Golf Form Guide: Favourites to enjoy a good week

Golf Form Guide / Mike Norman / 27 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Italian starlet Matteo Manassero

"Of the European Tour professionals on show Matteo Manassero is easily the class act in the field, and after finishing second and sixth in the last two weeks he is the form player too

Whilst most people are turning their attention to next week's Masters there's still a relatively big prize to be won in Texas this week, whilst in Europe, a young Italian is hoping to win in his homeland says Mike Norman.

Although I didn't select the winner personally, the Form Guide fared pretty well at last week's Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Tiger Woods, fourth on our list prior to last week, was an emphatic winner and I'm sure a popular selection amongst many of you. Add to that, Kevin Na - a big price recommendation - and Ernie Els both recorded top-five finishes, so all in all it wasn't a bad week.

On the subject of Woods it was great to see him almost back to his best. Two years ago I said he will never be the same player again; obviously referring to the pre-scandal Tiger Woods. Whilst there's a distinct possibility I could now be wrong in that regard I feel I was more than justified with my comments.

It was plainly obvious that Woods had other issues on his mind than just golf during 2010 and for the most part of last year, and I made some decent money laying him on a regular basis. Based on this year's performances however, Woods - barring Rory McIlroy perhaps - looks the man everyone has to beat again.

The former world number one, Tiger that is, can be backed at just [5.3] to win next week's US Masters, whilst McIlroy is available to back at [6.8].

PGA Tour - Shell Houston Open

(Tournaments used: Arnold Palmer Invitational, Transitions Championship, WGC Cadillac Championship, Puerto Rico Open, Honda Classic, Mayakoba Classic, Northern Trust Open, AT&T Pebble Beach)

Phil Mickelson (2)... 26.5 (W 2011)
Charl Schwartzel (2)... 18 (T5 2010)
Lee Westwood (2)... 17.5 (T10 2010)
Graeme McDowell (2)... 13.5
Keegan Bradley (2)... 11.5
Henrik Stenson (1)... 11.5 (T5 2009)

*number in brackets after a player's name is the number of top-10 finishes achieved in last six weeks/tournaments on tour
**information after a players' points relates to wins (W), top-five (T5) and top-10 (T10) finishes in corresponding tournament in previous three years

I have mixed feelings about this week's Shell Houston Open. Given that it's incredibly difficult for a golfer to win back-to-back tournaments I always wonder why anyone teeing it up at next week's Masters would want to win in Texas this week. I remember Steve Rawlings - aka The Punter and a big Phil Mickelson fan - being gutted that Lefty won here last year without the great man (Steve that is) having a penny on.

I know Lee Westwood's putting will need to improve massively if he is to win at Augusta in 10 days time, but as I've already backed him for the Masters I'm not overly keen on him winning this week. But as the betting indicates, Westy has every chance of triumphing here. He has been in decent form of late - as he always is - and finished eighth (2010) and 11th (2009) at this venue in recent years.

Mickelson heads this week's Form Guide but that's thanks largely to his form from six weeks ago as well as winning this event in 2011. He's gone off the boil recently and I'd much rather back Charl Schwartzel and Keegan Bradley, both of whom are far more consistent and arguably better players these days.

Recommended Bets: Lee Westwood @ [13.0], Charl Schwartzel @ [25.0], Keegan Bradley @ [20.0]

European Tour - Sicilian Open

(Tournaments used: Trophee Hassan II, Open de Andalucia, WGC Cadillac Championship, Avantha Masters, Dubai Desert Classic)

Matteo Manassero (2)... 13
Jose-Manuel Lara... 10 (T5 2011*)
Raphael Jacquelin... 9.5 (W 2011*)

*2011 Sicilian Open was played at a different venue to the one being used this week

I hate putting up favourites, especially in single figures, as my main selection but there's absolutely no getting away from young Matteo Manassero this week. Of the European Tour professionals on show he is easily the class act in the field, and after finishing second and sixth in the last two weeks he is the form player too. Adding further confidence is the fact that he is playing in his homeland at a venue that is pretty much virgin to everyone.

Recommended Bet: Matteo Manassero @ [8.6], Jose-Manuel Lara @ [60.0]

With just two weeks to the Masters Luke Donald's game looks in great shape says Mike Norman, but who looks in fine form ahead of this week's two main tournaments? Read on to find out......

Mike Norman assesses the form either side of the pond and selects a couple of golfers at the peak of their powers who have also played well in their respective tournaments previously....

Mike Norman takes an early look at this week's World Golf Championship event as well as discussing why Rory McIlroy's putting has helped him become the number one golfer in the world....

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Timeform Radio Racing Tips: Enjoy York's delicacies from the Saturday racing feast

Timeform Radio Tip / David Cleary / 09 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Will either of David's York selections do the business?

"The day’s best bets may well be at York. Provided the ground is no worse than described (and it was faster than the official yesterday), then Masamah will take some catching in the listed sprint at 14.05."

There's a lot of high-quality racing available on the Saturday racing buffet and two titbits at York have attracted David Cleary's attention

As ever, a summer Saturday jam packed with goodies, the four afternoon meetings all offering a high standard of racing, with most of the races fiendishly hard to solve.

The highlight is one of the year's top sprints, the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket at 15.35, which features the impressive York winner Delegator, last year's top two-year-old Dream Ahead and quite a few who chased home Society Rock in the Golden Jubilee.

Dream Ahead was frankly disappointing, looking wayward, in the St James's Palace and while sprinting may prove his game he has a bit to prove now. The prices look roughly right on the rest but Amico Fritz probably ought to be shorter than he is and may be the best bet in the race. He did better than the result at Ascot, racing in the smaller stand-side group and his strike-rate under optimum conditions, such as he faces today, is good. The other obviously overpriced in the race is the filly Swiss Diva, who started favourite for the Abbaye two runs ago.

The day's best bets may well be at York. Provided the ground is no worse than described (and it was faster than the official yesterday), then Masamah will take some catching in the listed sprint at 14.05. This track suits him ideally and the form of his handicap win here in May is as good as any of these has shown recently.

In the staying handicap that follows at 14.40, some unexposed sorts dominate the market. Vulcanite shaped well in an unsuitable race on his return, comes from a stable in very good form and will be well suited by the step up in trip. He will be very hard to keep out of the frame.

Recommended Bets
Back Masamah @ [7.6] in the 14.05 at York
Back Vulcanite @ [11.0] in the 14.40 at York
Back Amico Fritz and Swiss Diva @ 24.0 and 70.0 respectively in the 15.35 at Newmarket

Download a Free Race Card every day in July at timeform.com. Click HERE to register or see the menu.

David Cleary is looking forward to an excellent day of racing at Newmarket and he's uncovered a pair of compelling prospects to back in the afternoon's big race and a little earlier......

There's plenty of quality on show at Newmarket today and two horses stand out on a bright day for class animals, says Terry Norman....

Graham Cunningham scours the cards on a quiet midweek afternoon and comes up with two selections that could upset the odds......

Betfair website

Enjoy Betfair's All New Horse Racing Home Page

General / Joe Dyer / 23 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

The New Horse Racing Home Page includes fresh features we think you'll love

Betfair is delighted to have launched a new Horse Racing Home Page...

and we hope you are enjoying the improvements.

The page provided simpler access to all of today's, tomorrow's and the next day's races (if the markets are available) from around the world. The same is true of our antepost markets, with all the big races at the big festivals provided.

For anyone in a hurry the 'Next race', and the three coming up after that, are clearly displayed and are only a click away.

Through our new carousel we will also be keeping you up-to-date on the big races and offering insight from the Timeform Team.

Timeform Radio, Timeform Form and Live Video are a single click away. Quick Results and up to date information on non-runners, weight changes and going information are provided in a clear format. But whatever your interests you can customise the page to display the information you are interested in.

We hope you enjoy the new page and take advantage of the improvements.

Betfair is delighted to have launched a new Horse Racing Home Page......

Disappointment as two day festival at Kempton Park is cancelled due to continued cold weather......

Freezing conditions decimated this weekend's racing - now Betfair punters fear that next Sunday's action at Kempton may be unable to go ahead......

Betfair website

FA Cup Results: Arsenal rocked by Orient while City enjoy a Sunday stroll

FA Cup / Joe Dyer / 20 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Os captain Stephen Dawson gets ahead of Nicklas Bendtner

"Arsenal had been backed at [1.04] to win in 90 minutes after Tomas Rosicky's 53rd minute header put them in the lead at Leyton Orient."

Leyton Orient pull off a classic cup performance as [1.04] Arsenal are denied while five-star Manchester City sink Paul Ince's Notts County

A small piece of FA Cup magic was created by Leyton Orient in east London tonight when the League One outfit denied Arsenal with a late, late equaliser to rock their illustrious opponents.

The Gunners had been backed at [1.04] to win in 90 minutes after Tomas Rosicky's 53rd minute header put them in the lead.

But the Os plugged away and got their reward when Jonathan Tehoue burst through the Arsenal rearguard at the death to score. The draw was backed at [28.0] on Betfair.

In the day's early kick-off Manchester CIty strode into the fifth round of the FA Cup after a 5-0 hammering of Notts County at Eastlands today.

Betfair customers make Roberto Mancini's men the [6.0] third favourites to lift the trophy at Wembley in the final.

City were backed at [22.0] to win 5-0 - a result they achieved thanks to a late onslaught, scoring goals in the 84th, 89th and 91st minutes to add a big cherry to the Sunday cake.

With a major trophy the goal for the Citizen's mega-rich owners, you sense a Wembley final is likely. But it won't be easy, the fifth round brings Aston Villa to Eastlands while Everton or Reading will visit should City get past the Claret and Blues.

The day's other match saw Bolton eliminate Fulham. Wanderers were backed at [5.4] for an away win.

An FA Cup classic is on the cards after Arsenal/Leyton Orient were pulled out of the hat to face Manchester United in the fifth round...

Leyton Orient pull off a classic cup performance as [1.04] Arsenal are denied while five-star Manchester City sink Paul Ince's Notts County...

County's cup run should finish here, says Feizal Rahman, who has dug up a few bets to accompany that eventuality...

Betfair website