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Betting Review
Never let it be said that we don’t know our darts. With his Players Championship win at Nuland his first title since 2001, and with the likes of Adrian Lewis, Michael van Gerwen and James Wade in his way at the European Championships, we knew it would take a lot for Steve Beaton to progress. However, the likeable Midlander did us proud with some stunning performances on his way to the final in Hoofddorp where he fell at the final hurdle to Phil Taylor. Still, with our each way punt at 125/1 that landed us a 31.25 point profit.
1pt Danyl Johnson to be next to be eliminated from X-Factor at 5/1
When the 28 year old teacher strode onto the stage at the London auditions and gave a performance that Simon Cowell described as “the best first audition I have ever seen” we thought that we’d got a nailed-on X-Factor winner. When the live TV shows began he led the betting…and then the backlash began.
Johnson is clearly the most talented singer amongst the group. However, for some odd reason he has failed to charm the British public in the way that Olly and Stacey have and two weeks ago came within a whisker of being eliminated from the competition. His performance in ‘Rock Week’ also left much to be desired and so whilst he might be the best singer, he’s not the most popular contestant.
The public haven’t taken to him, and with neither of the female judges being entirely convinced it is more than conceivable that a ‘bottom two’ finish will see him voted out by the panel. I think it would be a travesty from a talent point of view but it’s a popularity contest as much as a singing contest and for that reason I believe his days are numbered.
X Factor Betting
1pt Fleeting Spirit to win the Breeders Cup sprint at 11/1
The row between Jeremy Noseda and French racing officials over the treatment of Fleeting Spirit at the Prix de l’Abbaye continues to rumble. The Newmarket trainer’s horse was beaten by a neck in the Abbaye, a result which Noseda thinks would have been reversed had the officials at Longchamps been more helpful when loading the filly at the start.
With a recent change of jockey from Tom Queally to Frankie Dettori - the man who gave the filly her first win at Nottingham - Fleeting Spirit will be looking to make amends for the controversial Abbaye defeat with a win in the $2million Breeders Cup Sprint this weekend.
The four year old rallied terrifically in the Abbaye and looks great value at 11/1 to triumph at Santa Anita this weekend.
Horse Racing Betting
1pt accumulator on Chelsea, Stoke City, Sporting Gijon, AZ and FC Twente at approx 55/1
There’s often value to be had looking at the European coupons and this week is no exception.
Steve McLaren’s FC Twente side sit proudly on top of the Dutch Eredivisie, undefeated in 12 games. Confidence is high, they are playing well and in Bryan Ruiz and Blaise N’Kufo they have two of the divisions most potent strikers. They face Ajax on Sunday and at 7/5 I have to take the home win. Elsewhere in Holland, AZ are ‘evens’ to see of a Feyenoord side missing star players Jon-Dahl Tomasson and Sekou Cisse after their recent red cards at Sparta. AZ are a shadow of the side that won the title last season but should have enough to see off Mario Been’s depleted side.
Chelsea look great value at 11/10 to see of a misfiring Manchester United side at Stamford Bridge and similarly Stoke are 6/4 to beat struggling Hull.
Sporting Gijon sit in the top half of La Liga having recorded some excellent recent results including a 0-0 draw with Real Madrid. They are 5/4 to beat Espanyol at El Molinon and with midfielder Miguel in the goals recently, I like their chances.
0.5 points each way Martin Laird to win the HSBC World Golf Championships in Shanghai (e/w ¼ odds 1,2,3,4,5) at 100/1
Twenty of the world’s top thirty golfers head to the Sheshan Golf Club in Shanghai this week for the newest addition to the World Golf Championships series.
Whilst the focus might be on favourites Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Padraig Harrington and Lee Westwood, I like the look of a young Scotsman making quite a name for himself on the PGA Tour.
Martin Laird turned pro in 2004 and has been gradually improving his game on the PGA Tour over the last five years. 2009 has been his most successful season to date with five Top Ten finishes and over $2million earned. He was second to John Rollins at the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open in August before securing his first title with a win at the Justin Timberlake Shriners for Children Open in Las Vegas last month. The tall twenty-six year old is a 100/1 shot to win in Shanghai and his recent excellent form could make him a dark horse.
Golf Betting
Performance to date: +13.25 points
