chased clear leader, closed 6th, mistake 7th, no impression from 4 out, left in lead last, headed flat, stayed on
led, clear until 6th, drew clear again from 4 out, 14 lengths ahead when fell last, unlucky
not fluent, soon well behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, dismounted
held up in 3rd, no impression from 4 out, left disputing lead last, led flat, driven out
Back Among Friends gets the vote by default as much as anything. The selection has shown smart form on occasion, winning a bumper by 10 lengths on his debut and beating Boomshakalaka by 12 lengths in February 2007, but there have been plenty of lows too. His latest run at Bangor was one of his better efforts and a similar performance would probably suffice. Salinas usually races on better ground but he has run well enough under testing conditions to be considered. He doesn't win very often but is capable enough on his day. Similar remarks apply to Cyborg De Sou who has done his winning on better ground but he ran his race on heavy ground on his penultimate start. He broke a blood vessel last time but can't be ruled out. Incorporation has run well fresh in the past but couldn't be said to be that well handicapped nor is he certain to be at his best on heavy. All in all, it's best to tread carefully but Back Among Friends has fair claims.
Salinas (GER) 7-1 (11-9) Tracking leaders when blundered and unseated rider at the 7th in race won by Najca De Thaix (10-11) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft, 7 ran.
Back Among Friends 13-8 (11-0) Led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, one pace, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Good Company (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f beg chs (4) gd.
Cyborg De Sou (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Always behind, lost place 4th and pulled up at the 6th in race won by Art Virginia (10-4) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd, 6 ran.
Incorporation 11-1 (10-0) Prominent, shaken up after 3rd, weakening when mistake 5th, last of 7, well behind Jam Packed (10-10) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jun.
