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Imperial Cup (Sandown, Saturday 14.10 GMT)... The feature race this weekend is the Sunderland's Imperial Cup from Sandown, and backers hoping for some Cheltenham spending money should take a serious look at the six Martin Pipe entries
Nigel Ridgeway
12-Mar-2004
Imperial Cup (Sandown, Saturday 14.10 GMT)...
The feature race this weekend is the Sunderland's Imperial Cup from Sandown, and backers hoping for some Cheltenham spending money should take a serious look at the six Martin Pipe entries. The champion trainer has won this race five times in all, including three of the past six renewals, and all his winners have landed substantial gambles in the process. His best chances look to be with the well weighted novices Desert Air and Ilabon, with Tony McCoy's chosen mount likely to the yard's strongest contender. Desert Air looks particularly well handicapped on the form he showed when winning a Taunton novice from Thesis and Sud Bleu on his previous start. He also holds the County Hurdle engagement at Cheltenham next week, and will net connections a cool £60,000 bonus should he follow up there. The fast improving Grand Finale could be a big danger judged on his victory over course and distance last time out.
The feature race this weekend is the Sunderland's Imperial Cup from Sandown, and backers hoping for some Cheltenham spending money should take a serious look at the six Martin Pipe entries. The champion trainer has won this race five times in all, including three of the past six renewals, and all his winners have landed substantial gambles in the process. His best chances look to be with the well weighted novices Desert Air and Ilabon, with Tony McCoy's chosen mount likely to the yard's strongest contender. Desert Air looks particularly well handicapped on the form he showed when winning a Taunton novice from Thesis and Sud Bleu on his previous start. He also holds the County Hurdle engagement at Cheltenham next week, and will net connections a cool £60,000 bonus should he follow up there. The fast improving Grand Finale could be a big danger judged on his victory over course and distance last time out.
Lincoln Trial (Wolverhampton, Saturday 15.00 GMT)...
On the all weather at Wolverhampton, Vortex has a solid claim in the featured Bet Direct Lincoln Trial. The five year old, although not entered in the Lincoln proper, has been making hay in recent weeks notching a four-timer at the course. This strong travelling sort, whose come from behind style of racing makes it hard for the handicapper to get hold of him, will be well suited to the likely fast pace of Saturday's race.
On the all weather at Wolverhampton, Vortex has a solid claim in the featured Bet Direct Lincoln Trial. The five year old, although not entered in the Lincoln proper, has been making hay in recent weeks notching a four-timer at the course. This strong travelling sort, whose come from behind style of racing makes it hard for the handicapper to get hold of him, will be well suited to the likely fast pace of Saturday's race.
Channel 4 Offer...
Channel 4 cameras will again be in action from both Sandown and Wolverhampton, where our fantastic Channel 4 offer will be in operation. Back any winner at 4/1 or over in a live televised race and we will give you a free bet to the same stake (up to £50) on the next Channel 4 race. Back another winner at 4/1 or over and get another free bet in the next televised Channel 4 race! See our home page for full details.
Channel 4 cameras will again be in action from both Sandown and Wolverhampton, where our fantastic Channel 4 offer will be in operation. Back any winner at 4/1 or over in a live televised race and we will give you a free bet to the same stake (up to £50) on the next Channel 4 race. Back another winner at 4/1 or over and get another free bet in the next televised Channel 4 race! See our home page for full details.
Honda Classic Golf (starts Thursday)...
Golf backers looking to erase the memory of last week's two big-priced winners - Craig Parry (Doral) and Mark O'Meara were both unconsidered 150/1 chances - should look to a back to form David Toms this week. Toms, who shared 5th place at Doral in his first full-length tournament since a three month break following wrist surgery, will know what to expect of the course having won the Wachovia Championship at the similarly designed Quail Hollow last season. The course may be a massive 7,416 yards, but short hitters did well at Doral - only 150 yards shorter - including Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer. Florida resident Langer, was a revelation last week with a field best final 54 hole score of 199, recording his second top ten of the year in the process. His young compatriot Alex Cejka, who also played well until the last round last week, will be keen to impress the captain's eye in Ryder Cup year.
Golf backers looking to erase the memory of last week's two big-priced winners - Craig Parry (Doral) and Mark O'Meara were both unconsidered 150/1 chances - should look to a back to form David Toms this week. Toms, who shared 5th place at Doral in his first full-length tournament since a three month break following wrist surgery, will know what to expect of the course having won the Wachovia Championship at the similarly designed Quail Hollow last season. The course may be a massive 7,416 yards, but short hitters did well at Doral - only 150 yards shorter - including Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer. Florida resident Langer, was a revelation last week with a field best final 54 hole score of 199, recording his second top ten of the year in the process. His young compatriot Alex Cejka, who also played well until the last round last week, will be keen to impress the captain's eye in Ryder Cup year.
bet365 pre-tournament prices...Love 7/1, Toms 11/1, Perry 20/1, DiMarco 20/1, Langer 66/1, Cejka 66/1, others on site. Each Way - ¼ odds 1.2.3.4.5.
Man City v Man Utd (Sunday, 14.00 ko GMT)...
United's season is in danger of `coming off the rails', but after their dramatic Champion's League exit to Porto, this Saturday's trip to City will come as light relief for the Red Devils. Putting aside their problems in defence, they should have too much class for City, whose win over United last season was only their second in twenty seasons!
United's season is in danger of `coming off the rails', but after their dramatic Champion's League exit to Porto, this Saturday's trip to City will come as light relief for the Red Devils. Putting aside their problems in defence, they should have too much class for City, whose win over United last season was only their second in twenty seasons!
United to win 3-1 at 12/1, Paul Scholes to score first at 5/1 - 50/1 Scorecast!
bet365 match odds...City 3/1, Draw 12/5, United 4/5. Full match betting on site.
Southampton v Liverpool (Sunday 16.05 ko GMT)...
Liverpool, who are in action against Marseille on Thursday, could be forgiven if this game doesn't get their full attention. With their average away record, and the fact that they have already lost to the Saints this season, it is hard to put the Reds up as winners with any confidence. Saying that it is hard to be confident about a Southampton win either - they have a poor record against teams in the top half of the league (4 out of 14!). This fixture has been drawn twice in the last five years, so a stalemate is the percentage call.
Liverpool, who are in action against Marseille on Thursday, could be forgiven if this game doesn't get their full attention. With their average away record, and the fact that they have already lost to the Saints this season, it is hard to put the Reds up as winners with any confidence. Saying that it is hard to be confident about a Southampton win either - they have a poor record against teams in the top half of the league (4 out of 14!). This fixture has been drawn twice in the last five years, so a stalemate is the percentage call.
Draw at 9/4, with Kevin Phillips to score the first goal at 6/1.
Bet365 match odds...Southampton 9/5, Draw 9/4, Liverpool 7/4. Full match betting on site.
Bet both the games In-Running including: Total Goals; Match Winner; Next Goal; Next Card; Total Corners; Total Bookings; and Correct Score.
Premiership Accumulator Offer...
This weekend, and for the rest of the season, bet365 are offering the following bonuses to straight accumulators involving Premiership teams:-
This weekend, and for the rest of the season, bet365 are offering the following bonuses to straight accumulators involving Premiership teams:-
4-folds-5% bonus 5-folds-10% bonus
6-folds-20% bonus 7-folds-30% bonus
8-folds-40% bonus 9-folds-50% bonus
10-folds-a whopping 60% bonus!!!
West Indies v England - 1st Test (starts Thursday, 14.30 GMT)...
The battle for the Wisden Trophy commences in Jamaica on Thursday, but history is against holders England who are bidding to break a 36-year winless streak in the Caribbean. The West Indies are themselves coming off a losing overseas Tour, but are likely to be a different proposition on home soil. Since the 1970's they have only lost to Australia (twice), South Africa and New Zealand, and have not lost at the venue for the 1st Test since 1998 when England were last on Tour. On the other hand, England have enjoyed a decent warm-up to the Series, and come here on the back of a gutsy display against Sri Lanka, despite being outclassed, taking the Series to the final match. Their more experienced bowling attack, combined with an adequate batting line-up could just earn Michael Vaughan's side a draw.
The battle for the Wisden Trophy commences in Jamaica on Thursday, but history is against holders England who are bidding to break a 36-year winless streak in the Caribbean. The West Indies are themselves coming off a losing overseas Tour, but are likely to be a different proposition on home soil. Since the 1970's they have only lost to Australia (twice), South Africa and New Zealand, and have not lost at the venue for the 1st Test since 1998 when England were last on Tour. On the other hand, England have enjoyed a decent warm-up to the Series, and come here on the back of a gutsy display against Sri Lanka, despite being outclassed, taking the Series to the final match. Their more experienced bowling attack, combined with an adequate batting line-up could just earn Michael Vaughan's side a draw.
bet365's 1st Test prices...West Indies 7/4, England 9/4, Draw 5/4.
bet365's Series prices...West Indies 21/20, England 2/1, Draw 5/2.
bet365 have 5 In Running markets to bet on: Match Winner; Next Man Out; Next Wicket Method; Batsman Runs; and Total Innings Runs.
Be lucky
Nigel
Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.