26th-Feb-2011

I am also backing Companero. This is another fairly chancy bet, he has been largely disappointing in both of his runs this season to date, and Howard Johnson’s horses are not in great form, but Companero was a good staying novice chaser two seasons ago, and he ran a cracker to finish second to Money Trix at Carlisle on his only run last term.

The step up to this marathon trip on heavy ground, and the fitting of blinkers could just be the key to Companero now. He looked reluctant at Carlisle last time, but it should all happen slowly enough for him today, and first-time blinkers could just re-kindle his enthusiasm. If it does, he is really well handicapped on a mark of 132, and I am happy to take that chance at 18/1.

COMPANERO WON (ADV 18/1, SP 16/1)