Online Betting Pro, Author at Free Bets And Sports News.

Might Bite can strike for Henderson at Cheltenham

Posted on 2015-04-14 by Online Betting Pro

The National Hunt season is in its final stages and the clock is running down on Tony McCoy’s magnificent career. The twenty times Champion jockey produced a power-packed finish to win on Un Ace at Ascot recently and he has a chance to repeat the dose on Wednesday.

Kim Bailey’s gelding looked well beaten until Royal Regatta began to tie up in front of him. This is a very quick return to action for Un Ace but he only has three rivals. The pick of them looks to be Cloud Creeper who was very impressive last time out at Leicester on softer ground.

The feature race is the Teenage Cancer Trust Silver Trophy at 3.50. There are three course winners in the field and preference is for Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Caid Du Berlais. He can be forgiven his pulled up next time as he slithered to a halt after jumping the water. He is better judged on his big race form and the Nicholls team are ending the season in fine form.

The best bet of the day could be Nicky Henderson’s Might Bite in the opening novices’ hurdle. He won very easily at Newbury last time over a similar trip and looks one to follow. Financial Climate doesn’t know how to run a bad race and represents the Grand National winning trainer Oliver Sherwood in the 2.40.

Sean Bowen enjoyed his first Grand National ride aboard Mon Parrain for Nicholls on Saturday and he has a winning opportunity on San Benedeto in the 5.30. He was long odds-on when getting off the mark last time out and this is a lot more competitive but he seems to have got in on a lenient weight.

Bowen qualified to ride in the National with only days to spare but rode two trebles to show that he is a young rider going places. He can enhance his reputation with a Cheltenham winner here.

Races don’t come much tougher to sort out than the twenty-runner Novices’ Hurdle at 4.25. The bookmakers were going 8-1 the field on Tuesday evening and that says it all. New Horizons stuck on well last time out for Henderson and is a tentative selection while Polamco would not be out of it if you forget his poor run last time.

Might Bite 2.05 @11-8 Ladbrokes

Financial Climate 2.40 @6-1 BetVictor

Greybougg 3.15 @13-2 BetVictor

Caid Du Berlais 3.50 @6-1 Ladbrokes

New Horizons 4.25 @6-1 Ladbrokes

Un Ace 5.00 @5-4 Bet365

San Benedeto @7-4 Coral

Faydhan to stake Guineas claim at Newmarket

Posted on 2015-04-142015-04-14 by Online Betting Pro

The Craven meeting gets under way at Newmarket on Wednesday with a fascinating eight-race card. All eyes will be on 2000 Guineas second favourite Faydhan, trained by John Gosden. He created a big impression with a six lengths victory on his debut over Dutch Connection at Haydock.

That was way back in July last year and he was unable to race again at two due to injury. Gosden has elected to go for the seven furlong Free Handicap rather than the Craven over a mile. His four rivals don’t look Guineas class and it will be a major surprise if he is beaten.

The fillies take centre stage with the Nell Gwyn Stakes at 4.05. There are some proven performers in here and a couple of unbeaten fillies with great potential. Marsh Hawk is probably the pick of the field on two-year-old form but more likely classic contenders are Beautiful Romance and Lady Correspondent.

Godolphin’s Beautiful Romance won in the style of a staying filly on her debut and looks more of an Oaks prospect. I’m just going to side with Gosden’s Lady Correspondent who won a decent maiden in good style and will be ridden by Ryan Moore.

Moore has an excellent book of rides and can also take the £100,000 Tattersalls Millions Sprint aboard The Warrior for Aidan O’Brien. He may be more exposed than some of his rivals but I liked the way he sliced through a big field first time out and he will lack nothing for fitness.

Richard Fahey has a high opinion of Akeed Champion who disappointed in soft ground on his second start last season. He can make amends in the opener while it is difficult to oppose Brocklesby winner Ravenhoe in the two-year-old race.

The Feilden Stakes sometimes throws up a classic contender and there are some promising colts in action including the Queen’s Peacock. It is dangerous backing all-weather form on the turf but Festive Fare looked very good last time and can win this for Godolphin. Disegno and Golden Horn are others to consider in another excellent contest.

Whatever happens to Golden Horn, Storm The Stars should run well in the maiden. He was just edged out by the Gosden horse last time and still holds some ambitious entries. The closing handicap looks wide open but it may be worth taking a chance on Navigate who improved with every race as a juvenile.

Akeed Champion 1.45 @2-1 Betfair

Ravenhoe 2.20 @6-4 Bet365

The Warrior 2.55 @9-4 Stan James

Faydhan 3.30 @4-9 Coral

Lady Correspondent 4.05 @5-1 William Hill

Festive Fare 4.40 @3-1 Coral

Storm The Stars 5.10 @2-1 Paddy Power

Navigate 5.40 @12-1 Bet365

Many Clouds battles to Grand National glory

Posted on 2015-04-13 by Online Betting Pro

The Grand National produced another thrilling finish with Many Clouds holding off Saint Are. Monbeg Dude managed to salvage some each-way money from our ante-post portfolio in third with Alvarado in fourth for a second consecutive year.

The main story was Leighton Aspell winning back-to-back Grand Nationals after Pineau De Re in 2014. The winner carried 11st 9lbs and was making a quick reappearance after finishing a disappointing sixth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Most pundits shared the trainer’s view that perhaps he was past his peak for the season but owner Trevor Hemmings stuck to his guns and was rewarded with a third National triumph.

Alvarado’s effort in finishing fourth under Paul Moloney was maintaining a remarkable record of the Rucker family. They have now finished placed in the last seven Grand Nationals through State Of Play, Cappa Bleu and Alvarado. When you consider how easily things can go wrong, it is quite astonishing that Moloney has managed to weave his way around Aintree seven years in a row.

The fairytale ending for Tony McCoy looked a possibility at one stage but the champion jockey was sending out distress signals as soon as Aspell committed for home. The best news of all was that all horses and jockeys returned safely, although Balthazar King did suffer some painful injuries. I’m afraid that our Irish duo of Cause Of Causes and Spring Heeled never got into the race and did not look like Aintree naturals.

The horse which caught my eye for next year was definitely The Druids Nephew. His fall was desperately unlucky, just failing to get his under-carriage in place and slithering along the deck. That usually happens when horses are travelling so well that they over-jump. It was bad luck for Aidan Coleman who must have been starting to believe he was going to taste National glory having given up the ride on Mon Mome in 2009.

Of course the weights are key to the National but we’ve seen horses like West Tip and Hedgehunter come back a year older and wiser. I wouldn’t be surprised if The Druids Nephew is trained for the race again in 2016 and 25-1 does not look too bad. If Many Clouds returns he is almost certain to be carrying top weight. His National run suggests that he has a leading chance in next year’s Gold Cup.

The Druids Nephew 2016 Grand National @25-1 Skybet

Super 15 Rugby Results Round 9 2015

Posted on 2015-04-13 by Online Betting Pro

Super 15 Rugby Results Round 9 2015, catch all the results from the latest round and see how your predictions played out. We picked 50% of the results, not our best weekend of picks thanks to some upsets.

Super 15 Rugby Results Round 9 2015

Blues (16) v (14) Brumbies

Conference and league leader’s cellar dwellers the Blues hosted the Brumbies in Auckland. This game was potentially a banana skin for the boys from ACT as the Blues were due for a win. The game relatively messy in the first quarter with errors from both and ill discipline from the Brumbies allowing Dan Bowden to sink some easy penalties (4^th and 7^th). Bowden was at it again close to the break after the Blues had an attacking scrum 15 out with a huge open side to attack they spun it wide then some grinding work and good patience by the forwards close in was awarded moments later as Bowden took a beautiful gap beating the tackler to dive over (34^th). The second 40 started much like the first, the Brumbies finally getting on the board with Leali’ifano slotting a penalty (45^th). Some excellent patience, phase play, and ruck work saw the Brumbies put together 25 phases of hard grinding work close to the line, credit the Blues for strong goal line defense which was eventually sucked in and Nic White simply spun it wide for Taliauli to dot down uncontested (56^th). Leali’ifano hitting a couple more penalties for ill discipline late in the game from the Blues (67^th & 73^rd) and Ihaia West (77^th) bringing the deficit to two. The Brumbies had a chance in 79^th minute to take the game as the Blues front row was penalized 50m out for collapsing the scrum. Nic White, renowned for hitting long buzzer beaters couldn’t convert; Blues pick up their first win of the season.

Hurricanes
Tries – D. Bowden
Pen – D. Bowden 2, I. West
Con – D. Bowden

Brumbies
Tries – L. Taliauli
Pen – C. Leali’ifano 3

Canterbury Crusaders (20) v (25) Otago Highlanders

The Crusaders hosted the Highlanders, a local derby with both teams showing good form and exciting running rugby of late. The sure boot of Sopoaga put the visitors on the board first (5^th) but the Crusaders were quick to reply with some hard running and quick recycling putting the fringe attack on the front foot, Nadolo attracting 3 defenders 10 out, offloaded nicely for Todd to crash over in the corner (7^th). Sopoaga was also binned for a shoulder charge leading up to the try. An attacking Crusaders scrum 10 out was held nicely by the Highlanders, Nadolo taking the ball close, beating the first two tacklers, taken down 5 out and Taufua performing an excellent scoop and dive to dot down uncontested (19^th). Sopoaga was out of the bin to convert a penalty (23^rd). An aimless kick from the Crusaders was punished as the Highlanders counterattacked from inside their own half seeing Sopoaga get inside some forwards and offload nicely for Ben Smith to run away 4o out and dot down (38^th). Into the second half what looked to be a promising Crusaders attack was cut short by a perfectly timed interception by Naholo who raced to dot down (44^th). Naholo was at it again after a line out 5m out was spun infield and the Crusaders followed suit expecting the Highlanders to continue left but Aaron Smith ran right and spun it out wide where Nadolo cruised over uncontested (50^th). Slade replied with a penalty after some good pressure from the Crusaders (56^th), the second half proving to be a physical battle with both teams cancelling each other out with solid defense. Slade hit another penalty (76^th) but were still 5 points behind with 3 minutes to go, Higlanders holding on with possession to kick it out for the win.

Crusaders
Tries – M. Todd, J. Taufua
Pen – C. Slade 2
Con – I. Dagg, C. Slade

Highlanders
Tries – B. Smith, W. Naholo 2
Pen – L. Sopoaga 2
Con – L. Sopoaga 2

New South Wales Waratahs (18) v (32) Stormers

The Waraths at home, well rested after their bye week face a Stormers outfit who have been on the wrong side of a tough battles with the Highlands and Hurricanes but have looked progressively better each week. Catrakilis opened the Stormers account early taking the points with a converted penalty (6^th). But the hosts replied through a great run from Beale and Folau out wide for Folau to feed a rampaging Naiyaravoro 22 who beat 3 defenders to dive over in the corner (12^th). The Stormers pressing forward through their left hand channel sucking the Tahs defense in 5 out, some great hands back to the right hand side giving the Stormers and overlap and another 5 points courtesy of de Allende (20^th). Moments before halftime the Waratahs retained possession and pressure meters out from the line replicating the Stormers previous offense sucking the men in and feeding it wide to Horne who battled his way over (39^th). Inside of halftime an excellent chip kick bounced favorably for van Wyk who raced away from 50 out to dot down (46^th). Excellent defense from the Stormers smothered the Waratahs attack and nullified their playmakers around the field, de Jongh getting a hand out to intercept a Tahs attack fed de Allende on his inside who ran away 40 out for 2^nd of the night (70^th). A Waratahs knock on just outside the Stormers 22 was scooped up by Kolbe who raced away to seal the victory for an impressive Stormers (76^th).

Waratahs
Tries – T. Naiyaravoro, R. Horne
Pen – B. Foley 2
Con – B. Foley

Stormers
Tries – D. de Allende 2, J. van Wyk, C. Kolbe
Pen – D. Catrakilis, K. Coleman
Con – D. Catrakilis 2

Western Force (15) v (24) Free State Cheetahs

A desperate Western Force host the Cheetahs in Perth, the Force on a six game losing streak and the Cheetahs sitting at the bottom of the South African conference. The Cheetahs first to open their account with wing Raymond Rhule dotting down after some sustain pressure from the Cheetahs pack early (5^th). The Force worked their way close to the line and replied with a try to Luke Morahan who was on the end of a beautiful offload from Dane Haylett-Petty (14^th). The Force were dominant through the first half but could not convert on their possession, two penalties rounded the half out (Pietersen 36^th and Burton 38^th). The Force brought an unexpected approach to the 2^nd 40 with an all in driving maul crashing that could not be stopped, Chris Alcock claiming the spoils (42^nd). Pietersen took the points (46^th) and a drop goal (49^th) to make a 1 point game, the Force still dominant but lacking discipline. Brussow was over next with a dive close to the line (67^th) and Pietersen slotting the conversion making it a 6 point game. The Force failing to capitalize on possession and opportunities gifted Pietersen another easy 3 points with a penalty (76^th) which put the game out of reach for the hosts, sweet victory for the Cheetahs.

Force
Tries – L. Morahan, C. Alcock
Pen – L. Burton
Con – L. Burton

Cheetahs
Tries – R. Rhule, H. Brussow
Pen – J. Pietersen 3
Con – J. Pietersen

D/Goal – J. Pietersen

Lions (23) v (21) Sharks

The Sharks coming off a drubbing courtesy of the Crusaders and the loss of key personnel through injuries and suspension, the Lions a hard fought win over the Bulls last round. The Lions took points on offer early on after some good pressure, Jantjies (9^th and 18^th) but the Sharks were quick to reply with Renaldo Bothma crashing through to open the Sharks account (20^th). Mvovo outran the Lions defense for their second, the speedster getting an overlap which he took full advantage of (31^st). Before half time the Lions replacement wing Howard Mnisi dove over to open his account (39^th). The Sharks starting slow in the second 40 leaked 2 tries inside 6 minutes to Frans de Klerk (43^rd) and Harold Vorster (46^th). A quality battle resumed for the rest of the game, whilst not high scoring the game see-sawed with the Sharks getting the better of possession but unable to capitalize with the Lions showing a lot of heart on defense. Thomas du Toit did break the Lions hold crashing over (77^th) with Zeilinga converting. Zeilinga did have an opportunity to convert an ambitious penalty on full time but his went wide, Lions taking the victory.

Lions
Tries – H. Mnisi, F. de Klerk, H. Vorster
Pen – E. Jantjies 2
Con – E. Jantjies

Sharks
Tries – R. Bothma, L. Mvovo, T. du Toit
Con – F. Zeilinga 3

Bulls (43) v (22) Queensland Reds

Loftus Versfeld hosted the Bulls and Reds, both sides coming off loses last round with the Reds injury toll climbing. The Bulls running the ball like they did against the Crusaders 2 weekends ago, Hougaard picking up the first try of the night (7^th). Lachlan Turner was quick to reply as makeshift fly half Nick Frisby got a good bounce of the ball to offload pre tackle to Turner who gassed the Bulls 40 out (15^th). The Bulls hot on attack replied minutes later with Spies crashing over close to the line (17^th). Hougaard added to his tally running away for another try catching the Reds asleep to round the half out (34^th). A fired up Reds outfit came out all guns blazing in early stages of the second half with Genia capitalizing on some good work from the forwards and lazy ruck time defense to crash through from 10 out (45^th). Minutes later Genia put through a pin point grubber 5 out and Frisby claimed the spoils diving over (47^th). The Reds losing their momentum when Adam Thompson was binned 3 minutes later for collapsing a maul and the Bulls took full advantage with Marcel van der Merwe being on the end of a man overlap to dot down (52^nd). A huge bust from Samu Kerevi up the centre saw the big man run 45m only to be taken around the ankles but quick ruck time play saw Marco Kotze dive over (56^th). Odendaal caught the Reds napping on the line as he darted through the fringe of the ruck to dive over (59^th) and van Zyl replicated that try again catching the Reds napping (68^th) to close the game out.

Bulls
Tries – F. Hougaard 2, M. Van der Merwe, B. Odendaal, P. van Zyl
Pen – J. Potgieter 4
Con – J. Potgieter 3, T. Schoeman 2

Reds
Tries – L. Turner, W. Genia, N. Frisby, M.Kotze
Con – L. Turner

2015 F1 Chinese Grand Prix Preview

Posted on 2015-04-11 by Online Betting Pro

Sebastian Vettel showed the world that Lewis Hamilton won’t necessarily be cruising to another World Championship title this year, with a comfortable victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix a fortnight ago.

Despite that, Lewis Hamilton managed to claim pole position for the third time this season in Saturday’s qualifying, with Vettel having to settle for a third position, behind Hamilton’s Mercedes’ team-mate, Nico Rosberg.

The big question now is: can Ferrari maintain their impressive pace from a wet and humid Sepang in the cooler climes of Shanghai?

After a difficult year with Red Bull, Vettel is looking much more comfortable in his Ferrari – and let’s not forget that this is the man who won four consecutive Driver’s Championships between 2010 and 2013 – clocking up a joint record of a remarkable 13 wins in 2013.

Hamilton, meanwhile, also had pole position in Shanghai last year and held onto his lead to be first past the checkered flag. Indeed, last year’s victory was his third in Shanghai – making him the most successful driver ever at this Grand Prix. But can the Brit repeat that success this year?

Nico Rosberg was just 0.042 off Hamilton in qualifying, and he’ll be desperate to get one over on his team-mate to show that Mercedes’ isn’t all about Hamilton. Vettel, despite taking third, was nearly a second behind the pair.

Ahead of the race, Vettel said: “China is a unique event. It’s a crazy track and crazy conditions, and anything can happen there but for sure, we will be very happy to go there after the great success in Sepang.”

2015 Chinese Grand Prix Starting Grid

Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
Nico Rosberg – Mercedes
Sebastian Vettel – Ferrari
Felipe Massa – Williams
Valtteri Bottas – Williams
Kimi Raikkonen – Ferrari

Prediction

It looks like it’ll be another three-horse race in Shanghai, with most eyes focussed upon the battle between Hamilton and Vettel. But let’s not forget Rosberg amongst all of this. The German is unquestionably a world class driver and was just a shade behind Hamilton in qualifying.

There’s no real value in backing Lewis Hamilton to win at around 3/10 at most bookies, so your focus would be better placed with either Rosberg at 4/1 or Vettel at 12/1 (both at William Hill). However, Rosberg showed a lot more sharpness in qualifying and he’ll be eager to get his first win of the season here – so he’s my pick.

Tip:

Nico Rosberg – 4/1 at William Hill

Chinese F1 Race Details:

Track: Shanghai International Circuit

Start Time: 07:00 GMT Sunday (14:00 local)

Laps: 56

Track Length: 5.541

Tyre Allocation: Medium (white) and Soft (yellow)

Lap Record: Michael Schumacher – 1:32.238 (Ferrari; 2004)

2015 Monte Carlo Masters Preview

Posted on 2015-04-112015-04-11 by Online Betting Pro

After winning the first two ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles of the year, can Novak Djokovic continue his supremacy in the Monte Carlo Masters as the clay season gets underway?

A strong field is lined-up, with 16 of the top 20 players in men’s tennis set to take part. Although Andy Murray – finalist at the last ATP Masters tournament in Miami – is a notable absentee as he will be getting married.

Novak Djokovic – 6/4 at Betfred

Djokovic is the man of the moment. Dominating the ATP Masters tour to date, and soaring clear as number one in the world.

The French Open has thus far evaded the Serbian – the only major that has – and he will be eager to wrench that title from Rafael Nadal’s almighty grip when the tournament gets underway in May. There’s a strong correlation between success at the Monte Carlo Masters and the French Open though – in that the winner at the Monte Carlo Masters tends to duplicate that success at Roland Garros – although that is based almost solely on Nadal’s dominance.

Djokovic did end Nadal’s stronghold on the Monte Carlo Masters in 2013 when he beat him in the final, however he crashed out at the semi-final stage to Roger Federer last year.

There’s no doubt that Djokovic is the man to beat here, although he does lie in the same half of the draw as Nadal – potentially lining up an epic semi-final encounter.

Rafael Nadal – 15/8 at 888sport

Much like the French Open – which is also played on clay – Rafael Nadal has been the dominant force at the Monte Carlo Masters for the best part of a decade, winning the tournament for a remarkable eight consecutive years from 2005 to 2012.

Nadal’s reign of terror in Monte Carlo ended in 2013 after being defeated by Novak Djokovic in the final, while he slumped to a disappointing quarter-final straight sets defeat to compatriot David Ferrer at last year’s competition.

The Majorcian left-hander is struggling to get back to anywhere near his peak form after a couple of injury-blighted years, suffering a quarter-final defeat to Milos Raonic at the Indian Wells Masters and a shock third-round loss to fellow Spaniard, Fernando Verdasco in the Miami Open.

He needs to start finding his form soon if he wants retain his French Open title to make it a remarkable 10^th title in 11 years at Roland Garros.

Roger Federer – 5/1 at Unibet

Remarkably – despite reaching the final four times – Roger Federer has never won the Monte Carlo Masters.

He must have thought he was finally going to break his duck when he went one set up and reached a tie-break in the second against Stanislas Wawrinka in the final last year, but his compatriot managed to turn the tie on its head and win the trophy after all.

There could be a re-run of that final at the quarter-final stage this year, as Federer and Wawrinka lie in the same section of the draw. If he can by-pass Wawrinka though, you’d expect him to reach the final, where he would likely meet Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal who are on the same half of the draw.

Author: Online Betting Pro