Aintree Festival Day 1 Double...

Aintree 14:00 – Inglis Drever
3m, Class 1 John Smith’s Hurdle – Good to Soft

Until The Analyst sees another horse, come out of the pack and trouble The Champion, The Drever will continue to carry our cash! Inglis Drever is my favourite horse in training, win, lose or draw he is high class and will eventually finish an illustrious career as the best staying hurdler of modern times. So why is he 11/8? Don’t ask questions… just get on!
3rd 13/8f

That's why he was 11/8! Not as effective around Aintree these days and will not run at the track again. Never really travelling like he did at cheltenham he came with a run 3 out but that flattened out. Possibly one more year to go with this fantastic horse, so lets enjoy him next year.

Taunton 14:55 – Menchikov
2m 7f, Class 4 Novices’ Chase – Good to Soft, Good in Places

The Paul Nicholls trained Leading Attraction is the 4/7 favourite in what looks a two horse race. However The Analyst was less than impressed by the geldings 11l win at Kempton, just 4 days ago. There are still plenty of question marks over his jumping and he is worth taking on today. Mick Fitzgerald is not at Aintree today and instead hops aboard the Nicky Henderson trained Mecnhikov. A decent 7th over 4 miles at the Cheltenham Festival (only beaten 14 ls) this represents a big drop in class over a trip and ground that are bound to suit.
WON 5/2

Fitzey knows best! With nothing up at Aintree for him, he bagged a double down south. Always travelling better than the Nicholls runner, Menchikov took the inside rail and jumped beautifully throughout and when the button was pressed quickened away nicely to score by 4l.

BHB Order Of Merit;

With Kauto Star reappearing in today’s Totesport Bowl Chase, Lough Derg will be up against it to regain the lead in the BHB Order of Merit. However William Frewen’s tough stayer is reportedly fine after a lack luster performance at the Festival and takes his chance on a track that’s sure to suit better. Regardless of what happens today one thing is for sure and that is that Kauto will not run again this year and The Derg will know exactly what he has to do to lift the title!! Good Luck to Connections!

The Analyst

Saturday Double...

Cheltenham 13:00 - Aigle D'or
2m 4f, Class 1 Novice Hurdle - Good to Soft, Soft in Places

A Run away winner at Lingfield last time, John P McManus's novice is held in high regard by the Nicky Henderson yard. Sure to be suited by further in time, today's extra furlong and testing track should bring about extra improvement. This is a stable to be on the right side of at present and The Analyst is hoping to get today's double off to a flyer.
1st 7/4f

Aigle D'or overcame greenness to win by 3 1/2l in the opener at Cheltenham today. This exciting recruit will improve again for this experience and Nicky Henderson has some useful novices to bring back and challenge for major honours in March.

Cheltenham 15:50 y- Inglis Drever
3m, Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle - Go0d to Soft, Soft in Places

Champion stayer, Inglis Drever is as tough and as classy as they come. Beaten in this race last year by Alan King's Blazing Bailey, the Drever will be looking to make amends and take another step on the way to defending his world hurdle crown. Racing off level weights and in ideal ground, makes Howard Johnson's charge very hard to oppose. Richard Johnson gets the leg up today hoping to become the 5th jockey to win on the outstanding 9 year old.

1st 11/8f

The toughest staying hurdler on the planet again put in a performance to remember by running on strongly to beat old foe Blazing Bailey by 5l. Being typically bustled along from a long way out, Richard Johnson used all his strength to bring the Drever upsides jumping the last. Once in front no horse in training who stays on up the Prestbury Park hill better than Howard Johnson's brave gelding.

DOUBLE 5/1