SANDOWN PARK 15:00

Non Runners: THELIGNY (FR). Hurdles: 12.

Time: 6m 20.2s Closing Sectional: (6.15f): 94.2s (105.9%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 125%, Betfair SP 99.9%

A doubling of the prize money had the desired effect, with a maximum field declared, and, while the race failed to attract a horse with a mark much higher than previously, there were quite a few unexposed, progressive types, 3 of those coming to the fore, though it was a messy race, due to a lack of pace, the whole field still well bunched entering the straight, the outcome further muddled by a seeming disadvantage in racing towards the inside.

TOPOFTHEGAME (IRE) one of the least exposed, showed the benefit of his recent run in the Lanzarote to land this valuable prize, suited by the longer trip; handy, travelled well, led 2 out, ridden soon after, strongly pressed last, kept on, ridden out; he isn't yet qualified for the Pertemps, so the valuable 3m handicap at Aintree may be the option over hurdles in the spring, but a return to fences is surely on the cards in the autumn, likely to be more mature by then.

GOLAN FORTUNE (IRE) up in trip, looked to have been clobbered by the handicapper for his last 2 wins and showed significant further improvement, denied only by a fully unexposed rival; dropped out, travelled well, rapid headway 2 out, closing when not fluent last, kept on.

MELROSE BOY (FR) back in handicap company and up in trip, raised his game once more; held up, good progress 3 out, shaken up 2 out, challenged between last 2, one paced run-in; he'll continue to run well over hurdles, but his long-term future is surely as a staying chaser.

FOLSOM BLUE (IRE) ran creditably in a tougher race after 9 weeks off; mid-division, mistake eighth, shaken up early in straight, not quicken 2 out, kept on run-in; he's entered in the Grand National trial at Punchestown and it will be interested to see how much he will revive at long distances over fences for his new yard, certainly one to note.

DOESYOURDOGBITE (IRE) took a step forward, shaping well in doing best of those that kept to the inside in the straight; well in touch, headway on inside entering straight, not quicken approaching last; has fallen a long way in the weights and qualified for much lower grade races than this.

UBAK (FR) shaped as if retaining plenty of ability, at a disadvantage in keeping to the inside in the straight; close up, ridden entering straight, not quicken after 2 out.

MAN OF PLENTY back up markedly in trip, ran creditably once again, all distances and races seemingly coming alike to him, though now 0-18 in handicaps; in rear, good progress 3 out, ridden straight, not quicken, plugged on run-in.

DASHING PERK making handicap debut, looked on a stiffish mark and ran up to his best, despite things not going ideally for him; handy, not settle fully, stayed towards inside straight, ridden 2 out, not quicken.

FLEMCARA (IRE) was up in grade but is better than this, the run of the race not playing to his strengths; in touch, lost place halfway, not quicken after 3 out, kept on approaching last, never on terms; will remain of interest.

KRIS SPIN (IRE) wasn't disgraced, this race just a bit too competitive for him; mid-division, ridden straight, no extra.

BUYWISE (IRE) back over hurdles, wasn't disgraced, neither the run of the race nor track position in his favour; held up, pushed along after 3 out, short of room home turn, stayed on inside in straight, kept on approaching last, effort flattened out; remains in form.

FOURTH ACT (IRE) wasn't in the same form as last time, again able to dictate but going on seemingly the worst ground in the straight; led, not fluent second, stayed inside in straight and headed 2 out, no extra.

PRIME VENTURE (IRE) is better judged on previous form, the run of the race not going his way; held up, ridden home turn, made no impression.

BEAT THAT (IRE) was well held, possibly finding conditions too testing and also spared a hard race once he weakened; prominent, travelled well, weakened quickly early in straight, not given at all a hard time.

TAJ BADALANDABAD (IRE) had a lot more on than last time and was well held; held up, left behind before 2 out.

OKOTOKS (IRE) back up markedly in trip, ran poorly after 7 weeks off; held up, labouring approaching straight.

KING OF FASHION (IRE) gambled on, disappointed on first outing since leaving Ian Duncan after 3 months off; held up, ridden after 3 out, soon done with, pulled up before last.