A decent week last week with Novak Djokovic winning Wimbledon for us and Andy Schleck getting off to a decent start in the Tour de France. It’s been an eventful first few days in France and a difficult one for Alberto Contador but the truth is that the race doesn’t start in earnest until they enter the Pyrenees next week. We’ll find out the contenders for yellow on the climb to Luz-Ardiden on stage 12 next Thursday. The route should suit Andy Schleck down to the ground.
So next Thursday the Tour de France gets going and the Open Championship tees off at Royal St Georges and it’s amazing to see the first five in Betdaq’s market are European. Rory McIlroy is 7.8 favourite, Lee Westwood 11, Luke Donald 18.5, Martin Kaymer 23 and Sergio Garcia at 31.
A lot of people are expecting this to be a layers’ market with the course something of a lottery. However, on any course McIlroy is going to take the world of beating after his US Open victory. His victory at Congressional will have given him huge confidence and self belief plus being a major winner has removed a big burden off his shoulders, especially after what happened at the Masters. I see no reason why his roll can’t continue and I’m sure he’ll have lots of supporters even at 7.8.
Rory’s Major win will also have given extra incentive to Lee Westwood to get in on the act. Open golf is right up Lee’s street and it looks just a matter of time before he takes that extra step. His game should also suit Sandwich, which demands straight tee shots and accurate iron play, and his consistency in Major championships is quite remarkable. He’s finished second and third in the last two Opens and has been in contention at the last four Major championships. Incredible. We should get a great run for our money at 11 on Betdaq.
There’s an extraordinary day of racing on Saturday with meetings at Newmarket, York and Ascot. Bizarre scheduling and almost too much for punters to get their heads round. The highlight – I think – is the final day of the July Meeting at Newmarket, thought the July Cup looks a very moderate renewal.
My main fancy is Albaasil in the one mile handicap at 4.10. Sir Michael Stoute’s horses seem to be running in to form. Albaasil is well regarded and looks on a good mark for his handicap debut after an easy maiden win at Yarmouth. He’s sure to be capable of much better.
