Well if only I had the courage of my convictions I would be writing this while sipping a pina colada on a hot beach somewhere with all my winnings but for some reason (greed, meanness?), I like looking a big positive balance in my BETDAQ account so didn’t bet as much as I contemplated which explains why both football bets were comfortable winner!
I started the weekend on Friday by getting the hump when Snap Tie was declared a non runner, and having spent more time than is good for me working out what great each way value he was, I felt robbed to not get a run for all that effort. In a roundabout way that actually saved me plenty because I refused to bet at Cheltenham on principle, which saved me, a few quid as I don’t think I would have backed a single placed horse let alone a winner.
On Saturday the horses were a win some lose some combination as I decided that after the success of Jonjo O’Neill’s Synchronised in the Gold Cup I would back anything trained by him and ridden by champion jockey A P McCoy, which left me focussing on Ffos Las for a change. Strongly Suggested was my first bet and although sent off 100/30 favourite, I got some 5.0 on BETDAQ but then again he didn’t win, so the price was a bit of a false dawn. Naturally, Jonjo won the next race with a 20/1 shot but I didn’t even look twice without McCoy in the saddle but decided to stick with my master plan and wait for the combo for my next bet. Temple lord took in the handicap chase at 3.35 but I felt he was weaker than I expected in the BETDAQ market (7.8 was freely available to decent sums), and with the alarm bells ringing I left him alone to watch him pull up after the fourteenth before patting myself on the back for getting it right for once. Looking at the form book (Yes I do use logic sometimes), Master Milan looked about the best bet on the card and 2.6 with BETDAQ was bigger than I expected – so I just had to take some (well plenty to be honest). Talented if a little bonkers he did everything he could to try and lose the race by hitting fences, refusing to get airborne, trying to run out, and jinking around to try and get rid of his pilot but Mr McCoy got him home in front somehow and justified his tag as best jump jockey of all time. Better still, that was all too much for my nerves so I gave up on the gee gees and missed his runner in the last who only managed third place – happy days!
Moving on to the football and a big thank you to all you BETDAQ layers out there who let me have some 2.5 about Southampton to win at Millwall and even some 2.3 about Reading to win at Barnsley, my big bets of the weekend as forecast here this time last week. Southampton kept me sweating and left me without a chance to get out early as they failed to take the lead until the 88th minute but Reading made life a little less stressful with an easy 0-4 victory though they did wait for the second half before going on a march that landed all our bets thank you very much. Although I didn’t tip them here I have to confess to also backing my beloved Everton to beat Sunderland at Goodison Park and as usual, that was the kiss of death for their chances. A draw was no good to me and the 1.99 with BETDAQ looked more stupid the longer we struggled – though I will at least get better odds for the replay.
Looking forward my golf expert friend has been in touch, and although by the time you read this my selection may look stupid, we had a 125/1 shot that placed so he doesn’t owe us anything just yet. This week he tells me that Charles Howell III is a good each way bet in the Arnold Palmer Invitational and with odds as large as 66.0 with BETDAQ to win (and 14.0 the top five), a small bet could yet pay off, even though I view golf as a good walk spoiled!
Moving on to football, there is a big shortage of value this weekend which is a bit of a shame, and I will be reducing my bet size accordingly – no point in giving it all back after a decent recent run. Birmingham are a tempter at 2.2 to make the most of home advantage against Cardiff on Sunday though it seems likely to be settled by a single goal and is not one to get too heavily involved in.
Crawley served us well at the beginning of the season but have gone through a rocky patch of late but seem to be turning the corner once again if a win at Gillingham last Tuesday is anything to go by, and with striker Leon Clarke beginning to find his feet I think they can see off Rotherham at the Broadfield Stadium, though even the 1.8 with BETDAQ is not exactly over generous, but better than I an find anywhere else!
Lastly for this week I just have to join in the massive gamble on Cai Shen to take the Winter Derby at Lingfield on Saturday. When money comes from the Richard Hannon yard I have to sit up and take notice and as the four year old has been backed from 10.0 to 6.2 or so with BETDAQ, and if they think he is ready to go to battle that is good enough for me!
This week’s suggested bets (odds correct at the time of writing):
Golf:
1pt Win 1pt Place Charles Howell III, Arnold Palmer Invitational at BETDAQ odds of 66.0 to win and 14.0 to place
Football:
2pts Win BIRMINGHAM to beat Cardiff on Sunday BETDAQ odds of 2.2
2pts Win CRAWLEY to beat Rotherham on Saturday BETDAQ odds of 1.8
Horse Racing:
1pt Win CAI SHEN 3.25 Lingfield Saturday BETDAQ odds 6.2
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