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HORSERACING
***********
Ladbroke Hurdle, Sandown
Sa Jan 8
The progressive Monte Cinto is an unoriginal selection for this Saturday’s
Ladbroke Hurdle at Sandown, but he was so impressive over the course and
distance last month that he has to get the vote, even with an 11lb rise in
the weights. The ex-French gelding had been disappointing in his three runs
in novice company but, after acclimatizing, he is now unbeaten in all three
handicap starts this season. He could well start shorter than the 5/1 on
offer at the time of writing. The main danger, and nearest rival in our
betting, is the Martin Pipe trained Escompteur (6/1) who looks the best of
a possible 6 runners from the stable, and who would have been unbeaten in
three novice hurdles had he not fallen when clear at Exeter last time out.
The worry with him is that he is stepping out of novice company for the
first time, and that could put his jumping under even greater pressure.
Best of the outsiders could be Emanic, returning from an unsuccessful
chasing campaign, and who could well squeeze into our 4 places at a tasty
price (currently 25/1).
Selections: Monte Cinto @ 5/1 & Emanic @ 25/1 (each way).
Pierse Hurdle, Leopardstown
Su Jan 9
In Sunday’s Pierse Hurdle, Al Eile looks a cracking each way bet at 9/1,
providing he can translate his rapid improvement on the flat last summer to
hurdles. If he does, he is undoubtedly well-handicapped off a mark of 124.
Essex, our 9/2 favourite for the race, is plenty short enough considering
he hasn’t run since last October, and is having his first run in handicap
company (only 3 hurdle races in his life)!
Selection: Al Eile @ 9/1
CHANNEL 4 OFFER
***************
The Ladbroke is one of 7 live races on Saturday (4 from Sandown, 3 from
Haydock), which means once again our Channel 4 offer will be in operation.
Back a horse at 4/1 (or more) in any of these races and, if it wins, we’ll
give you your winnings and a free bet to the same stake on the next Channel
4 race!
GOLF
****
Mercedes Championship
Th Jan 6 – 00:00 BST (SS2)
Fr Jan 7 – 00:00 BST (SS2)
Sa Jan 8 – 00:00 BST (SS2)
Su Jan 9 – 00:00 BST (SS2)
Tiger Woods is a skinny 9/4 to carry on his winning ways when the US PGA
Tour swings back into action this week in Hawaii. The Mercedes Championship
is a limited field event open only to the previous year’s Tour winners, so
it is no surprise to see the former world No.1 trading so short, especially
considering you can safely put a line through the first time winners this
week. Tiger has looked back to somewhere near his best in his last few
starts, but I would still rather back him In-play (betting available
throughout the event), when his price is likely to be more generous given
his customary quiet start. With only 31 runners taking part, an each way
bet on a couple of outsiders looks attractive at this stage (we bet ¼ odds
1.2.3.4.), so a chance is taken with Jonathan Kaye and John Daly at 125/1
and 66/1 respectively. With recent rain making the course play long, and
with more than generous fairways, Daly should be in his element this week.
Kaye finished a respectable 12th on his first look here last year, and is
traditionally a fast starter, one of his two Tour victories coming at the
FBR Open last February (also on Bermuda greens).
Nigel’s Three Off the Tee: Woods (In-Play), Daly @ 66/1, Kaye @ 125/1.
FOOTBALL
********
FA Cup 3rd Round, Ties
Jan 7th/8th/9th
This weekend’s 3rd round of the FA Cup sees some real David-and-Goliath
clashes, but with the gap between the top and bottom of the football league
growing even wider, it is not easy to spot many potential giant-killing
acts. Both Yeading (v Newcastle) and Exeter (v Man Utd) will be hoping for
an upset, but the best that both can hope for is their share of the gate
receipts. The former (albeit on neutral territory), however, could well
frustrate the Toon now that Shearer and Kluivert are missing, and Bellamy
is a possible injury worry. A 0-2 (6/1) or 0-3 (9/2) scoreline does not
look unrealistic for the minnows.
The BBC are showing the Yeading game live (join us for In-Play betting to a
margin of 107%), but there are genuine chances of an ‘upset’ in the other
two live BBC games. The Toffees are going through a ‘sticky’ period right
now, and their game at Plymouth on Saturday could be coming at the wrong
time for them. The promoted Pilgrims, after going unbeaten in their first
four Championship games, have settled into a mid-table position, while
defeats at Charlton and Spurs have seen Everton drop out of the top three.
Meanwhile, the Blades have lost just one of their last eight Championship
games and could be sharp enough to see off an inconsistent Villa. Both
Championship teams are fancied to make it into the draw at least, so a home
win/draw double could pay dividends.
FA Cup Picks: Sheffield United & Plymouth to win or draw (4 bets) – pays
out @ 12/1 (best odds).
The ‘Big Three’ teams have dominated this competition over the past 10
years, but with all three still in contention for Champions League honours,
it may pay to look elsewhere in our outright market. Spurs have always been
a decent Cup side and they can be backed at 20/1 with us, ½ odds 1.2. In
our ‘Furthest Progressing Championship Team’ market, Crewe look good value
at 16/1. The Railwaymen are unbeaten in 8, and are fancied to see off
Coventry at Highfield Road on Saturday.
Antepost: Spurs (FA Cup outright) @ 20/1. Crewe (Furthest Progressing
Championship Team) @ 16/1.
##### Odds were correct at time of publication
HORSERACING
***********
Ladbroke Hurdle, Sandown
Sa Jan 8
The progressive Monte Cinto is an unoriginal selection for this Saturday’s
Ladbroke Hurdle at Sandown, but he was so impressive over the course and
distance last month that he has to get the vote, even with an 11lb rise in
the weights. The ex-French gelding had been disappointing in his three runs
in novice company but, after acclimatizing, he is now unbeaten in all three
handicap starts this season. He could well start shorter than the 5/1 on
offer at the time of writing. The main danger, and nearest rival in our
betting, is the Martin Pipe trained Escompteur (6/1) who looks the best of
a possible 6 runners from the stable, and who would have been unbeaten in
three novice hurdles had he not fallen when clear at Exeter last time out.
The worry with him is that he is stepping out of novice company for the
first time, and that could put his jumping under even greater pressure.
Best of the outsiders could be Emanic, returning from an unsuccessful
chasing campaign, and who could well squeeze into our 4 places at a tasty
price (currently 25/1).
Selections: Monte Cinto @ 5/1 & Emanic @ 25/1 (each way).
Pierse Hurdle, Leopardstown
Su Jan 9
In Sunday’s Pierse Hurdle, Al Eile looks a cracking each way bet at 9/1,
providing he can translate his rapid improvement on the flat last summer to
hurdles. If he does, he is undoubtedly well-handicapped off a mark of 124.
Essex, our 9/2 favourite for the race, is plenty short enough considering
he hasn’t run since last October, and is having his first run in handicap
company (only 3 hurdle races in his life)!
Selection: Al Eile @ 9/1
CHANNEL 4 OFFER
***************
The Ladbroke is one of 7 live races on Saturday (4 from Sandown, 3 from
Haydock), which means once again our Channel 4 offer will be in operation.
Back a horse at 4/1 (or more) in any of these races and, if it wins, we’ll
give you your winnings and a free bet to the same stake on the next Channel
4 race!
GOLF
****
Mercedes Championship
Th Jan 6 – 00:00 BST (SS2)
Fr Jan 7 – 00:00 BST (SS2)
Sa Jan 8 – 00:00 BST (SS2)
Su Jan 9 – 00:00 BST (SS2)
Tiger Woods is a skinny 9/4 to carry on his winning ways when the US PGA
Tour swings back into action this week in Hawaii. The Mercedes Championship
is a limited field event open only to the previous year’s Tour winners, so
it is no surprise to see the former world No.1 trading so short, especially
considering you can safely put a line through the first time winners this
week. Tiger has looked back to somewhere near his best in his last few
starts, but I would still rather back him In-play (betting available
throughout the event), when his price is likely to be more generous given
his customary quiet start. With only 31 runners taking part, an each way
bet on a couple of outsiders looks attractive at this stage (we bet ¼ odds
1.2.3.4.), so a chance is taken with Jonathan Kaye and John Daly at 125/1
and 66/1 respectively. With recent rain making the course play long, and
with more than generous fairways, Daly should be in his element this week.
Kaye finished a respectable 12th on his first look here last year, and is
traditionally a fast starter, one of his two Tour victories coming at the
FBR Open last February (also on Bermuda greens).
Nigel’s Three Off the Tee: Woods (In-Play), Daly @ 66/1, Kaye @ 125/1.
FOOTBALL
********
FA Cup 3rd Round, Ties
Jan 7th/8th/9th
This weekend’s 3rd round of the FA Cup sees some real David-and-Goliath
clashes, but with the gap between the top and bottom of the football league
growing even wider, it is not easy to spot many potential giant-killing
acts. Both Yeading (v Newcastle) and Exeter (v Man Utd) will be hoping for
an upset, but the best that both can hope for is their share of the gate
receipts. The former (albeit on neutral territory), however, could well
frustrate the Toon now that Shearer and Kluivert are missing, and Bellamy
is a possible injury worry. A 0-2 (6/1) or 0-3 (9/2) scoreline does not
look unrealistic for the minnows.
The BBC are showing the Yeading game live (join us for In-Play betting to a
margin of 107%), but there are genuine chances of an ‘upset’ in the other
two live BBC games. The Toffees are going through a ‘sticky’ period right
now, and their game at Plymouth on Saturday could be coming at the wrong
time for them. The promoted Pilgrims, after going unbeaten in their first
four Championship games, have settled into a mid-table position, while
defeats at Charlton and Spurs have seen Everton drop out of the top three.
Meanwhile, the Blades have lost just one of their last eight Championship
games and could be sharp enough to see off an inconsistent Villa. Both
Championship teams are fancied to make it into the draw at least, so a home
win/draw double could pay dividends.
FA Cup Picks: Sheffield United & Plymouth to win or draw (4 bets) – pays
out @ 12/1 (best odds).
The ‘Big Three’ teams have dominated this competition over the past 10
years, but with all three still in contention for Champions League honours,
it may pay to look elsewhere in our outright market. Spurs have always been
a decent Cup side and they can be backed at 20/1 with us, ½ odds 1.2. In
our ‘Furthest Progressing Championship Team’ market, Crewe look good value
at 16/1. The Railwaymen are unbeaten in 8, and are fancied to see off
Coventry at Highfield Road on Saturday.
Antepost: Spurs (FA Cup outright) @ 20/1. Crewe (Furthest Progressing
Championship Team) @ 16/1.
##### Odds were correct at time of publication
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