Tag: Newcastle

Newcastle Saturday Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

My Tent Or Yours is the headline horse at Newcastle on Saturday as he starts his Champion Hurdle campaign for Nicky Henderson. He runs in the colours of leading National Hunt owner JP McManus and will be partnered by champion jockey Tony McCoy.

Melodic Rendezvous looks his only serious rival but, as tough as he is, he does not look to have the speed to match the Henderson gelding. It would not surprise me to see the favourite put up an impressive display and be clear favourite for Cheltenham by the end of the day.

The Lambourn trainer came under intense pressure to supplement him for the Champion Hurdle in March after he had bolted up in the competitive Betfair Hurdle at Newbury. He stuck to his original plan of going for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle but was surprisingly held by Champagne Fever. I’m not quite sure whether the hill found him out that day but he oozed class when winning at Aintree next time and he is expected to win tomorrow.

It looks like being a good card for favourite backers with several strong favourites. Lucinda Russell has her string in fine form and can start the ball rolling at 12.05 with Green Flag. This one is on a hat-trick after an effortless victory at Ayr and he can follow up off a 6lb higher mark.

The second “banker” of the day is Oscar Rock in the 1.05. This one joined Malcolm Jefferson after winning two bumper races for Martin Fry last season and he looked like Cheltenham material on his hurdling bow. After pulling hard early on, he eased to the front before quickening clear to win by 19 lengths at Wetherby. There will be some long faces in the Jefferson camp if he is beaten tomorrow.

Tony McCoy should double up when he partners Full Shift for Henderson in the closing event. This one cost JP £170,000 after recording the best time of the day in his point-to-point. He is held in some regard and he is expected to bring the famous green and gold colours home in front on Saturday.

Although it will be hard to get even money about any of these, it may be worth throwing in an accumulator.

Green Flag 4-5 Bet365, Ladbrokes

Oscar Rock 5-6 Ladbrokes

My Tent Or Yours 4-5 Totesport, Betfred

+ accumulator above four

Full Shift

Haydock and Newcastle Preview 6th September

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

It is proving difficult to predict the runners for this weekend’s big ante-post races, let alone forecast the winner! Earlier in the week it seemed that Al Kazeem was destined to swerve the Irish Champion Stakes but Roger Charlton is now doing a rain dance in the hope of a bringing a deluge on Ireland through Friday night. If that devious plans works, his stable star will renew rivalry with York conqueror Declaration Of War. John Gosden’s The Fugue could beat them both if the rain stays away but with “definite possible” now an accepted quote from trainers we will have to keep our powder dry until the weekend.

For most of the summer I tend to avoid maiden races but at this time of year there are some cracking bets to be had. Two-year-old races at Newmarket, Newbury and Goodwood can throw up some really eye-catching performances and the form often stands up on lesser tracks. Haydock does not really fall into that category but I will be supporting Coral Mist in the 2.30 on Friday after her fine debut run at Goodwood recently.

Trained by Charlie Hills, she was sent off at 33-1 in the race won by Valonia. After settling towards the rear she flew up the near rail in the closing stages to finish third and looks a decent filly in the making. She would be odds-on but for the presence of Merletta who was not beaten far by Lucky Kristale in the Lowther Stakes at York. That was a Group 2 but may not have been the strongest renewal and Merletta was having her third start. I’d prefer to go with the potential of Coral Mist and she rates a decent bet at anything better than evens.

Breeding is a funny thing isn’t it? Imagine you were given a filly by Galileo out of Ouija Board. You’d be thinking about winning the Oaks perhaps? Wrong. Try the Happy 30th Birthday Michelle Stevens Handicap at Yarmouth off a rating of 59! Filia Regina will ever scale the heights of her illustrious parents but she took a small step in the right direction when winning that event last time, and she did so “pulling a cart” (not literally of course).

Jamie Spencer had to take a pull on her three furlongs out and just about ricked his neck checking on his rivals before shaking the reins to win by eight lengths. Her rivals may not have amounted to much but she runs at Newcastle tomorrow with just a 6lb penalty. I’ll be taking whatever price is chalked up early and hoping to land a nice double to fund the weekend betting activity!

Coral Mist

Filia Regina

Northumberland Plate Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Horses that run well at Royal Ascot are often an automatic choice for punters in the following weeks. It is true that they were competing at the best quality flat racing meeting of the year but that does not necessarily mean they will be successful next time out.

Bookmakers price these horses up shorter because they know they are going to be popular. In other words, their Ascot form is built into their price so value can be hard to find. Another factor to consider is whether or not they have had a hard race and how quickly will they recover?

Tiger Cliff was well touted for the Ascot Stakes last week and received extra coverage as everyone was hoping to see Lady Cecil’s horse win. Sent off the 4-1 favourite, he was held up towards the rear by Tom Queally and ran on strongly up the straight to finish second to Well Sharp. The jockey has since come in for plenty of criticism for giving his mount too much to do but it is debatable whether he could have beaten the winner.

He is now set to renew rivalry with Lieutenant Miller (3rd), Mubaraza (4th) and Blue Bajan (6th) on the virtually the same weights in Saturday’s Northumberland Plate. On the face of it he would he should come out on top. It is worth remembering that the Plate is half a mile shorter but it is difficult to see how that might benefit any of those that were behind him at Ascot.

Tiger Cliff is a top-priced 9-2 on Saturday and could even be shorter when the 48 hour declarations are made. Second favourite is Montaser, an impressive winner at York last time and raised 5lbs for the length that be beat Clive Brittain’s Quixote. He was progressive last season with his only poor run coming in the Cesarewitch when virtually pulled up. The softer ground was blamed for that effort and he is expected to improve for his seasonal debut. He has won over this trip at Ascot last season but is now on a stone higher mark.

Richard Fahey had his team in fine form at Ascot, saddling four seconds. He has had this race in mind for his Chester Cup duo of Address Unknown and Ingleby Spirit for some time. I felt that Address Unknown was a shade fortunate to win at Chester whilst several of his rivals met trouble in running. Ingleby Spirit was ridden by 5lb claimer George Chaloner that day and may well have won in another few strides.

Tominator was also going on at the finish at Chester and now represents Well Sharp’s trainer Jonjo O’Neill. He won this race back in 2011 for the late Reg Hollinshead but is now on a 12lbs higher mark and a career high of 102. Last year’s winner Ile de Re is another that appears to have been handicapped to the hilt whilst David Lanigan’s Biographer will need some give in the ground if he is to take part. He was a springer in the Ascot Gold Cup market last week but his trainer elected to pull him out due to the fast ground.

The shape of the race will become clearer on Thursday but Ingleby Spirit rates the logical choice at this stage at 16-1. Although Montaser quickened past Quixote impressively at York, the disparity in their prices is insulting to Clive Brittain’s gelding who had previously run well in defeat at Sandown. He can also be supported at 40-1.

Ingleby Spirit 16-1 Coral

Quixote 40-1 Bet365

Premiership Preview 19th May

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The final day of the Premiership does not have the title or relegation drama of 12 months ago but that was always going to be a tough act to follow. In truth, Manchester United were given an easy ride to the title as their main rivals dropped tamely away. Manchester City failed to build on last season’s title success and were strangely inactive in the summer transfer market. The signing of Van Persie was sufficient to make the difference between the two teams whilst the London clubs battled it out for minor honours.

It is the battle for Champions League places that remains the only significant issue to be decided on Sunday. Tottenham will miss out again if Arsenal take all three points at Newcastle, regardless of Chelsea’s result at home to Everton. Spurs must defeat Sunderland to keep their hopes alive and rely on results elsewhere allowing them to sneak into the top four.

Chelsea v Everton

This game will have a distinct end-of-season feel about it after Chelsea virtually guaranteed their Champions League spot last weekend at Aston Villa. The question has been raised this week of a possible third-place playoff between Chelsea and Arsenal should they finish level on points, goal difference and goals scored. This scenario can only come about if Chelsea draw 0-0 and Arsenal win 2-1. Whether this will be enough to spur the Blues on to one last effort this season is another matter. Several of their players looked dead on their feet on Wednesday night as they won the Europa League with a last-gasp header from Ivanovic.

Everton meanwhile are saying farewell to David Moyes after eleven years at the helm. He was given an emotional send off by the Goodison fans last week in their 2-0 victory over West Ham and the teams look evenly matched. Rafael Benitez will also be packing his bags shortly but will surely send out a re-shuffled side for this finale. I can see Everton upsetting Chelsea’s victory parade by grabbing at least a point and a 1-1 draw might be the way to go. Kevin Mirallas looks overpriced at 11-1 to open the scoring after his two against the Hammers last week.

1-1 draw 8-1 Bet Victor

Kevin Mirallas first goalscorer 11-1 Bet365

Newcastle v Arsenal

Arsenal wavered slightly against Wigan in midweek before producing a second-half blitz to send the Latics down to the Championship after eight seasons in the top flight. Arsene Wenger will be calling on them to produce a similar effort against a Newcastle side that must be breathing a collective sigh of relief now that their Premiership status is secure. The Magpies have put in some desperate displays this season, none more so than their 6-0 drubbing at the hands of a moderate Liverpool side. Anything like that on Sunday will result in another embarrassing defeat but Alan Pardew faces an uphill task rallying his troops for this match. I can only see one winner here and it might be worth taking a risk on the 100-30 about the Gunners winning by three or more goals with Skybet. Theo Walcott is in flying form and 11-2 represents fair value in the first goalscorer market.

Arsenal to win by 3 or more goals 100-30 Skybet

Theo Walcott to score first 11-2 Coral

Tottenham v Sunderland

Tottenham were denied a place in the Champions League by Chelsea’s win in the competition last May and now look poised to miss out, possibly only on goal difference to their London rivals. They are only in contention thanks to Gareth Bale who has dug them out of many a hole this season. There is speculation that he may leave White Hart Lane if he does not get Champions League football next season but it is difficult to see them achieving that. Even so, it is worth taking the 11-4 about Bale scoring first here. Tottenham will have one eye on the Arsenal match and if that starts to go against them it is possible that their heads may drop. With the exception of their mauling at Villa Park, Sunderland have shown a lot more fight since Paolo Di Canio arrived and they could poach a point here.

Draw 19-4 Bet Victor

Gareth Bale to score first 11-4 Ladbrokes

Preview and Football Tips

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Liverpool v Everton (1.30pm)

There are two cracking games this Sunday for stay-at-home punters. First up is the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton. The visitors still have a slim chance of sneaking into a Champions League spot but they would have to win all of their matches and hope that the London clubs slip up badly. Liverpool have nothing left to play for other than the local bragging rights but that is more than enough!

The Luis Suarez biting incident may have put Liverpool back in the news for all the wrong reasons but they came out and thrashed Newcastle 6-0 last weekend. Defensive stalwart Jamie Carragher has confirmed his retirement and will be appearing in a Merseyside derby for the last time in his career. As if any further incentive were required, the gap between Everton and Liverpool is five points and the Toffees have not finished above Liverpool for successive seasons in the last 50 years.

Everton fans are anxiously waiting to hear whether David Moyes is to remain at the club and a Europa League place might give him encouragement to do so. Bookmakers make Liverpool even money favourites to win with a draw priced at 5-2 and Everton as big as 100-30 to grab all three points. As impressive as the Reds were in crushing the Magpies last week, it has to be said that the opposition were woeful and Everton will be a completely different proposition. Liverpool have flitted in and out of form all season and it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise to see their form dip once again. I think Everton are over-priced when you take the season as a whole and the price is worth taking.

Everton 100-30 Bet Victor

Manchester United v Chelsea (4.00pm)

The second match features the fifth meeting of the season between Manchester United and Chelsea. United have just been crowned champions but mid-season talk of them being one of the greatest United teams in history have been proved to be misguided. An early Champions League exit was followed by defeat in the FA Cup against Sunday’s rivals.

The first league meeting of the season was the infamous Clattenburg affair, a game that arguably started the rot at Stamford Bridge this season. They gained revenge in the League Cup and staged a magnificent recovery from 2-0 down in the FA Cup quarter-final before Demba Ba’s solo effort settled the replay. On Thursday the Blues booked their place in the final of the Europa Cup but now face two crucial Premiership matches in the space of four days. They welcome Tottenham to the Bridge on Wednesday night in a potentially decisive match in the battle for a Champions League place.

Juan Mata has been exceptional for Chelsea this season and he only appeared as a late substitute on Thursday night. He looks a fair bet to find the target at any time during the match at 100-30. Demba Ba will lead the attack and Oscar should also make the starting line up. Chelsea will be hoping that United take their foot off the pedal a bit and allow them to gain a vital three points. If they play like they did in the second half against Basle they might just do it.

Chelsea 5-2 William Hill
Juan Mata to score 100-30 William Hill

Europa League Quarter-Final Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The Europa League may not sit very highly in the order of priorities for the top sides but there are plenty of reasons for the three remaining English sides to give it a real go tonight. Chelsea have blundered away numerous pieces of silverware this season and are in poll position to gain some sort of compensation after a comfortable 3-1 home leg victory against Rubin Kazan.

There have already been mumblings of discontent from the squad this week about being able to motivate themselves for the trip to Moscow but they have to be taken with a pinch of salt. The excuses of an artificial pitch, freezing cold conditions and their hectic fixture list have also been put up but they looked in a different class to the Russians in the first leg and must surely progress. Rubin believe that the away goal could prove vital and will be hoping to rattle Chelsea’s cage with an early goal. The loss of Ryan Bertrand has left a bit of a weakness at left-back for the Blues but they have enough quality to cope. The bookmakers have put up odds as high as 7-4 about Chelsea winning tonight and I think that is decent value.

Tottenham undoubtedly face a more difficult task in Basle after being held to a 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane last week. The injury to Gareth Bale along with the absence of Lennon and Defoe certainly takes a lot of the creativity away from the Londoners as they go in search of a win. The first leg was a strange affair, with Spurs all at sea in defence as Basle strolled into a 2-0 lead. How the game finished at 2-2 is something of a mystery given the opportunities squandered by both sides in the second period. Spurs are priced at 9-4 to come away with the victory tonight with some suspecting that this competition may have to be sacrificed in order to keep their hopes of securing a Champions League spot alive. I don’t believe that for a moment and think that Andre Villas-Boas is desperate to claim a trophy this season.

Newcastle have crept quietly through the competition and are unlucky not to be in a better position going into tonight’s second leg against Benfica. They were unlucky not to gain at least a draw from the opening fixture. A 3-1 defeat was incredibly harsh on the Magpies who look tempting at 9-4 to win tonight. It may be asking too much for them to overturn a two-goal deficit but they will certainly give it a go. With the Premiership not represented in the quarter-finals of the Champions League this year, it may seem an odd time to be backing British. However, I think all three Premiership sides have a chance of victory this evening.

Chelsea to beat Rubin Kazan 7-4 Coral
Tottenham to beat Basle 9-4 BetVictor
Newcastle to beat Benfica 9-4 BetVictor