Son of Iris and Better Times Ahead produced the race of the day at Carlisle yesterday when the joint top weights fought out a great finish to the Ashleybank Investments Handicap Chase.

In the end Peter Niven drove Son of Iris home by a neck but the almost white Better Times Ahead, making his seasonal debut, lost nothing in defeat as he recaptured his old sparkle.

Son of Iris, also running for the first time this term, has clearly picked up where he left off last season, when he rattled up an end of campaign hat-trick.

George Reveley, representing his wife Mary said: "He broke blood vessels a couple of seasons ago and as a result he came down in the handicap. He has no problem these days and, as you can see, he stays forever."

Out On A Promise and Robbie Supple were the winning combination in the Caldbeck Handicap Hurdle as the partnership reached the line with three quarters of a length to spare over the top weight Talathath.

Len Lungo, trainer of the 10 to 11 favourite, said: "Robbie schooled him over a line of fences the other day and he jumped really well.