Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe: Sarafina leads French charge

Longchamp Arc Meeting / Isabel Mathew / 01 October 2011 / Leave a Comment

Is Sarafina a worthy favourite?

"Sarafina has yet to win on good ground, but it should not disadvantage her."

Isabel Mathew provides some helpful insights as she weighs up seven front runners in Sunday's big race at Longchamp...

French participants make up seven of the 16 runners in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Sunday, most notably ante-post favourite Sarafina, who will bid to take up where Zarkava left off three years ago for the Aga Khan.

Sarafina: Third after finding trouble in running coming into the home straight in the Arc last year, the Alain de Royer-Dupre trained daughter of Refuse To Bend has been better than ever this year. In June, the four-year-old took the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, showing her trademark burst of speed, once again evident in the Prix Foy over the course and distance when beating Japanese contender Hiruno d'Amour by a short neck. She has yet to win on good ground, but it should not disadvantage her. Drawn number 13, the same as Workforce last year.

Reliable Man: Bounced back to form to take the Prix Niel in impressive fashion from Meandre over the course and distance last month by two lengths, however the predicted going is a major negative for the son of Dalakhani. Unbeaten until disappointing when third to Meandre in the Grand Prix de Paris in July, this was reportedly one race too many for the colt, who is still immature. An easy winner of the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby), Royer-Dupre has won the Arc twice, including with his sire in 2003.

Galikova: With a good number four draw, she bids to emulate her third dam Gold River, who won the event in 1981 for Jacques Wertheimer. The half-sister to 14 times Group 1 winner Goldikova finally notched a victory at the highest level over the course and distance last month, impressing in the final stages to win by two-and-a-half lengths from fellow Arc runner Testosterone. Doted with a large weight advantage due to her age and sex, the daughter of Galileo's connections have been very confident about her chances to become the fourth three-year-old to triumph in five years. She is, however, untried on firm ground conditions, and the quality of this year's French three-year-olds is hard to sum up.

Meandre: Failed to win as a two-year-old, and has only this year shown his talent. The son of Slickly can pull hard in his races and is reportedly difficult, although he seemed to turn the corner when beating the Irish and French Derby winners in the Grand Prix de Paris when showing an outstanding turn of foot. He since finished a slightly disappointing two length runner up to Reliable Man in the Prix Niel when evens favourite. Fabre's stable has been under a cloud for some time, although the colt has been supplemented into this event by his connections.

Shareta: Sarafina's stablemate has been allowed to take her chance in this event, with her trainer citing that she will enjoy the firm going. Held on form by Galikova on their three meetings, the daughter of Sinndar most recently finished behind her and Testosterone in the Prix Vermeille. Often a front-runner, including in her last three starts, she is sure to contribute to setting the pace for the rest of the field in the early stages. A talented performer in her own right, she won a Group 3 by three lengths at Deauville in August.

Testosterone: Winner of the Group 2 Prix de Malleret in June, Testosterone takes her place in the line-up after finishing second to Galikova in the Prix Vermeille last time for her trainer Pascal Bary. A €15,000 two-year-old, she has won 13 times that in prize money, but seems to be held on form compared to some of the other contenders. The daughter of Dansili only made her debut in April this year, winning at Longchamp over a furlong shorter on her second start.

Silver Pond: Entered in Arqana's Arc Sale the night before, this son of Act One was extremely highly regarded last year when remaining unbeaten to take the Group 2 Prix Hocquart last May for Alec Head's Haras du Quesnay. After a training injury, the four-year-old made a promising comeback race in March, and three months later beat last year's Arc favourite Behkabad by a head in the Grand Prix de Chantilly. He finished a good one-and-three-quarter lengths behind Sarafina in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in June, but was 10 lengths adrift of Cirrus des Aigles at Deauville last time. Would probably prefer a softer surface, and has an outside draw.

Timeform give their opinion on each of the runners lining up in Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.......

You wait ages for a big Group 1 contest and then seven come along all at once. The menu for Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe day could hardly be more tempting and Racing UK analyst Graham Cunningham has been lapping up the Parisian sunshine as he anticipates the jewel in the crown of the European Flat season....

Timeform's Flat Editor Jamie Lynch brings you his unique take on Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe......

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Never Mind The French, Italians Are Number One!

Pud's Poker Progress / Matthew Pitt / 21 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

If you look at the attendances for any major European poker tournament, be it a World Poker Tour or European Poker Tour you will discover a quite telling trend when it comes to tournaments held in France and Italy. The trend is that events held in these two countries are always the best attended and by a large margin.

Is this because France and Italy are beautiful countries and the perfect places to have a break from life? Possibly and I certainly wouldn't not argue with that fact but I can tell you the real reason if you want me to. Yes? It's because the completely suck at poker and when I say suck it is because there are not enough negative non-swear words to describe how the vast majority of them are. They are truly terrible.

I used to think the French were the worst players but after covering WPT Slovenia over the last week I now state that our Italian brothers and the worst poker nation on the planet. Never have I seen so many fundamentally wrong plays made by so many people in such a short period of time, you would honestly think this was a $2 rebuy not a €3,300 World Poker Tour Main Event.

Over the course of the week I have seen on Italian lose 630,000 chips in an hour by calling three-bet shoves with the likes of ace-ten off and betting twice the pot on the river with king-high when it polarised his range so badly it was not even funny. I've also seen players, Italian ones, open-limp the button and then fold with six big blinds, seriously, and then one Italian dude folded ace-king blind versus blind on the bubble despite getting more than three and a half to one. Absolutely terrible I can tell you.

Today is the final table of WPT Slovenia and despite not having anyone to root for after Toby Lewis, Thomas Macdonald and John Eames busted out I am looking forward to it just so I can have a giggle at the play by the majority of the fishes out there! Talking of Eames, his was involved in a hand that was just horrible. The spewy Italian fish mentioned above opened with a raise from MP, a Finnish dude three-bet shoved for 116,000, Eames reshoved for 135,000 and the spewmeister called, with AdQd of all hands, LOLERSKATES! The Finnish dude held AhTh and Eames JcJd. The flop came down Js-6c-5h and Eames was now more than a 95% favourite to win a 400,000+ pot, but the turn was the 3h and the river the 7h and the Finn won with his runner-runner flush. So sick, but he took it well despite never recovering from it.

I've learned a lot from the British players this week, just by listening to them talk amongst each other and when they've answered questions about hands I've seen them play. You can see why players who live together and travel together get better at the game than those of us who don't have that opportunity, I guess I am lucky that I get to rub shoulders with them from time to time.

Well I better disappear now as there is less than 20 minutes to the final table starts and I need to prepare a few things. Before my next entry I am going to start a campaign to let the Italians back into worldwide online poker because if they are allowed we will be all rich! This time next year Rodders.....

Join Me On Betfair Poker Now

Are you all sitting down? Good. I Matthew Pitt has actually stuck to something poker related and managed to play 10,000 hands so far this month. Impressed? Didn't think so, but you should be....

One of the aspects of poker that used to hold back my progress was my seemingly inability to log any sort of volume. Those who I talk about the game to have always tried to get me to play more...

It appears that me trying out the six-max cash games on Betfair Poker has appeased the Poker Gods (amen) as they are allowing me to run like a weird hybrid consisting of Forrest Gump, the wind, Usain Bolt and God,...

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French Open Betting Tips: Serbination awaits Federer

French Open Betting / Sean Calvert / 01 June 2011 / Leave a Comment

Djokovic has been playing unreal tennis all year

"The Djokovic game appears to have no weaknesses right now, while Federer appears only to be able to play his best in patches these days and that won’t be good enough if Djoker plays as he has this year."

There's no arguing Roger Federer has been in fine form as he's negotiated his way to the semis but the 'Serbinator' Novak Djokovic is different gravy to anything he's faced so far. We have to side with the Australian Open Champion to win in four, says Sean Calvert.

Day 12 at Roland Garros sees the first of the semi final matches take place and the eagerly anticipated clash between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer is the highlight of the day.

Hopefully this match won't be too badly affected by the swirling winds that have blighted several matches at this year's French Open and we'll get the spectacle that we all want to see.

Nole should be in perfect shape for this, having had a few days off due to Fabio Fognini's withdrawal. And if he continues the way he's been performing lately I don't see any way that Federer can win this match.

Most observers are falling over themselves to tell us how well Fed is playing in this tournament, but it must be said that he has only faced players against whom he has a massive psychological advantage.

The likes of Feliciano Lopez, Janko Tipsarevic, Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils, while good players, all bottle it when facing Fed, but the advantage will be the
other way today, with Djokovic having won his last three against the Swiss and playing off-the-charts tennis.

They haven't met on clay since Rome 2009, which Djokovic won, and only three times in total (2-1 Federer head-to-head), but these comparisons are largely irrelevant, as both players' games have changed a lot since those matches were played.

The Djokovic game appears to have no weaknesses right now, while Federer appears only to be able to play his best in patches these days and that won't be good enough if the Serb plays as he has so far this year.

If the Swiss does proceed to his fifth French Open final and go on to win it, it will surely rank up there with the very best achievements in his career. But I don't see it happening and Nole should take it in three or four sets, with the [3.85] about a 3-1 win the best bet in this one.

On the women's side of things, home favourite, Marion Bartoli takes on defending champion, Francesca Schiavone and surely this is the end of the road for the home hope. But I don't think she'll go quietly, having come this far.

Bartoli was really pumped up against Sveta Kuznetsova in the last round and that passion alone should ensure that this clash with Schiavone at least goes to a decider.

The pair have met five times in the past, but never on clay and not for two years, but the Italian holds a 4-1 head-to-head lead.

Four of those five games have gone to a deciding set and I envisage this one going the same way. Schiavone has needed three sets in both of her last two matches this week and a retirement the round before that.

I fancy Schiavone to come through eventually, but not strongly enough to take the [1.55] on offer, so I think the best bet in this one is to back three sets at around [2.76].

Recommended bets:

Back Djokovic to beat Federer 3-1 at [3.85]
Back three sets in Bartoli v Schiavone at [2.76]

The top seeded female players have been crashing out on a daily basis and with just four days to go, it's still wide open. Why is this the most open Slam we can remember, asks Guy McCrea....

He's up against the last man to beat him at Roland Garros and he looks exhausted and shaken. We just have to take on Rafael Nadal when he plays Robin Soderling, says Sean Calvert....

It's see-saw stuff for Murray who trades in double figures as he comes through tough fourth round test in the final set...

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French Open Tips Day Seven: Alex and Arantxa

French Open Betting / Ben Caudell / 27 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Alex Dolgopolov has so far fared pretty well in the five-set format of Grand Slams

"At 23 years-old, the pony-tailed assassin has so far enjoyed an easy route into the third round without dropping a set. He is akin to winning when priced as a favourite, having won nine of his last 10 matches from that position. He also enjoys the five set format, having won six of his last seven best-of-five set matches."

Ahead of Saturday's action Ben is siding with a pony-tailed youngster in the men's draw and the Dutch teenager who caused one of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far in the women's. Read on to find out who his money is on.

Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) v Viktor Troicki (SRB)

Although, Serbian Viktor Troicki has a 2-0 head-to-head advantage coming into this match, my money is firmly on the Ukrainian No. 1. He's a player I believe is far better suited to the Parisian red brick dust than Serbia Davis Cup champion, Viktor Troicki.

On his day, the temperamental Dolgopolov can pose a real threat to any of the top players in the world. With his flamboyant, unorthodox style of play he is able to mix it up from the back of the court hitting deadly drop shots whilst at the same time relying on his strange looking (but effective) serve to win himself cheap points.

At 23 years-old, the pony-tailed assassin has so far enjoyed an easy route into the third round without dropping a set. He is akin to winning when priced as a favourite, having won nine of his last 10 matches from that position. He also enjoys the five set format, having won six of his last seven best-of-five set matches.

Dolgopolov, who was ranked outside of the top 100 at the start of 2010 has made massive strides to reach an all time high of 20 in the world this month. So far on the dirt, he has reached two semi-finals (Acapulco and Nice) defeating decent players en route, such as Stanislas Wawrinka and David Ferrer. With a Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance already under his belt for this year (Australian Open) the Ukrainian will surely fancy his chances to get through round three before a potential meeting with Andy Murray in the next lies in wait. My money is on him doing just that.

Recommended Bet: Back Alexandr Dolgopolov @ 1.78 to win match

Maria Kirilenko (RUS) v Arantxa Rus (NED)

Dutch teen sensation, Arantxa Rus sent world number two and multi Grand Slam winner Kim Clijsters packing on Thursday thanks to a resolute performance that saw the 21 year old left-hander claw her way back from a set and 5-2 down.

Having backed Rus in-play against Clijsters, I'd be a fool not to champion this young lady to make it two big wins in a row and reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam event for the first time in her fledging career.

Maria Kirilenko is the player faced with stopping Arantxa Rus in her tracks; the formidable Russian, who has so far had a relatively easy opening two rounds, is yet to be tested but will no doubt be slightly worried about playing her younger opponent for the very first time.

Rus has won six of her last seven matches on clay and the same at Grand Slam level ; she managed to take Maria Sharapova to three sets in Madrid earlier in the month and also reached the final of a recent ITF clay court tournament.

With Dutch courage and big upsets at a premium this week, the [3.10] on offer to back Rus is a must....

Recommended Bet: Back Arantxa Rus @ [3.10] to win match

Ben has selected the best bets or three Friday ties at the French Open. But there's no doubt about which is the most exciting prospect and our man even reckons we might see an upset....

Ben Caudell selects a pair of promising bets for Thursday at Roland Garros, including a resurgent Polish player....

Ben Caudell is looking for a pair of up and coming youngsters to do the business at long odds on the first Wednesday of the French Open...

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French Open Day One Tips: Montanes can make miserable return for Hewitt

French Open Betting / Ben Caudell / 21 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Montanes can send Hewitt packing

"Hewitt definitely won't be relishing a long dirt battle that will only hamper his Wimbledon preparations."

It's day one at Roland Garros and Ben Caudell is here to select the best bets and find the value that could give you a winning start...

For the next eight days I will be picking my best bets on players I believe offer a bit of value and explaining my reasons for backing them from both the Men's and Women's draws. If all goes well, we should end the first week in profit, fingers crossed...

Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) v Albert Montanes (ESP)

We kickstart Sunday with a real humdinger of between two base-line veterans. Former-Wimbledon Champion Hewitt puts himself back into the mix after a two month stint on the sidelines due to foot surgery. Having not played a match since his first round loss to Yen-Hsun Lu at Indian Wells back in March, coach Tone Roche says that the Australian enters this year's French Open with one eye on the grass courts of SW19.

Throw in the fact that Montanes is an accomplished clay-courter ranked 37 in the World, coupled with his five title wins and four final appearances all on clay; Hewitt definitely won't be relishing a long dirt battle that will only hamper his Wimbledon preparations.

Recommended Bet: Back Albert Montanes @ [1.5] to win match

Fabio Fognini (ITA) v Denis Istomin (UZB)

I'll be backing the Italian clay court specialist in this match at [1.70] to dispatch big-serving Istomin. Fognini has a decent 7-3 record at the French Open with his best performance at last year's Open where he defeated home favourite Gael Monfils in an epic five set battle that lasted well over four hours.

Fognini has also won eight in a row when priced as a favourite and will fancy his chances against Istomin who retired recently from Munich because of a leg injury, is 3-7 in all matches and unsuited to the slower red dirt.

Recommended Bet
Back Fabio Fognini @ 1.80 to win match

Sybille Bammer (AUT) v Mona Barthel (GER)

German youngster Barthel made light work of her opponents in qualifying for the main draw without dropping a single set. Up against her this Sunday is a woman ten years older and a player who has competed in just one match all year on the red stuff.

Bammer has lost four of her last five in Europe, on clay and at WTA Slam level, whereas Barthel has won six of her last seven in France, and on clay. The 21-year-old has competed in over 15 matches on the red dirt this year and even took Svetlana Kuznetsova to three sets at the Marbella Open earlier in the year.

Recommended Bet
Back Mona Barthel @ 1.90 to win match

On the eve of the French Open, Sean Calvert selects five matches in which punters could find the first round value......

The Boz tuned in to the French Open Women's draw on Friday and he's been at the form books ever since, working out his potential first round shocks. The following are his top five to turn over the odds....

She is the world number one but still doesn't have a Grand Slam singles title. Guy McCrea as if Caroline Wozniacki will end that wait at the French Open ......

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French Open Betting: Can Caro crack her Slam duck?

French Open Betting / Guy McCrea / 21 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Is Caro ready to roar at the Garros or will she crumble on clay?

"It could be worthwhile backing Wozniacki to win her quarter [2.24] of the draw."

She is the world number one but still doesn't have a Grand Slam singles title. Guy McCrea as if Caroline Wozniacki will end that wait at the French Open ...

Yes she will

Opening Up

Put simply, this is the most open women's Grand Slam in recent memory. The absence of the Williams sisters means this will be the first time that neither has been involved in a Grand Slam singles tournament since the 2003 US Open.

I could name a dozen players who have a chance - but all have questions surrounding them. Australian and US Open champion Kim Clijsters ([14.0] to win the French) hasn't played since the end of March. Another contender, Victoria Azarenka [6.4] is bang in form but you still doubt if her fitness is good enough to last seven matches at a major.

It all adds up to an amazingly open field and Caroline Wozniacki [7.0] has a terrific opportunity to take advantage.

Recent Form

Wozniacki's results on the clay are a match for anyone's heading into Roland Garros. Yes, the Dane has taken a couple of dispiriting defeats to young German starlet Julia Goerges [23.0] in Stuttgart and Madrid. She was also beaten by a resurgent Maria Sharapova [7.6] in Rome.

But these knocks aside, Wozniacki has gone pretty deep in all the WTA clay events she has played. Ultra-consistent, she also has plenty of second week experience at the Slams to draw upon.

She'll go on and on

Wozniacki often seems indefatigable, like she could run forever around the court. Thanks to countless hours of fitness work with her support team, the Dane is in superb shape. There is no one currently on the WTA with Wozniacki's ability to outlast opponents. How many really believe they can stay out with her for three hours or more and win?

Clay court duels can be long, drawn-out affairs - especially if weather conditions turn cooler and make the surface even slower. It might not be pretty to watch, but in these wars of attrition, Wozniacki is usually the last one standing at the end.

No she won't

Clogged up on clay

However much work she puts in, the feeling remains that this surface negates one of Wozniacki's greatest strengths - her movement. Unlike others, such as defending champion Francesca Schiavone [24.0] and Jelena Jankovic, the Dane is unable to naturally 'slide' on the dirt. This means that she can't get to balls in the way that she can on hardcourts.

In addition, Wozniacki's groundstrokes - especially her forehand - tend to sit up more on the clay and this gives opponents the chance to attack her more easily. Wozniacki's shots just don't get the 'zip' off the surface that they do on a hardcourt.

The Hand of History

Historically, the French Open champion has normally chosen not to play an event the week directly beforehand. The last to do so was Mary Pierce who won in 2000.

Recent titlists such as Justine Henin, Serena Williams and Svetlana Kuznetsova have all preferred to familiarise themselves with conditions on-site in Paris rather than compete for ranking points elsewhere - as Wozniacki did this week in Brussels. Although the balls used are the same, the Dane will find conditions different at Roland Garros and, as such, may be vulnerable early on.

No Father Time

When Wozniacki plays on the WTA, her father and coach Piotr will normally come on court to talk to her at least a couple of times during a match. But on-court coaching is not permitted at the Slams. I don't suggest that Piotr is wholly responsible for her many victories - but Wozniacki does clearly value those words of wisdom to help turn matches in her favour. Can she do the problem solving on her own at the majors?

Back Caro or not?

Because it is such an open field, I can understand why there is considerable backing for Wozniacki on the markets. But while she might do it, I am sceptical of her decision to play the week beforehand, rather than get to Paris early and acclimatise to conditions. I also question her ability to respond if she meets an in-form big hitter later on. It could be worthwhile backing Wozniacki to win her quarter [2.24] of the draw, as she is so consistent and knows how to reach the second week of the Slams. But for an outright win, I am not convinced.

It's day one at Roland Garros and Ben Caudell is here to select the best bets and find the value that could give you a winning start......

On the eve of the French Open, Sean Calvert selects five matches in which punters could find the first round value......

The Boz tuned in to the French Open Women's draw on Friday and he's been at the form books ever since, working out his potential first round shocks. The following are his top five to turn over the odds....

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French Open Women's Draw: Five potential first round upsets

French Open Betting / Gary Boswell / 21 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Gary believes Vania King could cause an upset in round one

"No way would I want to back Cornet as favourite – even with the partisan crowd on her side. The value clearly lies with Voracova at around [2.6].

The Boz tuned in to the French Open Women's draw on Friday and he's been at the form books ever since, working out his potential first round shocks. The following are his top five to turn over the odds.

Vania King to beat Dominika Cibulkova - priced around [5.0]

Absolute monster price for what is essentially a very tight match up. The Slovakian 22- year-old Cibulkova is in good form and is arguably the greater clay court player but she has a 0-2 head to head to overcome and the first of those defeats was the classic match of three tie-breaks which tells you how close this one is to call. I'd have it [2.1] the pair.

The recent match, at the 2010 Australian Open, produced another close three setter which the American won 7-5 in the last. She has slid down the rankings a tad since those days and, with both wins on hard court, it's perhaps easy to overestimate the current 94 ranked player as she attempts to dump the seed. The price being so wrong as a reflection of the difference between them makes me want to bet! I can't resist such an over generous offer.

Romani Oprandi to beat Ekaterina Makarova - priced around [3.2]

If you take the previous form between 77 ranked Italian Oprandi and 36 ranked Russian Makarova literally you can only make one favourite. Oprandi holds a 2-0 head to head score and both wins came back in 2006 on her favoured clay surface that they'll meet on here. In the first three sets between the two, Makarova won only four games, going down 6-1 6-3 and 6-0 before rallying to tie ten games all in the two final sets of the three set match in Denain.

The Russian was only 17 then and pretty green and of course she has improved immeasurably since and passed her 25-year-old opponent in the rankings but that head to head form is never forgotten and always influential. Oprandi comes in to the game knowing how to beat Makarova and beat her convincingly while Makarova comes in with the reverse feeling and the pressure on her to justify her revised rating since last they met.

That's a strong reason for taking the lesser ranked player in my book, especially when you are being offered such a price differential.

Renata Voracova to beat Alize Cornet - priced at around [2.6]

For 122 ranked Czech Voracova, this is a first appearance at Roland Garros and she is likely to be in the bear pit against local heart throb Alize Cornet who has herself slipped to a lowly 80 ranking after 12 months of indifferent form. Back in 2007, great things were forecast for the 21-year-old French woman as she triumphed in the junior French Open. She's lost her way a fair bit since then and has an unimpressive head to head against the 27-year-old to boot. Defeats at Poiters in 2007 and Linz in 2010 were both in straight sets and Cornet has that ability to simply not turn up. No way would I want to back her as favourite - even with the partisan crowd on her side in this (just as much a negative as a positive depending on how well you are playing). The value clearly lies in the debutante at around [2.6].

Kirsten lipkens to beat Lucie Safarova priced around [4.8]

The diminutive Belgian has dropped to 96 in the rankings but can be fancied to overcome the odds against 24-year-old Czech Safarova who has a serve to die for and claims to like the clay. That liking is not transparent to this observer who might fancy her to take this on grass but can see the weakness in Safarova's groundstrokes being influential in the outcome here. Flipkens keeps it low and I remember watching their only previous meeting at Estoril back in 2008 where it was a closely contested affair, won 7-5 6-4 by the Belgian who exerted with her return.

When the Safarova serve is not dominating, she is not a difficult opponent to master and I seriously fancy the reverse here despite the huge gulf in current rankings. Value once more lies in taking on the 37 ranked Czech.

Pauline Parmentier to beat Ksenia Pervak - priced around [2.2]

Can't pretend to have seen much of the new Russian on the block - 19 year old Ksenia Pervak - about whom I've heard several dogs barking of late. Her 88 ranking tells me she is not yet that exciting however and this is one where the home support might work in underdog Parmentier's favour. The French player also boasts much greater match experience and in 2009 she was able to blow the diminutive Pervak away 6-2 6-3 in Barnstaple. That will do for me at the odds on offer. The least confident of my picks but another slice of value nevertheless.

Recommended bet is level stakes singles - all five with one, two or three needed to prevail to successfully register a profit.

It's day one at Roland Garros and Ben Caudell is here to select the best bets and find the value that could give you a winning start......

On the eve of the French Open, Sean Calvert selects five matches in which punters could find the first round value......

She is the world number one but still doesn't have a Grand Slam singles title. Guy McCrea as if Caroline Wozniacki will end that wait at the French Open ......

Betfair website

French Open Men's Draw: Five potential first round upsets

French Open Betting / Sean Calvert / 21 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

"In contrast to Verdasco, Monaco warmed up nicely with some fine displays in Dusseldorf this week and he has to be backed as the underdog here."

On the eve of the French Open, Sean Calvert selects five matches in which punters could find the first round value...

Marcos Baghdatis [1.8] v Frederico Gil [2.2]

After suffering a bout of flu a few months ago, Marcos's form has really taken a dive, with just two wins from 11 matches and six losses as odds-on favourite.

The Cypriot lost in the first round in his warm-up event in Nice to Julien Benneteau in straight sets and he hasn't won a set on the dirt since beating Alejandro Falla in Madrid.

His record at Roland Garros is also poor, with three first round losses from six starts and Baggy has never beaten anyone ranked higher than number 62 in the world at the tournament.

In two of his last three visits to the French Open, he's lost in straight sets in the first round and he was also beaten by Gil the last time they met.

That match was on Baggy's favoured hard-courts, so this one has upset written all over it with Gil posting wins over Gael Monfils and Florian Mayer already in 2011. Back the Portuguese at around [2.2]

Fernando Verdasco [1.78] v Juan Monaco [2.3]

Verdasco has had a really poor year so far and has dropped down to number 17 in the world rankings from being inside the top-10 this time last year.

And just when it looked like he was finding a bit of form in Rome, he blew three consecutive match points on his own serve against Robin Soderling and went on to lose the match.

His already brittle confidence must be shot now and what he doesn't want first up here is a match with Monaco, who has won five of their last six meetings and seven out of nine overall.

The Argentine has won all but one of their clay meetings and also won the only one at Roland Garros in 2006.

In contrast to Verdasco, Monaco warmed up nicely with some fine displays in Dusseldorf this week and he has to be backed as the underdog here.

Richard Gasquet v Radek Stepanek

By rights, Gasquet should be brimming with confidence after beating Roger Federer in Rome after being a set and a break down, but I won't be going anywhere near the [1.25] about him beating Steps in the first round here.

The Gasman's record at Roland Garros is atrocious, with four first round losses from seven starts and a solitary last 32 place his best result in Paris.

Gasquet has always struggled with the weight of expectancy and beating Federer win won't help in that regard.

The inconsistency is still there, with his first round loss against Daniel Gimeno-Traver in Madrid when around the same price as this one being a prime example.

Steps is not the force of old, but he does well here, with the last 16 being his best and he has just one first round loss from his seven visits to Roland Garros.

He loves an upset and stunned Fernando Gonzalez here in straight sets in 2007 when Gonzo was world number five, as well as beating Tommy Robredo in 2008.

The Czech's recent form is good, with a run to the semis in Munich before retiring with a leg injury, which is a concern, but he's still worth a punt at a handy price.

Daniel Gimeno-Traver [1.75] v Robin Haase [2.3]

This one should be tough for Gimeno-Traver against a big match, big occasion player such as Haase.

The Dutchman has only been beaten in the main draw of Slams by current or former top-10 players and the Spaniard is surely only favourite for this because he finally found some form in Madrid recently.

Prior to that run to the last 16 in Spain, he had lost 13 of 15 matches in 2011 and he's never beaten anyone ranked inside the top-90 in the world at Roland Garros.

GT's overall career record is 40 wins and 72 losses, which is hardly inspiring, but it's his record after losing the first set that leads me to question his temperament.

The Spaniard has won just seven of 70 matches when he's gone a set down and Haase rarely goes down without a fight in Slams, as his last three results show.

A four set loss to Andy Roddick in Melbourne followed a five set loss to Nadal at Wimbledon and another five setter at Roland Garros to Nico Almagro.

Haase was also a regular winner on clay on the Challenger circuit last year and has a win over Nikolay Davydenko on dirt this season, so all-in-all I think he could be value in this one.

Lleyton Hewitt [3.0] v Albert Montanes [1.5]

Hewitt makes his comeback after foot surgery at Roland Garros this week after three months out and Tony Roche is sure to have the former world number one spot on for this.

The Aussie's record at Roland Garros is very respectable, with only Rafa Nadal (four times!) David Ferrer, Gaston Gaudio, Tommy Robredo, Guillermo Canas and Juan Carlos Ferrero beating Hewitt here since 2001.

Montanes, despite being the higher ranked and being generally regarded as more proficient on the dirt, has been below par lately on the clay, with early losses in Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid and Rome - the latter two in the first round.

The calibre of opponent that he's been losing to is a concern for Montanes backers, with Sergiy Stakhovsky, Pablo Andujar, and Feliciano Lopez all besting him on his favourite surface.

The pair have met twice before with Hewitt winning both and with their similar grinding styles, this could come down to mental strength with Hewitt likely to come out on top.

It's day one at Roland Garros and Ben Caudell is here to select the best bets and find the value that could give you a winning start......

The Boz tuned in to the French Open Women's draw on Friday and he's been at the form books ever since, working out his potential first round shocks. The following are his top five to turn over the odds....

She is the world number one but still doesn't have a Grand Slam singles title. Guy McCrea as if Caroline Wozniacki will end that wait at the French Open ......

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French 2000 Guineas Betting: Bassett to remain unbeaten in Poulains

World Racing / Timeform / 14 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Wootton Bassett leads the British charge.

"After Dream Ahead’s withdrawal, the British challenge is spearheaded by Richard Fahey’s Wootton Bassett."

It's just over two weeks since Frankel's demolition job in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and, on Sunday, Longchamp stages the French equivalent, the Poule d'Essai des Poulains. Timeform's Paul Robson looks at the main contenders, including a strong contingent aiming to bring the crown back across the English Channel.

After Dream Ahead's withdrawal, the British challenge is spearheaded by Richard Fahey's Wootton Bassett, the unbeaten colt who gave the North Yorkshire trainer his first Group 1 success when winning the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp last October. This will be Wootton Bassett's first run as a 3-y-o after being scratched from the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket due to a lacklustre workout on the gallops, however, reports suggest the trainer is delighted with how his star has worked of late and he has a very real chance of emulating Shamardal, the last winner to be trained in Britain.

Godolphin were responsible for the aforementioned Shamardal and this year they are sending over Wood Ditton winner Midsummer Fair. It's surely a sign of the regard in which Midsummer Fair is held that he's going from a newcomers race at Newmarket to a classic, but he's undoubtedly got to improve a lot and is clearly short on experience.

The sole Irish contender is David Wachman's Imperial Rome. He's done nothing but progress in a four-race career, completing a hat-trick at the Curragh at the start of the month, and there's a good chance he could be overlooked in the betting.

The Prix de Fontainebleau is often the best trial for the Poulains and a good number from the latest renewal of that race will be heading back to Longchamp on Sunday. However, the fact that less than three lengths separated the front seven in the Fontainebleu suggests there is not a star French three-year-old miler in the ranks just yet.

That said, the one to take out of the race, could be Salto, who struggled to quicken off of a false pace that day and eventually did well to finish sixth, just 1¼ lengths behind winner Glaswegian. A faster gallop on Sunday may well see Freddie Head celebrating his first Poulains as a trainer after winning it six times as a jockey.

Andre Fabre has won the Poulains five times in the past, including with Lope de Vega last year, and his Godolphin-owned representative Modern History is a horse on the upgrade. Two wins from as many runs this season, this listed-winner could be a threat in the hands of rising star Mikael Barzalona.

Finally, like Head, Pascal Bary has never won the Poulains, but his aforementioned Glaswegian has to be respected even though defeated in heavy going by Modern History on his penultimate start.

Two meetings in Ireland this Sunday and we have selections on the Flat at Navan and over the sticks at Killarney....

It's French Guineas day at Longchamp on Sunday. Timeform's Paul Robson looks at the contenders for the fillies race, the Poules d'Essai des Pouliches......

There's an earlier start than usual for the Timeform US tipping team, with the first of three plays coming up at 18:28 BST........

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French 1000 Guineas Betting: Maqaasid leads British challenge in Pouliches

Timeform Features / Timeform / 14 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Maqaasid looks the leading British contender in Sunday's Pouliches

"the leading British contender appears to be Maqaasid, who finished third behind Blue Bunting on the Rowley Mile."

It's French Guineas day at Longchamp on Sunday. Timeform's Paul Robson looks at the contenders for the fillies race, the Poules d'Essai des Pouliches...

After the recent defection of Memory, who is reportedly in season, the leading British contender appears to be Maqaasid, who finished third behind Blue Bunting on the Rowley Mile last time. John Gosden's filly was travelling best of all two furlongs out at Newmarket but didn't quite come out of the Dip as strongly as her rider Richard Hills would have liked and, with the flatter track in France likely to be more suitable, she goes there with a leading chance.

Rod Collet will try to emulate his father's success in 1981 when he saddles 1000 Guineas fourth Nova Hawk. However, though she ran creditably at Newmarket, her pedigree does suggest she's likely to be suited by further than a mile in time and perhaps the Prix Diane (French Oaks) could be the race for her.

Ed Dunlop, who won the Pouliches in 1996 with Ta Rib, will be hoping Sharnberry can progress from her Fred Darling second to Rimth and follow suit. Unlike Nova Hawk, however, she will also have to prove her stamina, having looked as if she may prove best at 7f that day. She will also do well to reverse from with the winner, too. Paul Cole's Rimth, who had to be supplemented, was one of the best recent Fred Darling winners and is right up there in terms of ratings, but, she's another who will be hoping for a test of speed.

Another Britain challenger is the unexposed Zoowraa, who makes her debut for Godolphin. A winner of both of her starts at two for Michael Jarvis, including a taking performance in the listed Radley Stakes, she's certainly an interesting contender.

Like Memory, 1000 Guineas seventh Moonlight Cloud was another missing from the declarations for Sunday's race, but, the French still have a strong challenger in the shape of Helleborine, who represents the same connections as last year's dual 1000 Guineas winner Special Duty. Although a beaten favourite twice in her last two outings (both in Group races), her form with Moonlight Cloud, to whom she finished second in the Prix Imprudence, gives her every chance.

The home team's challenge will also be bolstered by Golden Lilac, who will be bidding to give Andre Fabre his third win in the race. Ridden by Maxime Guyon on all three starts so far, including when comfortably landing a Group 3 at Longchamp on her reappearance (beating the reopposing Espiritia), she certainly comes into consideration.

Timeform look at what's in store over the next week, starting with the French Guineas meeting at Longchamp and ending with the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on Saturday night.......

It's just over two weeks since Frankel's demolition job in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and, on Sunday, Longchamp stages the French equivalent, the Poule d'Essai des Poulains. Timeform's Paul Robson looks at the main contenders, including a strong contingent aiming to bring the crown back across the English Channel....

Phil Thompson brings you another three horses that have caught the eye of the Timeform reporters.......

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