Sports World

Urlacher wants to play no matter the cost

2012-01-30T20:39:00.001+05:30

Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher says he is so desperate to play that he regularly gets pain killing injections before games and admits that he would not tell coaches if he felt he had a concussion, just to stay on the field.

The 33-year-old made the revelations on the ‘Real Sports’ show and freely conceded that he had received regular shots of Toradol, which is an anti-inflammatory which can ease injuries, especially in physical sports such as American Football. Even people looking at the in-running Super Bowl odds will have been shocked by the revelations.

"It's normal," Urlacher told "Real Sports." "You drop your pants, you get the alcohol, they give you a shot, put the Band-Aid on and you go out and play."

The news came as quite a shock to interviewer Andrea Kremer who appeared to know a lot more about the side effects of the drug than the veteran middle linebacker.

Toradol has previously been proven to cause kidney failure and gastrointestinal bleeding.

However, Urlacher seemed quite unconcerned about the possible damage he is doing to his body, admitting he didn’t know that they were the side effects and freely admitted that he didn’t mind them, as long as he could still play.

"First of all, we love football," Urlacher said. "We want to be on the field as much as we can be. If we can be out there, it may be stupid, it may be dumb, call me dumb and stupid then, because I want to be on the football field."

Later in the interview he also said he has faked injury in the past after suffering a concussion to allow him to refocus just so he wasn’t replaced.

"If I have a concussion these days, I'm going to say something happened to my toe or knee just to get my bearings for a few plays," he added. "I'm not going to sit in there and say I got a concussion. [Then] I can't go in there the rest of the game."

Cheltenham – Types of Race

2012-01-27T21:51:00.002+05:30

The Cheltenham Festival as most people know is the highlight and pinnacle of the National Hunt season and it attracts die-hard followers of the sports, once a year racegoers and first timers alike and one thing that can be confusing is all the different types of races that take place at the Festival.

Here is a short guide that will help you understand the differences between the types of races and obstacles that you would see at the Cheltenham Festival over the course of the 27 races and four days.

The first thing to differentiate is what are hurdles and steeplechase fences. Hurdles are smaller, more flexible obstacles typically about 3½ feet in height, and a minimum of eight of them are jumped in races which range from 2M to just over 3M at the Festival. Those looking for tips for racing should remember this.

Steeplechase fences are larger, rigid obstacles a minimum of 4½ feet high and are run over distances of 2M to 4M at the Festival, once again a minimum of eight obstacles are jumped per race.

The Champion Bumper is the only flat race run at the Festival and it regularly showcases some of the most exciting young horses in training, who subsequently go on to make big names for themselves over hurdles or fences. The term "Bumper" comes from the fact that in the past, only amateur riders were allowed to compete and they typically had an ungainly "bumping" style in the saddle in comparison to the professionals.

Now we have established what is jumped in a race, let's take a look at the types of race that you could see at Cheltenham. Many of the races will be for novices, so what is a novice? A novice is a horse who has not won a race under a particular code (hurdling or chasing) before the current season. They generally race against their own but there is nothing to stop a novice running in normal hurdles or chases. The last novice to win the Gold Cup was Captain Christy in 1974, whilst Alderbrook was still a novice when capturing the Champion Hurdle in 1995. People who bet on racing should bear this in mind.

Moving on we then come to handicaps of which there are 11 at the Festival – some over hurdles and some over fences. The horses in handicaps are allotted different weights assessed on their abilities over past races, the idea being that the different weights will equalise their ability and allow then to finish together. Of course that never happens but if there is a very close finish involving three or four horses you will often hear pundits/commentators say that "is a victory for the handicapper".

Although most handicap races are not for the very best horses, this is not true in all cases, and some of the biggest races in the world are handicaps, such as the Grand National. The most prestigious handicaps run at the Festival include the William Hill Chase for staying chasers and the County Hurdle for speedy 2M hurdlers.
All races are graded at the Festival are graded - the most prestigious contests are, in descending order of importance, Grade 1s, Grade 2s, Grade 3s, Listed contests, Handicaps to Bumpers - the least prestigious. The more highly graded races attract more prize money and better horses – the most important race at the Festival is the Cheltenham Gold Cup worth £500,000 and the prizes run right down to the one with least money on offer the Foxhunters, worth £40,000 but that race is more about prestige that prize money.

The Cheltenham Festival is one of the year's sporting highlights and it moves ever closer.

Mickelson Struggling at Torrey Pines

2012-01-27T18:50:00.000+05:30

Phil Mickelson cut a sorry figure in California, yesterday, finishing the first day of the Farmers Insurance Open on five-over-par 72, to tie for 147 on the leaderboard. The three-time Masters champion is currently trailing his compatriots, and current leaders, Spencer Levin and Kyle Stanley, by 15 points.

Mickelson, at 14/1, is the fourth-favourite to win the Masters Tournament at Augusta, in April, behind Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Lee Westwood. However, if his performance at Torrey Pines is any kind of indicator, the bookmakers have been a little too generous to the 41-year-old American. People following the best US Masters odds online need to remember this.

With seven bogeys on the opening day, Mickelson starts the second round on the back foot. He made just two shots under par, yesterday, at the 6th and 17th, as his accuracy with the driver fell to under 50 perfect. His putting, often described as his forte, was decidedly average; he made 32 attempts with the stick, over the course of the day.

Mickelson's nightmare in the first round is disappointing for the left-hander, in more ways than one. The HSBC Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi has drawn a number of 'big names' away from the Farmers Open, this week a development that leaves Mickelson as one of the few household names in California.

While it would be unfair to the other golfers at Torrey Pines to suggest that this year's line-up poses less of a challenge to Mickelson, the absence of Tiger Woods, the 'poster-boy' of the Farmers Open, had presented Lefty with an opportunity to rack up some points without Woods breathing down his neck.

Tiger, who is currently tied for third in Abu Dhabi, chose to play in the HSBC Championship, alongside Rory McIlroy, due to the larger prize offered by the organisers, both in terms of money and rankings points. Woods is hoping to stake a claim on Luke Donald's no.1 slot on the Rankings, in time for the start of the Masters Tournament.

Bogut Out 'Indefinitely'

2012-01-27T18:41:00.000+05:30

The Milwaukee Bucks' 7ft centre, Andrew Bogut, has been sidelined with a fracture to his left ankle. The Aussie picked up the injury on Wednesday, during the Bucks' 105-99 victory over the Houston Rockets, when he fell awkwardly trying to block a shot. Milwaukee say that Bogut could be out "indefinitely".

Bogut joined the Bucks as their number one pick in the 2005 draft, becoming the first Australian player to be drafted top of the list. The 27-year-old has had a painful time in the NBA, since then, succumbing to injuries on a semi-regular basis. He has not had a problem-free season for at least four years. Those placing an NBA bet online need to remember this.

Speaking after Wednesday's game, Bogut said that he "knew he was in some trouble" when he landed from his block attempt: "Everything's fine with the X-ray [but] tomorrow's the day of reckoning where I go under the MRI machine, and find out my fate." Bogut added that, due to his history of injuries, he is "not optimistic".

The Melbourne-born player has already missed one game this year, Bucks vs. Dallas, on January 13, due to a suspected concussion. His absence was particularly galling for Milwaukee, given that he had been missing on (presumed) compassionate leave for the previous four Bucks' fixtures.

Bogut's list of problems extends back to 2008, when he sustained an injury to his back, an ailment that cost him 43 games. However, his on-court accident in 2010 is his most famous – and painful – problem, to date; he broke his hand, dislocated his elbow, and sprained his wrist in the same fall.

Writing on his Twitter account he said: "I will get back from this. Injury was beyond my control. First step: walking again."

Ovechkin struggling on the rink but rapping off it!

2012-01-27T18:40:00.004+05:30

NHL picks star Alexander Ovechkin has endured a pretty difficult season so far, despite finding himself selected for his fifth All Star game, and there are now signs that he might just be starting to think seriously about the state of his career in hockey, with the player posting online images of him rapping in Russian!

Although it is of course up to individual players to determine their own fates in whatever sport they choose to compete in, surely the likes of Alexander Ovechkin have a responsibility to the game of hockey to maintain a clear and intense focus on their own performances if they wish to stand a chance of pushing hockey back into the limelight for all the right reasons, especially after a year in which the sport has been blighted somewhat by big hits, concussed superstars, and more cash problems than it would care to admit.

With hockey, much like the rest of North American sport, being built on the basis that every franchise is looking to support every other one, rather than strive to achieve individual glory for itself at the sake of others, the same must also be true of players who know that they are part of a united front that hockey tries to present to the world.

If the future of hockey and the NHL is going to be bright and spread beyond these shores. Harnessing the ability of supporters from across the world to tune in and watch hockey online, the likes of Ovechkin will need to ensure that they maintain their focus and start getting back to the top of their game rather than looking to seriously pursue their off rink exploits, leaving the sport looking amateur in the extreme.

Mome pulls up but is still on course for Aintree

2012-01-25T21:00:00.000+05:30

Mon Mome, the 2009 John Smith's Grand National winner who is being prepared for a repeat assault on the 'world's greatest steeplechase', ran well below expectations at Haydock on Saturday in the Grade 2 Peter Marsh Chase but connections put his below-par effort down to the desperate state of the ground and have already drawn a line under the run, writes Elliot Slater.

Despite being faced with unsuitably testing ground hopes were fairly high that the Vida Bingham-owned 12-year-old would put up a good performance at the Lancashire track having run a cracker on his previous start at Cheltenham on New Year's Day when he found only the lightly-weighted Mostly Bob (received 16lbs) too good for him in the very competitive Raceodds Handicap Chase. That run had been on 'Good to Soft' ground but Mon Mome found the heavy underfoot conditions at Haydock all beyond him, regular pilot Aidan Coleman reporting that the veteran was never travelling in the bog-like conditions and that he pulled him up at the 12th when it was clear the horse was simply not enjoying himself and struggling to go the pace. People looking at a Stan James review should remember this.

Trainer Venetia Williams was quick to admit that it might not have been the wisest move (in hindsight) in letting the popular staying chaser run at Haydock, and insisted that he remains on course for a return visit to Liverpool, the scene of his stunning 100/1 success in the 2009 Grand National where he defeated the previous year's race winner Comply Or Die by 12 lengths. Fans of Betvictor racing will remember the event.

Third in the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup (to Imperial Commander), Mon Mome returned this term after missing last season through injury and still looks capable of making his presence felt in the top staying handicap chases given the right conditions. Bookmakers currently rate him a 33/1 shot to win back his crown on April 14.

Kraft had Brady worries

2012-01-25T19:00:00.000+05:30

Patriots' owner Robert Kraft has admitted that he 'shuddered' when he saw Tom Brady take a bone crunching hit on a 1-yard touchdown drive and even wondered if he'd broken his back.

However, Brady recovered from the shattering blow to spike the ball and punch the air in celebration as he scored the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter to help his side beat the Ravens 23-20 in the AFC Championship game. Those looking at the pre Super Bowl NFL betting will have been impressed.

Following the incident, Brady says he is fine and so are the patriots as they now head to the Super Bowl to face the New York Giants on February 5th. However, Kraft thought their dreams may have been over when Brady received the hit from linebacker Ray Lewis and thought that the playmaker may have suffered a life threatening injury.

"We all shuddered up in the box," he said. "We thought that his back might have been broken."

When touching it down, Brady had his head pointing towards the ground and Lewis who had been lining up behind the line made the last ditch tackle as he looked to send Brady back over the line.

The 34-year-old however got up straight away from the incident and none of the players on either side rushed in to have their say.

Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater says this is the way the game should be played and says Lewis had every right to try and tackle Brady.

"That's the way the game should be played, physical," he said.

"This game is not a noncontact sport. So there's going to be hits. We knew that going into the game with those guys. They play physical football and we knew we had to match that going in. I didn't see it as a dirty hit at all."

Tidal Bay shaping up for National reappearance

2012-01-25T15:37:00.004+05:30

Tidal Bay's attempt at the Grand National in 2011 came to an end when the 11-year-old unseated rider Brian Hughes in his first attempt at the famous steeplechase.

Despite the setback last season, it is unlikely to stop connections from having another shot at the feature race at Aintree this year, as Paul Nicholls bids for his first Grand National success.

The run in Merseyside last April was the first time he failed to complete a circuit in his 31 career runs and those looking at the 2012 Grand National odds should remember he has shown he has what it takes to get around some tough courses.

Tidal Bay's seasonal reappearance this time came at Cheltenham on New Year's Day when finishing third in a Class Two handicap hurdle at Prestbury Park. The Graham Wylie-owned runner was behind the impressive Houblon Des Obeaux and Kayf Aramis.

Although Tidal Bay has had 11 wins over hurdles, it is over the biggest fences that he has shown his best potential. He started his novice career by winning the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2008. He followed that up by winning the equivalent novice contest at Aintree a month later.

Tidal Bay's class as a chaser was shown even further last season when he finished sixth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. It was one of the hottest renewals of the blue riband event at the festival, with Long Run, Kauto Star and Denman all involved in the 3m contest.

Before his second shot at the Grand National, he is like to feature at the Cheltenham Festival once again. He has an entry in both the World Hurdle and the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with connections undecided at this stage about which race to bid for with their mount.

Lendl urges patience in Murray Grand Slam hunt

2012-01-24T21:26:00.004+05:30

Ivan Lendl believes Andy Murray will eventually break his grand slam duck but he just needs to have patience and take his chance when it arrives.

The British number one certainly looks in good shape at the moment as he aims for glory at the Australian Open. He moved into the last eight on Monday after his latest opponent, Kazakhstan's Mikhail Kukushkin, was forced to retire when two sets down due to a hip injury.

The Scot now meets rising Japanese star Kei Nishikori in the quarter-final - a showdown that is likely to test Murray much more than his games in Melbourne so far - after Nishikori caused an upset when beating sixth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in five sets.

Lendl, who became Murray's coach at the turn of the year, believes his protege is on course to win a Grand Slam sooner rather than later but, at just 24 years old, he knows the world number four still has time on his side. Those looking at the in-play betting odds need to remember this.

He said: "Part of it is maturing, he is still a fairly young player, he is 25 this year.
"He needs experience and some players learn quicker than others, I was one of the slower ones.

"You just do your thing and keep on doing it and when the door opens you have to step through it."

Murray has made it through to three grand slam finals in his career so far but has yet to taste success. He was beaten by Novak Djokovic at the final hurdle in Melbourne 12 months ago and could meet the Serbian World Number One at the sem-final stage this year.

Lendl, though, insists losing finals is all part of Murray's development and he should not be ashamed as he has been beaten by quality players like current world number four Roger Federer and Djokovic.

He added: "Everyone makes a big thing of Andy being 0-3 in finals but he lost twice to Roger (Federer), arguably the best player of all time and certainly in the Open era.

"Losing to Novak (Djokovic) here last year at the time looked like a bad loss but if that had happened at the US Open everyone would have said Novak had had a fantastic year and no-one would have been riding Andy's tail."

Nuggets Win in Double-Overtime Thriller

2012-01-23T19:58:00.002+05:30

Italian forward, Danilo Gallinari, helped the Denver Nuggets snatch an impressive fourth victory on the road, on Saturday evening, claiming a personal-best 37 points to lift the Nuggets above the New York Knicks, 119-114.

Nuggets-Knicks is always an interesting match-up, on account of the two sides' on-court brawl in 2006. Fortunately, the main point of interest at Madison Square Garden, at the weekend, was the stunning display from Gallinari, who was playing against his former team, the Knicks, for the first time since February 2011.

The Nuggets' team was made up of several former Knicks players, including Al Harrington and Timofey Mazgov. Harrington netted 24 points for Denver, while Mozgov, a player who arrived from New York as part of the trade for Carmelo Anthony, alongside Gallinari, collected a career-high 16.

Anthony could not equal Gallinari's prowess on the ball, missing two-thirds of his attempts on the basket, to end on 25 points and 10 rebounds. The Brooklyn-born player was instrumental, albeit accidentally, in giving the Nuggets a layup at the death, when he tossed a pass wide, and into the hands of Gallinari. Anyone following the bookmakers NBA odds will have been astonished.

He did, however, push the game into overtime with just under two seconds remaining on the clock, to spare the Knicks a regulation defeat.

The popular Anthony has struggled with a wrist problem, in recent weeks, a condition that likely contributed to his awkward display, on Saturday. The forward, having missed a number of shots early in the game, was booed by fans. However, he managed to pull himself together in the later stages of the game.

Gallinari found the Knicks' fans rather more welcoming. Despite being an opposition player, the Italian was applauded by New Yorkers: “It was great. I want to thank all the New York fans for the ovation they gave me”. Gallinari added that Madison Square Garden is “always special. You always find extra motivation [to play].”

The Knicks have now lost six games in a row, a tally that makes the Atlantic division of the Eastern Conference look somewhat suspect; New York are in second place, despite having significantly more losses than victories. The Knicks' win-loss ratio of 6-10 makes the 11-5 of the 76ers, in first place, seem phenomenal, in comparison.

Wood misses Six Nations opener

2012-01-23T18:40:00.003+05:30

England flanker Tom Wood has revealed his disappointment at being forced to sit out the opening games of the Six Nations due to a foot injury.

The Saints back-rower has been ruled out of the Stuart Lancaster’s side’s first two matches against Scotland and Italy and will have to wear protective boot to aid his recovery which is expected to take four weeks following the injury he picked-up in training.

Wood was mentioned as a potential captain for the Six Nations and has admitted his disappointment at missing out on the start of the tournament. Those looking at the in-play Six Nations odd will be sad that he is missing out.

"This cuts pretty deep, because it's an exciting time for English rugby at the moment," Wood told The Daily Telegraph. "It would be good to have been part of that, to have a real fresh start.”

The 25-year-old is seen as one of England’s brightest stars and having made his debut in last season’s competition, was tipped to establish himself in the side.

Unfortunately, he has been hampered by injuries and former coach Martin Johnson’s sometimes questionable selection policy which meant he only played a minor role in the World Cup.

The former Worcester man first picked-up the injury in November but says he and the Saints’ coaching staff have been managing the problem. However, he believes it has gone on too long and after struggling with the pain, has decided to give it a rest to ensure his long term fitness.

"The injury is one I've been trying to manage for a while, but it needs rest to avoid any operations further down the line. So the foot's going to be in this boot for the next few weeks, immobilised, to give it the best chance of healing," he said.

"One day in November, I changed direction in training and felt what I thought was a tear. It was awkward. I've been in and out of the boot, managing my load and having the odd weekend off. But it's just getting a bit too much now."

Manning fit for Championship game

2012-01-23T18:13:00.001+05:30

After a slight scare, 2008 Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning has confirmed he will be fit for the New York Giants NFC title game against the San Francisco 49ers after suffering from 'a stomach bug'.

Manning felt ill when he woke up on Wednesday but decided to 'tough it out' and took full part in the walk through plays before letting stand-in David Carr take over the live snaps.

However, after receiving some intravenous fluids he says he is back to 100% and is relieved that he fell ill on Wednesday and not at the weekend. Those looking at the best online Super Bowl odds will be wondering if he will be back to full fitness.

"It wasn't going well so I tried to be smart," said Manning. "It was fortunate it happened on a Wednesday and not later in the week."

Even if he had been ill, it is highly unlikely that Manning would have missed the match due to a stomach virus. The quarterback is known as one of the toughest players in the sport and is currently on a record streak of 128 consecutive starts and has overcome much more serious issue to maintain that run.

In 2007 he played through a shoulder injury while in 2009 he refused to let a foot problem sideline him.

The 31-year-old has downplayed the fuss surrounding his recent illness and says he is now fully focussed on his team's trip to California. "I didn't watch too much TV so I didn't see the attention it was getting," he said. "You know, when you get into big games like this any little thing that pops up people make a big deal about. We can put it behind us now and focus on the game."

Robertson predicts huge game

2012-01-21T17:19:00.000+05:30

Neil Robertson predicted a "huge game" against either John Higgins or Shaun Murphy after beating Judd Trump 6-3 on Saturday to reach the BGC Masters final.

China Open winner Trump held the upper-hand over Robertson going into their last-four showdown at Alexandra Palace, having beaten the Australian at the World Championship last season and UK Championship last month, but his potting game suffered against his opponent's all-round game. Anyone following the pre-match snooker betting will be wondering if has what it takes to go all the way.

The former world champion Robertson led 3-1 and 5-1 before Trump rallied – only for the Melbourne cue man to jump all over a mistake by the 22-year-old to close out the match in north London.

Robertson admitted Trump was not at his explosive best and was relieved to come through a tough test of his credentials.

"I thought I played really well to go 3-1 up. I thought I played really good matchplay snooker and thankfully he missed a couple," Robertson told BBC Sport.

Murphy beat world number one Mark Selby 6-2 to secure a Masters semi-final against world champion Higgins, who he will meet on Saturday night. World champion Higgins recorded five half-century breaks plus a 109 to beat Graeme Dott 6-3 and Robinson said he was anticipating another huge challenge.

"Hopefully I can keep my run [in finals] going and I'll be playing one of the two greats of the game. Either opponent, it's going to be a huge game," he added.

Sens break losing streak against toothless Sharks

2012-01-20T19:21:00.000+05:30

Over the past few months, the Senators have not really been perceived as a franchise able to be labelled as real playoff contenders, but the team have started to put themselves back on the map in a big way following a fantastic victory on the road against the San Jose Sharks in a game that displayed the exact reasons why the Sens are starting to be thought of by those who bet on hockey as the nightmare team to be facing in the NHL.

With the likes of Anderson and Alfie starting to grab the headlines for all the right reasons, and with the rest of the roster looking solid, the franchise's record streak on the road looks likely to continue, to such an extent that the Sens know they could soon become a real contender for the Stanley Cup if they can keep pulling together on the ice.

Having seen individuals like Heatley and Emery leave the franchise in recent years, and with the roster beginning to look far more balanced and natural than it has over the last couple of seasons, the citizens of Ottawa, as well as those who watch live hockey online are slowly starting to feel the same sort of vibe that was doing the rounds in the city when they took on the Ducks in a previous Stanley Cup final (albeit one that didn't end well for the Sens).

If they can manage to recapture the belief and spirit they had in abundance back then, and throw into the mix a little bit more experience and a number of players dedicated to showing that they are the best in the business, then we may just start to see the Sens firmly back to their best.

On a final note, while most Ottawa fans will be pleased to see this, spare a thought for Leafs nation, who have watched their local rivals bounce back from crisis while they remain in one themselves

Race for Championship hotting up

2012-01-20T18:09:00.000+05:30

Charlton Athletic moved a step closer to a return to the Championship after a crucial 1-0 victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Saturday.

Wednesday went into the game in fine form having lost just once in 12 games and the soccer betting was unable to separate the sides come kick-off. But Johnnie Jackson’s free-kick was enough to see the leaders prevail and consign Wednesday to their first home defeat of the season.

Wednesday would have gone just two points behind Charlton with victory. Instead, they dropped eight points behind the table-toppers in fourth place. They fell one place as Huddersfield Town capitalised on their defeat.

Town left it late in their game with Oldham Athletic at the Galpharm Stadium. It looked as if Huddersfield would have to settle for a frustrating goalless draw heading into the dying stages, only for substitute Alan Lee to head the winner four minutes from time. They moved to within three points of Sheffield United, who ran out convincing 3-0 winners at Gigg Lane.

Bury were unbeaten in the league since October but had no answer as the Blades scored three
second-half goals without reply to keep pace with Charlton at the top. Richard Cresswell, Ched Evans and Lee Williamson were the scorers for Danny Wilson’s side.

MK Dons are the only other side with realistic automatic promotion aspirations and they endured a frustrating weekend after their game against play-off hopefuls Carlisle United was postponed at the last minute due to a frozen pitch.

Charlton are in pole position however for punters looking to bet on the championship title. They are four points ahead of Sheffield United with a game in hand. Intriguingly, the top two face off at the Valley this weekend. It is a six-pointer which could prove to be season-defining.

Passionate Beckham pens new Galaxy deal

2012-01-20T16:42:00.000+05:30

David Beckham admits he is still passionate about playing in America after agreeing a new two-year contract with LA Galaxy.

The soccer betting tips had suggested that the 36-year-old former England captain would be returning to Europe after helping the Galaxy with the MLS Cup championship in November, with the likes of Paris St Germain and Tottenham reportedly interested in snapping him up.

However Beckham, who has been in Los Angeles since 2007, is happy to extend his time in the USA and punters can bet on soccer games knowing the former England captain will be back on the field. Beckham admitted he is keen to help the Galaxy defend the MLS Cup they secured when they beat Houston Dynamo 1-0 two months ago.

"This was an important decision for me,” said the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star. "I had many offers from clubs from around the world. However, I'm still passionate about playing in America and winning trophies with the Galaxy."

Beckham enjoyed his best season in Los Angeles last year, posting a career-high 15 assists and scoring twice in 26 games, his most appearances since joining the league.

Seven of his assists during the regular season were game-winners, and he also managed an assist in all four of the Galaxy's post-season games.

Beckham, who has also spent two loan spells with AC Milan during his time with the Galaxy, has won 115 caps for England, finding the net on 17 occasions when representing his country.

The Galaxy return to competitive action on Wednesday 7th March when they take on Toronto FC in the first leg of their 2011-12 Champions League quarter-final.

They open the 2012 MLS season three days later when they host Real Salt Lake at The Home Depot Center.

Premier League's bottom sides make their move

2012-01-19T21:44:00.000+05:30

Jean Beausejour looks set for a move to Wigan Athletic after the Lancashire club agreed a fee with Birmingham City.

The 27-year-old, who has been a standout performer in the Championship this season, will now open talks with the Premier League basement side.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has previously stated his desire to bring in quality to complement the players he already has at the club and boost his team's chances in the relegation betting stakes.

Speaking after his side’s 3-1 defeat at Queens Park Rangers, Martinez said: "We will use the transfer window to try to help the players we have at the club, but we already have belief and desire to do it."

The Chile international joined the Blues in August 2010 after impressive performances in the 2010 World Cup and has gone on to make 55 appearances for the club.

Beausejour has played a big role in Birmingham’s ascent up the Championship table and would be a big loss to Chris Hughton’s side.

It remains to be seen whether the Chilean makes the move from the Midlands. Birmingham currently occupy a play-off spot in the Championship, while Wigan are in real danger of losing their top-flight status.

Punters who bet on relegation will also take note transfer activity elsewhere among the strugglers.

Elsewhere at the bottom, Bolton’s survival hopes received a boost with news that American defender Tim Ream has been granted a work permit.

The 24-year-old will make the move across the Atlantic after impressing Owen Coyle while training with the club. Once the formalities are completed, Ream will complete his move from New York Bulls and could be a long-term replacement for Gary Cahill.

Mark Hughes will have to look elsewhere for firepower after Brazilian striker Henrique was denied a work permit. The QPR boss was hoping Henrique would go some way to solving the R’s problems in front of goal, but his work permit application was turned down.

Harrington holding out for more major glory

2012-01-19T19:11:00.003+05:30

Ireland's only triple major winner Padraig Harrington insists he can win more majors but said patience could be key in his bid for more golfing glory.

Harrington is preparing for his first tournament of the season - this week's Volvo Golf Champions event in South Africa - where he hopes to erase the memory of a disappointing 2011, a year that saw him slip down to 89th in the world rankings. People searching online for free bets should remember this.

Despite his recent lack of success, the Dubliner, who won successive Open titles in 2007 and 2008, remains upbeat about his game and has plenty of confidence that he can compete for the big titles once again - hopefully this year.

"I didn't have a great year last year, but it doesn't worry me in the greater scheme of things because I know you just can't win them every year. You have to sit there and be patient and wait for your turn - and, like 2007 and 2008, they all come at once." Harrington said.

The Irishman certainly enjoyed a rich vein of form four years ago when he also triumphed in the US PGA Championship in 2008 to cap a dream 14-month spell but, since then, his game has slumped and he has struggled to be in contention for the majors in recent years while the likes of fellow countrymen Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and even veteran Darren Clarke taste glory.

Harrington admits coping with the expectation levels that follow once players finally make the major breakthrough is difficult but he is staying patient in his bid to recapture former glories.

He added: "People have this idea that just because you play well and you win one you should be doing that every year. That's the hardest thing. It definitely puts a big burden on anybody who wins a major, it really does. There's a lot of expectation that goes with it."

Murphy sees of nerves and Gould

2012-01-18T19:37:00.003+05:30

World number six Shaun Murphy revealed he overcame a bout of nerves when turning on the style to shatter the dream for local fancy Martin Gould at the BGC Masters on Monday night.

Alexandra Palace, home of the PDC World Darts Championship, is staging snooker's blue chip invitation-only event for the first time but Murphy took to the famous old venue like a duck to water in a convincing 6-2 victory.

He closed with a sensational 139 total clearance to emerge as the early the front-runner for the £15,000 reward for the biggest break of the event and is now through to the last eight at Ally Pally to face Mark Selby or Stephen Lee.

Gould was also quickly into his stride, winning the first frame with breaks of 41 and 60, and was in the box seat to secure the second only for Murphy to win it on the colours in what proved a major turning point in the match. Those following the best snooker betting odds will have been surprised by the way Gould let it slip.

Breaks of 107, 59 and 82 then saw former World and UK Champion Murphy surge 4-1 ahead in north London.

Middlesex cue-man Gould, runner-up in the Player Tour Championship Grand Finals, rallied briefly but his joy was short-lived as Murphy rattled in 89 and 139 to clinch the result.

"I've been scoring well recently and I'm in good shape," he said. "It was a great atmosphere, a great crowd here. I've been here to watch the darts before and the atmosphere is electric in this place."

Gould added: "There aren't many players who have won the World Championship, even less have won the World and the UK, and there's a very small group of players who have won the three major championships. This is the only one that's eluded me. I've never got to the semi-finals so maybe new venue, new start."

Allen 'lost interest'

2012-01-18T16:47:00.001+05:30

Mark Allen courted more controversy at the BGC Masters when he revealed he "completely lost interest" during his 6-3 defeat by Neil Robertson.

In a veiled swipe at his opponent, the Antrim cue man pointed a finger at Robertson's playing style and added he "couldn't really be bothered" after the interval as the Australian rattled off four frames in a row to close out the win. Those placing a snooker bet online will have been disappointed by his attitude.

The Northern Irishman hit the headlines at the UK Championship last month when he called on World Snooker supremo Barry Hearn to quit.

"If Neil got on with it he would be a bit better to watch because at times I didn't want to watch him play," said the world number 10.

"Neil is the sort of player who can keep you out of the game for long periods and it was hard for me to keep my focus.

"He's very good at it and knows he can do that to players."

Allen added: "I let it get to me and hopefully I will learn from it and will not let it happen in the future."

The UK Championship runner-up suggested he was still on a high after his near-miss last month and intimated he had possibly not taken Robertson seriously.

He added: "I don't know what happened out there - I felt quite flat after the interval but still wanted to win the game.

"Maybe I was a bit over-confident and felt I just had to turn up, at 3-2 ahead, to win so I got what I deserved."

Former world champion Robertson, priced at 7/1 with Ladbrokes to win the tournment, will aim to make the semi-finals of the showpiece invitation-only event when he taken on Mark Williams on Friday at Alexandra Palace.

Barcelona vs Real Copa Del Ray

2012-01-18T16:47:00.000+05:30

It is arguably the most eagerly anticipated fixture of the season as Real Madrid take on Barcelona in El Classico, and us football fans have been treated to a bonus edition of the fixture as the two Spanish giants meet each other in the Copa Del Ray tonight, with the game being a favourite with victor chandler free bets.

Although Barcelona finished the year as World and European champions, as well as winning Real in the league in December, they have struggled to match their usually high standards and have fallen 5 points behind Madrid in the league as bwin makes Jose Mourhinos men favourites to win the La Liga title.

After dropping points against Espanyol last week, Barcalona were troubled by Betis this weekend, which saw Pep Guardiola display his anger towards his teams performance.

As Barca lost a two goal lead at the weekend to be pulled back to 2-2. Guardiola was seen admonishing Xavi. A reaction that was down to Peps frustration at his players failing to stick to their principles of passing forward and sideways rather than being content to pass backwards and making wrong decisions as a team. Messi and co did eventually win the game 4-2 but the stumbling performance could be put down to the team being both physically and mentally tired after a gruelling few years of being at the very peak of World football week in week out.

You could say then, that this is a great time for Madrid and Jose Mourinho's men to get one over on their rivals who have dominated them in the past couple of years.

But while everybody thought that Mourinho would record his first victory over Barca as Real manager in December, Barca dominated the game and proved that Real were still some way off from having the ability and knowledge to win.

Barcelona will no doubt once again raise their game for this key clash, as they will be looking for revenge from the Copa Del Ray loss last season, as Ronaldo's extra time header won the cup for the galactico's.

It will certainly be a fantastic game in the the first leg at the Bernebuea tonight.

Synchronised set for Hennessy Gold Cup

2012-01-18T16:30:00.003+05:30

Grand National fancy Synchronised could run in the Hennessy Gold Cup in Ireland according to his connections.

The nine-year-old was last seen when winning the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over the Christmas period, finishing ahead of favourite Quito De La Roque and fancied runner Rubi Light.

Trainer Jonjo O'Neill will be aiming to win his first Hennessy Gold Cup with Synchronised next month in a race that is served as a leading trial for the Cheltenham Gold Cup at the festival in March.

If the J P McManus-owned gelding runs a strong race in Ireland, a shot at the blue riband event a month later could be a realistic option for their talented chaser. Those with online Grand National free bets should remember this.

However, the Grand National has always been a target for this horse this season. Synchronised has proven he is capable of staying over trips of four mile plus on more than one occasion. He won the Midlands Grand National over the trip of 4m2f in 2010, and went on to finish third in the same race 12 months later.

McManus' racing manager Frank Berry believes the horse is in good health and expects a strong run once against at Leopardstown next month.

“All going well he's going for the Irish Hennessy and he's picked up well after his run at Christmas,” he said. “Jonjo is very happy with him.

"We were delighted to see him handle the ground so well at Leopardstown last month. To be fair, he has looked a lot sharper this season than he has in the past.”

If Synchronised does go on to run in the Grand National, and wins the race, it will be O'Neill's second success in the famous steeplechase after Don't Push It broke his duck in 2010.

Mancini urges Blues response

2012-01-17T20:53:00.001+05:30

Following their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in their Carling Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday night, Manchester City boss has urged his side to get back to winning ways.

The Blues have their League Cup ambitions hanging in the balance, as the find themselves a goal down against the Reds ahead of the return leg at Anfield later this month. Those following the Carling Cup betting will wonder if they can turn things around.

A first-half Steven Gerrard penalty was the difference between the two sides but Liverpool would have put the tie to bed were it not for some superb saves from City shot stopper Joe Hart.

Having been knocked out of the FA Cup by arch rivals Manchester United in their previous outing, City’s chances of winning a domestic cup competition now hang by a thread, with the Eastlands outfit needing to get a result on Merseyside to reach the final at Wembley.

Either Crystal Palace or Cardiff City from the Championship will be awaiting the Blues or the Reds in this year’s final at the home of football and Mancini has called his team to get back to winning ways following two consecutive defeats. People placing a Carling Cup bet should remember this.

The Italian tactician said: "I thought we played better in the second half, we were poor in the first half. In the end we didn't deserve to lose, but we were unlucky.

"This moment is very difficult, but it is important that we stay very confident. This moment is not a good moment. We have to continue to work and continue to believe in ourselves."

Brady outguns Tebow

2012-01-17T19:04:00.003+05:30

The master outplayed the apprentice as the New England Patriots ran out convincing winners over the Denver Broncos to book an AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow was hyped up in the football betting before the game but it was Tom Brady who stole the show in the 45-10 playoff victory at Gillette Stadium on Saturday. The experienced quarterback threw for 509 yards and six touchdowns as he equalled the record for most touchdowns in a post-season game. Rob Gronkowski was the main beneficiary with three touchdown catches and 145 yards.

Five of Brady’s six touchdown passes came in the first half. He hit Wes Welker and Gronkowski for touchdowns in the first quarter to give the Patriots an early advantage.

The Broncos responded early in the second quarter through a Willis McGahee touchdown. However, Brady inspired three unanswered touchdowns before halftime – Gronkowski scoring his second and third of the game either side of Deion Branch's 61-yard effort. The Patriots went into the break with an unassailable 35-7 lead.

Aaron Hernandez scored in the third quarter as the New England threatened to run riot. The scoring was completed when Matt Prater and Stephen Gostkowski exchanged field goals.

It was a sobering experience for Tebow, who had been a revelation for the Broncos on their run to the play-offs and there was a flood of NFL bets hoping for a fairytale ending. However, Tebow gained just 136 yards to Brady's 509.

The Patriots take on the Ravens for the AFC title on January 22 and a place in the Super Bowl finale against either the New York Giants or San Francisco 49ers.

With Brady in this kind of form, you wouldn’t back against the Patriots lifting the Super Bowl for the first time since 2004.

Cooper's accusers are scraping the barrel

2012-01-17T17:26:00.000+05:30

Having been around the racing game for some while I can assure you that nothing sickens me more than a jockey that is thrashing a horse who is not responding and is clearly beaten. Such a misdemeanour deserves punishing, but the massive 52-day ban handed out to amateur rider Robert Cooper recently is simply a travesty of justice, writes Elliot Slater.

Cooper is certainly not the most stylish jockey I've ever seen, but to most seasoned observers his winning ride on Elton Fox at Uttoxeter on New Year's Eve was in most aspects a good one, gathering his mount up to go after the leader on the run-in and driving him home to score by a length from Avenging Ace. There's no doubt that Cooper exceeded the new limit on using the whip, (he admits that), but the punishment was based on his horse not having been given time to respond, yet the gelding went from being two-lengths down after the last to a length in front at the line, so he must have been responding, mustn't he? Fans of victor chandler racing should think about this.

52 days is a massive ban for an amateur who has limited riding opportunities, but less than 24 hours after that news broke, Cooper rode another winner on board Mortimer's Cross at Fontwell - a horse who didn't need any persuasion and was only struck once during the closing stages - and in a show of bottled-up exasperation and obvious joy threw his whip away as he crossed the wining line. Anyone looking at the Stan James betting should bear this in mind.

Horse racing is about winning races, and if a horse can be persuaded to try harder when in with a realistic chance of improving its finishing position without being abused then the whip should be used. Abuse of the whip should be punished, but 52 days for a good winning ride? The BHA ,(who banned senior jockey Robert Winston for 22 days just a day later for a similar breach), have got this wrong and need to quickly review their guidelines before we are left without enough jockeys to partner the intended runners at the forthcoming Cheltenham Festival!

Lakers hold off depleted Grizzlies

2012-01-17T16:51:00.001+05:30

The Los Angeles Lakers edged an error-strewn game to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 90-82 and record their sixth consecutive home victory.

Kobe Bryant scored 26 points and Andrew Bynum 15 points and 15 rebounds as the Lakers -heavily fancied in the pre-game NBA betting tips - struggled to see off the challenge of the injury-hit Grizzlies.

The Lakers committed a season-high 27 turnovers and the giveaways led to 26 points for the visitors. Rudy Gay led five players in double figures for Memphis with 19 points, but it wasn’t enough for the Grizzlies as they fell to their second successive loss.

The Lakers raced into a nine-point lead in the first quarter and stretched that lead out to 14 points in the second, with Bryant and Pau Gasol to the fore.

Trailing 78-68 after three quarters, the Grizzlies scored six unanswered points to make it 78-74 with just over nine minutes left on the clock. That proved to be the closest Memphis got as Barnes reaffirmed the Lakers’ position of superiority with back-to-back buckets.

From a personal point of view, it was a disappointing outing for Lakers star man Bryant, who has heavily fancied to top score by the NBA online experts. However, Bryant scored just four points in the fourth quarter, failing to hit 30 points for the first time in four games.

The Lakers have now won six of eight after losing their first two games and haven’t lost at Staples Center since their season opener at Christmas. Memphis were left to count the cost of injuries as they failed to build on an impressive recent record against Los Angeles. The Grizzlies stormed to victory last time out at Staples – winning the contest by a 19-point margin.

It wasn’t to be this time around, though. The Lakers had just enough to get over the line.

Red Hot Thunder see off struggling Celtics

2012-01-17T10:30:00.000+05:30

Kevin Durant scored 28 points with seven rebounds for the Oklahoma City Thunder as they beat the Boston Celtics 97-88 on Monday night to continue their hot streak.

Russell Westbrook was also amongst the points as the Thunder – the hot favourite among NBA betting tips - made it seven wins in a row and consigned the Celtics to their fifth straights loss. Westbrook scored 26 points, including two vital three-pointers late on to secure the victory for Oklahoma.

Thabo Sefolosha scored 12 points in the fourth quarter for the Thunder and Kendrick Perkins had seven points and five rebounds on his return to Boston. Paul Pierce scored 24 points and Kevin Garnett had 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Celtics.

The Thunder started the game in confident mood and led 25-17 after the first quarter. They stretched that lead out to ten points in the second and held a 46-39 advantage at halftime.

Pierce hit a purple patch either side of the break and threatened to haul the Celtics back into the contest. He scored Boston’s last six points in the second quarter and three more quick baskets early in the third.

Back-to-back-layups by Jermaine O’Neal tied the score at 57 each with five minutes to play in the third, but the Thunder went on to score the last seven points of the quarter to make it a ten-point game.

Boston hit back in the final quarter and cut the deficit to 83-80 with 2:25 to play. However, the Thunder raised their game in the closing stages with Sefolosha and Westbrook to the fore.

Punters who bet on basketball expect Oklahoma to continue their impressive form against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night, while the Celtics will look to get their season back on track when they play Toronto Raptors.

Schottenheimer set for Rams role

2012-01-16T20:57:00.000+05:30

A league source has confirmed that Brian Schottenheimer has offered the post of offensive coordinator at the St Louis Rams and is expected to accept the role on Jeff Fisher's staff.

Fisher was recently appointed the head coach of Missouri franchise and has understandably been quick to appoint his own staff as he prepares for next season and his new team's assault on the play-offs.

The 53-year-old was appointed to the post on Friday after a season out of the game following the end of his tenure as the head coach of Tennessee. He is expected to bring some much needed stability to the team after he previously spent 16 years with the Titans and will be once again looking to build a dynasty. Those following the best Super Bowl betting should bear this in mind.

Schottenheimer recently left the New York Jets after six years in the BIG Apple, saying he was looking for a new challenge within the game. The 38-year-old has been with the Jets since 2006 but had come in for criticism in recent years after his offence went from one of the best in the league to one of the worst.

His former side have already moved to name former Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano as his replacement and it now looks as he's going to make an almost instant return to the NFL.

Despite interest from the University of Alabama , it now looks almost certain that Schottenheimer will be back in the NFL and it will be intriguing to see whether or not he can turn the Rams offence around.

Calgary puts 'The Hen' back in the spotlight

2012-01-16T15:01:00.001+05:30

Henrietta Knight, one of jump racing's most beloved characters and affectionately known by many as 'The Hen', grabbed a piece of the limelight at Cheltenham's New Year's Day meeting when her talented sort Calgary Bay bounced back to his best to score in the Grade 3 Bet With Your Mobile Victor Chandler Chase, writes Elliot Slater.

A horse with a tremendous amount of ability who it would be fair to say hasn't really achieved as much as many people anticipated, there is little doubt that the nine-year-old goes best at Cheltenham having recorded three of his four victories at the undulating Prestbury Park circuit from a total of 27 career starts. People who have read a Stan James review need to bear this in mind.

With only six winners registered during the 2010/11 season during what was a very difficult period for Knight after her partner, former champion jumps jockey and living legend Terry Biddlecombe suffered a stroke, things have started to look up this term and Calgary Bay's length-and-a-quarter success over Hector's Choice put the yard back in the spotlight following on from stable star Somersby's decent effort in finishing fourth behind Kauto Star in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. People looking at a Bwin review should remember this.

Decent ground and a strong pace are essential ingredients to bring out the best in Calgary Bay who as a young novice chaser had appeared to be destined for great things after landing the Grade 2 Dipper Novices Chase, but whilst he has run a number of decent races over the last three years invariably the son of Taipan has failed to deliver and run to his full potential. All roads will once again lead back to the home of National Hunt racing with Knight planning an assault on one of the big handicaps at Cheltenham in March, after which she would like to have another crack at the John Smith's Grand National, a race in which Calgary Bay only got as far as the fourth fence last year where he took a heavy fall.

Parish Hall to target 2000 Guineas

2012-01-13T17:40:00.000+05:30

Parish Hall, on offer at ante-post odds of between 16/1 and 25/1 for the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket at the start of May has been announced an intended runner by his trainer Jim Bolger and will be trained to make a bold bid for the first colts' classic of 2012, writes Elliot Slater.

Initially considered a more likely type for middle distances and in particular the Epsom and/or Irish Derby, the three-year-old colt, a winner of two of his five starts last term most notably the Group 1 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes on the Rowley Mile in October, showed enough speed to win the race that Frankel took the previous year before going on to success in the mile classic, and while the Bolger's son of Teofilio is not considered within hailing distance of the world's highest rated racehorse, he is now considered far more versatile in trip than had originally been thought. Those following the latest online horse racing betting odds will be keeping an eye on his progress.

A 20/1 shot when getting the better of fellow Irish raider Power by half-a-length at HQ, jockey Kevin Manning has reportedly been instrumental in persuading Bolger that Parish Hall has the required pace to be a genuine contender for the 2000 Guineas as well as the stamina to make a bold show in the Derby. Bolger has now stated publicly that his charge will be trained for both races, bookmakers having included his horse amongst a posse priced up at 20/1 co-second favourites behind the outstanding Aidan O'Brien-trained favourite Camelot, generally on offer at just 3/1.

Prior to his Newmarket win it is fair to say that Parish Hall hadn't really looked a horse out of the very top drawer and many pundits have questioned the value of the Dewhurst form with the first five home having been covered by little more than length.

Betfair blunder shouldn't detract from fine Vedette victory

2012-01-13T15:01:00.003+05:30

A technical glitch on the normally slick Betfair exchange website that caused the smart mare Voler La Vedette to be matched to a total of £23 million in-running when she was clearly going best and likely to win has somewhat overshadowed the performance of the Colm Murphy-trained mare who did everything right in proving too strong for the smart Mourad in the Grade 2 woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown, writes Elliot Slater.

The huge volume of bets matched at up to 28/1 in-running was eventually voided by the leading betting exchange who apologised for the error that was blamed on a freak series of technical faults. That story grabbed all the headlines and rather took the attention away from what had been a fine effort from the daughter of King's Theatre who confirmed her superiority over the runner-up for the second time in four weeks and in the process proved that she stays three-miles well, giving connections plenty of food for thought as to which Cheltenham Festival target, if any, they should go for. People looking at the Stan James betting should remember this.

Last season Voler La Vedette was not sent over to Cheltenham to take on Quevega in the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle, a race in which she had finished a highly respectable third to the great Willie Mullins-trained mare in 2010. Owner/breeder Margaret Brophy has made no secret of the fact that she doesn't really like her horses competing at the Cheltenham Festival so trainer Colm Murphy has a task on his hands in trying to persuade Mrs Brophy that her star performer should either have another crack at the Quevega in the 'David Nicholson', or should try her luck against the mighty Big Buck's in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. Fans of Bwin should bear this in mind.

Bookmakers currently rate Voler La Vedette a 4/1 second favourite for the mares event whilst offering around 10/1 about her preventing Big Buck's completing a four-timer in the staying hurdles championship.

Hughes determined to prove himself

2012-01-12T12:49:00.000+05:30

New Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Hughes is determined to grasp the opportunity with both hands after joining the club on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

The former Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City boss took over the reins at Loftus Road just 48 hours after the sacking of Neil Warnock and is excited by the challenge ahead of him.

Hughes said: "I'm fully aware of the challenge in the short and long term and I am genuinely excited about the ambition of the owners. The immediate priority is to consolidate our place in the Premier League. The future is very bright."

The 48-year-old left Fulham in June and was runaway favourite in the soccer betting to take over from Gerard Houllier as manager of Aston Villa. That never materialised and Hughes had been without a club since.

He takes over a QPR side 17th in the table and without a win in since they beat Stoke City 3-2 on November 19. An eight-game winless run has seen them drop eight places in that time and are now among the favourites in the relegation betting. QPR chairman Tony Fernandes believes Hughes is the man to arrest that slump.

"He has a great passion to achieve as a manager and has already been hugely successful in his career. His ambitions match those of the board and we are delighted to have him at the helm," Fernandes said.

Hughes will have money to spend during the transfer window and has already been linked with an audacious bid for out-of-favour Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez.

The new boss will begin his tenure with a trip to Tyneside to face Newcastle United on Sunday, before hosting MK Dons in the FA Cup third round replay just two days later.

Lakers hold off depleted Grizzlies

2012-01-11T21:25:00.002+05:30

Tim Tebow was the hero for the Denver Broncos as they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-23 in their AFC wild-card clash on Sunday.

Quarterback Tebow found Demaryius Thomas with an 80-yard touchdown pass on the first play of overtime to give the underdogs a dramatic victory that defied the NFL bets before the game - Denver's first playoff win in six years. The play was the quickest ending to an overtime in NFL history at 11 seconds.

The Steelers (12-5), missing top tackler Ryan Clark, lost the contest despite Ben Roethlisberger inspiring a late comeback. The injury-depleted Pittsburgh overcame a two-touchdown halftime deficit to score ten points in the final ten minutes and take the game into overtime.

In the end, Tebow was just too good for the Steelers as their season came to an end. He completed 10 of 21 passes, with Thomas the recipient of four of them for 204 yards after Eric Decker left the field with a left knee injury in the second quarter. Tebow threw for a total of 316 yards and also ran 10 times for 50 yards.

His crowning moment came at the end when he found Thomas and the wide receiver evaded Ryan Mundy on his way to the end zone. The touchdown sparked wild celebrations and led to a victory lap from the Broncos. Tebow and 20 unanswered points in the second quarter proved to be the difference between the two teams.

The Broncos (9-8) will face the top-seeded New England Patriots (13-3) on Saturday night, with last month’s 41-23 defeat at the hands of the same opposition fresh on their minds. Those who bet on NFL games with know they will need all of Tebow’s magic to overcome Tom Brady and the Patriots this time around.

Ferof out to enhance Arkle Chase credentials

2012-01-11T21:17:00.001+05:30

2011 was a tremendous year for the Paul Nicholls-trained Al Ferof who went through the 12 month period unbeaten in three races over hurdles and two over fences, and who heads into 2012 as a leading contender for honours for the Irish Independent Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, writes Elliot Slater.

The John Hales-owned grey had shown smart form the previous calendar year in running second to Cue Card in the Cheltenham Festival Bumper and finishing third to Backspin in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle, but went from strength-to-strength in 2011 with a series of fine performances highlighted by his two-length victory over Spirit Son in the Supreme Novices Hurdle. Those placing an online Cheltenham bet should bear this in mind.

Beginning the current campaign with the new challenge of making up into a novice chaser the seven-year-old certainly wasn’t given an easy option for his first public outing over fences when asked to compete in the Grade 2 Independent Newspaper Novices Chase at Cheltenham in November, but he did everything right and jumped like an old hand in dishing out a seven-length eating to the decent Astracad.

Immediately stepped up by the champion trainer to Grade 1 company, Al Ferof then showed talent as well as plenty of guts in repelling the tough For Non Stop to land the Henry VII Novices Chase at Sandown in early-December, toughing it out in the closing stages as the runner-up came hard at him on the run from the final fence, eventually holding on by a neck.

That effort convinced many observers that Al Ferof has what it takes to run a massive race in the Arkle Chase and he is currently quoted at odds of up to 7/1 to land the two-mile novice chasing crown. First though he will have to continue his education over the larger obstacles and Nicholls is very seriously considering throwing him in at the deep end once again by asking the talented performer to take on more experience horses in the Grade 1 Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot on January 21.

Green future still uncertain but looking optimistic

2012-01-11T20:33:00.000+05:30

With Boston Celtics fans left shocked not so long ago when news emerged that Jeff Green had been diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm and would need surgery as a matter of priority, a ray of light has been cast over basketball in the city of Boston today with the news that the player has had an operation and all, thankfully, went well. The Celtics coach Doc Rivers released a statement revealing that the thoughts and prayers of the club are with the family and friends of Green, along with the player himself who now faces an uncertain future on the court.

This game matters so much to the millions queuing up at games, tuning on TV or watching NBA online but at times like this, clearly basketball and other sport is placed firmly in perspective - a fact that the Celtics surely realise.

Rivers has been stating that his dream is to see Jeff Green play again, perhaps next season, even if it isn't for Boston, but questions over his future will no doubt come up time and again as the weeks and months pass by this season.

Green won't play again this season as he recovers from surgery, but doctors have told the Celtics there is no reason why he shouldn't make it an ambition to turn out for NBA action during the 2012/2013 season. Fans who love to watch play and bet on basketball will certainly hope so.

The question, therefore, lies over where the player will be should he indeed make this return to the court. If he does return, it'll be as an unrestricted free agent, which means that any team is now able to sign Green, even when he's not fully fit.

The Celtics have been praised for the way in which they've handled the situation and shown their support to Green with a gesture regarding his contract, but that certainly doesn't mean it'll be Boston that becomes the player's home as next season approaches...

Raikkonen set for F1 return

2012-01-10T21:22:00.000+05:30

Finnish driver, Kimi Raikkonen, is to make a long-awaited return to Formula 1 racing, later this month. The former world champion will take the wheel at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo on January 23, following a two-year hiatus from the sport, in which he concentrated on rally-style motor racing.

The Espoo-born driver abandoned F1 at the end of 2009, after a disappointing season in the cockpit. He was replaced in the Ferrari team by Spanish driver, Fernando Alonso. However, rumours of Raikkonen's imminent return to the sport began to circulate almost immediately after his departure. Those following the best F1 betting online will be keeping an eye on his return.

Raikkonen, 32, was apparently possessed of a wanderlust; he was briefly linked to Renault, Toyota F1, and Mercedes GP in 2009 and 2010, despite enjoying moderate success in the World Rally Championships. Then, in 2011, he made his debut at the popular stock car racing event, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

The Finn will race with Lotus F1, in 2012. "I don't think I've lost any speed", Raikkonen told his new employer. The driver noted that "getting on top of the tyres" will be the biggest challenge of the upcoming season, a comment that hints at Lotus' decision to switch tyre supplier from Bridgestone to Pirelli, last year.

Whether Raikkonen will be able to rediscover the form that saw him become world champion in 2007 is debatable, given that he hasn't driven a F1 car since 2009, but the Finn insists that he is "not worried".

Raikkonen's decision to return to his old stamping ground has not been universally applauded, with some fans taking umbrage with the driver's lack of allegiance to F1 – or indeed, to any sport that he has participated in, over the last few years. The driver says that he is not concerned by critics: "I do my own thing, and, as long as I'm happy with it, then that's the main thing for me".

Lampard keen to stick around at Stamford Bridge

2012-01-09T21:06:00.004+05:30

Frank Lampard is a man who clearly feels like he has the talent, drive, and determination to warrant a place in Chelsea's starting line-up week in, week out, in all competitions domestic and European.

This season, though, Andre Villas-Boas appears to have felt otherwise, favouring the likes of Raul Meireles over the England star despite Lampard excelling in a number of goalscoring cameo sub appearances and in particular lighting up Chelsea's away win at Bolton earlier this season in a rare start.

With Lampard making a few less than respectful comments in the press regarding the decision from the Chelsea manager not to start with him in the middle of the park on a regular basis, some soccer betting tips had begun to speculate that his future may lie on foreign shores, with a rumoured big money move to the riches of the MLS hitting the back pages just last week.

Now, though, the Chelsea star, who this week scored his 179th goal for the club against Wolves, has revealed that he desperately wants to stay with the Blues as he bids to help the Chelsea old guard prove themselves not to be a fading force in the English Premier League. Lampard revealed: "We need our big players with John Terry, who was magnificent at the back [against Wolves]. The spine of the team is what has made us what we are in the last seven years. I think it's important".

With the Chelsea midfielder continuing to state that he is "very committed" but the live soccer betting suggesting he may leave, the fact remains that Andre Villas-Boas will need to ensure that the current rumours of unrest in the club's dressing room remain just that: rumours rather than facts, or else risk seeing that Champions League qualification become a distant dream.

Kvitova Favourite To Win A Wide Open Australian Open Ladies Crown

2012-01-09T16:47:00.002+05:30

The ladies singles championship at this year’s Australian Open looks set to be one of the most open for years with injuries and loss of form likely to affect the outcome.

Defending champion, Kim Clijsters, has only just returned to the game after injury kept her out of the game for the latter half of 2011. However, she cannot claim to be 100% fit even now after she forced to withdraw from the recent Brisbane International semi final with a hip injury. By all accounts, it is only a minor setback and she will be lining up for the first round of the Open on Sunday but caution must be exercised about her chances of a repeat success.

Injury too has upset the preparations for five time champion Serena Williams, who twisted an ankle in the Brisbane event but she too claims she will be fit enough to play in Melbourne. The 30 year old in fact has been made the second favourite to win the tournament with odds of 4/1, whilst Clijsters is third in the betting at 8/1.

The 3/1 favourite to win in fact is Wimbledon champion, Petra Kvitova who has started 2012 in great form, producing some great tennis to help her country the Czech Republic defeat France in the final of the Hopman Cup. The 21 year old certainly made 2011 her breakthrough year winning a number of tournaments including Wimbledon and the prestigious end of season tour title in Istanbul in October. Her scintillating form earned her number two in the women's rankings at the end of last year and she has started this year as she means to go on. In the Hopman Cup she not only defeated world number three, Victoria Azarenka in the final but also world number one Carline Wozniacki in the semi final, underlining the fact that she is the one to beat in Melbourne and she is the one in top form ahead of the tournament.

Australian fans of course will be rooting for their Samantha Stosur, who helped put Australian tennis back on the map in 2011 with her victory in the final of the US Open where she beat Serena Williams. It was a wholly unexpected win although the plucky 27 year old has been ‘knocking on the door’ of the Grand Slam events in recent years. Indeed she reached the final of the French Open in 2010 only to lose to Italian Francesca Schiavone and has twice been into the 4^th round in Melbourne.

It is interesting to note that the Bookies appear to have no faith in Wozniacki at all, despite her number one ranking in the world. This is because the Dane simply crumbles in the "Grand Slam" events and has only ever made one final which came at the US Open in 2009. She did make the semi final here last year and would certainly have the game to at least repeat that feat this time around, but winning a first ever ‘Grand Slam’ still looks a little beyond her.

Respect has to be shown to the likes of China’s Li Na, who was runner up 12 months ago before going on to win a first Grand Slam at the French Open in May. However, her form dipped alarmingly after that victory and she has shown only few signs that she is getting her act back together.

2008 winner, Maria Sharapova will also be playing in Melbourne and has to be among the genuine contenders to lift the crown. She showed throughout the 2011 season that she has re-discovered the zest to return to the top of the ladies game. She was a semi finalist at Roland Garros as well as runner up to Kvitova at Wimbledon and she is a decent looking bet at 14/1 to win the 2012 Australian Open.

Harrison in hot water

2012-01-03T16:01:00.001+05:30

As one of the NFL’s most ferocious linebackers, James Harrison has been bending the rules and pushing the envelope of acceptability for quite some time – a trait which has seen him dominate opposition offensive line-ups for the last half-decade – but last Thursday it would seem that he has finally pushed his luck one step too far.

Following his illegal helmet-to-facemask hit for the Pittsburgh Steelers against Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy a week ago, Harrison has now been hit with a one game suspension by the league’s disciplinary panel – a move which sees him make his mark on the history of the sport for all the wrong reasons by becoming the first ever player to receive such a punishment following the NFL’s revamped policy on such collisions. Anyone placing online bets should remember this.

Harrison has appealed against the decision according to a press release from his agent, and the case will be heard before this weekend by either Arthur Shell or Ted Cottrell who have both been appointed as respected experts by both the league and the players’ association.

The grounds of this appeal seem to hinge on whether or not McCoy was in part responsible for the illegal hit – Harrison insists that the quarterback “chucked and ducked” – and whilst he was happy to concede the 15-yard penalty for the infringement, but views the ban as unduly harsh. Those looking at the live in-play betting should remember this.

However, the NFL’s Executive Vice President Ray Anderson has publicly disagreed with this, claiming that the hit on McCoy in the fourth quarter of the Steelers’ 14-3 win was the fifth illegal tackle on opposition quarterbacks by Harrison over the course of the last three seasons

If the appeal is unsuccessful, Harrison would not be available for the Steelers until Christmas Eve when they play the St. Louis Rams.

Exhibition kicks off 2012

2012-01-03T15:21:00.002+05:30

The top three players in the world will take part in an exhibition tournament to kick start their new season in the $250,000 event in Abu Dhabi.

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are all preparing for the Australian Open which gets underway next month from Melbourne Park in what is the first Grand Slam of 2012.

The trio of players at top of the world rankings will be joined by David Ferrer, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils in the Gulf for the Mubadala World Tennis Championship at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex in Zayed Sports City.

Djokovic and Nadal shared the Grand Slam titles last season with the Spaniard continuing his dominance in the French Open, whilst the Serbian captured the other three titles in a dominant season for the world number one. Those following the latest online tennis betting odds should remember this.

Although there were no Slams for Federer in 2011, he did win the end of season World Tour Finals at the 02 Arena in London, with success also coming in Doha, Paris and Basle. The Swiss star is the in-form player going into the new campaign with a 17-match winning run without defeat.

The next 12 months will be a busy schedule for the world’s top players with the Olympics scheduled on the calendar from London. Nadal will be defending the gold medal he won in 2008 in Beijing where he defeated Fernando Gonzalez in the final.

Nadal’s last competitive action was in the Davis Cup where he helped Spain to their second trophy in three years, beating Argentina in the final in Seville. Nadal was responsible for winning the decisive rubber against Juan Martin Del Potro.

Rooney punishment backfires on Sir Alex!

2012-01-02T00:56:00.003+05:30

After Manchester United lost to Blackburn Rovers yesterday against Stanjames betting odds, they missed the chance to go 3 points clear of rivals Manchester City who today lost their game with Sunderland who scored with the last kick of the game. It was a goal that wold have reaped great rewards with a bwin free bet.

One thing of surprise yesterday was the team selection of Sir Alex Ferguson who didn't include Wayne Rooney or Johnny Evans in the squad despite being short of central defenders.

Ferguson explained to the media that Rooney was suffering from a few strains which is why he wasn't involved in the game, but has today been reported that Rooney, Evans and Darren Gibson were all left out of the squad as punishment for breaking a club curfew after they went out for a meal with their wives and girlfriends after their Boxing Day win against Wigan.

According to Sky Sports reports, the three were made to do extra training by Sir Alex who was not best pleased with them going out against his will and 5 days later he left them out of his team.

Had Manchester United have won the game then now questions would have been asked, but as they lost the game 2-3 to bottom of the table Blackburn Rovers, and missed the chance to 3 points clear in the table, perhaps it wasn't such a wise move to leave out a key defender and the clubs talisman for what seems like a minor mistake that was made.

The three were not at a bar or even drinking, and simply had a sit down meal with their families, to be left out of such a crucial game seems a little harsh, and this harshness could come back to haunt Sir Alex at the end of the season.

It will be interesting to see if Sir Alex comments any further to bring clarity to the situation although I'm pretty sure that he will deny the reports, and of course the great man wont admit that he might just have got this one wrong!

Lack of edge costs Phoenix

2011-12-31T22:03:00.000+05:30

Wellington Phoenix were masters of their own downfall as they suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat to struggling Adelaide United – a real lack of killer instinct costing the Kiwis dear. Despite controlling large parts of the game and being favourites in the live soccer betting, Wellington were unable to make the most of their dominance and allowed Adelaide to take the points, goals from Bruce Djite and Anthony Golec giving the hosts the three points.

The Phoenix’s inconsistent start to the season seems set to continue unless they can begin taking their chances and making opponents pay when they have the chance. Chris Greenacre was frustrated again as he tried to give his side the advantage, with Daniel Cross smashing the upright with his powerful header as the visitors were left wondering how they hadn’t managed to register a goal.

Coach Ricki Herbert was one of a number inside the stadium surprised to see Adelaide come out of the match with their clean sheet intact.

“I thought it was a reasonable performance. We certainly had a few chances.”

“There were a ton of balls into the box but you have to put them away.

“I thought their first goal was disappointing on our part but we had plenty of opportunities to get back on terms.”

The Phoenix have been lucky that this year’s A-League has been one of the closest in recent years. Despite an inconsistent start to the year, the New Zealanders are still in a decent position and the soccer betting tips are predicting the club to mount a challenge on the top half of the table in the new year.

PTC glory inspires Ford

2011-12-31T19:16:00.000+05:30

Tom Ford is determined to take full advantage of his new-found confidence after securing his second professional title in Sheffield.

The 28-year-old from Leicester won the 11th Players Tour Championship (PTC) event in Sheffield after edging out Martin Gould 4-3 in a dramatic final to claim the £10,000 prize money and valuable ranking points.

It was a stunning triumph for the world number 31 and was yet more evidence of his potential, following his victory in last season’s third PTC event. People looking at the best snooker betting should remember this.

And having overcome the likes of Judd Trump and Graeme Dott in December in the penultimate PTC event in the latest campaign, Ford said: “No disrespect to the players I beat to win a PTC event last year, but I count this one as a much better victory because of the players I've beaten.

“To beat the likes of Trump and Dott gives me a lot of confidence to go on and do well in the big tournaments. Maybe last year I relaxed too much after winning the PTC, so this time I want to get my head down and keep going.

“I'm too far away from the top 16 to get in there this season. However, I can get into the low 20s."

Ford did brilliantly to oust the high-flying and recently-crowned UK champion Trump 4-1 in the quarter-finals and then went on to beat former world champion Dott 4-0 in the semi-finals.

And in the final, Ford had to dig deep to oust Gould, Power Snooker champion and world number 12, with a cool 66 clearance in the last frame after trailing 41-8.

“I made a good break in the last frame, particularly the last red along the top cushion, because I knew, if I missed it, I'd lose,” Ford added. “I entered the tournament expecting nothing, but, after winning my first match, I got stronger."

Lewis angry at crowd

2011-12-31T19:14:00.000+05:30

Adrian Lewis has aimed an angry swipe at the Alexandra Palace crowd who he says showed him a lack of respect by booing him in his 5-3 Ladbrokes PDC World Championship quarter-final win over Terry Jenkins on Friday.

A packed 'Ally Pally' was clearly on Jenkins' side throughout the tight clash but Lewis defied the atmosphere to come out on top and book a semi-final place.

Lesser players may have been affected by the crowd's reaction but Lewis held his nerve and eventually won to set up a New Year's Day showdown with James Wade. Those following the best online PDC darts odds will be keeping a close eye on things.

However, afterwards 'Jackpot' made it clear he was not happy with the treatment he received from the crowd and admitted he was "fuming" with the way they had got on his back in the tie.

He told Sky Sports: "I thought they were very disrespectful - every time I was throwing, they were booing.

"But, at the end of the day, I got the job done. But I wasn't very happy with them (the crowd) at all, in fact I'm fuming."

Lewis says the fans failed to show him respect as they attempted to put him off by shouting 'miss' when he was about to throw and the Stoke-born star says he was disappointed with his lack of support.

"Even when I was missing I was on the wire every time. But the crowd played a big part in that - they were shouting 'miss!' every time I was throwing," he added.

"I didn't get any respect up there. Like I say, I was disappointed."

Lewis will take on Wade in the late semi-final on Sunday and may have to put up with more hostility from the crowd - especially after these latest comments.

NBA season enjoys decent start over festive period

2011-12-31T15:11:00.000+05:30

With the build-up to the new NBA season tainted by a bitter and extended lockout that threatened the very future and status of the sport in North America, there was more than a hint of nerves surrounding the opening fixtures at the weekend. Would basketball fans be left disillusioned by the bad feeling that characterised the lockout? Would NBA supporters look elsewhere for their sporting action fix over the long festive period? Or would they switch on their TVs or computers and watch NBA online just as before?

Happily for all those involved in the game, the answer to those two questions was an emphatic "no", with television ratings for the opening games up significantly from the figures last year at around this time. The five games played on Christmas day this year drew a total of 6.2 million viewers, compared to around 6 million in 2010.

With the clash between the LA Lakers and Chicago Bulls apparently earning its standing of being the third most-watched game during the regular season game ever to be aired on ABC, it looks likely that the NBA lockout has, if anything, only heightened the buzz and anticipation surrounding the happenings on court for basketball fans starved of game time action with plenty of viewers also tempted to bet on basketball.

Should the NBA want to prove, however, that it is keen to make amends to fans messed around by the circumstances surrounding the lockout in recent months, with supporters not always sympathetic to the reasons given for the deadlock, it'll have to ensure a high level of competition throughout the regular season, as franchises fight to prove themselves to their loyal fanbase. If that does happen, it'll no doubt be the spectators left standing as the winning party as the 2011/2012 season comes to an end, as a thrilling basketball season unfolds on court.

Robinson set for scrum-half headache

2011-12-30T21:14:00.001+05:30

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson will be well aware that he will soon have to decide which one of his three world-class scrum-halves will be given the nod when the Six Nations gets underway. In Mike Blair, Chris Cusiter and Rory Lawson, Robinson faces a decision that many in international rugby would love to have to make.

Two of the three, Blair and Cusiter, came up against each other as Edinburgh and Glasgow produced a festive feast in their 23-23 draw at Murrayfield. The match gave Robinson to see how the two experienced number-nines fared against each other. On the evidence of the match and it will have been Cusiter that stood out most – the former Perpignan man producing some eye-catching breaks as he ran the show from behind the scrum.
Those following the heineken cup odds online should remember this.

Cusiter was the unfortunate one of the trio who took up the role of third-choice scrum-half during Scotland’s World Cup campaign – playing only 30 minutes – something that he has admitted to leaving him feeling pretty deflated and frustrated on his return. Regular game-time with the Warriors has put the spring back in Cusiter’s step and that was evident in his impressive display against Edinburgh.

It remains to be seen who Robinson will go with for Scotland’s opening game of the Six Nations, but Cusiter’s recent form for the Warriors will certainly do his case no harm.

Can the NHL stop dangerous hits?

2011-12-30T20:53:00.000+05:30

Who doesn’t want their favourite hockey team to get a bit physical when it seems like they are on the ropes?

However, one other question that deserves to be asked is: who wants to see their team knock opposition players out of games, or worse still, see that exact same thing happening to their own players? Sure, hits can be great fun (and rather terrifying when you are sitting right behind the glass!) but they are certainly not the be all and end all of hockey.

With Deryk Engelland the latest player to fall foul of the NHL rules on hits, surely the time has come to start clamping down on players who are going in to hurt their opponents, rather than just trying to stop their progress. Although traditionalists and those who bet on hockey will argue that those running the sport are just trying to turn it into a limited contact sport, the truth of the matter remains that there are just too many players getting hurt for the league to continue to ignore the problem of long term health consequences.

Should the likes of Sidney Crosby or other skill players be reduced to having to miss the majority of games because they enjoy a bit of fun with the puck, only to find themselves crushed up against the wall by a hit designed to tell them that they are going to be roughed up, then what is the point of watching live hockey online? Surely if you want to watch a fight you can watch boxing or UFC?

Whatever the decisions made by the heads of the NHL, hockey will surely have to change sooner rather than later or else risk becoming obsolete.

Luke Donald is player of the year

2011-12-30T18:26:00.000+05:30

World number one Luke Donald has been awarded the Player of the Year by the Golf Writers Association of America following a remarkable season by the Englishman.
Donald became the first man in history to top the end of the season money lists on both the European Tour and US PGA Tour, as well as finishing the year ranked as the number one player in the world.

There were four titles for the 34-year old in 2011. He kicked things of by winning the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in February in America. Two wins then followed in Europe with the BMW PGA Championship and the Barclays Scottish Open. Then finally he crucially won the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic in Florida to ensure he accumulated enough prize money to top the list across the Atlantic. People looking at the open betting odds online will be wondering what sort of season he is in for next time.

The golfer from Hertfordshire finished in the top 10 on 14 occasions from 19 tournaments this year, his best major appearance came at the Masters where he finished in a tie for fourth place at Augusta.

Donald won the award with 88% of the votes and finished ahead of US Open winner and world number two Rory McIlroy, American Webb Simpson and US PGA Championship winner Keegan Bradley.

Yani Tseng from Taiwan won the women’s equivalent of the award in a year that has seen her win two majors and 14 tournaments across the globe.

The final award was the Senior Player of the Year and that was handed to American Tom Lehman. He won the Regions Tradition this season as well as two other wins on the Champions Tour.

Lewis maintains title dream

2011-12-29T18:58:00.000+05:30

Adrian Lewis says it "would mean the world to him" to successfully defend his Ladbrokes PDC World Championship after he booked his last-eight place with a 4-0 hammering of Wayne Jones on Wednesday.

After some below-par performance so far in the tournament, Lewis finally showed his true form to become the first player to secure a quarter-final place at Alexandra Palace. Those following the World darts Championship odds online should remember this.

The reigning champion needed just 45 darts to take the opening set, as he landed a 106 checkout in the second leg on the way to making the perfect start.
Jones was second best throughout but eventually took his first leg of the match, thanks to double eight, at the start of the second set but failed to build on it and was 2-0 down shortly after.

Jones did his best to respond and was 2-1 up in the third set, only for 'Jackpot' to rediscover his touch when landing a 109 checkout to level it at 2-2 before a double tops in the next handed him the third set.

The fourth set was then wrapped up quickly by the Stoke-born star as he secured the 4-0 whitewash that will leave his rivals fearful Lewis is back to his best.

Afterwards he admitted his form has been patchy but is determined to keep his dream alive of retaining the title.

"In the practice room I was hitting 180s for fun, then I couldn't hit one up there," he told Sky Sports. "But I couldn't hit a double in practice, then up there you can see what I'm capable of."

"I don't think any player who has won it for the first time has then come back and defended it. To actually do that...that'd mean the world to me," he added.

Bradley eyes more majors

2011-12-29T17:13:00.001+05:30

Keegan Bradley’s win in US PGA Championship was America’s only major winner of 2011 and was their first success since Phil Michelson won the green jacket in the US Masters in April 2010.

Bradley joined an exclusive club of three golfers to win a major on their debut alongside Ben Curtis and Francis Ouimet when he won the tournament at the Highlands Course in Georgia in his very first appearance.

The two wins on the PGA tour in 2011 was enough to secure Bradley the Rookie of the Year award. The 25-year old also had plenty of support for the top prize of Player of the Year, until Luke Donald made that trophy a one horse race when he secured top spot on the money lists on both the European and PGA tours for the first time in history. Those following the best online Masters golf betting should remember this.

Bradley’s success in the PGA Championship came after a dramatic final day at the Atlanta Athletic Club where his chances of winning the tournament looked to have ended when he triple-bogyed the 15th to fall five shots behind the leader Jason Dufner. However, the man from Vermont responded with consecutive birdies and took advantage of a slip from Dufner to force a three-hole play-off, with Bradley picking up the prize with a birdie and two pars.

The win for was enough to propel the American from 102 to 29 in the world rankings and also secure him a spot in the PGA Grand Slam where he defeated the three other major winners in 2011 Charl Schwartzel, Rory McIIroy and Darren Clarke in the four-man tournament in Bermuda.

Watson suffers training setback

2011-12-29T16:21:00.000+05:30

Britain’s Heather Watson has had to postpone the start of her new season after spraining her ankle in training.

The British number three was set to play in the ASB Classic qualifying event in Auckland to begin her campaign on the WTA tour in 2012, but has now had to withdraw from tournament through the injury.

Watson started last season by reaching the quarter-finals of the very same event which included a win against ninth seed Carlo Suarez Navarro. She was eventually beaten in the last eight by China’s Shuai Peng after a superb run. Anyone looking at the latest tennis odds should remember this.

Watson expressed her disappointment at missing the tournament she did so well in last year through her Facebook page.

She said: "It's very frustrating but Auckland is one of my favourite tournaments of the year and I'm looking forward to playing it next year because I love the event."

Watson is now in a race against time to be fit for the Moorilla International which gets underway on January 6.

The 19-year old will also be concerned about her participation in the opening Grand Slam of 2012 in the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.

The Guernsey born player is in the main draw of the Australian Open for the very first time in her career. Last year she was beaten in the second round of the qualifying tournament but her current world ranking of 92 secures her a spot automatically this time around.

Watson picked up the first Grand Slam win of her career back in June in French Open when she defeated France’s Stephanie Foretz Gacon to be become the first British woman since 1994 to reach the second round of the draw at Roland Garros.

The ones to watch in the new NBA season

2011-12-29T15:47:00.000+05:30

With the 2011/2012 NBA season about to start, much to the relief of avid basketball fans, punters in North America and beyond are on the hunt for NBA betting tips and trying to single out the special player or two capable of lighting up the action on court this year.

The traditional stand-out names of the NBA still dominate many of the pre-season previews, with Kobe Bryant and Lebron James the obvious candidates to shine for their respective teams in LA and Miami. Bryant's credentials make for interesting reading: the player has won five championships with the Lakers as well as an Olympic gold medal for the States, and the tag of MVP almost seems synonymous with his name.

However, with the Lakers' ability to secure glory in 2012 under threat after their poor showing in the playoffs last time out, and with Bryant not getting any younger at the age of 33, those who bet on basketball may look beyond the Lakers star who may not turn out to be the man to attract the headlines this season.

James, meanwhile, possesses the additional motivation of never winning a title. For a man who has notched up individual honour after individual honour over the years, the lack of the ultimate team title in his trophy cabinet has to hurt. Should the player decide that this is the season to single-handedly drag Miami into the playoffs and beyond, he could well be the main shining light in a sport that needs to be ignited after the controversy of recent months.

Should the big guns fail to perform, a few lesser lights that might be worth keeping an eye on include the likes of Derrick Rose at Chicago, last season's MVP and a man with everything to prove...and everything to gain for his team.

Aintree the ultimate target for Welsh National hope Cappa

2011-12-29T10:23:00.000+05:30

Welsh trainer Evan Williams reports his talented staying handicapper Cappa Bleu to be in great heart ahead of his intended Christmas period bid for the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow on December 27, a race that connections hope will advertise the claims of their horse to serious consideration for top honours at Aintree in April in the John Smith's Grand National itself, writes Elliot Slater.

The nine-year-old, who has been very lightly raced throughout his career having been seen just six times to date, put up a tremendous performance after an absence of 20 months to make a winning return to the racetrack at Haydock last month when coming with a wet sail in the closing stages of the three-mile Betfair Multiples Handicap Chase to beat David Pipe's Tamarinbleu in a pulsation finish by a neck. People placing Grand National bets online should remember this.

The step up in trip for the Welsh marathon appears to hold no fears for Williams who is confident his charge will be staying on when plenty of others have hoisted the white flag, the trainer pointing outing that Cappa Bleu was an impressive winner of the Christies Foxhunter Chase at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival when he came home strongest of all over the extended three-and-a-quarter-miles to beat Turthen by an impressive 12-lengths.

Plagued by niggling training setbacks ever since, Cappa Bleu showed at Haydock that he appears to retain just about all of his considerable ability and at odds of 16/1 he arguably represents some of the best value in the ante-post market for the feature Chepstow contest. Looking further ahead, Cappa Bleu can be backed at 50/1 for the Grand National at Aintree, although he would probably have to rise in the handicap before February to be sure to make the cut for the 'world's greatest steeplechase'.

Grand National 2001: A horse racing odyssey

2011-12-28T18:19:00.000+05:30

More than ever in this year the Aintree Grand National Meeting became the focus of the National Hunt season – the foot-and-mouth crisis had blitzed the country and robbed racing aficionados of their Cheltenham Festival fix so all eyes turned to Liverpool to salvage a bitterly disappointing season.

The 1990s had produced two of the heaviest ground Nationals ever in 1994 and 1998 but in all probability the 2001 version was the toughest test that we have seen for many a year. Three days of torrential rain made conditions extremely testing and on National Day itself it was touch-and-go as to whether the course was actually raceable. It also looked as though we would be missing an Irish challenge due to the foot-and-mouth crisis but restrictions were lifted at the last minute and the Irish horses were allowed to take part. Punters were clearly going to need to look for horses that had abundant stamina and had a real liking for the prevailing heavy going. This resulted in three co- favourites in the Grand National odds all of whom fitted the bill – Edmond, Moral Support and Inis Cara.

Incredibly Martin Pipe saddled a quarter of the 40 strong field with Blowing Wind the pick of the ten and then there was Red Marauder a horse that had been here before in 2000, but jumped poorly, however his form was much better in 2001. Needless to say that in desperate conditions the race was not without incident, the major one being Paddy’s Return attempting to take out the field when riderless at the Canal Turn – he managed to take out ten and with the conditions taking their toll we were quickly reduced to a single number of protagonists.

Various other incidents then quickly saw the 2001 Grand National reduced to a match between Red Marauder and Smarty as they galloped towards Becher’s for the second time. Gradually it became evident that Red Marauder partnered by Richard Guest was going better than Smarty and despite a couple of tired jumps at the last two fences he came home a distance clear of Smarty who was the only other horse to complete the course with an unblemished record with the eventual third and fourth Blowing Wind and 2000 Grand National winner being the only others to complete the course.

Guest described Red Marauder as perhaps the worst jumper to complete the course but in desperate conditions he refused to give in and delivered a gritty and resilient performance. The course may have come in for some criticism about the state of the ground but the race itself provided a gripping spectacle but it was the loose horse – Paddy’s Return – who caused most of the carnage and all of the horses returned safely. The 2001 Grand National provided another rich chapter in the history of the nation’s favourite race.

Sens may be back but they still have a lot to do

2011-12-28T16:44:00.000+05:30

OK, so it's fair to say that Ottawa are doing alright this season. "Alright" is only that though: alright. Over the last few years, Senators fans have been willing to accept a slightly less than ideal set of results from their team, and this year they had almost no expectations of any grandeur set for them whatsoever, with the majority of pundits and experts not including them in their NHL betting tips and predicting that they would be languishing at the bottom of the Eastern conference and wouldn't stand a chance of getting anywhere near the play-off spots.

So far these predictions have fallen flat on their face, despite an initial terrible start to the season, and the players have left many experts wondering just why and how the Senators have managed to pull things together against all the odds.

Although it's fairly tricky to deduce the reason behind their current success, the sad truth for the Sens is that their success has been based on the work ethic and skill of old time players such as Daniel Alfredsson, who provide a great deal of support for the younger members of the team.

With long term success based on getting the right balance between youth and experience, the Sens GM Bryan Murray knows that he will need to have a really good think about how to use his draft picks or veteran players in order to maximise the future of the franchise. Although the likes of Alfredsson are clearly an integral part of the Sens' current side, they may still be able to be traded in for decent draft picks or a larger group of experienced players who can provide that extra quality that the youngsters lack. Because of that, those who watch live hockey online remain cautious about the future

If, and only if, the Sens can work this balance out, then we may well be talking about the Sens being back in the big time.

Sturridge maintains his title dream

2011-12-28T16:14:00.000+05:30

Chelsea's in form striker Daniel Strurridge believes his side are still in the hunt for the Premier League title this season, despite dropping points over the weekend.

The Blues looked set to record another victory in the top flight on Saturday against Wigan Athletic but with two minutes of normal time remaining an uncharacteristic fumble from goalkeeper Petr Cech allowed Jordi Gomez to bag a late equaliser. People gambling on football will remember how poor it was.

With Premier League frontrunners Manchester City battling for a 1-0 victory over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, Chelsea now find themselves nine points off the pace.

Having beaten City in their previous outing, it was crucial the west London outfit maintained the pressure on the league leaders but Chelsea succumbed to the banana skin at the DW Stadium.

Despite the setback against the Latics Sturridge, who has taken the role as one of Chelsea's first choice strikers, believes the Stamford Bridge club can still challenge for the all-important Premier League title this term. People looking at the football predictions should bear this in mind.

The 22-year-old told the club's website: "It is frustrating for everyone and it is important that we bounce back, which we will.

"It is the best league in the world because every team in the top six can win it. We are one of them and I believe we can.

"There are still five months to go and I think people would be stupid to assume Chelsea are out of the title race. We are going to fight to the very last game."

Kean keen to bolster squad

2011-12-28T16:11:00.000+05:30

Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean has insisted he will be looking to bring in fresh legs in the January transfer window, as the Lancashire outfit continue to struggle near the bottom of the Premier League table.

The under pressure manager saw his side come away with nothing from their last outing against West Brom on Saturday at Ewood Park and they now find themselves four points off safety with a huge game coming up on Tuesday. People looking at the football betting need to bear this in mind.

A Lancashire derby between Blackburn and Bolton Wanderers always has a bit of extra spice but with these sides at 19th and 20th in the league respectively, this has become an massive game for both clubs.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle is also under plenty of pressure to keep his club in the top flight and there have been suggestions that if someone loses the clash at Ewood Park, then it could be curtains for the team’s manager. Those following the Premier League best odds should remember this.

However Kean has been defiant regarding his position with Rovers and, despite pressure to leave from the club’s loyal supporters, the Scotsman already has one eye on transfer targets to bring in next month.

He said: "I spoke with the owners for about 45 minutes yesterday (Sunday).

"We had a real good conversation, mentioning again the health of some of the players because we have got a few that are falling at the moment.

"We will look forward to the transfer window opening and see if we can get a few bodies in that can hit the ground running straight away and make an impact."

Higginson positive despite patchy campaign

2011-12-27T19:39:00.000+05:30

Andrew Higginson is in upbeat mood and is focusing on his strong finish to the year to help inspire him to eventually claim a top-16 place.

Widnes' top cueman has had a mixed campaign and despite being short of the elite ranking places by three spots, the 34-year-old is satisfied with most of his performances.

A 4-1 triumph over John Higgins in the fifth Players Tour Championship event is the stand out highlight for the 2007 Welsh Open finalist in the current campaign, a result that handed Higginson his first professional title in his 16-year career. Those looking at the latest snooker odds will be wondering if he can push on.

"Looking back on the first half of the season overall, I'm very pleased with my consistency," Higginson told World Snooker.

"I've won at least one match in every tournament except the UK, including all 12 PTC events, and I don't think there are many other players who have done that. Plus I've won a PTC event and put myself in a good position in the rankings."

After failing to make the 2011 World Championship with defeat in the final qualifying round against Andrew Pagett, Higginson will be desperate to go one better in 2012.

After losing to Shaun Murphy at the Australian Open and Mark Williams in Shanghai this year, Higginson insisted he would do everything in his power to ensure his performances improved on the big stages.

"The disappointing thing is that I haven't performed well at the main venues," he added. "While there are no easy draws, some are tougher than others. That's been the only downside and it's something I am looking to improve on next year.

"I will be setting some New Year resolutions, but the main aim will just be to keep going with the same level of consistency."

Snooker chief backs Q School

2011-12-27T19:10:00.000+05:30

The annual qualifying tournament known as Q School is the fairest method for all snooker players aiming to become a professional, says the chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA).

As well as more tournaments and increased prize money, the World Snooker Qualifying School was introduced by chief Barry Hearn as an incentive to raise standards and provide an equal opportunity for all amateurs attempting to play on the Main Tour. Anyone looking at the best snooker bets will be wondering if anyone can make a breakthrough.

WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson said: “Q School was staged for the first time last year and we consider it the best and fairest way to give all players the chance to qualify for the tour.

“Rookies such as Sheffield's Adam Duffy and China's Li Yan came through the system, and both have since climbed quickly up the world rankings, so that shows what players can do if they have the talent and the dedication.”

The event is similar to that seen in golf with the first snooker qualifying event held in Sheffield in May 2011 with 12 players who reached the semi-final stage awarded tour cards.

Next year’s tournament will be staged at the WSA in Sheffield from 13 May where 128 players will battle for a two-season pro tour ticket for 2012-13 and 2013-14 snooker circuits.

A new Q School ranking list is also being introduced and will be finalised on the basis of a one point per frame win.

“Snooker is rapidly becoming a global sport, with more tournaments, more prize money and more players,” Ferguson added. “We are increasing the tour from 96 to 128 players in season 2013-14, so the opportunities to qualify for the main tour have increased dramatically.”

Q School 2012 will feature three events and amateurs can enter the events with just a £1,000 entrance fee. Four semi-finalists from each event will qualify for a two-year pro tour.

Leafs still have the golden touch

2011-12-27T16:27:00.000+05:30

Although the Toronto Maple leafs have struggled to do almost anything on the ice rink in recent years, their standing off the ice, and in the local community, has continued to be respected far and wide.

With few players creating excitement or drama for those who like to bet on hockey, almost no real success coming as a result of the action on the ice, and the fact that it has been a tough time financially recently for the average hockey fan in Canada, the continued commercial success of the Leafs shows just how important the franchise is to the identity and daily lifestyle of people living in and around Toronto.

With the Leafs recently able to persuade the teen global superstar Justin Bieber to join them on the ice (even managing to convince him to have a shot or two at goal - sign him up now GM!), they managed to, in effect, retaliate against another franchise with an extremely famous and well-known fanbase: the Vancouver Canucks.

Although the Canucks have been more successful in recent years, the reality is that the Leafs still remain first choice among NHL picks and manage to hold that special draw and appeal that somehow eludes teams such as the Canucks, and even the Senators, a franchise who have never really grabbed the public’s imagination despite their best efforts.

Should the Leafs manage to turn that off ice success into on ice success sometime soon, their long suffering fanbase, and the city as a whole, would truly enjoy revelling in the success while looking optimistically towards a far brighter future for the hockey community as a whole in the city.

Pardew wants ACON stars to stick around

2011-12-23T22:24:00.000+05:30

Alan Pardew hopes Newcastle can hold on to their African Cup of Nations players for just a little bit longer.

Several Premier League stars will be heading off to Africa for the competition which takes place between January 21st and February 12th, but the Magpies look particularly vulnerable as they are set to lose key players Demba Ba and Chieck Tiote.

Ba has bagged 13 goals in just 16 Premier League games, while Tiote is a vital figure in the centre of the park for the side, controlling the side’s play and breaking up opposition attacks. Those looking at the best African Cup of Nations odds should bear this in mind.

Their respective nations are entitled to ask the players to join up with the squad two weeks before the competition gets underway, but Pardew is hoping he will be able to reach an agreement which will see them staying at Newcastle until January 15th.

Pardew said: "The scheduling isn't great for us. But we knew about it before the start of the season so we aren't going to moan about it. It was there and is something that has been on our mind.

"I still think our squad is big enough to cope."

However, with Newcastle now winless in six Premier League games after a 3-2 defeat to West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday night it seems likely fans will demand reinforcements before long.

Pardew himself has admitted that the squad is not big enough to maintain a European push, but with their leading goalscorer heading off for almost a month things may be about to get even tough.

Races for Ryder cup spots hots up

2011-12-23T20:26:00.000+05:30

The race for a place in the European Ryder Cup team continues in 2012 with qualification differing from the last competition in 2010 where Europe defeated the USA 14 ½ -13 ½ at Celtic Manor.

The team of 12 for the 2012 European team will be led by Jose Marie Olazabal and there are three ways of making it into the side. The top five players from Ryder Cup European Points List will automatically qualify for the tournament in Chicago. The next five players will be taken from the Ryder Cup World Points List, with the individuals with the highest standing at the end of qualifying period making the line up. Olazabal will then hand places to two other players, as oppose to the three captain’s picks that were available to Colin Montgomerie in 2010. Anyone following the US Masters betting online should remember that people will be playing with one eye on the Ryder Cup too.

Paul Casey and Justin Rose will be two of the players that will be desperate to make the European team next year after missing out two years ago in Wales.

Olazabal could have a big decision to make with regards to his two captain’s picks. Casey, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell, Miguel Angel Jiminez all sit outside the qualifying positions so would be relying on the nod from the European captain if they don’t accumulate enough points in early stages of 2012.

The USA captain David Love III will have the luxury of choosing four wild card picks, with the remaining eight players coming from the top end of the Ryder Cup Points List for the competition that gets under way next year on September 25 from the Medinah Country Club.

Injury Boost for United

2011-12-23T16:37:00.003+05:30

Manchester Untied have been sweating over the fitness of Phil Jones over the last couple of days since he had to be brought off in the 5-0 win at Fulham, in the stanjames betting special, due to a an elbow in the face by Clint Dempsey. Fortunately for United though, the injury is not as bad as first feared with the United medical team fearing he may have fractured his cheekbone, but the 19 year old will be back in time for the boxing day fixture with Wigan and Man United are clear favourites to pick up all 3 points with stan james betting.

It's great news or United who are already without Nemanja Vidic for the rest of the season, Rio Ferdinand for the next couple of weeks who is suffering from and ankle injury, and the Da Silva twins are also both out for extended spells. That is just in the defense where Jones started the game on Wednesday night but, he has also played a leading role in the midfield of United, and so he would have been a great miss to the team.

On the downside for United however, Phil Jones' replacement on Wednesday Ashely Young will miss

will miss the festive period after picking up a knee injury at Craven Cottage following a tackle by Dickson Etuhu.

Alex Ferguson said;

"It's not so good for Ashley Young, He'll be out for a few weeks. Ashley was tripped as he went into the next tackle. He wasn't positioned to go into that next tackle - he was half falling at the time.
"The second tackle was a hard tackle - not a bad tackle - it was just the way he went into Ashley. He's taken a real clump and has a knee injury that will keep him out for a few weeks."
United have been forced to deal with a crippling injury list in recent weeks, but Ferguson believes they have coped well at losing a number of key players.
"As we get one back, we're losing one," continued Ferguson. "It's not an easy spell for us. We just have to get on with it. The squad has handled the situation quite well."

It will certainly be a huge test for them over the christmas period as they look to keep the pressure on their rivals Manchester City who lead them by 2 points!

Keys, Levine Secure Aussie Open Spots

2011-12-22T17:47:00.000+05:30

American youngsters, Jesse Levine and Madison Keys, have been handed early Christmas presents from the US Tennis Association (USTA), in the form of wildcard entries to the upcoming Australian Open. The development means that the United States has filled its quota of wildcards of the first Grand Slam of the year.

The States, and also, the French, are allowed to put two wildcard players apiece forward for inclusion in the Aussie Open, as part of a “reciprocal agreement” between the tennis associations of Australia, and the host nations of the French and US Opens. However, wildcards must be fought for by eligible players.

Prior to the start of major tournaments, the USTA hosts a series of play-offs to determine which individuals are worthy of a free pass to the next Grand Slam. The winners, Keys and Levine, defeated Gail Brodsky and Robby Ginepri, respectively, to secure a shot at the Australian Open. Those placing tennis free bets will be wondering if they can cause any upsets.

Keys triumphed 6-3, 6-4 over Brodsky earlier this week. The youngster, who is alleged to have picked up a racquet to pursue an interest in tennis dresses, is famed for her vicious serve, despite being just 16-years-old. She has made collecting wildcards something of a hobby, in recent months; the Illinois-born player attended the 2011 US Open as a wildcard, as well.

Jesse Levine, 24, had the rather more difficult task of dispatching veteran tennis player, Robby Ginepri, in order to claim his wildcard. Levine triumphed 6-0, 6-2, 6-1 to book his place in the Australian Open, which begins on January 16.

The occasion will give Levine, and indeed, Keys, the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the most famous faces in tennis, such as the latter player's idol, Roger Federer.

Binocular to bid to retain Christmas Hurdle title

2011-12-22T16:21:00.000+05:30

Although he was made favourite for the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on his seasonal reappearance last month, it didn’t come as the greatest surprise to see former champion hurdler Binocular go down to defeat at the hands of Overturn, Nicky Henderson’s charge having also failed to win first-time out on the previous two seasons, writes Elliot Slater.

Last term, after finishing third to Peddlers Cross in the ‘Fighting Fifth’, Binocular went on to land a three-and-three-quarter-length success over old rival Overturn in the rescheduled Christmas Hurdle in mid-January before following up in a conditions race at Sandown the following month. A setback ruled him out of defending his Cheltenham crown and he wasn’t seen again until Aintree in April when patently failing to stay on his first attempt at two and a half miles in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle won by Oscar Whisky. Those following the Cheltenham festival odds online need to remember this.

This term it was to be expected that the gelded son of Enrique would come on for his seasonal bow, and after travelling well for much of the contest under Tony McCoy the JP McManus-owned seven-year-old couldn’t quicken with the race fit Overturn and went down to a four-and-a-half-length defeat at the hands of Donald McCain’s tough as teak dual purpose performer.

Expectations are high in the Henderson camp that they will reverse form with Overturn and also prove good enough to see off the up-and-coming Rock On Ruby, (amongst others), in a race that will have some impact on the ante-post market for the Champion Hurdle in 11 weeks time. Bookmakers currently rate Binocular a top price 16/1 shot to regain his title.

Boston Bob fires Cheltenham Festival warning

2011-12-22T16:04:00.003+05:30

Willie Mullins unveiled a potential star staying hurdler of the future as his Boston Bob easily accounted for Mount Benbulben in the Grade 1 Navan Novice Hurdle on only the second outing of his career over timber, writes Elliot Slater.

There was a great deal to like about the way the Graham Wylie-owned gelding went about his business giving the impression he had been doing the job all his life when in fact he is still very much a newcomer to the National Hunt game. Settling nicely under Ruby Walsh, the 9/4 second-favourite was dropped in at the rear of the field before being asked to make his move after the third last in the two-and-a-half-mile contest.

Sweeping past the odds-on Mount Benbulben at the second from home, the six-year-old soon had matters under control and came away to win as he pleased by a very comfortable four-and-a-half-lengths from the favourite who found little once coming under pressure and proved a shade disappointing under Paul Carberry. People looking at the ante-post Cheltenham betting odds should bear this in mind.

Mullins was delighted with the performance from the son of Bob Back who had only once previously raced over timber when scoring over course and distance five weeks earlier in maiden company. It is rare that a horse is asked to step up so markedly after just one experience of hurdling but it is a mark of the respect that the Irish champion trainer has for Boston Bob that he had no qualms about taking on a high-class performer and duly proved more than up to the task.

Bookmakers slashed the odds of a victory for Boston Bob in the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March to just 12/1 (from 25’s), whilst he was also cut for the Neptune Investment Managers Novices Hurdle at the same fixture and is now a best priced 16/1 chance having previously been available at 20/1.

Manchester Clubs Setting The Pace!

2011-12-22T15:10:00.000+05:30

It was another great night of English Premier League action last night, and once again as Victor Chandler predicted, both Manchester clubs put in convincing performances to maintain their lead at the top of the table.

Manchester City are top of the league and were once again totally dominant against a Stoke side who went to the Etihad Stadium purely to defend and were never in any position to cause a vc bet upset. They set themselves up with a 6 man defense from start to finish and Manchester City had a very easy night. They had possession for most of the game, weren't caused any problems by the Stoke attack and cut through the defense on numerous occasions.

Sergio Aguero scored two goals while Adam Johnson also got on the score sheet in a fantastic performance as he tries to cement his place in the Manchester City line up. He certainly did himself a few favors and it will give Mancini something to think about in the next game. On the whole, Manchester City look very very strong, and will go into Christmas at the top of the table which is often a good sign for those that have previously gone on to win the league in a similar position.

Manchester United kept up the pressure however with a 5 star performance at Fulham. It took them just 5 minutes before Danny Wellbeck put them one nil up, and goals from Nani and Ryan Giggs gave them a 3-0 lead at half time. It was all United in the second half too as Rooney and Berbatov added late goals to take it to 5-0.

Manchester United are looking like they are getting their form back after some unconvincing displays earlier in the season. Fortunately for them, they have still managed to pick up wins despite not playing well which is a true trait of champions.

There isn't any doubt that Sir Alex Fergusons men will be right behind City all the way, but they will be hoping that the Blue Side of Manchester slips up some time soon, but right now it doesn't look like happening.

King George to shake up Gold Cup market

2011-12-22T11:37:00.000+05:30

Whatever the outcome of the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day the result is almost certain to result in some significant changes to the ante-post odds available for the principal candidates for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, a race for which last year's winner Long Run is currently the solid 5/2 market leader, writes Elliot Slater.

Long Run, a strong favourite to land the Kempton feature event for the second year running at the main expense of four-time previous winner Kauto Star, will surely be significantly trimmed to retain his crown if all goes well on Boxing Day with odds of around 7/4 or shorter being likely if he manages to confirm last year's form with Kauto Star who he beat by some 19-lengths into third place in a stunning display at the Sunbury circuit. Those looking at the ante-post Cheltenham Gold Cup betting online should remember this.

The ante-post odds for Kauto Star, generally a 12/1 second favourite to win the Gold Cup (a race he landed both in 2007 and 2009), would certainly contract if he gets close to or actually beats Long Run in the King George, the veteran having proved the doubters all wrong in putting up a tremendous display on his seasonal reappearance to run the finish out of Long Run and score by a stunning eight-lengths in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock Park in November.

Captain Chris, winner of last year's Arkle Chase and currently a 16/1 third favourite for the Gold Cup will also be taking his chance at Kempton, and with connections sounding confident that he will stay the extra distance his odds could also be trimmed if he shows the necessary stamina at Kempton that would suggest he has what it takes to see out the three-and-a-quarter-miles and the stiff uphill finish of the Cheltenham showcase contest.

Cheltenham hopes set to meet in Navan Novice Hurdle

2011-12-21T19:36:00.002+05:30

Gordon Elliott is expecting a good performance from his Mount Benbullen who will face a maximum of three rivals, including the very promising Boston Bob, in the Grade 1 Navan Novice Hurdle on Sunday, writes Elliot Slater.

The former winning point-to-pointer established himself as a smart bumper performer last season scoring at Thurles in February before following up in fine style in beating the highly regarded but ultimately ill-fated Lovethehigherlaw at Limerick in March. After an unfortunate start to his hurdles career when slipping up at Galway in October Elliott’s six-year-old won nicely at Thurles at the start of November before stepping up in class to land a Navan Grade 2 contest over two-and-a-half miles, beating Rebel Fitz under a fine ride from Davy Condon. Even those looking at the online Cheltenham Gold Cup odds should bear this in mind.

Mount Benbullen is under serious consideration for the Neptune Novices Hurdle (for which he is currently available at up to 20/1), whilst bookies rate him just an 11/1 chance for the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle over three miles at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Elliott’s charge should find Boston Bob his biggest rival on Sunday, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding having joined the champion Irish trainer this autumn upon the disqualification Howard Johnson, for whom he won a Hexham bumper in March in impressive fashion.

After having reportedly schooled well ahead of his hurdling bow the Graham Wylie-owned son of Bob Back was sent off a hot favourite to win at Navan in November, duly obliging with the minimum of fuss in defeating Six Senses by three-and-a-quarter lengths and is expected to take high rank amongst the leading Irish novice hurdlers this term. Like Mount Benbullen, Bob Back is a 20/1 shot for the Neptune Novices Hurdle ahead of the Navan contest and can still be backed at 14/1 for the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle in three months time, prices which would certainly tumble should he keep his unbeaten record over timber intact.

Furyk hangs on by the skin of his teeth

2011-12-20T21:49:00.000+05:30

Former US Open winner Jim Furyk narrowly avoided falling outside the world’s top 50 players at the end of this season, as the American finished the year number 50 in the standings, meaning he will automatically qualify for the US Masters at Augusta in April.

The 41-year old was voted the PGA Tour Player of the Year in 2010, in which he also won the FedEx Cup. However, the last 12 months have not been the best of his career, with no tournament wins of any sort for the first time since 1994. People looking at the best US Open golf betting odds will be wondering what has happened to him.

The 2003 US Open winner is usually in contention for majors but could no better than a tie for 24th place in the Masters back in April.

Japanese star Ryo Ishikawa is the unfortunate player to just miss out on a top 50 spot. He will now have to try and qualify for the opening major of the year via one of the alternative routes.

One big name that may not be at Augusta this year could be Ernie Else. The South African has slipped to number 56 in the rankings and has not missed the Masters tournament since 1993.

The three-time major winner has yet to win the green jacket, although he has come second twice in the prestigious tournament in 1994 and 1997.

Retif Goosen is another South African who has found himself outside the elusive top 50 players in the world. The 42-year old is a two-time US Open winner, and like his compatriot Els, has finished second twice at Augusta so is danger of missing the event this time around.

No perfect season for Packers

2011-12-20T21:33:00.000+05:30

Green Bay Packers are determined to bounce back after losing for the first time this season at the weekend when they were surprisingly beaten by the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Packers, winners of last season's Super Bowl, had been in superlative form this term, winning their first 13 matches and were expected to brush aside a Chiefs side that had struggled this year. People looking at the online super bowl betting will know this.

However, the Chiefs ended Green Bay's run by pulling off a shock 19-14 victory at the Arrowhead Stadium.

To add to the Packers' disappointment, their injury list is starting to grow with Bryan Bulaga picking up a left knee sprain and Derek Sherrod breaking his right leg.

Wide receiver Greg Jennings picked up a sprained MCL in the previous week's game against the Oakland Raiders but is expected to recover in time to feature in the play-offs.

Despite all their injury problems, the Packers remains one of the favourites to win this season's Super Bowl but Packers coach Mike McCarthy admitted it had been a disappointing weekend, saying: "It was a very quiet plane ride home, and understandably so.

"Everybody's disappointed with the loss and the opportunity to have an undefeated season. But the reality is upon us."

The Packers have two games of their regular season left, both at home, against the Chicago Bears on Christmas Day evening and the Detroit Lions on New Year's Day.

They hope to have veteran left tackle Chad Clifton back for those two games as he has finally recovered from the hamstring injury he sustained against Atlanta more than two months ago. His recuperation had been delayed after he picked up a back problem during the rehabilitation process.

Surgery ends Green's season

2011-12-19T20:48:00.000+05:30

Boston Celtics will be without Jeff Green for the entire season after the forward was forced to endure surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm.

It is hoped that Green will be able to resume his NBA career next season as a result of the operation which may well have saved the 25-year-old's life.

"While we are saddened that Jeff will not be able to play this season, the most important thing is his health," said Celtics president Danny Ainge. Anyone placing an online NBA bet should remember this.

"We were fortunate to have access to an amazing team of specialists to evaluate Jeff's case."

Green's aneurysm was detected during his physical after he reported for a training camp earlier this month. If Green had not had the operation and the aorta had ruptured, it could have been fatal.

Green averaged 9.8 points and 3.3 rebounds last season after joining the Celtics from Oklahoma City Thunder.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers has intimated that he will rely on Marquis Daniels and Sasha Pavlovic to replace Green for the time being.

Daniels is fit again after having surgery to repair his spine earlier in the year while Pavlovic only signed a new one-year deal last week. The Celtics have little money to play with to sign a new player to replace Green as, even with the forward's $9million salary voided, they are still over the salary cap.

They have been linked with former player James Posey, who is currently without a team after being waived by the Indiana Pacers through the amnesty clause. Posey played with the Celtics in 2008.

Zaidpour maintains hot streak this season

2011-12-19T18:46:00.000+05:30

Zaidpour continued his rich vein of form this season when sauntering to an impressive 10-length win over Benash in the Grade 2 Tara Hurdle at Navan on Sunday and remains on course for a return trip to the Cheltenham Festival in March, writes Elliot Slater.

Willie Mullins' five-year-old had already signalled his intentions this season when proving a different class to his rivals in the Rock of Cashel Hurdle at Thurles last month, beating Bowland's Corner by an easy eight-lengths to justify odds of 3/10 favourite. Once again among horse racing betting tips and sent off at thin odds (1/3f) at Navan, Ruby Walsh always appeared to be travelling best in the two-and-a-half-mile affair,breezing into the lead at the second from home before effortlessly pulling away to win as he pleased.

Although punters who bet on racing will have probably learned little new from this latest victory it at least confirmed that Zaidpour is in great heart and connections were quick to state that he remains on course for a repeat visit to the Cheltenham Festival having finished seventh behind Al Ferof in the Supreme Novices Hurdle last spring. The son of Red Ransom appears to have both speed and stamina to burn so Mullins has a wide choice of option available to him with a horse he has long believed could turn out to be top class.

Hinting strongly that Zaidpour will not run over the Christmas period, Mullins suggested that he wouldn't be afraid to go up to three-miles with the horse, but also reminded all listening that his charge has so much pace he wouldn't be out of place taking his chance in the Champion Hurdle, for which he is currently on offer at a general offer of 25/1.

Coyle denies sack worries

2011-12-19T16:17:00.000+05:30

Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle is adamant he is not fazed by reports in the media he must guide his side to victory over Blackburn on Tuesday or face the sack.
The Trotters have made a torrid start to the Premier League campaign having picked up just nine points from their first 16 games this season.

In their three victories this term Bolton have scored 12 goals and only conceded one, however three points have been extremely hard for the Lancashire club to come by as they currently sit rock bottom of the Premier League table ahead of the festive period. People who bet on Premier League games should bear this in mind.

Tuesday throws up a classic relegation 'six-pointer' as the Whites get set to make the short trip from the Reebok Stadium to Ewood Park to take on fellow strugglers Blackburn.

There has been plenty of speculation regarding Coyle's future with Bolton after a disappointing start to the season which sees the club five points away from safety. Anyone betting on football needs to remember this.

The Scotsman could face the sack if his side doesn't get a positive result on Tuesday night, however he is not concerned with media reports.

Coyle said: "Everyone has an opinion and loves a negative story.

"We all have jobs to do and as long as no-one gets personal about anyone at my club we will not have a problem about that.

"But what I do know is by going and winning points you can turn that opinion very quickly. It is a great opportunity as far as I am concerned."

Motherwell the best of the rest

2011-12-16T19:28:00.000+05:30

There is almost a competition within a competition in the SPL. The other ten clubs have accepted they won’t be able to catch Rangers or Celtic unless something drastic changes, so they compete in their own mini-league.

Since its inception in 1998, the SPL has been won by just two clubs. Only once has a side disrupted the Old Firm dominance during that period – Hearts finished second behind Celtic in 2005-06.

Taking all that into account, the highest a club outside of the Old Firm can expect to finish in the table is third. With third spot comes a place in the Europa Cup. During difficult financial times, that extra revenue would come as welcome relief for SPL clubs. Anyone following the best Scottish Premier League betting online should remember this.

Motherwell are the team in pole position going into the festive period. They sit seven points clear of St Johnstone in third, with a game in hand. They will be delighted with their start to the season after a disappointing 2010-11 campaign where they failed to qualify for Europe for the first time in four years. Ambitious Motherwell boss Stuart McCall will be confident of securing a European place this season.

Can anybody catch Motherwell? St Johnstone are the closest challengers but lost 3-0 at home to Motherwell last time out and don’t look like threatening. Likewise, Hearts and Kilmarnock are struggling to make any real impression this season.

It would seem third place is Motherwell’s to lose. With no real threat coming from behind them, perhaps they should concentrate on breaking into the top two. If they win their game in hand, they would find themselves five points behind Celtic. A lofty ambition, but that is what McCall will be striving for.

Cleveland protest their innocence

2011-12-15T19:59:00.000+05:30

Cleveland Browns President Mike Holmgren insists the club did nothing wrong amid accusations that Colt McCoy was not given a standard concussion test after taking a blow to the head during the recent clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

McCoy played on after being involved in a helmet-to-facemask hit from Steelers linebacker James Harrison as team doctors and trainers were unaware of the severity of the blow because they were tending to other injured players at the time of the incident.

Harrison was handed a one-game suspension by the NFL while Holmgren says McCoy only showed concussion symptoms after the game. Those following the best American football odds will be wondering what exactly went on.

This week McCoy has complained of headaches and is not expected to play in Sunday's game in Arizona.

Holmgren said: "Our medical staff and our training staff are getting slammed pretty good, along with our head coach. It's unfair.”

Doctors and representatives of the NFL and NFL Players Association visited the Browns earlier in the week, but Holmgren thinks the whole incident has been blown out of proportion, adding: "The medical staff got out to McCoy and he was lucid, he was talking.

"His body language, I guess, didn't look real great. They talked to him and he talked to them. He was not unconscious when they got out there."

McCoy returned to the action after missing two plays and almost four minutes of elapsed time and was on the field for 18 plays after suffering the concussion.
Holmgren does not expect the Browns to be disciplined by the league, although that remains a possibility.

The Grand National: Getting round the track

2011-12-15T17:45:00.000+05:30

Over the years we have seen some remarkably small numbers of finishers in the Grand National but with the recent course modifications, the class of horse that contests the race getting better and better and with the course unlikely to face the atrocious conditions that have been prevalent in past small field Nationals we should not be confronted with the same situation as happened in 1928 when Tipperary Tim, the first 100-1 winner of the race beat the remounted Billy Barton by a distance. Easter Hero getting stuck on top of the Canal Turn fence caused the majority of the problems and the atrocious conditions proved a contributory factor to see just those two finish from the 42 that set out.

Other years have had small numbers of finishers also in 1913 and 1951 we had just the three finishers, in 1951 nearly a third of the field came down at the first and the rest of the course took its predictable toll to see just a trio finish.

Although there were eventually 17 finishers one of the most famous National pile-ups occurred in the 1967 event when the riderless Popham Down stopped most of the field in their tracks at the 23rd fence and outsider and trailer Foinavon circumvented the entire mess and had gained an unassailable lead by the time the rest of the field got going again. The fence that caused all the trouble is now named after the 1967 winner. Anyone looking at the best online Grand National odds will know it continues to cause problems to this very day.

The majority of the small field finishes since have been down to heavy ground Ben Nevis led home just four finishers in 1980 while 2001 became a race that you couldn't take your eyes off as plenty of the field were taken out by Paddy's Return at the first Bechers and heavy conditions managed to put pay to the rest of the field apart from Red Marauder and Smarty who were the only two horses to negotiate the 30 fences at the first attempt, but both Blowing Wind and Papillion were remounted after coming to grief at the 19th – just the four eventually finishing.

To flip the coin over for the moment the highest number of finishers saw 23 complete in 1984 when Hallo Dandy led the field home, with 40 having set out. There were 22 finishers from 47 starters in 1963 and 22 from 40 in both 1987 and 1992, the going being good and good-to-soft on those occasions.

The last five Nationals have all seen double figure numbers completing from the maximum field allowed these days -40, and last year 19 came home when Ballabriggs led home those gallant finishers and Piraya brought up the rear.

Without heavy ground and the recent modifications it looks likely that we'll see a similar number of finishers in the 2012 Grand National.

Charlie Longsdon –Stable Focus

2011-12-15T16:18:00.003+05:30

Five seasons ago in his rookie season Charlie Longsdon produced nine winners from 59 runners, the next season produced a further 20winners and the upward curve looked set to continue in the year’s after that. However progressed stalled with the next two campaigns producing 17 winners apiece but trainers like horses once they have shown that they have the talent then they will continue to produce and mount a comeback.

That comeback for Longsdon came when he moved to purpose-built premises in Oxfordshire at Over Norton and the 2010-11 National Hunt season produced a career best 44 winners at a strike-rate of 19%. That season has provided the springboard to move up a few divisions in the training ranks and although he isn’t in the Premier League yet he can’t be far off promotion. Already this year Longsdon has produced 40 winners and his strike-rate has improved to 24%. Those following the horse racing odds online should remember this.

The yard bought plenty of youngsters and most of them have won so far and lots of them have contributed to the total so far. October saw Longsdon register 14 winners from 50 runners at a strike-rate of 28%, November saw a dip in the output from the stable when it looked like the stable had some problems but they have bounced back strongly in December. Four winners have come in the early days of the month and the first winner of the month with Trafalgar Road saw a tremendous training performance as the fragile but talented horse came back to winning ways. Making his chase debut over Sandown’s tricky fences the Bob’s Return gelding jumped with great élan and fluency and looks as though he’ll really come on for that outing.

Despite having plenty of unexposed talent in his team, Longsdon has plenty of solid and more experienced talent with ten of his string rated 130-plus and it will not be a surprise to see the emerging talent that is Hazy Tom heading much higher than his current mark of 143. Hazy Tom looks as though he’ll be heading to Ascot for his next assignment for the 2M novice hurdle that Medermit won three years ago.

Others to look out from the yard are Hayjack, Paintball, Time For Spring and Hidden Keel, all of whom will have a good future from the up and coming yard of Charlie Longsdon.

Dalglish coy on skipper return

2011-12-15T16:06:00.000+05:30

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish will not be drawn into a debate on when the club’s star midfielder Steven Gerrard will return to action.

The Reds captain has been on the sidelines since October with a nasty ankle infection and his side have missed his influence in the middle of the park.

With the loss of Brazil international Lucas for the rest of the Premier League campaign, there is even more anticipation surrounding Gerrard’s return. Those looking at the Premier League betting predictions should remember this.

The England international has struggled with injuries in recent seasons and came through two groin operations before he picked up the ankle problem earlier in the campaign. People who bet on Premier League weekend games should bear this in mind.

Gerrard is nearing a return and could possible feature in Liverpool’s next Premier League outing, when they face Aston Villa on Sunday.

However Dalglish will not put a date on when his skipper will make his comeback or whether he will make an appearance at Villa Park this weekend.

The Scottish boss said: "Steven is progressing and training really well. Everybody is delighted with his progress, so that is positive as well.

"We'll wait and see [if he's available for Villa]. We won't set any targets for Sunday that we won't reach. When he's ready he'll be ready.

"It's fantastic for him that he's progressing as well as he is and great for us as well."

The Reds are currently sixth in the Premier League table and will be determined to keep in touching distance on the top four with a win against Villa this weekend.

Chelsea deny Cole taunts as title race hots up

2011-12-14T21:59:00.001+05:30

Chelsea have strongly denied newspaper reports that Ashley Cole taunted Manchester City players in the tunnel following their clash at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

Cole was alleged to have chanted ‘Thursday night, Channel Five’ at the City players, a slight aimed at their participation in the Europa League following their failure to qualify for the Champions League knock-out stages.

However, Chelsea have since denied any incident took place, with a statement on the club’s website saying: ‘Contrary to reports, Ashley Cole did not say anything to the opposition in the tunnel after Monday's game. Ashley has huge respect for the players and staff at Manchester City, many of whom he knows personally and calls friends.'

The game was a thrilling one and Cole's jubilant move justified, with Chelsea coming from behind to win 2-1 and give their premier league odds a real shot in the arm.

They remain seven points behind Roberto Mancini’s men but they confidence gained from halting the big-spending juggernaut could prove invaluable.

City now for the first-time this season have to prove a point. They have steam-rollered everyone in sight so far, but defeats to Napoli in the Champions League and now to Chelsea represent a real test.

They now host in-form Arsenal in what could be one of the matches of the season to date – they could even begin the game in second place with rivals United playing earlier in the day.

It looks set to be a bumper day for those who Live Football Online or on TV at home, with three games in-a-row live in a taster for the annual bumper festive programme, which thanks to Sky TV means there is a match on everyday during the Christmas holidays.

Being top on the 25th doesn’t guarantee much (and it doesn’t carry the stigma of Christmas on the bottom of the league) but it would certainly be a psychological boost in a fascinating title race that looks like going right to the wire.

Hart Memorial Trophy Candidates

2011-12-14T21:20:00.000+05:30

As the NHL moves through the first quarter of the season it seems like a good time to look at the top candidates for the Hart Memorial Trophygiven, not to the league MVP or best player, but rather the playermost valuable to his team. It’s an important distinction otherwise wehand over the trophy every year to Sidney Crosby. These candidates are certainly worth noting for NHL betting tips.

1. Jonathan Toews – Chicago Blackhawks
The best player on what is shaping up to be the best team in theleague and still only 23 years old. Toews, the Blackhawks captain,anchors the top line for Chicago and is tied with NHL scoring leaderPhil Kessel of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

2. Phil Kessel – Toronto Maple Leafs
Taken two picks below Toews in the 2006 NHL draft by the BostonBruins, Kessel has slowed a little after his red hot start to theseason, but still leads the league in goals and points. Moreover hisplay has elevated that of line mate Joffrey Lupul who appears to be onhis way to a career year after bouncing around the league with theAnaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers.

3. Claude Giroux – Philadelphia Flyers
Yet another skater from what is turning out to be a very good 2006 NHLdraft that also included the Penguins Jordan Staal and NicklasBackstrom of the Washington Capitals, Giroux was selected 22nd overallby the Flyers. The first line center may ultimately edge out Toews andKessel if all-around play is also taken into consideration.

4. Pavel Datsyuk – Detroit Red Wings
Datsyuk suffers in the race for the Hart Memorial because of thebelief that he is surrounded by superior talent in Detroit. That maybe so, but the value of the best two-way forward in the league cannotbe diminished so easily. Not only is he great for NHL picks, but is one of the great value picks of all time,Datsyuk lasted until the sixth round of the 1998 draft.

5. Steven Stamkos – Tampa Bay Lightning
On pace for a 100-point season the former top pick overall in 2008 haslived up to all the hype and finds himself at 21 the best player on aTampa team that also features Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier.Stamkos will not win the Hart this year, but pencil him in as theearly favorite for next.

Packers looking good to defend Super Bowl title

2011-12-14T20:07:00.003+05:30

The Green Bay Packers are looking the best team in the NFL by a wide margin and look a great chance of defending their Super Bowl title in Indianapolis come February.
Cheeseheads all over are celebrating the Packers booking their play-off by continuing their unbeaten run with a 38-35 win against New York Giants – courtesy of a last minute 30-yard field goal by Mason Crosby.

That means they are 12 games undefeated in the season and looking like steamrollering their way to Super Bowl XVLI in Indianapolis, which takes place on February 5th. People looking at the Superbowl odds should remember this.

The way the Packers came through the Giants test showed how resilient they are and answered any lingering questions about how they would react in a tight game. That vital win, coupled with the fact Detroit lost to New Orleans, ensured the Packers won the NFC North title.

A third consecutive playoff berth and the fourth in the six-year era under head coach Mike McCarthy pays testament to the quality Green Bay have and, while they have not often been really tested this season, the defending Super Bowl champions look capable of scoring for fun and steamrollering their way through teams. The Super Bowl betting reflects this.

McCarthy is refusing to get too carried away at the superlatives being thrown at the Packers and the fact they are the side picked by most onlookers to win Super Bowl XVLI, while there is also the question regarding whether they can push on to finish 16-0 and boast an unbeaten campaign.

"You stay focused on what's at hand, because every week it's going to be a challenge. We're 12-0, but we need to get to 13-0," said the coach.

"We have other goals in front of us before we can even entertain that. So I hope we are in position to talk about that. But right now, we really aren't."

NBC have confirmed that Madonna will perform at the Super Bowl XVLI half-time show in Indianapolis, with the half-time show becoming almost as big a deal as the Championship match for many fans and also advertisers.

Barca still on top

2011-12-14T19:25:00.004+05:30

Real Madrid were billed as favourites in some quarters going into their clash with Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday. Fifteen straight wins and scoring goals for fun – surely they would halt Barcelona’s El Clasico dominance?

The home side got off to a dream start. Not even 30 seconds were on the clock when Karim Benzema gave his side the lead from a Victor Valdes error. The majority of the 80,000 fans packed inside the stadium were dreaming of a victory which would have taken them six points clear of their fierce rivals. Those following the Spanish football betting will have known this.

Real were buoyant and pressed Barcelona at every opportunity. The Catalan giants looked rattled.

You can never keep a good side down, though, and Barca found a way back into the game after half an hour. The mercurial Lionel Messi fed Alexis Sanchez, who finished brilliantly past Iker Casillas.

The goal took the wind out of Real’s sails and they never recovered. They will point to a moment just before half-time when Messi was lucky to avoid a second yellow card, but, in truth, they were second best after Barcelona settled into the game.

Xavi scored with a deflected effort from outside the box to give Barca the lead, before Cesc Fabregas rounded off an excellent move to make the game safe.

Not for the first time, Messi completely outplayed Cristiano Ronaldo and led his side to victory over their bitterest of rivals. Question marks will remain over Ronaldo’s big-game temperament, while Messi can do little wrong. Even the referees can’t bear to see him leave the field.

Toulouse & Leinster Heineken Cup Favourites At Group Halfway Stage

2011-12-14T17:42:00.004+05:30

The halfway point in the Group stage of the Heineken Cup was reached last weekend, with only three teams, Munster in Pool 1, Cardiff Blues in Pool 2 and Toulouse in Pool 6 able to boast 100% records and top their respective Heineken Cup Pool Tables. As a result, all three teams look certain to qualify for the knock out stages but it remains competitive as to which teams will be joining them.

Pool 1

Billed as the ‘Pool of Death’ beforehand, Munster took control after winning their first match 23-21 in an epic encounter against last season’s runners up, Northampton. They followed that win up with narrow away wins against both Castres and Scarlets, which leaves them ‘sitting pretty’ on top. Meanwhile Scarlets having beaten Castres at home and Northampton away, earning themselves two valuable bonus points in the process, lay in second place on ten points. Castres are in third place on six points while Northampton who has yet to win a game are looking down and out on three points, all earned via the bonus points system.

Pool 2

Cardiff Blues have Pool 2 at their mercy having won three from three although they still must travel to both London Irish and will take on Edinburgh again this Friday at Murrayfield having trounced them in Cardiff last weekend by 25-8. With an away win already ‘in the bag’ against Racing Metro, a repeat win against Edinburgh this week should see the ‘Blues’ through. London Irish, currently on seven points, could go second in the Pool this weekend; provided they beat Racing at home and Edinburgh indeed lose to Cardiff.

Pool 3

Defending champions Leinster consolidated their position at the top of the Pool with an away win at Bath last weekend, courtesy of a kicking master class, from fly half, Johnny Sexton. The win comes on top of their home victory over Glasgow and their draw away at Montpellier. With two away wins in the bag, Leinster is virtually assured of qualifying for the knock out stage and are also the bookmakers favourites to win this season's trophy. However which side qualifies with them is very much in the balance, with Glasgow on eight points, Bath on six and Montpellier, who entertain Glasgow this weekend on four.

Pool 4

With Leicester losing their unbeaten tag last weekend away at Clermont this Pool is now a very open affair. Clermont sit top with ten points, Ulster are in second on nine points, while Leicester are now in third on eight points, Aironi, clearly the pool ‘whipping boys’ are just about out of the tournament with no points from three games. Leicester play host to Clermont this weekend, in a game which could effectively seal the Heineken Cup destiny for this season of the ‘Tigers’. Defeat for them on Saturday and a win with bonus points for Ulster over Aironi in Italy on Saturday could well see the two time winners out!

Pool 5

This Pool is a very tight affair, with Saracens currently holding sway on ten points having beaten Ospreys in a titanic struggle at home on Saturday. The two must face off again this Friday with this time Ospreys having home advantage and knowing that a win would lift them above ‘Sarries’. Should that be the case and Biarritz nail Treviso at home then they too could go above Sarries in the Pool. However that might be easier said than done as the Italian team defeated the French outfit last weekend to keep them well and truly in the Pool 5 picture. It is very much all to play for all four teams in this Pool.

Pool 6

Having beaten second place Harlequins at the Stoop last weekend, four times winners Toulouse can make sure of qualification with a repeat success over the Premier League leaders this Sunday, this time on home soil and as co-favourites to win the competition, a place in the enxt stage is expected. Should that be the case then it would allow Gloucester back into the Pool 6 picture, assuming that they repeat their success of last weekend against Connacht. Given that Toulouse look certain to win the Pool, the runner up spot could be decided in a straight showdown between Harlequins and Gloucester who face off against each other next month.

Have the Sens got back to the big time?

2011-12-14T16:51:00.000+05:30

The Ottawa Senators have always been there, or thereabouts, in terms of being a fairly decent NHL outfit on the ice (with a few exceptions in recent seasons), but it's fair to say that they have not been really serious contenders to bring home the biggest prize in hockey: the Stanley Cup.

Having previously reached the Stanley Cup only to be defeated and humiliated by the Ducks, the Senators have been involved in a pretty tough rebuilding job ever since, both in terms of their personnel and self-belief and those who bet on hockey have generally steered clear. This has been made much harder by the fact that the Sens have lost players such as Emery and Heatley, who were seen as big players for the future of the Senators, but both players let the franchise down.

That said, this season things are looking pretty good, the Sens managing to recover after a sticky start to put together a run of results that have started to impress even their harshest critics, finding themselves one of the most unlikely NHL betting tips.

If the Senators continue to hit top form and secure a decent spot in the play-offs, an event that several players such as Chris Neil deserve to take part in, then they will not only have managed to enjoy a decent regular season that has shocked everyone, but will also have blooded some youngsters in the best possible way.

With experience a key part of being a top hockey player, and with several members of the team looking like they want to etch out a successful career in Ottawa, the present and the future could be even better than Sens fans could have dreamed of when they were at the top of the hockey power rankings.

Crennel hoping to earn permanent deal

2011-12-14T15:51:00.000+05:30

The Kansas City Chiefs are entering a pivotal point of their season with three tough games coming up over the Christmas period: two home fixtures against the Green Bay Packers and the Oakland Raiders, followed by a trip to Colorado to take on the Denver Broncos on New Year’s Day.

Having recently dispensed of the services of head coach Todd Haley in the wake of their 37-10 loss against the New York Jets on Thursday – a result which compounded their recent poor performances and means that the Chiefs have now made a disappointing 5-8 start to the season – and as a result, former Cleveland Browns head coach Romeo Crennel has been appointed on an interim basis. People looking at the live in-play betting need to remember this.

Crennel has admitted this week that he has designs on keeping the job on a permanent basis, but realises that much hinges on how the team perform over the next handful of matches. Those placing online bets should bear this in mind.

The fact that Crennel already has NFL experience will certainly help his cause, but it is results out on the pitch that will be the deciding factor on whether he is deemed the right man to lead the team into 2012. Stuck at the bottom of the division – despite a surprising AFC West title less than a year ago – whilst injuries to the likes of Brandon Siler, Tony Moeaki, Eric Berry and Jamaal Charles have contributed to their recent demise, they have also made a rod for their own back with a poor disciplinary record as well as boasting the third worst offensive throwing stats in the league.

Scott Pioli, the Chiefs’ general manager, is known to be a fan of Romeo Crennel’s, and given his popularity amongst the players he will give him every opportunity to turn things around.

O'Sullivan wants more titles

2011-12-13T23:17:00.001+05:30

Ronnie O'Sullivan is regarded as one of the greatest snooker stars of all time but reckons he has under-achieved, so his rivals should take notice as 'The Rocket' wants to win more Masters and World Championship titles.

The 36-year-old is known for his pacey play around the table and his natural talent is lauded by some of the biggest names in the sport's history. However where there has been success, there has also been controversy surrounding O'Sullivan and in recent season he has slipped down the world rankings. People looking at snooker bets should bear this in mind.

O'Sullivan showed he is still a class act by thrashing Ding Junhui to win the 2011 Premier League title, with that result making it 10 Premier League title and seven wins in eight years for 'The Rocket'.

Ask any snooker fan and they will speak about O'Sullivan's thrilling 147 breaks and even the times he plays left-handed – which can wind opponents up – as his talent has electrified audiences around the globe since turning professional.

O'Sullivan is second on the all-time career prize money list but reckons he is going to be "the underdog" when the Masters comes round at Alexandra Palace in January and also the World Snooker Championships in April. Anyone following the snooker betting should remember this.

Despite all his success, he is only ranked 11th in the world and claims he should have experienced more title success throughout his career.

"I've won four UK titles, four Masters and three Worlds, which is a good haul, but in my mind I have under-achieved," said O'Sullivan.

"I should have won two more World titles, two more Masters and maybe another UK. I've been in nine Masters finals and I should have converted another couple of those."

The reigning World Snooker Champion John Higgins recently said O'Sullivan remains a big threat to all the competitors in the biggest tournaments, despite the fact he has struggled to match the heights of earlier in his career in recent years.

Grizzlies add to their roster

2011-12-13T22:06:00.000+05:30

Memphis Grizzlies have signed the highly-rated 20-year-old point guard Josh Selby on a multi-year contract.

Selby was selected 49th overall by the Grizzlies in the 2011 NBA Draft after averaging 7.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 26 games for the Kansas Jayhawks.

The Baltimore-born youngster joins fellow former Jayhawks, Darrell Arthur and Xavier Henry on the Grizzlies roster and people who bet on basketball should bear in mind.

Memphis have also signed free agent Jeremy Pargo who spent last season with Euroleague side Maccabi Tel-Aviv. The 25-year-old helped Hapoel Gilboa Galil Elyon win the 2010 Israeli Basketball Super League Championship before joining Maccabi Tel-Aviv.

Pargo also played for the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Bobcats and Minnesota Timberwolves earlier in his career.

In addition, the Grizzlies have snapped up Josh Davis, Mikki Moore, Jared Reiner, Walter Sharpe and Brian Skinner in readiness for the new season.

The five players have 31 years of NBA experience between them as Memphis attempt to improve on last season's run to the play-offs.

Despite finishing only fourth in the Southwest Division standings after winning 46 of their 82 regular season matches, they sneaked into the play-offs and surprisingly beat much-fancied San Antonio Spurs 4-2 before being beaten by 4-3 by Oklahoma City Thunder.

Point guard Mike Conley is looking forward to another successful season, saying: "It's obvious that as a team, we have a lot of optimism. We feel like we have a team to make a run at a championship."That's always been our goal each year. We've got the team. We've got Rudy (Gay) back and he's ready to go, he says he’s 100 per cent."Gay missed the closing weeks of last season and the play-offs after suffering a shoulder injury in February.

End of an era as the great Denman retires

2011-12-13T18:52:00.000+05:30

All good things come to an end, and though it had appeared that the great Denman would race on for one more season and thrill us with his exuberant chasing performances, a tendon injury has brought to a close the career of Paul Nicholls’ outstanding performer who has been retired with immediate effect, writes Elliot Slater.

A star of the British jumps racing scene for six seasons, Denman was being prepared for his seasonal return in the Grade 1 Lexus Chase at Leopardstown (a race he won as far back as 2007), when returning lame to the stables of his trainer and greatest admirer Paul Nicholls. Routine scans showed tendon damage, and after a brief consultation with owner Paul Barber, Nicholls made the announcement that Denman had run his last race and will be retired, although he won’t be leaving Ditcheat stables just yet as the champion trainer wants him to stay to the end of the season to keep his best friend and biggest rival Kauto Star company as the other great old warrior attempts to keep rolling back the years. People with victor chandler free bets will be sad to see him go.

Denman famously defeated Kauto Star in the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup before finishing second to his stable companion in the race 12 months later. He then went on to finish runner-up in the two subsequent renewals of the ultimate steeplechasing contest, most recently finishing second to the new young star, Long Run. As well as his outstanding Gold Cup record Denman also won two Hennessy Gold Cups under huge weights and won the RSA Chase in a career signified by his trademark dashing jumping and bold front-running. Fans of bwin should remember this.

Too often great sports stars go on for too long and are only remembered as a shadow of their former self, but in Denman’s case he is going out very close to the top after a stunning career and deserves many long and happy years out at grass in his retirement.

Soderling to miss Australian Open

2011-12-13T18:34:00.002+05:30

Robin Soderling has confirmed that he will miss the opening Grand Slam of 2012 in the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.

The Swede has been out of action with the virus infectious mononucle since September and is not going to be fit in time to take up a spot in the first major of next year which gets underway on January 16. The latest Australian Open betting has been updated to reflect this.

Soderling last match was when winning the Swedish Cup in his home country, beating David Ferrer in the final in Bastad. The 27-year old had to pull out of the US Open at the last minute with the virus and did not recover in time to make the Shanghai Masters.

The world number 13 is hoping to be back in action in February but has to decide where his comeback will be. The two-time French Open finalist is hoping to step up his training in January to try and reach match fitness before a return to the court.

"I am feeling better with each day but it will still take some time before I can start practicing in full speed," Soderling said on his twitter account.

Soderling did have his best run of his career at the Australian Open last year in which he reached the fourth round in the draw before losing to Alexandr Dolgopolov.

The Swede then went on a rich vein of form by winning back-to-back titles in Rotterdam and Marseille His last Grand Slam appearance was at Wimbledon where he was eliminated in the third round by Australian Bernard Tomic where he was struggling with stomach pains during the game.

Roethlisberger calms injury fears

2011-12-12T21:03:00.001+05:30

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has admitted that he feared he had broken his leg during the recent victory against the Cleveland Browns.

He was forced to go to the locker room and did not reappear in the first half before eventually returning to the action in the second half, albeit with a noticeable limp.

Roethlisberger was sacked by former Steeler Scott Paxson with 5:59 to go before half time and turned his left ankle as he fell to the ground.

"I thought my leg was broken," he said. "My ankle felt like it was going to explode. But I wanted to be out there for my guys."

Charlie Batch came on for Roethlisberger, but he was 0 for 2 as a passer and was sacked once in two drives before the first half ended. Anyone looking at the online NFL betting would not have been impressed.

The Steelers suffered several more injury problems during the game, with defensive lineman Ziggy Hood having to leave the pitch in the second quarter with a groin injury.

Starting center Maurkice Pouncey also injured an ankle with Doug Legursky moving from left guard to center while Chris Kemoeatu came in to play left guard.

Despite their injury woes, the Steelers continue to enjoy an excellent season and have now won ten of their 13 matches. They sit at the top of the AFC North standings and have won four successive games since losing 23-20 to Baltimore in early November.

Pittsburgh's last three games of the regular season are against San Francisco on 19th December, St Louis on Christmas Eve and Cleveland on New Year's Day.

Vidic blow completes nightmare week for Man United

2011-12-09T17:58:00.001+05:30

It was the news that Sir Alex Ferguson expected, but it nevertheless stung when it was confirmed that defender Nemanja Vidic will miss the rest of the season after rupturing his cruciate knee ligament.

The giant Serbian suffered the injury just before half-time in the club’s 2-1 Champions League defeat to Basel, a loss that sent them spiralling out of the Champions League and into the Europa League.

The damaging prognosis of Vidic's injury merely rubs salt into an already gaping United wounds.

With the club still five points behind Manchester City in the title race, it is little wonder that things are a little glum in the red half of Manchester at present, with festive cheer conspicuous by its absence during Fergie’s press conference.

"Nemanja is out for the season," Ferguson said. "It is bad news. He will be a loss.

"I thought [the injury] was a bad one when I saw it."

"[Vidic] sees the specialist on Monday to map out the progress of when he has the operation. It won't be immediate because we have to let the swelling come down."

He now joins Dimtar Berbatov, Michael Owen, Anderson, Tom Cleverley, Fabio, Rafael and Javier Hernandez on the sidelines, while winger Ashley Young looked to have aggravated his toe injury against Basel where he was substituted in the second half.

The Red Devils have fallen well behind in the Premier League betting with their rampant noisy neighbours seemingly on an unstoppable course for the title next May.

That will be hard to take for a man like Ferguson, who is eyeing a final flourish before bringing the curtain down on his illustrious managerial career.

However, people were writing similar obituaries when United last upset the football betting and tumbled out of the Champions League back in 2005. They had also gone three years without the league title at that stage too, but they roared back to win three Premier League trophies, two league cups, the Champions League and two further Champions League finals.

Given what’s gone on before, I wouldn’t bet against Fergie having the last laugh this time round either.

Gauvain Peterborough win enhances Cheltenham claims

2011-12-09T16:20:00.001+05:30

Nick Williams proved his decision to turn Gauvain out again only five days after taking a crashing fall to be exactly right as the talented performer put in a career best effort to lower the colours of hot favourite Somersby in the Grade 2 Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon on Thursday, in the process doing plenty to advertise his prospects for honours at the Cheltenham Festival in March, writes Elliot Slater.

Gauvain, who had never before won beyond the minimum trip, had been in contention in the Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown the previous Saturday when taking a heavy tumble at the eighth fence and his presence in the line-up for the Huntingdon contest came as a surprise to many observers. Williams however was thoroughly satisfied that the nine-year-old was none the worse for his mishap and he proved fully vindicated as the German-bred jumped well throughout before taking up the running at the third from home. Those looking at the latest Cheltenham odds will have been impressed.

Asked to quicken before the home turn by Noel Fehily, Gauvain soon put daylight between himself and the rest of the field, and though Somersby stayed-on to take second he never appeared likely to rein in the winner who had done enough to score by an impressive four-and-a-half-lengths.

Undoubtedly Gauvain's task had been made easier by the surprise fifth fence departure of The Nightingale, but there was little doubt that the son of Sternkoenig saw the extended two-and-a-half mile trip out very well in the soft ground and he consequently appears to have the option of tackling the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in the spring (for which he is now generally on offer at 14/1), or going for the Queen Mother Champion Chase, for which he was cut from 33/1 to as short as 14/1 with some firms following his Peterborough Chase success.

Tip-top Vedette lands Hatton's Grace

2011-12-07T15:08:00.001+05:30

Colm Murphy's fine mare Voler La Vedette at last gained a much deserved first Grade 1 victory when proving too good for her three rivals in the Bar One Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday, enhancing her claims as one of the main dangers to the mighty Quevega in the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, writes Elliot Slater.

Soft ground is ideal for the daughter of King's Theatre whose task at Fairyhouse was made somewhat easier by the late absence of Mikhael D'Haguenet, but she still had to be very much on her game to see off the smart pair Mourad and The Real Article who she eventually defeated by three-and-three-quarter-lengths and a head, with Final Approach some way further back last of the quartet. People looking at the Cheltenham Festival betting should remember this.

The race panned out perfectly for Andrew Lynch's mount as she tracked the leaders until quickening through to take up the running approaching the second from home. Though both the favourite Mourad and The Real Article tried hard to close her down, Voler La Vedette (7/4) had too many guns and in the end won with a little up her sleeve. Now a winner of four of her last five outings, the only blip in the sequence was when the seven-year-old failed to handle the rampant Quevega when fourth to Willie Mullins' star at Punchestown last May in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle. Even those looking ahead to the date of Cheltenham Gold Cup 2012 need to bear this in mind.

Murphy will keep his options open with a mind to where his talented mare will go next, pointing out that she is equally effective at anything between two to three miles and that the most important factor in any decision will be to go where there is cut in the ground. Following her win Voler La Vedette was cut to 8/1 second favourite in the ante-post list for the 'David Nicholson' behind red-hot market leader Quevega, a top price 6/4 shot to land the race for the fourth year running.

Fingal impresses with gutsy Sandown success

2011-12-06T15:09:00.001+05:30

Philip Hobbs looks to have a very serious Cheltenham Festival contender on his hands in the shape of the progressive Fingal Bay who put up a fine performance to defeat Simonsig at Sandown on Friday and in the process enhanced his claims for the Neptune Investment Novices Hurdle at the showcase fixture in mid-March, writes Elliot Slater.

Given a fine ride by Richard Johnson, the five-year-old retained his unbeaten record in proving nearly three-lengths too good for the very promising Simonsig, who in turn finished well clear of the remainder in the Grade 2 two-and-a-half-mile contest that appeared to most observers to be the best race of its kind run so far in Britain this term. Although Nicky Henderson's charge appeared to be going that little bit better turning for home, it was Fingal Bay who showed the better stamina up the Sandown hill and his relentless manner and willing attitude eventually saw him prevail with a little bit up his sleeve, giving the impression that a further half-mile would also be well within his compass should connections look to tackle the longer race option of the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Even those looking for Aintree tips should remember this.

Hobbs expressed his delight at the performance of his winner and immediately nominated the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury on New Year's Eve as the next likely target for his rising star who might then be given a break before returning for the festival meeting 10 weeks later. Henderson was also very pleased with the run of Simonsig who could prove to be a regular rival for his Sandown conqueror in the months ahead. People looking for a Grand National winner should bear this in mind.

Fingal Bay is now a best priced 5/1 ante-post favourite (from 8/1) for both the 'Neptune' and the 'Albert Bartlett', whilst Simonsig is generally a 14/1 shot for both races.

Denman in top shape ahead of Lexus return

2011-12-05T21:47:00.001+05:30

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has been at pains to remind punters not to forget the great Denman ahead of the veteran’s return to action this season in the Grade 1 Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28, writes Elliot Slater.

Nicholls believes that many people in horse racing betting circles have written off the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner as being ‘over the hill’ on the evidence of his final outing of the term when he ran poorly at Aintree, but believes he should be better judged on his outstanding effort in the Gold Cup a few weeks earlier when running a blinder to finish second to Long Run, just edging out stable companion and fellow racing legend Kauto Star to take the minor honour.

Nicholls has already proved with the stunning seasonal debut effort of Kauto Star in routing Long Run in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last month, that he can have his veteran horses cherry ripe for their first run of the term and reports that Denman is doing everything right at home and is showing no signs just yet of age catching up with him and ruling him out of competing at the very highest level of the sport.

As short as 16/1 with some firms but some horse racing tips have him available at up to 25/1 for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, those odds will certainly tumble if, (as Nicholls appears to expect), Denman runs a big race in Ireland at the end of the month. It shouldn’t be forgotten that the veteran is still one of the highest rated chasers in training (177) and those that recall his 14 wins from 24 career starts, including two Hennessy Gold Cups, the Lexus Chase, Cheltenham Gold Cup and RSA Chase, will not be too quick to sign owner Paul Barber’s great racehorse off to the history books just yet

Euro 2012 Draw Throws Up Mouth Watering Clashes Ahead of Group Stage

2011-12-05T20:11:00.003+05:30

The draw for the group stage of Euro 2012 has been made and has thrown up a host of imponderables, with many fixtures capturing the imagination of football fans ahead of the tournament which gets underway next June.

The Bookmakers have been very busy calculating impact the draw has had on the Euro odds but in all cases that have made defending European and world cup champions, Spain, as the favourites to win at around the 5/2 mark with Germany next best at 3/1. Both teams however, although separated in the initial stages, have been drawn in the two most difficult groups, Germany in Group B alongside Holland, Denmark and Portugal whilst Spain has been drawn in Group C with Italy, Republic of Ireland and Croatia.

Euro 2012 promises to be one of the most competitive European Championships for sometime and all 16 teams will fancy their chances of progressing beyond the group stage. Equally, the full Euro draw ensures that every team will have its work cut out but as Greece proved when winning the competition in 2004, anything is possible.

Group A

Poland

Greece

Russia

Czech Republic

There is very little to choose between any of these teams as the two most likely qualifiers. Obviously co-hosts Poland will be playing in front of a very partisan crowd, while Russia at number 12 and Greece at 14 are the two highest ranked teams.

The Czech Republic could easily be the ‘dark horses’ however, if their recent form is anything to go by. Four wins in their last five games suggest that they are improving all the time, although admittedly two of those wins came in the Euro 2012 Play-Off qualifiers against Montenegro.

The opening games in this group of Poland v Greece which opens the tournament on June 8^th and Russia v Czech republic, should go a long way into deciding of who and who does not go through to the knock out stages.

Prediction: Russia and Czech Republic

Group B

Holland

Denmark

Germany

Portugal

Germany has been made the favourites to win the group with odds of 5/4, while Holland who are ranked at number two behind Spain in the FIFA World Rankings are a best price of 2/1 to beat them to it. Portugal come next with odds of 4/1 while Denmark who are ranked 11 in the world are the outsiders with odds of anything between 12 and 20/1.

Holland open their account against Denmark which is immediately followed by Germany v Portugal. These are games that are extremely hard to call, but whatever can grab an early win in this group will give themselves a huge advantage. Traditionally groups as tight as this one usually start with two draws, with no team wanting to take any chances so early on in the competition.

Prediction: Holland and Germany

Group C

Spain

Italy

Croatia

Republic of Ireland

It might be a slight exaggeration to have suggested that this is also a ‘group of death’ but it is quite obvious that Italy will not relish having to play the Rep of Ireland especially after having had such a torrid time against them during the qualifying phase.

Spain however should have no such fears about Ireland but will not be too enamoured by having to play Italy in their first match on 10^th June. It should be noted that Italy managed to beat Spain in a friendly in the summer by 2-1.

Croatia have been a good team for a long time and should be regarded as the ‘dark horses’. However it will essential for them to deprive Ireland of a point when the two meet in their opening game an that is no easy task as Ireland come to the tournament as one of the hardest teams to beat in Europe.

Prediction: Spain and Italy

Group D

Ukraine

Sweden

France

England

Despite having co-hosts in the group, the English and French teams will only have themselves to blame should they not make it through to the last eight. England who have been in very consistent form since returning from the World Cup in S Africa, will be wary of the threat that France will set and will not want to be losing to them in the opening game of the group on June 11^th.

England have already shown that they have the measure of Sweden in their recent ‘friendly’ and should prove too good for the likes of Ukraine who will co-host the tournament without having to play any competitive matches recently.

Both Fabio Capello and French boss, Laurent Blanc will be aware that whoever loses in their head to head will almost certainly face Spain in the last eight.

Prediction: England and France

Impressive Sivola on the up-and-up

2011-12-05T18:55:00.001+05:30

Tom George looks to have an exciting handicap hurdler in the shape of the rapidly progressive Sivola de Sivola who put up an eye-catching performance at Newbury last month when easily accounting for useful opposition in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle (qualifier) to catapult himself into the frame for honours in the final of the staying handicap hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, writes Elliot Slater.

George’s five-year-old came up against very smart rivals on each of his first three races over timber, but showed on his second outing when finishing a good runner-up to subsequent Supreme Novices Hurdle runner-up and Aintree Festival winner Spirit Son, that he is a horse of some latent ability. Getting off the mark at the fourth time of asking in a Perth maiden hurdle in April, Sivola de Sivola was then roughed off for the summer but has returned in tremendous form this season. People looking for tips for Cheltenham betting should remember this.

After justifying favouritism at Carlisle on October on his first outing of the campaign the son of Martaline then ran with credit when a staying-on fifth to Fingal Bay in a Grade 2 event at Cheltenham in early November. Stepped up to three miles for his most recent race at Newbury and well supported down to 7/2 favouritism, Sivola de Sivola was always travelling well behind the leaders before being sent on at the second last, from where he stayed-on well to beat Kasbadali by five-lengths. People following the Cheltenham betting tips should bear this in mind.

That effort convinced George that his youngster is definitely on the upgrade and he is looking forward to taking him to Cheltenham in March where he could contest either the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final or, if he improves further between now and then, might have a crack at the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle. Wherever he goes there is little doubt that the progressive grey gelding is definitely worth following for the time being.

World title could cap extraordinary year for Wade

2011-11-30T21:29:00.001+05:30

James Wade is the second most successful player in PDC history after the legend that is Phil Taylor, but he has never won the PDC World Championship and victory this time around would cap a remarkable turnaround year for the left-hander.

The 28-year-old was knocked out of the world championship at Alexandra Palace last year in the first round by Austrian unknown star Mensur Suljovic.

After this Wade checked into a rehabilitation clinic and was diagnoses with bipolar and attention deficit disorders, with the darts star bravely going public and revealing his long-running battles with depression during the summer. Those looking at the latest darts betting odds will have been surprised.

The PDC fans were unanimously behind Wade and chanted his name upon his return at the UK Open in Bolton – which he won for second time – and the darts world have continued to support him in tournaments across the world.

Despite all his success, the best Wade has to show at the PDC World Championships is a semi-final appearance in 2009 and there will be many fans hoping the Aldershot flinger can be a success at the Alexandra Palace this time around.

There is no doubting he has the ability to beat anyone – up to and including the mercurial Phil Taylor – in the PDC draw and it can all depend as to how Wade is feeling in himself as to how far he can go in the tournament.

But after such an emotional and extraordinary year in his career there would be few who would complain if Wade finally added a world championship trophy to an already glowing CV.

Colts and the Stanford QB connection

2011-11-30T21:23:00.001+05:30

After an NFL Draft in 2011 that saw four quarterbacks taken in the first 12 picks of the first round the 2012 draft is shaping up nicelywith four teams that obviously need a first round quarterback pick and,coincidently, four potential franchise quarterbacks with the ability to influence Football betting expected to beavailable. There’s just one problem. The Colts, who will have thefirst pick, don’t need a franchise quarterback yet, but they are notexpected to pass on the opportunity to select Peyton Manning’seventual successor in Indianapolis.

While technically owning an additional year of eligibility no one isexpecting Stanford’s Andrew Luck to return to Palo Alto and insteadthe presumptive No. 1 overall pick will head to Indiana the secondtime that the Colts will have selected a can’t miss QB prospect out ofStanford with the top overall pick in the draft. Those that Bet on NFL will remember that the first time, ofcourse, was John Elway who never played a down for the Colts when thefranchise was in Baltimore giving the excuse that he didn’t want toplay in a cold weather city. The issue, years later now acknowledged,was that Elway was never going to play for Frank Kush, then the headcoach in Baltimore but previously in college at Arizona State wherehis methods were known to, and disapproved by Elway’s father, Jack.

Elway would be traded away to Denver, the Colts receiving offensivelineman Chris Hinton, a 1984 first round draft pick and QB MarkHerrmann, a poor haul in retrospect for a Super Bowl winningquarterback. These days the Executive Vice President of FootballOperations in Denver for the Broncos, Elway has his own QB problemswhere Tim Tebow is winning, but certainly isn’t an NFL readyquarterback from a throwing standpoint. It would be a surprise ifDenver doesn’t take either Landry Jones from Oklahoma or Matt Barkleyout of USC in the 2012 draft unless Washington, Miami or Seattleaddresses their needs first.