal and he should get an opportunity on firmer ground this spring; held up, not fluent fourth, fifth, struggling before next.

HALLMARK STAR ran a moody race; took little interest, always behind.

ASTRUM in first-time tongue strap, ran a moody race; soon behind, raced lazily, beaten long way out.