Pig Out on Sport this Christmas

ON THE armchair this festive period? Have enough of Christmas movies and gameshows? Here is some sporting events you will not want to miss. And if you are local to some of the action why not go along and enjoy the action in the flesh.

FOOTBALL

There are no less than four Barclays Premier League rounds and a round of FA Cup action, where the Premier League sides join in, taking place between now and January 9th.
It will be Match of the Day, Final Score and Gillete Soccer Saturday and other highlights programmes a-go-go as I like to keep up with all the action in a convenient package. There is plenty of live action to be had over the next few weeks.
The pick of the clashes over the busy Christmas schedule are:

Premier League

Lennon beats Lampard in last seasons meeting. Pic: Google Images

Tottenham V Chelsea. Thursday 22nd December 20:00. Sky Sports 1

Both sides are vying for the champions league places and come the end of the season this “six pointer” could be pivotal. This London derby is always entertaining and has served up some memorable games in recent years.

Manchester City V Liverpool. Tuesday 3rd January 20:00. Sky Sports 1
This is their second league meeting in five weeks and City have had their flood of goals halted slightly with only one game of their last four producing more than one goal in their favour and up against the league’s tightest defence so far this season an interesting match is in store.

Newcastle V Manchester United. Wednesday 4th January 20:00. Sky Sports 1
The Magpies held the champions to a 1-1 draw earlier in the season and this is an important game for the Red Devils to win because the likelihood is that their Manchester rivals will win the rest of their Christmas fixtures and if they are to slip up at Liverpool this is their opportunity to pull ever closer.

FA Cup

Manchester City V Manchester United. Sunday 8th January 13:00. ITV1
The FA Cup has lost its allure in recent years but monstrous clashes like these have a place and significance no matter what is on the line. United will not want to lose to their cross town rivals who would be keen to hand out another drubbing after their 6-1 win in October. Both sides are expected to take the competition seriously as they have been eliminated from the Champions League.

RUGBY

Rabo Direct Pro 12

Two interprovincial derbies take place in quick succession during the holidays. They often look less competitive on paper than they turn out to be in reality. With all four provinces now in the Heiniken Cup, three on top of their respective groups, the competition is expected to be as great as ever.
Coverage of the matches comes from RTÈ, BBC and TG4.

Leinster V Ulster. Monday 26th December 17:30 RTÈ/BBC
Both sides come into the game after wide margin victories in the Heiniken Cup last week. One would expect the home side to win, they are currently at the head of affairs in the table and perhaps have more to play for. However Ulster will want to move nearer the summit of the table and will attempt to make it difficult for the home side.

Munster V Connacht. Monday 26th December 19:45 TG4
The history of these clashes often goes as follows, game is slow into life, low scoring for a long period with Munster eventually grinding out a victory or running in few late tries. Nothing in the recent form of the two teams would suggest a much different outcome.
A number of years ago a game between these two finished 3-0 to Munster with an O’Gara penalty after a long and gruelling 67 minutes the difference between the sides.
In Thomond Park one cannot see anything else but a victory for the reds. I think we can expect it to be higher scoring than that 2004 tie!

Good game in store at Ravenhill. Pic: munsterrugby.ie

Ulster V Munster. Friday 30th December 19:05 RTÈ/BBC
At Ravenhill this is a potential stumbling block for Munster. The away side won this fixture last year for the first time since the 2006-07 season.
Ulster would catch up on Munster in the Rabo standings with a win, if both sides play to European form it will be a tight and entertaining match and gets my pick as the Rugby highlight of the Christmas period.

Connacht V Leinster. Sunday 1st January 17:00 TG4
Connacht let a big lead slip in the reverse fixture in October against an under strength Leinster. Both sides have improved since that meeting but with all their internationals returned Leinster will not want to slip up and give the Ospreys an opportunity to take top spot.
Connacht’s mixture of youth and experience will be sure to give a mighty effort to humble the European champions and a bit more luck for the western side could see them run them close.

HORSE RACING

Too old for a fifth King George? Pic:Racing Post

KEMPTON 26th & 27th December. Coverage Channel4/Racing UK
The King George was rearranged last season from its Boxing Day slot due to snow. Long Run took the spoils in January with Kauto Star well adrift in third. Kauto reversed the result at Haydock and along with stablemate Master Minded attempt to dethrone their Nicky Henderson trained rival.

This years renewal has more genuine contenders than in recent years with Kauto Star having dominated the race since 2005 until last January. Captain Chris, the Arkle winner last March and who unseated on his seasonal reappearance would be a clear danger to all if staying the new trip.
There is also a question whether or not Master Minded will see out the three mile trip but he has won a plethora of Grade 1 prizes, some in spectacular fashion so cannot be written off despite the perception that he will not appreciate the longer trip.

LEOPARDSTOWN 26th-29th December. RTÈ/At The Races
No weather problems are expected this year and with plenty of stars on show it will make good viewing.
It kicks off on St Stephen’s Day with the Racing Post Novice Chase the feature on day one. Bog Warrior who was an easy winner last time looks the one to beat with the likely competition coming from the Willie Mullins stable.
The Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase looks to lie in the lap of last year’s winner Big Zeb, he is odds on in ante post markets for the event which he has won twice in the past.
The absence of Denman due to injury and retirement has put a slight dampener on the Lexus Chase but the line up is strong even without his presence. Quito de la Roque, Rubi Light, Joncol and Bostons Angel are just a quartet in a 17 strong entry.
The final day will (hopefully) see the reappearance of the mighty Hurrricane Fly in the Istabraq Festival Hurdle. He missed his earlier engagement in the Morgiana Hurdle because his trainer Willie Mullins was not happy with his well being.
The winner of that race Thousand Stars, his stablemate, is the most noteworthy rival. But if Hurricane Fly shows up in good heart then there will be no stopping him. He is possibly the best two mile hurdler since Istabraq whom the race is now named after and will be parading at Leopardstown on the day.

OTHER RACING
The Welsh National at Chepstow on the 27th is the other race of note, last season’s winner Synchronized will be attempting to win it again. Cheltenham will take place on New Year’s Day and for any of you major racing fans out there your appetite will need to be big to handle all the action.
There will be a host of meetings throughout the UK and Ireland over the festive season with a dozen on December 26th alone.

DARTS

If you simply cannot get enough then enjoy the two World Darts Championships. It is not a sport I would follow all year through myself but I do enjoy it for these two/three weeks every year.
The PDC tournament is currently in progress at the Alexandra Palace in London and concludes on January 2nd. You can see the action live on Sky Sports.
The BDO World Darts Championship begins on January 7th and takes place at the Lakeside Country Club in Surrey, UK. The live and highlights coverage can be seen on BBC television.
Whatever your sporting dish this Christmas season enjoy the action and have a Happy Christmas.

Can it be done?

IS IT all just luck or is there skill involved? Are those professional out there really making a good living from it?

The activity I refer to is betting (or gambling if you prefer).

Betting on sporting events is not seen as an ‘acceptable’ way to make money. Everyone assumes that all money staked is ultimately lost. I am here to attempt to prove that theory wrong.

Many have lost fortunes in investments and trading on exchanges yet it is seen as a more acceptable way of doing the same thing - placing money on an outcome that you believe to be likely.

Picture: gamblingpokersite.com

I have heard a statistic that about one in every 20 to 30 people who gamble come out in the black. On this blog I will post everyday (that I have a bet) and I invite you to follow my journey to see what sort of profit is made.

From December 1^st I will embark on a journey to see if a significant profit can be made by investing on sporting events.

On a personal note, I have been betting for about 6 years but only since 2010 I think I can say “I know what I am doing”.  The last 6 months (since May 2011) have been a “career best” for me.

Racing will be a main betting sport. Pic: espn.go.com

My bets will predominantly be Horse Racing and Soccer with the occasional bet on other events. No games where you play the house such as Blackjack or Roulette will be included. There will be lay (to lose) bets as well as win bets included.

I will attempt to be as honest as possible with all details regarding betting throughout the journey. If you have any comments you would like to make follow me on Twitter (@con_clancy).

This is not a tipping service, I am not employing any magical betting systems, and I am not promoting gambling.

I do not claim to known it all and at this game we are always learning and over the next few months we will surely do so.

So join me on a journey, you could be part of something!

Five to follow 2011/12

The jumps season will be in top gear after this weekend. The deadline for the Totesport Ten to Follow is imminent and here are a few you may want to look out for over the course of the season.

Reve de Sivola

6-y-o. Trainer: Nick Williams

Reve De Sivola: could be a Welsh National type
Photo: Martin Lynch (racingpost.com)

This dour stayer, a former dual Grade1 winner looks due to bag a good handicap chase this season. I think he is an ideal type for the Welsh national. Jumps soundly, handles heavy going, stays as long as he is asked and has ran well at the track on a number of occasions.

He was placed at both the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals before being the beaten in the Grade1 novice chase at Punchestown.

Captain Chris

7-y-o. Trainer: P Hobbs

He progressed all the way through the season to win two Grade 1s, the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham and the Ryanair Novice Chase at Punchestown. He was unlucky not to win on his seasonal reappearance after unseating after the last when holding every chance.

He is versatile regarding trip and ground conditions. His trainer believes he will be better over longer distances. However the record of Arkle winners in the following seasons Champion Chase is remarkable and with that division not as competitive as it has been in recent years he could well collect a few prizes at shorter trips.

Until he runs in the King George, his reported target we will not know where his season may turn. Yet to be out of the first two home in 10 completed starts over obstacles so must be respected wherever he turns up.

Accordingtojodie

5-y-o. Trainer: N Henderson

Destroyed a decent bumper field at Galway on debut and was later sold. Now races with Nicky Henderson and got lost in the fog at Newbury last December on his first run for the new trainer. Has reportedly had a breathing operation since.

If the five year old shows a level of form like that easy Galway win he will be an exciting prospect over hurdles for the coming season.

Silviniaco Conti

5-y-o. Trainer: P Nicholls

Won his second chase start at Wincanton last time. He jumped well before fading late on his debut against Cue Card. He takes his place in an extremely competitive division this year but connections will hold no fear.

When Paul Nicholls first acquired him he stated he could be a future Gold Cup horse and that should not be taken lightly from the four time winning trainer. Nicholls thinks he may be better going right handed so the Feltham at Kempton on 26^th December could be a port of call for the son Dom Alco.

Silviniaco Conti: highly regarded
Photo: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Texas Jack

5-y-o. Trainer: Noel Meade

Has earned a late inclusion to the list after an impressive win at Clonmel on Thursday. He sluiced past the useful Make a Track under a cheeky Paul Carberry.

He has previously won the valuable Land Rover Bumper at Punchestown in May.

He has Grade1 aims after that win and Noel Meade has no doubts about his ability. Has won three from as many runs and looked very composed for a novice. He will be tough to beat and having looked more mature than many of his fellow novices who have turned out this season already.

He could be one to catch early in the season as a betting prospect given his current form.

National Hunt Season 2011/12 Preview

THE NATIONAL HUNT season is about to kick off in earnest right about now. As ever there is a plethora of rivalries and clashes to look forward to, Nicholls versus Henderson for the champion trainer title, Long Run the new star will look to repel all comers. Is there life in the old guard Kauto Star and Denman? Will Big Bucks’ stay unbeaten or can a worthy rival emerge to challenge this ‘monster’?

The answers to these questions will be resolved over the coming months. So let us take a look at the various top drawer divisions.

2m Hurdlers

It is all about Hurricane Fly after his five Grade1 wins last season and is a true champion with 11 wins from 13 races over hurdles. There appears to be no apparent challengers in Ireland for his crown and with last year’s champion hurdle second, third, fourth turning their hand to other codes/distances and many of the top novice hurdlers from 2011 going chasing Spirit Son, Zarkandar and perhaps an on song Binocular are left to challenge the Willie Mullins horse.

Big Bucks'
Photo: Google Images

Staying Hurdlers

Big Bucks’ hit his prime last season and his win at Aintree was simply sublime; with just two hurdlers to jump the commentator Mark Johnson described his might “Big Bucks’ just coasting on the bit and Ruby Walsh has time to adjust his goggles!” Putting it plainly he is the best horse in training and in Oscar Whiskey and Thousand Stars he will have two new rivals to swat like all who came before.

In Ireland Willie Mullins again holds all the aces with Mourad, Quevega and the aforementioned Thousand Stars looking likely to share the races between them.

2m Chasers

Sizing Europe took home the ultimate prize in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham festival but overall last year no horse dominated the division. Master Minded is going to race over further this season. Big Zeb is now 10 years old and may have his best days behind him. Captain Chris improved all season and finished with Grade1 wins in the Arkle and the Ryanair novice chase at Punchestown. Despite reports that he may be best over further the record of Arkle winners in the following years Champion Chase is very good (4 wins from 7 who tried) so he may well run at a variety of distances. Finian’s Rainbow, Ghizao, Realt Dubh, Golden Silver, and French Opera are others of note in the division and I’m sure all will hold strong chances of making the winners enclosure at some point.

Staying Chasers

Long Run leaves old guard in his wake in last years Gold Cup
Photo: Google Images

Last year’s Gold Cup signalled the end of an era. Kauto Star and Denman who have given us so much to savour in the last five years are coming to the end of the line and six year old Long Run is very much the leading contender for all the major prizes. With Weapons Amnesty and Imperial Commander out for the season others will look to provide a challenge to the Waley-Cohen’s animal. Diamond Harry will be back in action and will be one to follow early in the season as he is best fresh. Time for Rupert will look to fulfil the promise he failed to deliver on in last season’s RSA chase after a satisfactory reappearance in the Charlie Hall Chase.

Ireland appear to have a stronger division of staying chasers this year than in recent season’s  Bostons Angel, Jessies Dream, Quel Esprit and Quito de la Roque all expected to come through from the novice ranks to challenge for honours. Pandorama on soft going will be a force also.

Master Minded and Riverside Theatre will be tried at the longer distances but will probably end up over two and a half miles as the season progresses.

Next the novice divisions of hurdling and chasing will be examined and they look as interesting if not more so than in recent seasons. Plenty of top hurdlers from 2010/11 are turning their hand to the bigger obstacles and we will see them next.

Champions Day lives up to the hype

Billed as an historic day since the beginning of the flat season Qipco British Champions Day, the richest racing day ever to be staged in the UK, certainly lived up to the hype. Frankel, the main attraction in a plethora of horses from the top rung of racing’s quality ladder. The stunning weather at Ascot was more like what you would expect at the Royal meeting, Matt Chapman of At The Races put it into context “when god woke up this morning he thought ‘Qipco British Champions Day!’”.

PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

There was an atmosphere of expectation for every race, and the crowd of c. 27,000 expectations were warranted. Fame and Glory the Ascot Gold Cup winner galloping back to form to hold any challenges, a sprint field of contenders who had contested Europe’s best sprint races all season and was won easily by favourite Deacon Blues, Dancing Rain a dual Oaks winner posted a heroic performance to make all in the Filly and Mares race, the almighty Frankel cosily sealed his title of champion miler, and the Champions stakes, said by some to be the best contest for many a year consisting of 25 Group 1 titles between the dozen strong line up including eight time top level victor and eventual runner up So You Think, Twice Over who had won the race as many times as his name suggests just two in a stellar field. The winner Cirrus Des Aigles however was gaining his first Group1 win as he mowed down the Aussie import to earn a celebration from the flamboyant Christophe Soumillon.

The issue in the preceeding days had been put to the back of people’s minds, then the whip rules cracked their way back into focus, Soumillon was adjudged to have hit Cirrus Des Aigles six times in the last furlong, one more than permitted but one less than allowed in the whole race. The Belgian was given a five day ban and a fine of over £50k in his share of the prize money. French based Soumillon was clearly incensed by the decision: "I'm very, very, very embarrassed for British racing. The people and the fans have been let down.

"This is 2011, we are civilised people, it's not the 1800s, we can't be treated like this. The rules can change, but not like this, you can't chop our heads and legs off.

Christophe Soumillion

PICTURE: Masakazu Takahashi

"I am not here to whip horses, I'm here to make the horse run his best. These whips are soft and maybe I should have hit him earlier. You're going flat out, there is a huge crowd here and advertising everywhere, how are you meant to see a tiny furlong marker.

"For the sake of 20 yards, I've been punished and lost £50,000, my valet will be paid, so will my agent, but I will not. This will have a big impact on my title challenge in France also.

"In what other sport do you see such big punishments for a little offence? It doesn't happen to Michael Schumacher or Zinedine Zidane, and they earn ten times what we do.

"I heard about this a week ago - how can I adapt my riding style in a week? The last time I rode in this country was a month ago. It's different in this country to everywhere else, I ride in many countries - we need international guidelines like they have in every other sport.

The lack of clarity and the difficulty in understanding the logic of the rules is reiterated by Soumillon. "I've hit my horse six times, that's less than seven, yet I get banned and all my money taken”. He said that he would take legal action against the new rules. "You can't take money earned off people like this. I will get a good lawyer and we will see."

There was compensation awaiting Soumillon at Woodbine on Sunday when he rode the French filly Sarah Lynx to victory in the Pattison Canadian International Stakes. John Hammond’s charge stormed to victory leaving last year’s winner Joshua Tree and Aidan O Brien’s Treasure Beach four lengths in her wake. Ironically had the race taken place in the UK the stewards may perhaps have had a look at his use of the whip (non-excessive as it was).

Everyone involved in racing is looking forward to the issue of the whip rules being resolved as soon as possible. There is a meeting today between jockeys and BHA officials and we all look to a successful compromise being made.

Qipco British Champions Day was a success and plans are already in place to boost the status of some of the races to Group1 status for 2012.