SANDOWN PARK 14:05

Non Runners: PORTWAY FLYER (IRE). Hurdles: 8.

Time: 5m 1.76s

Overrounds: Industry SP 126%, Betfair SP 99%

This is traditionally a very strong race of its type, full of unexposed sorts, and in theory this year's running was no exception, with 12 of the 16 making their handicap debut; however, it didn't fully deliver in practice, several of the market leaders/less-exposed runners just not giving their running, the form still to be viewed positively if not quite as encouragingly as usual.

BRAVE VIC (IRE) making handicap debut, showed much improved form to get off the mark, the demands of this race clearly playing to his strengths much more than the novices which he had been contesting; prominent, travelled strongly, led early in straight, ridden between last 2, stayed on strongly; his brother Edmund Kean is fully effective at 3m and has shown useful form over fences, and it's likely he himself will be capable of similar feats next season.

SAFFRON WELLS (IRE) improved further, reversing Fakenham placings with the third, though no threat to the winner in the closing stages; in rear, not settle fully, headway before 2 out, chased leader before last, stayed on.

DOCTOR HARPER (IRE) showed a useful level of form on his handicap debut, this an improved effort under top-weight; led main group, ridden end of back straight, not quicken between last 2, stayed on; will continue to give good account.

BROTHER BRIAN (IRE) well backed, making handicap debut after just 3 runs in novices, ran well, just lacking pace in the latter stages; held up, travelled well, headway end of back straight, not quicken 2 out, kept on; will stay beyond 2½m and remains with potential, particularly for when sent over fences.

CEASAR MILAN (IRE) ran creditably, up plenty in the weights and in a much stronger handicap than those he'd been contesting; mid-division, outpaced end of back straight, rallied well 2 out, kept on; worth another try at 2¾m.

BOONDOOMA (IRE) making handicap debut, ran creditably, though with no obvious excuses, looking a danger 2 out but unable to quicken; in touch, travelled well, headway early in straight, chased leader 2 out, one paced before last; looks the sort to make a better chaser.

GOOHAR (IRE) making handicap debut, wasn't disgraced after 9 weeks off over 3f longer trip, doing enough to suggest he'll be effective at the distance another day; held up, labouring badly before home turn, plugged on.

STROLLAWAYNOW (IRE) was below form on handicap debut, one of the less obvious improvers and no more than averagely treated; held up, labouring end of back straight.

GONE TOO FAR making handicap debut, looked an obvious one to improve but he failed to meet expectations, racing too keenly for his own good; held up, not settle fully, effort 2 out, found less than looked likely; may yet do better, particularly over fences next season.

PANAMA PETRUS (IRE) was one of the least exposed, but couldn't make the most of that and was well held making handicap debut; handy, ridden end of back straight, weakened before 2 out.

THEATREBAR was well held, finding this more competitive than the handicaps he'd contested previously; prominent, ridden before 2 out, weakened soon after.

VICE ET VERTU (FR) was well held, an early mistake seeming to unsettle him; held up, mistake third, off the bridle soon after.

HORIZONTAL SPEED (IRE) disappointed, in part due to his jumping, though it was a lacklustre effort all round; prominent, mistake second, bad mistake fifth, ridden end of back straight, weakened before 2 out.

KNIGHT OF NOIR (IRE) looked on a fair mark making handicap debut, but he disappointed with no obvious excuse; held up in rear, labouring sixth, made little impression.

CLASSIC MOVE (IRE) would have run below form had he completed; raced clear, headed early in straight, weakening when fell 2 out.

STEEL CITY has work to do from opening mark but just wasn't himself; mid-division, weakened sixth, pulled up straight, reportedly bled.