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Ante-post action

Best Mate's dominance of the top staying chases could well be under threat after a succession of fine performances last weekend; in particular the win of Keen Leader at Haydock took the eye. Keen Leader's connections are reluctant to commit their horse to the King George on Boxing Day at this stage, but he will be a threat to all if allowed to take his chance (currently 6/1). Meanwhile Kingscliff continued his climb up the chasing tree with an impressive performance at Cheltenham last Friday, and he now looks serious Gold Cup material at 8/1 - and Christmas could come early if he is turned out again for Ascot's Silver Cup on Saturday.

Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle

Trainer Paul Nichols looks to have a strong hand for the Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle at Ascot on the same card, with both the top-weight Rigmarole and Sud Bleu likely runners at this stage. On paper Rigmarole looks to be a blot on the handicap after his win in the Bula Hurdle at the weekend; however, the race was run at a crawl, and the form should not be taken literally. He will give a good account, but may find the weight concession (19lbs) to the Hughie Morrison-trained Tom Paddington beyond him. Formerly a useful stayer on the flat and still unexposed over hurdles after only four runs, Tom Paddington ran on strongly to win a Newbury handicap by 2½ lengths back in November, and looks good each way value at the current 7/1. Back in second that day, having his first run of the season, was Sud Bleu - he looks the likely danger on Saturday at around 10/1.

Channel 4 Offer

Trainer Howard Johnson is in cracking form and could notch a double at Newcastle on Saturday with the exciting novice chaser Lord Transcend, owned by local hero Alan Shearer, and the progressing Covent Garden. Also worth keeping an eye on is the improving Ulusaba, from the Ferdie Murphy yard, and Murphy expects his charge to improve on his debut second with the addition of blinkers. Channel 4 cameras will be covering four races from the meeting, as well as four from Warwick. Back a winner at 4/1 or over in any of the live televised races and bet365 will give you a free bet to the same stake on the next live Channel 4 race.

Cardiff v Millwall (Sat, 1230 GMT) / Reading v Crystal Palace (Sat, 1735 GMT)

Both live Division One games this weekend have the look of home wins. Cardiff, just outside the playoff zone, should have too much firepower for Millwall. Their top striker Robert Earnshaw has been rampant this season, while only Coventry have had more shots on target in the league this season than City. An Earnshaw first goal and a 3-0 win for Cardiff combines for a tasty Scorecast at 35/1. Reading completed the double over Crystal Palace last season and can take the first leg this season - back them to be leading at Half Time and Full Time at 8/5!

Southampton v Portsmouth (Sun, 1230 GMT)

Southampton's confidence must be sky-high after collecting maximum points from their last three games. Pompey, in comparison, have taken only one point from five games, and they must feel as if their season is slipping away from them. Gordon Strachan's men look good for a home win here at 8/11, with Brett Ormerod, who looked sharp in the recent Liverpool game, the most likely First Goalscorer at 11/2.

Tottenham v Manchester United (Sun, 1605 GMT)

Successive home wins have at least put Tottenham back on track this season, and they are currently only six points from an UEFA Cup place. However, the congested nature of the Premiership also means they are also only two points off the drop zone! They are unlikely to have improved their position after Sunday's live home game against United. White Hart Lane has been a happy hunting ground for Fergie's men, who have won their last seven games against Spurs. Short at 8/13, much better value can be had by backing United to win by two or more goals at 6/4 in our Winning Margin market. Ruud van Nistelrooy has scored in both of his two previous visits here, while Paul Scholes is back in form after a couple of headers in midweek. Back them both in a Scorecast bet with a 3-0 scoreline, and you are looking at 35/1 and 60/1 respectively.

Bet In Running on the above game this weekend, including: Total Goals; Match Winner; Next Goal; Next Card; Total Corners; Total Bookings; and Correct Score

Pool's version of the Ryder Cup starts on Thursday (19.00 GMT), and here at bet365 we make the US side strong favourites at 1/3 on home soil (Europe 9/4). Bet365 will be betting In Running throughout the televised stages of this event.

Sri Lanka v England / New Zealand v Pakistan

It was disappointing to watch England not chase down the 368 runs required at Kandy after tipping them to win the second Test at 5/1. They could then have been 1-0 up going into the final match at the Sinhalese Sports Club, which started on Thursday (0430 GMT), on a pitch that is likely to favour them. After ten days of almost continuous rain, preparing a pitch for the first Test between New Zealand and Pakistan (starting Thursday 2200GMT) must have been difficult. The last game played there lasted 177 overs - or two days rather than the expected five - with a top team score of 160. With the weather unlikely to improve much we go 7/4 New Zealand, 13/8 Pakistan, and 13/8 the draw.

Bet both matches In Running including: Match Winner; Next Man Out; Next Wicket Method (catch, lbw etc); Total Innings Runs; and Batsman Runs (new market)

Australia v India

India's performance in winning the second Test against Australia was remarkable considering the Aussies' first-innings score of 558. Backers of Australia to win the Series at 1/8 will be praying they can turn it around in the last two matches, beginning with the clash at Melbourne on Boxing Day. Now at 2/1, Australia could still represent some value (India 13/8, 6/4 Draw).

Be lucky!