This looked a relatively ordinary juvenile event by Sandown standards, although it featured a couple of previous hurdle winners and two others who had won Provincial races on the Flat in France.

Former Irish Flat winner QUASIMODO was ridden completely differently to his previous two runs over hurdles and the forceful tactics paid off with much improved form. Having made most of the running he only just held on, but he would have won decisively but for a mistake when four lengths clear at the last.

French Flat winner Ostrogoth, carried right at the second in an incident triggered by favourite Spidam which also saw Beauchamp Trump, Illuminati, Ortega and Benedict Bay among those hampered, but he recovered quickly to race in close enough touch. He would have won in anther stride, but it was only the winner's mistake at the last that allowed him to get in a challenge. He is no star but looks capable of better again.

Prime Contender also ran creditably under a similar penalty, but with no other excuse.

Ouija Board's half-brother Illuminati and Ortega made reasonably encouraging hurdles debuts, the latter staying on quite nicely under a patient ride. So too did fair Flat winner Love Angel, who improved around the inside to get on the heels of the leaders going to the second last and can be found easier races than this.

*Andrew Thornton reported that Garibaldi had a breathing problem.

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