Compton is back down to his last winning mark and with conditions to suit looks good value at 10/1 in the 3.50 at Newcastle today.
The gelding’s last success came in a 7f handicap at Ascot on soft ground back in Octo0ber when trained by Ralph Beckett, where he held on well to beat Subtle Knife by 1/2 a length off today’s mark of 90.
He followed up that success with a rock solid fourth of 26 to Jack Dexter over 7f at the same venue off a mark of 93 where he was beaten just a length and finished two places in front of Bertiewhittle who he now meets on 3lb better terms.
That suggests he shouldn’t be available to back at double the odds of that rival, and he has shown enough in four starts this year for Robert Cowell to suggest that it won’t be long before he is back in the winners’ enclosure.
He shaped with plenty of promise three starts back when 7th of 15 to Mass Rally over 6f at York and backed that up with an eye-catching staying on 7th of 16 to Arctic feeling over 6f at Epsom.
He was then not at his best when 8th of 10 to Harrison George over 6f at Nottingham when last seen in action, but having raced over 5f and 6f in his four starts this season is now upped to 7f – a trip over which his best runs have been achieved.
I think that will enable him to be seen in a far better light, and the give underfoot will also be in his favour.
He has also come down 5lb in the weights since that start of this campaign to 90, and on the pick of his form last season that should enable him to be very competitive in this.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts each-way Compton (10/1 bet365, Betfred, Stan James – BOG)
