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Betting Review
Welcome to our weekly column where we try and seek good value in some longer odds bets.
Another win this week Forpadydeplasterer’s second place in the Tingle Creek gave us a small each-way in. We’d have been celebrating a decent win, also, if our tip Henrik Stenson had held his nerve in the Nedbank Challenge - he lost in a play-off to Australian Robert Allenby.
2pts Poquelin to win the Boylesports.com Gold Cup at 6/1
Paul Nicholls is in terrific form at the moment with recent wins for Twist Magic and Denman, amongst others. His runner in the Boylesports.com Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday is Poquelin who will have Ruby Walsh on board. The handicapper has only raised Poquelin by one pound since his great run behind Tranquil Sea in the Paddy Power and he already has a win at Cheltenham under his belt.
Poquelin is a fast improving animal and with Walsh on board and with the stable bang-in form I’d take the 6/1 now before those odds start to shorten as the race approaches.
Racing Betting
0.5pts pts singles, doubles and treble (total 3.5pts), Valencia at 6/4, Stoke City at 21/20 and Birmingham City at 11/10
Looking at the various prices this weekend I’ve found three outstanding odds against bets on three home sides.
Stoke City have had well publicised problems this week with star striker James Beattie unlikely to represent the Potters again. They face a Wigan Athletic side on Saturday whose form is more erratic than Tiger Woods’ driving but with a solid home record (especially against the Premier League’s lesser teams) Stoke should prevail at 21/20.
Birmingham City have quietly moved into the top half of the table with a series of impressive results. They host West Ham on Saturday and with Gianfranco Zola admitting he may have to dust off his boots considering West Ham’s injury worries the Blues should be backed here at 11/10.
Valencia can go level on points with Real Madrid if they can beat the Galacticos at the Mestalla. Valencia are bang in form and look to be the best side outside the ‘big two’ and can further dent Madrid’s title ambitions with a win at 6/4.
Football Betting
1pt Andrew Strauss to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year at 20/1
Since 1954 the BBC has annually honoured the country’s sporting greats and the hot favourite for the prestigious BBC award in 2009 is Jensen Button, the world Formula One champion.
For those looking to back Button, remember that Lewis Hamilton failed to win the award in 2007 and 2008 despite a stunning first season in the sport and despite winning the title on the final bend of the 2008 season.
Ryan Giggs, Beth Tweddle and David Haye are also favoured by the bookies but I like the prospects of Andrew Strauss at 20/1. Strauss led England to Ashes triumph from the front, presiding over the 2-1 series victory and being awarded the prestigious Man of the Series award. He was also unlucky not to be handed the 2009 Cricketer of the Year award.
A win for England’s cricketers in the ‘team’ category could scupper Strauss’ chances of the individual award, but with plenty of highlights of the triumphant series on the night, he is great value to triumph in a less than inspiring field.
BBC Sports Personality of the Year Betting
1pt Darren Fichardt to win the Alfred Dunhill Championship at 50/1 (e/w ¼ places 1,2,3,4,5)
It only seems like a couple of days since Lee Westwood was crowned as Europe’s top golfer. As they say though, ‘the King is dead! Long live the King!’ and the Race to Dubai 2010 stars in South Africa this Thursday.
The Alfred Dunhill Championship is also an opportunity for some of the players to test out their new equipment ahead of a change to the rules concerning ‘club grooves’ in January.
Whilst the likes of Ernie Els and Charl Schwartzl lead the betting, I like the chances of local player Darren Fichardt at 50/1. The thirty-four year old has had a good recent run of form including winning the Platinum Classic in early November and he is a previous winner over the Leopard Creek course. He also finished fourth in this event in 2006 and so I think he’s a great each-way chance at long odds.
Golf Betting
Performance to date: +0.75 points
