footy news

It's been a long night, but a good one. Football, Top Gear, CWK finished and now some MW2.

TestamentUK (Stephen G) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:38:56 -0800

It's been a long night, but a good one. Football, Top Gear, CWK finished and now some MW2.

@nintendo_fii damn, missed all the football this weekend!

KinkyFro (Nick Tonge) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:38:02 -0800

@nintendo_fii damn, missed all the football this weekend!

@LiquidSquid For someone who doesn't like football you watch an awful lot of it.

craigburgess (Craig Burgess) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:36:57 -0800

@LiquidSquid For someone who doesn't like football you watch an awful lot of it.

@andysimcox saw it. made me laugh when they asked him for some memories, he recounted a story about moving a wardrobe rather than football.

millersjon (Jon Harrison) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:35:49 -0800

@andysimcox saw it. made me laugh when they asked him for some memories, he recounted a story about moving a wardrobe rather than football.

Wondering whether or not to play a Wigan Athletic version of 'Soccer Heading' on the Wii Fit Plus. ? Easy - just avoid the ball! Seemples!

chewbaxter (Neil Baxter) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:34:38 -0800

Wondering whether or not to play a Wigan Athletic version of 'Soccer Heading' on the Wii Fit Plus. ? Easy - just avoid the ball! Seemples!

Facebook, Wikipedia y Betfair, las empresas online con más valor http://is.gd/51lgm /vía noticiasdot.com

javianmuniz (javianmuniz) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:33:00 -0800

Facebook, Wikipedia y Betfair, las empresas online con más valor http://is.gd/51lgm /vía noticiasdot.com

@Appasi no problem. Going to be a close premiership this year.

SpooksNspectors (Just Nick) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:27:44 -0800

@Appasi no problem. Going to be a close premiership this year.

insert football related comment

thegreatshakes (The Great Shakes) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:27:18 -0800

*insert football related comment*

@xreeshix I LOVE NFL Football!!! I'm watching Pats vs Jets right now, lol!

DominiFinch (Domini Finch) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:26:28 -0800

@xreeshix I LOVE NFL Football!!! I'm watching Pats vs Jets right now, lol!

Success of the Bundesliga http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2009/nov/22/bundesliga-premier-league-club-ownership

mark_rg30 (Mark Sugar) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:26:12 -0800

Success of the Bundesliga http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2009/nov/22/bundesliga-premier-league-club-ownership

@Nasa94 you obviously don't watch Soccer AM, lol. He's the other presenter! :L

JohnsNeeds (John Jarvis) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:25:41 -0800

@Nasa94 you obviously don't watch Soccer AM, lol. He's the other presenter! :L

lovin football at mo Sat Side in 1/4 final sunday side go down 5-1 with only 9 men Spurs score 9 with Defo bagging 5 Arsenal go down to Bent

EMEBEE7 (Michael E Brown) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:25:17 -0800

lovin football at mo Sat Side in 1/4 final sunday side go down 5-1 with only 9 men Spurs score 9 with Defo bagging 5 Arsenal go down to Bent

Watching match of the day and loving it ! We can't get enough football these days! Still can't believe tottenham's 9-1 tho we're shocked !

E_to_the_A (Ellie ashby) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:25:05 -0800

Watching match of the day and loving it ! We can't get enough football these days! Still can't believe tottenham's 9-1 tho we're shocked !

Ok... now to watch highlights of a 9-1 Premier League Football Match. As a Palace fan i've been on the end of a 6-1, but 9-1 whoah!!

darenBBC (Daren Forsyth) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:24:40 -0800

Ok... now to watch highlights of a 9-1 Premier League Football Match. As a Palace fan i've been on the end of a 6-1, but 9-1 whoah!!

@IEatMousetraps Yeah, I should be - will be watching the football. If I'm not Tweeting just send us a DM or something, my phone'll grab it.

SawyerRe (SawyerRe) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:23:47 -0800

@IEatMousetraps Yeah, I should be - will be watching the football. If I'm not Tweeting just send us a DM or something, my phone'll grab it.

It was definitely a good idea to put Jermaine Defoe in my fantasy football team this week and make him captain :o)

leggetter (Phil Leggetter) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:22:47 -0800

It was definitely a good idea to put Jermaine Defoe in my fantasy football team this week and make him captain :o)

Check out Swidget 1.0 2 on #Widgetbox http://wbx.me/w/42hucv

SingerMomma (Lisa Anguiano) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:21:39 -0800

Check out Swidget 1.0 2 on #Widgetbox http://wbx.me/w/42hucv

Facebook, Wikipedia y Betfair, las empresas online con más valor http://www.blodico.com/125893117125

blodico (Blodico) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:20:06 -0800

Facebook, Wikipedia y Betfair, las empresas online con más valor http://www.blodico.com/125893117125

Check out WSPA Bear Sancturay series on Animal Planet on #Widgetbox http://wbx.me/w/42htrj

Astrid_07 (Barbara Oliveira) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:08:08 -0800

Check out WSPA Bear Sancturay series on Animal Planet on #Widgetbox http://wbx.me/w/42htrj

Facebook, Wikipedia y Betfair, las empresas online con más valor: La red social Facebook, la enciclopedia on-l.. http://bit.ly/4NzQUL

Noticiasdot (Noticiasdot) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:49:29 -0800

Facebook, Wikipedia y Betfair, las empresas online con más valor: La red social Facebook, la enciclopedia on-l.. http://bit.ly/4NzQUL

Check out AniTube.Com.Br on #Widgetbox http://wbx.me/w/42hsun

AniTube (AniTube) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:46:18 -0800

Check out AniTube.Com.Br on #Widgetbox http://wbx.me/w/42hsun

#webdesign Betfair Free API ASP Net: I need an ASP Net file prefferably written in Visual Basic to ac.. http://bit.ly/080J71y

worldfreelance (worldfreelance) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:25:56 -0800

#webdesign Betfair Free API ASP Net: I need an ASP Net file prefferably written in Visual Basic to ac.. http://bit.ly/080J71y

Check out Swidget 1.0 3 on #Widgetbox http://wbx.me/w/42hrrt

jordan53313 (jordan) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:21:20 -0800

Check out Swidget 1.0 3 on #Widgetbox http://wbx.me/w/42hrrt

Check out AMA "Artist of the Year" 2009 on http://wbx.me/w/42hpql Taylor Swift or Michael Jackson?

contentchannel (Content Channel) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:16:46 -0800

Check out AMA "Artist of the Year" 2009 on http://wbx.me/w/42hpql Taylor Swift or Michael Jackson?

Check out Until Eclipse Premieres... on #Widgetbox http://wbx.me/w/42hr4b

zemma_girl93 (Emma Loftus) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:14:06 -0800

Check out Until Eclipse Premieres... on #Widgetbox http://wbx.me/w/42hr4b

Check out Swidget 1.0 4 on #Widgetbox http://wbx.me/w/42hr2d

geekgrrrll (Karen Padgett) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:00:36 -0800

Check out Swidget 1.0 4 on #Widgetbox http://wbx.me/w/42hr2d

World Cup Betting: Who can scale the heights required to beat the altitude factor? (Betfair) http://bit.ly/083tgOC

WorldCup_Latest (2010 World Cup news) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:33:38 -0800

World Cup Betting: Who can scale the heights required to beat the altitude factor? (Betfair) http://bit.ly/083tgOC

http://bit.ly/4I0TC1 Betfair Free API ASP Net http://bit.ly/6438Cb

legendfe (Mike Legend) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:31:06 -0800

http://bit.ly/4I0TC1 Betfair Free API ASP Net http://bit.ly/6438Cb

I think @johnmurray93 should get a Betfair Account so i can play him at his weakest game and take all his cash:D

RitchieEss (Ritchie Salveta) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:20:45 -0800

I think @johnmurray93 should get a Betfair Account so i can play him at his weakest game and take all his cash:D

Messing around with the JAX-WS, CXF and the Betfair API.

robinhowlett (Robin Howlett) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:16:32 -0800

Messing around with the JAX-WS, CXF and the Betfair API.

IRELAND'S EYE on Sunday

David Stewart — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:58:28 -0800

Sunday 22 November

IRELAND'S EYE

The main meeting in England today sees 2 races over the National course at Aintree while there are meetings North and South of the border at Towcester and Musselburgh. In addition to a Graded novice hurdle Navan stages one its main races of the season in the Troytown hc chase in Ireland. Willie Mullins can add another big chase success to his recent haul in the Navan feature while Nigel Twiston Davies could have a 1-2 in an Aintree chase over the Grand National fences.

We were on the ball in two of our selected races yesterday when Possol (9/4 morn-11/8) beat our savers Arkose (15/2-7/1) and South Leinster (10/1) in the opener at Ascot and we followed up with Bennythejets (7/2-3/1) at Huntingdon. However our nap Burton Port (4-10/3) ‘caught a tartar’ in a competitive handicap at Haydock while Peddlers Cross (3-11/4) proved an easy winner for us in our supplementary service and Planet Of Sound (9/2 morn—10/3) proved no match for Diamond Harry whilst Karabak (3-9/4) met a similar fate against the impressive Zaynar.

The Grade 2 hurdle at 2m 4f at Navan at 12-55 saw an impressive winner in Pandorama last year and though it is debatable if there is a winner of that quality lurking in todays line up it still looks a decent contest for the money. Although the Edward O’Grady trained Judge Roy Bean has finally delivered after failed narrowly to some useful sorts over flights initially with a couple of emphatic wins in a 2 mile handicap and Grade 3 event on testing ground at Galway and over this course last time the Andrew McNamara ridden 6yo may struggle to give 3lbs to a few progressive sorts. The one that makes most appeal is the Willie Mullins trained For The Staff – a heavy ground Sligo bumper winner who has prospered since upped in trip and the 5yo has had little difficulty in landing odds on favouritism in a Cork maiden over this trip and followed up by taking a Wexford 3m hurdle at similar odds. Though this represents the gelding toughest task to date the Ruby Walsh ridden hurdler will appreciate the ground and a test of stamina and he can beat Judge Roy Bean while the former decent point winner Quietly Fancied could prove a big danger as the Oliver McKiernan trained 5yo ran out an easy winner of a competitive looking Thurles maiden hurdle over 2m 2f on what was effectively his Park debut.

The Nigel Twiston Davies yard are no strangers to success at Aintree over the years and they have a strong hand in the 3m 2f hc chase there this afternoon at 1-45 over the Grand National fences. Although former pointer Irish Raptor boasts a good record at the track, including a win over fences the Timmy Murphy ridden gelding is just passed over in favour of his stable mate Hello Bud – winner of the Scottish National last year and the lightly raced 11yo may be more at home than Irish Raptor on the ground here and Paddy Brennan may gain some consolation for his defeat on board Imperial Commander in the ‘big one’ yesterday.

Willie Mullins has already eked out improvement in chasers from other yards with Cork National winner Our Monty the most recent but he could land another ‘big pot’ with the former Michael O’Brien trained Beroni in the feature event on the Navan card – the Troytown hc chase at 2-35 over 3 miles. This Paul Townend ridden 6yo did land a bumper and chase over the minimum trip on demanding ground for his former yard and though the son of Accordion has failed to add to his chase tally in the interim he has not been beaten that far by such fair sorts as Taipans Way and Blueberry Boy in handicaps over shorter trips he hinted that a step up in trip could prove beneficial when landing a ‘touch’ when coming from off the pace to land a Galway 2m 6f hc hurdle on soft about a month ago. Though there may be a doubt about the unexposed sort over this trip with Ruby Walsh getting the leg up on the stables other runner Polmar who has not shown much since a promising third in a decent Clonmel 2m 4f chase on debut for yard after scoring on heavy ground in a 2m 3f chase in his native France. Though some of the top weights appear to have their fair share of weight they cannot be dismissed lightly and the former hunter chaser Paddy Pub should make a bold bid for the Kieran Purcell/Davy Russell combination despite going up 8lbs for his most recent win over this trip at Limerick though on paper he could struggle to beat Munster National winner Treacle who had him over four lengths back in third on that occasion. Michael Cullens mare Bella Mana Mou thrives on these conditions and though she is 18lbs higher for a wide margin course and distance success on heavy in March the sweet jumping 7yo should make a bold bid from the front.

Nicky Richards team are in good nick at present and the veteran Native Coral looks to have prospects of landing the 2m 4f hc chase at Musselburgh at 3-10 today on his seasonal debut. A course winner over 3m 1f in 2008 on his only visit to this venue the 11yo invariably runs well when fresh the dual point and four time chase winner can go close here off top weight under 3lb claimer Fergal Davis over trip/ground which should suit. Nevertheless there are dangers towards the bottom of the handicap as another former dual point winner River Shanakill shaped well on her chase debut over a fortnight ago till tiring before the last over 3m 1f at Hexham and the Howard Johnson trained 6yo mare looks fairly treated off a mark of 107 under 5lb claimer Ryan Mania. However we will just give the Lucinda Russell trained Categorical the nod under another promising claimer in Cameron Gillies (3lbs) as the 6yo boasts a fine course record (1 win and four placings from 5 starts) and he will appreciate the drop back to this trip having landed a claiming chase over course and distance in 2008 and finishing a modest third over 3m at Haydock almost 4 weeks ago.

12-15 MUSSELBURGH – 2m mares maiden hurdle

A strong Irish raiding party descends on Scotland today and they can get off to the perfect start in the opener where the short priced lady Fowler trained ANNIE MAY looks a sound bet to open her hurdle account at the fourth time of asking following solid efforts behind such useful sorts as Printing Copper and Shirley Casper on good and soft over this trip and up to 2m 4f. Donald McCains once raced 4yo bumper runner up Just For Jean may prove the home teams best candidate to keep the prize at home.

2-20 – AINTREE 3m hc chase

SILLY WUPPLE exited early last week at Cheltenham but the Scudamore runner can gain compensation here in what looks a less competitive event under 5lb claimer James Kington.

2-45 TOWCESTER – 2m 5f mares novice hurdle

Ballydurn point winner Carolina Lady has shown promise on her first couple of starts for the Spearing team and should go close here but the 6yo needs to settle a little better and the narrow vote goes to bumper winner GENTLE CARIBOU from the Nick Gifford yard as the 5yo will be suited by this step up in distance on her second hurdle start.

ADVICE
BET 4pt win (nap) FOR THE STAFF 12-55 Navan
BET 2pt win (saver) QUIETLY FANCIED 12-55 Navan
BET 4pt win HELLO BUD 1-45 Aintree
BET 2pt win (saver) IRISH RAPTOR 1-45 Aintree
BET 4pt win BERONI 2-35 Navan
BET 2pt/1pt win (savers) PADDY PUB and BELLA MANA MOU 2-35 Navan
BET 3pt win CATEGORICAL 3-10 Musselburgh
BET 1pt win (savers) RIVER SHANAKILL and NATIVE CORAL 3-10 Musselburgh

We are now recording the daily profit and loss of Ireland's Eye to help readers gauge the current form of the service. We will provide the profit / loss on the previous day to a £1 level stake on each selection (eg: a 5 point bet = a £5 stake). In the interests of consistency the profit / loss will be recorded at SP prices, however BETDAQ users can reasonably expect to beat SP in the majority of races.

Friday's Return was: PROFIT 14.77 points

DAQMAN on Sunday

David Stewart — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:54:35 -0800


Sunday 22 November DAQMAN WAITING ON THE 100: Daqman keeps us waiting for his 100th winning nap – he’s two short – but he’s expected to complete the century this coming week. SEVEN LAYS UP IN A ROW: After 13 consecutive, completed earlier in the month, his latest run of successful lays ended on seven (the record is 18) but he’s back sequence-building, with another one today. TRIPLE-HEADER: For today’s racing, he concentrates on three trials, which have proved successful guides to big races in the past. Becher, Grand Sefton and Troytown all in one day! We ought to come away with the Grand National winner, just as yesterday many of you will have taken out Champion Hurdler and Gold Cup winners from some fantastic finishes at Ascot and Haydock. It was worth the craic, trying to find a flaw in Zaynar, but there wasn’t one. My bet, Karabak, got nearest to him. Nearly’s not good enough. But I’d do it again, with the facts before me. In fact, confidence in Karabak was boosted by a seamless performance from Diamond Harry at Haydock, Karabak and ‘Harry’ having finished second and third to Mikael d’Haguent at Cheltenham last March. Nicky Henderson now has the luxury of two potential champions, Zaynar and Binocular, but Willie Mullins must be wondering just how far he can go with Mikael d’Haguenet over fences, as his staying-hurdles form gets franked time and again. Questions unanswered: how far would Planet Of Sound have won had he not ‘missed out’ a fence? Even then, he was the ‘moral’, beaten three lengths, giving 6lb. How long will it take Kauto Star to recover from that epic struggle with Imperial Commander, and did he leave the King George behind? Probably not. Like Zaynar, he’s now off my lays list on the grounds that, whatever potential flaws you come up with, ‘Kauto’ confounds you. Two great horses. 12.35 Aintree (Grand Sefton): Brooklyn Brownie took high rank in the Grand National betting after being runner-up when this race was restored to the calendar last year. Jim Goldie’s stable, which won it with a young horse off a light weight, tries the same again with Craiglands, adjacent in the handicap to Fresh Air And Fun for Jonjo O’Neill, who took the race in 2003, and marginally above Corlande, for Donald McCain, in form and with the name that still spells Aintree. Does any one of these three get enough weight from Nudge And Nurdle? Nigel Twiston-Davies – Imperial Commander of the trainer quotes – says not. Even those who listened when he said that last Saturday week was Khyber Kim’s ‘Gold Cup day’ and were rewarded with a 9-1 winner will be staggered to see ‘Twiston’ declare openly in the Racing Post today that Nudge And Nurdle is ‘a good thing,’ though he does add the rider ’hopefully.’ I thought that, after the Khyber Kim prediction and the Imperial Commander run yesterday, the only certainty would be that Nudge And Nurdle will be overbet. So 5.9 on the Daq had to be taken, even before the place market had any liquidity. Dev is a front-runner along with Frankie Figg - not always a safe conveyance - Fresh Air And Fun looks too rash a jumper for these big fences and Bible Lord has more weight than he knows how to handle, with his yard out of form now. Valley Ride, seemingly unfancied at 22.0, is untried over these fences but The Sawyer didn’t seem to like them in the Topham. For me, tough and consistent Craiglands is the threat to Nudge And Nurdle. They’re about the same price for a level-stakes dutch on the account. 1.45 Aintree (Becher Chase): The second race over the Grand National fences today – they’ve given themselves only an hour for any rebuilding – has given us false leads to the big race in the past: Young Kenny, Clan Royal, Garvivonnian and Mr Pointment were all subsequent National gambles without winning the real thing. Amberleigh House and Silver Birch did win both races but their Becher success was largely ignored by the betting public, since their National wins came three years later. There’s no short learning curve to the big’un. Scottish National winner Hello Bud ran a cracker at Cheltenham last week but the handicapper saw it, too. Vic Venturi is also high in the weights; like Royal Rosa and Idle Talk, he’s never won a handicap. I can’t have up-in-class Keenan’s Future over these fences with his high head carriage; his only win in two years came when others fell and left him clear. Cleni Boy and Palypso De Creek have so far failed to take to fences, and this looks more like a suicide mission. I’m left with ‘Twiston’ again: only heavy rain (the light stuff doesn’t get into the incredible Aintree surface) can stop former Topham winner, Irish Raptor, getting round into a place here: 7.6 with full place insurance is my kind of bet in an eight-runner race. Trouble is my business but, by mid-morning, they still hadn’t had the forecast precipitation: keep your Daq up, though, and be ready to hedge, lay, whatever it takes. 2.35 Navan (Troytown): This race gave us Notre Pere last year, and he shouldn’t be written off: as I said in this column yesterday, he’s always looked more in the manner of a National horse than Gold Cup: they are different breeds. I tipped Paddy Pub for the Munster National, and thought he could travel over the Welsh version but Treacle outran him and trainer Taaffe set Treacle’s sights on the Hennessy at Newbury. Taaffe has had second thoughts and stayed home for this one, with subsequent Paddy Pub form putting them both only a few lengths in front of Away We Go and, through Operation Houdini, with not much to spare over Casey Supreme at today’s weights. One of them has to improve again today to take any rank; they’re all young horses. Since she does so well on the course, and has had a prep run, you’d have to add Bella Mana Mou to the list, though Michael Cullen’s horses have not yet hit form. Parsons Pistol was the disappointment of the Munster National, and blinkers are now tried but I’ve decided to stick with Paddy Pub (9.4 on the Daq) on the grounds that, at six, he is the one with the potential to improve with racing and with the ratings rises they’ve all had to face.

TODAY'S BETS
LAY to win 5pts GREAT TSAR and BET 5pts win CARTIER OPERA (12.25 Towcester) BET 3pts win on each CRAIGLANDS and NUDGE AND NURDLE (12.35 Aintree) BET 2pts win and place IRISH RAPTOR (1.45 Aintree) BET 2pts win and 1pt place PADDY PUB (2.35 Navan) We are now recording the daily profit and loss of DAQMAN to help readers gauge the current form of the service. We will provide the profit / loss on the previous day to a £1 level stake on each selection (eg: a 5 point bet = a £5 stake). In the interests of consistency the profit / loss will be recorded at SP prices, however BETDAQ users can reasonably expect to beat SP in the majority of races. Friday's Return was: LOSS 4.25 points

	Try a BETDAQ Multiple today and enjoy better value odds. New to Multiples? Click to Learn More

IRELAND'S EYE on Saturday

David Stewart — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:07:21 -0800

Saturday 21 November

IRELAND'S EYE

With a full list of meetings scheduled to go ahead it is an extremely full Saturday with pride of place going to the Grade 1 Chase at Haydock which sees a fascinating clash between dual Gold Cup hero Kauto Star and the Irish pretender Notre Pere with a fine supporting cast. In addition there is a top class card at Ascot while Huntingdon and Gowran in Ireland offers plenty of fine betting opportunities. A former point winner can revert to hurdles today and land a competitive handicap for Nicky Henderson while a front runner can land back to back successes in a Huntingdon hc chase.

We scored on the double yesterday when nap Any Currency (34-15/8) came late and fast to land his second chase at Ascot while Bishops Heir (4-7/2) took the opener on the Kelso card on his hurdle debut. Red Harbour (6th 7/4) proved a successful lay at Ascot while Four Strong Winds (4/1) managed to finish third in the curtain raiser at Exeter. Also we go two legs of a BETDAQ MULTIBET up with Any Currency and Forest Pennant (5/6) landing the spoils.

Dessie Hughes send the three time hurdle winning mare Grangeclare Gold to contest the opening 2m 6f novice hurdle at Ascot at 12-20 with prospects of going one better on her modest second placing to the highly progressive mare Premier Victory at Down Royal recently in a Group 3 mares hurdle over two miles. However despite the fact that the 6yo has 5lb claimer Ian McCarthy on board the daughter of Old Vic remains unexposed over this trip and the nod is given instead to the 151 rated four time chase winner Possol from the in form Henry Daly yard though the 6yo has only had two runs over the minor obstacles and those efforts were hardly earth shattering in truth. However he gets all the allowances here and the Andy Tinkler ridden gelding can land this at the expense of the former Gordon Elliott trained Arkose who failed to get past the first in two point starts but has scored in a Listowel bumper from subsequent snug bumper winner Lucky William. The 5yo has since landed a Huntingdon 2m 5f novice hurdle in fair style from the 128 rated hurdler Mission Control and he with another unexposed 4yo South Leinster (runner up in a fastish Carlisle good ground bumper) rate the chief danger.

Chris Bealbys front runner Bennythejets scored at his second attempt over fences at the demanding Towcester circuit a month ago over 2m 1f and with placed form in the book over further the 2m 4 1/2f hc chase at Huntingdon should see the 7yo record his fourth career start here on ground that suits. Though he went up 7lbs for his latest win the Tom Messenger has decent prospects of making every post a winning one here.

West End Master failed to land a point in five efforts ‘between the flags’ but Lorcan Donnellys 5yo son of Oscar seems to be on an upwards spiral of late over hurdles when the ground rides on the soft side and he can add to his surprise Clonmel handicap hurdle win in the 2-50 at Gowran today. Though he went up 8lbs for that victory and a further three pounds for finishing a close enough third to Operation Houdini in a Navan 2m 7f hc hurdle last time he still looks to be on a reasonable mark and with Robert Latta once again taking off a valuable seven pounds he can score here from the lightly raced 8yo Castlewellan who is running in his first handicap but he ran well in Tipperary and Punchestown hurdles up to three miles on soft and worse ground of late.

Nicky Hendersons yard have been ‘hitting the bullseye’ of late and they can land an ultra competitive 3m 1f hc hurdle at Haydock at 2-20 under Ruby Walsh with Burton Port. Though the son of Bob Back took four tries before landing his point in Ireland he made an immediate impact for his current yard by taking a couple of Hereford bumpers and novice hurdles on soft before running well in a few decent novices and a handicap over this track on penultimate run when failing to land a ‘touch’ in taking the second money when failing to give 18lbs to Quinz. He is now just 6lbs higher in the weights and he showed his current well being when scoring on his chase debut at Bangor over 2m 5f ten days ago and he looks ideally suited by this step up in distance and he can account for another progressive sort in Wendel whose third hurdle win was achieved when he gave 3lbs and a thrashing to the useful Chariot Charger at Ascot on heavy over 2m 4f on penultimate start last term. Top weight Diamond Harry and the lowly weighted McMurrough are others who require a second glance in the market.

1-45 HAYDOCK – 2m 1/2f bumper

Though the form of the point won by the former Thomond O’Mara trained Liscarroll point winner PEDDLERS CROSS has not been upheld the subsequent expensive purchase could still prove the solution to this contest on his debut for the Donald McCain yard.

2-35 ASCOT – 2m 3f 110yds hurdle

Alan King is doubly represented in this Grade 2 event with KARABAK and Katchit and though the latter comes out best at the weights the former may have the most score for improvement and this trip could suit the Ballymore Properties runner up (to Mikael D’Haguenet) with Tony McCoy on board. The unbeaten Triumph Hurdle winner Zaynar and the three time course winner and battle hardened Lough Derg look the most likely alternatives.

2-55 HAYDOCK 3m chase

Ten time chase winner MADISON DE BERLAIS sprang a surprise when accounting for an admittedly below par Denman on his belated seasonal debut last year and he can ‘repeat the dose’ by seeing off that ones stable companion and dual Gold Cup winner Kauto Star in this Grade 1 event with ground to suit while Irish challenger Notre Pere may emerge as his main rival.

3-10 ASCOT – 2m 3f chase.

In what looks a fascinating Grade 2 event the selection is the Phillip Hobbs trained PLANET OF SOUND who created a fine impression when landing a competitive Grade 2 Exeter hc chase on his seasonal debut over 2m 2f where he put in a fine round of jumping and the progressive and lightly raced 7yo can land his fourth chase here at the expense of that grand old veteran Monets Garden under Paul Carberry and Irish challenger Schindlers Hunt.

3-20 GOWRAN

Noel Meade and Nina Carberry can land the closing contest on todays card with the twice raced 5yo MEDICAL CARD who should go one better than his modest second placing behind favourite Skorcher in a Navan heavy ground bumper ten months ago. The more experienced Dapper Dan rates the main danger as the Gerald O’Leary trained five year old boasts fair bumper form on this surface and was third in the corresponding contest last year.

ADVICE
BET 4pt win POSSOL 12-20 AscotBET 1pt win (savers) ARKOSE and SOUTH LEINSTER 12-20 AscotBET 4pt win BENNYTHEJETS 1-35 Huntingdon
BET 4pt win (nap) BURTON PORT 2-20 Haydock
BET 2pt win (saver) WENDEL 2-20 Haydock
BET 3pt win WEST SHIP MASTER 2-50 Gowran
BET 2pt win (saver) CASTLEWELLAN 2-50 Gowran
BETDAQ MULTIBET – 1pt doubles/treble BURTON PORT, KARABAK and BENNYTHEJETS

We are now recording the daily profit and loss of Ireland's Eye to help readers gauge the current form of the service. We will provide the profit / loss on the previous day to a £1 level stake on each selection (eg: a 5 point bet = a £5 stake). In the interests of consistency the profit / loss will be recorded at SP prices, however BETDAQ users can reasonably expect to beat SP in the majority of races.

Friday's Return was: PROFIT 14.77 points

DAQMAN on Saturday

David Stewart — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:57:01 -0800


Saturday 21 November DAQMAN DOUBLE OF LAYS AGAIN: It’s like a shooting gallery as Daqman floors the paper favourites one by one. He aimed with both barrels yesterday and landed two out of two for the second day running, as hot-pot Song Sung Blue (2nd 11-10) proved chicken-hearted and Haar (tailed off) was never at the races. 48 OUT OF 59: That followed another two on Thursday to bring him to seven in a row and his recent sequence to a massive 48 from 59 - taking his grand total to 303. – so that his current strike-rate is now up to 81%. It only seems like yesterday that a 13 sequence ended; his record is 18. DOUBLE-WHAMMY IN ASCOT BIG RACE: Daring Daqman, who needs two winning naps for a century after two out of two this week, today goes for a maximum stakes lay and maximum stakes nap in the same big race at Ascot. There are two ‘unbeatable’ horses of the highest class today but I believe that one of them won’t win: he’s never tasted defeat but he’s a definite lay at the price . In the ‘mini Gold Cup’ at Haydock, speculation about Kauto Star is all in a racing day but the stats are really stacked against Zaynar in the Ascot Hurdle. It’s all in the hands of the hungry hunter, Tony McCoy. Britain’s most amazing athlete does a double stint, stalking the prizes at Huntingdon and Ascot, and it’s Zaynar’s scalp he most wants to bag. Haydock starts with Donald McCain laying it on the line to the Southern raiders, with Any Given Day taking on Pepe Simo, and Thumbs Up attacking Mr Thriller. I fancy David Pipe to come out on top with his ‘Thriller’: yes, I’m Sure Josie Sure! 1.30 Ascot: There are some emerging novices here, too, none more so than Ravello Bay; it’s only a class-3 and she looks well handicapped, with the weight – alleviated by the boy’s claim – no problem for a stout Supreme Leader. 2.35 Ascot (Ascot Hurdle): I can’t find a four-year-old (in fact, only one five-year-old in the last decade) to have won this: you need a crack older horse, a toughie at a trip like Hardy Eustace or a killer-paced Baracouda, both previous winners. Zaynar is only four. I’m laying him, even though favourites do well and there hasn’t been a winner bigger than 7-2 SP since way back when we still believed in bookmakers. At their young age, there has to be some experiment in the training of a Zaynar: if you don’t open a horse’s parameters, you don’t really know what you’ve got. Nicky Henderson needs to find out whether his Triumph Hurdle winner could diversify; if not quite up to Champion Hurdle class, could mop up prizes over further. With the same stable’s Binocular as Champion favourite, other options must be opened, or Zaynar might be left in no-man’s-land for a year. This is the perfect start for him; remember, the Triumph is 17 furlongs with an uphill finish, so there’s every chance he’ll get today’s trip. But will he get it better than today’s rivals with the likes of Lough Derg in the field? The old boy will make sure Nicky knows about Zaynar’s stamina; many a gut will be ‘busted’ before he gives in. Forget Lough Derg’s run back: he’s won or been placed seven times from nine starts at Ascot and his stout heart is a gift for bet-and-lay boys. Me? I shall be waiting on that man McCoy, as he stalks the leaders on course-and-distance winner Karabak. Karabak, who got within two lengths of the magical Mikael d’Haguenet at the Cheltenham Festival over 2m 5f, has already had the ‘parameters test’ and been found wanting over 3m. But, with McCoy – and Lough Derg - to ensure proper use is made of him, today’s stiff 19-furlongs-and-a-bit at Ascot is ideal. I’ve piled up the successful lays and the winning naps to small stakes. Today’s a day to dive in the deep end, to the maximum, or be a coward and carry on playing in the shallows. I’m in. I’m laying Zaynar, and napping Karabak. Maybe it won’t cost me, anyway: that’s if I can manipulate some cash from the margin of a bargain back-and-lay, Lough Derg. That’s betting the Betdaq way. 2.20 Haydock: Older horses haven’t had a look-in here; all four winners of the race have been six or seven. Diamond Harry goes well fresh and is in great form at home but the testing conditions are perfect for Pennek, a staggering 18.0 on Betdaq,as I write. He has improved no end over the summer and is ‘expected’ to turn around past form with Kayf Aramis at the weights. A bigger danger may be the improved Rathcor (17.0): he was well behind the leading pair last year but a breathing op transformed him up the hill finish at Towcester, and the form has been franked. Burton Port is the obvious saver. Karabak, Pennek and Franchoek (12.35), with McCoy making that A1 detour via Huntingdon, are set to make it an amazing day for Alan King. That’s not to mention Voy Por Ustedes (but I will a few lines further on). 2.55 Haydock (Lancashire Chase): Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, and Kauto Star would be on four in a row here had he not stumbled after the last in 2008. He finally meets the Irish pretender, Notre Pere, who has missed most of the class big races, apart from winning the Guinness Gold Cup at the Punchestown Festival, in favour of the rough-and-tumble stuff of the Welsh National (won) and the Irish Hennessy (second). He’s, therefore, seemingly more in the mould of Halcon Genelardais (Welsh National 2006) and Madison Du Berlais (Newbury Hennessy) David Pipe has been snatching prizes – like Well Chief’s defeat of Master Minded – by having his artillery ready to fire first time, and ‘Madison’, who wouldn’t normally beat some of these, would be the one to snipe at any weaknesses had he got his ground. Notre Pere certainly showed a weakness last time out but has been well backed throughout the week after an excellent schooling session. Today is not a school, however; it’s a top exam when only claiming a Star will do. Kauto Star’s prep has gone perfectly and there’s no reason – ground or anything else –why he shouldn’t remain top of the class in the ‘big school’ here. 3.05 Lingfield (Betdaq Golden Rose): This is a cracker (even Borderlescott has been beaten in it) with five in the field already winners at Listed level or higher, but high numbers usually prevail. Prescription is fit and laid out for the race, unbeaten over CD and with a strongly-run 6f ideal for her. Himalya is fancied but is drawn low and three-year-olds have yet to make an impact on the race. I wouldn’t fancy Rowe Park over the extra furlong, and Ceremonial Jade was a disappointing favourite last year. You can’t leave Green Manalishi out from stall 12 but I’ll follow the vibes for Prescription, a huge 11.0 on Betdaq as I write: she’s not won in this class but have you ever known a Prescott animal to reveal itself until he’s ready? 3.10 Ascot: If you think the jumping spectacle is over for the day, try this on for size. Voy Por Ustedes v Planet Of Sound, with Monet’s Garden making the pace. Yes, I know Schindlers Hunt has twice been close to ‘Voy Por’ but, at age nine, he’s not likely to be the improver and, for me, will remain a voyeur. Third in the Arkle, Planet of Sound is the progressive one, as he showed at Exeter, when – I’m told - not even ‘ready’ that day. He’s at the top of his game now, and could surprise if ‘Voy Por’ is not 100%. 3.40 Lingfield (Betdaq Churchill Stakes): They say class will out, and Presvis, with Group-1 form to his name, goes well fresh. The entire, Tranquil Tiger has five Listed wins to his name, one of them over 12 furlongs, and the expected pace from Plum Pudding suggests a stayer’s race. Tranquil Tiger’s 6.0 on the Daq this morning was just plain wrong. With Presvis as the perfect saver, likely to trade evens or better at some time before or during the race, I helped myself to the 6.0, albeit to low liquidity. It’s a day to put some tiger in your tank.

TODAY'S BETS
BET 4pts win RAVELLO BAY (1.30 Ascot) WIN-50 JACKPOT BETS: 3pts win and 1pt place on each PENNEK and RATHCOR , with 2pts win (saver) BURTON PORT (2.20 Haydock) LAY to win 10pts ZAYNAR and BANKER 10pts win KARABAK (2.35 Ascot) BET 6pts win KAUTO STAR (2.55 Haydock) BET 2pts win and place PRESCRIPTION (3.05 Lingfield) BET 5pts win PLANET OF SOUND, and 2pts win (saver) VOY POR USTEDES (3.10 Ascot) BET 3pts win on each TRANQUIL TIGER and PRESVIS (3.40 Lingfield) BET 4pts win CROSS SECTION (7.00 Kempton) EVENING DAQ MULTIPLES: 3 x 1pt win doubles Kazbow (5.00 Kempton) with Cross Section (7.00 Kempton) and Mass Rally (8.15 Wolverhampton) We are now recording the daily profit and loss of DAQMAN to help readers gauge the current form of the service. We will provide the profit / loss on the previous day to a £1 level stake on each selection (eg: a 5 point bet = a £5 stake). In the interests of consistency the profit / loss will be recorded at SP prices, however BETDAQ users can reasonably expect to beat SP in the majority of races. Friday's Return was: LOSS 4.25 points

	Try a BETDAQ Multiple today and enjoy better value odds. New to Multiples? Click to Learn More

ED CHAMBERLIN'S Weekend Sporting Preview

David Stewart — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:58:42 -0800

Saturday 21 November

Join Sky Sports Pundit ED CHAMBERLIN in his regular Weekend Sports Preview below. Simply press play below to tune into Ed's exclusive DAQCAST - covering a whole host of weekend betting opportunities on the DAQ starting with the rugby and England v New Zealand. Ed also looks at the weekend's racing and golf....

IRELAND'S EYE on Friday

David Stewart — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:06:16 -0800

Friday 20 November

IRELAND'S EYE

Ascot is the main meeting of the day while there are two other decent cards North and South with Kelso and Exeter while there is another competitive nights fare on the polytrack at Dundalk where the Murtagh/Smullen battle for the Irish title draws near its conclusion. The Lavelle yard can be on the mark in the opener at Ascot in an open affair while a former point winner who failed to make a winning mark over hurdles can register his second chase victory in a handicap later in the card. In addition we have a value BETDAQ MULTIBET at Ascot and Exeter today.

With the abandonment of Thurles it was a quiet day for us yesterday but nevertheless we did garner two winners from just two selected races with Dave’s Dream (8/15) on his chase debut at Huntingdon while our saver Minella Theatre (9/2-7/2) beat our main choice Fiendish Flame (4/5-8/11) in a chase at Hereford.

The Charlton trained Sunarri will prove a warm order to land the 12-45 at Kelso this afternoon – a 2m 1/2f novice hurdle on the back of a promising second (beaten a head) by the subsequent good score Sonowyouno in an Aintree 2m 1f novice on his hurdle debut almost a month ago. Though the 5yo is entitled to start favourite here there could be more value in siding with another unexposed runner in the 4yo Bishops Heir who shaped wel on his debut in a bumper over 1m 5f here on good to soft and he since landed a similar Newcastle contest on heavy before running well under a penalty earlier this year. With conditions and ground to suit and the assistance of 5lb claimer Harry Haynes the son of Turbo Speed can beat the ‘jolly’ Sunarri while Rose Dobbins once raced Top It All is another to consider.

A 2m 3 1/2f novice hurdle opens proceedings at Ascot today at 12-55 and it looks a most interesting contest with Paul Nicholls dual course bumper winner (over 2m) Red Harbour looking set to go off favourite following his fair third placing on softer ground at Exeter over two weeks ago over 2m 6f where the 5yo started favourite. A return to this venue and better ground should bring out the best in the former good ground point winner but at the prices the Old Vic gelding hardly rates as a value bet. The one that can profit may be the Emma Lavelle trained Priors Glen who just failed to spring a 40/1 shock when caught close home in a decent Newbury bumper 11 months ago and though he failed to justify favouritism when seemingly given plenty to do behind a stablemate of the favourite Recif De Thaix (a comment that can also be applied to the subsequent bumper scorer and another of todays rivals Volador) he could make a winning hurdle debut her under Jack Doyle. The aforementioned Volador is another who shapes as if this step up in trip will suit while former wide margin point scorer Ashfield’s Dream is another worth consideration.

The Ruby Walsh/Paul Nicholls combination will be expected to land the opening 2 races on the Exeter card today but their There’s No Panic may have to settle for the runner up money in the opening 2m 1f novice hurdle at 1-05 . Though the Fontwell 2m 3f bumper winner (from subsequent hurdle scorer Hi Gales) exited early on his hurdle debut some five weeks ago the 4yo may just be vulnerable to an older rival and the one that may ‘cash in’ is the Johnjo O’Neill trained Four Strong Winds. The Heron Island 6yo shaped with promise on only bumper start and though he was not entirely foot perfect on his hurdle debut when well held in third in a course and distance novice hurdle 17 days ago on heavy ground the Tony McCoy ridden gelding should build on that performance to beat There’s No Panic and the more experienced (and consistent) Song Sung Blue.

Any Currency failed to deliver over hurdles for the in form Keighley yard but the former Irish point winner seems to have found his niche over fences when scoring well on his third start in this sphere at Sandown over 3m 1f less than two weeks ago. Though the 6yo was hit with an 8lb rise in the weights the Warren Marston ridden gelding can follow up in the 3m hc chase at Ascot at 3-15 where the Doncaster novice chase winner Hopkins can pose the main danger despite the fact that the Henry Daly trained 8yo has failed to finish in two subsequent starts over the larger obstacles.

1-30 ASCOT – 2m 5 1/2f novice chase

Alan Kings Awesome George shaped well on his chase debut recently and looks the obvious one here but the vote goes to chase debutant EDGBRIAR – rated 134 over hurdles and the 7yo will be suited by this trip while more rain would further enhance his winning prospects.

2-15 EXETER – 2m 3 1/2f hc ch

In what looks a wide open contest a tentative vote goes to the Victor Dartnall trained RICHARD’S SUNDANCE despite a less than satisfactory seasonal debut but the course winner should show his ‘true colours’ here and land the spoils at the expense of the unexposed Gilsland.

ADVICE
BET 4pt win BISHOPS HEIR 12-45 Kelso
BET 2pt win (saver) SUNARRI 12-45 Kelso
BET 4pt win PRIORY GLEN 12-55 Ascot
BET lay RED HARBOUR to win 5pt 12-55 Ascot
BET 3pt win FOUR STRONG WINDS 1-05 Exeter
BET 2pt win (saver) THERE’S NO PANIC 1-05 Exeter
BET 4pt win (nap) ANY CURRENCY 3-15 Ascot
BET 1pt win/1pt place (saver) HOPKINS 3-15 Ascot
BETDAQ MULTIBET – 1pt double/trebles – ANY CURRENCY, FORREST PENNANT (1-40 Exeter) and PRIORS GLEN

We are now recording the daily profit and loss of Ireland's Eye to help readers gauge the current form of the service. We will provide the profit / loss on the previous day to a £1 level stake on each selection (eg: a 5 point bet = a £5 stake). In the interests of consistency the profit / loss will be recorded at SP prices, however BETDAQ users can reasonably expect to beat SP in the majority of races.

Thursday's Return was: PROFIT 4.06 points

DAQMAN on Friday

David Stewart — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:02:56 -0800


Friday 20 November DAQMAN DAQMAN DOES IT AGAIN, AGAIN, AGAIN! Daqman got his lay up for the 300th time yesterday. And then another one. And another nap. 46 OUT OF 57: Bid Art (2nd) and Deep Quest (unplaced) took his recent successful lays tally to 46 out of 57 (for an 80% strike rate), which includes 13 in a row in the autumn. His record is 16 consecutive. NOW IT’S TWO FOR 100 NAPS: Daqman yesterday napped Eleanora Duse with the advice that ‘she’s much better than she’s shown so far.’ Eleanora Duse (won 6-4, driven clear) was his 98th winning nap or banker bet. LONG WEEKEND OF WINNERS: Look out in the next three days at Ascot, Aintree and Haydock, a long weekend of big-winner-finding which includes the Ascot Hurdle and the Becher Chase. There’s No Panic to reach my 100 winning naps but the eponymous Paul Nicholls runner should help me land another lay in the opener at Exeter. I can’t have Song Sung Blue. The Tizzards are in great form and the syndicate Singing And Dancing Racing deserves a win for their enterprising name but Song Sung Blue has some awful warning signs on his CV and, in his octet of starts, has been placed too often, at least once when he should have won. He’s tried 2m 1f and he’s tried 2m 4f, and the reports include ‘hung left run-in’, ‘not fluent’ and ‘tailed off’. He doesn’t seem to learn much, yet he’s paper favourite. On my side, I have the highly-regarded There’s No Panic (1.05), with Ruby Walsh taking over after that one and Christian Williams fluffed their lines first time over hurdles. ‘Panic’ is reported as ‘flying at home.’ I also have Tony McCoy on Four Strong Winds, with Jonjo’s horses coming on a bundle for their initial starts though Nicholls has won this three times from eight tries, and Walsh has a 46% strike rate at Exeter. Walsh v. McCoy doesn’t happen again on the card but Ruby could turn over another Tizzard runner when Forest Pennant (1.40) meets Flight Leader, once good enough to be third in the Cleeve Hurdle. Forest Pennant is a ‘natural’ over the bigger obstacles at home, according to my man in the long grass, and will be very hard to beat, though I’m sure Ruby will also be keeping an eye on Rhys Flint and Mark The Book, since Philip Hobbs wins with six out of 10 of his novice-chase runners on the course, including two winners and two placed from seven attempts in this race. I can’t have Forest Pennant at 4-5; neither can I lay him. I think that’s called a quandary. But I shall dig in on something else and hope to get revised offers later on, and in-running, and create myself a margin. The Tizzards have obviously laid out Pass Me A Dime (2.50) for a repeat in the Taunton Chase but it’s three years since he won it and there were only four runners that day. The shape of the race should suit back-and-lay ‘mousers’, with plenty of front-running types, not least Laustra Bad, likely to be lit up by blinkers for the first time after a lack-Laustra run at Leicester (‘never travelling’). Of Jonjo’s pair, Signatory is a ‘glass’ horse and Forty-Five is described by the trainer as ‘hyper at home’. With a wary eye on the Hobbs’ horse, Pavillon Bleu, I’m taking Green Belt Elite to be upwardly mobile now that he’s been switched to fences. Ascot is tricky, not least because the first three races are ‘novices’, ‘beginners’ and ‘introductory’. It’s even trickier for me, since the going is good but rain is forecast: hold your bets until you hear something about the track from the commentators and jockeys. Gary Moore is keen on Vino Griego (2.05); memories of the good old days when he won the last on this day three times with the likes of Rob Leach and Stormy Skye. If this one’s to be in that mould, he has to beat Manyriverstocross in receipt of 5lb. My man says that ‘Rivers’ – the only ride of the day for Choc Thornton - is ‘expected,’ as confirmed by offers on the table as I write: 1.61 Manyriverstocross, 4.8 Vino Griego; anything you like bar two. I’m always in for a pound at 7-2 when the betting says it’s a two-horse race but that’s when it becomes tricky on this particular day: the signs are that ‘Vino’ needs the rain, and I’ve no way of knowing whether he’ll get it. All I can do is follow my own advice: dig in, and start my own book, dealing again as the market revises with circumstances and trading, betting and laying to fix myself a profit margin. It’s sometimes hard work. It’s a thing where you have to keep your nerve and do a bit of maths. It’s called Betdaq betting. Get involved in a race and try it. Haar! I spy another lay. Andy Turnell had a great winning run and has now gone quiet; that’s his style. Haar (2.40) was unlucky at Ludlow in the Spring –and got a 7lb rise to boot – but he’s always been a ‘nearly’ horse since he won his maiden. Two things could turn the race in his favour: that blasted rain (he’s a Selkirk) and a potentially suicidal pace: there are three front-runners in the race. But, even given those chances, will he take them? And, given those potential changes in circumstance, you – the hungry ‘mouser’ – can bet with the changes. In fact, right up to the moment when Haar decides whether or not to ‘put it in’. Haar looks sure to trade better in running, as those front-runners try to cut each other down to size. A lay and bet, if ever I saw one. But my brief is to declare myself – and at SP, at that – so I’ve no choice but to charge a lay to this column’s account. What’s going to win? Now you want jam on it: well it may not be far enough for Double Dizzy and too far for Go Silver Bullet. Psychomodo is the principal ‘psycho’ front-runner, while ex-Irish Island Life may need to acclimatize. I would say, from this distance, my bet would have to be a horse who’s not ground dependent, returns to his optimum trip and should be ready after a recent outing on this very track: Royal Wedding. He’ll be held up, so could also be a better exchange for your money in running. You’ll know by 3.50 whether the rain has ruined the chances of Mutual Friend and Zabeel Dancer. Since they are currently the first two in the market, you can oppose them now and catch up on the situation later; it’s that sort of day, as I’ve said. Before any rain, I’d want a bit each way (at 8.8 this morning) on improving lightweight, Sunsetten; with any rain, I’d want a bit more!

TODAY'S BETS
LAY to win 5pts SONG SUNG BLUE and 5pts win THERE’S NO PANIC (1.05 Exeter) LAY to win 6pts HAAR, and BET 3pts win and place ROYAL WEDDING (2.40 Ascot) BET 2pts win and place GREEN BELT ELITE (2.50 Exeter) BET 2pts win and place SUNSETTEN (3.50 Ascot) We are now recording the daily profit and loss of DAQMAN to help readers gauge the current form of the service. We will provide the profit / loss on the previous day to a £1 level stake on each selection (eg: a 5 point bet = a £5 stake). In the interests of consistency the profit / loss will be recorded at SP prices, however BETDAQ users can reasonably expect to beat SP in the majority of races. Thursday's Return was: LOSS 0.05 points

	Try a BETDAQ Multiple today and enjoy better value odds. New to Multiples? Click to Learn More

IRELAND'S EYE on Thursday

David Stewart — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:11:30 -0800

Thursday 19 November

IRELAND'S EYE

There was to be plenty of action on both sides of the water today but Thurles fell foul of the weather in Ireland at a late stage but at least Hereford, Wincanton and Huntingdon cater for jumping enthusiasts in England. A former point winners should be on the mark in a Huntingdon novice chase today for Andy Turnell.

On a generally disappointing day our only winner proved to be saver Moskova (2/1) in the mares chase at Thurles while Cane Brake (10/1) and Bluegun (11/4-9/4) did get into the money in a handicap hurdle and novice chase respectively. However we did get the 1-2 when Footy Facts (9/2) beat our next best Glenquest (7s morn-15/8) in a handicap chase at the Tipperary venue in our supplementary service.

The 2m ½ novice chase at Huntingdon today at 2-10 brings together some decent hurdlers in My Moment, Micheal Flips and Dave’s Dream to name just a few. With all three making their chase debuts and with just over a stone seperating the trio on official hurdle ratings a lot will depend on how they take to the major obstacles in what could be a contest run at a brisk pace. The narrow vote goes to the Andy Turnell trained Michael Flips – winner of a Lismore point and a subsequent winner of good ground Stratford and Kempton hurdles as point experience may just swing the issue in favour of the Kayf Tara gelding. However any easing in the ground would not be an aid to the progressive sort and if that were to happen the vote would have to go to Dave’s Dream – a bumper and three time hurdle winner from the Nicky Henderson yard who boasts success on heavy ground and is rated 5lb superior to the selection over hurdles.

Nebeltau is an interesting runner in the 2m 5 1/2f novice chase at Hereford today at 2-20 as the 7yo proved a four time winner ‘between the flags’ in Ireland, only tasting defeat on one occasion and the German bred boasts the distinction of winning an open against older horses as a 4yo! However the Johnjo O’Neill trained gelding would appear to have had his training problems and though he usually runs well when fresh an absence of more than two years looks a big drawback in this company. Whilst Donald McCains Fiendish Flame has to give away 6lbs to his field here as he boasts the only success over fences of the field to date he did put in an excellent round of jumping at Carlisle over the minimum trip and a repeat of that performance should suffice here as the trip should pose no problem as the son of Beneficial did score on heavy over 2m 5f at Uttoxeter in a hurdle earlier this year. Henrietta Knights Minella Theatre – a former bumper winner for Joe Crowley rates the obvious danger to the selection on his seasonal and chase debut and he might even be better suited by a tougher test long term.

Course winning form often proves important especially when the ground rides on the testing side and though Tom Taaffes Smoking Aces has not sen course action for some 201 days the former course soft ground bumper winner can land his second hurdle win in the 2m hurdle at Thurles at 2-05. A son of Old Vic the 122 rated 5yo should handle the heavy ground here and boasts a placing on same and he may prove the superior to the Mouse Morris trained Elysian Rock – a good winner of a Punchestown maiden hurdle over this trip on soft in May and though he disappointed on most recent start there were excuses for that performance. With a possible edge in regards to fitness the Niall Madden ridden 5yo rates a danger to the selection while the in form Mullins yard supply Dooneys Gate who could be better served by a stiffer test.

1-00 WINCANTON – 2m 6f novice hurdle

Richard Barber is noted for producing recruits from the point fields and his unbeaten VICO looks the answer to the opening contest at Wincanton on his debut for Paul Nicholls. Inside Dealer could prove next best on his hurdle debut.

ADVICE
BET 4pt win FIENDISH FLAME 2-20 Hereford
BET 2pt win (saver) MINELLA THEATRE 2-20 Hereford
BET 4pt win (nap) MICHEAL FLIPS 2-10 Huntingdon
BET 2pt win (saver) DAVE’S DREAM 2-10 Huntingdon

We are now recording the daily profit and loss of Ireland's Eye to help readers gauge the current form of the service. We will provide the profit / loss on the previous day to a £1 level stake on each selection (eg: a 5 point bet = a £5 stake). In the interests of consistency the profit / loss will be recorded at SP prices, however BETDAQ users can reasonably expect to beat SP in the majority of races.

Wednesday's Return was: LOSS 20 points

DAQMAN on Thursday

David Stewart — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:04:11 -0800


Thursday 19 November DAQMAN THIRD DAQMAN 100 IS JUST A LAY AWAY: Daqman recorded his 299th successful lay when Colombard (unplaced 11-4) failed to reach the first three yesterday, just as another paper favourite, Whispered Times, had done the day before. ANOTHER GAMBLED-ON NAP WINS: As ever, Daqman’s nap was subject of a gamble on the night at Kempton though, as ever, Khor Dubai (won 4-7) was good odds against on Betdaq in the morning exchanges. Somersby and Tranquil Sea were the two big finds in my horses-to-follow list earlier in the month. Triggernometry was on it more as a course banker. That course is Wincanton. And he’s running there today. But, once again I’m up against mixed messages from the trainer. You wonder: are these stable tours worth the paper they’re printed on, after those yes-no Paul Nicholls words about Master Minded and then yesterday’s warnings from Jonjo O’Neill before his pair won? But, to be fair to Jonjo, even he may have calculated without the incredible McCoy. My bet, Victoria’s Groom, became the bridesmaid, as McCoy galvanized a dodgy-at-some-fences Synchronised to win. Similarly, he outsmarted Dougie Costello on my choice, Ballybriggan, waiting until the last few yards to pounce on the notoriously tricky Market Rasen run-in, when the winning post never seems to come back to you. But McCoy knew where it was to the nearest yard. He fair lifts them home, doesn’t he. Not since Lester Piggott have I heard racegoers continually muttering ‘how does he do it?’ The old adage that ‘they can’t come without the horse’ didn’t apply to Lester; no more does it apply to McCoy. We shall not see his like again, and I enjoy every ride he has, win or lose. Ignore me – as you will Jonjo in future – when I get to thinking: surely, not this time. So come on then, Daqman? What’s the problem with Triggernometry? Answer: the trainer runs two, and is equally convinced that ‘Trigger’ and Classic Clover are ‘almost specialists’ at Wincanton. Triggernometry (3.00) is in good form at home but the ground is plenty soft enough and, although jockey Joe Tizzard has opted for him, the money this morning was for Classic Clover and no wonder: the CD winner off just 1lb lower in today’s conditions is very handily placed down the handicap. I’m laying the paper favourite, Deep Quest: I don’t think this is his track and he’s been given a harsh revised weight. He’s won all his races at Exeter, and needs that Haldon Hill. Even on soft ground, Wincanton’s turns look too fast for him. Deep Quest’s yard is without a recent winner, which also applies to Tony Martin’s stable and, in any case, Fakima’s chances are probably slim at age 11, Richard Johnson or no. The in-form Tizzards have another big shout with Captain Marlon (3.30): however, this race normally goes to an improving young horse, not yet one of the many ‘thinkers’ at this level who remember hard driving: nothing over the age of six has ever won it, nor has any favourite. Captain Marlon has a modest strike rate and Bundle Up has taken only sellers and claimers. Tilly Shilling was well backed when down the field on firm ground on her first run for Tim Vaughan, and early offers were well taken this morning; these very different conditions should be appreciated by a Montjeu mare. Another well backed last time, and in the front five in the morning market, is Dalaram (2.30): I’m a big fan of Sean Curran and his is one of only three yards in any kind of form for this contest, ‘Kingy’ (Blue Dark) and Martin Keighley (King Ozzy) being the two others. According to the Alan King stable tour (here we go again), Blue Dark is showing ‘plenty of bounce at the minute’, though when the ‘minute’ of that interview was, we are not told. Whatever, ‘Kingy’ has been tempted by this before he sets Blue Dark on the novice-chase route. Like Paul Nicholls and Vico (1.00) in the first. Vico’s future is over fences but he may be good enough to give the Nicholls’ yard five winners out of six in this race. The Tizzards’ Inside Dealer is in with a chance, while another Double Trigger gelding - Triggerman with Philip Hobbs – and the King hope, Midnight Appeal, are all dangers but not so’s you’d fancy them particularly. It looks hard all day for punters at Wincanton but the 1.20 Hereford could help save the bank: eight successive SP favourites have won this (only one older than seven). I don’t fancy Bid Art: his weakening only close home over 2m 4f looks the obvious pointer to this two-miler but he’s done the same thing over today’s distance and his moderate jumping costs him vital energy. The stables of Daring Racer and Rince Down are in form and New Rackheath could step up on recent poor efforts, now racing on one of Evan Williams’ favourite tracks. Another ‘local’, this one to the Giffords, is Huntingdon, where Nicky saddles Wizard Of Odds, looking for better ground than he would have had at Cheltenham (withdrawn). Wizard Of Odds (1.10) is a ‘glass horse’ – doesn’t stand much training – but the Gifford family has always loved to have a winner on the track and this looks a modest event, though I did see a Barney Curley beast lurking and Paul Webber has booked A.P. McCoy (who?) for Ashammar. Barney tests his Cesarewitch third, Sereth (12.40), in the opener, but we’re surely better to wait until he’s qualified for handicaps. Mount Helicon (1.40) should improve after a breathing operation but the Big Ears Partnership seemingly have their money down early on Nautical Approach (forecast 9-1, showing 4.5 on my Daq as I write). That’s a Noddy bet to me after several placed efforts have cost him a rise in the handicap. Is there a gem today? That’s likely to happen in the 2.10, where Dave’s Dream looks the real McCoy. Well, Nicky Henderson seems very pleased with his schooling and the Imperial Cup winner has an ‘easy’ in the absence of Michael Flips. At Kempton, Moojeh (7.00 Kempton) has improved for a change of stables; there’s a strong whisper for Aviate (4.00) – ‘working well and shown enough to collect’ – and Mainstay (5.00) knows enough to manage a weak maiden. But the hushed tones are for Eleanora Duse (4.30): ‘much better than she has shown so far’ and ‘she has been impressive on the gallops lately’. Let’s hope she does her best.

TODAY'S BETS
BET 6pts win VICO (1.00 Wincanton) BET 3pts win WIZARD OF ODDS (1.10 Huntingdon) LAY to win 5pts BID ART (1.20 Hereford) BET 3pts win MOUNT HELICON (1.40 Huntingdon) BET 1pt win and place BLUE DARK (2.30 Wincanton) LAY to win 5pts DEEP QUEST, and BET 2pts win CLASSIC CLOVER and 1pt win TRIGGERNOMETRY (3.00 Wincanton) BET 1pt win and place TILLY SHILLING (3.30 Wincanton) BET 8pts win (nap) ELEANORA DUSE (4.30 Kempton) BET 3pts win MAINSTAY (5.00 Kempton) BET 2pts win and place MOOJEH (7.00 Kempton) DAQ MULTIPLES: 3 x 1pt win doubles Vico (1.00 Wincanton), Dave’s Dream (2.10 Huntingdon) and Eleanora Duse (4.30 Kempton) We are now recording the daily profit and loss of DAQMAN to help readers gauge the current form of the service. We will provide the profit / loss on the previous day to a £1 level stake on each selection (eg: a 5 point bet = a £5 stake). In the interests of consistency the profit / loss will be recorded at SP prices, however BETDAQ users can reasonably expect to beat SP in the majority of races. Wednesday's Return was: PROFIT 6.18 points

	Try a BETDAQ Multiple today and enjoy better value odds. New to Multiples? Click to Learn More

IRELAND'S EYE on Wednesday

David Stewart — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:42:04 -0800

Wednesday 18 November

IRELAND'S EYE

Clonmels Morris Oil meeting which was called off last week due to heavy rain goes ahead today and though Hexham has fallen foul of the weather Market Rasen hosts an interesting jumps card. It could be a case of ‘same again’ as we will be siding with last years winners of the Grade 2 and 3 contests at Clonmel today while a former point winner can finally get off the mark over fences at Market Rasen for Phillip Hobbs.

Our nap Vodka Brook (9/4 morn-2/1) found one too good on his chase debut yesterday but we did manage the land three winners through savers Aegean Dawn (8/11 morn-8/13), Western (7/2) and Satindra (7/1) nevertheless.

Ground conditions will be testing at Clonmel this afternoon and the 3m hc hurdle at 1-35 will require some getting and it could be fought out by two horses better known as chasers. Tom Taaffes Cane Brake has scored six times over fences and the now 10yo showed a liking for testing ground and though he has not scored since landing the Troytown and Paddy Power handicap chases some two years ago over this trip he looks to be on a decent mark here. He did make a fairly encouraging seasonal debut in a Galway hc hurdle over three weeks ago and on a mark over two stone lower than chase one he can spring a minor surprise here with useful 5lb claimer Chris O’Farrell on board in just his ninth start over the minor obstacles. He faces a tough opponent in the Eric McNamara trained Dashing George however as the 7yo is another who boasts a more favourable mark over hurdles as despite being a two time hurdle winner he is 25lbs lower in this sphere than over fences. In addition the son of Beneficial showed his well being when just losing out by half a length to Treacle in the Munster Nation hc chase over todays trip at Limerick over 5 weeks ago with the subsequent good winner Paddy Pub back in third. The Paddy Flood ridden gelding will be ‘right at home’ in these conditions and has scored over the trip and though he gets 5lbs from the selection here he may just have to give best to his elder on this occasion.

Phillip Hobbs Bluegun made a bright start to his career by taking a Lisronagh point on soft/heavy during 2007 and followed up by landing a bumper on his debut for his present yard 5 months later. Nevertheless the 7yo did make jumping errors on his chase debut earlier this year at Folkestone over 3m 1f on good ground where the Pistolet Bleu gelding appeared not to get home. However the drop back in distance should suit and with soft ground also in his favour he is given the vote to make the breakthrough over fences in the 2m 6 1/2f novice chase at 1-40 at Market Rasen. The Richard Johnson ridden gelding can ‘gain the day’ at the expense of Lucy Wadhams Victorias Groom who will also be suited by ground conditions but the 7yo looks more exposed than the selection.

Taaffe could be on the mark again in the feature event of the day another useful 10 yo in Glenfinn Captain who is seeking to record back to back victories in the Grade 2 two miles and four chase at 2-05. This son of Alderbrook landed this event in good style last year from one of todays rivals One Cool Cookie (gave 7lbs) and though that rival would sem to have decent prospects of turning the tables today on 9lbs better terms for that defeat Taaffes runner boasts a 2 from 2 win record here and he made a satisfactory seasonal debut in a 2m 6f Thurles hurdle recently. He could have most to fear from the former three time point winner Gungadu who scored five wins over fences for Paul Nicholls (including the Group 3 Racing Post Chase at Kempton over 3 miles in 2008). Now in the care of Gordon Elliott he again has the assistance of Ruby Walsh and though he has to put some disappointing runs behind here but a change of scenery may have ‘done the trick’ and in receipt of 5lbs from the selection he must rate a danger if fully tuned up for the assignment.

The Grade 3 mares chase at Clonmel at 2-35 looks an open looking contest with a handful of possible winners in the line up. Though Moskova boasts the highest rating in the field the Paul Nolan trained four time chase winner tends to need her first outing of the season and the dual Grade 3 chase winner will appreciate the ground and trip she may struggle to give 5lbs to last years winner Bohemian Lass. The latter – a locally trained 6yo has scored her two chase wins at this venue and is at home on testing ground as evidenced by her ready victory on heavy over Stonehouse in last years contest when this was a Listed race. The daughter of Moscow Society was far from disgraced when failing to give 5lbs to the useful In Compliance in a Thurles Listed 2m 6f chase on her seasonal bow less than a fortnight ago and a return to this trip against her own sex should see her record her third chase win.

12-40 MARKET RASEN 2m 3f novice hurdle

In what looks an open novice the verdict goes to to the twice raced EDGE OF TOWN on his hurdle debut as the Donald McCain trained 5yo showed enough promise in a couple of bumpers. Favourite and bumper winner Ballybriggan rates the obvious danger.

3-05 CLONMEL 2m 4f hc chase

Robert Tyners FOOTY FACTS may not quite be the force of old but the 9yo has conditions to suit here and he can gain a winning turn under 3lb claimer Phillip Enright at the expense of the relatively unexposed Glenquest.

ADVICE
BET 4pt win CANE BRAKE 1-35 Clonmel
BET 2pt win (saver) DASHING GEORGE 1-35 Clonmel
BET 4pt win BLUEGUN 1-40 Market Rasen
BET 2pt win (saver) VICTORIAS GROOM 1-40 Market Rasen
BET 5pt win GLENFINN CASTLE 2-05 Clonmel
BET 2pt win (saver) GUNGADU 2-05 Clonmel
BET 5pt win (nap) BOHEMIAN LASS 2-35 Clonmel
BET 2pt win (saver) MOSKOVA 2-35 Clonmel

We are now recording the daily profit and loss of Ireland's Eye to help readers gauge the current form of the service. We will provide the profit / loss on the previous day to a £1 level stake on each selection (eg: a 5 point bet = a £5 stake). In the interests of consistency the profit / loss will be recorded at SP prices, however BETDAQ users can reasonably expect to beat SP in the majority of races.

Tuesday's Return was: PROFIT 6.73 points