CARLISLE 14:50

All 5 ran. Fences: 18. Race Distance Adjustment: +35 yds

Time: 6m 35.8s Closing Sectional: (3.05f): 50.1s (97.7%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 109%, Betfair SP 99%

A quintet of useful second-season chasers lined up and so far as the 2 that fought out the finish go it's form to view positively, both impressing with how they went about things in a race that was a good test at the trip in spite of the small field.

SALUBRIOUS (IRE) who reportedly injured himself when scrambling home at short odds on his chasing debut at Fontwell last autumn, maintained his unbeaten record in this sphere with an altogether more convincing effort back from 13 months off, plenty in the run to suggest he can prove every bit as good over fences as he was over hurdles and therefore an exciting prospect for the season ahead; held up, jumped soundly, travelled powerfully, headway 5 out, took second 3 out, led between last 2, looked set to win readily but had to battle to fend off the game runner-up, seeming to have a bit in hand all the same; he isn't a novice despite having had just 2 runs over fences, so there are fewer options so far as placing him goes, though his hurdles record shows he's got no problem with a big-field handicap scenario and the likelihood is he'll be very competitive if tried in that company, notwithstanding that his present BHA mark (148 coming into this) is more a reflection of his merit as a hurdler.

MASTERS HILL (IRE) lightly raced for age, proved better than ever after 8 months off, turning in a really likeable effort bidding to concede weight all around; mid-division, travelled well, in touch sixth, led thirteenth, headed before last, dug really deep under pressure run-in to make the winner pull out all the stops; his best form so far is in smallish fields over easy fences (didn't really cope in last season's Kim Muir), but it's possible he's learning with experience and if he can hold things together faced with a tougher scenario then he could be one for a good staying handicap, well worth another go beyond 3m judged on his strength at the finish this time.

BLAKEMOUNT (IRE) strong in the betting, had shaped as if he'd come on for his reappearance but disappointingly went backwards 16 days on, let down by some rather gutless jumping; disputed lead, hampered briefly sixth, mistake eighth, not fluent tenth, asked for a big one twelfth but put down and blundered, pushed along after, weakened after 3 out; he really should still be doing better over fences and isn't one to write off in this sphere, though this effort does raise a slight question mark about him for next time.

DEPUTY DAN (IRE) without blinkers after 8 months off, failed to complete, though he was a bit unlucky to fall at the tenth, knuckling over having jumped the fence okay, still travelling well in mid-field at the time but too far out to suggest how he might've fared; he didn't convince in this sphere last season, in terms of jumping and attitude, though he's potentially very well handicapped judged on hurdles form if connections can get him firing.

BARAFUNDLE (IRE) had form to give him a sound chance but probably needed the run after 7 months off (easy to back) and didn't run much of a race, not much obvious encouragement to take from the outing; disputed lead, jumped right at times, ridden when headed fourteenth, folded.