Aston Villa v's Blackpool

Villa have the edge in my reckoning but have problems in the scoring department. Delfouneso has a great opportunity to make his way into the first team on a regular basis and didn't look out of place against Fulham but missed a couple of chances to seal victory for the mid-landers. Blackpool are the surprise team of the promotion brigade and have a very good record on the road this season but I will again lay them as insurance against one of those 0-0 happening for a record third occasion at Villa Park.
Stake: - 6 point lay of Blackpool@6.0

Leeds v Hull

I take the opinion that Leeds will hold sway in this fixture but will take the insurance of laying Hull.

Stake: - 3.5 points lay of Hull@ 4.5

A little trade on Danish football.

OB v Randers

Randers may hold out for some time and a trade on the draw looks a fair proposition. Recent meetings shows that the away team has held its own when up against the Boldklub. Former Man Utd keeper Roy Carroll is now between the post for the 5th place team.

Stake: -

1 point on the draw@3.9

Times they are a trading!
There seems a 'new' way to make money from trading on markets be the sports markets or otherwise.
Watching football on TV or elsewhere you get the distinct impression that gambling and/or trading has taken over sponsorship of sport.
The question I ask myself, has all this gambling/trading bypassed they people who provide the sport week-in week-out?
Or does it have an effect on you as a team member if you see 3, 5 or 10 million pounds traded on your team to win, lose or draw?
With cricket coming under the spotlight in recent months and revelations about Asian bookmakers approaching players to set-up or fix aspects of matches it makes one think if that mistake you seen in the football match last week on TV was a genuine mistake or a fix of sorts.
I have recently found myself using the slow-motion button on my V+ box over and over again trying to decide if people really could miss such a golden chance to score?

A Geeks Toy screenshot

Where did it all go wrong?

Sad to see that JP has decide to call it a day on his blog. He is really honest in his assessment of the situation that he faced and sadly after making the decision to go fulltime at covering a portfolio of tipsters he has found the cards dealt against him. This should be a lesson to us all!

The most disturbing aspect for me is how people are submitting comments claiming how well they are doing!

His blog laid out exactly how this aspect of gambling should be done and despite his best efforts and professional approach it failed to produce an end product satisfactory to his needs.

End of!

The past twelve months have been the most trying to me and despite my best efforts there seems no bottoming out in this poor run of form. Like JP I leave the bullshit to others.

Sunday 11th
Curragh 3.45

Result: -Kalgari former stablemate of selection won.
Rayeni Lost -5 points

The Gladness Stakes
The Dermot Weld stable won this race last year with Mad About You and are hoping to repeat that performance with the 4yo Libano who won the Knockaire Stakes(Listed) at Leopardstown last November after being allowed to make all in a slowly run race but there are more contenders for the lead here and that should suit cheif rival in the market Rayeni who was placed at a disadvantage when 2nd behind Libano in the above race. The Oxx runner can carry on the good start the stable have made to the new 2010 flat season and could find a bigger treat coming from Vocalised from the Jim Bolger yard who has an 80% strike rate over this distance but seems to lack a "change of gear" however that may not be an issue if he is given a "true run race" in these soft conditions.
Stakes : -5 points win Rayani

Wishing a happy and peaceful Easter to all.
The flat season is back with us and after Cheltenham a change and a rest could be what we need.
Here in the UK Richard Fahey continues where he left off last season churning out the winners.
Tommy Stack has hit the ground running and has dominated the early days of the Irish flat season.
Aintree is just around the corner and hopefully there will be better returns for the punter over the bookmakers than was the case at Cheltenham.
Madison Du Burlais, winner of the Bowl Chase last April, looks interesting at this stage along with the very disappointing Notre Pere for the Grand National itself. Could Madison, who recorded his only career fall in the 2008 race, be the next French bred winner after Mon Mone despite their poor record in the great race?
On the flat the Group 3 Gladness Stakes at the Curragh is the first real opportunity to make previous form pay and with the likes of Famous Name from last years winning stable of Dermot Weld hoping to repeat Mad About You's win but 7f, will it be too sharp?
Time will tell!

Friday 5th
Wolverhampton 8.35

Result: -My Mirasol Lost -5 Points

There are some strong form lines in this race for the class and despite Well Of Echoes looking to be well capable of completing the four timer most of my money is with the Don Cantillon trained and Dane O'Neill ridden My Mirasol(7/1 Betfair) The 6yo has done all his winning over this C&D and is now on a very lenient mark and although better was expected LTO there is more strenght in the saddle tonight and this looks a fair betting oppertunity. A forecast saver is also worth covering with the favorite.
Stakes: -
3 Points win My Mirasol
2 Points computer straight forecast Well Of Echoes to beat My Mirasol.

Saturday 27th
Kempton 3.05

Result: -In very testing conditions Razor Royal beat Nacarat.
Madison Du Berlais was found wanting in these conditions.
Madison Du Berlais Lost - 3 Points

Racing Post Chase
Nacarat won this race last year, impressively, when rated 147 by the Official Handicapper(OH) but is as a result of that performance now rated 158. His recent run behind Kauto Star was a career personal best effort in my opinion and entitles him to plenty of respect in this event. Tom George, his trainer, has proved himself a dab hand at producing these steeple chasers in perfect order on the big day. Gets a handy four pound concession from the top weight. A.P McCoy replaces suspended regular jockey Sam Thomas. Top three finish expected.
Madison Du Berlais (10/1 Paddy Power) The addition of pleats worked the trick with this fellow and brought about immense improvement. Winning two Grade 2 races last season and has consequently found himself mixing with top class company. Carry's top weight here but is seen as the one they all have to beat if producing something near his best on the day whilst others would have to produce personal bests in order to match his average past achievements. Blinkers instead of pleats. Trainer has managed his career very well. Regular jockey is Tom Scudamore. Most likely winner.
Miss Mitch(Nr) has the collateral form to win a race of this standing which is great provided those entire 'if's' and 'buts' ' work out in your favor. Alas those moments are proving very elusive in this sphere of racing and the strengths of that tool are maybe better seen in the Novice divisions. Her trainer has few if any peers in this game. Ignore her at our peril.
Stakes: - 3 Points win Madison Du Berlais

Sunday 28th
Leopardstown 4.20

Result : - Tranquil Sea wins from Natal
Maid In Taipan was unplaced -5 points.

Newlands Chase

Re-scheduled after Nass was abondoned.
Looks a wide open contest despite the market saying otherwise.
Cartlawn won this race last year but more recently was easily outpointed at Cork by Golden Silver and again by that opponent at Leopardstown.when receiving weight.
Tranquil Sea heading for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham next month was also found wanting by Golden Silver at Leopardstown over Christmas. Tranquil Sea has had a break since and looks the one to beat but at odds of 4/5 fav is far too short despite Edward O'Gradys stable having recent winners. Better value is to be had with Arthur Moore's Mansony but Davy Russell has chosen to ride Maid In Taipan (To Place 5/4 Betfair) and that looks decisive and if the Paul Duffin owned gelding can find something close to his best form a finish in the top three place surely awaits.
Stakes: -5 Points Place Maid In Taipan

Nice to see others return to the blogging scene and especially the two people I follow. I notice the Geeks Toy is linked on JP's blog, a must for anyone interested in trading software and this is a free and speedier version.

Saturday 20th
Ascot 3.15

Result: -Monets Garden wins from Albertas Run
Albertas Run Lost -2 Points

Betfair Ascot Chase
Planet Of Sound looks the part if the 'expected progression' is fortcoming but that is guessing and with others in the field also showing progressive profiles you could guess (btw, Oh Crick would be my personal guess, he ran well behind Twist Magic when stable not firing on all cylinders and if his stamina holds, could beat all) that any one of four could find the improvement necessary to win this. Monets Garden best when fresh has had a 91 day break but the 12yo looks upagainst it in this despite holding the best bits of form in the book. The one I fancy, despite his quirks, is Albertas Run (7/1 Betfair). The John Joe O'Neill trained gelding has won 2-2 at the track including the Reynoldstown  Novice Chase and has mixed it with the best in recent runs and beat both Planet Of Sound and Monets Garden at this track last November.
Stakes: -2 Points win Albertas Run

Sunday 7th
Leopardstown 3.45

Result: -Fantastic race with a great finish between Joncol and Cooldine. The 7yo Joncol staying best.
Notre Pere Lost -2 Points

Irish Hennessy Gold Cup
Interesting race with the form of the Lexus Chase in large part being ignored by the looks of those at the head of the market and that maybe a correct course of action given the time for that race was a poor one indicating in part that not all were allowed to show their true running and despite underfoot conditions looking heavy again Cooldine is expected to improve for his second run of the season. He ran too 'keen' early on in the Lexus but was still right there until they came into the straight proper and should now be able to give a much better account of himself. Joncol also ran in the Lexus where he looked very slow but was enjoying the slog. He has youth on his side and will improve with time but looks to lack the gears necessary to beat a field of this nature. Money Trix ran a great race for Greystoke trainer Nicky Richards in the Lexus Chase and went into many a notebook as a result running on well behind What A Friend in a race possibly not run to fast enough to suit him. Last year Notre Pere (11/2 Betfair) ran second in this race behind Neptune Collonges after been heavily supported in the market. He fell at Down Royal earlier this season and has not shown anything to suggest he is about to run close to his best but these are his ideal conditions and has more in his favour than most and should now be ready to play his hand after a couple of confidence boosters. His winning run in the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown last April suggests he has the talent to win this.
Stakes: - 2 point win Notre Pere

Saturday 23rd
Ascot 2.40

Result:-Twist Magic made all and despite Petit Robin's challenge Twist Magic won well in the end.

Twist Magic Won +7.5 Points

Victor Chandler Chase

The weather has played havoc with NH racing fixtures and that in-turn has reduced the amount of opportunities to cover racing. There are three in this that look to have the race between then and with Well Chief being out pointed by Petit Robin at Kempton in the Desert Orchid Chase on Boxing Day the race looks to be between the last mentioned and, the visually impressive winner of the Tingle Creek, Twist Magic (6/4 Betfair) Petit Robin has plenty of improvement in him and will give the selection plenty to think about if his jumping is at its best but the Paul Nicholls trained 8yo has very good course form and a mouth watering dual between the two best jockeys in these lands looks on the cards if all goes to plan.
Stakes: - 5 Points win Twist Magic

Happy New Year to one and all.
Personally, 2009 proved a difficult year with changes aplenty.
Thankyou to those individuals who helped lessen the impact of those changes and I will endevour to repay you all in some small way in the fort-coming year.
Racing was blessed to have such heroes as Sea The Stars, Kauto Star, Mick Kinane, John Oxx and those other greats who continue to give us such entertainment by the cart load.
This new year and new decade will demand its heroes too.