 irn bru moo Blogging Profile I was born with engine oil in my veins and after my first banger meeting in 1981, motorsport has been in my life ever since. My main passion is Nascar, ever since my first trip to Charlotte Motor Spee
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A Nicholls Winner To Start Off A Day At Cheltenham
 2:00 Cheltenham
18/04 14:00
In this race last year, Paul Nicholl's made a Bold Addition in the winners circle and perhaps for 2012, there could be a Bold Chief on the list as well?
The opening race this afternoon at what's going to be a wet Cheltenham this afternoon is the Messier BugattiDowty Novices Hurdle, and it looks a reasonably competitive field. I was really tempted by Alan King's Medinas in this race, not done too much wrong so far over hurdles, and did the job well last time out at Fontwell beating Kuilsriver pretty well. But this is a step up in competition today, and even with Choc Thornton on board, this looks like a big ask for the win, i was tempted by the ew squeak, but the non runner has killed off any hope in that one now.
Paul Nicholls runner though, Bold Chief, Daryl Jacob on board today, comes to Cheltenham on the back of an impressive display at Warwick back in February, that was over the similar distance today and looked better than the 2m 7f second at Fontwell, although you would think thats the direction in which Bold Chief will be going in. This will be only the third start over hurdles, so we are talking early days, and theres plenty of horses with future hope in this race, but at this time, you do feel that the Nicholls remaining runner in this race will be the one to beat.
Bold Chief Win @ 3.5
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Rudigreen Ran Well Last Time, Chance Of Win Number Two Today?
4:40 Cork
08/04 16:40
This time of year isnt great in the National Hunt world, Cheltenham been and gone, Aintree and Punchestown just around the corner, but the quality on show at the moment, well its not great and with that mixture of summer horses starting there campaigns, the winter horses finishing there campaigns and the good horses, all now putting there feet up after a long hard season.
So a bet today, well so far this month in all honesty, hasnt been easy, but one takes my attention today over at Cork in the Mallow.ie Handicap hurdle at 16-40. Rudigreen, has bags of experience over the hurdles, and unlike the majority of the field today, something resembling form around Cork in the past. No win in two years, but at least Rudigreen has a win, no real form worth noting in the past couple of years either, but the run at Thurles last Tuesday wasnt too bad, finishing second, never in with a chance of the win, but a better showing from a 3 month break.
The JJ Hanlon trained 9-y-o is now running for a mark of just 95, has been as high as 107 in the past. The conditions today are good, the distance is also better than that run five days ago, the competition today, well it isnt too strong, Sir Loujay has alot of positives and Charlie Swan's Zaralabad has the quality but not run since i was a teenager (ok, maybe thats slightly out, lol!!), with no run over hurdles in over a 1000 days, although obviously, isnt too shabby on the flat turf monkey scene so if the hurdles thing works better now a few years down the line, then that may be all good.
Im not saying Rudigreen is a steal for a win at the current price, but a chance of a place is certainly there and on a track which has provided success in the past, a 7lb claimer who is forming a decent pairing with this horse and coming off the back of a more positive run, off a decent mark, theres a few positives to take into account here.
Big Price On A Must Win For Hannover 96
 Hannover 96 v Atletico Madrid
05/04 20:05
The AWD Arena is a place in which a good few German sides go and come away with nothing, and in the first season in the Europa League, the same has been the case for some of Europe's more famous names. No team has come away from the AWD Arena this season in all competitions witha win, except Mainz 05 in the DFB Pokal and they needed extra time to do that.
Hannover 96 went to Madrid with a plan, which almost came off perfectly, unfortunately the late goal from Salvio gave Atletico Madrid the slight edge in this tie. But Hannover 96 arent going to let go of there European adventure too easily and they will have a great chance against an Atletico Madrid side, which has undoubted talent, but not fully firing on all cylinders this season.
Hannover 96 Win @ 3.1
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Its Back!! The Proper Start To The Season Is Here - Finally!!
 STL Cardinals @ MIA Marlins
05/04 00:05
Take me out
To the ball game
Take me out
With the crowd
Buy me some peanuts
And Crackerjack
I don't care if
I never never get back
Let me root, root root
For the home team
If they don't win
It's a shame
For it's one, two,
Three strikes you're out
At the old ball game!
Yep, finally the start of the baseball season is back upon us and the tradition start featuring the current World Champions and yes i know there was two games last week in Tokyo, real crowd pullers as well with the Mariners and A's. Tonight though, the St Louis Cardinals travel to the brand spanking new Marlins Park in Miami, to play the Miami Marlins, both teams have had huge changes over the winter, in the Cardinals, unfortunately its not for the better either with The Machine going to Anaheim and Tony LaRussa bowing out of the game to plant roses in his back garden.
The Marlins have a new name, new stadium with a weird looking thing at centre field looking like a 70s disco background to Boney M. New man in charge of the new team, but theres some of the old favourites still in Miami, sporting a colourful new uniform as well. Josh Johnson is on the mound this evening, a very talented pitcher, plagued by injuroes though, so hopefully a productive season on the cards, just not tonight, why? Well the 2.61 currently on offer for the St Louis Cardinals to win is huge. They may have lost there coach and superstar in the batting line up, but the starting nine this evening, of Furcal, Carlos Beltran, Holliday, Berkman, David Freese, Yadier Molina, Jon Jay, Daniel Descalso and pitcher Kyle Lohse, doesnt look too bad in my eyes.
Kyle Lohse is coming off a very good season last year, 14-8 record, an ERA of 3.39 from his 30 starts. For Josh Johnson, just the nine starts last year due to a shoulder injury, Spring Training has gone well for him, but will tonight be a limited pitch count, after all, theres a long road ahead.
Hanley Ramirez has had success against Kyle Lohse, and a guess the big question would have to be if Kyle Lohse can repeat last season and looking at the current odds, Vegas certainly dont think its going to happen tonight. I just feel that the nerves will be on display tonight, and this is a big evening for the Miami Marlins. I dont do much betting on the baseball in the first few weeks, and the Cactus and Grapefruit League games pre season are nothing to consider in my opinion. So only small stakes, more as a sideline as the tv goes up to full blast and i welcome the magnificent game back in all its glory. The Marlins should be taking this game, the price though is ridiculous, so a shot on the World Champions for me here, what next? another successful season and a trip to the World Series for the Baltimore Orioles, lol, well i can dream!!
STL Cardinals 0.0 Win @ 2.61
WON
Paul Nicholls Runner To Take The Hunter Chase
5:45 Ascot
01/04 17:45
With Master Medic now a non runner, and to be honest, a huge question mark anyway but a real threat, this has opened up the Hunter Chase very nicely for Hoo La Baloo. Once a very high class chaser, those years are long gone now, but the experience is there, and judging by the performance in the Military Gold Cup at Sandown a couple of weeks back, the fight is still there and it was an excellent comeback from the winter break.
The trip today is shorter, but more suited, the conditions are spot on and overall, a very solid jumper of a fence. As with all Hunter Chases, the jockey side of things is always a slight concern, and Hoo La Baloo not being a spring chicken does have that against him as well. But I Have Dreamed has done nothing worth noting in three runs so far this season under rules and the rest of the field, do look outclassed in all fairness.
The price seems really fair at the moment, and hopefully we can round the day off with a win.
Hoo La Baloo Win @ 2.5
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Fix The Rib May Grabs This Up Front!!
4:05 Ascot
01/04 16:05
I do like a front runner, and Fix The Rib has proved on more than one occasion, that setting the pace can get the field in trouble and amongst this field of seven runners, Fix The Rib may well get the chance to dictate things in this race and the first victory in 30 months, may well be a result today.
Fix The rib has come down the ratings a fair distance now, as i say, the last win is a while ago now, back in November 09, but that was at this track and off a mark of 145. Today, well older and rated just 129 today, with Joshua Moore claiming a further 5lbs on top, so weight wise, Fix The Rib looks well in today.
The conditions today are ideal, the distance, well thats perhaps the worrying question with this horse these days, as shorter is something i prefer, but capable of this distance, well yes, more than capable and with hopefully an easy time up front, Joshua Moore should get the chance to dictate things to suit. Jumping is always a positive with Fix The Rib, form this season, well the results dont show alot, but Fix The Rib capable of winning the Tingle Creek these days, well i do feel those days have gone. There was a placed effort, at Kempton back in, not able to hold out and a bad mistake at the last causing any chance of victory to not happen.
Of the opposition today, well The McCoy Factor on board Riguez Dancer will pull a few pounds from the Sunday punters, but i have never really rated Riguez Dancer in the National Hunt side of things and the chase form isnt going to win too many votes in this household. Safari Journey is just not in a good place this season, and the 5.50 doesnt tempt me in the slightest, the danger in this race may well be Cool Friend, coming here off the back of a win at Sandown last month, a good second place to Hunt Ball in the rpevious start as well, will like the conditions, the distance and previous at this track, but the failing point for me, does have a habit of finding one horse better, and today, Fix The Rib may well be that horse!!
Fix The Rib Win @ 4.5
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A Surprising Price On The Home Win Perhaps?
Newcastle v Liverpool
01/04 13:30
Newcastle versus Liverpool, a match dominated by the Reds in recent years, winning nine of the last eleven meetings, fairly convincing in a good few of those occasions. But weather i could make Liverpool the favourites for this game, at St James Park, with just four points from there last seven games on the road in the Premier League, lying well out of the European spots now, a manager under pressure, a squad thats under performing, blimey, it sounds a familiar story on Merseyside in recent years doesnt it, eight points off there opponents today, and the disadvantage of no home support, a surprise to see Liverpool as favourites maybe.
Well, its not been plain sailing for the Magpies either recently, a 5-0 defeat to Spurs at White Hart Lane, tow disappointing draws against Wolves and local rivals Sunderland, and then conceding a late winner to Aresenal at the Emirates. But they have bounced back, two good wins against Wigan Athletic and Norwich City have settled the boat and a final push for Europe is certainly a real possiblity now, which would be a very good achievement for Alan Pardew's men.
I was tempted by taking the draw in the Asian Handicap market here, but the 1.85 on offer for the +0.25 market wasnt a big enough carrot to dangle. So im going the whole hog and the Newcastle United win, which at 3.12 looks a very favourable price for a top six side against a team thats lost five of there last six games on the road.
Overs Could Be The Way At St James Park
Newcastle v Liverpool
01/04 13:30
A couple of decent looking Premiership games tomorrow afternoon, starting with Newcastle entertaining Liverpool at St James Park in the 13.30 kick off. Two bets for myself in this game, the first being on the Over 2.5 Goals market. The stats and trends are certainly pointing in that direction at the moment, and its a big part of my football betting as i would rather pull teeth, than watch a game. But the current 1.91 on offer from BetFred looks a price worth playing on, as you would expect both teams to be heading for a win in this game, both shooting for European spots and in the case of Kenny Daglish, perhaps a job by the end of the season.
Newcastle have scored in each of there last seven Premier League games at St James Park, they have only failed to score on three occasions this season in the league, and with 60% of the games going Over 2.5 Goals, both Home and Away. Liverpool themselves know how to score goals, and unfortunately for them, to concede them as well. Five of there last six road games in the Premier League have gone Over 2.5 Goals, interestingly, they have lost five of the last six league games on the road as well, but more about that shortly. The tight LIverpool on the road from the first half of the season, have now kept just one clean sheet in the last six road games in the Premier League, conceding twelve goals and with that only clean sheet coming at Wolves, perhaps the Liverpool may have a few issues to contend with here.
Head 2 Head stats, well throughout the years, theres been some classic Newcastle V Liverpool games, the last eight meetings between the sides have seen Over 2.5 Goals, with Liverpool scoring three goals themselves in six of the last seven games, the time they didnt, well that was in this fixture last year, when Newcastle secured a 3-1 win. Both these sides need a win here, both have shown defensive problems lately, the Over 2.5 Goals may be a nice bet in this one.
Whitlock To Edge A Tight One In Cardiff
 Wade vs Whitlock
29/03 20:00
Round Eight in Cardiff this evening as the Premier League Darts are in town, unfortunately, no Gary Anderson this week as he attends his fathers funeral, also a minute's applause at the start of the evening in tribute to the legend we lost this week is Jocky Wilson, being a Fife lad myself, i for one will be paying my respects to the great man.
On to the betting side of things, and just the one bet i fancy this evening, that comes in the second match up Simon Whitlock versus James Wade. The Machine has been playing well recently, looking well on the road to the machine like performance we all knew of a few years back, last weeks result in Dublin at the hands of Phil Taylor, may look heavy, but The Power just is playing in a different league at the moment. The Wizard Of Oz has been just very consistent throughout the tournament so far, and although its now tightening up, i do feel the Wizard of Oz has the edge on James Wade at the moment.
The previous six meetings have gone the way of the Aussie, only one mismatch in that time, so im taking the two way result here, as the draw is more than possible, but i do feel although Wade is stepped up recently, on what has been a very tough run, Barney, Lewis and Taylor in the last three weeks, Whitlock has been playing the better stuff overall.
A Place For Essifer At Downpatrick, Wells Theres A Chance!!
3:50 Downpatrick
25/03 15:50
The second part of my dutch bet in the Ulster National, again, im sticking with a Colin McBratney runners, this time though Essifer. Perhaps its safe to say, the 11-y-o didnt fully fill the potential shown in the younger days, but still not a bad horse, lightly raced, had a few injuries along the way and the age does mean that would be the oldest winner since my records started.
But the experience may well put in good stead here, huge experience around Downpatrick, a track which is unique in many ways, and with the conditions ideal today, Essifer certainly has a chance on that side of things. Rated just 97 today, so carrying just 10st 1lb, plus the jockey is claiming 7lbs, so a feather weight today and although the first run under rules since Ballinrobe last July, has been running in Point To Points, and actually comes here on the back of a win Tyrella at the beginning of the month. A win in this race, well that may be asking a wee bit too much, but a great place chance I feel.
Carsonstown Boy May Well Have A Chance In The Ulster National
3:50 Downpatrick
25/03 15:50
Its a late Ulster Grand National today, usually running at the beginning of March, but at least it will reflect from the first flat turf monkey racing at The Curragh this afternoon, yep, the poorer side of racing is back today, already!!
This is a race, in which the favourites havent had there way over the past few years, and in Talab today, we have a favourite that€s got a few questions to answer today. I do like the weight being carried, and with a hurdle mark of 107, has been as high as 111, today, the chase mark is just 95, a decent run last time out at Leopardstown at the beginning of March, I guess theres a lot to like. Blinkers for the first time today though, and this is a trip into the unknown in distance over fences, although has been up to three miles in hurdles, with a couple of placed efforts. All in all, understandable to see as favourite, especially in todays conditions, but the 11/4 currently on offer, isn€t really exciting me too much.
Colin McBratney is mob handed in this race today, with three of the nine remaining runners, and with the experience of Selection Box in this race, placed in the last two runnings, but carrying top weight today, but its the other two that interst me, and I feel a bit of dutching coming on. The first bet, well Carsonstown Boy, a horse that has been involved in some big races in the past, finished second at Aintree a couple of years back during the Grand National Festival, very adaptable in any conditions, runs over hurdles and fences just as effectively in each, just a decent all round jack of all trades horse. Been on the Point to Point scene this year, also a couple of Hunter Chase runs, one of which produced a win at Leopardstown on Boxing Day, a mark of 112 today, Paul Townend booked for the ride, distance shouldn€t be an issue, a fair price at 8.00 at the moment!
Carsonstown Boy Win @ 11
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Knicks To Cover The Spread In The Air Canada Centre
 NY Knicks @ TOR Raptors
23/03 23:05
What the hell has got into the New York Knicks, Mike D€Antoni€s gone, Mike Woodson takes over as interim and all of a sudden, the Knicks look like a group of world class players, actually playing like a team and destroying all that come in there wake.
The Knicks are currently on a five game winning streak, its not been perfect, but its looked a lot better, and perhaps the Play Offs are a real possibility and perhaps further into the end of season party, well in current form, who knows. Granted the opposition hasn€t been of the highest quality during this run and perhaps the 76ers, arent in the best of form currently, if you see my other bet this evening against the Celtics, you would understand my view there, but playing in Toronto this evening, well its not going to be the toughest game left of the schedule for the Knicks, and averaging 105 points under Woodson, while conceding just 86.6 points in that time, you really have to wonder if the Raptors are any competition to this side in current form.
You don€t have to look back too far to see the last meeting, it came just three days ago, the Knicks winning 106-87 at Madison Square Gardens, different venue of course tonight, since its back in Toronto, but with the Raptors have just come off a tough road trip, unsettled by the Derrick Rose less Bulls on Wednesday evening, only winning two of there last six games in the Air Canada Centre and the Knicks scoring lots of points, of which the Raptor concede an average of 95 per game this season, the the Knicks defence working well, and the Raptors ranked 28th in points scored, the cover of 5.5 points in this one looks pretty achieveable this evening.
NY Knicks -5.5 Win @ 1.9
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