[Linny]

Obviously when you are friends with certain trainers you will defend them and their stock. I like Nick and as such I cheer for him and his stock.
I also find that as a handicapper I have to be careful to not allow personal preference to alter my view of a race. Certainly it's nice to know certain things going in like "we're changing his bit or adding a tongue tie" but you still have to handicap the entire race.

I have tried to avoid become too chummy with trainers as I do feel it can cloud your handicapping. OTOH, if you spend alot of time at the track and have friends who work there you will make friends with trainers and have to weigh it in your decisions at the windows.

As for fans following a public handicapper who may have favorite trainers based on friendships may I quote the late, great Joe Palmer. "A prejudiced witness is all right, if you know what his prejudices are"