settled behind leaders, effort over 2f, onepaced final furlong
held up mid-division, driven along over 2f, soon weakened
prominent, pushed along over 2f, switched right to challenge over 1f, stayed on same pace
held up, headway over 2f, onepaced final furlong
tracked leader, pushed along over 2f, ridden, onepaced final furlong
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden over 2f, stayed on same pace
A tricky race despite the small field, but the scope of Adopted Hero is just preferred ahead of the more solid form of Crow Wood and Polish Corridor. John Gosden's colt landed a small gamble when winning a polytrack maiden on only his second start last month, and could improve enough to score on his handicap debut here. He beat a horse rated 98 that day, so a mark of 87 may just be on the lenient side for this Sadlers Wells gelding, who has the potential to be a very smart performer at around this trip. Crow Wood is more exposed than the selection, but is still on the upgrade, and will be a tough nut to crack on the evidence of his third in a very competitive renewal of the Zetland Gold Cup last time. Polish Corridor is a consistent performer who deserves to win a race, and should certainly be in the shake-up, while Intricate Web may just be in the handicapper's grip at present and course and distance winner Miss Opulence would be one to consider if the ground came up soft.