Bookmaker Reviews & Sports News

Archive for December, 2008

An eye-catching 19 length victory by Kangaroo Court makes Friday December 12’s novice hurdle at Doncaster one to watch.
Whilst most eyes last Friday were trained on the action from Cheltenham’s International meeting, the corresponding card at Doncaster contained a race sure to throw up winners over the course of this season. It was the third contest on the day, the CDM (Barnsley) Utility Consultants Ltd ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle, and was most notable for its wide-margin winner Kangaroo Court.

Emma Lavelle’s four-year-old gelding was making just his second start under rules, having finished seventh in an Ascot bumper on his only other outing. The form of that bumper has worked out quite well, and having been sent off at odds of [9.0] at Doncaster, Kangaroo Court raced a little freely early on but cruised into contention, smoothly going clear before the second last and scoring by 17 lengths, needing riding only briefly after the final flight. Given that he was an Irish point winner in the spring, Kangaroo Court is most likely to stay beyond 19 furlongs in time, though given the zest with which he travelled here there would appear to be no need at all to step him up in trip for the time being. He is sure to take his place in Graded company sooner rather than later.

The distant runner-up was Honest John, who had been sent off the even-money favourite by virtue of his smart bumper form, which included a win in the Grade 2 Championship Bumper at last season’s Grand National meeting. Having shaped as though in need of the run back at Aintree for his hurdling debut, Honest John again looked slightly laboured at Doncaster, though kept on suggesting that the trip wasn’t to blame. He still finished clear of the remainder and is worth another chance to try and match his above-average bumper runs.

The other two horses to make the frame are also entitled to show more on future runs.

Crop Walker has obviously had his problems - managing only one run in the 2007/8 season - and here he made eye-catching progress late on without being subjected to an overly-hard time. Assuming he can stay sound, Crop Walker would be worth keeping on side in a similar event over two-and-a-half miles or more.

Perkan Warbeck jumped much better than on his hurdling debut at Fontwell and, having found himself tapped for pace once the tempo increased, he stayed on well to finish strongest of all in fourth. Given how he shaped here, it may well be worth upping Perkan Warbeck in trip to three miles straight away.

A couple of others further back also caught the eye.

Colombard shaped in contrast to both Crop Walker and Perkan Warbeck, travelling well and looking likely to pose a threat three out only to fade from contention and finish sixth. Colombard may be worth another try at two miles, though the fact that he was easy to back suggests he may prove better for this run.

Grand Union, though showing less promise than most, shaped as though a step up in trip would suit on his second start in five days. He is now qualified for a handicap mark and would be of interest in that sphere.

Alderley Rover made several mistakes, which ultimately cost him as he fell at the penultimate hurdle, though he was involved in a battle with Honest John for second at the time. Alderley Rover should give a good account if turned out in a similar event in the near future. more

Ed \”The Hawkeye\” Hawkins will be with us from 8.30 am on Friday to talk us through the action at the crease, the stats, the betting and other cricket and biscuit-related topics. Remember to e-mail him at hawkeye@hotmail.co.uk with any thoughts or queries.
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The Shrewsbury right-back is spending a spell on the sidelines at the moment but takes time out to talk about Paul Ince’s dismissal, standing up on a chair and singing to his team-mates and getting \”skinned\” by Dennis Romedahl at 17.
It’s not been the best of weeks so far; we played Grimsby away on Saturday and continued our poor away form with a 1-0 loss.

To be fair, the weather conditions played quite a big role, but having said that, I suppose it’s the same for both teams. Unfortunately, I was once again left on the bench. This is probably the longest (when fit) that I’ve gone without forcing myself back into the team.

I was suspended a few weeks back and, up until Saturday, the team had maintained a winning streak. It’s never easy not playing, and if I’m being completely honest, I hate it but I accept the manager’s decision. There’s a flurry of fixtures coming up in the next few weeks so I hope I get a chance to play. I’m not the best watcher of a game from the bench, especially when you’ve got to put up with the physio’s poor banter!

As I’ve mentioned before, we occasionally have overnight stays for away games. These trips have taken on an added feature for a Friday evening. Let me explain: during training on a Friday, there is a series of sprint competitions which eventually whittle down to a ‘Losers Final’ with the eventual loser having to sing a song of his choice at dinner.

This week, one of the quicker lads, Steven Leslie, lost out and gave us his rendition of one of Cliff Richard’s classic Christmas songs. Fair play to him he was awful, but it was all in good jovial spirit.

I know what it’s like to stand in front of your peers and sing - I’ve had to do this several times, especially at Christmas when I was in the youth team. We had to stand on a chair in the middle of the canteen and sing our heart out, in payment for cleaning the pro’s boots all year - quite difficult when you’re getting pelted with brussel sprouts!

Someone who probably won’t be singing for his Christmas dinner this year is Paul Ince, after getting relieved of his duties at Blackburn Rovers. Maybe the Premiership came a little bit too soon for Ince, after having relative success with Macclesfield and then MK Dons last year.

I do believe that no matter what level you play at in your career and how much success you obtain during your career, management is a different ball game all together. It was refreshing to see someone of Ince’s calibre choose to serve his apprenticeship in the lower leagues.

Many have tried and failed, notably Tony Adams. If the press were to be believed, it would appear that Ince \”lost\” influential members of the dressing room. That’s something that can seriously undermine a manager, true or not. Maybe if Ince had had a touch more experience, he might’ve dealt with this differently.

One player that has upset the apple cart in recent times is Dimitar Berbatov. There’s no doubting he is pure class in a similar mould to Cantona except with deceptive pace. I have read some reports that Berbatov has put United out of kilter a touch, with Tevez having limited playing time, but I have to disagree.

In fact I believe he offers a new dimension to United’s game. Here at Shrewsbury the player most comparable to Dimitar is probably Richard Walker (no, not the betting.betfair.com Premiership previewer!) - although with not quite the same turn of pace.

A bit like Berbatov the goals haven’t flowed as freely for him this season, but what he does bring to the team is one of the best first touches and vision I have ever seen, hence my nickname for him is ‘The Magnet’.

Obviously goals is the most important aspect of any centre-forward’s game, sometimes if a striker doesn’t score, you tend to question what contribution he has made. With Berbatov and \”The Magnet\” they offer much more, making the ball stick in the final third and bringing wide men into play.

I have spoken of Berbatov’s qualities but one attribute that he often doesn’t get credit for and which I have briefly touched on is his deceptive pace. As a full-back you come across many pacy wingers. One player that didn’t look that quick but was lightning was Dennis Romedahl. I was fortunate enough to have played against him when I was 17. To be honest I love testing myself against really quick players as you have to be 100% on your game at all times, but there is no better way of gauging yourself and developing a different positional sense than by playing against quicker players.

The key, in my opinion, is to try and get as tight as you can to them. The aim of this is to prevent them having space to knock the ball and run at you. Also I try and be as hard as I can in a tackle with them just to see if they fancy it after taking a bit of a whack!

Staying on the United theme, I see that they have jetted to Japan for the World Club Cup.

It will be interesting to see how Chelsea and Liverpool fair in United’s absence. Just how much they have to play in catch-up.

I can foresee a Glasgow Rangers-style fixture pile-up towards the back end of the season. For me I believe Man Utd at [2.8] for the title are terrific value; they have the squad to cope with the extra demand plus they are a lot more youthful than the favourites Chelsea [2.32]. Back United with any money left over from Christmas and reap the rewards come May.
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Horse racing authorities all over the world usually work together as a united international authority to build healthy relationships with each other and to provide the public with the security of a unified industry. Co-operation between the various racing jurisdictions is vital for the horse racing industry, as it assists jockeys and trainers to get licenses to race in other countries, and most countries are signatories to Article 10 of the International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities that upholds an agreed upon set of rules and regulations in regard to wagering, breeding and racing. A small loophole in the signing of this agreement has caused tension that could have an international impact on the industry. more

In Australia jumps racing is only hosted in South Australia and in Victoria, and has been under a lot of pressure and debate the last few months. With many deaths occurring in the industry, authorities put a hold on all jumps racing events to review the sport and the safety measures that are in place to protect horses. Advocates for Animals and the RSPCA have lobbied for the sport to be banned, saying that the unnecessary deaths of these magnificent animals because they are not bred to deal with the pressures of jumps racing are a form of cruelty. more

It has been a very tiring and nerve-wracking week for the connections of the Melbourne Cup runner up, Bauer. Racing Victoria Ltd announced that an investigation would be launched into the treatment received by Bauer five days before the race, which if found guilty, would have seen Bauer stripped of his position and prize money. But it has recently been confirmed that Bauer will retain his placing, much to the relief of his trainer, Luca Cumani, and his owners. more

The Warriors want Raymond Felton

—Quote—
Could Raymond Felton end up a Golden State Warrior, in a trade that might acquire Anthony Randolph or Brandan Wright?
The Warriors… more

Is anyone having a problem where upon the entry pass in the triple threat position you cannot immediately back down?? I find myself havinig to come out of the post take a couple steps and then begin to back down. Why is this??

Intelx more

I play them because I love the sport of basketball in general, I love College basketball and I love the NBA. So, it’s only natural for me to wish to imitate what I watch through videogaming.

Moreover, I play basketball games because I’m a frustrated basketball player. The furthest I’ll go in… more

Horse racing authorities all over the world usually work together as a united international authority to build healthy relationships with each other and to provide the public with the security of a unified industry. Co-operation between the various racing jurisdictions is vital for the horse racing industry, as it assists jockeys and trainers to get licenses to race in other countries, and most countries are signatories to Article 10 of the International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities that upholds an agreed upon set of rules and regulations in regard to wagering, breeding and racing. A small loophole in the signing of this agreement has caused tension that could have an international impact on the industry.Free horse racing picks and betting tips more