Four from five under Rules and three from three 'between the flags,' Companero puts that impressive record on the line in the Blue Square Casino Novices' Chase at Ayr today.
Quite assured on his chasing bow at Carlisle early in November, Howard Johnson then put the nine-year-old back over flights, for his handicap debut, and he didn't disappoint his supporters at Hexham. Conceding no less than 32Ibs to the favourite, Twelve Paces, he was still able to account for that one by eight lengths.
When in Ireland 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 point-to-points.
Howard Johnson said of the forecast 4/11 favourite on the Morning Line today: "He looks like an embryo chaser, he loves soft/heavy ground, he's won at Ayr last season, so we've got a major chance hopefully if he stands up." (EM)
