pressed leader until left in lead 8th, made rest, blundered 10th, driven clear from 3 out, in command when idled flat (no time taken)
behind, struggling when mistake 10th, tailed off next, pulled up before 13th
tracked leading pair until left 2nd 8th, lost place after 4 out, chased winner under pressure again next, lost 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression
held up in touch, left 3rd 8th, mistake 11th, outpaced 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, stayed on same pace, no impression with winner
held up behind, left 4th 8th, mistake 12th, chased winner after 4 out until hit next, weakened from 2 out
led narrowly until hit and unseated rider 8th
Adams Island is a likely sort for this race and Rebecca Curtis has her yard in lovely nick. As a points winner he should have little trouble with the fences as proven in a small field at Aintree on chasing debut. Brockton Scrumpy may improve after a first outing but he couldn't have been much worse on debut, whilst Mortimers Cross has won here before two years ago. He hasn't won since but with some useful chasers in his pedigree a switch to the fences may be beneficial. Federstar hasn't shown too much over fences yet and wasn't particularly fluent last time out here. PREDICTIVE has won over hurdles on heavy ground here and the trip looks ideal. His trainer has been quoted saying he has schooled well and thinks he could make a Midlands National horse and if this is the case he can make a winning start to his chasing career here. Double Pride is also worth a market check for a top yard getting back in to the swing of things.
Adams Island (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Led, jumped right and mistake 3rd, blundered 11th, joined by winner 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, soon no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 12l behind Cool Friend (10-9) at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Oct.
Brockton Scrumpy 100-1 (10-11) Towards rear, mistake 7th, well behind next, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Made In Time (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Double Pride 9-4 (11-9) Mid-division, headway approaching 8th, not fluent next, ridden after 3 out, 3rd and beaten when mistake 2 out, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Barafundle (11-9) at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Federstar (GER) 11-8fav (10-7) Chased leader until after 3 out, still close up when not much room and squeezed out before jumping slowly 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 27l behind Darstardly Dick (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov chs (3) hvy in Oct.
Mortimers Cross 18-1 (9-11) Held up mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 16, well behind Diamond Harry (11-12) at Haydock 3m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov '09.
Predictive (FR) 9-2fav (11-3) With leader, led before 2nd, headed narrowly after 3 out, ridden next, one pace approaching last, 5th of 13, 23l behind The Shy Man (10-11) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Oct.
