held up in touch, pushed along after 4 out, ridden after next, headway under pressure on inside 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression
in touch on outside, driven after 3 out, ridden and one pace after next, no impression before last, weakened flat
set steady pace, made all, hit 7th, ridden after 3 out, went left and not fluent next, 2 lengths clear last, stayed on flat
held up in touch, tracked leaders 7th, driven when not fluent 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, stayed on into 2nd flat, no impression
held up in touch, shaken up after 4 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, never on terms
held up in touch on outside, outpaced when mistake 3 out, soon ridden and beaten
tracked winner, effort 3 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, no impression when lost 2nd flat
Shapiro won a novice hurdle at Fontwell in March and makes his handicap debut on his return. But POBBLES BAY (NAP) won over a longer trip here at the end of last season and finished a decent second in a higher grade at Uttoxeter on last month’s reappearance. Evan Williams’ charge looks capable of winning off his current mark and looks the one to beat. Driftwood Haze could also go well on his return having scored at Bangor in March while Champers On Ice drops in class for his seasonal debut though hasn’t won since 2016. Gangster hasn’t won for even longer but has switched yards and undergone wind surgery since last in action.
Pobbles Bay (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway on outside before 3 out, every chance 2 out, no impression on winner final 75 yards, 2nd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Sirobbie (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Gangster (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Raced in 4th early, soon 5th, slightly slow in jumping at times, reminder 6th, pushed along from 4 out, one pace next, 4th of 8, 28l behind Arctic Fire (11-0) at Cork 3m gd in Aug.
Champers On Ice (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Mid-division, mistake 5th, ridden after 8th, soon lost place, mistake 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 3m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Ballycross 9-1 (12-2) Chased leader after 1st, not fluent next, led after 6th, headed before next, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Tea Time Fred (10-11) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Driftwood Haze 10-1 (11-9) Mid-division, driven before omitted 3 out, never pace to threaten leaders, 7th of 14, 23l behind Newtide (11-10) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Shapiro 5-4fav (11-0) Raced wide always prominent, joined leader 5th (normal 7th, led approaching last, ran on, won at Fontwell 2m 6f (4) sft in Mar beating Smart Getaway (11-0) by 10l, 6 ran.
Montanna 10-1 (11-6) Not fluent at times, close up, lost place 9th, soon switched to outer, headway to press leaders bend approaching 3 out, blundered badly 2 out, soon beaten, 8th of 9, 18l behind Court Liability (11-9) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
