Thursday Double...

Hereford 14:40 - City Affair
2m 3f, Class 4 Beginners' Chase - Good, Good to Soft in places

An interesting little heat that The Analyst hopes can go the way of Tim Vaughan's runner. Second last time out behind the talented Desert Quest, City Affair jumped and travelled beautifully throughout and was making good headway towards the end of the race until not quickening on the run in. Previous experience counts for a great deal in these types of races so I take the selection to get the better of Oh Crick from the powerful Alan King yard this time around.

3RD 5/2

Redcar 16:30 - Tajweed

1m 2f, Class 4 Handicap - Soft

Eany meany miny mo, which Mark Johnston horse will go past the post first! Well that was rubbish, it didn't rhyme but hey, who cares as long as the Hamdam Al Maktoum colours are in front. With two runs under his belt this spring the son of Pivotal appears to be improving nicely. A typical gutsy performance is what you come to expect from the trainers runners and he didn't disappoint last time out getting back up in the final furlong to score by 3l. On jockey bookings you would have to say that Tajweed is the second string, but we'll take our chance today.

WON 6/5F

Thursday Double...

Exeter 14:50 - Or Bleu
2m 3f, Class 3 Handicap Hurdle - Good to Soft, Soft in Places

The form is in the book for Philip Hobbs Chestnut who will relish the step back up in trip and today's perfect conditions. A close up 3rd over this course to the Alan King trained and highly progressive Oh Crick, means he should have the beating of that geldings stable mate Rood Report. Or Bleu was last seen over today's trip in Dec 07 when finishing under a length 2ND to a decent yardstick in Overclear. Back in third that day was Greenbridge who won so impressively yesterday.
WON 7/2

Left in the lead at the last, a power pact ride from Richard Johnson ensured that our selection got up by a neck from the fast finishing Purple Patch. Could this be the start of The Analysts very own purple patch... well, we were due some luck!


Exeter 15:55 - Pur De Sivola
2m 3f, Class 3 Novices' Chase - Good to Soft, Soft in Places

As long as there are no ill affects from his fall at Kempton last time, this should be a penalty kick for Alan Kings gelding. The Class horse in the field, we might just get a reasonable price with the Philip Hobbs trained Oceanos des Obeaux likely to chase the selection home in 2ND.
4th 4/6f

In a good enough position throughout, Pur De Sivola could only stay on one paced to finish 4th by just over 10 lengths. This could be the bare minimum for a horse that clearly gallops and looks as though it will get further in time. All in all a dissapointing end to what looked a sure fire double.