Carlisle result: Cristal d'Estruval jumps to impressive chase debut win for Harry Derham

Cristal d’Estruval could hardly have made a more eye-catching start over fences on Monday at Carlisle. Harry Derham’s five-year-old jumped beautifully on his chasing debut in the 1.52pm graduation chase, disdainfully defeating the muc more experienced Be Aware by 12 lengths.

It was his first run in nearly 11 months, and the odds-on favourite has extended his unbeaten record to three from three under rules.

Cristal d’Estruval jumps his rivals into the ground

Only three went to post, but Be Aware was a useful yardstick for a chase debutant. The grey set off in front under Tristan Durrell, but Cristal d’Estruval soon swept past him under Paul O’Brien and took over.

From there, he jumped superbly throughout, and Be Aware, the 2/1 second favourite, had no answer as the winner drew clear after the last to win by 12 lengths. Outsider All The Glory was always tailed off and finished a further 28 lengths back in third, 40 lengths behind the winner.

The winner has been off for almost a year, but his novice hurdle form stands up well. He made a winning debut in a maiden hurdle at Warwick last November, beating no less a pair than Alan King’s Baron Noir and Bossman Jack. By the season’s end, the former had finished fourth in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, while the latter won the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree.

Derham has been patient with the son of Crystal Ocean, and he looks to have an exciting novice chaser on his hands. His jumping was the standout feature here, and he has now won on ground ranging from soft to good.

The Arkle could be on his agenda later in the season; bookmakers cut him to a general 20/1 for the two-mile novice championship at the Festival in March.

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