Betdaq Extra

ED CHAMBERLIN's Cheltenham Bets

Ed Chamberlin's Cheltenham Festival Bets

With a few days to go until the Cheltenham Festival now seems a good time to give my fancies for the first three days.

Day One
The Champion Hurdle promises to be the race of the meeting. Menorah (5.8), Peddlers Cross (7.2) and Hurricane Fly (6.2) are major players this year and while my head is changing its fancy on a daily basis, my heart is firmly with the reigning champion Binocular (4.2) once again. It takes a leap of faith to side with him on the evidence we’ve seen on the racecourse this season but the fact is that Nicky Henderson has been training him for one race and one race only and I’m told he’s been flying at home and schooling with the same brilliance and zest as this time last year.

My faith in the horse comes entirely from AP McCoy. Over the last few weeks I have often said to him that this year’s Champion Hurdle is much better than last season’s race but he remains totally unfazed and has complete confidence in Binocular. I have never known him so devoted to a horse. I have also never heard him so distraught than when we spoke after the 2009 Champion Hurdle when they were beaten by Punjabi and then never seen him so elated than when they won the Champion Hurdle last year. A repeat victory would make my week.

Financially, just like last year, the first race holds the key to my Festival. Having tipped Spirit Son at 16.5 on the daq and backed him at all rates down to 11 I’m hoping he can repeat what Menorah did for us last year and win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Spirit Son, trading at 7.6 now, looks tailor-made for this race as he’s a real speedball, who looks tenacious and a really slick jumper. The Henderson team think the world of him and although Cue Card is going to be a tough nut to crack, I can see Spirit Son running a massive race.

Keep a close eye on Definity wherever Paul Nicholls decides to run him as they think he’s very well handicapped.

Day Two
Wednesday is time for Time For Rupert – my NAP of the week in the RSA Chase. He ticks every box for me required to win this race. Time For Rupert is tough, stays and jumps well and crucially has outstanding course form. His second in the World Hurdle and thrashing of Racing Post Chase winner Quinz here in December puts him head and shoulders above the rest.

I’m hoping they run Wishfull Thinking in the Jewson rather than the RSA, as he will take a lot of beating in the former.

Day Three
In the Pertemps Final I like the chance of Lush Life. He’s only 5lbs higher than winning cosily here in December when I thought he was idling throughout and just getting going at the finish. The usual ferocious Pertemps gallop should be right up his street and remember this is a horse that beat Menorah last term. Ignore his farcical defeat at Sandown last time where the starter did him no favours and he looks a great each-way bet. You will do well to see a better looking horse all week.

---

 

ED CHAMBERLIN's Weekend Sporting Bets

Saturday 5 March >

Ed Chamberlin's "Weekend Sports Bets"

1. West Ham with a brilliant performance against Liverpool and this week I’m going to side with the Hammers. With Scott Parker in the side they are a match for anyone and meet Stoke in the middle of an awful run away from home. They have lost their last five away games and failed to score in four of them. They have now lost ten of their 14 Premier League away games – only Wolves (11) have lost more. I presented Stoke’s game on the Monday Night Football, which Tony Pulis described as their worst performance of the season.

Saturday will be a tough task for which I’m surprised to see West Ham trading at odds against and they look a great bet at 2.24 on the Daq.

To view the BETDAQ market for WEST HAM v STOKE - CLICK HERE


2. I’m presenting Super Sunday for the first time this weekend with two brilliant matches to look forward to: Liverpool v Manchester United and Wolves v Tottenham. The game at Anfield is massive. If it’s half as good as the game in September then it should be good. United won 3-2 with Dimitar Berbatov scoring twice to put United in control before a Steven Gerrard brace levelled the game at 2-2 with 20 minutes to go. Berbatov then completed his hat-trick, scoring the winner with six minutes to go. United are now aiming to do the Premier League double over Liverpool for the sixth time. Add to the importance of the match the magic of Liverpool against Manchester United, Ryan Giggs set to break Sir Bobby Charlton’s League appearance record and all the history between Kenny Dalglish and Sir Alex Ferguson and you’ve got a potential classic. Dalglish has not won any of his last seven managerial meetings in all competitions against Sir Alex Ferguson and has only won one of the last 13.

Man Utd have won 12 of the last 17 League meetings and Liverpool have lost more PL games (20) and conceded more goals (55) v Man Utd than anyone else.

Man Utd have won more PL points (30) at Liverpool than any other visiting team – the next most successful visitors to Anfield are Arsenal who have taken 18 points here.

The stats point to Manchester United, who are 2.68 on Betdaq to win at Anfield again (Liverpool 2.95) but can you back them without Ferdinand or Vidic at the back?

To view the BETDAQ market for LIVERPOOL v MAN U - CLICK HERE


3. Just ten days to go to the Cheltenham Festival but there’s still some decent racing this weekend. The Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury looks very trappy, though I think Matuhi will go well at a price (13 on the Daq).

The best bet on the card is Far More Serious in the Veterans’ Chase at 2.25pm. He looks like the one progressive horse in the race and travels like a dream so should trade a lot shorter in running so is a good back to lay option. He comes here off the back of a good win at Bangor and the conditions on Saturday look ideal.

To view the BETDAQ market for NEWBURY 2.25 - CLICK HERE

---

 

ED CHAMBERLIN'S Weekend Sporting Bets

Saturday 26 February >

Ed Chamberlin's "Weekend Sports Bets"

1. Carling Cup Final - a first Wembley final for Birmingham in 55 years, a first final appearance for Arsenal in any Cup competition in four years and the chance to win a first trophy for nearly six long years. It will be 2018 days on Sunday since Patrick Vieira lifted the FA Cup and Arsenal have suffered their longest run without a trophy since 1979-1986.

The form book points firmly to Arsenal as they have won 11 of the last 16 meetings with Birmingham and done the league double over them already this season. Ironically Birmingham’s last win over Arsenal in the last 19 meetings (28 years) came at St Andrews on the final day of the 2005 season, six days before Arsenal won their last trophy.

The injuries to Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas on Wednesday night are a blow though Arsenal should still be too good. However, all the pressure is on them to end their trophy drought. Will they hold their nerve? I won’t be paying 1.57 to find out.

To view the BETDAQ market for CARLING CUP FINAL - CLICK HERE


2. I like the look of Liverpool under Kenny Dalglish away from home – they have won 3-0 at Wolves and 1-0 at Chelsea - and fancy them to pick off West Ham, who struggle on their own patch having lost the last two home games and only beaten Spurs, Wigan and Wolves at Upton Park this season. Liverpool also have a great record against West Ham, having won the last four meetings, scoring three goals in each, and won on five of the last six visits to Upton Park. Therefore Liverpool look a great bet at 2.3 on the Daq.

To view the BETDAQ market for WEST HAM v LIVERPOOL - CLICK HERE


3. There’s lots of good racing this weekend but betting opportunities look few and far between. I’d fancy Mostly Bob to win the Racing Post Trophy if the rain stayed away from Kempton. All the rain at Newcastle will suit our old friend Giles Cross in the Eider Chase. He so nearly won the Welsh National for us at a massive price and I see no reason why can’t go close again given his ideal conditions. Giles Cross will go from the front and jumps so well that we are bound to get a great run for our money and he should trade much shorter in running.

To view the BETDAQ market for EIDER CHASE - CLICK HERE

---

 

ED CHAMBERLIN's Weekend Sporting Bets

Saturday 19 February >

Ed Chamberlin's "Weekend Sports Bets"

1. They may be favourites but even at 4.1 India look a great bet to win the World Cup, which starts this weekend live on Sky Sports. They are playing so well that I’d fancy them to win wherever in the world the competition was being played but on home turf they should unstoppable. The 360 India hit against New Zealand on Tuesday showed the form the batsmen are in and if they got on a roll, with the fanatical home support behind them, they will be very hard to beat. Sri Lanka aren’t as strong as they’ve been in previous years, Australia are no great shakes, South Africa are dangers but have a habit of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory on the big stage, while I can’t believe England will have enough juice left in the battery so soon after the rigours Down Under.

Conditions will be tough for all those sides, giving India another big advantage and they look a great bet at 4.1.

To view the BETDAQ market for CRICKET WORLD CUP - CLICK HERE

 
2. We had a great week last week with Birmingham winning for us and Spirit Son bolting up at Exeter to give us a nice runner at 15 in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle (now 7.6 on Betdaq). Open Day is a horse that interests me this weekend. He looked in need of the run at Exeter on his re-appearance and ran well enough for a long way. He's a talented horse, on a decent mark, who is capable of a lot better.

To view the BETDAQ market for ASCOT 3.35 - CLICK HERE 


3. The weights for the 2011 Grand National were released on Tuesday and the race seems to be more and more of a minefield each year. One horse that interests me is Victor Dartnall’s Nicto de Beauchene. The trainer’s Giles Cross so nearly won the Welsh version for us and Nicto de Beauchene is being trained specifically for Aintree and looked a real National type when winning at Sandown last month. He’s got a nice racing weight of 10-3 and looks worth a small investment at 94 on Betdaq before he runs in the Grand National trial at Haydock on Saturday. He should run a big race this weekend too.

To view the BETDAQ market for GRAND NATIONAL - CLICK HERE

---

 

ED CHAMBERLIN'S Weekend Sporting Bets

Saturday 12 February >

Ed Chamberlin's "Weekend Sports Bets"

1. Lots of brilliant racing this weekend. Beat The Boys ran a great race for us at a big price last Saturday and I’m hoping Final Approach can do similar for us in the big race at Newbury.

The Totesport Trophy is one of my favourite races of the year and this season’s renewal looks as competitive as ever. The first thing to do is check out Nicky Henderson’s runners and Solix leaps off the page and has been the buzz horse of the week. He has a massive reputation at Seven Barrows and could be different class to the rest of the field but has drifted alarmingly on Betdaq.

The one I like at a price is Willie Mullins' Final Approach at 13. He was impressive when dismissing a big field at Leopardstown last month. The Mullins team remain in outstanding form and he will know exactly what's needed to win this contest.

To view the BETDAQ market for Newbury 3.35 - CLICK HERE


2. Lots of Cheltenham contenders run this weekend. The horse AP McCoy gave us to follow at the start of the season, Kid Cassidy, runs in the 1.20 at Newbury on Saturday and is definitely worth another chance. AP said Kid Cassidy pulled his arms out in the fog at Newbury last time and remains a horse of enormous potential. Kid Cassidy could still emerge as a contender for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham, just as the stable's Sprinter Sacre did last weekend at Ffos Las. In my "Big Interview" on the Sky Sports website with Mick Fitzgerald he told us to look out for Sprinter Sacre but also said that Spirit Son is one to watch closely. The stable has so much young talent but the vibes suggest Spirit Son could be even better than Sprinter Sacre and I'll be taking a bit of the 14.5 on Betdaq on Spirit Son to win the Supreme before he runs in the 2.40 at Exeter on Sunday. I expect him to win impressively.

To view the BETDAQ market for Supreme Novices Hurdle - CLICK HERE


3. The Manchester derby takes centre of the football stage on Saturday. Man City are trading at 15.5 but will be right back in it if they can win the 159th Manchester derby on Saturday, which I am lucky enough to be presenting live from Old Trafford from midday on Sky Sports HD1.

It’s the first time ever the two Manchester clubs have met in the Premier League with both sides in the top three and for the first time in a long time Man City are a genuine threat for the title. Since City last won a trophy (1976 League Cup – 35 years ago this month) Man Utd have won an incredible 29 major trophies including 11 Premier League titles. Is that all about to change?

The stats point to a United win as they are unbeaten in last five Premier League meetings, winning four and keeping 4 clean sheets. United have won the last three meetings at Old Trafford in all competitions, scoring nine goals.

Going further back, United have lost only one of last 31 meetings at home in all competitions, winning 19. City’s only win at Old Trafford in the last 37 years was 2-1 in February 2008 – Darius Vassell and Benjani scored the goals for Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side. The derby is a different ball game these days though and despite Skybet having Man Utd firm favourites at 4/5 (Man City 7/2), I’m expecting City to have a real go and the game to very close.

That game is tough to call and I’ll be waiting to back Birmingham to beat Stoke. Last week’s Premier League bet came unstuck as West Ham lost at home to Birmingham. This week I’m hoping Birmingham will go from villain to hero for us. I was very impressed by that performance and fancy Alex McLeish’s side to beat Stoke on Saturday. Stoke won 3-2 at the Britannia Stadium thanks to Dean Whitehead’s 85th minute winner. That was their first win and first goals in eight meetings in all competitions. Birmingham are still unbeaten in the last eight meetings at St Andrews, winning five. I’m confident Birmingham can deal with the set pieces that bought about Sunderland’s downfall at the Britannia last weekend. 

Stoke’s last top flight win at St Andrews came 29 years ago – 4-1 in Sept 1982. Survivor were number one in the charts at the time with ‘Eye Of The Tiger’. Birmingham take my eye at 2.61 on the Daq.

To view the BETDAQ market for Birmingham v Stoke - CLICK HERE

---

 

ED CHAMBERLIN'S Weekend Sporting Bets

Saturday 5 February >

Ed Chamberlin's "Weekend Sports Bets"

1. Some great games this weekend, notably the Super Sunday game at Stamford Bridge and plenty of the betting is sure to revolve around a certain Chelsea number nine. I’m presenting on Sky Sports on Saturday from the Britannia Stadium – Stoke v Sunderland - which I’m looking forward to but for the best bet I’m focussing on Upton Park and sticking with our tried and trusted method of backing the home side in games between sides in the bottom half of the table.

West Ham have won three of the last four meetings with Birmingham at Upton Park in all competitions, including the last two. Before losing to Arsenal, West Ham won comfortably in their previous home game against Wolves. Birmingham showed again against Chelsea that they are a decent side at home but on the road they have already lost at West Brom and Wolves this season. Buoyed by getting Robbie Keane on board and a big win at Blackpool on Wednesday night, I fancy West Ham to win on Sunday at 2.13 on Betdaq.

To view the BETDAQ market for West Ham v Birmingham - CLICK HERE



2. Wishfull Thinking did us a big favour last weekend at Cheltenham and he’ll be worth keeping an eye on for one of the big handicaps back there at the Festival. The big race this weekend is the Irish Hennessy on Sunday and I fancy Kempes to cause a bit of a surprise. AP McCoy thought he was still travelling pretty well when unseating him in the Lexus and he’s one of the few unexposed horses in the field. Kempes is open to plenty of improvement over this trip and his trainer, Willie Mullins, could not be in better form.

To view the BETDAQ market for Leopardstown 3.45 - CLICK HERE


3. My other fancy is Beat The Boys in the 3.35 at Sandown.  He ran well for a long way last time, the stable are coming back to form and this horse has dropped to an eye catching mark.  Beat The Boys has a great chance win and place on Betdag.

To view the BETDAQ market for Sandown 3.35 - CLICK HERE

---

 

Ed Chamberlin's Weekend Sporting Bets

Saturday 29 January >

Ed Chamberlin's "Weekend Sports Bets"

1. The good thing of the weekend is surely Big Zeb. He was hugely impressive on ground he didn't like last time and should win comfortably on Sunday (1.50 Punchestown).

I surprised not Master Minded (3.65) and not Big Zeb (4.1) is favourite to win the Champion Chase in March. The defending champion looks better than ever and seems to have got his jumping sorted, while his big rival Master Minded may be back in business but he does not look quite as good as he was. I’m expecting Big Zeb to win again and am tempted to back him for Cheltenham at 4.1 now but I can see him being a great bet on Champion Chase day as he doesn’t seem to have captured the public’s imagination in quite the same way as Master Minded.

To view the BETDAQ market for Punchestown 1.50 - Available Sunday

 
2. I hope Cheltenham beats the frost as there's a cracking card in prospect on Saturday. My main fancy is Wishful Thinking in the 2.00. He's had no luck at this track so far as he fell when in contention at the Festival last season and then got badly impeded here in December when I'm sure he would have won. To me he's still a potential winner of the RSA Chase and for that to happen he must go close in this company. Wishful Thinking has been pitched in at the deep end against some seasoned handicappers but he looks on a decent mark to me, is due a change of luck and certainly has the ability to win this.

To view the BETDAQ market for Cheltenham 2.00 - CLICK HERE

 
3. Away from Cheltenham this weekend the highlight is the Skybet Chase at Doncaster. Giles Cross so nearly won the Welsh National for us at 27 but one place behind him that day was a real eye-catcher in I’moncloudnine. He looked a big danger turning in to the straight but I didn’t get home in that brutal test of stamina. The drop back to three miles will suit him as will the return to a flat track. I’moncloudnine is racing off the same mark (133) on Saturday, is very consistent and a great win and place bet. 16 on the Daq is a big price and we’ll all be on cloud nine if he wins!

To view the BETDAQ market for Doncaster 3.20 - CLICK HERE

---

 

Ed Chamberllin's Weekend Sporting Bets

Saturday 22 January >

Ed Chamberlin's "Weekend Sports Bets"

1. Ascot Fancies

The weather has done it's best to ruin another weekend's racing with Haydock and Gowran Park casualties. I think Mad Max will run a big race against Master Minded at Ascot and I am also keen on the same card on Pickamus (win and place) in the 3.30 to go well at a price following his fall at Cheltenham last time out.

To view the BETDAQ market for Ascot 2.25 - CLICK HERE
To view the BETDAQ market for Ascot 3.30 - CLICK HERE

2. Pandorama to win the Gold Cup

Therefore it's a good time to step in to Betdaq's ante-post markets. It’s always sad to see a great champion beaten and Kauto Star went down so bravely in the King George. He’s out to 9.4 to win the Gold Cup and Paul Nicholls will have to perform miracles to make that happen. Hopefully Master Minded can cheer the same connections with victory at Ascot on Saturday.

I don’t fancy Saturday’s hero to win the Gold Cup either as the King George seemed to fall apart on the testing ground and Cheltenham chases are all about track specialists and getting in to a jumping rhythm. Long Run hasn’t enjoyed the Cheltenham challenge on either visit so far. Imperial Commander (5) looks solid again and although I’m convinced Denman (9.2) will run a big race, neither appeal at the prices.

I think the one bit of value left in the Gold Cup is Pandorama at 15.5. If you knew he was going to run at Cheltenham that would be a big price but I strongly fancy him to win the Irish Hennessy next week and if he does that I find it hard to believe Noel Meade could resist the Cheltenham challenge, which should be right up Pandorama’s street. Soft ground may be important to him but there’s no evidence to suggest he won’t act on a quicker surface and the year’s race looks sure to be run at a fierce pace and turn in to battle, which will suit Pandorama. He was awesome in the Lexus Chase at Christmas, allaying any fears I had about his jumping, and remember this is a horse that beat subsequent RSA winner Weapon’s Amnesty last season. Now seems a good time for my first dip in to the Festival ante-post markets with Pandorama at 15.5.

For more Cheltenham clues have a look at my interview with leading owner David Johnson who has two strong fancies for March:- http://goo.gl/gXY3a

To view the BETDAQ market for the Gold Cup - CLICK HERE


3. Blackburn to beat West Brom

In meetings between teams in the bottom half of the table it pays to side with the home team, who tend to target these fixtures, and the majority of these sides seem to really struggle away from home.

Like Stoke and Bolton last week, Blackburn and West Brom are perfect examples. Rovers have struggled away from home but have won four of their last six at Ewood Park, while West Brom have lost their last three away games. Blackburn are looking to do the double over West Brom having won 3-1 at the Hawthorns over Christmas. They are unbeaten in the last seven meetings at Ewood in all competitions and haven’t lost a top flight game to West Brom since April 1966. I’m amazed to see the home side available at odds against and at 2.35 on the Daq, Blackurn to beat West Brom is my ‘bet of the week’.

To view the BETDAQ market for Blackburn v WBA - CLICK HERE

---

 

Ed Chamberlin's Weekend Sporting Bets

Saturday 15 January >

Ed Chamberlin's "Weekend Sports Bets"

1. In the two big races on Saturday I think Kauto Star, despite getting on in years and being susceptible at Cheltenham, will still be different class to the rest round Kempton. I fancy Binocular to retain his title at Cheltenham but it wouldn’t surprise me if he was beaten on Saturday. January, soft ground and a track that doesn’t suit him is a far cry from spring sunshine and decent ground at the Festival, which brings out the best in Binocular. I fancy Khyber Kim to gain his revenge for defeat in the 2010 Champion Hurdle this weekend. Overturn will go a furious pace and set the race up for a ‘closer’. A fresh Khyber Kim is a dangerous animal and he has conditions in his favour. Saturday looks the day to catch this massively talented nine-year-old.

To view the BETDAQ market for Kempton 2.25 - CLICK HERE


2. That wretched AP McCoy. For over three miles of the Welsh National I thought we going to land a major touch with Giles Cross last weekend, as he travelled and jumped like a dream until the champion jockey ranged up on Synchronised three out. When that happens, the result is inevitable. The lesson to be learnt from the weekend was for staying handicap chases in the mud, you can follow Jonjo O’Neill and Victor Dartnall blind.

I’m going to go for another Dartnall horse this weekend in the Classic Chase at Warwick at 3.20pm on Saturday. The in-form trainer loves to target these staying chases and Richard’s Sundance has been bought to the boil for Saturday’s contest and ran a fine race behind Blazing Bailey at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. He looks well handicapped to me and capable of better. Fingers crossed the meeting gets the go-ahead after the morning inspection.

To view the BETDAQ market for Warwick 3.20 - CLICK HERE


3. Southampton did the business for us with ease against Blackpool last week. Two weeks ago Stoke ended our run of winning bets in the Premier League when they beat Everton 2-0. Now I’m going to rely on Tony Pulis’ men to get us back on track by beating Bolton at the Britannia. Bolton have won on two of their last three visits to Stoke but are having a real struggle away from home at the moment and have lost four on the spin. They are such a good side at the Reebok but seem to find it harder to play the ‘Owen Coyle way’ on the road. Both sides are having excellent seasons with two of the country’s best managers at the helm. Stoke are similar to Bolton in many ways and equally difficult to beat at home. 2.24 looks a good price on a home win for Stoke.

To view the BETDAQ market for Stoke v Bolton - CLICK HERE

---

 

Ed Chamberlin's Weekend Sporting Bets

Saturday 8 January >

Ed Chamberlin's "Weekend Sports Bets"


1. Southampton to beat Blackpool in the FA Cup 3rd Round.

Just two fancies this weekend as the weather's set to ruin the racing and most of the FA Cup ties look like minefields for punters with much changed line-ups and teams with other priorities. Blackpool fall in to both categories and I can see them going out at St Mary's on Saturday. I'm wary of this one as I don't think I've ever tipped Southampton in my 36 years of supporting them. Hwoever, I've seen them play a lot of late and Nigel Adkins has the team playing really well and full of confidence. Adam Lallana and Alex Chamberlain (no relation) will cause Blackpool all sorts of problems on the flanks and Rickie Lambert has re-discovered his scoring boots. Jose Fonte and co. look solid at the back too. I sense Adkins would love to keep the Saints' winning run going, while I doubt Ian Holloway will lose too much sleep about going out of the Cup. Southampton at 2.2 look a decent bet.

To view the BETDAQ market for Southampton v Blackpool - CLICK HERE
 

2. Giles Cross win and place @ 22 in the Welsh National

Giles Cross always seems to run badly on his re-appearance and isn’t suited by good ground so put a line through his return at Cheltenham in November. Victor Dartnall kept his horses fit on Woolacombe beach during the cold snap and Giles Cross is primed to go well off a feather weight and the more horrible and slow the ground at Chepstow the better. He was running a decent race behind Saturday’s market leader Synchronised in the Midlands National in March before he was badly hampered by a loose horse five from home. Giles Cross is 10lbs better off with that rival, has been laid out for this contest and crucially has winning form round this track. He should go well at a big price.

To view the BETDAQ market for the Welsh National (Chepstow 1.45) - CLICK HERE

---