Salubrious confirms well-being for Paul Nicholls with Carlisle success

A review of the action from Carlisle on Monday as Paul Nicholls' Salubrious maintained his perfect chasing record when completing a double for his trainer.

An appearance at the Hennessy meeting at Newbury could be on the agenda for Salubrious after he made a successful return from over a year off in the feature race of the day at Carlisle.

A high-class hurdler two seasons ago, the Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old won first time out over fences at Fontwell last October but then spent the rest of the campaign on the sidelines.

An 11/4 chance for his comeback in the Weatherbys Bank Graduation Chase, Salubrious was waited with by Sam Twiston-Davies before cruising into contention from the home turn.

It was hard work from the final fence, with the lack of a recent run perhaps taking its toll, but the Nicholls runner responded gamely to see off Masters Hill by a neck.

Winning part-owner Andy Stewart said: "I watched the race from my home in Barbados and I'm very pleased.

"I'm getting to quite like Carlisle, with Saphir Du Rheu winning there as well recently.

"Credit to them as they're putting on some good races with good prize-money.

"Salubrious was having his first run in 402 days and Paul told me he would definitely need the run.

"Apparently he was blowing like nothing on earth after the race and Paul expects him to improve a couple of stone.

"We'll probably give him a bit of time now and see how he is and we might look towards the Hennessy meeting at Newbury.

"There's a two-mile-seven-furlong race there and that might be a good option for him."

Salubrious' success completed doubles on the afternoon for the Nicholls-Twiston-Davies combination, with 5/2 chance Silsol having earlier seen off promising pair Maximiser and Seeyouatmidnight in a cracking 188Bet Novices' Chase.

The Nicky Richards-trained even-money shot Baywing trounced his rivals in the Free Spins At 188Bet Casino Novices' Handicap Hurdle, while Alan Swinbank's Virnon also obliged for favourite-backers by winning in the Premier League Betting At 188Bet Novices' Hurdle at odds of 7/4.

Colin Tizzard and Noel Fehily combined to land the 188Bet.co.uk Handicap Chase as 4/1 joint-favourite Fourth Act devoured the demanding terrain on his way to a 13-length success.

Three Ways (7/4 joint-favourite) later delivered the goods in the Grand Slam Of Darts At 188Bet Standard Open NH Flat Race.