Mandy And Gary Jones Silver Wedding Anniversary Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 6m 27.90s

Pobbles Bay²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 134| C| D

2/1

Landed 3m4f h'cap chase here last season and was solid second over timber on seasonal return at Uttoxeter three weeks ago. 4lb rise makes life tougher but appears in good heart at present.

Form: 3UF21-2

Gangster^p⁴⁶¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: D A Jacob| T: W Greatrex| OR: 133| DWS

14/1

Won 2015 Grade 3 staying novice hurdle for Willie Mullins and placed Grade 3 novice chase for Henry de Bromhead 2017. Underwent wind surgery prior to joining current yard and returns from 15-month absence. Market may prove best guide.

Form: 24/5574-

Champers On Ice^p,t²⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 132| D

6/4

Decent performer over both hurdles and fences in his time. Was third in Cheltenham Festival Grade 1 hurdle in 2016. Just two starts in last 23 months, running very well after long absence when fourth at Haydock in February then pulled up time after.

Form: 6P58/4P-

Ballycross⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Daniel Sansom⁽³⁾| T: Paul George| OR: 126| CD

8/1

Infrequent winner but did land 3m h'cap chase here April 2018 for Nigel Twiston-Davies. Joined new yard in July and good second soon after at Newton Abbot, but ran poorly latest Worcester when ground may have been too lively.

Form: 3PPP-27

Driftwood Haze²¹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: P C Dando| OR: 124| C| D

8/1

Landed two 2m6f h'cap hurdles here in 2016 and first win since when scoring at Bangor in March off 4lb lower mark than here. First run since April but has gone well fresh in the past so is certainly not out of it despite advancing years.

Form: 5/32417-

Shapiro²³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Rex Dingle⁽⁵⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 120

7/1

Showed promise in four bumpers 2017/18 season then absent 12 months prior to winning by 10 lengths on hurdles bow at Fontwell in March (2m5f). Not seen since but looks type to progress and is a contender on her handicap debut.

Form: 6235/1-

Montanna^t1³³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 119| C

14/1

1m4f Flat winner who won first two starts over hurdles in 2018, including here over 2m4f. Disappointed two starts last winter and porbably wouldn't want any more rain with stamina to prove at this trip.

Form: 1158-

Forecasts

Champers On Ice (6/4), Pobbles Bay (2/1), Shapiro (7/1), Ballycross (8/1), Driftwood Haze (8/1), Montanna (14/1), Gangster (14/1)

The unexposed mare SHAPIRO is suggested on her handicap debut having won her only start over hurdles in good style. There may be more to come too over this longer trip. Pobbles Bay is a thorough stay and ran well back over hurdles recently. A 4lb rise looks quite harsh but he is clearly in form and should be thereabouts under top weight. Gangster returns from a long absence and wind surgery but if back in shape is a player, while both Driftwood Haze and Champers On Ice have claims, although the latter has stood little racing in the last two years.