Saturday Double...

Sandown 15:10 - Ballydub
2m 6f, Class 1 Handicap Hurdle - Soft, Good to soft in places

Progressive hurdler whom is still having only his 5th start over the smaller obstacles. A decent 2nd behind Punchestowns at Cheltenham in November, Ballydub ran out an impressive winner at Newbury shortly after. Going well when falling behind Big Buck's 30 days ago, Richard Johnson's mount is still improving and looks to be ahead of the handicapper.
(Early Price 9/2)
2ND

Wetherby 15:25 - Companero
3m 1f, Class 1 Novices' Chase - Soft

Un-beaten over fences Howard Johnson's impressive 9 year old will relish today's conditions and will take all the beating. After facile victories he showed battling qualities to fend off a challenge from the progressive Quws Law at Ayr last time. Will be Done does not convince me that the step up in trip will suit whereas Kornati Kid looks like he is getting to grips with the game but looks up against it at the weights.
(Early Price 7/2)
3RD

Friday Double...

Chepstow 13:50 - Pistol Desbois
2m 3f, Class 4 Handicap Chase - Heavy

(Early Price )
WATERLOGGED

Chepstow 14:25 - Just Smudge
2m 4f, Class Class 3 Handicap Hurdle - Heavy

(Early Price )
WATERLOGGED

Thursday Double...

Towcester 13:30 - Carrickboy
2m, Class 4 Novices' Hurdle - Heavy

(Early Price 15/8)
FELL

Wincanton 15:40 - Princeful
2m, Class 4 Novices' Hurdle - Heavy

(Early Price 5/6)
2ND

Wednesday Double...

Newcastle 15:05 - Door Boy
2m 4f, Class 4 Novices' Hurdle - Heavy, Soft in Places

(Early Price 4/11)
3RD

Newcastle 16:15 - Quannapowitt
2m, Class 6 Open National Hunt Flat Race - Heavy, Soft in Places

(Early Price 5/2)
UP

Lough Derg... Douglas!!

What a fabulous tribute to a fabulous horse...

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lough-Derg-Douglas/59167228520?ref=mf

"You are what National Hunt Racing is all about! A absolute legend!"
Gareth Davies (Wales)

The Analyst

Tuesday Double...

Folkestone 14:50 - Alderluck
2m 6f, Class 4 Novices' Hurdle - Heavy

(Early Price 5/6)
3RD

Taunton 16:00 - Larks Lad
2m 1f, Class 5 Open National Hunt Flat Race - Soft, Heavy in Places

(Early Price Evens)
UP

Sunday Double...

Leopardstown 13:50 - ForPaddyThePlasterer
2m 1f, Novice Chase - Soft

(Early Price 9/4)
2ND

Leopardstown 15:25 - Western Charmer
2m 4f, Novice Hurdle - Soft

(Early Price 11/4)
UP

Saturday Double...

Cheltenham 15:45 - Blazing Bailey
3m, Class 1 Cleeve Hurdle - Heavy, Soft in Places

(Early Price 7/1)
UP

Doncaster 13:40 - Prideus
2m 3f, Class 3 Handicap Hurdle - Soft

(Early Price 8/1)
UP

Friday Double...

Doncaster 15:05 - Silk Drum
2m, Class 3 Novices' Hurdle - Good to Soft, Soft in Places

(Early Price 6/5)
WON 11/10f

Doncaster 15:40 - Berings Express
2m, Class 3 Handicap Chase - Good to Soft, Soft in Places

(Early Price 11/2)
PU

Thursday Double...

Warwick 13:40 - Notabotheronme
3m 2f, Class 4 Handicap Chase - Heavy

(Early Price 2/1)
3RD

Warwick 14:40 - Ring The Boss
2m 4f, Class 3 Novices' Chase - Heavy

(Early Price Evens)
WON 10/11f

Tuesday Double...

Sedgefield 12:50 - The Panama Kid
2m 1f, Class 4 Novices' Hurdle - Soft, Heavy in Places

(Early Price 7/4)
FELL

Sedgefield 13:20 - Fiendish Flame
2m 1f, Class4 Novices' Hurdle - Soft, Heavy in Places

(Early Price 1/2)
WON 1/2F

Monday Double...

Hereford 13:50 - Aussie Deal
2m 4f, Class 4 Mares' Novices' Hurdle - Soft, Heavy in Places

(Early Price 4/1)
3RD

Hereford 15:50 - Annie's Answer
2m, Class 4 Mares' Beginners' Chase - Soft, Heavy in Places

(Early Price 6/4)
2ND

Saturday Double...

Haydock 13:20 - Snap Tie
2m, Class 1 Champion Hurdle Trial (Grade 2) - Good, Good to Soft

(Early Price 5/6f)
3RD

Ascot 13:40 - Free World
2m 1f, Class 1 Novices' Chase - Good to Soft

(Early Price 4/5f)
3RD

Thursday Double...

Taunton 14:50 - Big Eared Fran
2m 3f, Class 3 Novices' Hurdle - Soft, Good to Soft in Places

(Early Price 3/1)

Taunton 15:20 - Captain Americo
2m 1f, Class 3 Handicap Hurdle - Soft, Good to Soft in Places

(Early Price 4/1)

Just a small mention for Eradicate who makes his debut for the Nicky Henderson Yard this afternoon at 13:50. Should he win well today expect him to be high up on the betting list for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Wednesday Double...

Newbury 13:20 - Planet of Sound
2m 2f, Class 3 Novices' Chase - Soft

(Early Price 13/8)

Newbury 13:55 - Mad Max
2m 3f, Class 4 Novices' Hurdle - Soft

(Early Price 8/11)

Tuesday Double...

Folkestone 14:20 - Psi
2m 1f, Class 4 Maiden Hurdle - Soft

(Early Price SP)


Folkestone 15:50 - Never Lost
2m 1f, Class 6 Mares' Maiden Open NH Flat Race - Soft

(Early Price SP)

Monday Double...

Fakenham 13:50 - Carruthers
3m, Class 4 Beginners' Chase - Good to Soft, Good in Places

(Early Price 2/7)
WON 2/11f

Fakenham 14:50 - Kia Kaha
2m 5f, Class 3 Novices' Chase - Good to Soft, Good in Places

(Early Price 11/8)
WON 5/4f

DOUBLE WON 2/1

Saturday Double...

Wetherby 13:35 - Door Boy
2m 4f, Class 3 Novices' Hurdle - Soft, Good to Soft in Places

(Early Price SP)
FROZEN

Wetherby 14:40 - Kayf Aramis
3m 1f, Class 3 Handicap Hurdle - Soft, Good to Soft in Places

(Early Price SP)
FROZEN

HAPPY NEW YEAR...

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF THE ANALYST'S READERS...

And what a way to start 2009... with a fantastic win for the The Analyst's favourite horse, Lough Derg! The mighty "Derg" battled back to beat the gutsy No Refuge and the classy Francheok in a thrilling finish to the Steel Plate And Sections Hurdle at Cheltenham...

Pipe, who admitted a sense of relief at landing a decent prize following a quiet spell, observed: "We've had this horse from the very beginning and tomorrow morning he'll be as fresh as a daisy. "He's an amazing horse, as you've seen for yourselves. He's not the most fluent of movers and wouldn't win a beauty contest, but he has a big heart and is incredibly gutsy. He has lots of hard races but keeps coming back for more."

Pipe will now consider the Cleeve Hurdle as well as a handicap over two miles and three furlongs at Ascot that he won last season.

Congratulations to owner William Frewen, The Analyst wishes you a very successful 2009.

The Analyst