Campeador primed for Fred Winter Juvenile battle

David Metcalf | March 15, 2016

Campeador hot stuff in Fred Winter

Campeador was a huge eye-catcher last time out, and can provide Irish handler Gordon Elliott with a second success in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival (16.50).

The County Meath-based handler saddled Flaxen Flare to land the spoils in 2013 and, in Campeador, has an unexposed gelding who has been laid out for the race.

Campeador showed some decent form over the obstacles in France, finishing runner-up on debut before scoring easily at Clairefontaine by 15 lengths.

The four-year-old was then bought by JP McManus and sent to Elliott, and there was plenty to like about Campeador’s first start for his new handler, when a tenderly handled fourth in a Grade 2 contest at Leopardstown.

Form makes opening handicap look lenient

Campeador travelled strongly for much of the contest, and after being driven to challenge two from home weakened to be beaten 10 lengths by Apple’s Jade, as lack of race fitness took its toll.

Jockey Barry Geraghty was at pains not to give Campeador a hard time, and the form of the race has a strong look to it, as the third home Footpad has come out and won twice since and is now rated 150.

Given that Footpad finished just two lengths in front of Campeador, it makes an opening handicap mark of 141 for the son of Gris De Fris look exploitable.