Is there something just inherently unlucky about holiday brochures and the like? I ask because every time I build up my BETDAQ account to a sensible amount and think about skulking off to the races somewhere (Hong Kong was calling me), then it all goes horribly wrong and I cannot put a foot right -and neither can the horses! A last and a third (six runners) should have given me the hint I needed that it wasn’t going to be my weekend but no, stubborn (or stupid) as I am, I soldiered on regardless with just the slightest chink of light now and again to fool me in to a false sense of security. After popping to Windsor in the evening to drown my betting sorrows lol, I ignored Ask Dad as too short (won easily at BETDAQ odds of 1.4), missed Cameron Highland by chatting to a fellow punter in the bar (won 3.5 on BETDAQ), and then used my I-Pad to get on the strongly fancied “talk of the course” Tales Of Grimm, who was well beaten yet again at BETDAQ odds of 5.8 – you layers owe me a drink!
As for my football treble, Manchester United and Chelsea gave me a good start but Manchester City let me down (as an Evertonian I never have loved Liverpool but now they have cost me money as well), though I did have a couple of win singles on Everton at Aston Villa (BETDAQ layers gave me 3.15, how very kind), and Middlesbrough to beat Crystal Palace (I asked for 2.0 on BETDAQ and someone actually took the bet), so it wasn’t a total disaster, but for the moment it’s more likely to be the local takeaway than a trip to Sha Tin or Happy Valley racecourse.
Looking forward (one has to be positive when the chance arises), I am considering trying a few betting systems and the odd tipster and will let you know how that works out when I eventually get round to it, but until then it’s all down to me – and whoever I research or listen to of course. Once again I feel almost duty bound to step out of my comfort zone and have a look at other sports with snooker just around the corner (don’t tell anyone but I have tickets for the PTC Event 3 at the South-West Snooker Academy (Gloucester) next weekend, where Ronnie O’Sullivan, Jimmy White, Mark Selby, Judd Trump, Steve Davis, Tony Drago and so on will all be in attendance and although I have never seen live snooker in person before, I think I am looking forward to it, but more of that next week! This week my sport from out of the blue is going to be the Belgian Grand Prix, which is on this weekend, and with seven different winners in just the eleven races so far this season, no wonder we do not seem to have any short priced favourite. With Michael Schumacher driving his 300th race there fairy tales can happen but it looks to me (after reading what the experts think), that it could be between McClaren (Hamilton or Button), and Red Bull (Webber or Vettel) but where exactly does the value lie? Personally, I haven’t a clue but the people I have read seem to think Sebastian Vettel (who won the race last year) drives the track as well as anyone and at odds of 4.8 on BETDAQ a point may well pay dividends though do expect a big race from 96.0 shot Sergio Perez – apparently!
Moving on to the football and I need to get in a few words while I can about the start made by Everton – nice to see them playing quality football and getting the results to go with that, yet still the commentators describe us as “the dogs of war” – try watching the game eh lads and not regurgitating old cliches? AS a big fan of Steve Clarke I am anything but convinced we will have it quite so easy away at West Bromwich Albion but that won’t stop me having a small bet at the BETDAQ odds of 2.51. A better bet could well be the 2.98 about Fulham to win away to West Ham, which does scream value to me. I am no Cottagers fan but they have played decent enough football so far this season and coped well with leaving Clint Dempsey out of the squad, while the Hammers have looked worryingly weak to me, and early season favourites for instant relegation. Sunderland have been on a bit of a shopping spree lately so we are looking at a changed (and possibly improved) side this weekend, but Swansea have been getting all the plaudits and rightly so for their style of play, and they should be too strong at home for their opponents making the 2.24 on BETDAQ for the Welsh wizards well worth a bet. Those three bets will do for Saturday but I will also have a cheeky double on Saturday when I expect Manchester United to win at Southampton (1.59 on BETDAQ) and Newcastle to easily see off Aston Villa (1.65 BETDAQ odds), which will be more than enough football bets for one weekend thank you very much.
Horseracing is my other love (along with betting, sports, gadgets, food etc.), but it’s pretty quiet this weekend and there is not a lot to talk about. Frankel will be odds on wherever he runs next so is pointless from a punting perspective, though Sandown do at least have a couple of Group Three races on their card on Saturday. Finding a winner won’t be easy (and looking out the window, winter has arrived a bit early this year), but it could be worth a small bet on Mocenigo in the Sweet Solario Stakes where I am hoping the unbeaten Fantastic Moon will make the price for us. According to various websites and I-Pad apps, my selection was spotted working really well at home in Newmarket on the Round Gallop on Tuesday morning (and you thought I couldn’t read). If he is anywhere near as good as they seem to hope then a Group Three should be within his abilities if he is to take up entries in the bigger races this autumn.
This week’s suggested bets (odds correct at the time of writing):
Formula One Motor Racing
1pt Win Sebastian Vettel to win the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend at BETDAQ odds of 4.8
Football
1pt win each, half point win treble Saturday:
EVERTON to win at West Bromwich Albion (2.51 on BETDAQ), FULHAM to win at West Ham (BETDAQ odds 2.98), and SWANSEA to beat Sunderland (2.24 on BETDAQ).
2pts Win Double Sunday:
MANCHESTER UNITED to beat Southampton (1.59 BETDAQ) and NEWCASTLE to beat Aston Villa (1.65 BETDAQ).
Horse Racing
2pts Win MOCENIGO 2.50pm Sandown Saturday
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