Phijee glee for Willie Muir at Carlisle

A review of the action from Carlisle on Sunday, where William Muir was delighted to make a long journey pay with Phijee.

William Muir was left thinking big with Carlisle winner Phijee after he broke his maiden in the bookies.com Novice Auction Stakes.

Narrowly beaten on his debut at Newbury, Lambourn-based Muir felt he had a valid excuse for that reverse and expected him to land the odds on the long journey north.

Sent off the 4/6 favourite, he was ridden confidently by Sam Hitchcott and quickened three lengths clear of 50/1 chance Now Children.

Muir said: "He was unlucky not to win first time. He was in front too long and he just got caught. He should have won but the form worked out so we knew it was a good race.

"I told the owner we'd go up to Carlisle. It's a long way, but the race was there to be won and the experience would do him good.

"He'll come on again for that and I'll go back there (Carlisle) again as the course has improved so much so the last time I was there.

"I was very pleased, and the most pleasing thing is he's crying out for seven furlongs or a mile now - he's not just a sprinter.

"I let my two-year-olds develop - they have to be very good to win first time - so I won't rush him.

"I'll probably give him a month off but I wouldn't be scared of going into a Listed race with him.

"He works with Fine Blend, who has held her own in Listed races, yet he beats her by five lengths on the gallops. He's got a bright future."

Brian Ellison's Top Of The Glas (100/30) won a blanket finish for the Compare Best Odds At bookies.com Handicap.

Runner-up Mukhayyam tried to make all of the running but Top Of The Glas challenged on the outside, with Tamayuz Magic on the rail.

The three horses flashed past the post together, with Ellison's inmate getting the verdict by a short head and a head.

Mick Channon's good run continued as Blacklister followed up his Haydock win in the bookies.com Betting Tips Handicap.

Paul Mulrennan was gifted an easy lead and the top weight never looked like being caught.

The 4-1 chance won by two and a quarter lengths from Bit Of A Quirke.

It looked notable that William Haggas had sent His Kyllachy (4/1) north for the Opera Bingo Maiden Stakes but victory had looked unlikely until the final half a furlong.

Organza and runner-up Apres Midi were involved in a battle from some way out, but had nothing left when Ben Curtis flew past, with a neck the winning distance.