Bet123 Online Betting Blog

All novice chase options remain open for Bog Warrior

Bet123 — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:00:14 +0000

Irish trainer Tony Martin reports the ‘apple of his eye’ Bog Warrior to be coming along nicely as he builds up to a return to action at the Cheltenham Festival having not been seen since coming to grief early on at Leopardstown on Boxing Day in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase, writes Elliot Slater.

The Gigginstown Stud-owned gelding holds entries in the Arkle Chase, the Jewson Novices Chase, and the RSA Chase at the showcase meeting, but Martin is in absolutely no hurry to make a decision as to which event his very talented performer is likely to target despite the fact that he has won once over fences over the minimum trip of two miles and over half-a-mile further. Anyone looking ahead to Betfair Cheltenham 2012 will be keeping a close eye on the decision of his connections.

A decent novice hurdler last year when winning his two completed starts from three outings, the gelded son of Strategic Choice nonchalantly dismissed the high-class Flemenstar by seven-lengths on his chasing bow at Navan in November, form that was franked again when the runner-up landed the Grade 1 Frank Ward Arkle Novice Chase by 17-lengths from Bog Warrior’s lesser stable companion Gift of Dgab at Leopardstown at the end of January. Martin will have taken plenty of heart from Flemenstar’s win knowing that his charge toyed with Peter Casey’s runner, ability which Bog Warrior went on to confirm over two-and-half-miles when routing his rivals by 31-lengths in the Grade 1 Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse the following month.

Given time to get over his Leopardstown tumble where he was made a hot 4/5 favourite in the horse race betting, Martin’s charge is reportedly building up well to his bid for top honours at Cheltenham, and should the ground come up on the soft side there is every chance that Bog Warrior might get his name on the scoresheet.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

All novice chase options remain open for Bog Warrior

Talented hurdler Starluck nearing racecourse return

Bet123 — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:03:18 +0000

Starluck, the smart two-mile hurdler who failed to cut much ice in a disappointing campaign last season as a novice chaser, is close to returning to racecourse action ahead of a possible second bid to land the Stan James Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on March 13, writes Elliot Slater.

The seven-year-old was the undoubted star of trainer Alan Fleming’s string after arriving at his yard from his native Ireland where he was a useful middle-distance handicapper on the Flat. He immediately proved himself a talent over hurdles winning his first three starts before finishing a highly respectable fourth to Zaynar in the 2009 JCB Triumph Hurdle, then going one place better behind Walkon in Grade 1 company at Aintree a few weeks later. Those looking for Cheltenham Betting tips will be keeping a close eye on him.

Beaten just a short-head by Go Native in the 2009 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Starluck was a popular choice for the 2010 Champion Hurdle, but although he ran well he could only finish fifth behind Binocular. After finishing runner-up to Peddler’s Cross in last season’s Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle and then third to Binocular at Kempton in the Christmas Hurdle, Fleming decided to switch to the larger obstacles mid-season, a decision that somewhat backfired following Starluck’s winning first outing as he was twice beaten by horses who had been much his inferior over timber just a few months before. Punters will be wondering if he can return triumphant at the Betfair 2012 Cheltenham meeting.

Moving recently to the care of David Arbuthnot, Starluck is reportedly in fine shape and could run in one of a number of good races in early-February, (including the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton or the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las), where if he performs well he may book himself a return trip to Cheltenham to bid again to land the biggest two-mile hurdles prize of all. He is currently a general 50/1 shot in the ante-post market for the Champion Hurdle.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Talented hurdler Starluck nearing racecourse return

Can anyone stop Novak?

Bet123 — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:45:21 +0000

Is there any stopping Novak Djokovic? You would think a gruelling semi-final victory over Andy Murray would have been enough to end his chances of winning the final of the Australian Open against Rafael Nadal, but seemingly not. Those looking at casinos Android even note note he battled on to emerge victorious from the longest final ever.

Some have described him as super-human, others have just looked on in astonishment, but what is true is that Novak Djokovic has come into 2012 in just the sort of form that allowed him to dominate tennis the previous year. He may even be better, unbelievably.

And the world number one has described his victory over Rafael Nadal as the greatest moment of his career.

“It was the longest Grand Slam final of all time. Just hearing that fact makes me cry,” said the emotional Serbian. “Wimbledon is right up there because it is the tournament I always wanted to win. But this comes out on top.”

Djokovic’s victory means that he joins Roger Federer, Andre Agassi and Mats Wilander in being the only Open-era players to complete a hat-trick of successes.

He added: “I am very proud to be a part of history, to be among the elite group of players who have won this trophy several times.

“I had lots of chances to finish the match in the fourth, but he came up with some incredible serves and incredible points.

“So he deserved to prolong the match in the fifth set, and then really both of us could have won the match. Even when I was 4-2 down I still pushed myself up to the limit.

“I’m sure any other tennis player would say the same. We live for these matches.

“We’re trying to dedicate all our life to this sport, to come to the situation where we play a six-hour match for a Grand Slam title.”

It was quite some year for Djokovic in 2011, as he won the Australian Open, the US Open and Wimbledon. In 2012 he will be hoping to do all that again, but to also add the French Open to it.

That will, of course, be a tough ask, with Nadal dominating on the clay surfaces of Roland Garros, but with the Serb in such fine form, can anyone stop him?

Just a few years ago, people were putting Djokovic in the same category as Andy Murray, as being unlucky to be playing in the same era as Nadal and Federer. They said that in any other era Djokovic could have been world number one, but not this one.

They were proven wrong, as last year he shot to the top of the rankings. Playing the way he is now, it looks as though it will be a long time before anyone knocks him off his perch.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Can anyone stop Novak?

Cotton makes it three on the spin

Bet123 — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:25:35 +0000

First season jumps handler John Ferguson has already made a tremendous impression in operating at an astounding 43% strike rate so far this term and in Cotton Mill looks to have another performer that will prove more than worthy of taking his chance at the Cheltenham Festival in March, judging by his third win in a row in landing the Grade 2 Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle at Warwick in impressive fashion, writes Elliot Slater.

Rated 88 on the Flat when joining Ferguson from the yard of William Jarvis this autumn having been absent for over a year from racecourse duty, the lightly raced five-year-old has proved a revelation over timber since winning a minor contest at Hereford on his hurdling bow in November, beating Sainglend in pleasing manner by seven-lengths. He went on to score in facile fashion at Fakenham, hacking up by 22-lengths when landing the odds-on under regular pilot Jack Quinlan, before being sent to Warwick to contest the two-mile-five-furlong contest against much stiffer opposition. Even people following the best Cheltenham Gold Cup odds online will have been impressed.

Contesting a race that has produced some high-class winners in recent years, Cotton Mill was never far from the pace before being sent on by Quinlan to lead at the second from home. This time however the son of Tiger Hill had to really work for his victory as Ambion Wood refused to go down without a fight, and in the end Ferguson’s gelding showed serious resolve to hold on by half-a-length, the pair coming nine-lengths clear of the third horse home, Same Difference.

Cut from 33/1 to a general offer of around 20/1 for the Neptune Hurdle at Cheltenham in a couple of months time, Ferguson’s talented hurdler will have to step up again if he is to lower the colours of the hot favourite Fingal Bay, but the chances are that we have still yet to see the very best of him and he looks a very interesting contender for what is sure to be a fascinating affair.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Cotton makes it three on the spin

Ireland set to enjoy Euro 2012

Bet123 — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:17:17 +0000

Who said footballers are living the life of luxury? That’s not true… well, actually it is; especially if you are one of Giovanni Trapattoni’s band of Irishmen.

If you agree that Euroodds.co.uk is the best site for Euro 2012 betting, then you should note how the Republic of Ireland football team will be spending this summer’s European Championships in the luxury seaside resort that is the Sheraton Sopot Hotel, just a stone’s throw away from Gdansk where they will be playing one of their group games.

It is the first time that Ireland have featured in a major football Championship finals since the debacle that was the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

After many failed attempts to qualify, they finally made it through by beating Estonia in a play-off last year.

No doubt many Irish fans will be hoping to book tickets at the hotel now so that they can rub shoulders with heroes such as Robbie Keane and Shay Given.

However, they will be disappointed to find that the hotel is now fully booked for the duration of Euro 2012.

At the exclusive resort, a standard room at the start of June will cost visitors anything from £240 a night to £265 for a club room.

Sopot is renowned for its spas and has been a tourist destination since the beginning of the 19th century. It is located between Gdansk and the beach resort of Gdynia and has been dubbed the “summer capital” of Poland such is its popularity.

The mayor of Sopot, Jacek Karnowski met Irish ambassador Eugene Hutchinson last week and said the resort was doing everything to ensure a warm welcome for the Irish.

He is hoping that the Town can be turned emerald green by the hundreds of travelling Ireland fans at the tournament, and is encouraging as many as possible to stay in Sopot.

Ireland have been drawn in one of the toughest groups in the competition, and will face the likes of Spain, Italy and Croatia.

Should they defy the odds and qualify from their group, they could then find themselves up against France or even England.

But for many Irish fans, just being at such a prestigious tournament will be enough.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Ireland set to enjoy Euro 2012

Champion Hurdle hope Zarkandar entered for Betfair Hurdle

Bet123 — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:16:17 +0000

Paul Nicholls’ very exciting hurdler Zarkandar could make his eagerly anticipated seasonal reappearance in the ultra-competitive Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on February 11 before moving on to bid for the two-mile hurdling crown at the Cheltenham Festival a little over four weeks later, writes Elliot Slater.

Winner of all three career hurdles outings and prominent in the ante-post market for the Stan James Champion Hurdle on March 14 for which he is a top priced 8/1 chance, the half-brother to the mighty undefeated five-time Group 1 winner Zarkava is potentially well handicapped for the Newbury contest off an official rating of 151 and would be asked to carry 14lbs less than his stable companion and fellow Champion Hurdle possible Rock On Ruby. Those following the Cheltenham 2012 betting odds will be keeping a close eye on the race.

One of 50 horses entered at the first declaration stage for the premier mid-winter handicap hurdle (formerly known as the totesport Hurdle), Zarkandar has been installed an 8/1 ante-post favourite for the event on the strength of his fine efforts last term that began following his transfer to Nicholls from the Aga Khan’s trainer, Alain de Royer-Dupre. Making his debut in the Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle at Kempton in late-February of last year, Zarkandar overcame his lack of inexperience to prove too strong for the useful Molotof and was then thrown into the deep end once again on only his second outing in tackling the 23-runner Grade 1 JCB Triumph Hurdle. Fans of Betfair Cheltenham racing will have marked him out as one to watch.

The Azamour gelding didn’t let supporters down in producing a superb performance to down Dermot Weld’s very smart mare Unaccompanied by two-and-a-quarter-lengths under a fine ride from Daryl Jacob, and duly went on to Aintree three weeks later where he maintained his unbeaten record over timber in defeating Kumbeshwar by a length-and-a-quarter in the Grade 1 Matalan Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Champion Hurdle hope Zarkandar entered for Betfair Hurdle

Cheltenham specialist Midnight out next in Argento Chase

Bet123 — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 07:22:42 +0000

Neil Mulholland is looking forward to running his stable star Midnight Chase back at the horse’s beloved Cheltenham and has pencilled in a bid for the Grade 2 Argento Chase at the track on January 28 for his talented performer, writes Elliot Slater.

Lady Clarke’s gelding was one of the most improved horses in training last season, progressing from decent handicap company at the start of the term to rattling up a Cheltenham hattrick that include the listed Majordomo Hospitality Handicap Chase and the Grade 3 Morson Group Handicap Chase over three-and-a-half miles. Given a mid-term rest, the gelded son of Midnight Legend was then thrown in at the deep end when asked to contest the Cheltenham gold Cup, and after getting outpaced at the fourth last and dropping right away, stayed on again from the home turn to finish an excellent fifth behind the outstanding Long Run in what was a vintage renewal of the blue riband contest. Those with online Cheltenham free bets will be wondering if he has pushed on since then.

It was always going to be difficult to build on last season’s heroics and with a BHA rating of 163 very few handicaps were left as a realistic option for the 10-year-old. Mulholland decided to take a chance and send his charge to Ireland for the Grade 1 JNwine.com Chase run on very testing ground but the move backfired when Midnight Chase (a horse who has always preferred a decent surface), was out on his feet and beaten when falling for the first time in his career at the second from home in the race won by the smart Quito De La Roque.

A very respectable third on his subsequent outing under a massive weight in the Grade 3 Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby last month, Midnight Chase is reported in fine form ahead of his Argento Chase run and is currently offered at up to 66/1 to do a ‘Norton’s Coin’ and stun the racing world by winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 16.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Cheltenham specialist Midnight out next in Argento Chase

Six Nations Preview

Bet123 — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:06:54 +0000

Every sport has it – that annual event that everyone can look forward to. You do not have to be the biggest fan of the game that is being played to suddenly become fixated by a certain event. In tennis it is Wimbledon, in golf it is The Masters in horse racing it is the Grand National.

In rugby, it is the RBS Six Nations. Admittedly, the World Cup is the biggest event in the sport when it comes around once every four years, but as far as having something to look forward to each and every year, this is it.

There is not long to wait now, either. Little over a month in fact. Here we have the run-down on how each of the competing six teams weigh up against one another.

Where else to start, but England? Their first game starts at Murrayfield on February 4 when they take on Scotland. Last year they won the tournament, and almost completed the grand slam but for a thoroughly disappointing defeat at the hands of Ireland. The last time they achieved such a feat was back in 2003, before going on to win the World Cup.

Now under new management, with the impetus on bringing through the bright young talents that fill the Aviva Premiership right now, England will surely be hoping to secure a second successive title so that they have something to build upon as they work towards the next World Cup in 2015.

As for Scotland, they will be hoping for a marked improvement upon how they fared in 2011. they finished joint bottom of the table with Italy, who also happened to be the only side they beat throughout the entire Championship. They lost the other four, and know full well that they can do better than a paltry two points.

Italy, who themselves only managed to win once last time around, and year by year are the standard bet to take home the wooden spoon. But every time you see them play they look better than they did before, with rugby union really on the rise in their country. They may once again take on the role of whipping-boys, but will certainly take heart from that famous win over France last year.

The Italians’ opponents for the first round of fixtures are indeed France. The game at the Stade de France will set the stage and present the perfect opportunity for the French to take their revenge. Many will make them favourites to win this year, with the IRB Player of the Year, Thierry Dusautoir in their ranks.

That leaves just Wales and Ireland. The Welsh will not have been happy with their fourth placed finish last time out, having won the tournament as recently as 2008 when they completed a memorable grand slam in their final game against France.

Ireland proved last year that they are capable of beating any of their Six Nations opponents. They were the only side to beat England last year having also beaten Italy and Scotland. They need to move up a gear this year, however, if they are to build on their 11 previous competition wins.

Before the tournament gets underway though, perhaps it is time to head to http://www.pokerstars.co.uk/poker/games/ and win some money to bet on the Six Nations next month?

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Six Nations Preview

National hope Midnight out to regain the winning thread

Bet123 — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:49:38 +0000

Connections of the classy Midnight Chase will be hoping that a heavy fall at Down Royal on his seasonal reappearance has not affected his confidence and that the Lady Clarke-owned gelding can get his season back on track with a win at Wetherby on Boxing Day in the feature Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase, writes Elliot Slater.

Trainer Neil Mulholland took a big chance in running Midnight Chase in the Grade 1 JNwine.com Chase at the Northern Ireland track in early November on ground far more testing than is ideal for the son of Midnight Legend who has shown over the years that he goes best on a decent surface. After racing prominently for much of the way it was clear that Dougie Costelloe’s mount was struggling as he dropped back to a very tired fourth before taking a heavy fall at the second from home in the race won by Ireland’s big Cheltenham Gold Cup hope, Quito de La Roque. Anyone following the ante-post Grand National odds wouldn’t have been impressed.

The return to a left-handed track is also expected to raise the spirits of Mulholland’s charge who has a tremendous record at his beloved Cheltenham as proven last term when he rattled up a hattrick at the track including in listed and Grade 3 company before being given the green light to take his chance in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. After getting outpaced a mile from home and losing his position it was very much to Midnight Chase’s credit that he rallied bravely from the home turn and was staying on well at the death to be an excellent fifth behind Long Run.

His Gold Cup performance convinced connections that their horse has what it takes to bid for a John Smith’s Grand National and bookmakers currently rate the Midnight chase a 33/1 chance across the board to triumph at Aintree in April.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

National hope Midnight out to regain the winning thread

Festival hope Rev planning to live it up at Doncaster

Bet123 — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:47:28 +0000

Tim Vaughan’s promising young staying hurdler Rev It Up could next be seen in action at Doncaster in January where a tilt at the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett River Don Novice Hurdle looks very much on the cards, writes Elliot Slater.

A likely sort for the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle itself at the Cheltenham Festival in March, Vaughan’s five-year-old, a winning point-to pointer in his native Ireland having scored between the flags at Rathcannon in February, joined the Welsh handler having been purchased for 30,000 guineas at the Ascot Sales in April and has looked worth every penny invested by his new owners The Bill and Ben Partnership. Those looking at the latest online Cheltenham Festival betting should remember this.

An 8/1 chance for his hurdles bow at Chepstow in October, Rev It Up made most of the running and stayed on well to score by a length from Dualla Lord then followed up under his penalty at Ffos Las a month later making every yard and running on powerfully in the closing stages of the three-mile affair to give weight and a beating to Ardkilly Gunner.

After such a performance connections decided to try their hand at a much higher level and must have been very pleased with the result as the gelded son of Revoque ran a good second to the smart Deireadh Re in the Grade 2 Bristol Novices Hurdle, a performance that heralded his arrivalas a genuine contender for honours later in the season on the bigger stages.

A trip to South Yorkshire now appears to be on the cards for Rev It Up, a horse for whom connections have very high hopes that he might take them to all the top festival meetings this term especially if he gets his much needed soft ground, something that is far from guaranteed however at both Cheltenham and Aintree.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Festival hope Rev planning to live it up at Doncaster