Author: Online Betting Pro

I am a punter that loves to follow the horse both in Australia and the United Kingdom. I enjoy writing about sports betting and also casino, poker and bingo. In my spare time I like to keep fit by playing football and going for long bike rides. I also like to travel the world and see amazing place s and meet wonderful people along the way.

Grand National Blog – Déjà vu for Punters at Aintree

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Aintree Day 1 Report

The last flight fall of Arctic Fire in the Aintree Hurdle was strangely reminiscent of last month’s demise of odds-on favourite Annie Power at Cheltenham. Once again it was the Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh combination seemingly set to strike a blow for the punters before disaster struck at the last hurdle.

His departure left the race at the mercy of Jezki and Tony McCoy but the best news was that both horse and rider escaped unscathed. McCoy would later be in the wars himself when Ned Buntline came down in the sixth race. The champion jockey was immediately back up on his feet and able to fling his helmet to the ground in disgust.

It was a day of mixed fortunes for punters with Nina Carberry never giving her supporters an anxious moment when taking the Fox Hunter Chase with On The Fringe. Silviniaco Conti was preferred in the market to Holywell and duly reversed the Cheltenham Gold Cup under Noel Fehily. Punters could have ended the day in profit had Call The Cops held off the late thrust of Taglietelle in the closing handicap hurdle. Bookmakers had little to complain about in the other races with Clarcam (5-1), All Yours (16-1) and Surf And Turf (33-1).

Grand National Latest

There has been little activity worthy of note in the Grand National market with Shutthefrontdoor a general 7-1 favourite ahead of Rocky Creek and Balthazar King at 10-1 and The Druids Nephew at 14-1. Gordon Elliott will certainly be growing in confidence ahead of Cause Of Causes run in Saturday’s race after a first day double courtesy of Clarcam and Taglietelle.

A few late jockey bookings for the National include Brian Hughes on Ely Brown, Brendan Powell on Royale Knight, Tom Cannon on Wyck Hill and Liam Treadwell on Monbeg Dude. The four reserves have only until 9am tomorrow for any of the top forty to come out.

Special Offers

The best Grand National offers at present are each-way down to sixth place from BetVictor and half of your stake back as a free bet for Bet365 customers (applies to all each-way bets on the National up to a maximum of £125 per customer). If you are intending opening a Coral account, they will pay out on the Grand National winner at treble the odds for new customers. Full details on their respective websites.

Super 15 Rugby Round Nine Preview

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Super 15 Rugby Round Nine Preview

Round eight provided little in the way of upsets; the Lions beating the Bulls at the death would’ve ruined some punters picks and perhaps the Crusaders demolition of the Sharks was unexpected for some. All the games previewed for round nine as follows.

 

Auckland Blues v ACT Brumbies

Blues – $2.05

Brumbies – $1.70

A winless Blues outfit returns home looking to get their first win of the season, the challenge ahead is an inform Brumbies who look well structured and disciplined. For the Blues, Luatua is dropped to the bench; it seems Kirwan fancies a quicker Daniel Braid. The Brumbies remain unchanged. The Blues did look better last weekend against the Chiefs but are still a mile off as a team, it will be a scrap but the Brumbies will come out by 1-12.

 

 

Canterbury Crusaders v Otago Highlanders

Crusaders – $1.30

Highlanders – $3.30

The Crusaders coming off a long trip after thrashing the Sharks in Durban and the Highlanders had the bye in round eight. For the Crusaders, Dan Carter is back on the bench after taking some parental leave and the props are rotated with Joe Moody and Owen Franks starting. Jimmy Tupou slots into lock to partner Whitelock. For the Highlanders no changes this round. This is going to be epic derby, the Highlanders have been winning but also winning tough when they need to, the Crusaders have shown they can also play some exciting running rugby outside of their vintage play. It’s tough to call, the trip from South Africa may be the factor here with a fresh Highlanders side, Highlanders by 1-12 at the death.

 

New South Wales Waratahs v Stormers

Waratahs – $1.30

Stormers – $3.30

The Stormers have lost three on the trot now and their assignment doesn’t get any easier with a well rested Tah’s outfit who boast a 12 from 13 home win record.  The Waratahs starting 15 is unchanged with Adam Ashley-Cooper returning from injury onto the bench. The Stormers lose inspirational captain Duane Vermeulen who is being rested however they get back Juan De Jongh. This will certainly be a bruising encounter, for the Stormers to have a chance they need to turn up in the first 40 and play some rugby. The Waratahs attack from the get go and with so many playmakers will be very dangerous with ball in hand.  The Stormers are going to struggle without Vermeulens power and work rate, the Waratahs will be too slick and take the game 13+

 

Western Force v Freestate Cheetahs

Force – $1.50

Cheetahs $2.45

The Cheetahs coming over a drubbing last round courtesy of the Brumbies now continue their Australasian tour in Perth against the Force who should be relatively well rested after their bye week. Both teams are struggling to find any decent form this season with the Cheetahs bottom of the South African conference and the Force 2 points ahead of cellar dwellers the Reds. The Force will want to take the game away from the Cheetahs strength up front and avoid over committing at ruck time, the Cheetahs will benefit from a physical battle and set piece play. Either side could take this game, expect to see the Force run away with it in the later stages, Force by 1-12.

 

Bulls v Queensland Reds

Bulls – $1.10

Reds – $6.00

The Bulls host the Reds at Loftus, the Reds one win better off than the Blues at the bottom of the table and looking very shaky this season. The Bulls were unlucky last weekend, caught out at the death by a smart play from the Lions. For the Bulls it has been confirmed that Matfield has been ruled out for three to four weeks to have surgery on his knee but likely to see Pollard, Serfontein, and van der Merwe back in some form this weekend. The Bulls have blown hot and cold this season after destroying the Crusaders in round 7 they were caught napping in a last minute loss to the Lions last round. The Reds have lost Quade Cooper to injury and James Horwill to a suspension, both players crucial to the Reds. We don’t predict an upset here as the Reds have just played poor rugby, the Bulls 13+.

 

Lions v Sharks

Lions – $2.00

Sharks – $1.75

The Lions host the Sharks at Ellis Park, both sides lingering mid table. The Lions played a relatively good game against the more fancied Bulls last week, taking it at the death. The Sharks however were pumped by the Crusaders in an awful display with Jean Deysel sent from the field for contact with the head, continuing the Sharks ill disciplined season. The Lions make four changes with Julian Redelinghuys starting, Jaco Kriel to the flank, Faf de Klerk at scrum half and Super Rugby debutant Mark Richards on the wing. For the Sharks, losing Lambie to injury, Deysel to suspension where he joins Bismarck du Plessis and Steyn has forced wholesale changes – Sithole starts on the wing, Zeilinga to fly half, Lourens Adriaanse, Franco Marais and Dale Chadwick make up the new front row with Beast and Jannie being rested. Renaldo Bothma replaces Deysel and Wentzel is Captain. For the Sharks there is incentive for the new boys in this round to perform and show the coaches they want to be there but with the changes comes a new combinations and inexperience to consider. The Lions should be confident coming into this game but will need to bring structure and patience in what could be a scrappy game. The Lions will take this 1-12.

 

Bye week – Chiefs, Hurricanes, and Rebels

 

It has been confirmed that Argentine Captain Agustin Creevy will leave English club Worcester Warriors to join the Argentine based Super Rugby franchise that will come into the new look competition in 2016. Agustin is the first international to sign, we hope that many of his countrymen will follow.

NRL Telstra Premiership Round Six Preview

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NRL Telstra Premiership Round Six Preview. All round six matches previewed, check out the team lists and odds right here.

With half the round five matches predicted we take a more objective approach to the term “underdog” with our picks this week. Enjoy!

 

Brisbane Broncos v Sydney City Roosters

Broncos – $2.00

Roosters – $1.75

The Roosters lost tought last week and will be looking to get their season back on track but a tough assignment lay ahead of them with an inform Broncos side playing some exciting rugby league. Tuivasa-Sheck has announced he will be leaving the Roosters for the Warriors in 2016 for 3 years, this could be incentive to rally the troops or create dismay in the ranks. Broncos look too good, by 1-12.

 

Broncos

1 Lachlan Maranta 2 Corey Oates 3 Jack Reed 4 Dale Copley 5 Daniel Vidot 6 Anthony Milford 7 Ben Hunt 8 Josh McGuire 9 Andrew McCullough 10 Sam Thaiday  11 Alex Glenn 12 Matt Gillett 13 Corey Parker (c)

Interchange
14 Jarrod Wallace 15 Mitch Garbutt 16 Mitchell Dodds 17 Kodi Nikorima 18 Francis Molo
Roosters

1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2 Daniel Tupou 3 Michael Jennings 4 Shaun Kenny-Dowall 5 Nene Macdonald 6 James Maloney 7 Mitchell Pearce (c)                                           8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9 Matt McIlwrick 10 Sam Moa 11 Boyd Cordner 12 Mitchell Aubusson 13 Isaac Liu

Interchange
14 Willie Manu  15 Dylan Napa 16 Kane Evans 17 Sio Siua Taukeiaho
 

Cronulla Sharks v Newcastle Knights

Sharks – $1.80

Knights – $1.95

The Sharks return home this weekend to Remondis hoping to bring with them their form and flare in which they dominated the more fancied Roosters side. Barba returns to the bench as Jack Bird retains his spot. Tariq and Korbin start for the first time together at Newcastle as Beau Scott is out with an ankle injury bringing in Chris Housten. With so many big aggressive men it’s going to come down to who can control the emotion and winning the contact, it will be tight but Sharks by 1-12.

 

Sharks

1 Valentine Holmes 2 Sosaia Feki 3 Gerard Beale 4 Ricky Leutele 5 Michael Gordon 6 Jack Bird 7 Jeff Robson 8 Andrew Fifita 9 Michael Ennis 10 Chris Heighington 11 Luke Lewis 12 Wade Graham 13 Paul Gallen (c)

Interchange
14 Ben Barba 15 Anthony Tupou 16 Matt Prior  17 David Fifita 18 Tinirau Arona 19 Jayson Bukuya

Knights

1 Kurt Gidley (c) 2 James McManus 3 Dane Gagai 4 Joseph Leilua 5 Akuila Uate 6 Jarrod Mullen 7 Tyrone Roberts 8 Kade Snowden 9 Adam Clydsdale
10 Korbin Sims  11 Chris Houston 12 Tariq Sims 13 Jeremy Smith

Interchange
14 Tyler Randell 15 David Fa’alogo  16 Joseph Tapine 17 Jack Stockwell 18 Sione Mata’utia

 

Parramatta Eels v Gold Coast Titans

Eels – $1.42

Titans – $2.70

Both teams losing last round, the Eels blowing hot and cold early into the season with the Titans sitting 2nd to last courtesy of the Sea Eagles having a shocker of a 2015 so far. Eels are moving Reece Robinson back to the wing and Dave Gower onto the bench but the Titans are starting big man Dave Taylor which puts Pettybourne on the bench. Depending on what Eels side turns up we could see a big win from the Eels or we’ll get a low scoring scrap what the Titans will take. Titans by 1-12.

 

Eels

1 Will Hopoate 2 Bureta Faraimo 3 Ryan Morgan 4 John Folau 5 Reece Robinson 6 Corey Norman 7 Chris Sandow 8 Darcy Lussick 9 Nathan Peats 10 Tim Mannah (c) 11 Manu Ma’u 12 Tepai Moeroa 13 Anthony Watmough

Interchange
14 Isaac De Gois 15 Joseph Paulo 16 Danny Wicks 17 David Gower 18 Peni Terepo

Titans

1 Josh Hoffman 2 Anthony Don 3 James Roberts 4 William Zillman 5 David Mead 6 Aidan Sezer 7 Kane Elgey 8 Luke Douglas 9 Kierran Moseley
10 Nate Myles (c) 11 Ryan James 12 Dave Taylor 13 Greg Bird

Interchange
14 Eddy Pettybourne 15 Agnatius Paasi 16 Lachlan Burr 17 Ryan Simpkins 18 Matt White

 

New Zealand Warriors v Wests Tigers

Warriors – $1.42

Tigers $2.70

The Warriors return home after being beaten comprehensively by the Storm, and the Tigers on a roll after doing the same to the Eels last round. For the Warriors their only change is Albert Vete for Dom Peyroux, Hurrell retains his spot after a poor comeback from injury. Tigers are unchanged. The Warriors must remain focused around completing the tackle and marking up as the likes of Farah, Halatau and co will be looking to expose the Warriors big men to gain valuable meters. Warriors at home are tough, it’ll be tight, but Warriors by 1-12.

Warriors

1 Tuimoala Lolohea 2 Jonathan Wright 3 Konrad Hurrell 4 Solomone Kata 5 Manu Vatuvei 6 Chad Townsend 7 Shaun Johnson 8 Jacob Lillyman
9 Thomas Leuluai 10 Ben Matulino 11 Bodene Thompson 12 Ryan Hoffman 13 Simon Mannering (c)

Interchange
14 Nathan Friend 15 Sebastine Ikahihifo 16 Sam Lisone 17 Albert Vete 18 Dominique Peyroux

Wests Tigers

1 James Tedesco 2 Kevin Naiqama 3 Tim Simona 4 Chris Lawrence 5 Pat Richards 6 Mitchell Moses 7 Luke Brooks 8 Aaron Woods 9 Robbie Farah (c) 10 Keith Galloway 11 Curtis Sironen 12 Kyle Lovett 13 Martin Taupau

Interchange
14 Dene Halatau 15 Ava Seumanufagai 16 Jack Buchanan 17 Sauaso Sue
18 Asipeli Fine

 

Penrith Panters v Manly Sea Eagles

Panthers – $1.47

Sea Eagles – $2.55

Pepper Stadium hosts the Panthers and Sea Eagles. Manly sitting at the bottom of the competition, racked by injuries and player speculation which doesn’t help with losing again last round to the Raiders.. Penrith coming off a drubbing courtesy of the Cowboys have had mixed season so far. Dean Whare is out with injury which places Idris back at centre with Waqa Blake. Big man Sika Manu is starting in the second row. No changes for the Sea Eagles, Lyon and Matai still injured. Even though the Panthers looked average last weekend, Manly have some real issues at the moment, Panthers 13+.

 

Panthers

1 Matt Moylan 2 Josh Mansour 3 Waqa Blake 4 Jamal Idris 5 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6 Apisai Koroisau 7 Peter Wallace (c) 8 Sam McKendry
9 James Segeyaro 10 Jeremy Latimore 11 Sika Manu 12 Isaah Yeo
13 Elijah Taylor

Interchange
14 Tyrone Peachey 15 Nigel Plum 16 Reagan Campbell-Gillard 17 Bryce Cartwright

Sea Eagles

1 Brett Stewart 2 Cheyse Blair 3 Brayden Wiliame 4 Peta Hiku 5 Tom Trbojevic 6 Kieran Foran 7 Daly Cherry-Evans 8 Luke Burgess 9 Matt Ballin 10 Willie Mason 11 Jamie Buhrer 12 Tom Symonds 13 Dunamis Lui

Interchange
14 Jesse Sene-Lefao 15 Ligi Sao  16 Justin Horo 17 Jake Trbojevic

 

Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm

Raiders – $2.45

Storm – $1.50

Both sides coming off very good wins in round 5 meet at GIO stadium. For the Raiders Jordan Rapana is serving a suspension which brings in Jeremy Hawkins. The Storm only change is losing Billy Slater for four weeks after a scan revealed his injured shoulder was worse than first thought. Expect to see Kurt Mann move to fullback. The hosts will look to expose and put a lot of pressure on whoever fills Billy’s spot. Whilst this could be a weakness for the Storm the Raiders need to ensure Cronk, Harris, and Smith are looked after on attack if they want to stay in the game. Should be an exciting fixture, for me Billy is a crucial loss for the Storm, Raiders by 1-12.

 

Raiders

1 Jack Wighton 2 Edrick Lee 3 Jarrod Croker (c) 4 Sisa Waqa 5 Jeremy Hawkins 6 Blake Austin 7 Sam Williams 8 Josh Papalii 9 Josh Hodgson
10 Dane Tilse 11 Jarrad Kennedy 12 Iosia Soliola 13 Shaun Fensom

Interchange
14 Glen Buttriss 15 Frank-Paul Nuuausala 16 Paul Vaughan 17 Mark Nicholls

 

Storm

1 Billy Slater 2 Mahe Fonua 3 Will Chambers 4 Kurt Mann 5 Marika Koroibete 6 Blake Green 7 Cooper Cronk 8 Jesse Bromwich 9 Cameron Smith (c) 10 Jordan McLean 11 Kevin Proctor 12 Tohu Harris 13 Dale Finucane

Interchange
14 Ryan Hinchcliffe 15 Tim Glasby 16 Dayne Weston 17 Felise Kaufusi

 

St George Illawarra Dragons v Canterbury Bulldogs

Dragons – $1.87

Bulldogs – $1.87

The Dragons boasting 3 wins on the trot, hosting a rather hard done by Bulldogs outfit racked by suspension and injuries from their encounter with the Bunnies. The Dragons are unchanged whilst the Doggies have lost James Graham, Dave Klemmer, and Sam Kasiano to suspension. Brett Morris and Tim Lafai are out with injuries. The Dragons have not scored a lot of points so far this season but they have shown a lot of heart on defense. Whilst the Bulldogs do still have playmakers on the pitch the players absent will make it an uphill batter.  Dragons by 1-12.

 

Dragons

1 Josh Dugan 2 Etonia Nabuli 3 Euan Aitken 4 Dylan Farrell 5 Jason Nightingale 6 Gareth Widdop 7 Benji Marshall 8 Leeson Ah Mau
9 Mitch Rein 10 Mike Cooper 11 Tyson Frizell 12 Joel Thompson
13 Trent Merrin

Interchange
14 George Rose 15 Jack de Belin 16 Jake Marketo 17 Heath L’Estrange
20 Rory O’Brien

Bulldogs

1 Sam Perrett 2 Curtis Rona 3 Josh Morris 4 Moses Mbye 5 Corey Thompson 6 Josh Reynolds 7 Trent Hodkinson 8 Aiden Tolman (c)
9 Michael Lichaa 10 Tim Browne 11 Josh Jackson 12 Tony Williams 13 Greg Eastwood

Interchange
14 Lloyd Perrett 15 Antonio Kaufusi 16 Frank Pritchard 17 Chase Stanley
19 Danny Fualalo

 

South Sydney Rabbitohs v North Queensland Cowboys

Rabbitohs – $1.70

Cowboys $2.05

After a tight win under controversial circumstances the Rabbitohs come into round six top of the table and the Cowboys lingering in the bottom half but looking to make it 3 wins in a row. The Rabbitohs lost Adam Reynolds last week which brings John Sutton into the halves and big George Burgess is cleared to play after successfully challenging his dangerous contact charge. Cowboys unchanged. Thurston is playing some good rugby league right now behind a charging pack, the Rabbitohs need to win the contact and keep Thurston quiet. We predict a bruising encounter which should provide a lot of entertainment, match of the round material. Cowboys big men to be the difference, Cowboys by 1-12.

 

Rabbitohs

1 Greg Inglis (c) 2 Alex Johnston 3 Daryl Millard 4 Bryson Goodwin 5 Joel Reddy 6 John Sutton 7 Luke Keary 8 George Burgess 9 Issac Luke 10 Dave Tyrrell               11 Glenn Stewart 12 Chris McQueen 13 Jason Clark

Interchange
14 Ben Lowe  15 Chris Grevsmuhl 16 Tim Grant 17 Thomas Burgess 18 Cameron McInnes19 Nathan Brown

 

Cowboys

1 Lachlan Coote 2 Matthew Wright 3 Tautau Moga 4 Kane Linnett 5 Antonio Winterstein 6 Michael Morgan 7 Johnathan Thurston (c) 8 Matthew Scott (c) 9 Jake Granville 10 James Tamou 11 Gavin Cooper 12 Ethan Lowe
13 Jason Taumalolo

Interchange
14 Rory Kostjasyn 15 John Asiata 16 Scott Bolton 17 Ben Hannant 18 Glenn Hall

Premier League Darts: Week 10 – Sheffield Preview

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After an intense relegation battle last Thursday saw Kim Huybrechts and Peter Wright drop out of the competition, we’re down to eight players for week 10 of Premier League Darts as the action turns to the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield.

Adrian Lewis v James Wade

In the first of two matches of the night for Adrian Lewis, he takes on fourth-place James Wade having survived relegation by the skin of his teeth last week.

Nothing less than a victory over Peter Wright would have secured his safety in Manchester, but Lewis achieved that relatively comfortably with a 7-4 win.

The pair drew when they last met three weeks ago in Glasgow.

Verdict: Adrian Lewis win – 17/11 at 888sport

Gary Anderson v Dave Chisnall

Third takes on second in this intriguing encounter between two of the in-form men this season.

It’s the first of two matches in the evening for Chisnall, who could go top of the table if he wins both and van Gerwen stumbles against Bunting.

Chisnall smashed Anderson 7-2 in week five in Exeter, but Anderson has been in a fine vain of form since and will be out for revenge here.

Verdict: Gary Anderson win – 8/11 at SkyBet, BetVictor and Paddy Power

Phil Taylor v Raymond van Barneveld

The old foes meet once again, after Barney narrowly avoided a shock relegation last week. Nevertheless, the Dutchman – lest we forget – is still the reigning champion, although it will take some impressive form to see him back in contention this year.

He has six more matches to force himself into the play-off reckoning, and put the poor start to the season behind him. Can he do it in style with an enemy over his old rival?

Barney picked up one his just two wins this season against The Power back in Glasgow.

Verdict: Phil Taylor win – 8/15 at bet365, Boylesports and BetVictor

Stephen Bunting v Michael van Gerwen

MVG has been flying of late, winning each of his last four matches and still remains unbeaten this term – leaving him three points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Bunting, meanwhile, suffered a tough start to life in the Premier League, but has certainly found his feet in recent weeks, losing just one of his last five.

The Dutchman was a comfortable winner when the pair last met, but can Bunting demonstrate his progress here?

Verdict: Michael van Gerwen win – 2/5 at Stan James

Dave Chisnall v James Wade

It’s a double week for this pair, with Dave Chisnall potentially going top if he wins both of his matches for the night.

Both head into the night occupying play-off places, and they’ll both be eager to cement those spots with a win here. Who will take advantage of their extra match?

Verdict: Dave Chisnall win – 13/10 at 888sport and William Hill

 

The US Masters 2015 – Preview

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The first golf major of the year gets underway at the Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday, as The US Masters 2015 tees-off.

The Contenders

Rory McIlory – 6/1 at bet365, Ladbrokes and William Hill

Undoubtedly the man to look out for at Augusta is Rory McIlory. The Northern Irishman is the best player in the game at the moment, having won four of his last 16 majors. But the Green Jacket has thus far evaded the world number one – who is terrifyingly still only 25. It seems certain that he certainly will take The Masters one day, but will it be 2015?

McIlory has made six previous attempts at The Masters, with his last being a forgettable eight place. Each visit to Augusta has provided some valuable lessons for him though, in particular the spectacular meltdown he endured in 2011. Regardless of the previous lack of success for him here though, he seems almost perfectly suited to performing at this most iconic of venues.

Jordan Spieth – 11/1 at bet365 and Stan James

A joint runner-up here last year, Spieth admits he has “learned” from last year’s tournament having led by two strokes after seven holes on his final round.

There won’t be a hungrier player at Augusta this year, but does the promising 21-year-old from Texas have what it takes to win his first major here?

Bubba Watson – 12/1 at Boylesports and Stan James

Not since Tiger Woods in 2002, has anyone won back-to-back Masters titles, but that is what Bubba Watson has been tasked with here. Indeed, if he manages to do so, Watson would join an elite selection of players to have achieved the feat, the others being Woods, Nick Faldo and Jack Nicklaus – not bad company to be amongst.

Can the 2012 and 2014 champion get a third title?

Jason Day – 14/1 at bet365, BetVictor and Ladbrokes

A snip at 14/1, Jason Day should provide excellent value for potential backers.

The Australian has been on red-hot form this year, and like McIlory – if not more – his style is very much suited to the Augusta course.

Day leads the way in the tour when it comes to par-four scoring average and also bodes well on par-fives, while his other statistics stack up to – making him what should be a very serious contender here.

Adam Scott – 22/1 at Betfred or Paddy Power

Priced at 22/1, Scott provides outstanding value for The Masters, having produced some of the most consistent performances at Augusta over the past five years. Indeed, as well as winning the tournament in 2013, the Australian hasn’t finished any lower than 18th in that time, while also securing respectable second and eighth placed finishes. Definitely worth looking at in the e/w market.

Tiger Woods – 33/1 at Betfred or 888sport

Seeing Tiger Woods at 33/1 seems almost unthinkable. But it’s been nearly seven years since he last landed a major and that doesn’t seem likely to change anytime soon based on recent form.

That said, he could well be worth a cheeky e/w punt.

Top Tip: Jason Day to win – 14/1 at bet365, BetVictor and Ladbrokes

Grand National Blog – Going favours Spring Heeled

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The Grand National meeting at Aintree gets under way on Thursday and the excitement is already building towards Saturday’s big race.

If you have been following our regular posts, you’ll know that we have been putting together an ante-post portfolio on the race. The ground seems to be drying out with the warm spell over Easter and that is good news for Spring Heeled, tipped here at 33-1 on 4th February. All has gone well with his preparation and Nick Scholfield takes the ride.

Cause Of Causes chased him home at Cheltenham last year and was added to our list at 33-1 after winning at this year’s festival. He has almost halved in price and Paul Carberry is expected to hunt him around on the first circuit and hope to creep into the race. If you are a fan of Tony McCoy, we added Shutthefrontdoor at 20-1 in anticipation of the champion jockey seeking a glorious send-off.

Our only other investment so far was on Monbeg Dude at 33-1 and we were disappointed with him in his latest trial. He would probably prefer softer ground but got round last year in seventh and connections are still to take their chance.

All of the leading bookmakers are now offering non-runner – no bet on the Grand National. There are also some enhanced place terms on offer with BetVictor paying each-way down to sixth place. William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral and Totesport are sticking rigidly to the first four places so far but this may change with pressure form their rivals.

Royale Knight is currently the last horse guaranteed a run so anything below him in the list is relying on some late withdrawals. These include the David Pipe duo of The Package and Broadway Buffalo. The former is a veteran of past Nationals and won well at Cheltenham while Katie Walsh is desperately hoping that Broadway Buffalo can sneak in. She won the Irish Grand National on Monday but looks like missing out on Saturday’s race.

Whereas Cheltenham brings the best from Ireland and Britain together for the first time, Aintree tends to revolve around the festival form. There are smaller fields and (usually) Cheltenham form stands up pretty well. We have previewed day 1 separately with selections for all seven races.

Ante-post

Spring Heeled @33-1

Cause Of Causes @33-1

Monbeg Dude @33-1

Shutthefrontdoor @20-1

Each-way ¼ odds, 1,2,3,4