Saturday 18th October - Back Bets & Trades

Couple of quick selections today, weekends recently been taking up with too many social events (& the aftermath!!). Hope all are feeling well and now time to get back into the swing of things with some proper sports back on.

Horses:
EW Trixie
1.45 Ascot - Leading Light
1.55 Catterick - Yorkindred Spirit
2.145 Kelso - Carrigeen Lantana

Football - Singles or Doubles
Home Win
Everton
Hannover
Mainz
Huddersfield

Draw
Burnley
Reading
Ipswich

Away
Leverkusen
Brentford

Trade: 
Koln v Dortmund
Dortmund Lay £15
0-2 £4
1-2 £5
1-3 £3
O3.5 £30 drip layed

Good Luck

Saturday 20th Sept - Sports Trades & Selections

Been  a while since I posted something, so hoping to get back into the swing of things.  Up here in friendly Scotland the aftermath of the vote is being dealt with. Most people seem to want to make things work, however this is a deep suspicion of false promises from London.  Hopefully the powers that be will not bottle it!!

Today's selections concentrate on the Championship, this league is now well underway so at least we have some form to deal with.

Just be careful of the going at Ayr, some steady rain this morning up here, but the sun has now come out.

Anyway here goes, & good luck

EW Double
3.05 Newmarket - Hundi
5.00 Ayr - Deauville Prince

Lays -  Some to Consider
4.05 Newbury - Harlequin Striker
4.05 Newbury - Little Palaver
4.05 Newbury - Looking Good
4.15 Newmarket - Teak
4.30 Catterick - Poetic Verse
5.30 Listowel - Liss Ui Riain
6.00 Listowel - Little Rocky
6.20 Wolverhampton - Point North

Football

Home Win
Wolves
Norwich

Draw
Notts Forrest
Charlton

Away Win
Blackburn

Football Trade - Starting Point
Middlesbrough v Brentford

Brentford Win - £5
1-0 £5
2-0 £4
1-1 £4
2-1 £5
Lay U3.5  £25 drip lay from 1.25

Championship Thoughts 2014/15

Well the football season returns, and we can get back down to business.  I fancy a lot of the leagues this season are going to be very tight affairs, and I'll be very surprised if any one team runs away with the title in any of the top UK leagues. The Championship intrigues me this year, with many decent teams, many whose chairmen believe they should be playing in the premiership.  Thankfully their fans (well most) live in the real world, and would enjoy a good game, with goals, players that play for the shirt, and then they will take the spoils of the result.

There has been plenty of player movement during this transfer window, and that leads to a lot of unknowns. Below is the latest list, lifted straight from the daily telegraph, and this gives you an idea of the scale of movements. How will affect the end of season finishing position is unknown. But what we do know is what the bookies think, and what history tells us.  One of the most interesting facts is that less than 24% of those teams relegated come straight back up.

So out of Cardiff, Fulham, Norwich which one will go back up, if any? and of those that came up who will go straight back down? Choose from Wolves, Rotherham or Brentford?

In my view Fulham have taken the long awaited scythe to their premiership squad, and Norwich have had their shot at the big time. Cardiff have invested well, and have a keen & hungry manager.  Coupled with Derby & Middlesbrough, these three teams will be carrying my couple of quid for promotion up to the Premiership.  At the other end of the table I think Wolves have enough to survive and Brentford have spent ok-ish. So I'm backing Rotherham, Huddersfield and Bolton for the drop.  2 dark horses are Leeds and Blackpool - what the hell is going on with these clubs is the great unknown, if I were a fan of these clubs I would buckle up for a testing season.

Bets:
Champions: Cardiff
Promotion: Cardiff, Derby, Middlesbrough
Relegation: Rotherham, Huddersfield, Bolton

Birmingham City
In: Denny Johnstone (Celtic, Compensation), David Edgar (Burnley), Stephen Gleeson (MK Dons), Jonathan Grounds (Oldham Athletic), Gavin Gunning (Dundee United), Wes Thomas (Rotherham United), David Cotterill (Doncaster Rovers), Clayton Donaldson (Brentford), Mark Duffy (Rotherham United), Navid Nasseri (Bury), Grant Hall (Tottenham Hotspur, Loan).
Out: Tom Adeyemi (Cardiff City, £1m), Aaron Martin (Yeovil Town), Hayden Mullins (Notts County), Wade Elliott (Bristol City), Liam Maher (Leamington), Chris Burke (Nottingham Forest), Amari'i Bell (Mansfield Town, Loan), Koby Arthur (Cheltenham Town, Loan).
Released: Peter Lovenkrands, Darren Ambrose, Brian Howard, Akwasi Asante, Reece Hales, Ryan Higgins.

Blackburn Rovers
In: Chris Brown (Doncaster Rovers), Luke Varney (Leeds United), Alex Baptiste (Bolton Wanderers, Loan).
Out: Alan Judge (Brentford, Undisclosed), Ruben Rochina (Granada, Undisclosed), Ryan Edwards (Morecambe), David Goodwillie (Aberdeen), David Carson (Ashington), Josh Morris (Fleetwood Town, Loan), Anthony O'Connor (Plymouth Argyle, Loan), Leon Best (Derby County, Loan).
Released: William Beesley, Robbie Cotton, Ryan Edwards, Huge Fernandez Molina, Deniz Pero, Aaron Tumwa, Matthew Unwin, Timothy Payne, Dickson Etuhu, DJ Campbell.

Blackpool
In: Jose Miguel Cubero (Herediano, Undisclosed), Sergei Zenjov (FC Karpaty Lviv), Tony McMahon (Sheffield United), Peter Clarke (Huddersfield Town), Tomasz Cywka, Jacob Mellis (Both Barnsley), Joan Oriol (Osasuna), Nathan Delfouneso (Aston Villa), Ishmael Miller (Nottingham Forest), Donervon Daniels (West Bromwich Albion, Loan), Joe Lewis (Cardiff City, Loan), John Lundstram (Everton, Loan).
Out: Tom Ince (Hull City, Compensation), Harrison McGahey (Sheffield United, Compensation), Chris Basham (Sheffield United), Neal Bishop (Scunthorpe United), Kirk Broadfoot (Rotherham United), Mark Halstead (Shrewsbury Town), Chris Kettings (Crystal Palace), Craig Cathcart (Watford), Matt Gilks (Burnley), James Caton (Shrewsbury Town), Ricardo Fuller (Millwall), Alex Marrow (Carlisle United), Stan Staunton-Turner (Stalybridge Celtic), Liam Tomsett (AFC Fylde), Nathan Tyson (Doncaster Rovers).
Released: Louis Almond, Anderson Banvo, Jake Caprice, Michael Chopra, Adam Dodd, Robert Earnshaw, Nathan Eccleston, Elliot Grandin, Barry Ferguson, Faris Haroun, Isaiah Osbourne, Tony Warner.

Bolton Wanderers
In: Dorian Dervite (Charlton Athletic), Liam Feeney, Liam Trotter (Both Millwall), Andy Robinson (Southampton), Dean Moxey (Crystal Palace), Neil Danns (Leicester City), Ross Fitzsimons (Crystal Palace), Andy Hughes (Charlton Athletic), Alex Baptiste (Blackburn Rovers, Loan).
Out: Cian Bolger (Southend United, Undisclosed), Marvin Sordell (Burnley, Undisclosed), Joe Riley (Oxford United, Loan).
Released: Zat Knight, Chris Eagles, Tyrone Mears, Jay Lynch, Arran Lee-Barrett, Andre Moritz, Sam Bailey, Saul Hamer, Jordan Hendrie, James Kelly, Elliot Newby, Guillermo Torres.

AFC Bournemouth
In: Callum Wilson (Coventry City, Undisclosed), Dan Gosling (Newcastle United), Junior Stanislas (Burnley).
Out: Lewis Grabban (Norwich City, Undisclosed), Shwan Jalal (Bury), Matt Tubbs (AFC Wimbledon, Loan), Charlie Losasso (Eastbourne Borough), Ryan Allsop, Mohamed Coulibaly (Both Coventry City, Loan), Miles Addison (Scunthorpe, Loan), Josh McQuoid (Coventry, Loan).
Retired: Richard Hughes, Stephen Purches.

Brentford
In: Moses Odubajo (Leyton Orient, £1m), Scott Hogan (Rochdale, £750,000), Andre Gray (Luton Town, £500,000), Alan Judge (Blackburn Rovers, Undisclosed), Marcos Tébar Ramiro (UD Almeria), Daniel O'Shaughnessy (FC Metz), Tommy Smith (Cardiff City), Alex Pritchard (Tottenham Hotspur, Loan).
Out: Luke Norris (Gillingham, Unidsclosed), Aaron Pierre (Wycombe Wanderers, Undisclosed), Liam O'Brien (Dagenham & Redbridge), Shaleum Logan (Aberdeen), Clayton Donaldson (Birmingham City), Sam Beale (Eastbourne Borough), Farid El Alagui (Hibernian), Michael Onovwigun (Chesterfield), Will Grigg (MK Dons, Loan).
Released: Scott Barron.

Brighton & Hove Albion
In: Chris O'Grady (Barnsley, £2m), David Stockdale (Fulham, Undisclosed), Nzuzi Toko (Grasshopper), Aaron Hughes (Queens Park Rangers), George Cole, Daniel Pappoe (Both Chelsea).
Out: Leonardo Ulloa (Leicester City, £8m rising to £10m), Matthew Upson (Leicester City), Brennan Dickenson (Gillingham), Jeffrey Monakana (Aberdeen, Loan), Keith Andrews (Watford, Loan).
Released: Peter Brezovan, Will Hoskins, Tomasz Kuszczak, Andrea Orlandi, David López, David Rodríguez.

Cardiff City
In: Tom Adeyemi (Birmingham City, £1m), Adam Le Fondre (Reading, £1m), Guido Burgstaller (Rapid Vienna, Undisclosed), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Crystal Palace), Javi Guerra (Real Valladolid), Federico Macheda (Manchester United).
Out: Steven Caulker (Queens Park Rangers, £8.5m), Jordan Mutch (Queens Park Rangers, £6m), Fraizer Campbell (Crystal Palace, £900,000), Andrew Taylor (Wigan Athletic). Don Cowie (Wigan Athletic), Tommy Smith (Brentford), Ben Nugent (Yeovil Town, Loan), Jo Inge Berget (Celtic, Loan), Joe Lewis (Blackpool, Loan), Filip Kiss (Ross County, Loan).
Released: Luke Coulson, Ronnie Hawkins, Simon Lappin, Tommy Smith.
Retired: Craig Bellamy.

Charlton Athletic
In: Igor Vetokele (Copenhagen, Undisclosed), Andre Bikey (Panetolikos), Zak Ansah (Arsenal), Franck Moussa (Coventry City), Kurtis Cumberbatch (Watford), George Tucudean (Standard Liege), Tal Ben Haim (Standard Liege), Johann Berg Gudmundsson (AZ Alkmaar), Stephen Henderson (West Ham United), Yoni Buyens (Standard Liege, Loan).
Out: Diego Poyet (West Ham United, Compensation), Dorian Dervite (Bolton Wanderers), Danny Green (MK Dons), Ben Hamer (Leicester City), Adebayo Azeez (AFC Wimbledon), Richard Wood (Rotherham United), Kevin Feely (Newport County), Jordan Cook (Walsall), Danny Hollands (Portsmouth), Bradley Pritchard (Leyton Orient), Andy Hughes (Bolton Wanderers), Cedric Evina, (Doncaster Rovers), Harry Lennon (Cambridge United, Loan).
Released: Ade Azeez, Leon Cort, Mark Gower, Bradley Jordan.

Derby County
In: George Thorne (West Bromwich Albion, £2m), Cyrus Christie (Coventry City, Undisclosed), Alefe Santos (Bristol Rovers, Compensation), Alban Bunjaku (Sevilla), Jonathan Mitchell (Newcastle United), Zak Whitbread (Leicester City), Ivan Calero (Atlético Madrid), Alefe Santos (Bristol Rovers), Leon Best (Blackburn Rovers, Loan), Omar Mascarell (Real Madrid, Loan).
Out: Ben Davies (Sheffield United), Adam Legzdins (Leyton Orient), James O'Connor (Walsall), James Bailey (Barnsley), Callum Ball (St Mirren), Josh Lelan (Swindon Town, Loan).
Released: Valentin Gjokaj, Michael Hoganson, Callum Ball, Ross Atkin.

Fulham
In: Ross McCormack (Leeds United, £7m rising to £11m), Thomas Eisfeld (Arsenal, Undisclosed), Kay Voser (FC Basle, Undisclosed), Adam Taggart (Newcastle Jets, Undisclosed), Nikolay Bodurov (Litex Lovech, Undisclosed), Shaun Hutchinson (Motherwell), Tim Hoogland (Schalke), Adil Chihi (Cologne), Konstantinos Stafylidis (Bayer Leverkusen, Loan).
Out: Sascha Riether (SC Freiburg, Undisclosed), Pajtim Kasami (Olympiacos, Undisclosed), David Stockdale (Brighton & Hove Albion, Undisclosed), Ashkan Dejagah (Al-Arabi, Undisclosed), Damien Duff (Melbourne City), Steve Sidwell (Stoke City), Josh Pritchard (Gillingham), John Heitinga (Hertha BSC), Derek Boateng (Rayo Vallecano), Muamar Tankovic (AZ Alkmaar), Kieran Richardson (Aston Villa), Brede Hangeland (Crystal Palace), Matthew Briggs (Millwall), Charles Banya (Crawley Town).
Released: Alexander Brister, Mahamadou Diarra, Neil Etheridge, Dino Islamovic, Georgios Karagkounis, Ronny Minkwitz, Max Oberschmidt, John Arne Riise.

Huddersfield Town
In: Conor Coady (Liverpool, £375,000), Joe Murphy (Coventry City), Lee Peltier (Leeds United), Radoslaw Majewski (Nottingham Forest, Loan).
Out: Keith Southern (Fleetwood Town), Calum Woods (Preston North End), Chris Atkinson (Crewe Alexandra), Peter Clarke (Blackpool), Paul Mullin (Morecambe).
Released: Ian Bennett, Chris Atkinson, Anton Robinson, Cristian López.

Ipswich Town
In: Bartosz Bialkowski (Notts County, Undisclosed), Alex Henshall (Manchester City), Cameron Stewart (Hull City), Jonathan Parr (Crystal Palace), Darren McQueen (Tottenham Hotspur), Kévin Bru (Levski Sofia), Balint Bajner (Borussia Dortmund).
Out: Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United, £3.75m), Carlos Edwards (Millwall), Scott Loach (Rotherham United), Frederic Veseli (Port Vale, Loan).
Released: David October, Mark Timlin, Jonathan Leddy, Tom Winter, Jordan Adekunle.

Leeds United
In: Marco Silvestri (Chievo, Unidsclosed), Tommaso Bianchi (Sassuolo, Undisclosed), Gaetano Berardi (Sampdoria, Undisclosed), Nicky Ajose (Peterborough, Undisclosed), Stuart Taylor (Reading), Souleymane Doukara (Catania, Loan).
Out: Ross McCormack (Fulham, £7m rising to £11m), Tom Lees (Sheffield Wednesday, Undisclosed), Lee Peltier (Huddersfield Town), Lewis Turner, Simon Lenighan (Both Harrogate Town), Paul Green (Rotherham United), Luke Varney (Blackburn Rovers), Nathan Turner (Bradford Park Avenue), Danny Pugh (Coventry City), Marius Zaliukos (Rangers).
Released: Jamie Ashdown, Michael Brown, El-Hadji Diouf, Adam Drury, Gboly Ariyibi.

Middlesbrough
In: Enrique Garcia (Real Murcia, £3.5m), James Husband (Doncaster Rovers, Undisclosed + swap), Tomás Mejías (Real Madrid, Undisclosed), Emilio Nsue (Real Mallorca, Undisclosed), Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea, Loan).
Out: Lukas Jutkiewicz (Burnley, £1.5m), Marvin Emnes (Swansea City, £1.5m), Matthew Bates (Hartlepool United), Matthew Dolan (Bradford City), Jayson Leutwiler (Shrewsbury Town), Stuart Parnaby (Hartlepool United), Frazer Richardson (Rotherham United), Curtis Main (Doncaster Rovers, Swap).
Released: Birger Meling, Jake Fowler, Cameron Park, Lewis Sirrell, Matthew Waters.

Millwall
In: Lee Gregory (FC Halfiax, Undisclosed), Carlos Edwards (Ipswich Town), Byron Webster (Yeovil Town), Ricardo Fuller (Blackpool), Magaye Gueye (Everton), Matthew Briggs (Fulham).
Out: Liam Feeney, Liam Trotter (Both Bolton Wanderers), Charlie Penny (Welling United), Tom Beadle (Margate), Jack Smith (AFC Wimbledon), Andy Keogh (Perth Glory), Shane Lowry (Leyton Orient), Paul Robinson (Portsmouth, Loan).

Norwich City
In: Lewis Grabban (AFC Bournemouth, Undisclosed), Kyle Lafferty (Palermo, Undisclosed), Gary O'Neil (Queens Park Rangers).
Out: Robert Snodgrass (Hull City, £7m), Rod Young (Welling United), Carlton Morris (Oxford United, Loan), Ricky van Wolfswinkel (St-Étienne, Loan).
Released: Harry Barker, David Fox, Ewan McNeil, Carlo Nash.

Nottingham Forest
In: Michail Antonio (Sheffield Wednesday, £1.5m), Britt Assombalonga (Peterborough United, Undisclosed), Michael Mancienne (Hamburg, £1m), Lars Veldwijk (Excelsior, Undisclosed), Danny Fox (Southampton), Matty Fryatt (Hull City), Louis Laing (Sunderland), Roger Riera (Barcelona), Chris Burke (Birmingham City), Jack Hunt (Crystal Palace, Loan).
Out: Simon Cox (Reading, £600,000), Matt Derbyshire (Rotherham United), Marcus Tudgay (Coventry City), Darius Henderson (Leyton Orient), Ishmael Miller (Blackpool), Simon Gillett (Yeovil Town), Radoslaw Majewski (Huddersfield Town, Loan).
Released: Simon Gillett, Gonzalo Jara, Guy Moussi, Jonathan Greening.

Reading
In: Simon Cox (Nottingham Forest, £600,000).
Out: Daniel Carrico (Sevilla, £1.5m), Adam Le Fondre (Cardiff City, £1m), Stuart Taylor (Leeds United), Matt Partridge (Dagenham & Redbridge), Jobi McAnuff (Leyton Orient), Lawson D'Ath (Northampton Town).
Released: Mikele Leigertwood, Wayne Bridge, Kaspars Gorkss, Nick Arnold, Gozie Ugwu.

Rotherham United 
In: Jordan Bowery (Aston Villa, £250,000), Kirk Broadfoot (Blackpool), Matt Derbyshire (Nottingham Forest), Scott Loach (Ipswich Town), Conor Newton (Newcastle United), Mat Sadler (Crawley Town), Ryan Hall (MK Dons), Richard Wood (Charlton Athletic), Febian Brandy (Sheffield United), Frazer Richardson (Middlesbrough), Paul Green (Leeds United), John Swift (Chelsea, Loan).
Out: Nicky Adams (Bury, Undisclosed), James Cadman (Stalybridge Celtic), Danny Hylton (Oxford United), Kayode Odejayi (Tranmere Rovers), Harley Wigley (Stalybridge Celtic), Scott Shearer (Crewe), Wes Thomas (Birmingham City), David Worrall (Southend United), Mitch Rose (Crawley Town, Loan), Danny Rowe, Nicky Walker (both Wycombe Wanderers, Loans).
Released: Michael O'Connor, Claude Davis, David Noble, Lionel Ainsworth, Danny Schofield.

Sheffield Wednesday
In: Tom Lees (Leeds United, Undisclosed), Ryan Croasdale (Preston North End), Paul McElroy (Hull City), Kieren Westwood (Sunderland), Sam Hutchinson (Chelsea), Matt Young (Southampton), Ed Sanders (Stoke City), Dejan Kelhar (Red Star Belgrade).
Out: Michail Antonio (Nottingham Forest, £1.5m), Danny Mayor (Bury, Undisclosed), Adam Davies (Barnsley), Taylor McKenzie (Notts County), Reda Johnson (Coventry City), Adam Harvey (Bedlington Terriers), Miguel Llera (Scunthorpe United).
Released: Jermaine Johnson, David Prutton, Anthony Gardner, Martin Taylor, Arron Jameson.

Watford
In: Juan Carlos Paredes (Granada, Undisclosed), Heurelho Gomes (Tottenham Hotspur), Gabriel Tamas (Doncaster Rovers), Craig Cathcart (Blackpool), Lloyd Dyer (Leicester City), Matej Vydra (Udinese, Loan), Daniel Tozser (Parma, Loan), Keith Andrews (Brighton & Hove Albion, Loan), Odion Ighalo (Udinese, Loan).
Out: Reece Brown (Barnsley, Undisclosed), Javier Acuna (Olimpia Asuncion, Undisclosed), Gary Woods (Leyton Orient), Ollie Cox (Hemel Hempstead), Bobson Bawling (Crawley Town).
Released: Manuel Almunia, Marco Cassetti, Ross Jenkins, Nyron Nosworthy, Fitz Hall, Lucas Neill, Albert Riera.

Wigan Athletic 
In: James Tavernier (Newcastle United, Undisclosed), Oriol Riera (Osasuna, Undisclosed), Andrew Taylor (Cardiff City), Aaron Taylor-Sinclair (Partick Thistle), Don Cowie (Cardiff City), Emyr Huws (Manchester City, Loan).
Out: Jordi Gomez (Sunderland), Danny Redmond (Hamilton Academical), Adam Buxton (Accrington Stanley), Stephen Crainey (Fleetwood Town)
Released: Jean Beusejoir, Markus Holgersson, Jordan Mustoe.

Wolverhampton Wanderers
In: Tommy Rowe (Peterborough United), Rajiv Van La Parra (Heerenveen).
Out: Michael Ihiekwe (Tranmere Rovers), Danny Murray (Stockport County), Zeli Ismail (Notts County, Loan), Jake Cassidy (Notts County, Loan), Kortney Hause (Gillingham, Loan).
Released: Jordan Cranston, George Elokobi, Tim Jakobsson, Kristian Kostrna, David Moli, Robbie Parry, Jamie Reckord, Jamie Tank, Sam Whittall.

Horses & Football Saturday 3rd May

Quick look at some options today:

EW Doubles, or play as singles:
13:35 Uttoxeter Germany Calling
14:20 Goodwood Waila
15:55 Uttoxeter Dalmo
16:05 Goodwood Zibelina
16:30 Uttoxeter River Purple

Value Lays:

13:45 Goodwood Story Writer

14:45 Uttoxeter Midnight Oscar

16:30 Uttoxeter Solway Dornal

16:30 Uttoxeter Fitandproperjob

19:30 Hexham Ultra Du Chatelet

19:30 Hexham Arc Warrior

19:45 Doncaster Highland Acclaim

Look out also for: 

Newmarket: Pearl Secret & Kingston Hill

Football:

Trade - Starting Position

Nacional v Sporting Lisbon

Lay Sporting £15

0-3 £2

1-2 £4

1-3 £5

Will Tweet some value bets later

Good Luck

Cheltenham - Final Day

Another decent day, with some smart running by some of the picks. Sad to see Big Bucks retire, but fully understandable, good luck big guy & hanks for some cracking races

Today is the final day, and that brings up the Gold Cup, have difficulty seeing passed Bobs Worth on the form book, but do fancy a good tight race.

Some big fields elsewhere which makes some selections a bit iffy, but some decent odds come with them. Again these pucks are EW or possible trading opportunities.

Good Luck either way.

1.30 - JCB Triumph Hurdle

Lindenhurst, Royal Irish Hussar 

2.05 - County HCap Hurdle

Rainbow Peak, Lac Fontana

2.40 - Albert Bartlett Hurdle

Kings Palace, Masters Hill

3.20 - Gold Cup

Bobs Worth, Silviniaco Conti, Triolo Dalene

4.00 - Foxhunter Chase

Doctor Kingsley, Harbour Court

4.40 - Pipe Handicap Hurdle

One Lucky Lady, The Skyfarmer

5.15 - Grand Annual Chase

Claret Cloak, French Opera

Cheltenham - Day 3

Not a bad day today, a couple of winners & placed horses, including a nice 33/1 :-)  Unfortunately we also saw the passing of another couple of horses, their lives cruelly cut short doing something they loved. 

On a slightly happier note it's nice to see Jason Maguire has been brought out of his coma following his fall last week, here's hoping to a quick recovery & to see him back in the saddle.

Day 3 sees some races that are a little harder to look at, Big Bucks is the obvious headliner, but is he worth taking on? The way he emptied on his last outing was a bit worrying, but did he need the run? Was there a reason on why Daryl Jacob virtually talked himself off the ride? Not a back for me, but won't be upset if he won. Don't forget these are for EW & trading opportunities.

What ever you do, good luck & enjoy.

1.30 - JLT Novice Chase

Off The Ground & Wonderful Charm

2.05 - Pertemps Hurdle

Southfield Theatre & Utopie Des Bordes & Crowning Jewel

2.40 - Ryanair Chase

Hidden Cyclone & Al Ferof

3.20 - World Hurdle

At Fishers Cross & Salubrious

4.00 - Byrne Plate

Third Intention & Johns Spirit

4.40 - Kim Muir HCap Chase

Lost Glory & Twirling Magnet & Theres No Panic

Cheltenham - Day 2

Some decent racing today, with the unfortunate outcome for Our Connor. If you get the chance have a read of Ruby Walsh's comments, does put a lot in perspective. 

Below are a couple of thoughts for EW selections, should also be ok for some trading, good luck what ever you do.

1.30 - Neptune Investment Novice Hurdle

Ballyton & Creepy

2.05 - RSA Chase

Carlingford Loch & Le Bec

2.40 - Coral Cup

Party Rock & Smashing

3.20 - Queen Mother Champion Chase

Sire De Grugy & Bailey Green

4.00 - Glenfarcias Cross Country

Uncle Junior & Big Shu

4.40 - Fred Winter HCap Hurdle

Hawk High & Noble Inn

5.15 - Champion Bumper

El Namoose & Third Act

Cheltenham Picks - Day One

Here are my thoughts on some horses worth a decent Each Way shout, at some decent prices, on the opening day of Cheltenham. Going is good to soft, and expected to become good as the week progresses. 

I would love to see Hurricane Fly lead them home with the field trying to hang on, but I have a little niggle & worry. I also think Quevega is worth taking on at present price.

No matter what you do, enjoy one if the best sporting events around, & good luck.

1.30 - Supreme Novices Hurdle

Wicklow Brave & Garde La Victoire

2.05 - The Arkle

Ted Veale & Champagne Fever

2.40 - Baylis & Harding H'Cap Chase (formerly William Hill)

Relax & Green Flag

3.20 - Champion Hurdle

Hurricane Fly & My Tent Or Yours

4.00 - OLBG Mares Hurdle

Hidden Identity & Highland Retreat

4.40 - Amateurs Novice Chase

Merlin's Wish & Shutthefrontdoor

5.15 - Rewards4Racing Novices Handicap Chase

Dursey Sound & Pendra

Sunday 23rd Feb Sports Tips & Trades

In the footy a couple of games with a lot at stake for the managers, I therefore expect close games in both. Newcastle aren't exactly firing at the moment, having not scored in their last 4 games, and Villa can be difficult to breakdown.  Norwich are fighting for their lives and the words is that Chris Houghton could be on his way if they lose. Spurs have been doing well under Tim Sherwood, but the new manager syndrome will wear off shortly.

Fancy a quick treble, then PSG, Nantes, Lillle are presently 7.6 @ BetVictor  not bad value in my book.

In yesterdays rugby, Scotland finally managed to get over the line, and came away with a result by the skin of their teeth. I thought the English got the result they deserved in what was another decent game.  The games in 2 weeks time are all set to be a cracker of a weekend with everything to play for.

Starting to build my Grand national Squad, in the book so far; Cape Tribulation, Home Farm & Lion Na Bearni all at decent prices.

Shorties Backs
4.40 Towcester - Take The Mick
4.10 Towcester - Mr Shantu
5.00 Naas - Killultagh Vic

Value Lays <6.5
2.00 Towcester - Volio Vincente
4.50 Fontwell - Just Cloudy


Football Trades - Starting positions
Newcastle v Villa
0-0 £2
0-1 £3
1-1 £6
1-2 £3
2-0 £4
Lay U3.5 £30

Norwich v Spurs
0-1 £4
0-3 £3
1-2 £5
Lay Spurs £12
Lay U4.5 £30
dangers 0-2, 1-3, 0-4 cover off as game progresses

Saturday 22nd Feb Sports Trades and Picks

A decent game  of rugby last night, first time I had really enjoyed one for a while, mind you the result does help :-) But the result has thrown the 6 nations wide open again, and unfortunately I do fancy the English to get a result against the Irish today. The RPost picked out a decent spread bet on the bookings for this game, especially with the way the refs are interpreting the scrums, would be really surprised not to see at least 1 yellow card today - Buying bookings at 9s @ Sporting Index  Scotland have a lot to prove against a dogged Italian side, they've not scored a try in the last 4 games, if they want to avoid the wooden spoon they need to pull their finger out.

An early bet in the F1 championship sees Mercedes at 2.5 @ William Hill, and the way the practise sessions have been going this may be worth a couple of quid, even at this early stage.

Not going to say a word about Shrek's £300k a week contract, stinks of desperation from a team in a bit of decline!!!

Not really watched a lot of the Winter Olympics, but well done to GB a good showing, but how sorry do you feel for the speed skater from Livingston, Elsie Christie, talk about hard done by. 4 years of graft snuffed out in seconds on 3 separate occasions.  Hope she comes back stronger & wiser.

Cheltenham just around the corner, so watch out for jockeys not taking many chances and risking any action that would keep them out of contention. decent priced horse for me at Lingfield in the 2.15 - Spellmaker - 9s generally available and BOG available at Bet 365


Value Lays <6.5
3.25 Newcastle - Romany Ryme
3.40 Chepstow - Tidal Dance
3.50 Kempton - Tour Des Champs

EW Doubles  Scotland ha
2.05 Kempton - Commissioned
2.20 Newcastle - Kudu Country
3.25 Newcastle - Ivy Gate

Value Bets
West Ham Utd @ 3.3 BetVictor
Watford @ 3.0 BetVictor
Newport Couny @ 2.4 BetVictor

Football Trades - Starting Positions 

BMG v TSG
0-1 £4
1-2 £4
BMG £20
Lay O4.5 £30

Guingamp v Nice
0-0 £2
0-2 £2
1-0 £6
1-1 £6
Lay U2.5 £15

Saturday Football & Horse Trades & Picks

Another rubbish day with the weather, with all the jumps racing going as Heavy, and several football matches already off. Some decent races as the lead up to Cheltenham continues, with 7 of them on council house telly.

FA Cup this weekend, that will see the end of the hopes of some of the big clubs, what is the priority for these guys?  European games that they don't stand a chance in, The league that keeps the bank manager & fans happy, but takes its toll on the players, or the glory of the Cup. I think City & Chelsea to busy with the league & Europe to worry to much about the cup, Arsenal will just blow all 3, don't think their squad have the depth or balls, Liverpool are in a pretty decent place,no Europe, 4th spot in the league is the target and the fans would love another Wembley trip. Outside bet may be worth looking at Southampton?

Whatever you're up to I hope your feet are dry, and good luck.

EW Doubles
1.45 Haydock - Handiwork
3.50 Ascot - Riverside Theatre
5.10 Gowran Park - Honeys Joy

Value Lays <6.5
2.50 Lingfield - Three D Alexander
3.05 Wincanton - Aldopicgros
4.35 Haydock - Bobcatbilly

Football Value
BMG
Hamburg
Doncaster
Levante

Football Trades - Starting Positions

Bremen v BMG
1-2 £5
1-3 £4
AUQ £4
Lay Away £15

Lorient v Toulose
0-0 £2
0-1 £ 4
1-2 £4
Home £20

Brighton v Leeds - Tues 11th February 2014

Brighton favs here, but I have a fancy for a draw, here.  Rubbish weather so query impact.  May have to watch for Leeds running riot or a bore draw.

0-1 £3
1-1 £5
2-0 £4
2-2 £3
O2.5 £15

Sunday Sports Trades, Football & Horses

Bologna, have a rubbish record at the moment, they have only one game in their last 12, whilst Torino are undefeated in their last 7 league games and have lost only once to Bologna in their last 10 meetings.  This has the potential for a low scoring game with both teams having a poor recent form in the O2.5 results.

Spurs v Everton is the 2nd game of the day, both teams are in the fight for 4th spot so the initial onus will be on not loosing. Both teams also have the potential to be able to score and play some decent football, so I have spread my 'investment' around the higher scores, we only need 2 goals and we are rolling. Have taken a little insurance on a low scoring game.

On the final game of the afternoon, we jump back into the continent and head for Germany. This game has all the pointers for goals, word of warning though is that Hannover have a new manager who is starting to put his mark down, but Shalke have a consistent and settled side, so lets see where we go.

With the horses watch out for runners coming out and knocking the ew odds into touch. With a lot of the ground riding heavy 2m will start to feel like 2m 2f, so alos look out for horses with a bit more proven stamina.

Not going to say a word about yesterdays Wales result, except to say we got everything we deserved, and Ireland really did deserve the win.  Gatland has some homework to do.

Horses:

EW Doubles
13:55 -Exeter - The Rattler Obrien
14:05 - Southwell - Dandys Perier
14:05 - Southwell - Definite Secret
16:00 - Exeter - Thedeboftheyear
16:20 - Leopardstown - Quel Esprit
16:50 - Leopardstown - Vigil

Value Lays < 6.5
13:45 - Leopardstown - Blazing Sonnet
16:40 - Southwell - Tartan Trip

Place Lays

13:35 - Southwell - West End Lad

16:20 - Leopardstown - Warne 

Football Trades - Starting Positions:

Torino v Bologna
2-1 £5
3-0 £3
Lay Home £15
Lay U3.5 £20

Spurs v Everton
0-2 £2
1-1 £5
2-0 £3
2-2 £3
3-1 £3
AUQ £3
U1.5 £5

Schalke v Hannover - Danger is 4-0 or away team running riot
1-2 £3
2-2 £4
3-0 £3
3-1 £4
U2.5 £10
Lay O4.5 £35

Wolfsburg v Mainz - Saturday 8th Feb 2014

Stinking hangover today, so a quick posting, will try and get something up later..

Starting Position
0-2 £2
1-1 £5
2-1 £5
2-2 £3
U1.5 £5

Borussia MGB v Leverkusen - Friday 6th Feb 2014

Friday night is the start of the weekend, and the weekend means sport. Tonight's game is from Germany, Gladbach take on Leverkusen.  The stats are pointing towards some goals, but I have taken a little insurance in case. BMG have seen O2.5 in the last 5 of their 6 games, while Leverkusen have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3.

Opening Position
0-2 £2
1-1 £5
2-0 £2
2-2 £5
U1.5 £5
Lay U 3.5 £15

Man City v Chelsea - Monday 3rd Feb 2014

One of the big games of the season tonight, that could have a bearing n the future home of the Premiership trophy. Chelsea will try to win, but I think Man City's fluid movement will come out on top. I think the Chelsea defence is too static and will struggle. Don't write Chelsea off if, they go behind they do have a habit of coming back. Definitely can't see this finishing 0-0, but stranger things have happened.

1-1 £5
1-2 £3
2-0 £4
2-2 £3
3-1 £4
AUQ £3
O3.5 £15

Dangers are 0-0/1-0/0-1 could look to add O2.5 as game progresses.

Sunday's Sports Trades, Backs & Lays

Saturday's trades worked out OK, even if the stats did go against us in some cases, but that does so the need for insurance. I mentioned Arsenal's signing of Kim Kallstrom yesterday, and it turns out that Wenger signed him with a known injury, which will sideline him for a minimum of 6 games - why? He already has enough injury concerns, European games coming up, and a tough run of games coming up which will have a say in the domestic season. looking forward to the WBA v Liverpool game, would be very suprised to see that fininsh 0-0, I understand that a few youngsters have travelled with the Liverpool squad, will they be given a run out, or just bench fillers?

If anybody knows what is going at Leeds can they give me a shout.  One minute the managers out, next he's back in, then the club say they don't need a manager, but want a coach. Either way perhaps they need to do it every weeks following Saturdays 5-1 victory.  And what about poor old Davie Moyes, can't even buy 3 points these days...

The rugby didn't really throw up any surprises, Wales are notoriously slow starters, and a the French did show up against the English. Today sees the Scots cross the water to Ireland, tactically I think Scotland will be better prepared, but  I fancy the Ireland skill level to see them through. Scotland need to sort a lot of things out regionally and behind the scenes before they become a force to reckoned with again.

Well done to the Davis Cup team, cracking result so far against the Americans, with only a win in one of today's games needed to progress. Does this mean good things for the future?  On the subject of our American cousins I understand that there is a little football game over there tonight, if I was looking at putting £2 on it would be on Seattle & Over 47.5pts

Today's trades are both weighted in favour of home wins, the early game is not built for a high score, but keep a close eye in case in runs riot. The Premiership game has the away team at very high odds, so using that as a bit of insurance, Palace are fighting for their lives and Arsenal aren't on the best of forms at the moment. The dangers here are a low score or a score draw.

The racing at Musselburgh looks pretty decent and I am 50/50 about actually gone down to watch, and lose some 'real' money, the goin has been changed to soft this morning so keep that in mind. A couple of decent races over at Punchestown as well. Selections below, but keep an eye to the conditions.

Value Lays <6.5
2.40 Punchestown - Thunder And Roses
2.50 Kempton - Olivers Mount
3.30 Musselburgh - Yorkist

EW Doubles
2.20 Kempton - Mahadee
2.30 Musselburgh - Space Ship
3.30 Musselburgh - Yorkist

Place Lay
5.20 Kempton - Safwaan

O2.5 Doubles
NEC Nijmegen  v Go Ahead Eagles
Sassuolo v  Verona
RKC Waalwijk  v PSV Eindhoven

Football Trades - Starting Positions

0-0 £3
0-2 £2
1-0 £4
1-1 £5
2-0 £3

Away Win £3
2-1 £5
3-0 £6
3-1 £5
U1.5 £5
Lay U4.5 £50

Saturday's Sports Trades

A good days sport ahead, especially with the 6 Nations kicking off, coupled with the transfer window closing last night.
What of the big signings?  Well there's the obvious one of Mata to Man Utd, possible appeasement signing or the start of the rebuilding process? Cardiff trying to improve their squad with 6 signings with the hope of staying up. It would appear that Arsenal have done some good business, especially with Kim Kallstrom -he was great on Champ Manager!! I see also Berbatov has been changing the euro again, good luck to him. A decent summary of the winners & losers here http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25868807 So lets get down to business for the rest of the season.

Today's games include Newcastle v Sunderland, the Tyneside derby, this would have been a stick on for Newcastle 2 weeks ago, but they have been hit by suspensions and injuries, just as the Mackems have found some fight and form, personally I still fancy a home win but a bit tighter than some people are promoting. A local derby with a lot of pride at stake.

Birmingham host Derby in the Championship. Brum are having problems getting a result, and you can virtually guarentee Derby will score when on the road (cue 0-0). Birmingham have history on their side, but I do fancy an away win from the side brimming with confidence.

In the evening we cross the channel where St Etienne take on Valenciennes. the home side have yet to concede at home, so the odds are definitely in favour of a home win. High scores are not expected but i will take a little insurance. Make be a chance to do some scalping as well.

In the rugby, I am surprised to see Wales shorten up again for the outright winner, the main challenge should come from England and the unpredictable French. Today sees them kick off against Italy, a game which will be difficult from the reds, but should allow the to set the benchmark for the rest of the season. As usual i will have a couple of quid on the spreads at the welsh hotshots.

Starting Positions
Newcastle v Sunderland
0-2 £2
1-0 £3
1-1 £ 5
2-2 £4
3-1 £3
O2.5 £20

Birmingham v Derby
0-3 £2
1-2 £4
1-3 £4
Lay Derby £15
Lay U3.5 £15

St Etienne v Valenciennes
0-0 £3
0-1 £2
2-0 £6
O2.5 £20

Spurs v Man City - 29th Jan 14

A difficult one to call, and the prospect of a decent game. Both teams need to go for the win, City to make some ground up on Arsenal, Spurs will want to ensure they stay in the hunt for 4th place. The stats are pointing towards a close game, however form points towards a City win, with goals. City do have trouble keeping a clean sheet when away from home. A high scoring game will be profitable, again very little insurance, you could put a couple of quid on U1.5, or you could look at scalping the 0-0.

Starting Position
0-3 £3
1-1 £4
1-2 £5
1-3 £3
2-2 £5
O3.5 £20

Swansea v Fulham - Tuesday 28th January 2014

A full house of premiership games over the next 2 nights with some teams looking to get back on track and sort out their league positions, whilst others will be looking to show off some of their new signings. I've gone for the Swansea v Fulham match. Both teams are on a poor run of form, with  Swansea finally getting a win in the cup on the weekend. Both sides have some injury concerns and both teams have issues with managers, one is still trying to settle in, whilst the other could well be on his way out the door by the summer. The onus really is on Swansea to go for the win, and al the bookies seem to think that this will be the case. With Fulham having such large odds, and also a lot of the 1st team were rested on Sunday, then a trade against the tide could be worth a look.

Starting Positions:
2-0 £3
2-2 £3
3-1 £4
AUQ £3
U1.5 £5
Lay O3.5 £15

Alternative View
2-0 £4
2-1 £5
2-2 £5
3-2 £3
Fulham £20

Parma v Udinese - Sunday 26th Jan 2014

Hard day yesterday, with not as many goals as expected,. And then shafted by a red card in the Juventus match, that really did kill the game and a lot of scrapping around to try and protect the bank. Today's game comes from Italy with Parma looking to take the spoils. Parma are on a great run of form, being unbeaten in their last 9 games. Udinese are struggling to get their season back on track, but they really need to cut out the silly mistakes.  Both teams have been scoring freely lately, but I am edging towards a low scoring match, with a little bit of insurance.  Danger is the 0-0, so may look to scalp a bit of security.

0-2 £2
1-0 £3
1-1 £5
1-3 £3
O2.5 £12

Saturday 25th Jan - Sports Picks, Tips & Trades

It's a day where possibly a few broken hearts come along today. Cheltenham has a couple of cracking races and some reputations on the line, ground is presently heavy in most places, and you wonder how much that is going to throw plans/preparation out of the window.  The wonderful Big Bucks goes looks to continue with his great record, but i fancy something to make him work for it, so may look at a little lay/trade in running.

4th round of the FA Cup, where are the upsets going to come from; personally I see Birmingham and Wigan giving their premiership opponents a run for their money.A full round of games also returns in all the major European leagues, I've already posted my thoughts on the Stuttgart v Mainz game, but we'll keep an eye out for other opportunities.

Nice to see the cricket finally get a win under their belt, just a little too late!! Last week i mentioned my doubts on Wales chances in the 6 nations, and this week has seen their odds move from 3's out to 3.5, and fancy them to go even further.

Watch the weather today, rain, heavy ground and non runners soon upset your plans.

Football Trades - Starting positions

Leicester v Middlesbrough
0-1 £2
1-2 £4
Home Win £20

Lazio v Juventus
0-2 £6
1-3 £5
AUQ £5
Lay Juventus £15
Lay U4.5 £45

Small Double
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Villarreal

Small EW Double
12.15 Lingfield - Little Big Man
2.35 Lingfield - The Tichborne

Value Lays <6.5
1.15 Cheltenham - Ohio Gold
1.15 Cheltenham - The Italian Yob
4.20 Lingfield - Keene

Place Lay
1.30 Doncaster - Upsilon Bleu

Stuttgart v Mainz - Sat 25th Jan 2014

Both sides have a habit of conceding goals and the negative goal difference says a lot. both sides are also capable of scoring, especially on the counter or by taking advantages of mistakes.  Stuttgart play the neater tidier football, while Mainz are quiet happy to hoof it up the ark more often. Team news appears to be better for Stuttgart where the change of putting out an unchanged team seems likely. All the stats point to a game with goals, but 02.5 is a little skinny for me, gone for something hat covers the bigger score and sides more with the home team. I taken no insurance on the 0-0, so a little scalping on the lower scores may be worth looking at, but be careful, a lot of goals seem to be scored in the 1st half. Keep an eye on the scores and make sure you know where your next move is.

0-2 £2
1-1 £6
1-3 £2
2-1 £4
2-2 £4
3-0 £2
Lay O4.5 £35

Lille vs Rennes - Friday 24th Jan

Fridays match comes from the top French league.  I usually have an aversion to trading the French, they never do what you want. You expect goals and it ends up 0-0, and vice versa!! The stats and team news though seem to point to a low scoring home win. Rennes are in very poor form and play most of their game in their own half, they seem to have an issue against skilful open play. Lillie on the other hand seem to have consistency on their side and certainly know how to defend. Formations will be flexible, possibly ending up 4-3-1-2 v 4-3-3.  Stats point to a goal in the 40-50 minute mark, so could well be an opportunity to scalp the 0-0 for the first 30 minutes, also look at the under 1.5 market for possible scalping opportunity. I've taken an usually large stance on 1-1, with a view to being able to lay some off when the 1st goal goes in and as a bit of insurance against an away goal.

Opening Position

1-0 £5

1-1 £10

2-0 £5

3-1 £3

U2.5 £15

WBA v Everton Monday 20th Jan 2014

I have the feeling this may not be the most exciting game f the season, however we have a new manager on one side and one of the most exciting managers in the league on the other.  So there may be some fancy football, but will there be any goals?

The stats below seem to favour the away team, but a word f warning we all know the affect of a new manager. Trading wise I'll be looking at the following:

0-1 £3

0-2 £4

1-1 £5

1-3 £4

U1.5 £5

If the goals start to flow then it will be all hands to the pump to rescue the situation ........

Sunday 19th Jan Sports Trades

Some hard work yesterday in some respects, but got there in the end. Presently watching England getting put to the sword by the Aussies. You've got to wonder what has gone wrong in such a short space of time, from behind the scenes to the on field decision making. Cooke needs to sit back and watch the game and refresh himself, but again is their any depth behind him to allow this to happen, and what sort of message would the Aussies take from it.

Disappointed with match of the Day regarding the attempted further vilification of Suarez for allegedly diving for his penalty.  It was a penalty all day long, I wonder how much of is it to do with an attempt to unsettle him or build up a hatred of him before he takes England apart in the World Cup.  Fancy a strong Chelsea to get one over on David Moyes and his red evils today, which will keep them out of the top 4 :-)

Starting to worry a little as well for Wales chances at the 6 nations, a couple of injuries and likely suspensions starting to come to the for, I wouldn't be surprised to see them drift a little further from the generally available 3.0

Football Trades - starting positions
Swansea v Spurs
0-2 £3
1-1 £5
U1.5 £5
O2.5 £20

Genoa v Inter
0-2 £3
1-1 £5
1-3 £3
AUQ £2
U1.5 £5
O2.5 £25

Villareal v Almeria
1-0 £3
1-1 £5
2-0 £4
3-1 £4
Lay U4.5 £30

Value Lays <6.5
2.00 Kempton Shaolin
2.20 Fairyhouse Turban
2.50 Fairyhouse Grand Jesture
3.10 Towcester Sybarite
4.30 Kempton Bobs Her Uncle
4.30 Kempton Keene
4.30 Kempton Leitrim Pass


Short Priced EW Double
3.50 Fairyhouse Most Peculiar
4.10 Towcester Its A Doddle

Saturday 18th Jan Sports Trades

I've been a bit shy recently due to external pressures, but hopefully back on track now.  A lot of sport on today, with some horrible weather across the country so take care.  Any way todays picks below, stay on your toes and protect the bank at all times, take a litlle green rather than risk a big red.


Football Trades - Starting Positions

Leeds v Leicester
0-2 £3
0-3 £3
1-2 £5
1-3 £4
Lay Leicester £20
Lay U4.5 £25
Draw/Leicester £5

Middlesbrough v Charlton
0-1 £4
1-2 £4
Back Middlesbrough £20
Back O2.5 £15 after 20 minutes if still 0-0 and stats look good

Espanyol v Celta Vigo
0-0 £3
0-1 £3
1-0 £4
1-1 £6
2-0 £4
3-0 £3
3-1 £3

Home Wins
Birmingham City
Queens Park Rangers
Burnley
Peterborough United
Olympique de Marseille
OGC Nice

Away Wins
Southampton
Wigan Athletic
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Leyton Orient
Oxford United

EW Trixie
1.15 Ascot - Bobcatbilly
3.10 Lingfield - Trinityelitedotcom
4.05 Ascot - Champagne West

Value Lays <6.5
12.25 Naas - Hallings Treasure
1.05 Taunton - Devils Dyke
1.05 Taunton - Newforge House
2.45 Naas - Back Off Mate
3.50 Haydock - Greensalt
4.15 Lingfield - Masterpaver