Big Day for Former Brennan Horses Denis O'Regan returns from suspension and he'll have a lot of eyes on him when he teams up with Companero in the totesuper7 Handicap Hurdle at Hexham. This fellow is three from four under Rules and was particularly impressive on his chasing bow at Carlisle early this month. It is somewhat surprising then that Howard Johnson puts the eight-year-old back over flights now, but given that it is his handicap debut, perhaps there is some significance in the move. Unbeaten in three Irish point-to-points for Dungarvan owner/breeder John O'Sullivan, John Paul Brennan, the man who handled him then, understandably thought the world of Companero. The Co. Wexford trainer said of him at the time: "He's as good a horse as I've ever had, so laid back with a big future." A son of Supreme Leader, this strapping sort won at Laurencetown, Lingstown and Ballindenisk in his days in Ireland. Today is quite a test for the forecast joint-favourite, as he has to concede a massive amount of weight to his fellow market-leader, Twelve Paces. The veteran Tighten Your Belt, Native Upmanship's half-brother, is another interesting contender on his first start for a new yard. He won a point-to-point at Liscarroll back in 2002. Another former inmate of Monasootha Stables, Camolin, Co. Wexford that runs tomorrow is St Killian's Run. This four-year-old Beneficial gelding fell at the last when beaten on his only start for Brennan. Today he will represent David Johnson and Paul Nicholls. Timmy Murphy rides in the Warwick "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle. Nicholls said of St Killian's Run in his Racing Post stable tour (October 27th): "Big, scopey horse who would have won his only outing in an Irish point-to-point but for virtually running out and unshipping his jockey. Doing everything nicely and should be ready to make his debut in a novice hurdle in about a fortnight." This looks like an interesting eighteen runner affair, Outlaw Tom being another one to watch. He overcame greenness to score at Athlacca for Liam Burke who described him as a future "smashing chaser." Project Gallery meanwhile, is one to monitor for future reference. (EM)
