It's just as well that this blog isn't set up primarily to give tips because since the Grand National winner, I havn't given any. However, my mate has got a tipping blog going (http://jimmypugh.blogspot.com/) and he tipped 6 winners last week. I'll leave it to him.
Anyway, this is a big sporting week, what with the Champions' League Semis and the Guineas at Newmarket. I shall be making a trip to HQ on Saturday to see the 2000 Guineas and it should be a great race.
On the football front, as a Reds fan, I hope Liverpool can get a few goals at Stamford Bridge and sail through to the final in Moscow. With the other semi, I hope Barcelona can win just to see the look on the Man Utd fans' faces - a lot of them have already bought Russian visas at £60 a go. The arrogance!
With the Premier League though, I think it will be a tough call. Man U probably have the easier two games with West Ham and Wigan whereas Chelsea play a resurgent Newcastle and Bolton. It will be a close encounter whatever the results.
I've heard it on the grape vine that if Leeds win their appeal to get back the 15 points they were deducted at the beginning of the season, something radical might happen to League One. The FA could allow 3 automatic promotion places into the Championship while keeping the 4 play-off places, in effect meaning that 4 teams will get promoted from League One. This would make a 25 team Championship next year. That would be some league!
28 April 2008
27 April 2008
Easy Money
Just a quick tip today; Bavarika (6.25 Southwell) on Monday should win. There may only be four runners in the race, but the filly will be a generous price (6/1). Most pundits will think that she will need the race, although work-watchers in Newmarket tell me that Bavarika is absolutely flying. She has a low weight and should not get too much kickback due to the small field.
24 April 2008
If he had meant it, it was a bloody good goal.
But unfortunately, John Arne Riise didn't want to see the ball in the back of his own net. I just could not believe what he did; it was the last play of the match, all he had to do was kick the ball into touch, it fell to his knees, why did he header it? The general feeling amongst Liverpool fans is that it was a freak accident and Riise is a popular enough player to live it down. The Reds now face a hard task in trying to win at Stamford Bridge next week to qualify for the Champion's League final, but I hope they can do it. After all, Chelsea will have to put out a strong team this weekend to play Manchester United in what is effectively the Premier League decider. Liverpool on the other hand, do not have much pressure on their weekend game, so it would be no surprise if Rafa Benitez rested the key players for the second leg whereas Chelsea's key men might be tired from playing so much intense football.
The Manchester United V Barcelona semi final was a bit of a bore. After Ronaldo missed his early penalty, you knew his team were going to struggle. Barcelon outplayed their rivals and were unlucky not to score. Edwin Van Der Sar was United's saviour. I can see the spanish side winning the second leg 1-0.
For those of you wondering why I study the mystery that is Barney Curley, I will provide you with a little snippet of the enigma:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3zONsajoJi0
It's definitely worth a watch.
But unfortunately, John Arne Riise didn't want to see the ball in the back of his own net. I just could not believe what he did; it was the last play of the match, all he had to do was kick the ball into touch, it fell to his knees, why did he header it? The general feeling amongst Liverpool fans is that it was a freak accident and Riise is a popular enough player to live it down. The Reds now face a hard task in trying to win at Stamford Bridge next week to qualify for the Champion's League final, but I hope they can do it. After all, Chelsea will have to put out a strong team this weekend to play Manchester United in what is effectively the Premier League decider. Liverpool on the other hand, do not have much pressure on their weekend game, so it would be no surprise if Rafa Benitez rested the key players for the second leg whereas Chelsea's key men might be tired from playing so much intense football.
The Manchester United V Barcelona semi final was a bit of a bore. After Ronaldo missed his early penalty, you knew his team were going to struggle. Barcelon outplayed their rivals and were unlucky not to score. Edwin Van Der Sar was United's saviour. I can see the spanish side winning the second leg 1-0.
For those of you wondering why I study the mystery that is Barney Curley, I will provide you with a little snippet of the enigma:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3zONsajoJi0
It's definitely worth a watch.
20 April 2008
The handicapper's the fool
It made the handicapping system look like a joke; Iris De Balme won the Scottish National from 26lb out of the handicap. For those of you who don't understand the handicapping of racehorses, this feat is the equivalent of Charlton Athletic giving Arsenal a three goal lead and then coming back to win the game. In theory, it should be impossible. But this is horseracing where nothing is impossible and Charlie Huxley proved it by steering his mount to a 14 length victory. Charlie has made a remarkable start to his career, he narrowly beat me to the amateur title during the summer, he is an excellent rider and the horses just seem to run for him. No doubt he will turn professional next year and become one of the top jocks around.
The first day of racing seemed to go very well at Great Leighs today and sources tell me that everyone there received free food and drink to make up for the fact that most of the infrastructure at the course is not complete yet. The track seemed to be riding fair and the bends looked long and sweeping so there should be no bias to front running horses as there is at Lingfield.
My champion I Have Dreamed runs at Plumpton tomorrow (2.20) and it is hoped that he can get back to winning ways after running poorly at Kempton last time when it was later found that he had a flu virus.
The first day of racing seemed to go very well at Great Leighs today and sources tell me that everyone there received free food and drink to make up for the fact that most of the infrastructure at the course is not complete yet. The track seemed to be riding fair and the bends looked long and sweeping so there should be no bias to front running horses as there is at Lingfield.
My champion I Have Dreamed runs at Plumpton tomorrow (2.20) and it is hoped that he can get back to winning ways after running poorly at Kempton last time when it was later found that he had a flu virus.
18 April 2008
Hello muckers,
I've been in Newmarket for the Craven meeting and also at the horse sales at Tattersalls. Unsurprisingly, I have a few points to make.
Firstly, I thought Twice Over's victory in the Craven Stakes was very impressive and he will be a tough nut to crack if he goes for the Derby in June.
Secondly, at Tattersalls I was amazed by the prices the horses were selling for. With over £11 million being traded over the two days of the sale, it is hard to believe that the country is under a 'credit crunch'. The average price for each horse at the sale was £102000 and this is incredible when you think that the horses being sold were unraced two year olds. What could the buyers be hoping for? Yes, their steed could become a champion and go on to earn millions of pounds as a stallion, but out of the 180 horses that were sold, there could probably be one (if any) of this calibre. Some of the horses will just be moderate performers who will never justify what the owners paid for them while many will not even be good enough to make the racecourse and will later be sold for £1000 as a riding horse. That only makes a loss of £101000, good work.
Anyway, Great Leighs becomes the first English racetrack in 80 years to be built and it will be interesting to see if there are any draw bias and what type of running style is most successful. But to make it a profitable opening for you, I suggest backing RAPID CITY(3.50). He looked like a machine when notching a series of wins until he was injured last spring. Reports say he was unlucky last time at Kempton and everything is in position for a big run.
I've been in Newmarket for the Craven meeting and also at the horse sales at Tattersalls. Unsurprisingly, I have a few points to make.
Firstly, I thought Twice Over's victory in the Craven Stakes was very impressive and he will be a tough nut to crack if he goes for the Derby in June.
Secondly, at Tattersalls I was amazed by the prices the horses were selling for. With over £11 million being traded over the two days of the sale, it is hard to believe that the country is under a 'credit crunch'. The average price for each horse at the sale was £102000 and this is incredible when you think that the horses being sold were unraced two year olds. What could the buyers be hoping for? Yes, their steed could become a champion and go on to earn millions of pounds as a stallion, but out of the 180 horses that were sold, there could probably be one (if any) of this calibre. Some of the horses will just be moderate performers who will never justify what the owners paid for them while many will not even be good enough to make the racecourse and will later be sold for £1000 as a riding horse. That only makes a loss of £101000, good work.
Anyway, Great Leighs becomes the first English racetrack in 80 years to be built and it will be interesting to see if there are any draw bias and what type of running style is most successful. But to make it a profitable opening for you, I suggest backing RAPID CITY(3.50). He looked like a machine when notching a series of wins until he was injured last spring. Reports say he was unlucky last time at Kempton and everything is in position for a big run.
14 April 2008
Me and Mrs Jones
If you didn't read it, go here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=559221&in_page_id=1770
Just to get this clear, usually I am quite a placid fellow; I enjoy golf and sometimes partake in walking activities but when I read this article, man was I infuriated.
Liz Jones went to Aintree to watch the Grand National. Firstly, she must have done a quick survey, seen that most people (10 at most) around her were drinking alcohol and thus deduced that 100% of the 70,000 spectators at the racecourse were ‘barely conscious’. Having discovered this, she then heroically fights her way to the bar and asks for some water. (WATER?).
Following this, Jones adds to her secret agent credidentials by saying she was ‘closely watched throughout the day’ by Merseyside Police because she was believed to be an animal activist. She was probably watched because she looked suspicious, like some sort of bomber, with her dark clothes, lack of make up and dull expression.
Then she continues by explaining that the 25 horses who didn’t complete the National all fell, ‘turning cartwheels, crashing onto its neck’. Hang on deary, if you actually look at the results, you will find that of the 25 who didn’t complete the course, 11 fell, 8 unseated the rider and 6 were pulled up.
Then, the horse that the article hangs on, McKelvey is described. Jones says that after unseating his rider, the horse reared over and broke his back. Where did she get this information from? All sources have said that the horse ran into a post. This could have happened at any racecourse in the country.
And then Jones whips me into a frenzy by claiming that horse people do not have the animal’s best interests at heart. The horses were born to race, their lives would be meaningless if all they were allowed to do was stay in their stables.
Apparently, ‘thoroughbreds are intelligent animals’ and only follow others when riderless because they are ‘frightened’. What? If the horses were so clever, they would think ‘mmm, this racing game is rather cruel, I think I’ll go and munch on some grass’. They carry on with the others because they enjoy the thrill of the chase.
Finally, why ask of Simon Earle’s opinion? He has had 14 winners in the last five years, his horses are infamous for slipping over in races because they have no shoes on and to be honest, he is struggling for success.
Well, let us just leave Liz Jones to her vegetarian ways and come and enjoy some racing!
Just to get this clear, usually I am quite a placid fellow; I enjoy golf and sometimes partake in walking activities but when I read this article, man was I infuriated.
Liz Jones went to Aintree to watch the Grand National. Firstly, she must have done a quick survey, seen that most people (10 at most) around her were drinking alcohol and thus deduced that 100% of the 70,000 spectators at the racecourse were ‘barely conscious’. Having discovered this, she then heroically fights her way to the bar and asks for some water. (WATER?).
Following this, Jones adds to her secret agent credidentials by saying she was ‘closely watched throughout the day’ by Merseyside Police because she was believed to be an animal activist. She was probably watched because she looked suspicious, like some sort of bomber, with her dark clothes, lack of make up and dull expression.
Then she continues by explaining that the 25 horses who didn’t complete the National all fell, ‘turning cartwheels, crashing onto its neck’. Hang on deary, if you actually look at the results, you will find that of the 25 who didn’t complete the course, 11 fell, 8 unseated the rider and 6 were pulled up.
Then, the horse that the article hangs on, McKelvey is described. Jones says that after unseating his rider, the horse reared over and broke his back. Where did she get this information from? All sources have said that the horse ran into a post. This could have happened at any racecourse in the country.
And then Jones whips me into a frenzy by claiming that horse people do not have the animal’s best interests at heart. The horses were born to race, their lives would be meaningless if all they were allowed to do was stay in their stables.
Apparently, ‘thoroughbreds are intelligent animals’ and only follow others when riderless because they are ‘frightened’. What? If the horses were so clever, they would think ‘mmm, this racing game is rather cruel, I think I’ll go and munch on some grass’. They carry on with the others because they enjoy the thrill of the chase.
Finally, why ask of Simon Earle’s opinion? He has had 14 winners in the last five years, his horses are infamous for slipping over in races because they have no shoes on and to be honest, he is struggling for success.
Well, let us just leave Liz Jones to her vegetarian ways and come and enjoy some racing!
11 April 2008
Another one?
After the resounding success of last week’s tip in the Grand National, I feel obliged to make it a regular feature of this blog to give you a winner for the weekend’s big race.
And this Saturday we focus on the Doncaster Mile (3.35). It may have less than a quarter of the number of horses participating than in the National but it is still a tricky contest.
These are the ones you need to know about (current price in brackets):
Don’t Panic (7/4) - hacked up in the Spring Mile at this course last time out and goes on any ground. Should win but it will be at a short price.
Tell (7/2) - I don’t really fancy this horse; he has been found out in this class before and I think the others will be simply too good for him.
Medicine Path (4/1) - trainer thinks he will need the race to get fully fit and I can see him struggling.
Blythe Knight (6/1) - a grand old horse and ran a cracker last time in the Lincoln but he has to give weight away to all his rivals and he surely cannot improve at the age of eight.
Re Barolo (18/1) - In a competitive race, I think it will be best to back this one each-way. He needed his first few runs to get fit but then won a good race at Wolverhampton. He handles the turf and should run into a place at a big price.
Spirkett’s prediction: 1st - Don’t Panic
2nd - Re Barolo
3rd - Blythe Knight
And this Saturday we focus on the Doncaster Mile (3.35). It may have less than a quarter of the number of horses participating than in the National but it is still a tricky contest.
These are the ones you need to know about (current price in brackets):
Don’t Panic (7/4) - hacked up in the Spring Mile at this course last time out and goes on any ground. Should win but it will be at a short price.
Tell (7/2) - I don’t really fancy this horse; he has been found out in this class before and I think the others will be simply too good for him.
Medicine Path (4/1) - trainer thinks he will need the race to get fully fit and I can see him struggling.
Blythe Knight (6/1) - a grand old horse and ran a cracker last time in the Lincoln but he has to give weight away to all his rivals and he surely cannot improve at the age of eight.
Re Barolo (18/1) - In a competitive race, I think it will be best to back this one each-way. He needed his first few runs to get fit but then won a good race at Wolverhampton. He handles the turf and should run into a place at a big price.
Spirkett’s prediction: 1st - Don’t Panic
2nd - Re Barolo
3rd - Blythe Knight
9 April 2008
As an unbiased journalist, it was a spectacle to savour.
As a Liverpool fan, it was the stuff of dreams.
Yes, I'm talking about the game last night in which Liverpool beat Arsenal 4-2 to get through to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Arsene Wenger may have bemoaned the 'dodgy decisions' but at the end of the day, Liverpool beat Wenger's side by two goals. It was not an easy game for the Reds. Arsenal played magnificent football which climaxed in Theo Walcott's amazing run over almost the whole length of the pitch to set Adebayor up for the Gunner's equaliser. Had that goal been the last of the game, Walcott would surely now be talked about as England's most promising player.
Unfortunately for Walcott and his team-mates, it was not the last goal. The penalty which Babel created for Liverpool was debatable and in contrast to the decision that occured when the teams met at the weekend, the decision looks inconsistent. The goal which put the result to bed five minutes later was definite. Arsenal were caught sulking at having conceded a goal and as a result they let standards drop.
Steven Gerrard said it was his worst performance in a Liverpool shirt but with a result like that, nobody took him seriously.
So, we'll leave Wenger to his complaints and just realise the fact that Liverpool are a different class in Europe.
As a Liverpool fan, it was the stuff of dreams.
Yes, I'm talking about the game last night in which Liverpool beat Arsenal 4-2 to get through to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Arsene Wenger may have bemoaned the 'dodgy decisions' but at the end of the day, Liverpool beat Wenger's side by two goals. It was not an easy game for the Reds. Arsenal played magnificent football which climaxed in Theo Walcott's amazing run over almost the whole length of the pitch to set Adebayor up for the Gunner's equaliser. Had that goal been the last of the game, Walcott would surely now be talked about as England's most promising player.
Unfortunately for Walcott and his team-mates, it was not the last goal. The penalty which Babel created for Liverpool was debatable and in contrast to the decision that occured when the teams met at the weekend, the decision looks inconsistent. The goal which put the result to bed five minutes later was definite. Arsenal were caught sulking at having conceded a goal and as a result they let standards drop.
Steven Gerrard said it was his worst performance in a Liverpool shirt but with a result like that, nobody took him seriously.
So, we'll leave Wenger to his complaints and just realise the fact that Liverpool are a different class in Europe.
7 April 2008
Come on baby light my fire.
The Olympic Torch relay took place through London yesterday and what a calamity it was. (See a video at http://www.guardian.co.uk/ uk/video/2008/apr/07/torch.protests.london)
The torch was lit at Wembley stadium in front of about ten people but as it left the arena, some mad campaigners tried to jump through the closed doors of the bus which the torch was to enter. What nutters! Whenever I get a bus, I wait at a bus stop and stick my arm out at the bus which then stops and the doors open so I can board. Maybe they should try this technique next time.
And then, as the torch is being held by a runner who is surrounded by security, a man who is just merely waving a flag of his favourite football team (Arsenal?) to the camera, is savagely dump tackled to the ground by a police officer who must have been a Tottenham fan.
The moment when a protester sprayed a fire extinquisher at the torch made me laugh. The policemen went mad as they probably thought it was some gaseous form of anthrax whereas in reality, the protester was just sticking to the strict health and safety restrictions of London which state that no fires should be lit in the street.
I'm not politically biased or anything but just for a laugh, if I had been selected to carry the torch, I would have lobbed the torch off Tower Bridge and seen how everyone would react. It's a shame Trevor Macdonald never thought of doing it.
And why in Grenwhich did the Chairman of the Beijing Olympic Comittee give his speech in Chinease? Last time I watched, the characters of Eastenders all spoke English. I suppose no one wanted to stop the bloke as he looked pretty happy with himself.
The torch was lit at Wembley stadium in front of about ten people but as it left the arena, some mad campaigners tried to jump through the closed doors of the bus which the torch was to enter. What nutters! Whenever I get a bus, I wait at a bus stop and stick my arm out at the bus which then stops and the doors open so I can board. Maybe they should try this technique next time.
And then, as the torch is being held by a runner who is surrounded by security, a man who is just merely waving a flag of his favourite football team (Arsenal?) to the camera, is savagely dump tackled to the ground by a police officer who must have been a Tottenham fan.
The moment when a protester sprayed a fire extinquisher at the torch made me laugh. The policemen went mad as they probably thought it was some gaseous form of anthrax whereas in reality, the protester was just sticking to the strict health and safety restrictions of London which state that no fires should be lit in the street.
I'm not politically biased or anything but just for a laugh, if I had been selected to carry the torch, I would have lobbed the torch off Tower Bridge and seen how everyone would react. It's a shame Trevor Macdonald never thought of doing it.
And why in Grenwhich did the Chairman of the Beijing Olympic Comittee give his speech in Chinease? Last time I watched, the characters of Eastenders all spoke English. I suppose no one wanted to stop the bloke as he looked pretty happy with himself.
6 April 2008
Your Starter at Tens...
Well, the blog is only 4 days old but has already tipped the winner of the Grand National! Comply or Die did the business for us at 7/1 but I hope you were on at my advised 10/1.
Turning into the straight, you just knew Timmy Murphy had the race in the bag as his mount had proven stamina and he galloped all the way to the line.
I thought I might have pulled off the 1-2 but Bewleys Berry just lacked that extra bit of speed in the end but still finished a creditable fifth.
The National is always a great race to watch even if you have no financial interest involved. Here are some of my highlights: (view the race again at http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/7332863.stm)
Tumbling Dice firing his jockey into the turf at the 3rd fence,
J Barry's craziness in going right up the inner (where the jump is bigger) at Becher's Brook and inevitably falling,
The first words Tony McCoy said after falling at Becher's Brook (they obviously cannot be published on a website for all ages such as this).
So, does this signal the future of this blog? Will you followers prosper by taking my advice? Only time will tell, and that, my dear, is all your getting today.
Turning into the straight, you just knew Timmy Murphy had the race in the bag as his mount had proven stamina and he galloped all the way to the line.
I thought I might have pulled off the 1-2 but Bewleys Berry just lacked that extra bit of speed in the end but still finished a creditable fifth.
The National is always a great race to watch even if you have no financial interest involved. Here are some of my highlights: (view the race again at http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/7332863.stm)
Tumbling Dice firing his jockey into the turf at the 3rd fence,
J Barry's craziness in going right up the inner (where the jump is bigger) at Becher's Brook and inevitably falling,
The first words Tony McCoy said after falling at Becher's Brook (they obviously cannot be published on a website for all ages such as this).
So, does this signal the future of this blog? Will you followers prosper by taking my advice? Only time will tell, and that, my dear, is all your getting today.
4 April 2008
The Start of a Revolution?
Well, thanks for visiting.
I set this blog up just to unite the people who have an interest in a wide range of sports and especially horseracing.
Feel free to disagree and remember (as the Guardian say) 'Comment is free'.
I set this blog up just to unite the people who have an interest in a wide range of sports and especially horseracing.
Feel free to disagree and remember (as the Guardian say) 'Comment is free'.
3 April 2008
A Wild Stab in the Dark?
You could pick a nice name or even try and consume the vast amount of tips the Racing Post gives you. But in all honesty, there is only one guide to the 2008 Grand National - AND IT'S HERE!
These are the horses that you need to know about for the big race (current price in brackets):
Cloudy Lane: Comes into the reace in terrific form and has been thrown in at the weights but he needs the ground to be softer than it currently is. Plus, do you really want to be backing a horse at this short a price in a race as unpredictable as the National? (11/2)
Comply or Die: This is my selection for the race. He won well last time and has proven stamina as well as being better in the weights than when being beaten by Cloudy Lane at Haydock. The only concern is that he can run the odd stinker. (10/1)
Slim Pickings: I can't believe people fancy this horse; he has no real form and has too much weight on his back. I think people just consider Tom Taaffe to be a shrewd trainer and that this horse has been lined up to win. HE WON'T. (10/1)
Simon: It would be a fairytale result if this horse won for owner Mercy Rimmell but I just think the horse is too small to be winning with over 11 stone on its back around Aintree. (12/1)
Bewleys Berry: Ran a poor race last time but has form arouns the big fences and hails from the shrewd Howard Johnson yard. Each-way possibility. (14/1)
...And finally,
Joes Edge: This is the big each-way bet. He has not ran well since his Cheltenham triumph lasy year but he usually comes good this time of year, jumps really well and the big fences should perk him up. (40/1)
Spirkett's prediction:
1st - Comply Or Die
2nd - Bewleys Berry
3rd - Joes Edge
Hope this advic s fortuous for you and feel free to disagree.
These are the horses that you need to know about for the big race (current price in brackets):
Cloudy Lane: Comes into the reace in terrific form and has been thrown in at the weights but he needs the ground to be softer than it currently is. Plus, do you really want to be backing a horse at this short a price in a race as unpredictable as the National? (11/2)
Comply or Die: This is my selection for the race. He won well last time and has proven stamina as well as being better in the weights than when being beaten by Cloudy Lane at Haydock. The only concern is that he can run the odd stinker. (10/1)
Slim Pickings: I can't believe people fancy this horse; he has no real form and has too much weight on his back. I think people just consider Tom Taaffe to be a shrewd trainer and that this horse has been lined up to win. HE WON'T. (10/1)
Simon: It would be a fairytale result if this horse won for owner Mercy Rimmell but I just think the horse is too small to be winning with over 11 stone on its back around Aintree. (12/1)
Bewleys Berry: Ran a poor race last time but has form arouns the big fences and hails from the shrewd Howard Johnson yard. Each-way possibility. (14/1)
...And finally,
Joes Edge: This is the big each-way bet. He has not ran well since his Cheltenham triumph lasy year but he usually comes good this time of year, jumps really well and the big fences should perk him up. (40/1)
Spirkett's prediction:
1st - Comply Or Die
2nd - Bewleys Berry
3rd - Joes Edge
Hope this advic s fortuous for you and feel free to disagree.
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