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Dont forget the Grand National is on the way on Saturday 4th April 2009.

Exotic Dancer (11st 10lb) heads the weights for the 2009 John Smith’s Grand National. The nine-year-old was a Grade Two winner at Aintree in 2007 and beat all bar Kauto Star in that year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. He gained a richly-deserved Grade One success in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown last time out.

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11.02.09 - THE GRAND NATIONAL, RACING AT AINTREE

DANCER TOPS 2009 JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL WEIGHTS
Exotic Dancer (11st 10lb) heads the weights revealed today for the 2009 John Smith’s Grand National. The nine-year-old was a Grade Two winner at Aintree in 2007 and beat all bar Kauto Star in that year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. He gained a richly-deserved Grade One success in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown last time out. Trained by Jonjo O’Neill, Exotic Dancer also headed the weights for the 2007 John Smith’s Grand National.

In total, 61 of the remaining 120 entries are in the handicap (ie weighted down to and including the minimum 10 stone) for jump racing’s most famous prize, which is worth a record £900,000 this year. A maximum field of 40 will go to post at 4.15pm on Saturday, April 4.

The John Smith’s Grand National is the only race in which the British Horseracing Authority’s Head of Handicapping Phil Smith can use his discretion in determining which weight he allots each horse. His findings were unveiled today at a lunch in London attended by a host of jump racing’s biggest names.

Second in the weights is Madison Du Berlais (11st 8lb), this season’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup winner and conqueror of Denman at Kempton on Saturday. He represents last year’s winning trainer, David Pipe. Comply Or Die (10st 12lb), the 2008 John Smith’s Grand National hero, must carry an additional 3lb if he is to become the first horse since Red Rum in 1973/1974 to win consecutive renewals while Silver Birch has 10st 6lb this year - identical to the weight he carried to victory in 2007. Other horses that have winning form over the Grand National fences are Black Apalachi (10st 11lb), who landed the totesport.com Becher Chase at Aintree in November, Endless Power (10st 3lb), successful in the totesuper7 Grand Sefton Chase at the same meeting and bidding to become only the second Scottish-trained winner following Rubstic in 1979, last season’s John Smith’s Topham Chase victor Gwanako (10st 12lb) and the 2006 totesport Becher Chase scorer Eurotrek (10st 9lb). The last two horses are both in the care of champion trainer Paul Nicholls who could also be represented by recent Sky Bet Chase victor Big Fella Thanks (10st 7lb) and My Will (10st 10lb), an eye-catching fifth on his seasonal reappearance in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, and five others.

Six of the last 10 renewals of the John Smith’s Grand National have gone the way of Irish-trained horses, while last year the Arthur Moore-trained King Johns Castle (10st 10lb) only found Comply Or Die too good with Snowy Morning (11st), from the Willie Mullins yard, in third place. The 35 Irish-trained entries this time around also include last season’s Irish Grand National victor Hear The Echo (10st 11lb), one of the leading ante-post fancies and this season’s Welsh National scorer Notre Pere (11st 4lb), from the Jim Dreaper yard. Hear The Echo is owned by Ryanair supremo Michael O’Leary and trained by Mouse Morris, and the owner/trainer combination could also be represented by 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition (11st 1llb).

Other leading ante-post fancies include the 2007 Irish Grand National victor, Butler’s Cabin (10st 5lb), who was travelling well when falling at Becher’s on the second circuit last year, the John Quinn-trained Character Building (9st 12lb) and Cloudy Lane (11st 2lb) from the famous McCain stable who was sixth when starting joint-favourite in 2008.

Julian Thick, Aintree’s Managing Director, commented: “Interest in the John Smith’s Grand National really gathers momentum following the annual weights lunch and this year’s contest will be as competitive as ever with just over half the entries in the handicap at this stage.”

For further information, please contact Emma Owen, Aintree’s Marketing & PR Manager, on 07917 266511 or e-mail emma.owen@jockeyclubracecourses.com

Strictly embargoed until 11am, Tuesday, February 10, 2009

THE 2009 JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL

Class 1, Grade 3, £900,000 total Prize Fund. 4.15pm, Aintree, Saturday, April 4, 2009. For six-year-olds old and upwards which are allotted a rating of 110 or more by the BHA Head of Handicapping following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including February 8, 2009. Horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at January 27, 2009, may also be entered. Such horses may be eligible for a weight providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse’s racecourse performances to February 8, 2009, would merit a minimum rating of 110. To qualify horses must have run at least three times in Steeple Chases run under the Rules of Racing of the same Recognised Turf Authority up to and including February 8, 2009. At the Handicapper’s discretion such horses may be allocated a rating. The decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final. No penalties after publication of the weights. Highest weight 11st 10lb. Entries closed January 27, entries revealed January 28 (123 entries), weights revealed February 10 (61 in handicap, 3 scratched), first forfeit stage February 24, second forfeit stage March 17. Five/six-day confirmation stage March 30, final declaration stage 10.00am, April 2. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Sunday, February 8.

Form Horse Age/Wgt Owner Trainer

353-231 EXOTIC DANCER (FR) 9-11-10 Sir Robert Ogden Jonjo O’Neill

425F-611 MADISON DU BERLAIS (FR) 8-11-08 Roger Stanley & Yvonne Reynolds II David Pipe

31320P SNOOPY LOOPY (IRE) 11-11-05 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Egan Waste Ltd Peter Bowen

11/3-024 STAR DE MOHAISON (FR) 8-11-05 Sir Robert Ogden Paul Nicholls

63P-411 NOTRE PERE (FR) 8-11-04 Tillie Conway Jim Dreaper IRE

112/-U1P NOZIC (FR) 8-11-03 Sam Mcvie Paul Nicholls

511-225 AIR FORCE ONE (GER) 7-11-02 Brian Walsh (Co. Kildare) Charlie Mann

16-0431 CLOUDY LANE 9-11-02 Trevor Hemmings Donald McCain Jnr

1/1//2110- AFISTFULLOFDOLLARS (IRE) 11-11-01 E McElroy, Linda Shanahan, Sue Magnier Noel Meade IRE

23/-1132 WAR OF ATTRITION (IRE) 10-11-01 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE

61U1F2 CHELSEA HARBOUR (IRE) 9-11-00 Frances Duffin Tom Mullins IRE

3/114-16 IMPERIAL COMMANDER (IRE) 8-11-00 Our Friends in the North Nigel Twiston-Davies

332-56F SNOWY MORNING (IRE) 9-11-00 Quayside Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

115P/-03 CANE BRAKE (IRE) 10-10-13 Mount Temple Racing Syndicate Tom Taaffe IRE

16UP-10 KNOWHERE (IRE) 11-10-13 Raymond Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies

225-13P ROLL ALONG (IRE) 9-10-13 Bryan & Philippa Burrough Carl Llewellyn

P211-P0 COMPLY OR DIE (IRE) 10-10-12 David Johnson David Pipe

5321-U1 GWANAKO (FR) 6-10-12 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls

3P1-5025 MONKERHOSTIN (FR) 12-10-12 Martin St Quinton Philip Hobbs

40-2555 OLLIE MAGERN 11-10-12 Roger Nicholls Nigel Twiston-Davies

4-2P51P STAN (NZ) 10-10-12 Paul Beck Venetia Williams

20F2-P15 BLACK APALACHI (IRE) 10-10-11 Gerard Burke Dessie Hughes IRE

501-556 HEAR THE ECHO (IRE) 8-10-11 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE

6P-02414 ONE COOL COOKIE (IRE) 8-10-11 Gigginstown House Stud Charlie Swan IRE

140-0F1 PREISTS LEAP (IRE) 9-10-11 John D O’Donohue Tom O’Leary IRE

152-112 BALLYFITZ 9-10-10 F J Mills & W Mills Nigel Twiston-Davies

P/22212- KING JOHNS CASTLE (IRE) 10-10-10 J P McManus Arthur Moore IRE

12P-0UU MIKO DE BEAUCHENE (FR) 9-10-10 Andrew Wiles Robert & Sally Alner

32023/-5 MY WILL (FR) 9-10-10 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls

411P/1P/- EUROTREK (IRE) 13-10-09 Paul Green Paul Nicholls

11640-5 L’ANTARTIQUE (FR) 9-10-09 Mary Durkan Ferdy Murphy

2560-14 STATE OF PLAY 9-10-08 Mr & Mrs William Rucker Evan Williams

2-322U1 BIG FELLA THANKS 7-10-07 Paul Barber & Maggie Findlay Paul Nicholls

00-2102 MON MOME (FR) 9-10-06 Vida Bingham Venetia Williams

0/1PP-63 OPERA MUNDI (FR) 7-10-06 Sir Robert Ogden Paul Nicholls

F/02421/- SILVER BIRCH (IRE) 12-10-06 Brian Walsh (Co. Kildare) Gordon Elliott IRE

03F-000 BUTLER’S CABIN (FR) 9-10-05 J P McManus Jonjo O’Neill

1111F-0 HOBBS HILL 10-10-05 J P McManus Charles Egerton

1111/U2- OFFSHORE ACCOUNT (IRE) 9-10-05 Brian Polly Charlie Swan IRE

23/54-1P PARSONS LEGACY (IRE) 11-10-04 R A S Offer Philip Hobbs

F0612/-P REVEILLEZ 10-10-04 J P McManus Jonjo O’Neill

2423-32 ABBEYBRANEY (IRE) 8-10-03 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson

2134-13 ENDLESS POWER (IRE) 9-10-03 Fyffees Jim Goldie

00146P FUNDAMENTALIST (IRE) 11-10-03 Colin Cornes Nigel Twiston-Davies

1/P133/3- GOLDEN FLIGHT (FR) 10-10-03 John & Barbara Cotton Nicky Henderson

03F0-421 L’AMI (FR) 10-10-03 J P McManus Enda Bolger IRE

2U4U-40 SIMON 10-10-03 Mercy Rimell John Spearing

332-245 BATTLECRY 8-10-02 Trevor Hemmings Nigel Twiston-Davies

P00-F12 CORNISH SETT (IRE) 10-10-02 Peter Hart Paul Nicholls

042-P61 FLEET STREET 10-10-02 Henry Ponsonby Nicky Henderson

122210 MUSICA BELLA (FR) 9-10-02 Jean-Paul Senechal Francois Cottin FR

63-11131 CAN’T BUY TIME (IRE) 7-10-01 J P McManus Jonjo O’Neill

113P//-3P DARKNESS 10-10-01 Lady Lloyd-Webber Charles Egerton

F32311 IRISH INVADER (IRE) 8-10-01 Sackcloth & Ashes Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

46-5651 RAMBLING MINSTER 11-10-01 The Lingdale Optimists Keith Reveley

2314-64 SILVERBURN (IRE) 8-10-01 Paul Green Paul Nicholls

5F/-06U3 SOUTHERN VIC (IRE) 10-10-01 Brenda Graham Ted Walsh IRE

1221/1//-P6 TRABOLGAN (IRE) 11-10-01 Trevor Hemmings Nicky Henderson

P641PP ALWAYS WAINING (IRE) 8-10-00 Mr & Mrs Peter James Douglas Peter Bowen

111-421 GARDE CHAMPETRE (FR) 10-10-00 J P McManus Enda Bolger IRE

1/010-05 OEDIPE (FR) 7-10-00 Bill Brown Nicky Henderson

PPP611/- HOT WELD 10-9-13 Simon Hubbard Rodwell Ferdy Murphy

20P-111 KILBEGGAN BLADE 10-9-13 K Doocey & Mrs A Doocey Tom George

412402 BROOKLYN BROWNIE (IRE) 10-9-12 P Gaffney & Neil Stevenson Malcolm Jefferson

P/3-1433 CHARACTER BUILDING (IRE) 9-9-12 Mrs E Wright John Quinn

P-2P600 CONNA CASTLE (IRE) 10-9-12 Kings Syndicate Jimmy Mangan IRE

1-P504P HIMALAYAN TRAIL 10-9-12 Mark Gittins Jimmy Mangan IRE

33-4F0F PIRAYA (FR) 6-9-12 Terry Neill David Pipe

26U-344 TUMBLING DICE (IRE) 10-9-12 Lucy Donegan Tom Taaffe IRE

3/00010- ARTEEA (IRE) 10-9-11 Judith Wilson David Pipe

0P/50PP- CERIUM (FR) 8-9-11 Judith Wilson Paul Murphy

050-240 IDLE TALK (IRE) 10-9-11 Trevor Hemmings Donald McCain Jnr

0F2U6-P KELAMI (FR) 11-9-11 Halewood International Ltd Lisa Williamson

0/232P5/- ZABENZ (NZ) 12-9-11 Sarah Hobbs Philip Hobbs

PP541P ICE TEA (IRE) 9-9-10 Sandicroft Stud Donald McCain Jnr

2U41U-0 MALJIMAR (IRE) 9-9-10 Jane Williams Nick Williams

211-1113 COMPANERO (IRE) 9-9-09 W M G Black & Sue Johnson Howard Johnson

0333P0 IRON MAN (FR) 8-9-09 Roddy Owen & Paul Fullagar Peter Bowen

P2P-P0P MATTOCK RANGER (IRE) 9-9-09 Banouche Stud Ireland Ltd Noel Meade IRE

U44P-314 NICHE MARKET (IRE) 8-9-09 Graham Regan Bob Buckler

0U0134 POMME TIEPY (FR) 6-9-09 Mrs S Ricci Willie Mullins IRE

101PP6- BAGAN (FR) 10-9-08 The Centaur Group Partnership VII Martin Todhunter

11P1-3P BEAT THE BOYS (IRE) 8-9-08 New Club Ladies Nigel Twiston-Davies

140-306 BIBLE LORD (IRE) 8-9-08 M Tedham Andrew Turnell

14F0-F4 D’ARGENT (IRE) 12-9-08 Nigel Bunter Alan King

64P3-01 DIX VILLEZ (FR) 10-9-08 Gigginstown House Stud Paul Nolan IRE

P2P63-5 FLINTOFF (USA) 8-9-08 Andrew Flintoff & Paul Beck Venetia Williams

4B0-400 PATSY HALL (IRE) 9-9-08 Thomas Mooney Partnership Tony Martin IRE

0P6PP-0 HOMER WELLS (IRE) 11-9-07 Margaret McMahon Willie Mullins IRE

3/2F01P- IN THE LOOP (IRE) 11-9-07 Ben-Hill Syndicate Roy Wilson IRE

P121-P5 KING HARALD (IRE) 11-9-07 Piers Pottinger & P B-J Partnership Mark Bradstock

313145-0 LOTHIAN FALCON 10-9-07 Peter Maddison Peter Maddison

P00-P30 NADOVER (FR) 8-9-07 George Storey Charlie Mann

012036 OULART 10-9-07 Dessie Hughes & Ged Pierse Dessie Hughes IRE

2/223F0- PAK JACK (FR) 9-9-07 The Pak Jack Partnership Richard Phillips

421101 SEYMOUR WELD 9-9-07 Charles Pogson Charles Pogson

25/1300/- GALLANT APPROACH (IRE) 10-9-06 Byrne Bros (Formwork) Limited Charles Egerton

P2113P HOOPY (IRE) 7-9-06 John Earls Gordon Elliott IRE

22/-22P4 NINE DE SIVOLA (FR) 8-9-06 The DPRP Sivola Partnership Ferdy Murphy

210123- TOM SAYERS (IRE) 11-9-06 Capt Bill Edwards-Heathcote Philip Hobbs

0-32123 OODACHEE 10-9-04 Modreeny Syndicate Charlie Swan IRE

12366/-4 KINGS ADVOCATE (IRE) 9-9-03 Conor Clarkson Tom Taaffe IRE

62P-30P DUN DOIRE (IRE) 10-9-02 Dunderry Racing Syndicate Tony Martin IRE

02P-P4F LE TOSCAN (FR) 9-9-02 Judith Wilson David Pipe

U1-5254 OUT THE BLACK (IRE) 11-9-02 James Drummond Philip Hobbs

0P0/03-0 PUNTAL (FR) 13-9-02 Terry Neill David Pipe

63-35400 SEA DIVA (IRE) 9-9-02 C J O’Reilly/D Barker/R Lubner Dessie Hughes IRE

P4220-0 WITHOUT A DOUBT 10-9-02 Malcolm Denmark Carl Llewellyn

1P1F//PP- YOU’RE SPECIAL (USA) 12-9-01 Diane O’ Rourke Ferdy Murphy

21/-2426 ALEXANDERTHEGREAT (IRE) 11-9-00 Six Blokes Venetia Williams

611-04 EMMA JANE (IRE) 9-9-00 Tintern Ten Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

5/5400-P MILAN DEUX MILLE (FR) 7-9-00 Judith Wilson David Pipe

43444-P0 BALLYTRIM (IRE) 8-8-11 Violet O’Leary Willie Mullins IRE

53PP56- ROYAL ROSA (FR) 10-8-11 Andrea & Graham Wylie Howard Johnson

41/F400-2 SANDHURST (IRE) 9-8-11 John Duddy Edgar Byrne IRE

5/6P0-42 LORD KILLESHANRA (IRE) 10-8-10 G F Gingell Colin Tizzard

U-2130U6 LYSANDER (GER) 10-8-10 The Piranha Partnership Ian Williams

4213140 MALKO DE BEAUMONT (FR) 9-8-10 David Sturdy Alan Brown

P06-350 PASS ME BY 10-8-08 Paul Beck Suzy Smith

1110PP MONT MISERE (FR) 13-8-07 Judith Wilson Paul Murphy

For all your Grand National Betting Needs check out www.grandnational-betting.net

Tomorrows horse racing action comes from Kempton Park, Lingfield, Bangor and Newbury our banker of the day is My Moment that we think will be about 2/1 in the 1.45 at Bangor, Have you checked out the new William Hill site yet? If not take a look you might even get a free bet if your a first time client.

Theres also some UEFA Cup football betting action but we would be careful before investing too much as some of these games are dead rubbers.

Raving at Market Rasen has been abandoned tomorrow due to waterlogging so the main races in England come from Kempton and Hereford. The betting exchange Betdaq are the main sponsors at the all weather track.

Mondays usually a poor day for the latest betting action and we wont be getting involved perhaps we just settle for a game of poker with VC Poker

Robinho struck on Thursday night to give us a 6/4 winner and toinght Jermaine Beckford didnt play so we hope you checked the team news for the live FA Cup match as we mentioned as the game ended a 1 all draw.

This Saturday theres an interesting offer from Pagebet they will refund all win bets if your horse finishes second to Presvis in the Manchester November Handicap at Doncaster on Saturday.*

They are also paying out on 5 places for all each way bets on this race, the Manchester November Handicap, 3.10pm at Doncaster on Saturday.

Weekend Football

Arsenal v Manchester United, Saturday, Sky Sports 1, 12:45pm

Arsenal face Manchester United as one of the biggest rivalries in English football is ignited again. Unusually for this fixture, neither of the two sides are at the top of the Premiership, and are already chasing early leaders Liverpool and Chelsea. Arsenal are in a relatively poor run of form, having been beaten in their last Premiership outing to Stoke, and only drawing their midweek Champions League game to Fenerbache. United are into top gear following a slow start, although they were also disappointed with a draw at Celtic in midweek. It could have been a lot worse for United though, as their equaliser came in the closing moments.

Arsenal are 9/5 with BGbet to overturn their poor form, while Man Utd are 5/4 with Pagebet to build on their recent success.

If Nani scores at anytime during Arsenal v Manchester United, BGbet will refund all losing first goalscorer stakes on the match.

Liverpool v West Bromich Albion, Saturday, Setanta Sports 1, 5:30pm

Joint league leaders Liverpool will be aiming to take sole possession of the lead of the Premiership when they host West Brom at Anfield. They left it late in midweek in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid, an injury time Steven Gerrard penalty gaining a draw. West Brom will be looking to build on last weeks draw with Blackburn Rovers, which was so close to a win. An 89th minute goal from Rovers new boy Andrews sealed a point for Blackburn in what was a fiery match littered with poor refereeing decisions.

Liverpool are the 2/9 favourites with BGbet to go top of the Premiership outright, while West Brom are 14/1 underdogs with Centrebet to win for the first time in six games.

If Dirk Kuyt scores at anytime during Liverpool v West Brom, BGbet will refund all losing first goalscorer stakes on the match.¹

Blackburn Rovers v Chelsea, Sunday, Sky Sports 1, 1:30pm

Chelsea meet Blackburn on Sunday at Stamford Bridge, and could be chasing Liverpool by that time. They will be glad to get back to Premiership action following their defeat in midweek, when they were beaten 3-1 by Roma. They were in superb form before that defeat, with 5-0 and 3-0 wins over Sunderland and Hull consecutively in the run up to that game. Blackburn will feel confident if they go into the last five minutes only a goal behind, as they have scored in the last five minutes of their previous three Premiership games.

Blackburn are 11/2 with Bgbet to upset Scolari’s men, with Chelsea 1/2 at VCbet to maintain their position at the top of the Premiership.

If Joe Cole scores at anytime during Blackburn v Chelsea, BGbet will refund all losing first goalscorer stakes on the match.¹

Fulham v Newcastle United, Sunday, Sky Sports 1, 4:00pm

Fulham welcome a rejuvenated Newcastle side on Sunday, looking for its third straight win under Joe Kinnear. Consecutive wins over West Brom and Aston Villa have the Magpies looking up the Premiership, rather than down, and Obafemi Martins in particular is in a rich vein of form. He has three goals in the last two games, and Fulham will look to stop him. Fulham will be looking for some consistency following recent reults, and will be glad they are back at Craven Cottage following last weeks defeat to Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday
Fulham are 13/10 favourites with Centrebet to claim a second successive home win, while VCbet make Newcastle 11/5 outsiders to extend their winning streak.

If Shola Ameobi scores at anytime during Fulham v Newcastle, BGbet will refund all losing first goalscorer stakes on the match.¹

If Fulham v Newcastle finishes 0-0 BGbet will refund all losing correct score bets on that game.¹

Place a correct score bet on any of the above matches this week, and if it gets beat by an injury time goal BGbet will refund all losing correct score stakes on that match.¹

1st SCORER 2nd CHANCE

Applies to all Premier League matches this weekend

We were wrong with pur prediction that Woolfall Treasure would win the Bet365 race at Haydock it was beaten by the Fav. Tomorrows UK Horse Racing comes from Musselburgh , Fontwell and Hexham all over the jumps with flat racing comming on the floodlit cards at Wolverhampton and Dundalk.

Theres Football Betting Action in the FA Cup with Leeds United taking on Northampton normally we would expect Leeds to win this game but with another Cup game next Tuesday against Derby they might just rest some players. So watch out for the vital team news if Beckford and Becchio start the game it might be worth a small wager on Jermaine Beckford to score the first goal he hasnt hit the target in a while but Leeds create plenty of chances and may be his time has come.

Also dont forget theres some Boxing Betting action on Saturday night when Joe Cazage takes on Roy Jones SNR and Paddy Power have a great offer if Joe C wins by a knockout or a technical knock out they will refund all losing round bets on the fight.

UK horse racing comes from Haydock , Towcester, and Thurles all over the jumps with racing on the flat comming on the all weather service from Lingfield and Great Leighs. Bet365.com are sponsoring the 1.40 at Haydock where we fancy Woolfall Treasure over the likely market leader Balzaccio we expect no early pace which should help Woofall Treasure who has the headgear applied. If you want to check out the latest racing steamers from Paddy Power click here

Theres also UEFA Cup action with Spurs taking on Dinamo Zagreb from where they purchased Luka Modric last season can Harry’s men keep up their recent pace.Man City and Porsmouth are also in action for the latest football betting take a look at www.football.betting.pn.

We fancy a bet on Robinho to score at anytime currently 6/4 with Sportingbet , he has scored five times at home this season and FC Twente are not the best team away from home. Good luck with all your online bets!

The Rugby League World Cup continues today with Ireland taking on Samoa early in the morning. The Irish team have made a good start and will be hoping to finish top of their group and having the chance of playing in the semi-finals. Samoa are not easy beats and can be lightning quick when in attack. Their defense is a little suspect however and that will be Ireland’s best chance of success. Deprive them of the ball and use it well in attack yourself.

In the second game today, Scotland play Fiji. Fiji are also very quick in attack and their defense is not to bad either. Whilst very fast, the Fijian attack can be loose with their passes and ball handling. Deprive them of possesion and they also become desperate and try to turn every play into a score.

Sportingbet are taking ‘in play’ bets on today’s Rugby League World Cup games. Their outright betting still has Australia leading the way at 1.16 - a clear cut favourite.

The WTA Tour Championships will be an interesting contest with the eight ladies divided into two groups of four. The Williams sisters feature in the Maroon group along with Dinara Safina and Elena Dementieva. The White group features Jelena Jancovic, Ana Ivanovic, Vera Zvonareva and Svetlana Kuznetsova.

In tournament betting, Jelena Jancovic heads the betting at 7/2 from Serena Williams at 4/1. Sister Venus is next at 11/2 along with Ana Ivanovic.

Today’s schedule has Vera Zvonareva playing Svetlana Kuznetsova, and Jelena Jancovic playing Ana Ivanovic in the White group whilst in the Maroon group, Venus William takes on Dinara Safina and Serena Williams playing Elene Dementieva.

Zvonareva is a slight favourite (9/10) to beat Kuznetsova (1/1); Jancovic (8/11) is favoured over Ivanovic (5/4) and Williams sisters short priced to win their events.

In other tennis news, Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the Masters Series final due to a bad knee. He is trying to rest it in preparation for the Davis Cup final against Argentina. This has created a reshuffle of the markets with Federer now favourite at 11/8, Murray second elect at 11/4. Tsonga who is in good form is at 6/1 and expected to perform well.

Sportingbet is ten years old and they are celebrating by giving you all the freebies. Check their site for what is available today along with all the latest betting odds.

Arsenal are going through a tough period and it’s not going to get much better. They face Manchester United this weekend. Before that they have a Champions League meeting with Fenerbahce on Wednesday night.

Normally I would back Arsenal without a second thought, at present I think my money is better off in my wallet.

Tuesday night starts this week matches with Liverpool at home to Atletico de Madrid. Liverpool are another team running hot and cold. Although at home Tuesday, there is not a lot of value 8/13 when your not playing well.

The other match on Tuesday has Chelsea traveling to Roma in what should be a thrilling encounter. Chelsea (6/5) have plenty of injury worries to consider and a draw (23/10) may be a good outcome. Roma are 11/4.

Manchester United take the short trip up the road to play Celtic in a traditional match that often produces surprise results. United (8/11) are starting to hit some good form and should be too strong for Celtic (9/2).

Sportingbet have a tremendous Champions League promotion running at present. Make a qualifying bet on any football match at 2.0 or better and they will give you a free prediction on the Champions League outcome. See their site for details.

The first Tuesday in November heralds the feature race on the Australian racing calendar, the Melbourne cup. Run over 3200m (2 miles), it is one of the most testing races in the southern hemisphere. The rich purse has attracted many overseas horses, however victories have been scarce.

Our own Dermott Weld is the only European trainer to bring the famous cup, Japan have won the race once, they actually brought home first and second. This year there is a heavy contingent from Britain and Ireland headed by the Sadler’s Wells breed Septimus who is currently race favourite. Sportingbet have opened their books and have Septimus quoted at 4.50 just ahead of the Luca Cumani trained Mad Rush at 5.00.

Aidan O’Brien has three horses running, Septimus, Alessandro Volta (41.00) and Honolulu (17.00). Luca Cumani has Mad Rush and Bauer (17.00). Dermott Weld is represented this year by the classy 4yo Profound Beauty (9.00).

There has been heavy betting on Profound Beauty in Melbourne with the horse firming from 16.00 to 9.00. Bauer has also been backed heavily firming from 26.00 to 17.00.

The Melbourne Cup does have a historical form profile. Horses that finish in the first five in the Caulfield Cup run well (Mad Rush finished 4th) and horses that have won the Geelong Cup perform well (Bauer won the Geelong Cup to qualify).

They say in Australia that it is the race that stops a nation and it does. This year may well see the Cup returning again to our shores, the question is, who is going to bring home?

Sportingbet is now betting on the Melbourne Cup. I suggest you get in early as there is forecast of light rain, however this may not be enough to dampen the track and the connections of Septimus are considering withdrawing him if the track is too hard. This will reduce the odds of the other horses considerably. My tip - Dermott to do it again with Profound Beauty.