Nick Wright previews this weekend's clash between York City Knights and Hull FC
Alex Reid looks at whether the once ever-present appearance of English clubs in the later stages of the Champions League is set to become a thing of the past
Craig Dobson looks at QPR's decision to sack Neil Warnock and replace him with Mark Hughes
James Tompkinson reviews an excellent pre-season victory for the York City Knights against Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos
Currently recording a 3.28pt profit
Welcome to the final curtain. For those who live for the thrills of Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood, and sunny afternoons on the Knavesmire, this Saturday heralds the finale. The 2007 flat season’s last hurrah is at Doncaster this year, a card that brings us the last Heritage Handicap, the last listed, and last maiden races of the summer season.
The key to the 2.35 on this card is a similar event held at Newmarket three weeks ago, where Greek Renaissance looked classy when putting the field that day to bed. He is re-opposing a similar looking bunch, but this time he is giving weight to all opponents. Doncaster’s 6f course is straight and fair, so Borderlescott should find it easy to produce his best effort. He has found winning difficult since shooting up through the handicaps last summer, but is on 6lb better terms with Greek Renaissance and has to be fancied to overturn the deficit. The winner on that occasion will have to improve a hell of a lot to even confirm superiority with those he had behind, so can be opposed today.
Advanced will have to find his Ayr Gold cup form to win, while Zidane will be a big danger if he can bounce back from a poor run last time out. Title chasing Seb Sanders reunites with the selection, which must be seen as a positive given his surge towards the championship. However, given Borderlescott’s poor strike rate, it might pay to take this one each way.
The last two times West Ham visited Pride Park they kept a clean sheet, and at 2/1 they are cracking value to do the same again. Derby have scored one in five, and a Premiership worst five in 12. Although West Ham will bring an injury ravaged side - they may be able to welcome back James Collins - in-form ‘keeper Rob Green can be relied upon to keep them safe. Under 2.5 goals is too short at 1.74, as Derby are so desperate for a win they may leak goals late in the game.
Bolton achieved a confidence boosting draw in Bayern midweek, and have started to regain that knack of getting results of out nothing. This Sunday they play host to a Middlesbrough side that have only two points from their last seven games. Yet Bolton are available at 6/5 with Coral, or 2.16 on Betfair.
Everton have shown themselves to be a good side, but they are unlucky to run into an on-song Chelsea team who should overcome them. Blackburn are another team who are impressing this year, but they are away at Manchester United who are overpriced at 1.43 on Betfair. Blackburn will come and give the Red Devils a game, but it could prove their downfall as Tevez and Ronaldo are finding their form. The loss of Rooney is a worry, but Saha has been waiting in the wings for a month now and this is a brilliant opportunity for him to regain his place.
-6pts
Expect the unexpected this weekend. We have Blackburn and Everton taking on the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea, but the two local derbies provide the value this time.
For Sunderland supporters this will be the biggest match of the season. Two seasons ago Newcastle won this fixture 4-1, but you can expect a far closer encounter this time around. Newcastle have been extremely poor away from home since their win on the opening day of the season against an awful Bolton side. Sunderland have by no means been outstanding at home, but have every chance of picking up a win, especially with Kenwyne Jones in a purple patch at the moment. Kick off is at 12.45 on Saturday.
In the 1 o'clock Sunday kick off Birmingham will also be looking to avenge a home defeat two seasons ago. Aston Villa have not won away this season, despite having played the weaker teams, including the mad night at White Hart Lane when they threw away a three goal lead. Birmingham do not have a striker like Kenwyne Jones but they scored two against Chelsea and they will battle here and could easily nick the three points.
The bookies have overpriced these relegation candidates, and one of the two can be expected to win.
Although Nike Walker has been impressive in his last three races since the introduction of a tongue strap, he is raised three classes and 22lb for this one and others are preferred here in Wincanton's 2.50. King’s Quay is good over this distance and Dougie Costello seems to get great results with him. However, Poquelin may be the one to beat here. He only gives Pouvoir an extra pound to pull back 10 lengths on him, and has Nicholls (who has a 25% success rate at this course) and Walsh (35% strike rate at Wincanton) in his favour. McCoy is another jockey who has fared well at Wincanton and don’t be surprised if his mount, Tritonix, is neck and neck with Poquelin at the last.
Dunbrody Millar was nowhere near Alderburn in March (36L behind) and is 5lb worse off now. Yet Alderburn could not cope with the pace in his last attempt at this race, and despite a couple of wins in lower class divisions there are still question marks here in the 3.25 at Wincanton. Abragante will certainly be there or thereabouts at the finish, as he has been in good form since the addition of blinkers. Ardaghey won his last race well but, with a 5lb rise in weights, looks to have been caught by the handicapper, unlike Tom Sayers. Tom Sayers beat Bowleaze at Wincanton last October, despite being 4lb worse off. That race was over a slightly longer distance than this Saturday’s contest, but Tom Sayers actually gains a pound on Bowleaze. It would require something very special from Bowleaze to reverse the form.
Fairmile was a well beaten second, while Aces Four was pulled up, meaning our tipsters had a slow start to the naps competition.
Another cracking week for Taylor - Man U winning, Bolton unfortunate to take all three points today, West Ham keeping the clean sheet and Borderlescott only collared on the line by a short head. All representing a weekly profit of 1.2pts. Were you on?
Not so good for me - I got a bit over-enthusiastic with my points this week, and neither Sunderland nor Birmingham could win. Poquelin was third and Tom Sayers was 2nd. Close but not good enough!
You must log in to submit a comment.
Report