On October 25th 2008, Ryan Giggs entered an elite club, becoming only the third player in the history of the Premier League to reach the 500 appearances mark. Inspired by this impressive feat, here are brief biographies of the five players with the most Premier League appearances under their belt. All information is correct as of October 31st 2008.
1) Gary Speed - Appearances: 535.
Clubs: Leeds, Everton, Newcastle, Bolton and Sheffield United.
Currently plying his trade with Sheffield United in the Coca-Cola Championship, Gary Speed is the player with the most Premier League appearances to his name. A fantastic athlete, even today at the age of 39, he rarely fails to complete a full 90 minutes and is a vital part of the engine room at Bramall Lane. Gary was a member of the Leeds United team that won the old First Division title, shortly before the Premier League was created and he has 81 Premier League goals to his name, as well as 85 caps for Wales.
2) David James – Appearances: 520.
Clubs: Watford, Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, Manchester City and Portsmouth.
“Calamity James” may have a reputation for goalkeeping howlers, but he has managed to clock up 520 Premier League appearances in a career that has so far spanned 22 years. An excellent shot-stopper, James has also played 44 times for England and helped Portsmouth to lift last season’s FA Cup, conceding just one goal in six matches.
3) Ryan Giggs – Appearances: 500.
Clubs: Manchester United.
Ryan Giggs is a rarity in the modern era. A one club man who has also earned 64 caps for Wales, he is the most decorated player in the history of British football with twenty major honours, including ten Premier League titles. Giggs has 95 Premier League goals to his name as well as being the league leader in assists, with 227. At the age of 34 he is still an important part of Alex Ferguson’s squad at Old Trafford.
4) Sol Campbell – Appearances: 461.
Clubs: Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Portsmouth.
Sulzeer Jeremiah Campbell, better known as “Sol”, is no stranger to controversy. He famously crossed the North London divide with a high profile move to Arsenal, which led Spurs fans to label him “Judas” and in the 2005/06 season, he went AWOL for several days due to personal issues, the club having no idea of his whereabouts. That said, he remains a solid centre half with 73 England caps and two Premier League winners medals, playing an instrumental role at the heart of the Pompey defence.
5) Alan Shearer – Appearances: 441.
Clubs: Southampton, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle.
With 260 Premier League goals, Shearer is the highest scoring player in the league’s history and remains seventh in the list of top scorers for the English national team, with 30 goals from 63 caps. His £15 million move to Newcastle, the club he supported as a boy, was a world record at the time. Now retired, he is prominent in the media, working as a pundit for the BBC.
Friday, 31 October 2008
Monday, 27 October 2008
Pleased With This Loss !
For once in my life, I have been glad to have succumb to a massive loss. As most of you know, at the end of June, I underwent life changing surgery in order to attempt to shed some of my excessive weight ! After a period of 4 months, I can report that my total loss so far is 9 stone. To say I am surprised is an understatement; to say I'm delighted would be stating the obvious. After three very trying years, I am now finally feeling much better physically, but also mentally and have a more optimistic outlook on life. I hope to return to work soon after Christmas (when the Docs give me an all clear), and generally want to get on a bit more with things.
From a personal point of view, I'd like to thank all my mates and associates at Scoop Troop and DUPS for all the support and good wishes over what has been a traumatic year. The outcome, of course has been worth the effort, and it feels better than more or less anything, to have been given this new lease of life, and dare I say it ... a second chance !
(Sorry it's a bit off topic; just felt like sharing my news !)
From a personal point of view, I'd like to thank all my mates and associates at Scoop Troop and DUPS for all the support and good wishes over what has been a traumatic year. The outcome, of course has been worth the effort, and it feels better than more or less anything, to have been given this new lease of life, and dare I say it ... a second chance !
(Sorry it's a bit off topic; just felt like sharing my news !)
Sunday, 26 October 2008
Fuck me, another essay-length rant
Respect – noun; a feeling of admiration for someone because of their qualities or achievements.
I was tempted to write a piece about referees after the Sheffield derby, but I decided against it. Referees have a difficult job to do, they already get plenty of criticism and let’s face it, there are plenty of them that would just love the attention. I have however reversed my decision, unlike Mike Dean, after witnessing three of the most atrocious refereeing displays in my eighteen years of watching football.
The FA must be praised for their “Respect The Ref” initiative. I don’t have a lot of time for the FA, but they have the right idea with this one. It is however incredibly difficult to show respect to those who haven’t necessarily earned it, through their “qualities or achievements” (Oxford English Dictionary) which is a fairly gaping hole in the entire campaign. Imagine if you went in to work one day and dropped a series of clangers which not only messed up the office for the day, but the aftermath of which set the office back significantly for the next couple of weeks; would you then have the nerve to demand the respect of your colleagues? I think it’s fair to assume that you wouldn’t and you’d have to be quite arrogant to assume that they would continue to view you in the same light as before the incidents and that there would be no punishment forthcoming. So why is it the case then, that referees are allowed to demand such respect, despite horrible inconsistencies, week in, week out and are seemingly allowed to continue to underperform with no recognisable consequences?
Early in today’s match at Bramall Lane, one of the Preston players went into a challenge with high feet. I’m not actually sure who the offending player was, but it’s not relevant. The Kop were ironically chanting “off, off, off”, presumably in reference to the Matthew Kilgallon red card last Sunday. Noone seriously expected the player to walk, but it wasn’t unreasonable to expect a card to be produced for a reckless, high challenge. So why then did the offence go unpunished, save for a free kick? Matthew Kilgallon went in with eyes on the ball last week and though
reckless, was never intent on causing injury, yet Dean instantly flashed the red card, without even considering the opinions of his assistants. Today, a similar, arguably worse offence takes place and the player isn’t even booked. I could tolerate the odd poor, game changing decision if the rules were applied consistently, but they just aren’t and that makes it very difficult to find respect for the referees and their employers.
The appeal against Kilgallon’s red card failed. What exactly does a club from outside of the Premier League need to do to win an appeal? Even the opposition manager, the boss of United’s most hated rivals, said: “I have sympathy for Kevin because, from where we were, which was very close, it looked a yellow card”. Nobody I have spoken to on the matter believes it was a sending off offence. If it’s good enough for a John terry rugby tackle, it ought to be good enough for a clumsy Kilgallon challenge.
Paddy Kenny was booked for time wasting today, as he waited for Danny Webber (playing on the right hand side, the opposite side from the dugout) to leave the pitch and Greg Halford to enter the field of play. This substitution took up no more than a regulation amount of time, yet Kenny was accused of deliberately stalling the game and was given a yellow card. Perhaps Mr Whitestone would have preferred us to restart the game with our right winger out of position, thus leaving ourselves severely weakened? Presumably then this alleged stalling was a far nastier offence than the aforementioned high feet, which could have seriously injured another player, as Kenny was awarded a card and the Preston player wasn’t? Kyle Naughton was booked for simulation, despite one of the most blatant trips you’ll ever see, yards from the referee who had a perfectly clear view.
I could go on about specific decisions all day, but the point of this piece isn’t to whinge, it’s simply that basic decisions like these that are destroying games of football up and down the country for spectators, causing players to pick up suspensions and potentially costing managers jobs. When Kenny picks up four more yellow cards, he will be banned and we will be without a key member of our team. When the referee makes four more hideous blunders, what will happen to him? Sheffield United are without their star performer at the back (who incidentally has had just one yellow card and Sunday’s red card in sixty matches, a phenomenal record for a centre half I’m sure even Mr Dean would have to admit) and if we leak goals, it could derail our promotion push and ultimately earn Blackwell the sack. These men make massive, life changing decisions in matches with millions of pounds on the line, the very least they could do is apply the rules with consistency.
BBC Radio Sheffield interviewed Kevin Blackwell after the game and when pressed on the issue of the referee, he told us that the FA come down hard on managers who speak negatively about referees and therefore he wouldn’t comment. I don’t blame him, but what kind of world are we operating in where there is effective censorship around those in charge? Isn’t that bordering on fascism? Why shouldn’t a manager be able to comment on some horrendous decisions that 25,000 other people could see were wrong, when these blunders are affecting his own tenure? The officials are simply not accountable; they rarely do press interviews, they almost never come out and admit errors and it takes something very serious for them to be relieved of their Premier League responsibilities and even then they are simply moved to the likes of us in the Championship, which is no punishment at all. Why on Earth should we have to endure incompetent officials? I’d imagine that the argument would be that, should a premiership player underperform, he will eventually find himself plying his trade in the lower leagues, but if that player has a run of poor games, his club will remove him from the side entirely whilst a referee enduring a poor run continues to officiate on a regular basis and that simply isn’t good enough.
Noone seriously expects referees to get 100% of decisions correct, but in the last three games I’ve witnessed, I’ve seen basic decision after basic decision go the wrong way. What do these people do out there? Three men between them can’t tell that the ball has clearly crossed the line, from a few yards away? That it went out off one player rather than the other? James Beattie had to be substituted with an injury today and later had stitches, but when he was down, the referee not only let Preston bomb forward, but he let them take a corner too. Fair enough, it wasn’t a head injury so he doesn’t need to stop the game, but surely when the ball goes out for a corner, Beattie must be allowed to receive treatment and Brian Howard should not be booked for pointing out Beattie’s injury to the referee? On Tuesday night, the referee stopped the game on at least four occasions that I can remember for Southampton injuries to parts of the body other than the head. Consistency chaps, it didn’t ought to be that testing.
Speaking of consistency, how do football clubs ever expect to achieve anything when they constantly change the managerial staff? Iain Dowie is arguably the most overrated manager in the history of the game, I’d welcome someone informing me as to what he’s actually done as a manager to warrant his fabulous reputation, but the QPR top brass can’t seriously believe that fifteen games in all competitions is long enough to assess a manager’s worth? Especially when they’re in the last sixteen of the League Cup and are just a point outside the play-off places, it seems like madness to me.
I think there is possibly a wider problem with society, we seem to live in a “want it now” culture, the PlayStation generation demanding everything at break-neck speed. You can see it everywhere you look. Gone are the days of musicians working hard and earning their place at the top for example, why bother when they can just bleach their teeth and appear on the X-Factor? Celebrities famous for simply being famous, young girls genuinely wanting be “WAGs” when they grow up, TV “dumbing down” and not risking intellectually challenging programmes, instead opting for safe bet ratings winners. If you work hard and give it time, you will see the benefits, ask Alex Ferguson. He was on the verge of the sack in 1990 and what an error that would have proven to be.
I opened with the OED, I’ll close with the OED. Take note, FA.
Consistency - noun; the state of being consistent.
Consistent - adjective; conforming to a regular pattern; unchanging.
I was tempted to write a piece about referees after the Sheffield derby, but I decided against it. Referees have a difficult job to do, they already get plenty of criticism and let’s face it, there are plenty of them that would just love the attention. I have however reversed my decision, unlike Mike Dean, after witnessing three of the most atrocious refereeing displays in my eighteen years of watching football.
The FA must be praised for their “Respect The Ref” initiative. I don’t have a lot of time for the FA, but they have the right idea with this one. It is however incredibly difficult to show respect to those who haven’t necessarily earned it, through their “qualities or achievements” (Oxford English Dictionary) which is a fairly gaping hole in the entire campaign. Imagine if you went in to work one day and dropped a series of clangers which not only messed up the office for the day, but the aftermath of which set the office back significantly for the next couple of weeks; would you then have the nerve to demand the respect of your colleagues? I think it’s fair to assume that you wouldn’t and you’d have to be quite arrogant to assume that they would continue to view you in the same light as before the incidents and that there would be no punishment forthcoming. So why is it the case then, that referees are allowed to demand such respect, despite horrible inconsistencies, week in, week out and are seemingly allowed to continue to underperform with no recognisable consequences?
Early in today’s match at Bramall Lane, one of the Preston players went into a challenge with high feet. I’m not actually sure who the offending player was, but it’s not relevant. The Kop were ironically chanting “off, off, off”, presumably in reference to the Matthew Kilgallon red card last Sunday. Noone seriously expected the player to walk, but it wasn’t unreasonable to expect a card to be produced for a reckless, high challenge. So why then did the offence go unpunished, save for a free kick? Matthew Kilgallon went in with eyes on the ball last week and though
reckless, was never intent on causing injury, yet Dean instantly flashed the red card, without even considering the opinions of his assistants. Today, a similar, arguably worse offence takes place and the player isn’t even booked. I could tolerate the odd poor, game changing decision if the rules were applied consistently, but they just aren’t and that makes it very difficult to find respect for the referees and their employers.The appeal against Kilgallon’s red card failed. What exactly does a club from outside of the Premier League need to do to win an appeal? Even the opposition manager, the boss of United’s most hated rivals, said: “I have sympathy for Kevin because, from where we were, which was very close, it looked a yellow card”. Nobody I have spoken to on the matter believes it was a sending off offence. If it’s good enough for a John terry rugby tackle, it ought to be good enough for a clumsy Kilgallon challenge.
Paddy Kenny was booked for time wasting today, as he waited for Danny Webber (playing on the right hand side, the opposite side from the dugout) to leave the pitch and Greg Halford to enter the field of play. This substitution took up no more than a regulation amount of time, yet Kenny was accused of deliberately stalling the game and was given a yellow card. Perhaps Mr Whitestone would have preferred us to restart the game with our right winger out of position, thus leaving ourselves severely weakened? Presumably then this alleged stalling was a far nastier offence than the aforementioned high feet, which could have seriously injured another player, as Kenny was awarded a card and the Preston player wasn’t? Kyle Naughton was booked for simulation, despite one of the most blatant trips you’ll ever see, yards from the referee who had a perfectly clear view.
I could go on about specific decisions all day, but the point of this piece isn’t to whinge, it’s simply that basic decisions like these that are destroying games of football up and down the country for spectators, causing players to pick up suspensions and potentially costing managers jobs. When Kenny picks up four more yellow cards, he will be banned and we will be without a key member of our team. When the referee makes four more hideous blunders, what will happen to him? Sheffield United are without their star performer at the back (who incidentally has had just one yellow card and Sunday’s red card in sixty matches, a phenomenal record for a centre half I’m sure even Mr Dean would have to admit) and if we leak goals, it could derail our promotion push and ultimately earn Blackwell the sack. These men make massive, life changing decisions in matches with millions of pounds on the line, the very least they could do is apply the rules with consistency.
BBC Radio Sheffield interviewed Kevin Blackwell after the game and when pressed on the issue of the referee, he told us that the FA come down hard on managers who speak negatively about referees and therefore he wouldn’t comment. I don’t blame him, but what kind of world are we operating in where there is effective censorship around those in charge? Isn’t that bordering on fascism? Why shouldn’t a manager be able to comment on some horrendous decisions that 25,000 other people could see were wrong, when these blunders are affecting his own tenure? The officials are simply not accountable; they rarely do press interviews, they almost never come out and admit errors and it takes something very serious for them to be relieved of their Premier League responsibilities and even then they are simply moved to the likes of us in the Championship, which is no punishment at all. Why on Earth should we have to endure incompetent officials? I’d imagine that the argument would be that, should a premiership player underperform, he will eventually find himself plying his trade in the lower leagues, but if that player has a run of poor games, his club will remove him from the side entirely whilst a referee enduring a poor run continues to officiate on a regular basis and that simply isn’t good enough.
Noone seriously expects referees to get 100% of decisions correct, but in the last three games I’ve witnessed, I’ve seen basic decision after basic decision go the wrong way. What do these people do out there? Three men between them can’t tell that the ball has clearly crossed the line, from a few yards away? That it went out off one player rather than the other? James Beattie had to be substituted with an injury today and later had stitches, but when he was down, the referee not only let Preston bomb forward, but he let them take a corner too. Fair enough, it wasn’t a head injury so he doesn’t need to stop the game, but surely when the ball goes out for a corner, Beattie must be allowed to receive treatment and Brian Howard should not be booked for pointing out Beattie’s injury to the referee? On Tuesday night, the referee stopped the game on at least four occasions that I can remember for Southampton injuries to parts of the body other than the head. Consistency chaps, it didn’t ought to be that testing.
Speaking of consistency, how do football clubs ever expect to achieve anything when they constantly change the managerial staff? Iain Dowie is arguably the most overrated manager in the history of the game, I’d welcome someone informing me as to what he’s actually done as a manager to warrant his fabulous reputation, but the QPR top brass can’t seriously believe that fifteen games in all competitions is long enough to assess a manager’s worth? Especially when they’re in the last sixteen of the League Cup and are just a point outside the play-off places, it seems like madness to me.
I think there is possibly a wider problem with society, we seem to live in a “want it now” culture, the PlayStation generation demanding everything at break-neck speed. You can see it everywhere you look. Gone are the days of musicians working hard and earning their place at the top for example, why bother when they can just bleach their teeth and appear on the X-Factor? Celebrities famous for simply being famous, young girls genuinely wanting be “WAGs” when they grow up, TV “dumbing down” and not risking intellectually challenging programmes, instead opting for safe bet ratings winners. If you work hard and give it time, you will see the benefits, ask Alex Ferguson. He was on the verge of the sack in 1990 and what an error that would have proven to be.
I opened with the OED, I’ll close with the OED. Take note, FA.
Consistency - noun; the state of being consistent.
Consistent - adjective; conforming to a regular pattern; unchanging.
Thursday, 23 October 2008
Scooping for the first time in a while!
So nobody likes that picture of me in my thong, boo hoo. I like it.
Anyway, my team won a competition at uni yesterday. It was the NCR's voice of the future challenge. We had to create a video of what life would be like in the year 2020. So we did, and we rocked the world.
And what did we scoop?
Just an Ipod touch each!!
At first I was all like, well I don't need an mp3 player I'll sell it I don't need it... but now... I've used it... and its... the greatest thing ever!! Its got wifi, insta-music from iTunes, email, photos, its brilliant!
So thats a major scoop!
I may post up some of the videos at some point, and I'll definately have to give my thoughts of el Dublino trip too.
In the meantime, keep on scooping, in whatever way you can!
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Dublin!
I'm amazed that I'm the first to comment on this blog since the return from the IPO. I was up early this morning for my train from Dundee to Sheffield and have been out and about all day, I haven't been back from the Southampton game all that long. We were fucking unlucky tonight mind, poor in the first half and created about 10 or 12 chances in the second half, no idea how we didn't win. Anyway, I'm absolutely shattered so I'll maybe post some more stories at a later date but for now, here's a few comments, pictures and a bit of video footage.
Perhaps someone else could explain the jokes (the thong and the coke jump to mind) while I go and catch some ZzZzZ. Oops, nearly forgot the vid!
Oh and Adnan? You're fired for posting like one thing ever and generally being lame.
Perhaps someone else could explain the jokes (the thong and the coke jump to mind) while I go and catch some ZzZzZ. Oops, nearly forgot the vid!
Oh and Adnan? You're fired for posting like one thing ever and generally being lame.
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
I'm Not Sure About A Title For This!
Two couples were playing poker one evening. John accidentally dropped
some card on the floor.When he bent down under the table to pick them up,
he noticed Bill's wife Sue wasn't wearing any underwear under her dress.
Shocked by this, John upon trying to sit back up again, hit his head on
the table and emerged red-faced. Later, John went to the kitchen to
get some refreshments. Bill's wife followed and asked, "Did you see
anything that you liked under there?"
Surprised by her boldness, John courageously admitted that, well indeed
he did. She said, "Well, you can have it but it will cost you $500." After
taking a minute or two to assess the financial and moral costs of this
offer, John confirms that he is interested. She tells him that since her
husband Bill works Friday afternoons and John doesn't, John should be at
her house around 2 p.m. Friday afternoon.
When Friday rolled around, John showed up at Bill's house at 2p.m. sharp
and after paying Sue the agreed sum of $500 they went to the bedroom and
closed their transaction, as agreed. John quickly dressed and left.
As usual, Bill came home from work at 6 p.m. and upon entering the house,
asked his wife abruptly. "Did John come by the house this afternoon?"
With a lump in her throat Sue answered, "Why yes, he did stop by for a few
minutes this afternoon."
Her heart nearly skipped a beat when her husband curtly asked, "And did
he give you $500?" In terror she assumed that somehow he had found out and
after mustering her best poker face, replied, "Well, yes, in fact he did
give me $500." Bill, with a satisfied look on his face, surprised his
wife by saying, "Good, I was hoping he did. He came by the office this morning
and borrowed $500 from me. He promised me he'd stop by our house this
afternoon on his way home and pay me back."..
Now THAT, my friends, is a poker PLAYER !!
some card on the floor.When he bent down under the table to pick them up,
he noticed Bill's wife Sue wasn't wearing any underwear under her dress.
Shocked by this, John upon trying to sit back up again, hit his head on
the table and emerged red-faced. Later, John went to the kitchen to
get some refreshments. Bill's wife followed and asked, "Did you see
anything that you liked under there?"
Surprised by her boldness, John courageously admitted that, well indeed
he did. She said, "Well, you can have it but it will cost you $500." After
taking a minute or two to assess the financial and moral costs of this
offer, John confirms that he is interested. She tells him that since her
husband Bill works Friday afternoons and John doesn't, John should be at
her house around 2 p.m. Friday afternoon.
When Friday rolled around, John showed up at Bill's house at 2p.m. sharp
and after paying Sue the agreed sum of $500 they went to the bedroom and
closed their transaction, as agreed. John quickly dressed and left.
As usual, Bill came home from work at 6 p.m. and upon entering the house,
asked his wife abruptly. "Did John come by the house this afternoon?"
With a lump in her throat Sue answered, "Why yes, he did stop by for a few
minutes this afternoon."
Her heart nearly skipped a beat when her husband curtly asked, "And did
he give you $500?" In terror she assumed that somehow he had found out and
after mustering her best poker face, replied, "Well, yes, in fact he did
give me $500." Bill, with a satisfied look on his face, surprised his
wife by saying, "Good, I was hoping he did. He came by the office this morning
and borrowed $500 from me. He promised me he'd stop by our house this
afternoon on his way home and pay me back."..
Now THAT, my friends, is a poker PLAYER !!
Monday, 13 October 2008
Football: rotten to it's stinking core
Can somebody please explain to me what has happened to football? I can remember my first game quite well, we came back from two down at home to Spurs with a couple of late goals and I was instantly hooked. The roar of the crowd, the lone voice screaming “Ooh, aah, Bob Booker!” which didn’t even rhyme properly, the excitement of seeing real footballers up close, men who would later become my heroes. These days, something is different, a lot of what I fell in love with at that young age no longer appears to be there.Today I read that Kris Boyd has announced that he no longer wishes to play for his country under the incumbent manager. This is an absolute disgrace. It isn’t so long ago that it was an honour to pull on your country’s jersey and that even warming the bench was considered a privilege. Nowadays it seems to be the players who decide their international futures and that for me, is completely loathsome. I could understand it if the man were into his mid-thirties and had some sort of niggling injury and wished to prolong his domestic career, but to quit international football in a dummy spitting, toy throwing overreaction to not being picked for a couple of games is frankly, pathetic.
The correct response Mr Boyd, is to put your head down and win yourself a regular starting berth at Rangers and see what happens from there. Chris Iwelumo may have missed the sitter of the century, but he has earned the right to miss that chance by working hard for his club and scoring an impressive six league goals in five appearances. The most ridiculous thing about this affair is that Iwelumo has probably blown his chance for the next game, leaving Boyd an absolute open goal of an opportunity to win a place in the starting XI for Scotland’s next fixture against Argentina. I think Boyd’s miss is a hundred times worse than Iwelumo’s.
It isn’t just players that annoy me, supporters are just as bad. Ashley Cole is an abhorrent little individual, let’s make no mistake about this. Everything that is wrong with the modern footballer, he is a man who conducts himself with next to no decorum, is an arrogant, money grabbing philanderer but despicable as he is, he’s been fantastic in his England career and before he lost his focus with the move to Chelsea, was arguably one of the best full backs in the world, possibly ever. The reaction of a section of England spectators to his backpass versus Kazakhstan, which led to their goal, was thoroughly awful. As anyone who has ever made a mistake knows, you feel bad enough as it is, without having people tease you for it. It reminded me of the morons in the school canteen who would instantly treble someone’s embarrassment at dropping a plate with a rousing “wahey”, followed by a humiliating pointing and laughing exercise.
The people in the crowd are called “supporters” and yet it seems to me that there isn’t a lot of support in the stands these days. I hardly expect the crowd to cheer a player after a mistake that leads to a goal, but encouragement is far more productive than a chorus of boos for the remainder of the ninety minutes, it’s almost as though they were goading Cole into another blunder which, at that point in the game, could have meant 2-2 and a totally different full time result. Cutting your nose off to spite your face, good effort England “supporters”. If you aren’t going to get behind the team, why exactly are you going? It may be the case that many supporters are increasingly disillusioned by the players sickening wages and privileged lifestyles, but that is not a valid excuse.
Alas, it isn’t just International football, at Bramall Lane there are some fine examples of this seemingly new breed of moron football fan who sit just behind me and to the left. Greg Halford, one of our most creative players so far this campaign, one of the most intelligent users of a football we’ve seen since a certain Michael Brown, a constant danger from set pieces with his throw and a player versatile enough to be able to play in four different positions is constantly lambasted by a section of United fans. I wish I knew why, I would understand (though not condone) if he’d done something wrong, but aside from a few misplaced passes, I can’t think of much. I remember the opener against Watford coming from his throw-in, I remember the goal against Blackpool and I remember him picking up an injury against Doncaster, spilling blood for the cause at the end of a match that was already won. If every player in our side matched this description, we’d be top of the Championship. This isn’t enough to stop the fool behind me waiting for him to make a mistake, to permit him to shout “F***ing w*** Halford! Get him off, Blackwell” like the highly intelligent person that he clearly is.
Another of the Bramall Lane boo boys is young Nathan Dyer. United have been crying out for an injection of pace and we badly need a left winger. Blackwell addresses this by borrowing the young lad from Southampton to solve two problems at once and how do sections of the support react? “Go on Dyer, get after him! Get his watch”. Very supportive, well done, let’s make him feel welcome at his new club shall we? For those unaware, he was involved in the theft of cash and mobile phones in a nightclub. Obviously I don’t condone that, but I fail to see the relevance of it to the football pitch. By all means, slag him off in the pub, but when he’s got the red and white stripes on, you support him, it’s not rocket science. I won’t make excuses for him, because it was a disgraceful act, but I will say that I’ve done some pretty stupid things in my youth, usually whilst drunk and I got away with them. He didn’t, he served his community sentence and he paid compensation, so let’s get over it and support the team.
I also read today about the alleged match fixing going on in the Championship, but I will wait until details are confirmed officially before making any comment, but doesn't it just make you sick to think that it could happen? It's a subject close to my heart because the first time Sheffield United were relegated from the Premier League, it was amidst the match fixing scandal featuring the likes of Segers, Fashanu and Grobelaar.
And don’t let’s even get started on the Carlos Tevez affair, because I could talk all day. There are still significant numbers of West Ham supporters suggesting that their team did nothing wrong, despite more than one independent panel deciding that rule breaking had taken place and lies had been told to cover them up, confirming what any football fan who doesn't wear claret and blue tinted spectacles already thought. But I don’t hold too much of a grudge against them, they’re just angry about their club having to pay compensation, they’re no different from me being angry about their own club’s cheating. The real culprits are the stinking fat cats at the top of the tree, the clueless idiots with no bottle like Richard Scudamore, who is a complete disgrace and should be removed from his position as soon as possible. If he spent less time formulating cash generating schemes like playing Premier League matches abroad and more time relating to real football fans, he might have issued the correct penalty to West Ham in the first place and this saga wouldn’t have dragged on for so long, causing so much animosity between the two sides.
Football is rotten to the core, from the top down, right through to the fans. Where did it all go wrong? I’m pretty sure I’ll be taking my sons and daughters horse racing, if they’re foolish enough to get involved in the ugly game, it will be their own mistake to make.
Sunday, 12 October 2008
Iwelumo
Dick.
Was in the casino playing the £20 tourn then a bit of cash later whilst watching the game and was disgusted by the miss! I'm blaming that on my poor performance at the poker where I had a decent stack but busted in a 35k pot just before break, QQ v KK. Blinds were would have been 300/600 after break so prob would have crushed it.
Someone said yesterday that Iwelumo was English, and only qualified through a gran or something but according to wiki he was born in Coatbridge and just saw an interview on SSN and he is packing a Scottish accent. Why the hell was he on instead of Boyd though? Gay.
Leave for Dublin on Thursday, will be good to get away for a bit - having a fairly torrid time here. I'll do some sort of pre-trip post thingy later this week.
In the meantime watch this ridic 6 year old enjoying some skills....
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/k6Zwi0qCQrWFmiCYEh
Hope he's got a Scottish gran.
Scott
Friday, 10 October 2008
All Weather Fancies / Life Update
Not been betting much lately due to extreme skintness. Laura was down last few days which also blocked any betting action and contributed to my super poor state. I recently passed my CITB Health & Safety test (£17.50) which means I can apply for a CSCS card (£25) which will allow me to get on building sites to do a bit of firestopping should it come my way. My dad and my uncle just jumped off a sinking ship and landed a gig on a big site where there is a good amount of work, hopefully up until Christmas, so I’m hoping to get on there. The money is good, certainly better than fucking Job Seekers Allowance anyway. All being well, my card should be ready for my return from Dublin.
For those who haven’t heard, I decided last night that I probably couldn’t afford to go. I checked my bank balances and my credit card and did some sums and decided that I should probably leave it. I had put money aside but have been picking away at that since mid-September. I decided to sleep on it and did more sums today and then I noticed that overnight, my credit card limit had changed. Bizarrely, especially given the current economic climate and the fact that I never requested it, they have given me an extra £1,000 credit. Increasing my borrowing is a very foolish idea at present I know, but if all goes to plan work wise, it won’t be a big deal. My Dublin trip is saved!
For those who don’t make the final day of the IPO, I am definitely going to Fairyhouse. There’s an eight race card, with two Listed races, which should be awesome. Details posted on the old DUPS boards, feel free to ask questions about it there.
I hope you all got on Sheffield United at the weekend. Took Laura along, she’s more than welcome to come again after we turned in an average performance yet still managed to run out 3-0 winners with a goal of the season contender from Beattie, making the pre-match evens look massive. Especially when you consider that’s 16 wins from the last 17 matches against Bristol City at Bramall Lane. Bear that in mind next year if neither of us go up/both win promotion.
I’ve not packed in the GG.com experiment by the way, when I get some money I’m going to get stuck into it. Through being selective in my lays and being unlucky, I have managed to end up 9.67 points DOWN on the thing so far! However, had I layed every one of their selections from September 30th when I started logging the stats, I’d have made a whopping profit of 63.68 points and enjoyed just one losing day out of ten (-6.56 points on the 8th) – there’s money in this, I’m sure of it.
So then, the main reason for my post: I’ve studied a bit of form this evening out of boredom and here are my findings:
The final race of tomorrow in the UK, the 21:20 at Wolverhampton, looks a competitive affair but I’ve a little fancy for a nag at a good price. Mafaheem is currently 9.0 on Betfair and I think that’s a bit big for a four-time course and distance winner. The gelding was third here last month too and only finished a length behind Royal Challenge who also runs today, but will be worse off in the weights this time out. In that race, the selection stayed on well despite not having the clearest of runs and was subject to a late jockey change. I felt watching the race that the jock could have gone a bit later, I wonder if the late change was relevant there? The selection likes to come from off the pace so will need a little luck in running, but the presence of Mr Wolf will ensure a true pace, which should set things up nicely and in Dane O’Neill, we have an experienced jockey in a bit of form. Mafaheem is on a mark of just 3lbs higher than the last win here and has won at this distance on turf off a mark 8lbs higher than today’s. Competitive as this race is, 8/1 is just too big.
As I haven’t played the A-Z game in longer than I can remember, I’ll make this my first stab at the letter “M” too.
My other fancy is also on the all weather and at a good price. War Of The Roses runs in the 15:55 at Lingfield and is 6.8 at Betfair just now. The favourite seems to me to have been priced on potential rather than any actual ability, having run just once, on the turf in a pretty weak race. The AW can be unpredictable and I’d much rather follow one with proven ability to act on the surface, rather than guesswork. The selection has an impressive AW record, winning 6 from 18 starts (as well as four seconds); four of those and all of the second places have come at this track. Winning over C&D last month off a mark of 75, the bay gelding is up just 2lbs for that win. Apache Fort beat the selection here in April on the same terms weight-wise, but had a clearer run and War Of The Roses can reverse that neck victory today.
15:55 Lingfield
War Of The Roses
1 pt win
21:20 Wolverhampton
Mafaheem
1 pt win
For those who haven’t heard, I decided last night that I probably couldn’t afford to go. I checked my bank balances and my credit card and did some sums and decided that I should probably leave it. I had put money aside but have been picking away at that since mid-September. I decided to sleep on it and did more sums today and then I noticed that overnight, my credit card limit had changed. Bizarrely, especially given the current economic climate and the fact that I never requested it, they have given me an extra £1,000 credit. Increasing my borrowing is a very foolish idea at present I know, but if all goes to plan work wise, it won’t be a big deal. My Dublin trip is saved!
For those who don’t make the final day of the IPO, I am definitely going to Fairyhouse. There’s an eight race card, with two Listed races, which should be awesome. Details posted on the old DUPS boards, feel free to ask questions about it there.
I hope you all got on Sheffield United at the weekend. Took Laura along, she’s more than welcome to come again after we turned in an average performance yet still managed to run out 3-0 winners with a goal of the season contender from Beattie, making the pre-match evens look massive. Especially when you consider that’s 16 wins from the last 17 matches against Bristol City at Bramall Lane. Bear that in mind next year if neither of us go up/both win promotion.
I’ve not packed in the GG.com experiment by the way, when I get some money I’m going to get stuck into it. Through being selective in my lays and being unlucky, I have managed to end up 9.67 points DOWN on the thing so far! However, had I layed every one of their selections from September 30th when I started logging the stats, I’d have made a whopping profit of 63.68 points and enjoyed just one losing day out of ten (-6.56 points on the 8th) – there’s money in this, I’m sure of it.
So then, the main reason for my post: I’ve studied a bit of form this evening out of boredom and here are my findings:
The final race of tomorrow in the UK, the 21:20 at Wolverhampton, looks a competitive affair but I’ve a little fancy for a nag at a good price. Mafaheem is currently 9.0 on Betfair and I think that’s a bit big for a four-time course and distance winner. The gelding was third here last month too and only finished a length behind Royal Challenge who also runs today, but will be worse off in the weights this time out. In that race, the selection stayed on well despite not having the clearest of runs and was subject to a late jockey change. I felt watching the race that the jock could have gone a bit later, I wonder if the late change was relevant there? The selection likes to come from off the pace so will need a little luck in running, but the presence of Mr Wolf will ensure a true pace, which should set things up nicely and in Dane O’Neill, we have an experienced jockey in a bit of form. Mafaheem is on a mark of just 3lbs higher than the last win here and has won at this distance on turf off a mark 8lbs higher than today’s. Competitive as this race is, 8/1 is just too big.
As I haven’t played the A-Z game in longer than I can remember, I’ll make this my first stab at the letter “M” too.
My other fancy is also on the all weather and at a good price. War Of The Roses runs in the 15:55 at Lingfield and is 6.8 at Betfair just now. The favourite seems to me to have been priced on potential rather than any actual ability, having run just once, on the turf in a pretty weak race. The AW can be unpredictable and I’d much rather follow one with proven ability to act on the surface, rather than guesswork. The selection has an impressive AW record, winning 6 from 18 starts (as well as four seconds); four of those and all of the second places have come at this track. Winning over C&D last month off a mark of 75, the bay gelding is up just 2lbs for that win. Apache Fort beat the selection here in April on the same terms weight-wise, but had a clearer run and War Of The Roses can reverse that neck victory today.
15:55 Lingfield
War Of The Roses
1 pt win
21:20 Wolverhampton
Mafaheem
1 pt win
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
Close, But No Cigar
Well folks, it's been a quiet time recently for me; with very little to report. Although I check the blog two to three times daily, I have little relevant information of my own to report, so I have refrained from posting anything for a while.
I was recently back in Dundee for a long weekend for a mates stag do, and with the Sunday afternoon proving to be a "free period" so to speak, myself and a mate headed down to Gala to take part in their hold'em tournament. It was a £25 buy in, with the option of a rebuy and a top up, meaning to play it properly, £75 was really the order of the day. When I realised it was going to cost the thick end of a ton, I reluctantly decided against playing, but my pal, Rhuridgh offered me the initial buy in, so essentially I played the tournament as a £25 freezeout, trying to dodge the many bullets from the motley bunch of Sunday afternoon regulars.
The event attracted a low turnout of only 23 players, whereas the previous week had nearer 50 in attendance. No problem, however. The first two levels were 45 minutes each, and were at fairly low stakes, with a starting stack of 5000. My objectives were to play ultra tight, and this was causing a fair bit of frustration for the tawdry clique of regulars. In the second level, for example, I picked up QQ under the gun and made a raise of 4* BB, and EVERY player at the table called. Suffice to say, the hand looked pretty weak on a raggy flop, and I chucked it away, with the lesson learnt that aggression is the only semi-respected move at this post-Sunday lunch fishfest !
No matter, the Chelsea-Man Utd game was being screened, so I sat disinterested until I picked up bullets after the break, where it was getting towards the time where a move had to be made with more or less any semi strong hands. With some huge stacks of 30,000+ on the table, I shoved the whole stack in preflop from the cut off. The blinds folded, as did the other pair of initial limpers. Mind you, probably better than getting 4 calls !
With all of the rebuys out of the way before the break, the fallers came thick and fast. I eventually found myself at the final table (of 9) with little under the average stack. After a few hands I found AK with which I called the short stacks all in with. He turned over a pair of crabs, with not one but two bullets landing on a colourful board, I removed the somewhat sour faced individual from the tournament.
With 8 players left, I was once again falling foul of the "casino clique" and had to lay down a variety of hands. We were down to seven when I finally met my maker, with my 99 finding TT. Ironically, both hands also made a set, but there was to be no fairytale ending, and I left the poker table empty handed, with the top 5 paying. Despite this, however, due to being staked, I was even from a personal point of view. Although I was obviously disappointed not to cash, I think had I bubbled I would have been far more inconsolable, and after playing off just one buy in; in what was my first live poker event since DUSoP in March, I was more than happy with my showing.
I then went henceforth to the roullette table, and turned £20 into £78, so all in all, not a bad sort of a day ! Then onto the Gullistan and the Fishermans for fine fayre !
I was recently back in Dundee for a long weekend for a mates stag do, and with the Sunday afternoon proving to be a "free period" so to speak, myself and a mate headed down to Gala to take part in their hold'em tournament. It was a £25 buy in, with the option of a rebuy and a top up, meaning to play it properly, £75 was really the order of the day. When I realised it was going to cost the thick end of a ton, I reluctantly decided against playing, but my pal, Rhuridgh offered me the initial buy in, so essentially I played the tournament as a £25 freezeout, trying to dodge the many bullets from the motley bunch of Sunday afternoon regulars.
The event attracted a low turnout of only 23 players, whereas the previous week had nearer 50 in attendance. No problem, however. The first two levels were 45 minutes each, and were at fairly low stakes, with a starting stack of 5000. My objectives were to play ultra tight, and this was causing a fair bit of frustration for the tawdry clique of regulars. In the second level, for example, I picked up QQ under the gun and made a raise of 4* BB, and EVERY player at the table called. Suffice to say, the hand looked pretty weak on a raggy flop, and I chucked it away, with the lesson learnt that aggression is the only semi-respected move at this post-Sunday lunch fishfest !
No matter, the Chelsea-Man Utd game was being screened, so I sat disinterested until I picked up bullets after the break, where it was getting towards the time where a move had to be made with more or less any semi strong hands. With some huge stacks of 30,000+ on the table, I shoved the whole stack in preflop from the cut off. The blinds folded, as did the other pair of initial limpers. Mind you, probably better than getting 4 calls !
With all of the rebuys out of the way before the break, the fallers came thick and fast. I eventually found myself at the final table (of 9) with little under the average stack. After a few hands I found AK with which I called the short stacks all in with. He turned over a pair of crabs, with not one but two bullets landing on a colourful board, I removed the somewhat sour faced individual from the tournament.
With 8 players left, I was once again falling foul of the "casino clique" and had to lay down a variety of hands. We were down to seven when I finally met my maker, with my 99 finding TT. Ironically, both hands also made a set, but there was to be no fairytale ending, and I left the poker table empty handed, with the top 5 paying. Despite this, however, due to being staked, I was even from a personal point of view. Although I was obviously disappointed not to cash, I think had I bubbled I would have been far more inconsolable, and after playing off just one buy in; in what was my first live poker event since DUSoP in March, I was more than happy with my showing.
I then went henceforth to the roullette table, and turned £20 into £78, so all in all, not a bad sort of a day ! Then onto the Gullistan and the Fishermans for fine fayre !
Monday, 6 October 2008
Greyhounds
Bored so had a look at Monmore:
6.11 - T3 Icemaid Marlie
I fully expect this greyhound to make all in this company. It has the fastest break of all 6 and recent times suggest it should lead the whole way. Expect T6 to finish well.
EDIT: Also like T1 Model Rocket in the 6.18 Swindon so will prob double em up.
6.11 - T3 Icemaid Marlie
I fully expect this greyhound to make all in this company. It has the fastest break of all 6 and recent times suggest it should lead the whole way. Expect T6 to finish well.
EDIT: Also like T1 Model Rocket in the 6.18 Swindon so will prob double em up.
Friday, 3 October 2008
Saturday's Football
Selections for tomorrow:
W.B.A v. Fulham (11/8 Paddy Power) - 3/5*
West Brom have had a decent start to the season and currently sit in mid-table and deservedly have slight favouritism in this clash with Fulham. West Brom's target for the season is to avoid relegation and a vital part of this is to win home games such as this one. Fulham's start to the season has been somewhat inconsistent with them recording a great home win over Arsenal but they've lost both away games so far, 1-0 v. Blackburn and notably a 2-1 defeat to newly-promoted Hull. They also most recently lost at home to West Ham too. WBA have already defeated West Ham at The Hawthorns and had a tremendous 1-0 win in their last game away to Boro.
Wigan v. Middlesbrough (11/10 Paddy Power) - 2/5*
Wigan have had a better than expected start to this season with many people contributing this to their strikeforce of Heskey and Zaki. Both are fit for tomorrow and should give Boro's defence a lot of trouble. Wigan have decent home form, winning their last game against Man City 2-1 and receiving a narrow 1-0 defeat to Chelsea. This coupled with the fact Middlesbrough haven't won away from home for 11 games means that Wigan are a very decent bet.
Hereford v. Walsall (7/5 Paddy Power) - 2/5*
Simply can't turn the value here. Hereford have had a terrible start to the season and are rooted to the bottom of League One with 1 win from 8 whereas Walsall have started well and sit in the playoff spots. Walsall have won their last 3 games including 2 away wins over Brighton and Britol Rovers. Some people may point to a draw in this game but both teams have only drawn once this season and Walsall haven't drawn any of their away games this season.
Clyde v. Dunfermline DRAW (11/4 Ladbrokes) - 3/5*
Scottish Division One is a haven for draws and this seems the best bet for tomorrow with both teams having drawn 3 games from 8 already this season. Dunfermline are the slighty stronger team here but Clyde's home advantage points to the draw here. Other key stats show Clyde have drawn both of their last two home games as have Dunfermline with their away fixtures.
Hopefully these bets earn us some pennies. As you can see I've went for selections at evens or better which the fashion of most of my football bets. An accumulator here pays about 40/1.
*Confidence in the bet.
Good luck with whatever you are on tomorrow and stick any selections in the comments.
W.B.A v. Fulham (11/8 Paddy Power) - 3/5*
West Brom have had a decent start to the season and currently sit in mid-table and deservedly have slight favouritism in this clash with Fulham. West Brom's target for the season is to avoid relegation and a vital part of this is to win home games such as this one. Fulham's start to the season has been somewhat inconsistent with them recording a great home win over Arsenal but they've lost both away games so far, 1-0 v. Blackburn and notably a 2-1 defeat to newly-promoted Hull. They also most recently lost at home to West Ham too. WBA have already defeated West Ham at The Hawthorns and had a tremendous 1-0 win in their last game away to Boro.
Wigan v. Middlesbrough (11/10 Paddy Power) - 2/5*
Wigan have had a better than expected start to this season with many people contributing this to their strikeforce of Heskey and Zaki. Both are fit for tomorrow and should give Boro's defence a lot of trouble. Wigan have decent home form, winning their last game against Man City 2-1 and receiving a narrow 1-0 defeat to Chelsea. This coupled with the fact Middlesbrough haven't won away from home for 11 games means that Wigan are a very decent bet.
Hereford v. Walsall (7/5 Paddy Power) - 2/5*
Simply can't turn the value here. Hereford have had a terrible start to the season and are rooted to the bottom of League One with 1 win from 8 whereas Walsall have started well and sit in the playoff spots. Walsall have won their last 3 games including 2 away wins over Brighton and Britol Rovers. Some people may point to a draw in this game but both teams have only drawn once this season and Walsall haven't drawn any of their away games this season.
Clyde v. Dunfermline DRAW (11/4 Ladbrokes) - 3/5*
Scottish Division One is a haven for draws and this seems the best bet for tomorrow with both teams having drawn 3 games from 8 already this season. Dunfermline are the slighty stronger team here but Clyde's home advantage points to the draw here. Other key stats show Clyde have drawn both of their last two home games as have Dunfermline with their away fixtures.
Hopefully these bets earn us some pennies. As you can see I've went for selections at evens or better which the fashion of most of my football bets. An accumulator here pays about 40/1.
*Confidence in the bet.
Good luck with whatever you are on tomorrow and stick any selections in the comments.
Meatball Marinara, Music, Poker, Football, Powerthirst
Holy shit!
I only recently discovered Subway and somewhat n00b-like was stuck getting tuna, onion and jalapenos for my first few visits. Then I discovered the 'Sub of the Day' - a different 6" sub each day for only £1.99 (or you can upgrade to footlong for £3.89 which I do ldo). A few Tuesdays I get the Meatball Marinara as it's SOTD. Best thing ever. No shit. My mouth tingles with excitement eating this thing, it's unreal. Obv get some jalapenos and onions too.
A friend suggests the Chicken Pizziola which uses the same marinara sauce with chicken and shit. Gonna try that soon for sure.
Kean, a crazy bastard I work with, has hooked me up with some albums I've requested and they are serious good. If you can get your hands on Hadouken, Pendulum and MGMT then do it! Alternatively I can hook u up over MSN if you're a contact, or whatever.
Poker news - was getting staked for online cash for a bit but got extremely bored after a while grinding 50NL so quit after making small profit. Played a few tourns on Full Tilt recently but got assbagged twice to send me on tilt - AQ on AJ10K board is no good v. KJ; and several other beats make me poke myself in the eye. Great structures though and I'll be back.
Got some Scottish Cup action tomorrow so staying off the beers tonight this is despite Pendulum playing in town and me having to refuse some sort of VIP access. When I say VIP I mean getting in for free with the odd cheap drink - I wouldn't have been hanging out with all the famous folk from Dundee. We're playing Tayside Fire Brigade who are a Premier League team whilst we are in the 2nd Division, will prob win 1-0.
Best youtube videos ever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRuNxHqwazs and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-3qncy5Qfk&feature=related - someone should prob let me know how to upload them onto here or something.
I said to Ken earlier in the week that I'd post up some football bets tonight so I'll be back on later to do so.
Scott
Thursday, 2 October 2008
GG.com continued
Sorry to dominate the blog still further, I will trim these reports down once I've finished knocking up a spreadsheet. I'll just log the bulk of the detail there.
I had to go out today so I knew I’d have to miss quite a lot of races, but I wanted to try and lay as many as I could, as that’s where the profit will be. As my roll is nowhere near big enough to cover the liability of laying them all in advance, I decided to be selective. I would stick with the top tips and the low grade stuff at Goodwood during the day and look at the evening card at Great Leighs. As it happened, most of the evening card was no go stuff anyway.
They’ve actually had an okay day today. Had I layed every one of their tips at SP, I’d have only made 3.79 points. They had winners at 4/1, 5/1 and 7/2, to minimise their losses. As such, I’ve actually incurred a tiny loss today. Two losing days in a row?! If only I had the bankroll to lay all of their tips – had I done that since I started, I’d be up 3 days in a row to the tune of 27.68 points. There is definitely money to be made here and I shall persevere.
Highlights: great start as the 6-5 favourite comes third (2f SP was 7-1); similarly awesome finish, favourite’s SP was 6/4 and nearest rival was 7/1; also, not having to oppose Will’s favourite horse as the price was too big (not least because it went on to win!)
Lowlights: seeing on my phone that Norfolk Broads had won (laid at 5.2, SP 7/2) and hoping that it hadn’t been matched while I was out. It had.
14:10 Goodwood – Noverre To Go @ 2.75 – 3rd (+1pt)
14:35 Newmarket – Excellerator @ 4.5 – 10th (+1pt)
14:45 Goodwood – Shy @ 6+ NO BET
14:55 Ayr – Scenic Pass @ 2.58 – 2nd (+1pt)
15:10 Newmarket – Savarain @ 2.16 – 1st (-1.16pts)
15:20 Goodwood – Norfolk Broads @ 5.2 – 1st (-4.2pts)
15:30 Ayr – Box Office @ 3.2 – 3rd (+1pt)
15:55 Goodwood – Shimoni @ 6+ NO BET
16:05 Ayr – Wednesday’s Boy @ 4.4 - 3rd (+1pt)
16:30 Goodwood – Timocracy @ 2.76 – 3rd (+1pt)
16:55 Newmarket – Angus Newz @ 4.3 – 3rd (+1pt)
17:05 Goodwood – Spate River @ 6+ NO BET
17:40 Goodwood – Shakespeare’s Son @ 6+ NO BET
18:50 Great Leighs – Willhewiz @ 6+ NO BET
19:20 Great Leighs – Always Ready @ 6+ NO BET
19:50 Great Leighs – Whaxaar @ 6+ NO BET
20:20 Great Leighs – Convival Spirit @ 6+ NO BET
20:50 Great Leighs – Hula King @ 4.2 – 1st (-3.2pts)
21:20 Great Leighs – Dark Prospect @ 2.8 (+1pt)
Winners: -8.56pts
Losers: +8pts
Profit: -0.56pts
Overall Profit: -3.11pts
I had my second dabble on the placepot today and was again unlucky. I was let down by Wingwalker in the fourth race at Newmarket. I only picked one horse in that race to keep costs down and had I picked two, I doubt I’d have been looking at the winner and I might not have gone with the second place horse either. Would have been a £375.60 scoop today. Oh well!
Scoop Troop Profits: 58.48 points (GG.com experiment excluded)
I had to go out today so I knew I’d have to miss quite a lot of races, but I wanted to try and lay as many as I could, as that’s where the profit will be. As my roll is nowhere near big enough to cover the liability of laying them all in advance, I decided to be selective. I would stick with the top tips and the low grade stuff at Goodwood during the day and look at the evening card at Great Leighs. As it happened, most of the evening card was no go stuff anyway.
They’ve actually had an okay day today. Had I layed every one of their tips at SP, I’d have only made 3.79 points. They had winners at 4/1, 5/1 and 7/2, to minimise their losses. As such, I’ve actually incurred a tiny loss today. Two losing days in a row?! If only I had the bankroll to lay all of their tips – had I done that since I started, I’d be up 3 days in a row to the tune of 27.68 points. There is definitely money to be made here and I shall persevere.
Highlights: great start as the 6-5 favourite comes third (2f SP was 7-1); similarly awesome finish, favourite’s SP was 6/4 and nearest rival was 7/1; also, not having to oppose Will’s favourite horse as the price was too big (not least because it went on to win!)
Lowlights: seeing on my phone that Norfolk Broads had won (laid at 5.2, SP 7/2) and hoping that it hadn’t been matched while I was out. It had.
14:10 Goodwood – Noverre To Go @ 2.75 – 3rd (+1pt)
14:35 Newmarket – Excellerator @ 4.5 – 10th (+1pt)
14:45 Goodwood – Shy @ 6+ NO BET
14:55 Ayr – Scenic Pass @ 2.58 – 2nd (+1pt)
15:10 Newmarket – Savarain @ 2.16 – 1st (-1.16pts)
15:20 Goodwood – Norfolk Broads @ 5.2 – 1st (-4.2pts)
15:30 Ayr – Box Office @ 3.2 – 3rd (+1pt)
15:55 Goodwood – Shimoni @ 6+ NO BET
16:05 Ayr – Wednesday’s Boy @ 4.4 - 3rd (+1pt)
16:30 Goodwood – Timocracy @ 2.76 – 3rd (+1pt)
16:55 Newmarket – Angus Newz @ 4.3 – 3rd (+1pt)
17:05 Goodwood – Spate River @ 6+ NO BET
17:40 Goodwood – Shakespeare’s Son @ 6+ NO BET
18:50 Great Leighs – Willhewiz @ 6+ NO BET
19:20 Great Leighs – Always Ready @ 6+ NO BET
19:50 Great Leighs – Whaxaar @ 6+ NO BET
20:20 Great Leighs – Convival Spirit @ 6+ NO BET
20:50 Great Leighs – Hula King @ 4.2 – 1st (-3.2pts)
21:20 Great Leighs – Dark Prospect @ 2.8 (+1pt)
Winners: -8.56pts
Losers: +8pts
Profit: -0.56pts
Overall Profit: -3.11pts
I had my second dabble on the placepot today and was again unlucky. I was let down by Wingwalker in the fourth race at Newmarket. I only picked one horse in that race to keep costs down and had I picked two, I doubt I’d have been looking at the winner and I might not have gone with the second place horse either. Would have been a £375.60 scoop today. Oh well!
Scoop Troop Profits: 58.48 points (GG.com experiment excluded)
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
GG.com - Favourite Backing Filth
Well GG.com hit back in good style today. I looked at the card and saw with mixed emotions that they had picked 6 very short priced favourites. Now, I don’t mind laying a horse at odds on in a big field of unexposed horses because my liability is low and the prices aren’t true prices, I’m on the right side of the value. But it’s still a concern that most of them are going to go in, which is what has happened today.
To make it worse, my timing has been horrendous. I laid Montaff for example at 1.7, thinking noone would fancy smashing into it at such a short price, but it still went off around 1.4 on Betdaq. Otaared eased out so I got on at 2.7, only to watch it shrink right up again to around 2.3.
On top of that, I have been considering some set in stone rules to impose on this experiment, including not laying horses bigger than a set price, to protect my small bankroll. However, I haven’t implemented any yet. I tried to lay Cool Running at around 5.0, but it drifted right out to 9.0ish and I thought “fuck that, a drifter like that probably won’t win but if it does, that will hurt a bit” so I left it. But then I thought “well the price will come down in running and there are a couple of horses with chances, so why not?” and laid it off not long after the off at 6.4. It somehow ended up winning, which hurt a bit. I won’t be doing that again.
So I’m a bit down today, but I still have every faith in how terrible GG.com are. All they’ve done today is pick ridiculously short priced horses at terrible value. An example being Damini, which went off around evens, the nearest rival being 11-2 (and that had shortened right up just before the off, I saw it closer to 7/1) and Damini didn’t even place. Montaff was the best example of this, SP 2/5 and the closest rival priced 7/1. Even Scott could have predicted that outcome and I’m more than happy to risk next to nothing, in case of a shock. Cool Running was my own mistake, which I will learn from.
Here’s my rules for the rest of this experiment:
If the price is bigger than 6.0, I’m not laying it.
I’m only laying Monday – Friday.
I’m not laying at shorter than 1.66 unless there’s a rival horse priced at 4.0 or under, a field of 16 or more or the race is over obstacles.
No laying in-running at all. If I don’t get the bet placed, leave it.
Roundup of today’s favourite backing filth:
14:10 Newcastle – Yorksters Girl @ 1.87 – 1st (-0.87pts)
15:10 Newcastle – Prime Mood @ 2.68 – 1st (-1.68pts)
15:45 Newcastle – Montaff @ 1.7 – 1st (-0.7 pts)
15:55 Nottingham – Damini @ 2.18 – 5th (+1pt)
16:05 Salisbury – Qalahari @ 4.9 – 2nd (+1pt)
16:25 Nottingham – Otaared @ 2.7 - 1st (-1.7pts)
16:30 Tralee – Cool Running @ 6.4 – 1st (-5.4pts)
18:05 Tralee – East Beach @ 5.5 – 2nd (+1pt)
19:20 Kempton – Stevie Junior @ 1.73 – 1st (-0.73pts)
I also took it upon myself to lay their Kempton picks, owing to the unpredictable nature of the AW (new rules apply):
18:20 Kempton – Lindby. SP 8/1. No bet. 7th.
18:50 Kempton – Charlie Smirke @ 2.98 – 3rd (+1pt)
19:20 Kempton – See above
19:50 Kempton – Game Lady. Was 7.2 on exchanges. No bet. 4th.
20:20 Kempton – Brexca @ 5.2 – 4th (+1pt)
20:50 Kempton – Falcativ @ 2.98 – 1st (-1.98pts)
21:20 Kempton – Deira Dubai. Was 8.2 on exchanges. No bet. 10th.
Winners: -13.06pts
Losers: +5pts
Profit: -8.06pts
Overall Profit: -2.55
Had I laid every one of their tips today at SP I’d have made 7.62 points profit (27 losing horses for 27 points profit; 10 winners for 19.37 points loss). Had I laid every one of their tips since I started, that would be profit of 24.88 points.
In other news, my first bet of the month (this experiment apart of course) was Tous Les Deux in the 19:50 at Kempton; 1pt win @ 5.5; Return 5.5pts.
I’m due a stats round-up for September but I’ll hold off, because it’s turning into my own personal blog again. Don’t you lot bet anymore? What’s been happening at DUPS? Noone got any crazy ideas for Dublin?
Scoop Troop Profits: 62.08 points (GG.com experiment excluded)
To make it worse, my timing has been horrendous. I laid Montaff for example at 1.7, thinking noone would fancy smashing into it at such a short price, but it still went off around 1.4 on Betdaq. Otaared eased out so I got on at 2.7, only to watch it shrink right up again to around 2.3.
On top of that, I have been considering some set in stone rules to impose on this experiment, including not laying horses bigger than a set price, to protect my small bankroll. However, I haven’t implemented any yet. I tried to lay Cool Running at around 5.0, but it drifted right out to 9.0ish and I thought “fuck that, a drifter like that probably won’t win but if it does, that will hurt a bit” so I left it. But then I thought “well the price will come down in running and there are a couple of horses with chances, so why not?” and laid it off not long after the off at 6.4. It somehow ended up winning, which hurt a bit. I won’t be doing that again.
So I’m a bit down today, but I still have every faith in how terrible GG.com are. All they’ve done today is pick ridiculously short priced horses at terrible value. An example being Damini, which went off around evens, the nearest rival being 11-2 (and that had shortened right up just before the off, I saw it closer to 7/1) and Damini didn’t even place. Montaff was the best example of this, SP 2/5 and the closest rival priced 7/1. Even Scott could have predicted that outcome and I’m more than happy to risk next to nothing, in case of a shock. Cool Running was my own mistake, which I will learn from.
Here’s my rules for the rest of this experiment:
If the price is bigger than 6.0, I’m not laying it.
I’m only laying Monday – Friday.
I’m not laying at shorter than 1.66 unless there’s a rival horse priced at 4.0 or under, a field of 16 or more or the race is over obstacles.
No laying in-running at all. If I don’t get the bet placed, leave it.
Roundup of today’s favourite backing filth:
14:10 Newcastle – Yorksters Girl @ 1.87 – 1st (-0.87pts)
15:10 Newcastle – Prime Mood @ 2.68 – 1st (-1.68pts)
15:45 Newcastle – Montaff @ 1.7 – 1st (-0.7 pts)
15:55 Nottingham – Damini @ 2.18 – 5th (+1pt)
16:05 Salisbury – Qalahari @ 4.9 – 2nd (+1pt)
16:25 Nottingham – Otaared @ 2.7 - 1st (-1.7pts)
16:30 Tralee – Cool Running @ 6.4 – 1st (-5.4pts)
18:05 Tralee – East Beach @ 5.5 – 2nd (+1pt)
19:20 Kempton – Stevie Junior @ 1.73 – 1st (-0.73pts)
I also took it upon myself to lay their Kempton picks, owing to the unpredictable nature of the AW (new rules apply):
18:20 Kempton – Lindby. SP 8/1. No bet. 7th.
18:50 Kempton – Charlie Smirke @ 2.98 – 3rd (+1pt)
19:20 Kempton – See above
19:50 Kempton – Game Lady. Was 7.2 on exchanges. No bet. 4th.
20:20 Kempton – Brexca @ 5.2 – 4th (+1pt)
20:50 Kempton – Falcativ @ 2.98 – 1st (-1.98pts)
21:20 Kempton – Deira Dubai. Was 8.2 on exchanges. No bet. 10th.
Winners: -13.06pts
Losers: +5pts
Profit: -8.06pts
Overall Profit: -2.55
Had I laid every one of their tips today at SP I’d have made 7.62 points profit (27 losing horses for 27 points profit; 10 winners for 19.37 points loss). Had I laid every one of their tips since I started, that would be profit of 24.88 points.
In other news, my first bet of the month (this experiment apart of course) was Tous Les Deux in the 19:50 at Kempton; 1pt win @ 5.5; Return 5.5pts.
I’m due a stats round-up for September but I’ll hold off, because it’s turning into my own personal blog again. Don’t you lot bet anymore? What’s been happening at DUPS? Noone got any crazy ideas for Dublin?
Scoop Troop Profits: 62.08 points (GG.com experiment excluded)
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
GG.com are shit tipsters
Okay, so Mark and I were chatting last night about how poor GG.com seem to be at tipping horses. Their website is pretty good, I visit quite a lot for information, at least as much as ATR or the RP, but in just over a year of using them I can’t remember them having too many successes with their tips.We jokingly came to the conclusion that we should lay their “Top Tips” selections and make money. I went away and thought about it and decided to start an experiment, doing exactly that. I haven’t drawn up any hard and fast rules yet, but I thought it would make sense not to oppose their bet of the day, as that’s the one they’re likely to work hardest at and opposing the longshot seems silly, as you’d be risking a big payout on a horse they have specifically sought out to frank the form. The double, treble and Lucky 15 selections seemed like fair game however, so I’d lay each to win 1 point and see what happens.
So having gone to bed at beyond 5 a.m. this morning, I decided I was going to need to set my alarm to make sure I’d have lots of time to get a bath, a cup of tea, food etc before the laying commenced. Good plan, but it seems I just turned my alarm off in my sleep and woke up at 14:35, 5 minutes before their first tip ran. Knowing I couldn’t get to the PC, have it fire up, log into Betdaq etc in time, I left it and went for my bath. I came back to see that Baariq had gone in at 2/1, lucky me.
When I did eventually get some bets on, it couldn’t have gone much better. Furious Belle in the 15:10 was a disappointing 7th, Minus Fifteen ten minutes later finished 3rd, the much fancied Garrai Ard at Tralee could only come third, Urban Warrior in the 16:30 at Sedgefield was yet another 3rd, Reclamation (who I nearly backed when looking at the card last night) disappointed in 4th, Sonnyanjoe was 5th at Tralee and Ebashan was 2nd by three parts of a length.
The only winner they had (that I managed to lay) was Golden Feather in the 17:00 at Sedgefield. Frustratingly, when I came to lay it originally it was 1.68 but I’d emptied my account by laying all the earlier ones, so I had to wait for a few to lose before I could proceed. When I freed up some funds, the price had walked to 2.2+. I decided to wait to see if it would come in but it kept walking. I managed to lay at 2.49 and it went in by 1.5 lengths. The official SP was 11/8 which is a bit lame but still, no major damage done, my liability only being 1.49 points.
GG.com’s nap today was Kingsholm, which you can read about below. I did say that I wouldn’t include the best bet in my laying experiment unless there were some extreme circumstances, like it being a 26 runner field or something, so although I did lay it (heavily) and scoop, I won’t include it in the figures for the experiment.
Winners: -1.49pts
Losers: +7pts
Profit: +5.51pts
It's worth noting that had I got the first one on, my profit would still have been +3.51 points. I also haven't decided whether to include this in my overall Scoop Troop profits/losses yet, so for now I'll keep it apart.
Full details:
15:10 Warwick – Furious Belle @ 2.34 – 7th (+1pt)
15:20 Southwell – Minus Fifteen @ 5.4 - 3rd (+1pt)
16:25 Tralee – Garrai Ard @ 2.76 – 3rd (+1pt)
16:30 Sedgefield – Urban Warrior @ 3.8 – 3rd (+1pt)
16:50 Southwell – Reclamation @ 4.8 – 4th (+1pt)
16:55 Tralee – Sonnyanjoe @ 5.6 4th (+1pt)
17:00 Sedgefield – Golden Feather @ 2.49 – 1st (-1.49pts)
17:15 Curragh – Ebashan @ 2.68 – 2nd (+1pt)
Will report further findings tomorrow and I’m going to look into laying every single one of their picks further down the line, when I am richer! Had I layed every GG.com tip today, I’d have won 29 times (+29 points) and lost 6 times, for a loss of 11.74 points, overall profit of 17.26 points.
Sell! Sell! Sell!
Not done much gambling of late, but I’ve spotted something I like for tomorrow. GG.com have made Kingsholm their nap in the 17:10 at Warwick. I wouldn’t have even noticed this race if the notoriously bad tipping section of their otherwise useful website hadn’t alerted me to it, but I can tell you, hopefully not in a William Walsh sty-lee, that this horse will under no circumstances win this race.
Let’s look at the evidence[/Lloyd Grossman]
I saw this horse run at Beverley last week. It did well, don’t get me wrong. The RP had tentatively picked King Of Connacht in that race, but the horse was withdrawn; although I’m not certain why, I am assuming it was due to the soft ground, which will not be an issue on tomorrow’s forecast Good to Firm (this horse’s best form is on Good or better ground). King Of Connacht has a better jockey on board it tomorrow, than it would have last week had it run. Three days after that win for Kingsholm at Beverley, Jamie Spencer fired the chestnut gelding in again at Wolverhampton on the Fibresand under a 6lb penalty, thus incurring a further 6lb forfeit for tomorrow’s 16 strong field, over a furlong further than the horse has ever won at before.
I’m not totally convinced that King Of Connacht is the selection, as I’ve seen Astrolibra do well in better company (after telling Scott that it wouldn’t win, I believe Scott was on it and it won by a head IIRC) and these amateur races really can be like the donkey derby, but there is no way for me, that Kingsholm is winning this race and I have to lay it. It will be cream crackered and carrying nearly a stone too much! Although I can’t say I noticed it, the RP reports that the horse started poorly at Beverley, which is another slight positive for layers.
Note of caution: The Racing Post and GG.com both have it as a nap (not sure why RP’s Spotlight have decided to reverse in light of the glaring evidence you’ve just read) so it’s maybe still a risky call and right now on Betfair, Kingsholm is priced 3.9 with the nearest rival at 8.8, but I don’t care, I’m feeling brave.
Let’s review: this 16 strong race will be Kingsholm’s third in seven days, carrying 12lbs more than it ought to, whilst seven days ago, when Kingsholm was much better off in the weights, the RP was siding with an opponent who carried an inferior pilot at the time. If the horse is to win, it's going to have to win at a slightly longer trip than it's ever won at before.
I will wait until closer to the off time. RP napped favourites running late in the day are usually steamed into and I may be able to reduce my liability.
Lay Kingsholm
4pts (lay risk 11.6pts assuming I take 3.9)
Let’s look at the evidence[/Lloyd Grossman]
I saw this horse run at Beverley last week. It did well, don’t get me wrong. The RP had tentatively picked King Of Connacht in that race, but the horse was withdrawn; although I’m not certain why, I am assuming it was due to the soft ground, which will not be an issue on tomorrow’s forecast Good to Firm (this horse’s best form is on Good or better ground). King Of Connacht has a better jockey on board it tomorrow, than it would have last week had it run. Three days after that win for Kingsholm at Beverley, Jamie Spencer fired the chestnut gelding in again at Wolverhampton on the Fibresand under a 6lb penalty, thus incurring a further 6lb forfeit for tomorrow’s 16 strong field, over a furlong further than the horse has ever won at before.
I’m not totally convinced that King Of Connacht is the selection, as I’ve seen Astrolibra do well in better company (after telling Scott that it wouldn’t win, I believe Scott was on it and it won by a head IIRC) and these amateur races really can be like the donkey derby, but there is no way for me, that Kingsholm is winning this race and I have to lay it. It will be cream crackered and carrying nearly a stone too much! Although I can’t say I noticed it, the RP reports that the horse started poorly at Beverley, which is another slight positive for layers.
Note of caution: The Racing Post and GG.com both have it as a nap (not sure why RP’s Spotlight have decided to reverse in light of the glaring evidence you’ve just read) so it’s maybe still a risky call and right now on Betfair, Kingsholm is priced 3.9 with the nearest rival at 8.8, but I don’t care, I’m feeling brave.
Let’s review: this 16 strong race will be Kingsholm’s third in seven days, carrying 12lbs more than it ought to, whilst seven days ago, when Kingsholm was much better off in the weights, the RP was siding with an opponent who carried an inferior pilot at the time. If the horse is to win, it's going to have to win at a slightly longer trip than it's ever won at before.
I will wait until closer to the off time. RP napped favourites running late in the day are usually steamed into and I may be able to reduce my liability.
Lay Kingsholm
4pts (lay risk 11.6pts assuming I take 3.9)
Thursday, 25 September 2008
Perth Review 25th September
Perth staged its final meeting of its centenary year today and I was in attendance at the course for the fourth time this season. I was hoping for better fortune than I had experienced at Ayr on Saturday where I managed to avoid a single winner in an eight race card. I did intend to blog that meeting but frankly given my lack of success it was painful to recall the meeting race by race. All I will say about Ayr is that is a great course for a big meeting and there was also plenty of non equine talent on show. I would definitely love to take a trip there again for the Scottish National or the Gold Cup meeting again next September.
Anyway back to Perth and I arrived confident of finding at least 1 or 2 winners as this was a jumps race meet- my bread and butter. Before I set off I logged onto Sporting Index and decided at 41lengths given the going and fact there were 3 novices and a bumper. The first race at 2.20 looked tricky, a14 runner novice hurdle with a few decent animals. The form was hard to read and Mhilu and Chord were well backed at the head of the market. I looked further down the betting though and plumped for Noble Alan(friendless in the betting-3/1 morning to 6/1 on course) who had decent form last winner as was trained by the powerful Richards stable. Noble Alan was settled midfield and came through strongly to win the race by 6 lengths and quickly erased my painful Ayr memories. This horse heads to Cheltenham next month and I wouldn’t put anyone off as the trainer indicated he won today despite needing the run.
This put me in good spirits ahead of the 2nd race where I had a big fancy foir the Twiston Davies runner Crescent Island. He had a good record in the race and had used this a platform for no less than Fundamentalist. It was 6/4 on Betfair before I left so I was surprised to see Evens on course when betting opened. This didn’t deter me though and I took 11/10 which was the best I could see. He jumped well in the early stages and as they set out on the final circuit I was pleased. That was until the silly animal decided he had done enough for the day and instead of going out for another circuit decided to stop and head back to the paddock. Cue the sinking feeling. I was saved somewhat though when the Philip Hobbs trained Mister Gloss romped home by 23 lengths- a great result for the spread.
Onto the 3rd race where my second strongest fancy of the day Kealshore Lad lined up. I hoped to claw back the previous losses on this son of Tiraaz and took the early 6/4 which was a wise move as the SP returned 5/4. My enthusiasm for this horse was heightened by the foxy stable girl (see pic) leading him around the paddock. Unfortunately Kealshore Lad was one paced and could only plug on for third behind 9length winner Valerius for the Gordon Elliot stable.
So it was back to the drawing board for the next race which was an open 2mile handicap chase. I had no strong fancy but thought Top Dressing could go well at 4/1. He was never really travelling under Denis O’Regan and plugged on behind Nigel Twiston Davies Asudo, that one returning from a 600 day absence over a trip which for my money looked too short. He could be one to follow this winner especially over further.
So four races down and the win on Noble Alan was a distant memory. A 2 mile handicap hurdle was probably not the best of races to get me out of trouble but the more I looked at the form the more I became drawn to the Gordon Elliot trained Baguenaud, with Paul Carberry looking an intriguing jockey booking. 4/1 looked a fair price given Gordon Elliots course record so I stuck of my rapidly decreasing readies on that one. Carberry settled the 5yo in midfield and brought him to challenge entering the straight where he quickened on nicely to win by a couple of lengths from the course loving Regents Secret in second. This was a get out of jail free card for me as I had not intended to back this one when I had studied the morning form.
I went into the sixth race back in high spirits but it looked tricky. Twiston Davies had a horse with poor form but all his horses at Perth merit respect so I found it hard to weigh up particularly given the restricted 3/1 price. Equally Gordon Elliot’s Misterinbetween had been backed from early prices of 10/1 into 7/2 on course but its form was dire. I decided to go for Laureldean Melody as the price of 11/2 looked big and I am a big fan of her sire Accordion. She ran well but went down by a decreasing ¾ lengths to the Twiston Davies Flemish Invader.
So one race left and it was an intriguing bumper. The Twiston Davies runner Strong Rebel had been well talked up all afternoon and the enthusiastic - Yes No Wait Sorries - the horses owners were all in attendance. This one opened at 11/10 which for me was a no bet on an unraced bumper runner. He had previously won an Irish point to point but the form of those races is impossible to weight up. Gordon Elliot had the second favourite at 3/1 but this didn’t appeal to me at the price and I decided that at 8/1 Moscow Catch, an unraced son of Moscow Society for the Malcom Jefferson yard was worth a bet. I went to the paddock (and not to view the sexy stable girls this time) and had a look and was hugely impressed by Moscow so decided to have a decent sized bet on him to win at 8/1. I was soon regretting this as he dumped his rider down at the start, although fortunately the horse did not bolt. As the race unfolded Strong Rebel began to be pushed along as Moscow Catch made headway to try to catch the strong travelling Tchang Goon. That one and Strong Rebel began to pull away from Moscow Catch but as the lime approached Moscow made great ground and to my delight and the favourite backers horror looked like he got up. The anxious wait for the result went and I waited around 2 minutes to find out that Strong Rebel had held on. I’ve had a few low moments in racing but that feeling went the photo was called is up there with the best of them
As for the distances I think they ended up at around 49 which means a small profit for me but in so many ways it could have been so much better. I had a great day at Perth though and can’t wait for the Festival next April where I expect to see you all there.
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
Beverley Bets
Okay, another impromptu trip racing and it’s Beverley again. I’m actually going to get up this time, honest.So as I said last time, Beverley’s known for a big draw bias, especially over 5f – high numbers are good. The forecast going is Good to Soft, good in places and it seems like it’s going to be dry overnight, so hopefully that’ll stay about the same.
The opening race is a 5f novices affair. As you know, I dislike these types of races but I do try to punt on every race when I attend a meeting and the immediate appeal lies with Blades Princess. Come on, with a name like that I HAVE to back her. Currently at 3.85 on Betfair she makes better appeal than the odds on favourite, because as good as Amour Propre looks on paper, the selection has already acted on the forecast ground and is in receipt of 10lbs. She also finds herself drawn in stall 7 (of 7, Amour Propre drawn 3) which is nice to know, especially over 5f. On top of that, the stable won this race last time out, so she should be well prepared.
Verdict: always seems worth opposing odds-on types in these sorts of races, especially with all the positives listed. 1 point win Blades Princess
The next race (14:30) is also a 5f sprint, three of the entrants in this I saw up close and personal at Doncaster last weekend in the Ladbrokes Portland (which provided me with my second winner of the day in Hogmaneigh; I was two from two at that point at 5/1 and 9/1 and suddenly my friends were taking my analysis a little more seriously…). Oldjoesaid seems the obvious pick as this is nowhere near the class of the Portland and that was the horse that finished highest (4th) of the three. Although it didn’t beat either by much, it was carrying the most weight and tomorrow they’ll all be carrying the same. With form seemingly confirmed there, the only other to consider is Hoh Mike, who does most of his racing in Group Company. Recently dropped in grade, he frustrated with a very poor break and a disappointing run and followed up with another shocker when moved back up to Listed company. His last run was more encouraging, but he could only finish second. One to be wary of I think and I’ll stick with the Portland 4th.
Verdict: competitive but Oldjoesaid should win. Strike Up The Band and Fullandby have better draws so it’ll be interesting; for that reason it’s the minimum 1 point bet.
The 15:00 is a 12 furlong seller and all the talk is about Pondapie. I wouldn’t touch this horse with Scott’s money though, 2/1 clear favourite as I type, in a field of 12, represents zero value. This horse has been beaten 52 and 22 lengths over this trip in just a grade higher and off a similar mark, whilst his last two outings have been at this grade but a shade shorter and have seen him beaten 75 lengths and 1.75 lengths in a really modest maiden. The best performance of those four was on good ground, two of the shockers were on softer ground. Best to steer clear of this one I think, especially at the price. The best value looks to be either Sorrento Moon or Jane of Arc. The former ran on strongly on similar ground to win last time over two furlongs fewer and should stay on pedigree, whilst the latter returns to a trip which has seen her produce her best form. I suspect she may like the ground a little better and may need to drop a little further in the ratings before she lands a race like this and so I’ll be placing the minimum e/w bet on Sorrento Moon.
Verdict: more competitive than you’d think looking at the market (in my opinion) and there’s value to be had if you can be bothered looking. Sorrento Moon at 0.5 pts e/w is the way I’ll be going.
Another really competitive affair in the 15:30, over 7 and a half furlongs. There are just so many with chances, I don’t even know where to start. I suppose Handsome Falcon is the most obvious starting point, winning at Ayr in better company and narrowly losing out over C&D the time before whilst carrying tonnes, it seems a big price at 8.2 as I type. Especially as Freddie Tylicki is on board, taking off a useful 5lbs (good god, is he down to 5lbs already? The kid is GOOD). When it lost out by a neck to Mr Toshiwonka, there was a similar gap in the weights to tomorrow, so that 5lbs looks very handy indeed. Jonny Lester’s Hair also ran that day and came third, but I saw him at Catterick not long after and he seemed a tricky ride. Pulled a bit keenly if memory serves. One of interest to me is West End Lad who seems to have been tried at a variety of trips but does his best work at 8 furlongs and these stats are impressive: 2 wins and 2 seconds from 7 runs over 8f; 1 win from 1 (by 6 lengths) over Beverley’s 7.5 furlongs - that was off a mark of 62 (goes off 63 tomorrow and carries a featherweight); 1 win from 2 runs on Good to Soft ground, the defeat coming on the gelding’s second ever start, the win coming just this summer.
Verdict: impossibly trappy race, seems value in West End Lad at 13.5 as I type as well as Handsome Falcon (8.2 at time of writing) but I’m plumping for the former, 0.5 pts e/w)
The 16:00 is over the same distance but is for n00b nags and I’m going to take a chance. I hate these races, as per usual, the experts all look at the miniscule scraps of form and those horses are at tiny prices. I wish I knew more about pedigrees and breeding, because there must be money to be made in these types of races. Anyway, Trumpstoo is priced at 15.0 on Betfair just now and Richard Fahey has a good record at Beverley: in the last 5 seasons at the track, horses have won 49 out of 281 races at a very respectable 17% strike rate and a £1 level stakes profit of £113.38 – impressive. His 2 year olds at the course, in the same period of time, have won 14% of races, for £14.38 level stakes. This season, his n00b nags at the track have won 3/9 races. From my limited knowledhe, his pedigree looks pretty decent too. I despise these races, but those numbers are enough for me in a race where you really do have to simply guess the winner.
Verdict: 0.5 points e/w on Trumpstoo, while everyone else is eyeing up Hunterview and Kudu Country
The penultimate race is a 14 runner affair, contested over a mile. On paper, it is yet another really tricky race. The first name that jumps out is Dancing Maite, because it was 4th behind a few of those in today’s 15:30 race and I was on e/w at a decent price on my visit Catterick. I won’t be backing it today though, with no evidence of ability on softer ground and a step up in trip which on pedigree, doesn’t appear like it will suit. I think I’ll watch the market on this one, because I hate backing favourites in such big fields but it seems that the favourite has the best form and the best draw. Thing is though, I reckon this trip could be too short. I will watch the market and likely choose from Shaloo Diamond to win or Metal madness, possibly at an e/w price.
Verdict: going to watch the market. Shaloo Diamond has good form but may need a stiffer trip; Metal Madness may be the value if I oppose
The last race is going to be carnage. 16 runners, amateur riders and I haven’t a clue, frankly. I might just go minimum stakes on Faraday because Nina Carberry is a great jockey and she’s clearly the standout pilot in the field. I don’t think that’s a bad strategy, actually. I’d normally follow the market but the RP have gone with the favourite and I can imagine punters steaming into it, with it being the last race of the meeting (in fact, it’s the third last race of the day).
Verdict: might as well ring Kenny up and ask him to pick a number, he’s good at fluking winners. Will either back the Carberry ride or back a market mover. 0.5 pts e/w of course.
Wednesday, 17 September 2008
Champions League Tonight etc
Reinvesting some of yesterday's profits in small bets on Arsenal (1/1) and Bayern Munich (5/6). Both prices are Ladbrokes. Just for interests sake.
Just received a text from fellow Scoop Trooper Will Walsh who I'm sure won't mind be relaying it here:
"Are Zenit not a cracking bet at 4/1 to beat Juventus tonight? Juventus are nothing special and Roma proved how pish the Italian league is last night."
I definately think there is some value in laying Juve tonight so might get involved.
Early bet for Ryder Cup: Henrik Stenson Top Points Scorer 16/1.
My greyhound betting in my lunch breaks at work has been going really well and thinking of devoting some time this weekend to picking out a few good bets.
GL
Scott
Just received a text from fellow Scoop Trooper Will Walsh who I'm sure won't mind be relaying it here:
"Are Zenit not a cracking bet at 4/1 to beat Juventus tonight? Juventus are nothing special and Roma proved how pish the Italian league is last night."
I definately think there is some value in laying Juve tonight so might get involved.
Early bet for Ryder Cup: Henrik Stenson Top Points Scorer 16/1.
My greyhound betting in my lunch breaks at work has been going really well and thinking of devoting some time this weekend to picking out a few good bets.
GL
Scott
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