Get in the Game UK

The gap between Martin Pipe and Paul Nichols at the top of the National Hunt trainers table was dramatically reduced after the formers Haydock double at the weekend, courtesy of Jurancon and Upgrade. With only a few grand now separating the pair, the race could go to the wire (season ends April 24th), although results at Cheltenham and at the Grand National meeting will have a large say in the destiny of the title. Pipe looks to have a live candidate for the National in Jurancon, after he galloped his rivals into submission, and is now a 20/1 shot here at bet365!

Vodafone Gold Cup... With over 100k to the winner Paul Nichols will be keen to bag this weekend's Vodafone Gold Cup at Newbury (15.30 GMT), and he looks to have a great chance in the shape of Exit Swinger. Set to carry only 10st 10lb, he showed that his second to Edredon Bleu was no fluke by winning a decent conditions race at Wincanton last time out. A big danger, providing his jumping holds up, will be Henry Daly's Hand In Hand. This one appeared to put his previous jumping problems behind him with an emphatic Ascot win last time, and must go well providing the ground isn't too fast. In the same race Cyfor Malta may not be the horse he once was, but on his day he is a class performer who is capable of going fresh, so don't rule him out on his first run back since December.

On the same card keep an eye out for Desert Air (14.20 GMT), a lightly raced novice who appears to be well treated on his handicap debut. His trainer Martin Pipe is well adept at placing these types of horses, and it would not be a surprise to see him go the Imperial Cup/County Hurdle route with this one, so Saturday's race should be a step on to better things. Pipe's Celtic Son is also worth a look in the concluding bumper (flat race), after travelling well on his debut until the lack of a recent run took its toll.

Doncaster/Kelso... At Doncaster, Grey Abbey looks well treated for his return to fences in the Grimthorpe Chase (14.35 GMT), after looking as good as ever with a fluent success over hurdles last time. This front running grey stays the trip well and certainly won't mind the drying ground. Kelso stage a valuable card on Saturday, and this has not escaped the attention of Paul Nicholls who is set to make the long journey to the course with several runners. His best chance may lie with Tragic Ohio in the Tote Exacta Premier Hurdle (16.05), although Nicky Richards has had this race in mind for Steppes Of Gold all season. This one is unbeaten after three runs, and is expected to improve again on the anticipated good ground.

Channel 4 Offer... Channel 4 cameras will be showing six races from Newbury and Doncaster on Saturday. Remember, back the winner of any of these races at 4/1 or over and we will give you a free bet to the same stake (up to £50) on the next Channel 4 race. If your free bet also wins at 4/1 or over you get another free bet on the next televised race!

Ford Championship Golf... The PGA Tour moves east this week for the first event in the `Florida Swing'. With both Tiger Woods and Ernie Els in action in Dubai, and only 15 of the world's top 25 players in the field, this looks a good opportunity for Jesper Parnevik to gain his first win in nearly two years. Ok, so you have to ignore his last two competitive rounds of 83-74 at Riviera, but he has since had a week off and on his top-tens here in 1996 and 2002 he must have a good chance. His ability to handle the Bermuda grass greens - he is a Florida resident - will also stand him in good stead, which is more that can be said for some of the market leaders. There is no doubt that Phil Mickleson is back to his brilliant best judged on his performances this season, but he has little success in the State of Florida, and has never been better than 20th here in 5 attempts! Last week's Tucson winner Heath Slocum could go well again here (5th here last year), while Bob Tway's excellent course record should get him into the shake-up.

Dubai Desert Classic... Tiger will have his supporters after bouncing back to form last week, but it remains to be seen if he can cope with the mental fatigue of having played 7 rounds of eye-to-eye matchplay golf, combined with an 18 hour flight from the US. On the contrary, Ernie Els comes here fresh after a week off, and boasts a record on the course of 8th, 1st, 7th, 3rd, 1st and 2nd. He looks the real deal here this week!

Portsmouth v Arsenal (Saturday, 18.00 GMT ko)... Setting aside their Carling Cup defeats to Middlesbrough, when you'd have to question their commitment, the Gunners domestic run has reached nine, with them scoring at least two goals on each occasion. Pompey might draw some encouragement form their 1-1 draw at Highbury back in September, but this was at a time when Redknapp's team were flying high and unbeaten in the Premiership! They have are now hovering just above the relegation zone, but more to the point will not be anywhere near full strength for this game, with last week's goal scoring hero Lua Lua cup-tied. All in all it is hard to see the Gunners passing up this opportunity to reach the semis and maybe winning three successive FA Cups!

Celtic v Rangers (Sunday, 12.00 GMT ko)... Rangers' domestic treble last season must seem light years away now, and Sunday's match is their last chance to salvage something out of this season. Unfortunately for the Light Blues they must face an in-form Celtic at a venue they have not won at since 2000. Martin O'Neil's men have outscored Rangers heavily in the SPL this season, with top gun Larsson accounting for both Mols nad Arveladze on his own, and have averaged two goals a game over their last 18 encounters with Rangers.

Six Nations... England take on Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday (16.00 GMT ko), in what looks a tough game for the host side. Ireland only make the one change from the side that comprehensively beat Wales 36-15 s fortnight ago, when they were quick off the blocks, scoring two tries within 15 minutes to race into a 14-3 lead. England will have to come out fighting from the kick off if they are to overcome their 21-point handicap.

Super 12's Tournament... Crusaders coach Robbie Deans has picked three All Black first five-eighths in his backline for Saturday's Super 12 clash with the Reds in Brisbane (9.45 GMT ko). Andrew Mehrtens - the leading points-scorer in New Zealand's Test history - will start at No.10, with Dan Carter at second five-eighth and Aaron Mauger at centre. The Crusaders, who have won the Super 12 on four occasions, are currently in joint 11th place on the Super 12 table with the Hurricanes, having suffered two home defeats on successive weekends - first to the Waratahs (43-19) and then to the Blues (39-28).

Be lucky.

Nigel