Sandown Report: Colonel Frank turned in a brilliant round of jumping to make every yard in the williamhill.co.uk Future Stars Chase, the highlight of a fine day's action at Sandown yesterday.

The admittedly small but highly select turnout for the five-runner contest featured some classy performers but despite being sent off the 9 to 4 favourite, it was Colonel Frank who arguably had most to prove as he took a notable step-up in grade.

However, the seven-year-old, trained in Hampshire by Naas-born, Grand National winning-jockey Brendan Powell, did everything that could have been expected and more, with rider JP McNamara taking the race to his rivals right from the start.

Colonel Frank was never more than three lengths clear but he jumped superbly throughout. Calling Brave, who was giving the winner 10lb, tried to mount a challenge but ruined his chance with a blunder at the last and Colonel Frank went on win by a length and three-quarters.

A delighted Powell, celebrating the biggest win of his four years as a trainer, said: "I suppose we'll have to look at the Gold Cup. We'll stick him in and see what happens because you could be tempted if it came up fast ground.

"We might also have to consider Punchestown because the ground's rarely too slow there by that time of the season and I've had some luck there in the past."