held up, headway when not fluent 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden to lead 3 out, headed and no extra flat
held up in rear, hit 2nd, headway after 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, switched left approaching last, led flat, driven out
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, hampered bend after 3rd, headway 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, mistake 3rd, weakened 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, ridden and headway when switched right 3 out, kept on flat, never nearer
mid-division, ridden and headway 3 out, kept on, never troubled leaders
tracked leaders, ridden when mistake 3 out, weakened last
prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
prominent, led 4th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened approaching last
keen, soon prominent, weakening when not fluent 6th
led to 4th, ridden after 6th, soon weakened
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next, soon eased
In a wide-open Grade 2 juvenile hurdle our vote goes to Adopted Hero ahead of Chief Yeoman, Made In Japan, Cherub and Tarque. Eight of today's line-up met in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham, these being the winner, Made In Japan, second Chief Yeoman, fourth, Cherub, fifth, Howle Hill, sixth, Adopted Hero, twelfth, Tusk, fifteenth, Al Eile, and Tarque, who was brought down at the second flight. Much as he has to shoulder a four-pound penalty here, Made In Japan showed good battling qualities, and no little class, when scoring in the Triumph and, reported to be in good order by his trainer, can go well again. Of those behind him, Chief Yeoman is weighted to get his revenge on the winner, Cherub, who has yet to win a race, looks tough, while Howle Hill, who also has a penalty to carry, and Adopted Hero might fare better on this flatter track. It is also interesting that Tony McCoy has stayed loyal to Adopted Hero, having opted to ride him ahead of some Martin Pipe's runners at Cheltenham. Tarque could also go well as this former-Francois Doumen inmate is highly regarded by new trainer Venetia Williams and had looked impressive when scoring at Kempton in December before departing early at Cheltenham. Al Eile holds a chance if returning to the form that saw him finish second to Triumph Hurdle third Top Strategy at Leopardstown in December, but Nopekan, who was fifth in the same race, has a bit to find on the basis of that form. Of the others, King Revo has looked progressive over hurdles, winning all four of his races and, having missed Aintree, comes into this race fresh. However, there is only a short-head between him and My Will based on Haydock form in February, and Valtar, a Listed winner on the Flat in France, showed plenty of promise on her British debut last time, but might be vulnerable if going off in front. Finally, More Rainbows was beaten a length by Al Eile at Listowel in September but was conceding nine pounds to that runner. However, six months has passed since that run and we are guessing at just how much relative to each other they might have progressed. As you would expect for this prestigious race, it's highly competitive but we'll take Adopted Hero to get his Cheltenham revenge.
