By Nigel Ridgway
April 23 2006

Scottish National Pick: All In the Stars @ 8/1- On the same card, Wellbeing looks a good bet to take the Scottish Champion Hurdle (2.50) He was top-class on the flat and, although he took a while to get the hang of things over jumps, his latest impressive Aintree win confirms him as a future star

GET IN THE GAME WITH NIGEL RIDGWAY 21-4-06

FOOTBALL
BLUES CAN BREAK RED BLOCKADE AT bet365’s 11/10

Chelsea v Liverpool
Sa Apr 22 – 5.15 pm ko (BBC1)

As usual with these two teams, a tight low-scoring game looks on the cards, but its Chelsea who are fancied to prevail at the bet365 price of 11/10 (Liverpool 12/5, 2/1 the Draw). That doesn’t look a bad price considering that Chelsea have won five of the last nine encounters in the last two seasons, compared to the Red’s solitary triumph in May 2005, and they probably have more potential match winners on the pitch than Liverpool. Of course, the Reds won’t be easy to break down at Old Trafford, but Chelsea are fancied to nick his by one goal and progress to the final.

In the bet365 First Goalscorer market, the in-form Didier Drogba gets the nod at 5/1, especially as they’ll give you your money back if he scores the last goal in the game instead. It’s not difficult to envisage this game being really tight leading up to the interval, so the same firm’s 4/1 about the Draw / Chelsea double result market also looks tempting. Once the game goes live, don’t forget to check out their Live In-Play Console, which offers up to 14 dynamic markets on the game.

Live Game Picks:

Chelsea @ 11/10
Didier Drogba to score first @ 5/1
Draw / Chelsea @ 4/1

BORO TO NAIL HAMMERS AT 13/10

Middlesbrough v West Ham
Su Apr 23 – 4.00 pm ko (SS1)

Not forgetting the ‘other’ semi final, which promises to be at least as entertaining as the match at Old Trafford, with both teams likely to go for each other’s throats straight from the whistle. Both teams are much better going forward than they are sitting back, which should give the neutrals amongst us plenty of excitement, and a decent bet to boot in the shape of over 2.5 goals at 10/11. Both sides have averaged two goals per game in the FA Cup this season, and this game is likely to be no exception. As for the winner, Boro just get the nod at 13/10, with their quality winger James Morrison a good shout to score first at bet365’s 11/1 (3/1 Anytime).

Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.90
James Morrison to score first @ 11/1

HORSE RACING
IT’S ALL IN THE STARS AT 8/1 FOR SCOTTISH NATIONAL

This weekend, the flat takes a back seat as the jumpers are in action up at Ayr for the last National of the season. It’s been a tough season already for many of the runners in Saturday’s Scottish National (3.30), so it should pay to stick with those runners who have had a relatively light campaign so far, and the Paul Keane-trained All In the Stars will be fresher than most. Connections have laid their horse out for the race all season after showing progressive form, and their decision to bypass Cheltenham and Aintree could reap dividends at a tasty bet365 price of 8/1. He’s already shown that he’s suited to a flat track and a test of stamina, and proved that he can mix it with the best over fences by slamming Vodafone Gold Cup winner Horus (3rd) at Wincanton last time out.

Scottish National Pick: All In the Stars @ 8/1

On the same card, Wellbeing looks a good bet to take the Scottish Champion Hurdle (2.50). He was top-class on the flat and, although he took a while to get the hang of things over jumps, his latest impressive Aintree win confirms him as a future star, and the 19lb rise in the weights is unlikely to stop him going in again. Jack The Giant was beaten a short head by the selection last time out at Newbury in receipt of just 5lb, and he looks the answer to the opening novice hurdle (1.50). As well as taking advantage of some cracking bets on the card, bet365 customers can go one better by having a free bet(s) on the live Channel 4 racing from Ayr and Newbury. Simply back a winner at 4/1 or more in a live Channel 4 race and they’ll give you a free bet to the same stake (up to £50) on the next bet365 Channel 4 Race.

GOLF
GLOVER TO HUMBLE HIS RIVALS AT 28/1

Houston Open
Th Apr 20 – 21.00 (SS2)
Fr Apr 21 – 21.00 (SS2)
Sa Apr 22 – 20.00 (SS2)
Su Apr 23 – 20.00 (SS2)

This week’s event is being played on a brand new course (Redstone GC, Humble, TX), which unfortunately means there’s no course form to go on. However, it’s safe to assume that at just under 7,500 yards long, the course is going to suit the long-hitters, which is why the main pick this week is Lucas Glover (tenth in total driving this season). With four top-ten efforts and seven top-25 finishes in 11starts, Glover’s had the ‘winner waiting to happen’ look for some time now and, at the bet365 price of 28/1, he has to be thereabouts.

Despite having no course form to go on, a good record in Houston is still desirable as it shows an ability to play in the prevailing course and weather conditions, and that means Gary Owen must come into the reckoning at a tasty bet365 price of 40/1. Last year’s Houston Open represented his best chance to win on the Tour before the Bay Hill Invitational last month (finished fourth after holding the final round lead during the front nine), and a return to Houston should see him back into he mix. He’s worth backing each-way in bet365’s outright market, but mustn’t be missed at 11/2 to be Top European.

At the same odds, the massive-hitting Camillo Villegas also makes plenty of appeal, having twice made the frame this year in his rookie year. He missed the cut last week at Hilton Head, where the emphasis was on accuracy off the tee, but this week’s set-up will be much more to his liking. Don’t forget, once the event tees off, bet365 will still be taking plenty of bets via their In-Play Console found on their homepage. The advice here is to back your selection before they reach the intimidating 15th, the longest of the par fives at a mere 607 yards!

The Houston Open Three Off The Tee … Lucas Glover @ 28/1 (19/1 EWO), Davis Love @ 16/1, Stewart Cink @ 20/1. Each-way ¼ odds 1.2.3.4.5

Get in the game and be lucky!

Nigel

NIGEL RIDGWAY, an experienced punter and betting shop owner of many years, believes that “The key to successful gambling is getting value for money.” Nigel was once forced by local bookmakers, to stop writing a tipping column in a UK newspaper, because he was costing them a fortune. Find out what offers and lines are hot at bet365



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