(03/07 18:30) Rainer Schuettler vs Arnaud Clement : Rainer Schuettler Win @ 2.05

Tennis

On both sides of the draw at Wimbledon this year we have a player who is bidding to stage a Goran Ivanisevic like resurgence. One is Marat Safin, and the other is the oldest man left in the draw Rainer Schuettler. The German has shown terrific courage to battle through against some really tough opponents including 9th seed James Blake and the A-Rods conqueror Janko Tipsarevic in the last round. He has had a hard time compared to his opponent today Arnaud Clement who has had a dream run through considering he is unseeded. What the bookies and clearly punters seem to be overlooking is that Schuettler was ranker as high as number 5 in the world before his injury and is currently ranker 5 places higher than his rival today. Also in 5 previous meetings between the 2 Schuettler has won 4 so quite why he is the slight outsider of the two is puzzling to say the least. He has looked as sprightly as ever over the course of the tournament and looks the bet of the day at just better than evens to overhaul the Frenchman.

1 Comments and 92 Views

(02/07 16:00) 4:00 Catterick : Naias EW @ 12.00

Horse Racing

A weak maiden race in which the two market leaders are fully exposed as bang average, having only reached a mark of 65 having had no end of chances. It could then pay to look for a little more value in one open to a bit of improvement such as Tump Mac who although 6th last time was only 2l behind some useful types. An even more interesting proposition could be the only newcomer in the line up NAIAS who is a half sister to smart sprinters Henry Hall and Snaefell. Bags of speed in her pedigree and Richard Fahey knows how to ready a debutant so it all depends whether she can get involved from a wide draw with a young 7lb claimer on board. It looks worth taking a chance at 11/1 that she will be.

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(02/07 16:30) 4:30 Catterick : Expensive Art Win nb @ 8.00

Horse Racing

A very competitive sprint handicap and quite possibly the race of the day. The clear favourite to take the spoils is Noel Wilsons Hotham who looks to be coming to hand after an excellent 3rd in a big field York handicap last time. He does race off a 3lbs higher mark today however which is also a career high and even though Catterick is a sharp track, a 6f win has eluded him thus far in his career so is little value. Mr Wolf and Red Cape are both well handicapped on best form but their aggressive racing styles could set this up for a finisher and one who could yet be open to more improvement is EXPENSIVE ART for Simon Callaghan. She flopped badly here last time but apparantly got upset in the stalls that day so that run is best overlooked. As a result she is now only 3lbs higher than her last win, for which she was value for a little more than the winning margin of a head given how well she travelled through the race. This strongly run 6f on an easy track should suit her perfectly if back on her game and Jamie Spencer can be seen to best effect adopting his usual patient tactics today. She can swoop fast and late on her favoured quick surface and resume her progression. Tawzeea is a live danger given his connections but is reluctantly passed over due to the shocking form of the Mark Johnston yard.

0 Comments and 28 Views

(02/07 15:20) 3:20 Perth : Premier Dane Win nap @ 2.88

Horse Racing

An interesting little novice chase which looks to be between the three at the head of the market. It could be worth today giving another chance to the classy Nicky Richards gelding PREMIER DANE who has a 9lbs swing with Safari Run on recent form for being beaten under a length. He looked the winner that day after jumping the 2nd last (actually teh last because the final fence was ommitted) but was overhauled on the extremely long run in. Since then he has come out and been beaten again over that distance of 2m4f but the winner on that occasion Seymour Weld has since come out and won in tremendous style, beating the likes of Zilcash and Chrysander in the process. So, although it looks as though Premier Dane is a bit of a dodgepot, the form is rock solid and he could also benefit somewhat from a step back to 2m which was always his optimum distance over hurdles. The dark horse of the race is Ellerslie Tom who wouldnt be far behind the selection in terms of hurdling ability but as of yet hasnt been able to reproduce anywhere near that sort of form in his 2 starts over fences. He will go blazing off in front as is customary for him but could be a sitting duck for my selection who should be given a typically patient ride from the new No.1 jock at Greystoke Davy Condon.

0 Comments and 23 Views

(30/06 15:45) 3:45 Pontefract : Woodnook Win nb @ 9.00

Horse Racing

This was an alert I put up a few months ago after she finished a good 5th in listed company behind Excusez Moi. This is her first drop back into handicap company since January when she was 9lbs higher and finished little more than 2 lengths behind Come Out Fighting in a much better race than she tackles today. She does seem to produce her best on the AW but has enough good form on turf to suggest she could be well placed here to do herself justice off her lower turf rating. Plenty of exposed types line up in opposition and with the trainer in form she has a good chance if finding near her best form.

0 Comments and 16 Views

(29/06 19:45) Germany v Spain : Spain Win @ 2.30

Euro 2008 Matches

For me there will be a result in this game long before extra-time and penalties become a possibility and much has been made of Spains inability to handle playing on the big stage compared to the formidable standard set by the Germans. However, this time the Spaniards have proved that they at last have the winning mentality needed to finally prove that they are the best team in Europe. The way they dispatched the previously impressive Russians in the semi-final was AWESOME to put it mildly and a repeat performance today will see them beat away the Germans who have been quite frankly very lucky to yet again get so far in a major competition. The star of the show for Spain in this competition so far has without a doubt been their supersub Cesc Fabregas who has made a huge impact on every game he has featured in and he starts tonight in place of the injured David Villa. Him in that free role just behind Torres is a mouth watering prospect and with so much creativity and flair in the Spanish midfield there should be plenty of ammunition for the Liverpool hitman. As well as the attacking side of their game, Spain have also shown massive improvement in their defensive play with Puyol, Marchena and especially Sergio Ramos very impressive in the tournament so far. Another revelation has been holding midfield Marcos Senna who has grown into his role and now looks a key player in that much overlooked Makelele/Keane/Hargreaves role in which he has been hugely effective. The Germans as has already been mentioned have been extremely fortunate to reach the final having scraped through against the Portuuese in the Quarter finals who in truth should have won the game quite comfortably and then again against Turkey in the Semis. They have looked very ordinary against the better footballing teams i.e - Croatia and Portugal and now surely will come a cropper against the most talented side in Europe and perhaps even on the planet at this point in time. There are so many chinks in the German defence to be exploited it is unreal and they will be exploited today. I am predicting a win for Spain, and for the job to be nearly done before the half time whistle.

2 Comments and 95 Views

(29/06 19:45) Germany v Spain : Spain - Spain Win @ 4.25

Euro 2008 Matches

For me there will be a result in this game long before extra-time and penalties become a possibility and much has been made of Spains inability to handle playing on the big stage compared to the formidable standard set by the Germans. However, this time the Spaniards have proved that they at last have the winning mentality needed to finally prove that they are the best team in Europe. The way they dispatched the previously impressive Russians in the semi-final was AWESOME to put it mildly and a repeat performance today will see them beat away the Germans who have been quite frankly very lucky to yet again get so far in a major competition. The star of the show for Spain in this competition so far has without a doubt been their supersub Cesc Fabregas who has made a huge impact on every game he has featured in and he starts tonight in place of the injured David Villa. Him in that free role just behind Torres is a mouth watering prospect and with so much creativity and flair in the Spanish midfield there should be plenty of ammunition for the Liverpool hitman. As well as the attacking side of their game, Spain have also shown massive improvement in their defensive play with Puyol, Marchena and especially Sergio Ramos very impressive in the tournament so far. Another revelation has been holding midfield Marcos Senna who has grown into his role and now looks a key player in that much overlooked Makelele/Keane/Hargreaves role in which he has been hugely effective. The Germans as has already been mentioned have been extremely fortunate to reach the final having scraped through against the Portuuese in the Quarter finals who in truth should have won the game quite comfortably and then again against Turkey in the Semis. They have looked very ordinary against the better footballing teams i.e - Croatia and Portugal and now surely will come a cropper against the most talented side in Europe and perhaps even on the planet at this point in time. There are so many chinks in the German defence to be exploited it is unreal and they will be exploited today. I am predicting a win for Spain, and for the job to be nearly done before the half time whistle.

0 Comments and 87 Views

(29/06 15:50) 3:50 Curragh : Curtain Call EW nb @ 11.00

Horse Racing

With New Approach an unfortunate withdrawal Tartan Bearer will be very hard to beat as it was only the former nameds pace at the business end that beat Michael Stoutes runner in the Epsom Classic. He stayed on relentlessly from the back to take it up 2 furlongs out and is still very lightly raced so no surprise if he turns this into a procession. There are however too many good horses in this race to be getting over excited about a 11/10 shot and Casual Conquest only has a few lengths to find from Epsom to be making a serious race of this with the favourite. The Ballydoyle string have to be respected with Johnny Murtagh preferring Alessandro Volta but a chance is taken on Luca Cumanis CURTAIN CALL who reportedly didnt handle the track in the Derby but remains a serious threat to the top 3yos here. It is well documented that he was unable to get his conditions quite spot on for a prep race leading up to the Derby and it is no real surprise that he flopped on the day. Jamie Spencer did look after him once his chance had gone though and he has he experienced Fran Berry aboard doing the steering today. He can confirm the promise of his Nottingham demolition today and put in a much better show on ground that should be perfect. Whether his best will be good enough is another matter but he is a nice price to find out.

0 Comments and 38 Views

(29/06 14:40) 2:40 Curragh : Myboycharlie Win nap @ 3.25

Horse Racing

A very interesting race featuring Benbaun, whos record at the Curragh is phenomenal having won 6 times and finished 2nd twice in 9 visits to the course. He is a genuine Group 1 performer having landed the Prix De Labbaye last year and is certain to put up a bold show. However, he could have a serious job on his hands today in conceding 6lbs to a potential top class sprinter in the shape of Tommy Stacks MYBOYCHARLIE who was one of the best 2yos in Europe last season having seen off 1000 Guineas heroine Natagora in the Prix Morny and ran to within 3 lengths of New Approach and Rio De La Plata in the National Stakes at this venue on ground that would have been quick enough. Reappeared in May and was disappointing but again encountered very fast ground which is not ideal and he can be forgiven that run. He he drops back to 5f which is likely to suit and also gets the cut in the ground he craves so there will be no excuses and it will be very surprising if he doesnt put in an impressive performance and score on these terms against some exposed rivals. Tax Fee and Desert Lord fit that description and have never quite been up to the same level as the major players whilst Contest isnt the most reliable having ran a stinker last time.

0 Comments and 22 Views

(25/06 19:45) Germany v Turkey : Germany - Germany Win @ 2.20

Euro 2008 Matches

Shortly and sweetly the Germans have gone from strength to strength as is customary in big tournaments and got the job done against a talented Portugal side last time. Turkey have lost their star play Nihat and are without a number of other 1st choice players who were suspended from the previous round. They will be hard pressed to keep Germany at bay for the first 45 mins, especially if Recber Rustu continues the antics displayed against Croatia. Should be plenty of goals in Podolski, Klose and Ballack and when the Germans get ahead they will not be pegged back.

0 Comments and 31 Views