Follow The Money: Two backs and one lay at Kempton

"Camachoice's jockey Adam Kirby has a 43% strike rate when riding for owner Giuliano Mafrendini."

Back Camachoice @ 3.814/5 Kempton 13:20

All of today's Follow The Money bets run at Kempton...

Starting at 13:20 in the 1m Handicap Camachoice has been backed in to 3.814/5 from 6.05/1. The three-year-old colt makes his handicap debut today, and Jockey Adam Kirby has a 43% strike rate when riding for owner Giuliano Mafrendini. Relatively unexposed, the colt has ridden twice over this trip at Kempton finishing half way down the field on both occasions but has been backed to find the necessary improvement to win today.   

In the 14:20 6f Maiden Stakes Clock Opera has drifted out to 2.915/8 from 2.285/4. The 3yo filly sets the standard in this race but does not appear to be progressing and lost last time out over this course and distance as an 8-15 favourite. Having raced four times, she may be considered a little exposed and may be vulnerable to a potential improver, though it does look a relatively weak maiden race.

Finally, in the 16:20 Handicap over 1m3f, Brimstone Hill has been supported in to 4.94/1 from 7.413/2. The 4yo colt has kept his form reasonably well and has finished second twice in his last four starts, though jockey William Carson has ridden him ten times without a win. The money suggests that record may change.

Recommended Bets
Back Camachoice @ 3.814/5 Kempton 13:20
Lay Clock Opera 2.915/8 Kempton 14:20
Back Brimstone Hill 4.94/1 Kempton 16:20

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Six Nations Betting: Young England backs could upset France

General / Ralph Ellis / 06 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Can England's youngsters take the fight to France this Sunday?

Danny Care is in trouble again but, on the pitch, Ralph Ellis believes that English rugby could have something to celebrate this weekend...

Danny Care does not have a drink problem - at least not according to Stuart Lancaster. The Harlequins scrum-half, who should have been playing the same role for England, has just been nicked for his third alcohol-related misdemeanour in a matter of months. But Lancaster says his problems are about "making bad decisions" rather than because of a reliance on drink. You hope that England's interim manager is just being diplomatic in public, because if he really thinks that, then he's kidding himself as well as everybody else.

When I talked to Danny for Betfair's Big Interview at the start of the World Cup back in November, I thought he was a smashing young man. He dealt with his own injury, which had robbed him of the chance to play in New Zealand, with great humour, and he spoke with insight about the prospects for Martin Johnson's team. So I don't want to do him down now.

But the bottom line is that a professional athlete's idea of drinking should be all about water, energy drinks and rehydration - and not necking so much booze that you get caught short in a taxi on the way home. When Care was arrested for being drunk and disorderly back in December it might have been a single aberration. A drink driving offence on New Year's Day should really have told him he had to change. Three times says there's an underlying problem.
What the Quins star clearly needs is some care with a small 'c', and some education and you hope that behind the public words that is exactly what will happen. One of Lancaster's key moves when he took charge was to tackle the issue that elite sport and excessive alcohol don't mix.

One thing he has got right is warning Care that there are now three scrum-halves in front of him and the only man who can change that pecking order is the one who has let himself fall so far down the rankings.

It will be a vital position to get right in Paris this Sunday. The return of Morgan Parra to his natural role for France means England's number nine will be fully tested. But Lee Dickson was excellent in the early part of the Twickenham clash with Wales, and showed there could be great potential in a budding partnership with Saracens' imaginative fly-half Owen Farrell.

Having backed England for the Twickenham game, I laid them in running - which was a chicken thing to do but ultimately proved a good decision. I bet Lancaster wished he'd been able to press a "cash out now" button half-way through that game!

England are [3.75] to win on Sunday and that has to be value, even if it is only a back to lay bet again. France weren't all that impressive against Ireland, whatever the merits of their second-half comeback. And if Lancaster's new half-back pairing can function as effectively again then there's definitely the potential to unleash the backs. Who knows? They might even open some space for Chris Ashton to rediscover his flair. But as for drinking to celebrate - let's leave that to the fans.

Five things you might not know about Morgan Parra
1. Born November 1988 in Metz, France, his electrician dad Antonio is Portuguese but had moved to France to take a part-time job coaching Lorraine's rugby team. Mother Valerie is a teacher in a home for the mentally handicapped.

2. Morgan was four when he first played rugby at Metz. Spotted for his talent, he was brought into the French academy system and spent two years at their national rugby centre at Marcoussis, as well as winning a French Under21 Championship title with CSBJ.

3. French rules forbid anybody playing senior rugby until the age of 18 - Parra was three days past his birthday when he made his debut for Bourgoin in a Top 14 match against Agen. Bourgoin won 31-18.

4. When he made his senior international debut in February 2008 against Scotland made him the 11th youngest ever to appear for the country.

5. He's training part-time to become an architect when he finishes playing - and has designed his own house which he is currently having built.

The draw between France and Ireland was backed at [42.0] on Betfair but what does the result mean for the rest of the tournament? And can England take advantage of France's patchy defence next weekend? Richard O'Hagan reports....

France and Ireland produce a draw in Paris to hand Wales the Six Nations initiative......

Richard O'Hagan looks back at what happened this weekend and what might happen in the remaining matches of the tournament, which Wales are now the strong favourites to win....

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Follow The Money: Two Newcastle backs, one Down Royal lay

Follow the Money / Follow The Money / 01 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Following the money?

"If Mica Mika continues his steady improvement shown so far, he should still be right in the finish today.

Today's Follow The Money comes from the meetings at Newcastle and Down Royal.

We start at Newcastle in 13:20 Novice Hurdle, where Mica Mika has seen some support coming in from [5.5] into [4.4]. Richard Fahey's runner was a fairly useful runner on the Flat, and his switch to the jumping game has shown signs of promise. He ran second on debut before going one better in a fair event at Wetherby last start. Although the form from that race looks nothing spectacular, if he continues his steady improvement shown so far, he should still be right in the finish today.

We move across the water to Down Royal for 14:35, where Quaquo De Flotte has been slowly drifting from [2.8] out to [3.25]. Although it takes a brave person to bet against a Willie Mullins runner with Ruby Walsh on board, you can see the reasons for the drift. He made few errors when second at Thurles last start, and his head carriage that day gives worries about his attitude. The drop in trip is not ideal, and with him also giving weight all round to his 19 rivals, the odds seem to be too short for the punters to take with confidence today.

Finally we head back to Newcastle for the 15:20 where Tap Night has been backed heavily from [2.40] in to [1.85]. Lucinda Russell's US import confirmed the promise he'd shown during the summer jumps season when winning easily after a break at Carlisle in November. The form of that race has worked out well, so with the money down it looks like a repeat of that run will be more than enough to defy the penalty today.

Recommended Bets
Back Mica Mika @ [4.4] Newcastle 13:20
Lay Quaquo De Flotte @ [3.25] Down Royal 14:35
Back Tap Night @ [1.85] Newcastle 15:20

Today's Follow The Money comes from the meetings at Southwell and Taunton....

Two backs and one lay based on price movements on Betfair's racing markets. The reasons and the reasoning are explained by the Follow The Money crew......

Today's Follow The Money comes from the meetings at Ffos Las and Leopardstown....

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Timeform Radio Racing Tips: Backs and In-Play lays

Timeform Radio Tip / Graham Cunningham / 21 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

Can Blackpool Billy show us why he's favourite in Kelso's 14:40?

"Blackpool Billy looks a worthy favourite for Kelso's 14:40 based on his improved effort at Newcastle recently."

Graham Cunningham is in the very comfy Timeform Radio pundit's chair ahead of this sunny Monday which brings racing from Kelso, Lingfield and Wolverhampton - his bets come at the two former tracks

After a torrid Festival which only picked up on the final day it's good to get back to the normal routine from home and a Monday where the following points occur.

First, Wyse Hill Teabags surely has one of the worst names of any horse in training.

Second, Jim Goldie's gelding has an exceptional chance in Kelso's 14:10 based on an excellent effort in a much stronger race here recently.

Third, Freddie Brown is worth noting in the same race. Granted, this gelding keeps racing too freely for his own good, but he gives the strong impression there is more to come once he relaxes and could be interesting as a back to lay vehicle here.

Fourth, Blackpool Billy looks a worthy favourite for Kelso's 14:40 based on his improved effort at Newcastle recently.

And fifth, Duke Of Ormond is another with back-to-lay potential in Lingfield's 16:30. This chestnut clearly has last week's easy Plumpton winner Present A Star to beat, but he's not badly treated on the strength of his Market Rasen win and will catch the eye of the In-Play gang if he's back on song this afternoon.

Monday Recommendations:
Kelso 14:10: Back Wyse Hill Teabags at [1.98]
Back Freddie Brown at [14.0] or bigger with a view to trading out at [5.0]
Kelso 14:40: Back Blackpool Billy at [2.76]
Lingfield 16:30: Back Duke Of Ormond at [8.0] or bigger with a view trading out at [4.0]

The biggest event of the jumps racing calendar may have taken place yesterday but David Cleary is up with the larks this morning and has selected a pair of promising bets....

Rory Delargy is on track for the final day of the Cheltenham Festival, and gives his best bets for a day which features a mouthwatering clash of the last three individual Gold Cup winners....

Rory Delargy is at the track for Day Three of the Cheltenham Festival. Here are his best bets......

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Follow The Money: Two backs and one lay

Follow the Money / Follow The Money / 19 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Today's heavy ground should not concern Houblon Des Obeaux

"Houblon Des Obeaux should revel in the testing conditions today."

Today's Follow The Money movers come from the meetings at Haydock and Lingfield.

We start at Haydock where Houblon Des Obeaux has been strongly supported from [2.94] from an earlier [4.0] to win the 13:40 2m Juvenile Hurdle .

This French-bred gelding from Venetia Williams' yard should revel in the testing conditions today and comes into this contest on the back of a classy second in Grade 1 company at Chepstow. The trainer sent out a winner yesterday which hopefully confirms the well-being of her string and she looks to have a fine prospect on her hands here.

We move south to Lingfield for our lay which runs in the opener, a 1m Claiming Stakes at 13:45, Better Self has been weak in the betting drifting out to [4.1] from [3.2].

Only four runners line up in this event but it is a competitive heat in which none of the competitors can be totally ruled out. This 3yo, now with David Evans, had been in fine form, posting two solid victories last month, but was desperately unconvincing at Wolverhampton earlier this week when a well-beaten third of four having been sent off a short-priced favourite. Punters have clearly lost some faith in the filly and this does not look an easy opportunity for her to bounce back.

We stay at Lingfield for the final selection, The Scorching Wind in the 16:00 6f Handicap, which has been backed dramatically moving to [10.0] from an earlier [16.5].

Stuart Williams' 5yo has shown little in his last two starts at the track but the heavy support may prove significant as he now finds himself back on his last winning mark from a year ago. Last time over course and distance he completely missed the break, but was staying on well enough at the finish. The application of first-time blinkers may help him take closer order early on, and he may be able to have a say in things at the finish at attractive odds.

Recommended Bets:
Back Houblon Des Obeaux @ [2.9] Haydcok 13:40
Lay Better Self @ [4.1] Lingfield 13:45
Back The Scorching Wind @ [10.0] Lingfield 16:00

Today's Follow The Money movers come from the meetings at Haydock and Lingfield....

Today's Follow The Money movers come from Newbury and Lingfield....

Today's Follow The Money comes from the cards at Southwell, Ffos Las and Kelso....

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