Douvan and Co have Willie Mullins dreaming of more Festival success February 28, 2017 ALTHOUGH the sun was shining at Willie Mullins’ Closutton base on Monday, as he briefed the media ahead of the Cheltenham Festival, some dark clouds have been hovering over the County Carlow stable this season. The Irish champion trainer has saddled an astonishing 15 winners at the last two festivals, but the run-up to this [...]
Road to Cheltenham: Get the Champagne ready for a right Royal celebration February 23, 2017 NEXT month’s Cheltenham Festival lost arguably its biggest star earlier this week when news broke that Gold Cup favourite Thistlecrack will miss the rest of the season. His absence from the meeting’s feature race means his stablemates Native River and Cue Card now head the betting at 3/1 and 7/2 respectively. Both should play a [...]
Horse racing betting tips: Steve looks just the job for punters at Kempton February 23, 2017 WITH just 18 days to go until the Cheltenham Festival, Saturday's Kempton card is pretty much the last chance for some horses to book their ticket to the party. The big race of the day is the BetBright Chase (3.35pm), where last year’s winner Theatre Guide will be hoping to perk up his trainer Colin [...]
Betting: England to extend winning streak against an improved Italy February 23, 2017 A much-changed England side will be looking to make it 17 consecutive victories when they host Italy at Twickenham tomorrow. The Red Rose have been far from their best in this year’s Six Nations, but last-gasp victories over France and Wales have left them on course for their second successive Grand Slam. An easier test [...]
Betting: Jose Mourinho to add to trophy cabinet with EFL Cup win February 23, 2017 The first trophy of the season is up for grabs on Sunday, and for one manager, it will be the first piece of silverware at their new club, as Manchester United take on Southampton in the EFL Cup final. United boss Jose Mourinho loves this competition – he won it in his first season at [...]
Betting: Back Sevilla to make short work of toothless Leicester February 21, 2017 If someone emerged from 18 months in a cave to see Leicester City 17th in the Premier League, they probably wouldn’t bat an eye. The news that the Foxes won the league last year, and are now in the Champions League knock-out stages would probably leave them wondering how long they’d been in there. Just don’t [...]
Betting: French leaders Monaco a good match for Pep’s Manchester City February 20, 2017 Pep Guardiola's dream of lifting the Champions League in his first season as Manchester City boss really kicks into gear as City take their knock-out bow against Monaco tomorrow. Guardiola would have been forgiven a smile when the side from the principality were picked out of the hat ahead of more illustrious group-winners, but City should [...]
Road To Cheltenham: Empire can strike back in the Ryanair Chase February 17, 2017 OVER the coming weeks I will be taking a look at the ante-post markets for this year’s Cheltenham Festival and putting together a portfolio of bets. The first horse I’d like to recommend is EMPIRE OF DIRT at 9/1 for the Ryanair Chase. An impressive winner of last season’s Festival Plate, the ten-year-old routed his [...]
Horse racing betting tips: Taquin looks value to upset Cue Card in Ascot Chase February 17, 2017 HATS off to the connections of Cue Card who this week scratched the lovable 11-year-old from next month’s Ryanair Chase, signifying their intentions to once again go for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The seven-time Grade One winner completes his preparations for this year’s Festival by running in Saturday's Ascot Chase (3.35pm), for which he is [...]
Betting: Millwall to continue Foxes horror show with cup win over Leicester February 16, 2017 When the film of Jamie Vardy’s rise from non-league to the Premier League title is made, the sequel might end up being just as entertaining. After Leicester pulled off possibly the greatest sporting achievement of all time last season, the follow-up this term has been less rom-com, more horror film. The Foxes sit just two [...]