led, headed approaching 6th, ridden approaching 4 out, beaten when blundered badly 2 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division when fell 4th
in touch, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
chased leaders, led approaching 6th, clear from 2 out
chased leader, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
in rear when badly hampered and unseated rider 4th
mid-division, blundered 3rd, weakened from 6th
held up towards rear, hampered 4th, weakened from 5 out
always behind, tailed off from 5 out
Compadre is selected to beat Topol and Another Joker, with Vulcan Lane and Scurry Dancer in with a shout as well. All those mentioned have claims of sorts and it is only a tentative vote that goes the way of Compadre. Peter Beaumont's six-year-old was improving with each run over hurdles when it was decided to put him over fences for the first time here in December. He got round in third behind Ocean Dancer and then occupied the same position behind Midlem Melody at Musselburgh 12 days ago. Although he will need a trip in time, Compadre is an honest sort who will not be inconvenienced by the fast ground and is taken to open his account. Topol ran a respectable enough race on his return at Hereford in December, although he seemed a bit reluctant to strike the front, and was then left trailing in the wake of the potentially top-class Mister Banjo on that one's chase debut at Bangor. With the Knight stable in form, he merits a mention, as does Another Joker, who made quite a few mistakes at Newbury, but who put in a forceful display to score at Haydock the time before. He does tend to suffer from sore shins and trainer John Needham has put a claimer up to help ease the burden. Vulcan Lane may figure off his light weight, and it will be interesting to see how fit Oliver Sherwood has Scurry Dancer on his first start in 660 days. For the winner, we nominate Compadre.
