Manchester United go to Arsenal with a point to make ahead of title defence

"Before the worries of next term, United still have four more games to play this year – with Chelsea’s record points tally of 95 in sight."

With Chelsea's Premier League record in sight, Sir Alex Ferguson won't go on easy on the Gunners - but he's got work to do to keep the pack at bay next season, writes Hannah Duncan.

With Manchester United having sealed their 20th top-flight title last night - and Sir Alex Ferguson's 13th league crown - it might seem daft to ask where the club goes next.

But, although they have won the title at a canter with just four Premier League defeats all season, there is one big question that seems to produce conflicting answers. Is this really one of the strongest United squads in recent times? Or is that everyone else in the league was weaker?

There's no doubting over the summer that Chelsea and Manchester City will bolster their playing staff with big-money acquisitions, with certainly the former - and possibly the latter - also bringing in a fresh manager with fresh ideas (or maybe even an old face).

Rafael Benitez is an enormous outside bet at 34.033/1 to remain at Stamford Bridge next term, and for many Chelsea fans even those odds aren't long enough. 

So with changes afoot elsewhere, Fergie and the United board can't rest on their laurels.

Paul Scholes, having not been seen since January, may well retire for a second time this summer and Ryan Giggs, while being instrumental in their 3-0 win over Aston Villa to clinch the title, isn't getting any younger.

There's also talk that Javier Hernandez could seek pastures new for guaranteed first-team football, while Rio Ferdinand's injuries could finally catch up with him. And there are still question marks over the (admittedly improving) David De Gea.

Radamel Falcao is the latest in a string of names to be linked with a summer move to Old Trafford, which if they pulled it off, would certainly help keep Chelsea at bay.

United have also been linked with a long-anticipated move for Borussia Dortmund hitman Robert Lewandowski, who they tried to sign last summer.

They are two big names which would certainly do no harm in the Old Trafford dressing room. But whether signing either or both would spell the end for Wayne Rooney's United career, or enable him to play more frequently in a deeper role - in which he has flourished - remains to be seen.

While strengthening their attack wouldn't hurt, goalscoring hasn't been a problem for United this season. But their defence, particularly at the start of the season, has looked very shaky at times.

Of course they can blame injuries, with Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans all missing periods of the campaign. But that would be papering over the cracks, and that's not Fergie's style.

The Scot said last night - possibly in a moment clouded by euphoria and champagne - that Phil Jones could be the club's greatest ever player. Well he's good, but he's got some stiff competition.

And with him only really being utilised at centre-back in an emergency, the former Blackburn man isn't about to solve their defensive concerns any time soon.

Centre-half is certainly an area Ferguson will need to address in the summer and it wouldn't be surprising if he plumped for a new goalkeeper too.

As much as De Gea has improved on his turbulent debut season, he still has too many flappy moments - and Ferguson hasn't won 13 league titles by being sentimental.

But before the worries of next term, United still have four more games to play this year - with Chelsea's record points tally of 95 in sight.

They begin their latest challenge with a tough trip to Arsenal on Sunday - where Robin van Persie could be afforded a guard of honour, along with his title-winning team-mates. 

That alone is bound to spur on the Gunners, who are 2.245/4 favourites to beat Manchester United, with the draw looking a good outside bet at 3.65n/a.  

But while Ferguson may not view records in the same manner as a manager such as Jose Mourinho, he'll demand his players carry out a professional job for the rest of the campaign and send out a message to those eyeing up the Premier League title next year.

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Manchester United to draw with Arsenal @ 3.65n/a

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Nicholls' Week Ahead: The Timeform Preview

Weekend Runners / Timeform / 29 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Woolcombe Folly is arguably Nicholls' highest profile entry this weekend

"Of the three, it is arguably Woolcombe Folly who has the greatest chance of winning having fallen in the handicap of late..."

A relatively quiet time of year for most trainers with all eyes on the Cheltenham Festival but Paul Nicholls still has some high profile representatives due to take up engagements this weekend...

A novice hurdle on Taunton's Thursday card is likely to get the yard underway this week with the champion trainer holding four entries at this stage: Opening Batsman, The Timeform Betfair Racing Club-owned Unparthou, Black Thunder and Jump City. Of the quartet, it is the latter pairing that look to hold the stronger claims, the duo joint-top on Timeform ratings. Black Thunder also looks open to progression after just two runs over hurdles and he could take a lot of beating should he line up, though it is worth noting that he also holds an entry at Newbury on Friday.

Egypt Mill Spirit is Nicholls' other entry at Taunton, that one set to go to post in the 19.5f handicap hurdle due off at 16:10. Egypt Mill Spirit has 10 lb to find with the David Pipe-trained Katchmore at the weights but he remains relatively lightly raced and there is a chance that he could progress given his connections and the manner of his four starts over timber so far.

Billy Merriott and Themilanhorse are the stable's only entries at Ludlow on Thursday, the pair entered in what looks a modest 21f handicap hurdle. Themilanhorse is perhaps the more likely winner, currently considered 2 lb superior to his stablemate and also open to more progression after just the two tries over hurdles. Whilst Themilanhorse remains 4 lb adrift of Venetia Williams' Sprit d'Armour at the weights, he could easily give that one something to think about if building upon his Warwick performance last time, as is expected to be the case.

Likeable Rogue and Curtain Razer join Black Thunder in the aforementioned novice hurdle at Newbury on Friday afternoon, the trio all with a bit to find with Phillip Hobbs' Talkonthestreet. Both Black Thunder and Likeable Rogue are open to improvement, however, and it would be of little surprise if they were to figure in the finish should either take their place in the line-up.

No Loose Change is another Nicholls entry later on the Newbury card, set to run in a novice handicap chase over two miles and six furlongs. The half-brother to useful bumper horse Dylan Ross will be making his debut over fences and the step back up in trip should be to his advantage.

Tigre d'Aron could be the final runner for the yard at Newbury. also set to make his fencing debut when taking in the two-and-a-half-mile handicap. Tigre d'Aron has been relatively disappointing in two hurdle starts since leaving Howard Johnson, finishing well down the field at Cheltenham back in November and never a factor over three miles at Taunton last time, but the step back down in trip should be to his favour and he does have the physique to excel over fences (dam won 19f chase in France).

Niche Market could get Nicholls off to a good start on Saturday as he is entered in a veterans' handicap chase at Newbury. Niche Market would seem to have a good chance at the weights and comes out joint-top rated with Whinstone Boy after a solid effort behind West End Rocker in the Becher Chase last time. His main target has always been the Grand National on April 14 and Saturday's race could see him put just right for that race.

Nicholls is triple handed in the following race at Newbury, the Grade 3 Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase, with Aerial, Pasco and Woolcombe Folly all set to go to post. The race looks very competitive at this stage with all three of Nicholls' representatives with in 4 lb of the Timeform top-rated horses. Of the three, it is arguably Woolcombe Folly who has the greatest chance of winning having fallen in the handicap of late, and he is now down to a BHA mark (158) off which he could be competitive. Aerial was a well-held fourth on his latest start despite running creditably, whilst Pasco has showed signs of temperament in the past.

It is worth noting that Aerial is also entered in a race at Kelso on Saturday but has a fair bit to find with ratings topper Ballabriggs. The two miles and six furlongs may be a bit on the sharp side for Ballabriggs, however, and, given that Donald McCain's eleven-year-old will be using the race as a Grand National prep, he's unlikely to be at a peak on Saturday.

Edgardo Sol is Nicholls' remaining entry at Kelso on Saturday, entered in a Grade 2 novice hurdle. Edgardo Sol currently heads the ratings for the contest, considered 5 lb superior to his nearest rival and, judging by how his season has taken shape so far, another solid performance wouldn't surprise.

Takeroc could round the weekend off well for the yard in what admittedly looks a fairly open handicap chase at Doncaster. Takeroc is another Timeform top-rated after a useful performance behind Finian's Rainbow last time and a reproduction of that form will surely see him go close. He will have to shoulder top-weight in Saturday's contest but, with conditions likely to suit, he should have every chance of featuring in the finish.

Timeform take a look at a weekend where it was very much business as usual for Britain's champion jumps trainer......

Paul discusses his two runners at Fontwell on Sunday, including one that could be ideally suited by the distance......

Paul has several promising runners in action at Kempton on Saturday afternoon as well as a couple of chances at Chepstow. Below, he offers a comprehensive assessment of their chances......

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Nicholls' Week Ahead: The Timeform Preview

Weekend Runners / Timeform / 21 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Nicholls will be hoping Michel Le Bon can bounce back to winning ways

"[Michel le Bon]...is considered 7 lb inferior to Cannington Brook at the weights, he could be far better than his form so far suggests..."

The recent outbreak of coughing at Ditcheat makes it difficult to anticipate what kind of form the Nicholls runners will arrive in this week but Timeform run the rule over some of the more interesting entries nonetheless...

Egypt Mill Spirit could get Nicholls underway on Friday, that one entered in the opening conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle at Sandown. Egypt Mill Spirit looks as though he could be better than his recent form gives credit for (see the '+' symbol accompanying his rating), but he has 25 lb to find with Donald McCain's Nowurhurling and it is difficult to envisage him bridging the gap. It is worth noting that Egypt Mill Spirit is also entered in the 16:10 on the same card, a contest of similar standard, in which stablemate Tigre d'Aron has a far greater chance of victory as he is considered a 25 lb better horse.

Workbench, Sky Watch and Foggy's Wall are the stable's trio entered for the bumper at Sandown. The former looked in need of the run on debut, shaping well before getting tired in the closing stages and, given his pedigree (half-brother to three winners over jumps in France), he could be a useful prospect. The other pair are unraced and it remains to be seen how effective they will be first time out but, as is always the case with Nicholls debutants, they are worth monitoring closely. Workbench and Sky Watch also hold entries at Chepstow and Kempton on Saturday.

Toubab and Cristal Bonus are the other two who could be head to Sandown on Friday, both entered in a novice chase scheduled to go off at 15:10. Cristal Bonus currently heads the field on Timeform ratings, judged 2 lb ahead of Toubab after an impressive chasing debut at Chepstow last time. Cristal Bonus also looks open to the further improvement and it remains to be seen which one takes his chance.

Dualla Lord, Bold Chief and Polisky are the three potential Ditcheat runners currently entered in the novice hurdle at Warwick card on Friday, with the former top-rated. Dualla Lord finished a narrow second last time at Taunton and, if building upon that performance, he has to go close. Polisky is considered 5 lb inferior to his stablemate and has a '$' accompanying his rating, suggesting signs of temperament. Bold Chief, who also has an entry at Fontwell on Sunday, remains a little behind the standard set by the other two but he is open to progression after a limited number of runs so far.

Dodging Bullets and Dildar both hold entries for the Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle and the Grade 2 Dovecote Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday. A number of runners, including the Nicholls pair, will have their target unconfirmed at this stage but both contests are likely to prove strong Triumph Hurdle trials. Of the two races, the Adonis is traditionally the stronger contest, Zarkandar having won that race last year before going on to taste success at the Festival. That race looks to have the slight edge again this year with Grumeti and Baby Mix set to renew rivalry, whilst Sadler's Risk and Une Artiste are also entered. Grumeti holds entries for the two aforementioned juvenile hurdles on Saturday and is top-rated for both, with the Nicholls runners both having a bit to find with that rival.

Michel le Bon and Royal Charm are the two set to go in the Racing Plus Chase , the former needing to bounce back after a below-par performance in the Hennessy Gold Cup. That race came after a lengthy absence, however, and Michel le Bon did well for much of way before fitness eventually told in the final stages. He has been given ample time for recovery and, whilst he is considered 7 lb inferior to Cannington Brook at the weights, he could be far better than his form so far suggests. Royal Charm has struggled recently and he has it all to do at the weights.

The Knoxs looks to be the one other Nicholls Saturday runner worth a mention, the nine-year-old currently holding an entry for a handicap chase at Chepstow. The Knoxs is just 2 lb behind top-rated Buffalo Bob and he should be capable of improving past that rival if regaining the progressive thread. The Knoxs' was unable to strike a blow over three miles last time, finding very little in the closing stages having travelled well throughout, but he's lightly-raced enough to still have more to offer. The step down in trip to two miles is likely to suit and he could give those rated ahead of him plenty to think about if back to his best. It is worth noting that The Knoxs also holds an entry in a Grade 2 Hurdle race at Fontwell on Sunday and is considered second, only behind Duc de Regniere for that contest.

Sir du Bearn could round the weekend off for Ditcheat, that one entered in what looks a competitive novice chase at this stage. Sir du Bearn has a bit to find with his main rivals but we are expecting some improvement and it will be interesting to see how he gets on in stronger company.

A below average weekend for the Champion trainer with just the one winner from a whole host of runners......

There's no rest for Paul this weekend as he sends out plenty of runners on Saturday, many of them at Ascot......

With big names in action on Saturday, Paul discusses his runners' chances at Wincanton and Haydock......

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Malaysian Open Betting: Tough week ahead for Masters Champion

Golf Bets / Mike Norman / 12 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Kiradech Aphibarnrat kisses the SAIL Open trophy – his maiden Asian Tour title

"What was encouraging about that performance was that Davies wasn’t defending at the same venue, he was playing a course – two courses in fact – for the first time so his improvement in form can be taken as genuine."

Charl Schwartzel is making a quick reappearance after winning last week's US Masters, but Mike Norman believes it will be a tough week for the South African and two other Masters' participants.

Throughout this season Mike will give one selection in each of the Winner, Top Five Finish and Top Ten Finish markets every week a European Tour event is being played.

Punting wise, it hasn't been a great start for me on the European Tour this season but there have been a lot of low-key events to date with some very weak fields. The stronger the event, the more confidence I will have in my selections. Patience is definitely the key.

Although this week's Maybank Malaysian Open has another relatively weak feel to it, I at least go into the selection process on the back of a very good week at the US Masters. Two of my three selections - Luke Donald and Justin Rose - finished first and second in the Top European market, and I decided on Thursday night (as betting.betfair editor Joe Dyer, and Steve 'The Punter' Rawlings will testify) that I was going to back Charl Schwartzel at [46.0] in the Winner market.

Schwartzel is in Malaysia this week along with Rory McIlroy - the man who made the headlines for all the wrong reasons after his final round collapse - and world number one Martin Kaymer, but other than that it's a familiar looking line-up for the first leg of the 'Asian Swing'.

Schwartzel can be backed at [16.0], but of the star trio he is the one who I'd want to avoid most. He's never been a prolific winner outside of South Africa, and last week's exertions - the media side of it that is - will surely take its toll as the week goes on. Kaymer ([8.8]) missed the cut at Augusta for the fourth year running, and with his season being a bit stop-start so far, I definitely don't want to back him at his current price. It's anyone's guess as to how McIlroy ([13.0]) will respond this week, but he will get almost as much media attention as Schwartzel in the next few days and the whole saga might just get to his already scrambled brain.

Winner

It was at this same time last year that Rhys Davies was finishing in the top five seemingly for fun. That terrific run of form included a win at the Moroccan Open and the Welshman went very close to defending his crown a fortnight ago, eventually losing in a play-off to David Horsey. What was encouraging about that performance was that Davies wasn't defending at the same venue, he was playing a course - two courses in fact - for the first time so his improvement in form can be taken as genuine. He is available to back at [36.0] to triumph this week and he is worth a punt without doubt. He proved last year that he is a very consistent player when in form, and the fact that he finished in a tie for third in this tournament - at this venue - in 2010 augers well.

Top Five Finish

A few weeks ago I vowed personally to leave Stephen Gallacher go un-backed for a while - he's a player that I can never seem to catch right. But a few things have changed my mind. The first is the fact that Schwartzel was another player that I could never catch right, but that changed last week (a good omen perhaps), and the second is Gallacher's price. When I backed Gallacher two weeks running last month he was around the [20.0] mark, now he can be backed at [80.0] to win - and at [14.0] in this market - against similar type players. His Gulf Swing form is hard to ignore (three top-12 finishes), so a missed cut last time out shouldn't have put punters off as much as it appears to have done.

Top Ten Finish

My selection in this market is a complete stab in the dark purely and simply because I wanted an Asian-born player on my side. But the wonderfully-named Kiradech Aphibarnrat is no long shot at [7.4]. The 21-year-old finished in a tie for third - alongside Davies - here last year, and after numerous close finishes he finally won his maiden Asian Tour title when he triumphed at the SAIL Open just three weeks ago. You can do much worse than back a recent winner, a player with proven course form, and someone who knows the culture so well; and in Aphibarnrat you'll also have an extremely enjoyable character to follow.

Recommended Bets

Back Rhys Davies at [36.0] in Winner market
Back Stephen Gallacher at [14.0] in Top Five Finish market
Back Kiradech Aphibarnrat at [7.4] in Top Ten Finish market

Total pts bet this season (one pt bet per selection): 30
Total pts returned: 10.75
2011 European Tour season Profit/Loss: -19.25

It's another low key affair on the European Tour this week so Mike Norman is pinning his hopes on a trio of Spanish players, two of which have been very consistent in 2011....

The European Tour visits Spain this week for a tournament hosted by loveable veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez, but Mike Norman finds reasons to oppose both Jimenez and his classy countryman Alvaro Quiros....

There's a new venue for the European Tour this week but Mike Norman is not put off by having no course form to go on, he's been studying hard he tells us....

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Paul Nicholls' Week Ahead: The Timeform Preview

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Paul Nicholls' Week Ahead: The Timeform Preview

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