SANDOWN PARK 15:40

All 9 ran. Hurdles: 11.

Time: 5m 34.7s

Overrounds: Industry SP 114%, Betfair SP 100.9%

This looked open and competitive beforehand but the form is suspect, the eventual fourth and fifth, closely tracked by the third, pressing on much too hard on the final circuit, resulting in the pace collapsing in the straight, the winner last but one and going nowhere early in the straight.

BERKELEY BARRON (IRE) bounced back to form, though seemingly flattered by the pace collapsing, having been going nowhere early in the straight; held up, jumped none too fluently, labouring 4 out, rapid headway between last 2, led before last, kept on well; he looks more a chaser than a hurdler and will be of more interest in that sphere next season than he will off a higher mark over hurdles this spring.

PHONE HOME (IRE) seemingly ran better than for a while, though suited by the way the race developed and not sure to reproduce this next time; in touch, labouring 3 out, plugged on after next, left second last.

SAN TELM (IRE) back down in trip, shaped better than the bare result, ridden too close to the overly strong pace; handy, ridden 3 out, challenged next, no extra run-in; looks on a fair mark.

WALDORF SALAD shaped better than the bare result after 5 weeks off and, despite having gone up plenty in weights, did enough to suggest he remains on a competitive mark; led until fourth, pressed leader after, ridden before 3 out, every chance after 2 out, no extra last; remains to be seen whether he's so effective away from the mud, but there is definitely more to come under the right circumstances.

WESTAWAY (IRE) was below form under a penalty after just 6 days off, though an overly aggressive ride offers a ready excuse; disputed lead, led fourth, headed before last, weakened; due to be 5 lb higher in future handicaps, so won't look especially well treated, but is clearly better judged on last time than this.

SPENCER LEA was below form under a penalty after just 8 days off, even though the run of the race ought to have suited him; held up, some headway sixth, ridden before 2 out, made no further impression.

NATAANI (IRE) ran no sort of race after 5 months off, the ground probably softer than ideal; in touch, labouring fifth, tailed off 3 out.

AMERICAN LIFE (FR) would have run creditably had he completed, though the run of the race was ideal for him to show to advantage; held up, ridden eighth, rapid headway 2 out, second when fell last.

VALID REASON ran no sort of race, his attitude looking a major concern; chased leaders, downed tools fifth, pulled up before 3 out.