CARLISLE 14:50

All 5 ran. Fences: 18. Race Distance Adjustment: +37 yds

Time: 6m 25.3s Closing Sectional: (3.1f): 48.1s (100.7%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 112%, Betfair SP 99.8%

A couple of these were done for before the straight and, despite Hillcrest being given the right kind of ride for a stayer, Tommy's Oscar had far too much speed for the other pair as he made his debut in veterans company a winning one with fair bit to spare.

TOMMY'S OSCAR (IRE) has found winning hard over the last few seasons but a belated drop into veterans company proved liberating, possessing far too much speed for these one-pacers and no reason why he won't continue to be campaigned as more of a stayer these days, value for a fair bit more than the winning margin might suggest; held up, travelled smoothly, going well when hit 3 out, produced to lead between last 2, drew clear run-in, won readily.

CREDO (IRE) was back in calmer waters and, 3 lb lower than when winning a similar event over C&D 12 months earlier, figured more prominently than previously this season; patiently ridden, crept closer from 5 out, upsides 2 out, readily left behind by winner run-in.

HILLCREST (IRE) probably ran to a similar level to last time, his jumping again better but his lack of finishing speed very much in evidence; pressed leader, avoided mistakes, jumped on eighth, headed between last 2, outpaced quickly, plugged on again run-in; it's almost 4 yrs to the day since he was sent off favourite for the Albert Bartlett yet is still seraching for his first win as a chaser.

BLACKJACK MAGIC is proving far more miss than hit these days, visored this time; made running, not fluent eighth, headed there, lost ground before thirteenth, struggling when hit next.

EMPIRE STEEL (IRE) ran badly and, whilst he's dropping down the weights in chunks, it's hard to be positive about him at the minute; in touch, not fluent tenth, mistake thirteenth, lost touch soon after.