PONTEFRACT 16:10

Non Runners: TOP NOTCH TONTO (IRE), EMPRESS ALI (IRE), MAGIC CIRCLE (IRE), HAIL CLODIUS (IRE), JUST HISS.

Time: 2m 10.97s Closing Sectional: (2f): 26.2s (99.7%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 114%, Betfair SP 100.6%

On the weak side for a 0-105, no up-and-comers and only a couple rated above 95 and that pair never involved from the back, while the second's slow start meant he also had a poor position to contend with, a good prize there for the taking as it turned out.

SNOANO found himself in a lot of the high-value handicaps last season, all the more qualified to be there this time around based on this improved reappearance, in a race that took less winning than it might have done, but he did it emphatically, in the process showing an extra gear that wasn't apparent in 2016 when he raced as much over 1½m, patiently ridden (steadied start) but nipping through quickly on the home turn, soon sealing the deal over 1f out, able to coast in; he stood up very well to a busy 4-y-o campaign.

FINAL transferred all of this year's progress back to turf, and probably hasn't peaked yet, doing well to get second from where he was (slowly away), only eighth 2f out, kept to the inside and finding plenty, but the winner was long gone.

INNOCENT TOUCH (IRE) starts the season higher than ever in the handicap, but well warranted, and the early signs are positive for him raising the bar yet again this season, travelling comfortably (in mid-field) for a good way, staying on steadily rather than strongly as he can when at 100%; he handles testing ground better than many.

BAHAMA MOON (IRE) has gained both his wins in Britain on heavy, though fibresand (over 7f) was no use to him on his reappearance, much more his old self here, while going as if there's still an edge to be put on him for the season, well positioned but tapped for toe 2f out, sticking to it all the same.

COTE D'AZUR could do even more if curbing his exuberance, across to lead from a wide draw but not settling straight away, telling on him at the end, run out of the placings late on, though only the winner had got by him 1f out.

CYMRO (IRE) has been to Chester on his first or second start in all 3 of his previous seasons, undoubtedly heading in that direction again, with the cobwebs blown away by this, ridden more patiently than usual, fairly sympathetically handled right through, in fact, but more than hinting that all his powers are intact; ground comes all alike to him.

GREAT HALL had a run behind him but couldn't make it count, the figures painting a better picture than the performance itself, all rather laboured, under pressure over 2f out and just closing up late on.

ASHKOUL (FR) was tried at listed level in the middle of a 3-y-o season bookended by wins for Alain de Royer-Dupre (sold €58,000), not easy to evaluate from a handicapping perspective, but he's best not judged on this, shaping as if needing it, prominent until tiring over 1f out.

IMSHIVALLA (IRE) in her element in the mud, but will be building up her form and fitness in the meantime, looking short for this reappearance, feeling the pinch from the home turn.