Jonjo O'Neill enjoyed a welcome confidence-boost just before Aintree's prestigious John Smith's Grand National meeting when Schapiro landed the opening event at Newbury this afternoon.
O'Neill has been struggling to find form with his runners since ending a self-imposed shutdown due to stable sickness that saw him go without a runner for a two-month period that started on Boxing Day.
Indeed, this was just the yard's third success since resuming operations at Jackdaws Castle, but the 13-2 winner could hardly have done the job better as he comfortably took the Old Shires Thanks To Our Newbury Customers Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle.
Schapiro took over the lead at the third-last flight and Mick Fitzgerald drove him clear before easing down on the run-in to win by five lengths from Son Of Greek Myth.
"It's always nice to have a winner," beamed O'Neill, who saddles likely National favourite Clan Royal in the same colours in a week's time.
"Clan Royal's looking well, like this horse was looking."
Filed by Katie Byrne
