World Athletics Championships Day Seven: Beware or Believe?

Athletics / Jack Houghton / 01 September 2011 / Leave a Comment

You have to hand it to Bolt, but Alonso Edward (left) can make the podium again

"Whatever the rights and wrongs of Bolt’s disqualification in the 100m, he should be able to gain recompense in the 200m."

Athletics championships pose punters a problem. With a plethora of short-priced favourites, it's always hard to separate the genuine sporting titan from the overhyped chancer. During the nine days of World Championship action in Daegu, Jack Houghton tells us which skinny ones to believe in, and which to beware of.

Men's 200m - Usain Bolt - BELIEVE
Despite having put Bolt up as a Beware on day one of these championships, I took no pleasure from seeing his disqualification from the final, especially as my own pick, [36.0] shot Nesta Carter, was injured in the same race and finished last. Whatever the rights and wrongs of Bolt's disqualification in the 100m though, he should be able to gain recompense in the 200m. As in the 100m, he has, by his own standards, been lacklustre in the 200m this season, but has still recorded the fastest time of the year so far. This, coupled with the lack of credible opposition - only one other athlete has run sub-20 seconds this year - means Bolt should find his task much easier over the longer sprint distance. There is little value in his odds of [1.11] though. Better bets can be found in the Top 3 market, where rising star Nickel Ashmeade, and returning-from-injury Alonso Edward, can fill the podium with Bolt.

Women's Hammer - Betty Heidler - Beware
Purely on price, it's worth opposing the 2007 world champion Betty Heidler as she bids to regain her title. Although she has dominated competition this season, throwing the four best efforts of the year, including a world record 79.42, she remains vulnerable in major championships, where she has not always produced her best. A number of past champions (think Miankova, Moreno and Wlodarczyk) are coming back from breaks, and both Wenxiu and Lysenko are capable of pushing Heidler close on the day. Not an event to get heavily involved in, but Heidler is definitely worth opposing.

Recommendations:
2pts back Alonso Edwards at [2.50] in men's 200m.
1pt back Nickel Ashmeade at [3.50] in men's 200m.
2pts lay Betty Heidler at [1.36] in women's hammer.

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Athletics championships pose punters a problem. With a plethora of short-priced favourites, it's always hard to separate the genuine sporting titan from the overhyped chancer. During the nine days of World Championship action in Daegu, Jack Houghton tells us which...

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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

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Sky Dogs: Paddy to make it a perfect seven in Juvenile

Sky Previews / Darrell Williams / 01 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

"In selecting Boher Paddy, I’m siding with a greyhound that has yet to taste defeat, and one that has no doubt been perfectly prepared for the occasion by his master trainer, whose decision to give his charge just one four bend trial over the CD appears to have proved spot on judging by his impressive time"

Six of the best from the Class of 2010 do battle in the eagerly awaited Racing Post Juvenile from Wimbledon - live on Sky Sports - but while Razldazl Jayfkay may prove up to answering the hype, Darrell Williams can't resist Boher Paddy to make it a perfect 7 from 7 for Charlie Lister.

The decision to switch the Juvenile from its traditional New Year slot has proved a masterful move, with Fear Zafonic narrowly failing to add Derby glory to his success two years ago, and with Boher Paddy and Razldazl Jayfkay sitting aloft the 2011 Derby ante post market, there's every chance that this year's winner will be adding Classic success come the middle of June.

Razldazl Jayfkay was unlucky not to make a winning British debut on Springbok night three weeks ago, and Dolores Ruth's newly re-seeded wide runner could hardly come into tonight's race in better shape after an electrifying trial last week. Coupled with a draw outside rails favouring Mill Bling Bling, and it's not hard to understand why the Irish runner is favourite. That's presuming, of course, Kelly Macari's rival makes an immediate bee-line for the fence. If not, clearing him might not prove so straight-forward.

In selecting Boher Paddy, I'm siding with a greyhound that has yet to taste defeat, and one that has no doubt been perfectly prepared for the occasion by his master trainer, whose decision to give his charge just one four bend trial over the CD appears to have proved spot on judging by his equally impressive time. The fact that he had got within one spot of the Nottingham sprint record the week previous is further testament to the ability of both the dog and his handler, and I expect Boher Paddy to trap in front.

Of the remaining runners, the one that interests me most is Blue Artisan, who has proved particularly well suited to a trap one draw in the past, and while his very shrewd trainer Harry Williams is quick to point out that he is probably only 75% fit, having not raced since October, he might just be worth a small saver.

The supporting card, as ever at Wimbledon is of the highest quality - perhaps even more so, given the Betfair Trainers Championship is just three weeks away - and while one or two races look tricky, there are also some tasty wagers to be had.

Having seen the nap well and truly turned over in the supporting hurdle race on Springbok night, you would have thought I might have learned my lesson, but I can't resist a play on Toems Champ in the 20:15.

Seamus Cahill's beaten Springbok favourite (another losing tip!) had little chance on the prevailing going that night, but put that run firmly behind him when flying round Romford the other day. Expected to comfortably reverse Springbok form with the first three home that night, his early speed should also see him prove too quick for the more established hurdlers in the line-up, and he rates the night's best bet.

It's not only in the Juvenile that I'm expecting Charlie Lister to turn over a Dolores Ruth trained favourite, as I also feel the Newark maestro can strike with reigning Derby champion Bandicoot Tipoki in a fascinating four bend race at 20:50.

Making his first start at Plough Lane since that memorable victory last May, 'Tipoki' has an excellent record when returning from an absence, and with a plethora of fast times over the 480m trip last year, including a 2826, just one spot off the now track-record, in last year's Derby first round, he represents excellent value at around [5.0].

Irish Champion Stakes winner Makeshift warrants the maximum respect, and could hardly have been better prepared, but his draw outside his rival may just prevent him trapping ahead.

John Mullins has his team in excellent shape at the moment and can capture the first live Sky race (19:40) with Give Mesome Luck, who given his previous early pace at the track, looks perfectly drawn for a run as the lone wide seed.

Selections (in order)
Toems Champ 20:15
Bandicoot Tipoki 20:50
Boher Paddy 21:45
Give Mesome Luck 19:40

Six of the best from the Class of 2010 do battle in the eagerly awaited Racing Post Juvenile from Wimbledon - live on Sky Sports - but while Razldazl Jayfkay may prove up to answering the hype, Darrell Williams can't...

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High Stakes Poker: Season Seven

Poker News / Matthew Pitt / 16 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

There is a well-known saying that goes along the lines of "if it is not broken, then do not fix it" and basically implies that is something is working well then there is no need to alter anything about it. Try telling that to the bosses at GSN, formerly known on-air as the Game Show Network, the producers of the ever-popular "High Stakes Poker."

For five seasons viewers were delighted with the show as it allowed them to watch some of the biggest names in poker fight it out in a series of high stakes cash games, where most poker shown on television was in a tournament format. Another reason the show was such a success was the chemistry between the host, Gabe Kaplan and his co-host, AJ Benza. Although their humour was sometimes cringe-worthy, they were a great double act that certainly added something to the show.

Notice how I wrote that in the past tense, that is because before the start of the sixth season the bosses at GSN announced that AJ Benza had been axed and a new female co-host was being sought after. That particular female co-host turned out to be Kara Scott and although pleasing on the eye and someone who certainly knows their way around in poker environment, the chemistry previously seen between Kaplan and Benza simply was not there. Many fans openly critisised the decision to replace Benza with Scott but despite this the viewing figures soared by almost 27% for the shows target demographic of adult males ages between 18-49.

Having such high ratings is worth a lot of money to the show as they could essentially charge what they liked for sponsorship, something that until recently they had refrained from having. In December of 2010, just as filming for the seventh season began, it was announced that PokerStars would be the shows primary sponsor going forward and it has had a serious knock-on effect for the line-up of pros who will be taking part in the show. There are going to be some noticeable absentees when the first episode airs on Saturday 26 February.

As Full Tilt Poker are in direct competition with PokerStars, being the two largest, American facing sites, they have refused to allow their stable of pros from taking part so viewers are going to be deprived of the talents of Mike Matusow, Eli Elezra, Tom "durrrr" Dwan and Phil Ivey, all of whom brought something to the show. There will still be some familiar faces such as Daniel Negreanu, Barry Greenstein and Antonio Esfandiari but I cannot help but wonder how much of an impact losing the Full Tilt players will have, especially as some of them brought some serious action to the table.

Another change, possibly forced and out of GSN's control, was Kaplan's departure from the show. No official statement from the producers or from Kaplan himself has been put into the public domain so one could only speculate on his reasons for parting company after six seasons. Kaplan's replacement is Canadian actor and stand-up comedian, Norm Macdonald who admitted in an interview with Poker News Daily that although he loves the show, he has virtually no live announcing experience! Probably not the best replacement in the world but he deserves a chance to prove the poker community wrong.

The final change brought into play for the upcoming season is that it will be broadcast in 3D for the first time ever. Those who have the necessary viewing equipment will be able to watch people playing cards in 3D. Why you would even consider it is the real question.

Can High Stakes Poker survive after all of these changes? Will losing the Full Tilt pros and Kabe Kaplan be too much for the viewers to take? Will you still be tuning in? I will be watching, in standard 2D of course, just to see how the show plays out. I am all for change but only if it adds to the experience of whatever is being altered, I just cannot see how the plethora of alterations to one of my favourite shows are going to be positive.

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