CARLISLE 14:30

All 7 ran. Fences: 14. Race Distance Adjustment: +48 yds

Time: 5m 15.3s Closing Sectional: (3.1f): 49.1s (98.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 109%, Betfair SP 101.5%

The ditch in the home straight was omitted due to the state of the ground

Bags of interest among a bigger field than before for the latest edition of this consistently informative autumn prize, bringing together a blend of promising recruits to chasing and those who'd already done plenty in their own first season chasing, one from each group coming clear after Minella Drama had upped an already fair pace passing the omitted first fence in the straight.

BEAUPORT (IRE) did so much right in developing into a smart staying handicap hurdler in 2021/22 and promises to prove even better over fences judged on this notable winning debut, belying his lack of chasing experience - plus his rider's inability to claim his 3-lb allowance - starting out in a well-run race, pushed closest by a Grade-1 winning novice as the pair pulled clear, admittedly in receipt of 12 lb; settled in a clear third, he jumped soundly and sustained his effort to hit the front approaching the last, essentially always in control despite edging right and seeing his lead reduced by a couple of lengths through the final 1f; he was so battle tested over hurdles that a campaign taking in some valuable open handicaps en route to the spring festivals would likely prove lucrative.

MILLERS BANK would surely have gone close in the Old Roan had he completed, bettering even the heights he'd hit when landing the Manifesto as a novice a week on as he failed only narrowly to concede 12 lb to a very smart chasing prospect in his own right, showing more stamina than previously as well in a race that required plenty at the trip; held up, he was awkward at the fifth and hit the tenth, yet he maintained the headway that began 2 out right to to the line, giving the winner a real scare late on.

BEAR GHYLLS (IRE) had a fine season as a novice hurdler in 2020/21 and did plenty to encourage he's every bit the same force now sent chasing following 20 months on the sidelines, likely to sharpen up jumping-wise, never mind in terms of fitness, shaping much better than the bare result; chased leader, clouted second but seemed to learn from it, still pressing leader when ridden 2 out, beginning to look held in second when mistake last, fading then; provided all is well, he's the type to progress considerably and win good races over fences.

MINELLA DRAMA (IRE) shaped as if as good as he was in his first season chasing but won't be easy to place in short term, given he probably went as far as he can in that busy novice campaign, his awkward side in evidence to boot; forced pace, pressed on straight, reduced advantage when hung right approaching 2 out, headed soon after, tied up flat.

CORACH RAMBLER (IRE) was easy to back reappearing at a shorter trip than ideal and should be sharper for the run in every sense, teeing him up for a likely bid at the race now known as the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury next month, very much one to bear in mind for that considering his striking late surge to the front to land a well-contested Ultima at Cheltenham; waited with, outpaced end of back straight, rallied approaching 3 out, no further impression, not knocked about.

BURROWS DIAMOND (FR) whose stable is struggling (no winner since June), probably needed the run after 7 months off; in rear, lost ground usual 5 out, struggling straight.

UPTON ROAD (IRE) showed promise once more after 9 months off, again shaping better than the bare result faced with an unrealistic task; dropped out, crept closer usual 5 out, weakened straight; he remains capable of better provided he stays sound (very lightly raced).