SANDOWN PARK 14:25 1b484g

All 10 ran. Hurdles: 9. Race Distance Adjustment: +30 yds

Time: 5m 14.9s Closing Sectional: (5.75f): 92.6s (98.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 114%, Betfair SP 99.7%

Only the sixth running of this and, with last year's winner, Colin's Sister, having gone on to win the West Yorkshire Hurdle in the autumn, the decision in 2016 to upgrade this to a Grade 2 had some justification; this was another competitive renewal and, with progressive sorts with the best previous form coming to the fore, there's every reason to rate the form positively; the winner raced clear with Banjo Girl early and they went a good pace from the outset.

MIDNIGHT TUNE had her sights lowered again back against novices and got straight back on the up; travelled well, led until second, remained prominent, led again before 2 out and found plenty, looking very willing; she's progressed very well this season and is an extremely likeable type.

IF YOU SAY RUN (IRE) might just have found her last run coming too soon, given 7 weeks off since, and she resumed her progress, beaten only by another improver who's probably a stronger stayer too; in touch, travelled strongly, headway after 3 out, close up next, one paced; she promises to be at least as good over fences in time.

SENSULANO (IRE) ran well upped in grade, continuing her pattern of run-to-run progress, and that's despite shaping as if more emphasis on stamina will be ideal; tracked pace, effort after 3 out, not quicken, kept on, pulled clear of remainder; will be suited by 2¾m+ and is likely to progress further.

BANJO GIRL (IRE) shaped better than the distance beaten suggests, still very much in form, just paying the price late on for having taken on the winner, leading from the second until before 2 out, understandable that she got tired up the hill, especially as she was back up in trip.

REDEMPTION SONG (IRE) who was in first-time cheekpieces, faced a stiff task in this grade but is possibly best on less testing ground anyway; raced off the pace, ridden soon after 4 out and merely plodded on ed beaten horses.

NARANJA was found out in better company, unable to even get near the lead; mid-division, lost place when slow fourth, struggling 4 out, well beaten; she'll be better off back in handicaps and over longer trips.

ALL CURRENCIES (IRE) wasn't in the same form as last time, never travelling well and beaten before 2 out; this was her first start on heavy ground.

MELANGERIE is better judged on previous form, possibly unsuited by such testing conditions, either that or she was amiss, the trip not even coming into it, jumping none too fluently in rear and soon done with after a mistake 3 out.

OH MICHELLE faced a stiff task in this grade and was possibly unsuited by conditions too, struggling soon after not fluent 3 out and well behind when pulled up before the last, never on .

VIKING QUEEN was out of depth; always behind.