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Review of the racing from Carlisle

Image: Malcolm Jefferson has his string in fine form

A review of the action from Carlisle where Grey Life continued the fine recent run of form of Malcolm Jefferson.

Grey Life provided further evidence Malcolm Jefferson's horses are hitting form at the right time with an assured victory under Brian Hughes at Carlisle.

The Malton-based trainer is no stranger to Cheltenham Festival success, enjoying a double at the showpiece meeting in 2012 with Attaglance and Cape Tribulation, and that pair will be joined by Firth Of The Clyde to form a three-pronged team heading south to Prestbury Park next week.

By his own admission Jefferson's string have not been firing on all cylinders this term, but the month of March has brought fresh optimism and after a winner at Sedgefield and a Newcastle double in recent days, Grey Life kept up the momentum as the 6-4 favourite for the Bet 10 Get 20 Free Bet Handicap Chase.

Already a three-time winner over fences and not disgraced when fourth at Wetherby last month, the nine-year-old jumped soundly from the front and had plenty in reserve as he skipped 11 lengths clear of Ultra Du Chatelet.

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Jefferson said: "It was a lot weaker race than Wetherby and he did it well, so we're very pleased. A winner's a winner.

"The horses weren't right earlier in the year, we have a lot of young horses as well and we've had bad ground all winter.

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"They seem to be coming right now and hopefully the young ones will come good on the better ground in the spring.

"We have three going down to Cheltenham and they're all in great form, but as we know, the racing is very tough down there.

"I'm very happy with them, so we'll see what they can do."

Trainer Jennie Candlish and conditional jockey Peter Carberry teamed up to complete a double at the Cumbrian circuit, with Grove Silver particularly impressive in the Horse Racing Loyalty Bonus At winner.co.uk 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle.

The 15-8 favourite benefited from a well-judged ride from the front and passed the post with four lengths in hand over Wolf Sword.

Candlish's partner and assistant, Alan O'Keeffe, said: "We're delighted with him and he did well.

"He won well at Sedgefield earlier in the year and I think he was just idling in front when he was second at Sandown last time.

"He qualifies for the final of a handicap series at Sedgefield on March 20, so if the ground stayed soft we might go there, otherwise we'll put him away.

"He'll make a lovely three-mile chaser in time."

It was harder work for stable companion Basford Ben in the Download The winner.co.uk App Now Handicap Chase.

With three three and a quarter miles facing the starters, it was always likely to develop into a war of attrition and the 9-2 shot showed plenty of heart in first-time blinkers to fend off Viking Rebel by a length.

"I thought it was a great ride from Peter because he's not the easiest customer in the world. He got running after the last and in fairness to the horse he stuck his neck out well," said O'Keeffe.

"I think the blinkers probably helped him as he travelled that bit better in the early part of the race and also jumped better than he has in the past."

Nigel Hawke and Tom Scudamore also found the target on a couple of occasions.

Greybougg (15-8), a winner at Exeter on Tuesday, sauntered 14 lengths clear having made all the running in the winner.co.uk Novices' Handicap Hurdle, while 2-1 favourite Speredek was similarly dominant in the bumper.

Donald McCain rarely leaves Carlisle without a winner and struck gold once more as 9-1 shot Whiskey Chaser claimed the Bet And Watch At winner.co.uk Novices' Handicap Chase.

The George Moore-trained Cowslip was a 25-1 winner of the Download The winner.co.uk App Now 'Hands And Heels' Handicap Hurdle.

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