chased leaders, driven along from 7th, remained in touch, weakened 5 out
chased leaders until outpaced approaching 5 out, stayed on from 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, 2 lenghts down when fell heavily last
held up, headway 9th, every chance approaching 5 out, ridden when blundered 4 out, left 3rd last, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner
led until approaching 4 out, soon ridden, held when left 2nd last, no extra and lost 2nd soon after
tracked leaders, led approaching 4 out, left clear last
This looks a tight contest but preference is for BACK AMONG FRIENDS who is preferred to Our Jasper and Hope Road. Jim Old's 10-year-old has contested some decent races in his time and he looks to have been found a good opportunity here. He ran well in third behind Razor Royale at Bangor last time, form that reads well in the context of this race. Our Jasper fell last time but he had previously put in solid efforts in two races at Doncaster and he will have his ground this afternoon. Hope Road hails from a yard in good form and he ran respectably enough when third behind Pepsyrock at Newbury last time. He will go on the ground and he should be thereabouts at the finish. Massini Sunset and Pass Me A Dime have both won over the course and distance so they can't be discounted. However, we will stick with Back Among Friends as the pick.
Our Jasper 5-1 (11-10) Prominent, tracked leaders from 3rd, headway to lead 14th, going well when fell 4 out in race won by Brave Rebellion (11-9) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Feb, 8 ran.
Pass Me A Dime 14-1 (11-9) Always behind, ridden and struggling 15th, tailed off, 8th of 14, well behind Russian Trigger (11-11) at Folkestone 3m 7f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
Nemetan (FR) 11-1 (11-0) Blundered and unseated rider in race won by Le Burf (11-8) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb, 9 ran.
Hope Road 14-1 (10-11) Chased leader, hit 6th, lost 2nd 3 out, stayed in 3rd, kept on under pressure flat to press for 3rd, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Pepsyrock (11-0) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
Massini Sunset (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Held up, headway 8th, mistake 9th, driven 3 out, went 3rd after 2 out, weakening when went right last, 3rd of 7, 25l behind Pacco (11-5) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Back Among Friends 4-1 (11-0) Led, headed 4 out, weakened from last, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Razor Royale (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Feb.
