A great week of cup football ahead with the FA Cup and Champions’ League final to look forward to.
We start with Saturday’s FA Cup final and we have an out-of-form Portsmouth side taking on Championship side Cardiff at Wembley.
Bookmakers make Harry Redknapp their 4/6 favourites and make Cardiff the 7/2 underdogs, while it’s 12/5 the draw.
Portsmouth finished their Premiership season badly, losing their last FOUR games and scoring only ONE goal – I wouldn’t be lumping on the 4/6 on that form.
Pompey lack goals and remember they have Jermaine Defoe cup-tied; that leaves Kanu, Milan Baros and big money flop David Nugent fighting for the striking positions.
To be honest with you, Quasimodo scores more than Baros and Nugent, so if you are looking for goals then Kanu has to be the threat. Pompey are, however, very strong in defence with Sol Campbell leading a high-class rear-guard which could well be the telling factor on Saturday.
Cardiff may be a Championship side, but they did take Midddlesboro apart in the quarter-finals and don’t lack experience. They have veteran striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink leading the line and could yet have Robbie Fowler on the bench. Portsmouth will need to watch out for midfielders Paul Parry and Joe Ledley who like to get forward and they do score a lot of goals. I think the Welsh club will have a lot of supporters at that 7/2 price.
Punters Guide Cup Final Selections
First Goalscorer: Kanu (5/1). Correct Score: Portsmouth to win 2-1 (8/1).
Anytime Goalscorer: Joe Ledley (4/1).
First Player Booked: Darren Purse (8/1).
Friday, 16 May 2008
Thursday, 15 May 2008
Punters just miss out on massive bets
Our old mate and draw specialist Raffo was yet again left gutted this week when he went even closer to securing that dreamy bet.
Remember, McEnaneys regular Raffowas the punter who nearly hit eight draws two weeks back only for injury-time goals to thwart him.
This time he took just the seven draws and threw in Waterford at 1/2 in a £3 Friday night accumulator.
Waterford did the business and so too did six of his seven draws.
It was the Bray-Drogheda game that eneded up beating him out of nearly 16 grand – another sickener for poor Raffo who should try his hand at the pools.
Another punter crying into his beer was a Lisburn bloke who was waiting on Juventus on Sunday after grabbing SEVEN winners on Saturday in his Euro bet.
He backed Bayern Munich (1/1), Hertha Berlin (6/4), Werder Bremen (1/2), Wolfsburg (7/5), Lille (11/10), Lorient (8/5) and Monaco (11/8) who all won to give the £5 bet a massive double on Sunday. Reggina (10/11) did their bit for the bet, winning 2-0, but Juventus didn’t, drawing 1-1 at lowly Catania to beat Michael out of close to £3,800 with bonuses. Heartbreak for both punters.
Remember, McEnaneys regular Raffowas the punter who nearly hit eight draws two weeks back only for injury-time goals to thwart him.
This time he took just the seven draws and threw in Waterford at 1/2 in a £3 Friday night accumulator.
Waterford did the business and so too did six of his seven draws.
It was the Bray-Drogheda game that eneded up beating him out of nearly 16 grand – another sickener for poor Raffo who should try his hand at the pools.
Another punter crying into his beer was a Lisburn bloke who was waiting on Juventus on Sunday after grabbing SEVEN winners on Saturday in his Euro bet.
He backed Bayern Munich (1/1), Hertha Berlin (6/4), Werder Bremen (1/2), Wolfsburg (7/5), Lille (11/10), Lorient (8/5) and Monaco (11/8) who all won to give the £5 bet a massive double on Sunday. Reggina (10/11) did their bit for the bet, winning 2-0, but Juventus didn’t, drawing 1-1 at lowly Catania to beat Michael out of close to £3,800 with bonuses. Heartbreak for both punters.
Local punters clean up with some tasty bets
My fax machine was absolutely red-hot this week with some great bets from local bookmakers who took a bit of a caning at the weekend.
We start with the biggest windfall from the smallest stake. Our favourite kind of bet.
An Andersonstown punter cleaned up at Ladbrokes with a weekend golf bet.
He placed 2 x £2 wins and a £2 double on the Players’ Championship and the Italian Open.
Our wily punter took Hennie Otto at 66/1 and he obliged by a stroke in the Italian Open. Already £132 in the bank and £132 going on Sergio Garcia (40/1) on Sunday night in the Players’ Championship and what a sweat the Andersonstown punter had.
Garcia forced a play-off when he sank a birdie at the last and our punter was now on the sweat of his life. The little Spaniard went on to grab victory and our punter was in punting heaven. He had just won £5,710 for a £6 stake – an amazing bet.
A Springfield Road punter hit the same firm with a £15 treble at the Irish Lotto – his magic numbers came in when 6, 10 and 14 came out to give the punter £9,015.
Another big-money gambler scooped close to 11 grand last Wednesday night with selections at Punchestown. He placed £200 on two horses and £400 on another and rolled them up with a £15 trixie – a layout of £860.
His first horse CEASEN DESERT (12/1) more than paid for the bet when winning the 7.30 and 35 minutes later MODEL ATHLETE (4/1) gave him another windfall and doubles up on his trixie.
His remaining selection NEW PHASE (3/1) hacked up in the last to give our big-time punter a windfall of £10,781 – wow!
We end with what’s another bad luck story in a way, because our punter, although he picked up few quid, could have won a small fortune. The North Belfast man placed a 5p Lucky 57 – a bet that cost him a mere £2.85.
He took all the six races at Chester last Thursday and came so close to going through the card.
He had the first the first FOUR winners with Mull Of Dubai (13/2), Championship Point (12/1), Doctor Fremantle (11/8) and Huzzah (15/2) all winning to give the punter an almighty sweat.
The fifth leg of the bet was to be the downfall when Musical Bridge (9/2) was badly hampered and finished a well beaten fourth.
His last horse, Not My Choice, absolutely sluiced home at (6/1). He picked up £1,676.63 off his docket, but he would have outdone the rest of the winners this week if Musical Bridge had won, but still, a great piece of punting.
We start with the biggest windfall from the smallest stake. Our favourite kind of bet.
An Andersonstown punter cleaned up at Ladbrokes with a weekend golf bet.
He placed 2 x £2 wins and a £2 double on the Players’ Championship and the Italian Open.
Our wily punter took Hennie Otto at 66/1 and he obliged by a stroke in the Italian Open. Already £132 in the bank and £132 going on Sergio Garcia (40/1) on Sunday night in the Players’ Championship and what a sweat the Andersonstown punter had.
Garcia forced a play-off when he sank a birdie at the last and our punter was now on the sweat of his life. The little Spaniard went on to grab victory and our punter was in punting heaven. He had just won £5,710 for a £6 stake – an amazing bet.
A Springfield Road punter hit the same firm with a £15 treble at the Irish Lotto – his magic numbers came in when 6, 10 and 14 came out to give the punter £9,015.
Another big-money gambler scooped close to 11 grand last Wednesday night with selections at Punchestown. He placed £200 on two horses and £400 on another and rolled them up with a £15 trixie – a layout of £860.
His first horse CEASEN DESERT (12/1) more than paid for the bet when winning the 7.30 and 35 minutes later MODEL ATHLETE (4/1) gave him another windfall and doubles up on his trixie.
His remaining selection NEW PHASE (3/1) hacked up in the last to give our big-time punter a windfall of £10,781 – wow!
We end with what’s another bad luck story in a way, because our punter, although he picked up few quid, could have won a small fortune. The North Belfast man placed a 5p Lucky 57 – a bet that cost him a mere £2.85.
He took all the six races at Chester last Thursday and came so close to going through the card.
He had the first the first FOUR winners with Mull Of Dubai (13/2), Championship Point (12/1), Doctor Fremantle (11/8) and Huzzah (15/2) all winning to give the punter an almighty sweat.
The fifth leg of the bet was to be the downfall when Musical Bridge (9/2) was badly hampered and finished a well beaten fourth.
His last horse, Not My Choice, absolutely sluiced home at (6/1). He picked up £1,676.63 off his docket, but he would have outdone the rest of the winners this week if Musical Bridge had won, but still, a great piece of punting.
Punter warns of those ‘draw no bet’ specials
A concerned punter was on the telephone warning punters about backing these ‘draw no bet’ specials.
He had a few quid on the Liverpool v Chelsea game and was expecting his £30 stake back after the game finished 1-1, but rules on these bets state that extra-time is to be counted.
With cup finals and play-offs coming up he has warned punters that they are on a loser if the match is settled in extra-time and wants bookmakers to make these rules clearer – ie to display sheets and put info on screens.
He had a few quid on the Liverpool v Chelsea game and was expecting his £30 stake back after the game finished 1-1, but rules on these bets state that extra-time is to be counted.
With cup finals and play-offs coming up he has warned punters that they are on a loser if the match is settled in extra-time and wants bookmakers to make these rules clearer – ie to display sheets and put info on screens.
Thursday, 1 May 2008
Punter hits bookmakers with £60 SCORECAST
A DVLNI punter had cause to celebrate after last nights Champions League game.
Our wily punter took Drogba to open the scoring and the match to end 1-1.
The odds of 30/1 were to good to turn dow the punter told the PG and I had just won £60 in a five pound virtual horse double - I let it ride and ended up winning over £1800 .
Rumour has it he's away to steepldowns for the weekend!
6 out of 6 for New Approach?
The Punters Guide at last returned to the winner’s enclosure at the weekend after we tipped up 25/1 shot Monkerhostin to win the win the Bet 365 Gold Cup at Sandown.
We have had a lean spell in the last few months and let’s hope this is the start of a good run.
It must be summer already, we have the Guineas this weekend. Indeed, we start with the 2,000 Guineas on Saturday (3.25) and we have a hot favourite in the shape of Jim Bolger’s unbeaten New Approach (below, 2/1). He ran out a brave winner of the Dewhurst over the Newmarket course in October and had Ravens Pass behind that day. If the colt has trained on to a three-year-old, then it’s simple, he will make it six from six on Saturday. Not all of them progress, though.
Of the dangers, we are putting up Moynahan from the Paul Cole yard who looks to me overpriced at 50/1 – that’s just under 16/1 the place. He has had two runs: a fourth on his debut at Goodwood and then he looked classy when winning at Doncaster. The best-backed horse this week has been the Aidan O’Brien-trained Henrythenavigator who is now a 12/1 shot from 20s. But this one has ground to make up on New Approach since their two-year-old days.
They Bet: New Approach 2/1, Ravens Pass 9/2, Ibn Khaldun 6/1, Jupiter Pluvius 12/1, Henrythenavigator 14/1, Stimulation 16/1, Fireside 20/1, Perfect Stride 22/1, Rio De La Plata 25/1 and it’s 33/1 bar these.
On to the mares with the 1,000 Guineas on Sunday (3.20) and this is a closer betting field with unbeaten fillies Infallible and Natagora battling it for favouritism with the latter being backed in to fours from 20s, same price she was prior to winning the Dubai Duty Free at Newbury.
Jockeys sometimes – sorry, most of the time – put me off a horse and let’s just say I’m not a big fan of Richard Hills (he’ll probably get a Guineas double now!)
We like the look of the John Gosden-trained INFALLIBLE, who looked a cut above when hacking up here in the Nell Gwyn Stakes to make it two course wins out of two – she looks a solid bet on Sunday. The big danger could be the French trained Natagora (9/2) who comes to Newmarket with a tall reputation
They Bet: Infallible 4/1, Muthabara 4/1, Natagora 9/2, Spacious 6/1, Kitty Matcham 14/1, Savethisdanceforme 14/1, Laureldean Gale 20/1, Psalm 20/1, Halfway To Heaven 33/1, Lush Lashes 33/1, Nahoodh 33/1, Saoirse Abu 33/1, Max One Two Three 40/1, Francesca DGiorgio 50/1, Nijoom Dubai 50/1, Royal Confidence 50/1, Lady Deauville 66/1, Spinning Lucy 100/1.
Next week sees the big May Chester meeting and you’re advised to keep a look out for the progressive Highland Legacy in the Cup on Wednesday – he currently trades at around 7/1 and looks like very good value.
A wee bit of thought on those weekend selections could pay off
We have reached the pivotal point of the season when you simply need to get those league tables out and do a bit of studying.
Last week we yet again were out of luck with Man City surrendering a two-goal lead to beat our quad, but for the 19th time this season we delivered two out of three draws – a 10/1 winner – and if you have backed our XXX selections all season, well then you have a hefty profit.
On to this weekennd and our quad consists of teams who must win for different reasons - it’s as simple as that. We start off with the conclusion of what has been a memorable season in the Championship and hopefully can come up with a winning quad.
SOUTHAMPTON (5/4) let us down a few weeks back but we have taken them get to the three points they need to try and escape relegation – they take on a Sheffield Utd side who need four other games to go their way to sneak into the play-offs.
WATFORD (11/10) have lost their way big time in recent weeks but are still hanging in there for a play-off place; we expect them to get the three points they need at Blackpool.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY (8/11) gave themselves a lifeline with a win at Leicester last week and should make it to safety with a win over ‘safe’ Norwich.
Making the quad up are WOLVES (1/2) who could yet sneak into the play-offs and to do that, a win over Plymouth is needed.
On to the Premiership race and the big question remains, are champions Man Utd cracking?
They booked their Champions League final place on Tuesday night, but again failed to convince – a wonder-goal was required to see them through and you don’t get those every game.
The Reds are 1/8 to beat bogey team West Ham (14/1) at Old Trafford and Chelsea are 4/9 to win at in-form Newcastle (4/1) .
On to our FIVEHIT and we kick-off with BOLTON (4/6) who need a win at home to the now safe Sunderland and should get it. In-form ASTON VILLA (4/7) should collect all points at home to Wigan while SPL leaders Celtic (4/9) could go EIGHT points clear with a win over Motherwell at Fir Park.
CHESTER (6/5) know a win at home to Macclesfield will save them from demotion to the Blue Square Conference.
Making the fivehit up are STOKE (4/5) who know a win against a doomed-looking Leicester could see them strut their stuff in the Premiership next season.
PG XXX: Fulham v Birmingham (23/10), Reading v Spurs (11/5) Middlesboro v Portsmouth (23/10)
(remember those doubles and treble)
OUTSIDE Double: Hibs (10/3), Bradford (9/4)
Last week we yet again were out of luck with Man City surrendering a two-goal lead to beat our quad, but for the 19th time this season we delivered two out of three draws – a 10/1 winner – and if you have backed our XXX selections all season, well then you have a hefty profit.
On to this weekennd and our quad consists of teams who must win for different reasons - it’s as simple as that. We start off with the conclusion of what has been a memorable season in the Championship and hopefully can come up with a winning quad.
SOUTHAMPTON (5/4) let us down a few weeks back but we have taken them get to the three points they need to try and escape relegation – they take on a Sheffield Utd side who need four other games to go their way to sneak into the play-offs.
WATFORD (11/10) have lost their way big time in recent weeks but are still hanging in there for a play-off place; we expect them to get the three points they need at Blackpool.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY (8/11) gave themselves a lifeline with a win at Leicester last week and should make it to safety with a win over ‘safe’ Norwich.
Making the quad up are WOLVES (1/2) who could yet sneak into the play-offs and to do that, a win over Plymouth is needed.
On to the Premiership race and the big question remains, are champions Man Utd cracking?
They booked their Champions League final place on Tuesday night, but again failed to convince – a wonder-goal was required to see them through and you don’t get those every game.
The Reds are 1/8 to beat bogey team West Ham (14/1) at Old Trafford and Chelsea are 4/9 to win at in-form Newcastle (4/1) .
On to our FIVEHIT and we kick-off with BOLTON (4/6) who need a win at home to the now safe Sunderland and should get it. In-form ASTON VILLA (4/7) should collect all points at home to Wigan while SPL leaders Celtic (4/9) could go EIGHT points clear with a win over Motherwell at Fir Park.
CHESTER (6/5) know a win at home to Macclesfield will save them from demotion to the Blue Square Conference.
Making the fivehit up are STOKE (4/5) who know a win against a doomed-looking Leicester could see them strut their stuff in the Premiership next season.
PG XXX: Fulham v Birmingham (23/10), Reading v Spurs (11/5) Middlesboro v Portsmouth (23/10)
(remember those doubles and treble)
OUTSIDE Double: Hibs (10/3), Bradford (9/4)
IFA to look into weekend betting scam
The IFA are investigating reports of a possible betting scam at an Irish League game on Saturday – at last, I hear you cry.
The match under investigation is Glenavon v Armagh, a game which was won by the Mourneview men 5-0. Local layers suspended the betting in this game as they apparently got wind of substantial bets going on Glenavon.
Not only were local punters piling on, it is also reported that a high number of new internet and telebetting accounts were opened to place bets only on the Glenavon-Armagh game.
Hooky betting patterns in the Irish League have long been a topic of conversation. It’s why some companies just steer clear of the whole league.
The match under investigation is Glenavon v Armagh, a game which was won by the Mourneview men 5-0. Local layers suspended the betting in this game as they apparently got wind of substantial bets going on Glenavon.
Not only were local punters piling on, it is also reported that a high number of new internet and telebetting accounts were opened to place bets only on the Glenavon-Armagh game.
Hooky betting patterns in the Irish League have long been a topic of conversation. It’s why some companies just steer clear of the whole league.
Absolute sickener
A McEnaneys punter who wishes only to be known as Raffo was left in pieces on Saturday after just missing out on... wait for it... 73 grand!
The madcap punter took EIGHT draws in a £5 accumulator – and how close did poor Raffo come?
We take up the bet with five minutes to go and, amazingly, our punter had SEVEN out his eight drawing. That all changed when Cardiff equalised in the 89th minute – our punter was on the verge of the bet of the decade.
The time was pushing towards 4.55 and five of the draws were through as full times on the videprinter, then came the news that there was a goal at the Stadium of Light.
Shock horror for our punter as Sunderland had just scored a 93rd minute winner against Middlesboro, and before he could curse them another goal went in at Eastlands with Fulham grabbing a 94th minute winner at City to leave our poor punter crying into his beer. We’ll send poor Raffo a few Sean Graham betting vouchers to ease the pain – and the nerves.
Friday, 25 April 2008
Sizing to bounce back
We have the ACC Champion Hurdle today at Punchestown at (4.20) and another competitive heat looks to be on the cards.
The early week betting has seen Champion Hurdle flop Sizing Europe put in as the the 7/4 jolly.
He was travelling sweetly turning for home at Cheltenham, but something went wrong with the horse and he was all but pulled up, but we expect him to bounce back on Friday.
They Bet: Sizing Europe 7/4, Sublimity 3/1, Harchibald 6/1, Punjabi 6/1, De Valera 10/1, Straw Bear 10/1 and 14/1 bar.
Big race on Saturday is the Whitbread Gold Cup and we like the look of the veteran Monkerhostin who looks a solid each-way choice at 25/1 in this end-of-season marathon. Iris De Balme hacked up in the Scottish National last week and is hoping to emulate Hot Weld last year by winning both races and is currently quoted at 9/1.
They Bet: Royal County Star 6/1, Ungaro 15/2, Iris De Balme 9/1, Bewleys Berry 12/1, Hoo La Baloo 12/1, Lothian Falcon 12/1, Caribou 14/1, Patsy Hall 14/1, Racing Demon 14/1, Newbay Prop 16/1.
The early week betting has seen Champion Hurdle flop Sizing Europe put in as the the 7/4 jolly.
He was travelling sweetly turning for home at Cheltenham, but something went wrong with the horse and he was all but pulled up, but we expect him to bounce back on Friday.
They Bet: Sizing Europe 7/4, Sublimity 3/1, Harchibald 6/1, Punjabi 6/1, De Valera 10/1, Straw Bear 10/1 and 14/1 bar.
Big race on Saturday is the Whitbread Gold Cup and we like the look of the veteran Monkerhostin who looks a solid each-way choice at 25/1 in this end-of-season marathon. Iris De Balme hacked up in the Scottish National last week and is hoping to emulate Hot Weld last year by winning both races and is currently quoted at 9/1.
They Bet: Royal County Star 6/1, Ungaro 15/2, Iris De Balme 9/1, Bewleys Berry 12/1, Hoo La Baloo 12/1, Lothian Falcon 12/1, Caribou 14/1, Patsy Hall 14/1, Racing Demon 14/1, Newbay Prop 16/1.
Get on Celtic to go 5 points clear and take Man Utd to grab precious point at the Bridge
What a fantastic weekend of football ahead with titles in England and Scotland hinging on what happens on Saturday and Sunday.
We start in the Premiership with second-placed Chelsea taking on champions and leaders Man Utd at Stamford Bridge (Saturday 12.45).
In recent weeks both teams have gone off the boil, which is why that late Carlos Tevez goal at Blackburn on Saturday past could well turn out to be the most important goal of the season.
The Blues are unbeaten at the Bridge going on four years and it will take a big Utd performance to win there on Saturday.
All the Reds really need on Saturday is a draw and that will put them in pole position going into the final two games.
Neutrals will want a Chelsea win on Saturday to set up an end-of-season thriller, but I expect Man Utd to get the draw (11/5) that they will be more than happy with, but we have opted for the in-form Michael Essien (below)at 16/1 to open the scoring for Chelsea.
On to the SPL and, believe it or not, Celtic can move FIVE points clear if they can beat Rangers at Parkhead on Sunday.
Rangers look like a boxer on the ropes at the moment and their quadruple bid could be about to unravel.
They are in UEFA Cup action tonight against Fiorentina in the semi-finals and that could sap even more energy out of this already knackered ’Gers team.
Celtic beat them 2-1 last week at Parkhead thanks to that late, late goal from Vennegor of Hesselink and I think they will beat them again come Sunday. Celts midfielder Barry Robson has caught the eye of Celtic supporters and looks a good bet to open the scoring at 14/1.
Can they win the SPL? A tough one to call. They will go five points clear if they win on Saturday and the pressure will be on Rangers to win their three games in hand. So still a lot to play for in the SPL if the Celts win on Sunday.
On to our weekend quad and we were let down by Southampton last week who were the worst price we had, at 10/11.
On to our four this weekend and we start off with our weekend nap where we have opted for LEEDS (1/1) to win at Yeovil on Friday night. A win will secure at least a play-off place for the Elland Road outfit.
On to Saturday and MAN CIY (4/5) should send down relegation-haunted Fulham.
SUNDERLAND (6/5) still need a win to secure Premiership safety and they are the third team down in our weekend quad.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST (1/1) are still in the hunt for automatic promotion and we are banking on them taking all points away at Hartlepool.
Is this the week? Let’s hope so!
PG XXX: West Ham v Newcastle (9/4), Birmingham v Liverpool (5/2), Aberdeen v Hibs (11/5)
(remember those doubles and treble)
Live TV Double: Celtic (1/1),
Chelsea draw (11/5)
Must win Quad: Hereford (1/1), Rochdale (1/1), Barnsley (1/1), Leicester (1/1)
EURO Quad: Udinese (1/1), Ath Madrid (13/8) Beyer Leverkusen (4/5) Espanyol (5/4)
Friday, 18 April 2008
Selby (11/2) looks the bet in World Snooker Championships
The World Snooker championships get under way at Sheffield on Saturday with defending champion John Higgins cueing off against Matthew Stevens.
The betting is led by Ronnie O’Sullivan who gets a 3/1 quote and many pundits feel that he has the easiest of draws. But which Ronnie O’Sullivan will turn up at the Crucible?
Mark Selby (11/2) who finished ruuner-up last year is a man on a mission and is the in-form player going into the championships, havingrecently won the Masters.
The same final as last year is priced at 33/1 and is worth a pound or two.
Of the home challenge Joe Swail gets a 200/1 quote while Ken Doherty gets a 25/1 pricing, but Selby looks the bet.
The betting is led by Ronnie O’Sullivan who gets a 3/1 quote and many pundits feel that he has the easiest of draws. But which Ronnie O’Sullivan will turn up at the Crucible?
Mark Selby (11/2) who finished ruuner-up last year is a man on a mission and is the in-form player going into the championships, havingrecently won the Masters.
The same final as last year is priced at 33/1 and is worth a pound or two.
Of the home challenge Joe Swail gets a 200/1 quote while Ken Doherty gets a 25/1 pricing, but Selby looks the bet.
It’s time to get those league tables out and study
Another 10/1 winner for the PG as yet again we hit the bar with our XXX – that late goal by Stoke at Coventry thwarted us for the 18th time this season. Good grief!
We are into the final weeks of the season so our advice is to get those tables out and spend a bit of time studying who’s playing for what. It’ll pay off, honestly.
The PG weekend quad selections are all in the Championship which is turning out to be one hell of a run-in with three points covering the top five and any one from nine could be relegated with Scunthorpe and Colchester already down.
We start with the relegation battle and 55 points is the target for safety for those teams and we have gone for COVENTRY (13/10) who are on 49 points with three games to play.
They have been sucked back into the relegation battle and can get themselves out of it by winning at already-relegated Colchester
Ian Holloway’s LEICESTER (15/8) are on 48 points and travel to safe-looking Barnsley in a match the Foxes need to win.
The match of the weekend sees two of the automatic promotion rivals going head to head, with Bristol City travelling to Stoke in what could determine where one of these clubs will be playing their football next year. We have opted for a win for Tony Pullis’ Stoke side who look too strong for City and the even money on offer looks a good bet. SOUTHAMPTON (1/1) have hit form at the right time and look a solid choice against ‘safe’ Burnley at St Mary’s. The quad pays a healthy £132 for a £5 stake
PG XXX: Blackpool v Sheffield Wednesday (9/4), Watford v Crystal Palace (11/5), Carlisle v Southend (11/5)
( remember those doubles and treble)
OUTSIDE QUAD: Brechin (11/8), Cardiff (21/20), Wolves (1/1), Northampton (11/10)
We are into the final weeks of the season so our advice is to get those tables out and spend a bit of time studying who’s playing for what. It’ll pay off, honestly.
The PG weekend quad selections are all in the Championship which is turning out to be one hell of a run-in with three points covering the top five and any one from nine could be relegated with Scunthorpe and Colchester already down.
We start with the relegation battle and 55 points is the target for safety for those teams and we have gone for COVENTRY (13/10) who are on 49 points with three games to play.
They have been sucked back into the relegation battle and can get themselves out of it by winning at already-relegated Colchester
Ian Holloway’s LEICESTER (15/8) are on 48 points and travel to safe-looking Barnsley in a match the Foxes need to win.
The match of the weekend sees two of the automatic promotion rivals going head to head, with Bristol City travelling to Stoke in what could determine where one of these clubs will be playing their football next year. We have opted for a win for Tony Pullis’ Stoke side who look too strong for City and the even money on offer looks a good bet. SOUTHAMPTON (1/1) have hit form at the right time and look a solid choice against ‘safe’ Burnley at St Mary’s. The quad pays a healthy £132 for a £5 stake
PG XXX: Blackpool v Sheffield Wednesday (9/4), Watford v Crystal Palace (11/5), Carlisle v Southend (11/5)
( remember those doubles and treble)
OUTSIDE QUAD: Brechin (11/8), Cardiff (21/20), Wolves (1/1), Northampton (11/10)
Old Benny the one to beat in Scottish Grand National
A great week of racing ahead and it all gets under way today with the Craven Stakes at Newmarket (3.45) and as usual it looks a tricky heat – they all are at the start of the flat season.
The big race of the weekend is the Scottish Grand National at Ayr (3.40 Saturday) and the Welsh Grand National winner Miko De Beauchene heads the betting on 6/1.
Cheltenham winner Old Benny has been backed all week and is now as short as 13/2 in places with Richard Johnston on board and he looks the one to beat in the four-mile marathon. He won over that trip at the festival and looks on the up.
BUTLERS CABIN (12/1) was going well before falling at the Chair in the English National and if he turns up on Saturday then he looks a good each-way punt.
On to next week and we have the Punchestown Festival (our very own Cheltenham) and Champion Hurdle flop Sizing Europe is due to turn up in the ACC Bank Champion Hurdle. If he does we expect him to return to winning ways.
MOSSBANK ran a gallant race at the Cheltenham Festival when second to Old Vic, but the form has been franked with that horse beating Kauto Star at Aintree .
You’d be well advised to take the Michael Hourigan horse to upset Gold Cup third Neptune Collonges in the Guinness Gold Cup.
The big race of the weekend is the Scottish Grand National at Ayr (3.40 Saturday) and the Welsh Grand National winner Miko De Beauchene heads the betting on 6/1.
Cheltenham winner Old Benny has been backed all week and is now as short as 13/2 in places with Richard Johnston on board and he looks the one to beat in the four-mile marathon. He won over that trip at the festival and looks on the up.
BUTLERS CABIN (12/1) was going well before falling at the Chair in the English National and if he turns up on Saturday then he looks a good each-way punt.
On to next week and we have the Punchestown Festival (our very own Cheltenham) and Champion Hurdle flop Sizing Europe is due to turn up in the ACC Bank Champion Hurdle. If he does we expect him to return to winning ways.
MOSSBANK ran a gallant race at the Cheltenham Festival when second to Old Vic, but the form has been franked with that horse beating Kauto Star at Aintree .
You’d be well advised to take the Michael Hourigan horse to upset Gold Cup third Neptune Collonges in the Guinness Gold Cup.
Wednesday, 16 April 2008
Punter just misses out on small fortune
An Belfast punter so nearly took Sean Graham bookmakers for 30 big ones last Tuesday.
The big question is, did the punter pick these three horses, or did he get some cracking tips? Make your own mind up...
He did two different bets on the day with the same three horses on them.
First bet was 2 x £50 each-way wins and a £100 straight win, and the second was 3 x £10 each-way doubles and 1 x £10 each-way treble – an outlay of £380.
The first horse was Tyup Pompey in the 2.50 at Ludlow and it was well-backed before the off and won comfortably at 20/1 – our punter had just pocketed a grand.
His next horse didn’t run until the evening meeting at Kempton and Hey Presto (6.20) obliged by a head, again at 20/1; not only had our punter won another £5,660, but he was now on the sweat of his life.
He had just picked two 20/1 winners, had banked almost seven grand and had a small fortune riding on his remaining selection.
His next pick, NICE WEE GIRL, was well backed and went off the 7/2 jolly. Our punter’s luck ran out as his selection could only manage second – absolutely gutting for the punter who stood to win over 20 grand on the £10 each-way treble alone.
Counting his doubles up and the £100 win he had on Nice Wee Girl, he stood to win close to 30 grand.
To rub salt into the wounds, Nice Wee Girl turned up at Wolverhampton on Friday night and won after again being well-backed. I wonder if our punter was on?
Let’s hope so.
Punter just misses out on massive windfall
An Belfast punter so nearly took Sean Graham bookmakers for 30 big ones last Tuesday.
The big question is, did the punter pick these three horses, or did he get some cracking tips? Make your own mind up...
He did two different bets on the day with the same three horses on them.
First bet was 2 x £50 each-way wins and a £100 straight win, and the second was 3 x £10 each-way doubles and 1 x £10 each-way treble – an outlay of £380.
The first horse was Tyup Pompey in the 2.50 at Ludlow and it was well-backed before the off and won comfortably at 20/1 – our punter had just pocketed a grand.
His next horse didn’t run until the evening meeting at Kempton and Hey Presto (6.20) obliged by a head, again at 20/1; not only had our punter won another £5,660, but he was now on the sweat of his life.
He had just picked two 20/1 winners, had banked almost seven grand and had a small fortune riding on his remaining selection.
His next pick, NICE WEE GIRL, was well backed and went off the 7/2 jolly. Our punter’s luck ran out as his selection could only manage second – absolutely gutting for the punter who stood to win over 20 grand on the £10 each-way treble alone.
Counting his doubles up and the £100 win he had on Nice Wee Girl, he stood to win close to 30 grand.
To rub salt into the wounds, Nice Wee Girl turned up at Wolverhampton on Friday night and won after again being well-backed. I wonder if our punter was on?
Let’s hope so.
The big question is, did the punter pick these three horses, or did he get some cracking tips? Make your own mind up...
He did two different bets on the day with the same three horses on them.
First bet was 2 x £50 each-way wins and a £100 straight win, and the second was 3 x £10 each-way doubles and 1 x £10 each-way treble – an outlay of £380.
The first horse was Tyup Pompey in the 2.50 at Ludlow and it was well-backed before the off and won comfortably at 20/1 – our punter had just pocketed a grand.
His next horse didn’t run until the evening meeting at Kempton and Hey Presto (6.20) obliged by a head, again at 20/1; not only had our punter won another £5,660, but he was now on the sweat of his life.
He had just picked two 20/1 winners, had banked almost seven grand and had a small fortune riding on his remaining selection.
His next pick, NICE WEE GIRL, was well backed and went off the 7/2 jolly. Our punter’s luck ran out as his selection could only manage second – absolutely gutting for the punter who stood to win over 20 grand on the £10 each-way treble alone.
Counting his doubles up and the £100 win he had on Nice Wee Girl, he stood to win close to 30 grand.
To rub salt into the wounds, Nice Wee Girl turned up at Wolverhampton on Friday night and won after again being well-backed. I wonder if our punter was on?
Let’s hope so.
Get on Campell and Hanson at 40/1
Our golfing expert Kevin Officer likes the look of Chad Campbell (pic above) in the Verizon Heritage tournament and he looks overpriced at 40/1 but expect last weeks Masters third Stewart Cink to be thereabouts at 14s.
Peter Hanson looks another golfer over priced in the Volvo China Open again he is 40/1.
Kevin's advice is two single wins and and each-way doubel
Friday, 11 April 2008
Local Teacher misses out on big windfall
A local teacher who needs to remain anonymous for fear of being tapped by the school kids narrowly missed out in paying off his mortgage on a Saturday night bet at Kempton Park.
His day started off with £1ew on Comply or Die at 7/1 in the Grand National. Deciding that it wouldn’t cover his Saturday night out – three pints and a fish supper – he decided to re-invest it.
Picking 4 horses at the all-weather Kempton Park meeting on Saturday night, he covered them with a 50p Lucky 15 and £1 ew quad.
Standing in the bookies he watched the first horse rump home – Lough Beg at 13/2 – by more than 4 lengths in 7.50 race.
He could taste the fish supper when the second horse Jomus won the 8.20 at 9/1.
A quick calculation on the chalk board tolk him he had well over £100 running on the final two horses on his bet.
When thethird horse Commander Cave was drove home by Richard Hughes in the 8.50 at 15/2 his calculations told him that he could being dining out in Paris if the last one obliged.
At 9.20 in the last race – our teacher had well over £1000 running onto Aggbag which opened up at 14/1.
A guaranteed return of £440 already in the bag but the final horse in his bet would net him £18,000 at 14’s.
The price shortened to 12s a quick calculation on the blackboard told him the final bet could now net £16000 plus but he didn’t mind it’s usually a good omen to see the price shorten.
The race was off and he settled back to listen to the commentary.
Into the final straight and his horse was moving up on the leaders with only yards to go he was within 2 lengths of the leader.
The yells could be hearfrom Casement Park to St Pauls as he willed his horse home.
Unfortunately Aggbag finished 4th less than 1 ½ lengths behind the winner. A quick calculation tells me those 1 ½ lengths cost our unlucky punter over £15000 – that’s over £10,000 per length and his mortgage payment will have to wait another day. Needless to say hower – the cod supper – well that’s a different kettle of fish.
Punter narrowly misses out on Grand National tri-cast
An Ormeau Road butcher just missed out on the tri-cast in the Grand National on Saturday.
It’s hard enough to pick the winner of the race, never mind the first three home.
Butcher John had placed 6 x £1 reverse tri-casts (total outlay £6).
It was heartbreak for the punter who was on one hell of a sweat as the first four horses came to the final fence.
His three horses were winner Comply or Die (right), Kings John Castle and Slim Pickings who jumped the last as the front three. The bet bit the dust as Slim Pickings started to back track and Chelsea Harbour ran on under pressure to get third place.
The tri-cast paid £2,268.11, so John was beaten out of around two grand as Slim Pickings was a 10/1 shot. To rub salt into the wounds, John also had £30 on Slim Pickings in the race – a really gutting day for the South Belfast butcher.
It’s hard enough to pick the winner of the race, never mind the first three home.
Butcher John had placed 6 x £1 reverse tri-casts (total outlay £6).
It was heartbreak for the punter who was on one hell of a sweat as the first four horses came to the final fence.
His three horses were winner Comply or Die (right), Kings John Castle and Slim Pickings who jumped the last as the front three. The bet bit the dust as Slim Pickings started to back track and Chelsea Harbour ran on under pressure to get third place.
The tri-cast paid £2,268.11, so John was beaten out of around two grand as Slim Pickings was a 10/1 shot. To rub salt into the wounds, John also had £30 on Slim Pickings in the race – a really gutting day for the South Belfast butcher.
Title race ready to be blown wide open
The title race could be blown wide open this weekend when Arsenal lock horns with Manchester United on Sunday.
The champions have drifted to 1/4 (from 1/7) with layers to win the Premier League after they were held 2-2 at Middlesbrough on Sunday, which enabled dogged Chelsea to close the gap to three points.
Chelsea have been backed in to 11/4 and look to have the easier run-in – remember they play the Reds on Saturday, April 26 – a day that could detemine where the Premiership title ends up this season. Remember, the Blues are unbeaten at home in four years
Draw specialists Arsenal get a 20/1 quote and remain six points behind Utd after their 1-1 draw with Liverpool. If they could snatch a win on Sunday it would be three points which would keep the Gunners in with a wee bit of a sniff, but can they lift themselves after Tuesday night’s Champions’ League sickener?
Last weekend Sheffield Wednesday let us down in the PG Quad, but we still hope to be visiting the winner’s enclosure before the season ends.
First team down and our weekend nap is in-form SUNDERLAND 5/4 who know a win over Man City on Saturday will guarantee Premiership safety for next season.
READING 5/6 could send Fulham down to the Championship and also guarantee them Premiership football next term.
Another team struggling are BIRMINGHAM 9/5 and they face Champions’ League-chasing Everton – we expect Alex McLeish’s team to cause a bit of an upset here.
Making the weekend PG Quad up are FA Cup Finalists CARDIFF 4/5 who should take all points at home to Blackpool. Let’s hope we finally get that wee bit of luck we need to send us to the settler’s window.
PG XXX: Bristol City v Wolves (9/4), Coventry v Stoke (11/5), Portsmouth v Newcastle (11/5)
( remember those doubles and treble)
FIVEHIT: Cardiff (4/5), Hull (4/5), Crystal Palace (4/7), Queen’s Park (5/6), Dunfermline (4/5)
EURO QUAD: VfB Stuggart (19/10), Seville (6/4),
Valencia (11/10), Ath. Madrid (13/10)
The champions have drifted to 1/4 (from 1/7) with layers to win the Premier League after they were held 2-2 at Middlesbrough on Sunday, which enabled dogged Chelsea to close the gap to three points.
Chelsea have been backed in to 11/4 and look to have the easier run-in – remember they play the Reds on Saturday, April 26 – a day that could detemine where the Premiership title ends up this season. Remember, the Blues are unbeaten at home in four years
Draw specialists Arsenal get a 20/1 quote and remain six points behind Utd after their 1-1 draw with Liverpool. If they could snatch a win on Sunday it would be three points which would keep the Gunners in with a wee bit of a sniff, but can they lift themselves after Tuesday night’s Champions’ League sickener?
Last weekend Sheffield Wednesday let us down in the PG Quad, but we still hope to be visiting the winner’s enclosure before the season ends.
First team down and our weekend nap is in-form SUNDERLAND 5/4 who know a win over Man City on Saturday will guarantee Premiership safety for next season.
READING 5/6 could send Fulham down to the Championship and also guarantee them Premiership football next term.
Another team struggling are BIRMINGHAM 9/5 and they face Champions’ League-chasing Everton – we expect Alex McLeish’s team to cause a bit of an upset here.
Making the weekend PG Quad up are FA Cup Finalists CARDIFF 4/5 who should take all points at home to Blackpool. Let’s hope we finally get that wee bit of luck we need to send us to the settler’s window.
PG XXX: Bristol City v Wolves (9/4), Coventry v Stoke (11/5), Portsmouth v Newcastle (11/5)
( remember those doubles and treble)
FIVEHIT: Cardiff (4/5), Hull (4/5), Crystal Palace (4/7), Queen’s Park (5/6), Dunfermline (4/5)
EURO QUAD: VfB Stuggart (19/10), Seville (6/4),
Valencia (11/10), Ath. Madrid (13/10)
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