Weekend Tips

So last week was going to plan until Mr Distin decided on that woeful back pass. I was very disappointed by Everton's defeat and the way that they played. Elsewhere Manchester City made light work of Norwich which I thought would be much tougher. Anyway on the horse-racing front the National was a great race, however as I mentioned last week I was worried about possible deaths. Unfortunately this happened and was the lead story rather then the winner, as I had hoped against last week. Feel for both owners of Synchronised and According to Pete. I did not have the winner as per usual. I thought a big priced one would win and my tip of Black Apalachi was the wrong 33-1 shot to be on as Neptune Collonges came in at 33-1. Well done if any of you had that.

However my bet of the day of the horses a certain Oscar Whisky did win and so money won there, which was a plus. This one for me was never in doubt and his class shined through.

This week plenty of chances for wins. Full English football list plus an El Classico and racing from Ayr, with the Scottish National, and Newbury.

Football:

3 points for Hughes

With strange results in recent weeks, this week one game does stick out. It is that of the late kick off between Mark Hughes' (left) relegation threatened QPR and Harry Redknapp's unlucky Tottenham. QPR are fighting for their Premier League survival and their home form has been very good of late. However for Tottenham, it seems anything is going against them. So factor in this also being a London derby I expect a good match. It could be argued that Tottenham's luck must turn at sometime but I do not see that being today. On paper it is a no-brainer and a Tottenham win @10/11 (SkyBet) although QPR @3/1 (SkyBet) is a great price. When considering the form of the two sides and the fact that QPR are at home this is a great bet. Even if this does not come off, at these odds it is worth it.

The early kick-off between Arsenal and Chelsea is a huge game for both sides. A win for Arsenal and for me the chances of them finishing 3rd increases dramatically. They are already in prime-position and would be staggering if they lost it. However the Premier League this season has be like that. After Chelsea's performances in the last week I would say they are favourites. Although just how focus will they be, will they be looking at the Barcelona game. But being professional you would not think so. Roberto Di Matteo's team selection will be interesting. Also the Chelsea team has a number of 30+ and so 3 very tough games in a week may be asking to much. The bookies maybe considering all this have Arsenal @5/6 (SkyBet) which for me is too short. Chelsea are @3/1 (SkyBet) which is a great bet and the draw is @ 11/4 (SkyBet). I would be tempting by the Chelsea win but the draw seems most likely to me. Also Didier Drogba @6/4 to score at any time in the form he is in is a great bet that is if he played. Arsenal will be praying for Torres to start no doubt.

Elsewhere in the Premier League there are some really tough games to call. As a result I would not touch any of them. A bet in the lower leagues in MK Dons to beat Sheffield United. Firstly because they are at home, but more importantly yesterday the Blades top scorer Ched Evans was jailed for 5 years for rape. As a result how will the team react and who will score? So MK Dons at 11/8 are a good punt.

Finally tonight, the El Classico. Both sides were beaten in mid-week in the Champions League semi-final first leg. This one should be very interesting. This could be a rehearsal of the Champions League Final. This is a crucial match for the league title also with Barcelona 4 points behind Madrid. However at the Nou Camp, Madrid have it all to do and @4/1(SkyBet) it is not a bad bet, but they are up against it majorly. Barcelona are @8/13 (SkyBet) and draw is 16/5 (SkyBet). My bet would be to go with Barcelona in this one.

Bet of the day: QPR to beat Tottenham @3/1 (SkyBet)

Goals bet: Chesterfield/Rochdale, Exeter/Walsall, Peterborough/Watford and Coventry/Doncaster
@6-1 (SkyBet)

Horse Racing:
Firstly at Newbury. In the 2.00 a horse I backed a few weeks back and he won with ease. Artic Cosmos runs again today, against better company but still should have the edge. At 6/4 (SkyBet) he is short but worthy. A terrific horse who will be appearing in many major flat races this year no doubt. Elsewhere it is a watching day at Newbury, with no one really sticking out for me. Interested to see Daring Indian in the last but would not back it.

At Ayr in the 2.50 Nicky Henderson trained and ridden by Barry Geraghty Petit Robin @8/1 (SkyBet) is a magnificent price. A good horse in competitive company. In the Scottish National I think to win AP McCoy mount Galaxy Rock @12-1 (SkyBet) has a great shout and each-way I would be on Our Island @28-1 (SkyBet) ridden by Dougie Costello and trained by Ian Vaughan.

Win Bet of the day: 2.00 @Newbury Artic Cosmos @6/4 (SkyBet)

Each-way bet: Petit Robin @8/1 (SkyBet)

Good luck with all your bets this week.

Weekend Tips

This weekend their is two terrific sporting events. In football we have the FA Cup semi-finals as well as a full selection of football league fixtures and in Horse Racing it is Grand National day.  

Football:

Tipping Moyes to be
smiling come full-time today

Liverpool have been on very poor form and should have lost on Tuesday had it not been for Blackburn's ineptitude. Manager Kenny Dalglish is under pressure in this one. It is an FA Cup semi against the local rivals. The departure of Damien Camolli in midweek was a sign of the owners thoughts on the season. Dalglish also received the dreaded 'job is safe' quote which usually means he will be sacked in 6 weeks. If Dalglish is beaten in this one and failed to improve on his current 8th place in the Premier League then questions will be asked and surely Dalglish will not be able to say 'it's been a successful season'.  Despite the seriousness of this game I still think that Everton will win. Everton are on fantastic form and playing very well. Jelavic who I did not rate has started his Everton career magnificently and as a team they seem to be getting better each week. As a result it seems to me an Everton win is logical and @2/1 a fantastic price. Liverpool with Brad Jones in goal, who looked very shaky on Tuesday night and their poor form provide me with no feeling that they will win this one. I would not be surprised if this is a thumping 3-0 Everton win. David Moyes' (above) Everton deserve to win something, Moyes has done terrific with no real investment for years. My only doubt is that of extra-time although 2/1 is worth the gamble for me. Without doubt Everton players and fans are looking forward to this one with confidence whereas with Liverpool's fans and players is it more of dread.  

The other Semi-Final on Sunday is very hard to call, as both sides look towards top four and Chelsea have Barcelona in mid-week. They will say they are no looking at that one but they will be no doubt. I would not be surprised if this one went al the way to penalties. The bookies go 8/5 Spurs, 15/8 chelsea and 23/10 the draw after 90 minutes. Either side to win on penalties in 12/1. 

In the Premier League expect Manchester City to have a tough day at Carrow road where 6/1 Norwich are not a bad price considering City's away form. In the Championship expect wins for Birmingham and Cardiff as well as plenty of goals elsewhere. 

Bet of the day : Everton to beat Liverpool @2/1 (SkyBet)

Long Shot: Three draws: West Ham/Brighton, Preston/Huddersfield and Crystal Palace/Ipswich @40/1 (SkyBet)

Win Multiple: Cardiff, Birmingham, Sheffield United, Swindon, Crawley, Northampton and Manchester United (Sunday) @11/1 (SkyBet).  

Horse Racing:

Grand National day is here and quite frankly anything could happen. Synchronised ridden by the masterful AP McCoy is the favourite and does hold a good chance. The key to the national is luck as many fall, bring others down etc. The terrifically named Shakalakaboomboom is the second favourite after thousand on people backed him this week. It is believed to be the pick of those going on name, hence the money. West End Rocker presents a threat also and last years winner Ballybriggs at 12-1 looks a grear shout. 

I will be looking to see how both female jockeys get on today as there has never been a female jockey winner. So good luck to Nina Carberry and Katie Walsh who ride Organisedconfusion and Seabass respectivly.  

One of the keys to the national is that of a horse who knows the course. For this reason I am going with 33/1 chance Black Apalachi. As he has done the course before he is a good price and great place money. 

Outsider place claim: Postmaster under the ride of Dougie Costello @100/1, what a winner that would be. 

You can make a claim out for any of the horses, it is always a terrific race in which anything can happen. I hope it is not spoilt by any protestors like the boat race. I also hope all the horses survive and people are talking about the winner and not deaths. 

It looks very tough to find a Winner at Aintree today however one stand out for me is that of Oscar Whisky in the 3.40 @5/2. The Nicky Henderson stable is in great form and this for me is another winner.  Paul Nicholls Rock on Ruby also 5/2 is the main threat but Oscar Whisky and Barry Geraghty. 

Win bet : Aintree 3.40 - Oscar Whisky 5/2

Good luck to all who are betting today. 

Masterful McCoy in sync as Synchronised wins Cheltenham Gold Cup

McCoy surges to the front as Synchronised wins
the Cheltenham Gold Cup

Earlier today Tony McCoy produced one of the best rides I have ever seen as he won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on board Jonjo O'Neill trained Synchronised. The 9-1 shot former Welsh national winner stormed to the front coming up the hill past the 50-1 outsider The Giant Bolster and 7/4 favourite Long Run to win by 2 and 1/4 lengths.

After a rather slow start Synchronised was in need in constant coaxing from McCoy who was working on the horse for the entire race. He settled at the rear as all eyes focused on the brief appearance of Kauto Star. However Synchronised always looked in trouble. With Kauto Star being pulled up the race opened up although Synchronised looked beaten as was flat to the boards four  furlongs from home however when the 2010 Sports Personality of the Year McCoy in in the saddle you can never write him off. Even Richard Hoiles, commentator on Racing UK, quoted that 'Synchronised again is just found wanting for pace'. Synchronised a notorious stayer was resilient as he battled his way into contention and once he came to the last in line there is no one better as a finisher then McCoy, you knew that if he got level he would win as he is so strong in the finish. Long Run had nothing as Synchronised glided past to earn a sensational win. Possibly the greatest jump-jockey of all time and year in year out McCoy proves why he deserves such a title. Champion Jockey 16 years in a row and looks a cert to make it 17 he really is the best. This this second Gold Cup McCoy seems to get better ever year as he looks forward to the chance of gaining a second Grand National next month. I am sure that any other jockey then McCoy would not have won this race with Synchronised. At no stage before the last fence did Synchronised look to have a chance. A truly magical day and incredible race at Cheltenham.

Synchronised now looks set for the Grand National in April.

All week the talk of Cheltenham has been about the Gold Cup and the battle between the great Kauto Star and last years winner Long Run. However it was a miserable day for them both. Long Run was found wanting again however the saddest part of the day was the pulling up of the great Kauto Star. Kauto started well however began to drop back and before long it become clear that he was in real trouble. As he trudged off the huge Cheltenham crowd cheered the great horse. Personally I blame Trainer Paul Nicholls for this. Two weeks ago the said he was a doubt. Now it was clear he was not fit. Therefore why was he run? I know it is the Gold Cup however people have backed that horse. The bookmakers have taken in thousands on that horse. It is completely unfair as these people have been misled into thinking he was ready to run. I hope that he does not retire and that this horse will be seen again as he has proved earlier this year just how good he really is. (Check out the entire Gold Cup race in full below)

It has been an absolutely incredible week at Cheltenham with the standard of races being very high every single day. Some outstanding performances from the likes of the Big Bucks, Rock on Ruby, Quevega ,Salsify and 40-1 outsider Une Artiste to name bit a few. The week had it all. Barry Geraghy was the top jockey with 5 wins including Finians Rainbow and Riverside Theatre and Nicky Henderson becomes the most successful trainer with 44 Cheltenham Festival wins.

Hope you had some winners this week.