Britain's Got Talent 2011: Girls Roc-ket to being leading contenders

Britain's Got Talent / Mike Norman / 11 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Something about Girls Roc caught the eye of our BGT reviewer

"It obviously helps when you’re outgoing, sexy and gorgeous but don’t let that detract from how good these girls actually were."

After a few weeks of disappointing audition shows, Mike Norman is in a far better mood after witnessing some proper talent on Saturday.

Admittedly I've been a bit grumpy of late, so much so that I've been accusing the current series of Britain's Got Talent as being dull and boring thus far.

Well either the guy dressed as Zorro at my last fancy dress party was Simon Cowell, the ITV producers heard my drunken rants about the rubbish being screened, or there is indeed a god out there happy to appease my wishes. But however it came about, Saturday's latest offering of bizarre, disillusioned, and fame-hungry contestants were far better than what we have seen in the three previous weeks.

Of course, when a septet of scantily-clad, none-too-shy beautiful women open the show then it's difficult to envisage BGT as anything but pure heaven and bliss.

Girls Roc really did rock. Ignoring their obvious assets, this bunch of sexy blondes and brunettes got the night off to a fantastic start. Much of what they did - flame throwing, fire eating, power tool stunts or whatever they are called - has been seen many times before, but these girls did it during a very confident and synchronised routine. It obviously helps when you're outgoing, sexy and gorgeous but don't let that detract from how good these girls actually were. It could easily have been seven hairy bikers doing the same routine for all I care, they would have still impressed... honest!

From a completely selfish point of view, it will be an utter disgrace if Girls Roc don't appear in the live semi-finals. But don't worry about that, I'll have a word with Zorro at my next fancy dress party.

Perhaps the silliest act I've ever seen on any series of BGT came when 21-year-old art student Nathan Wyburn appeared on Saturday to create a picture of judge Michael McIntyre from slices of Marmite-covered toast. From an art perspective it was ok, but from a variety act perspective it was brown bread just as much at its conclusion as it was before it commenced.

You only have to be a decent dancer to progress further on BGT; if you're an exceptional dancer then you can suddenly find yourself being touted as the potential winner before you've even had chance to polish your shoes.

On Saturday we saw two such dancers, one in the style of Billy Elliot, the other a cross between George Sampson and the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz.

Eleven-year-old James Hobley found his passion for dancing when his mum took him to a dancing event as a child. James discovered that dancing helps a muscle problem he has in his legs, and it also helps him to overcome his struggle against autism. I'm no expert in the kind of dancing that he enjoys, but living just a stone's throw away from where Jamie 'Billy Elliot' Bell grew up I'd like to think that I know a thing or two to suggest that James can go a long way in this year's competition. His story and appeal are exactly what the British public warm to, so definitely keep him on your shortlist for when the Winner market materialises.

Michael Moral on the other hand just oozed class during the robotic, body-pop style dance routine that he performed. The problem I have with Michael - and it's nothing personal - is that's he was born and still lives in France. This is Britain's Got Talent for Christ's sake! Can you just imagine the announcer at the Royal Variety Performance if this guy wins? "And the winner of this year's Britain's Got Talent is... French!"

But given the talent and entertainment Moral, and the likes of Hobley and Girls Roc demonstrated at least the show is moving in the right direction - quality-wise at least.

Three weeks into the auditions and Mike Norman is far from impressed with what we've seen so far, though a couple of Youtube entries have definitely impressed our hard-to-please blogger....

Mike Norman wasn't overly impressed with Saturday night's Britain's Got Talent auditions, but he believes a few acts are worth keeping an eye on as the show progresses....

Britain's Got Talent returns on Saturday so our resident Reality TV addict Mike Norman outlines what we've got in store for you over the coming weeks....

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Dubai Racing Tips: Rocket Man to fly in at Meydan

Tipping / Stephen Molyneux / 25 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

The spectacular grandstand at Meydan

"Rocket Man confirmed his well-being with a recent win in Singapore and, although not ideally pitched in stall 9, I believe that is factored into his price of [2.66] and he is worth a bet."

Whilst the Dubai World Cup rightly takes centre stage as being the most prestigious race at Meydan on Saturday, the supporting races ain't half bad either and Stephen Molyneux casts his eye over them...

The thoroughbred action gets underway at 13:15 with the Al Quoz Sprint, a turf race run over 5f for the first time this year. In truth most of the field would struggle in any ordinary Group 2, but this lacks depth and, as such, it looks a good opportunity for J J The Jet Plane who can currently be backed at [3.2]. He has really thrived since rejoining this yard and he put a below-par reappearance behind him when winning a handicap off a mark of 122 last time, effortlessly so, too. The drop in trip is of no concern and he is drawn around plenty of pace, so a big run looks on the cards. Prohibit was drawn away from the main action last time and he will get a better tow into the race this time and, as such, looks overpriced at [18.0].

The Godolphin Mile at 13:50 is traditionally the weakest race on the card and that looks to be the case again, Red Jazz and Skysurfers currently disputing favouritism. Both have their flaws and are worth opposing with Imbongi at current odds of [10.0], having shaped much better than the bare result on both his starts this year. He was set too much to do before flying home to finish second behind Mendip on his reappearance then encountered similar problems when third to Skysurfers next time. Imbongi obviously has a bit of ground to make up with that one, but I suspect Imbongi is gradually being brought to the boil this year and he represents value.

The fairer sex have dominated the 3-y-o races this year, hence why Khawlah and Mahbooba head the market for the UAE Derby at 14:25. Khawlah got the better of Mahbooba last time but she crucially got first run that day and she wouldn't be so sure to confirm the form this time. Godolphin also saddle an intruguing runner in Xin Xu Lin, who won both the Brazilian Guineas and Derby last year, but he is going to face vastly different conditions here having won over much further in heavy ground in Brazil. With no standout claims it might be worth taking a chance on Zanzamar, who came to Dubai with a big reputation having been placed in Grade 1 company in South Africa. He made hard work of beating Splash Point on his reappearance before again looking lethargic when second to that same rival in the UAE 2000 Guineas. Hopefully that lethargy can be attributed to the shorter trip and this greater stamina test will see him in better light.

Kinsale King and Rocket Man dominated the finish to the Dubai Golden Shaheen last year and they again look the likeliest winners of this year's renewal at 15:05. Kinsale King went onto finish third in the Golden Jubilee after his victory 12 months ago but was a bit disappointing after, his win in an allowance contest at Golden Gate Fields last time merely opportunity-taking and he didn't need to be anywhere near his best to oblige. Rocket Man, on the other hand, has continued to operate at his very best, dead-heating with One World in a Group 2 in Hong Kong (holds Dim Sum on that form) before finishing a close second behind J J The Jet Plane in the Hong Kong Sprint itself. Rocket Man confirmed his well-being with a recent win in Singapore and, although not ideally pitched in stall 9, I believe that is factored into his price of [2.66] and he is worth a bet.

The action really begins to hot up at 15:45 with the Dubai Duty Free, a race that is arguably beginning to rival the Dubai World Cup in terms of quality. It is really open this year with several in with a chance and, although she is shorter now than she was earlier in the week, River Jetez is still worthy of interest at [9.6]. She may be getting on in years, but she simply seems to be thriving on her racing, and both her efforts this year have been hugely eye-catching. She should have beaten Aspectoflove on her reappearance, getting no sort of run, and made amends in the Balanchine next time, barely needing to come off the bridle to account for Reem. She does have the lowest official rating of these, but this will be just her third start for Mike de Kock and she can boast a very similar profile to Sun Classique who won the Sheema Classic back in 2008 having made the same move from Mike Bass as River Jetez. Bankable is also worthy of mention at [13.0], a good second in this 12 months ago, and he looks primed for another big run.

Snow Fairy would have been a warm order in the Dubai Sheema Classic at 16:50 and it's fair to say the race has lost a lot of it's interest as a result of her defection. It does, however, open things up and although Rewilding has easily the most potential, he is priced up accordingly. Also, with his flop in the St. Leger still fresh in the mind, he is worth opposing with Deem at [23.0], who ran a cracker in this 12 months ago to finish fourth. She has gradually been building her way back up again this year, mid-field behind Aspectoflove over 1m on her reappearance before finishing a good second to Golden Sword over 10f next time. This longer trip will suit all the more and she is unlikely to face competition of the calibre of the trio (Dar Re Mi, Buena Vista and Spanish Moon) who finished ahead of her last year.

The Dubai World Cup, the World's richest race, is due off at 17:35. Those of you who want to see who I fancy in the main event can read my ante-post preview.

Recommendations

Back J J The Jet Plane @ [3.2] in the 13:15
Back Prohibit @ [18.0] in the 13:15

Back Imbongi @ [10.0] in the 13:50

Back Zanzamar @ [9.4] in the 14:25

Back Rocket Man @ [2.66] in the 15:05

Back River Jetez @ [9.6] in the 15:45
Back Bankable @ [13.0] in the 15:45

Back Deem @ [23.0] in the 16:50

Click here to download a FREE Timeform race card for Meydan on Saturday.

Timeform take you through the field for the world's most valuable horserace......

There are two plays and a lay in America for the Timeform team this evening......

The world's richest photo took place 12 months ago, Gloria de Campeao's nose earning him the lion's share of $10,000,000, and it will come as no surprise were we to see another close finish in this year's Dubai World Cup such is the quality on show. Stephen Molyneux tries to identify some value against worthy favourite Twice Over....

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