held up, left 3rd 4th, went left 9th, went 2nd next, challenged 4 out, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, kept on well
tracking leader when fell 4th
held up, hit 2nd, left 4th at the 4th, 6 lengths down when blundered, unseated rider 4 out
tracked leaders, hit 2nd, left 2nd 4th until 10th, soon ridden, slightly outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on to regain 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
led, ridden, headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd towards finish
Adopted Hero is not the easiest to predict these days but proved he retains plenty of his ability beating another of today's rivals Salinas. That victory was achieved in a facile manner but there was an element of hesitancy about getting the job done when he gave his rider some anxious moments when hanging quite badly. He should have too many gears for these though. Wiscalitus could be the fly in the ointment though. Off the course now for fourteen months, he has some decent form in the book throughout his novice days and if fit could give the selection enough to think about. Salinas has it all to do to reverse placing with Adopted Hero on the evidence of his second placing last time. His finishing position should read third, as the leader in that event held an unassailable lead before tipping up at the final fence. Adopted Hero, though not one to in still all of ones trust, is nominated to come home in front.
Bring Me Sunshine (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden approaching out, soon one pace, 6th of 14, 15l behind Border Castle (11-5) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
Wiscalitus (GER) 9-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, led 12th, ridden 2 out, clear approaching last, pushed out, won at Ludlow 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Jan '07 beating Principe Azzurro (11-3) by 6l, 8 ran.
Adopted Hero (IRE) 8-13fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, led after 2 out, ridden and hung left after last, kept on, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Mar beating Salinas (11-7) by 3 1/2l, 3 ran.
Salinas (GER) 3-1 (11-12) Chased clear leader, closed 6th, mistake 7th, no impression from 4 out, left in lead last, headed flat, stayed on, 2nd of 4, nk behind Incorporation (10-8) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Mar.
Alam (USA) 9-2 (11-3) Led to 4th, stayed pressing leader, ridden after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 6, 16l behind Mylord Collonges (10-9) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Mar.
