Latest Masters Odds: Big Phil heads betting before final round

US Masters / Joe Dyer / 08 April 2012 / Leave a Comment

Phil Mickelson enjoys himself on moving day

"Mickelson put in a real show of class on 'moving day', shooting six under on the back nine after parring the first nine holes to launch himself up the leaderboard to second place."

Phil Mickelson is a [2.72] shot to win the Masters for a fourth time, ahead of third round leader Peter Hanson and 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen.

Phil Mickelson is [2.72] on Betfair to make it Masters win no.4 with a tournament victory at Augusta tonight.

The pre-tournament third favourite put in a real show of class on 'moving day', shooting six under on the back nine after parring the first nine holes to launch himself up the leaderboard to second place.

He stands one shot back from Sweden's Peter Hanson - the 2010 Ryder Cup performer hitting a 65 to head the field at -9. Hanson is [5.2] to still be top of the pile at the conclusion of tonight's action.

If fending off Mickelson wasn't daunting enough, Hanson will also have to repel the challenge of former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen. Two shots off the lead, the South African can be backed at [6.8] to add the Masters to his collection of Majors won.

Big-hitting Bubba Watson has the tools to go very low at Augusta and the market clearly thinks the three shots separating him from Hanson are not insurmountable. Watson is [10.0] to win the 2012 Masters.

Fellow American Matt Kuchar is one shot back of Watson and trades at [20.0], one tick shorter than Lee Westwood. The first round leader has stalled since his wonderful oening round and sits on -4, tied for sixth place with Hunter Mahan ([27.0]), Padraig Harrington ([36.0]) and surprise package Henrik Stenson (44.0]).

The gap beyond looks too big and no other player trades at under [100.0].

With just one round to go at Augusta National, nine players appear to hold a chance to win the year's first major. Steve Rawlings profiles each of the Masters hopefuls...

There's a whole host of drama to come at Augusta and Paul Krishnamurty has picked out a variety of ways to keep you that little bit more interested in the Augusta action with these four bets......

An intriguing Masters leaderboard awaits us this morning with any one of 30 players in with a chance of winning the tournament. Saturday is traditionally classed as moving day so who does Paul Krishnamurty expect to be rising up the...

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Paul Nicholls: Latest news on my Cheltenham Festival chances

Latest News / Paul Nicholls / 27 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

With Cheltenham looming, Paul has decisions to make

"I have five entries in the Arkle, for which Al Ferof is obviously my number one hope after his excellent third at Ascot last Saturday."

Paul discusses a host of horses that will be in action over the coming weeks and weighs up their chances of being entered at the Cheltenham Festival. Ante-post bettors take note...

Come back here at 8am on Saturday for my thoughts on all my weekend runners - including a possible reason why a high-profile horse disappointed last time.

But for those of you who like to back ante-post, I will run you through my entries in the novice chases at the Festival, and the National Hunt Chase.

I have five entries in the Arkle, for which Al Ferof, Timeform's leading novice chaser at any distance this season, is obviously my number one hope after his excellent third at Ascot last Saturday. He goes straight to the Festival.

Thursday's Warwick winner Pacha Du Polder is a very unlikely runner and wants a trip. He is also entered in the Jewson, but it could be that we give Cheltenham a swerve with him this year.

Sanctuaire probably makes his chasing debut at either Taunton or Ludlow next week. I was toying with running Escort'men in the Lightning at Doncaster on Saturday but decided against it; I refuse to believe this talented hurdler is as bad over fences as he has shown so far, but handicap hurdles are always an option at the Festival. But he will have his next run in a chase, maybe at Wincanton next Thursday.

That leaves Cristal Bonus to complete my Arkle quintet; he was a classy hurdler who holds entries in the Jewson and RSA as well. He delighted me when winning over 2m4f at Chepstow on his chasing debut and goes for the Scilly Isles at Sandown a week on Saturday. His current target is the Jewson, though.

I also have five in the Jewson, though I have already discussed Al Ferof, Cristal Bonus and Pacha Du Polder. Newbury winner Cedre Bleu goes to Exeter in a fortnight. He could give Cheltenham a miss too, but if he ran well at Exeter and the ground came up soft at Cheltenham, who knows? The remaining other possible is Silviniaco Conti.

I have three entries in the RSA and many will think that Silviniaco Conti is my number one hope at this stage after his excellent second to Grands Crus in the Feltham. But hold your bets on this horse.

We will not be taking on the winner again if he goes down the novice route, and it could be that we wait until Aintree. I think a flat track will suit him better than Cheltenham.

But the race is definitely the plan for Join Together. He was very impressive at Cheltenham last time and has three options for his next outing; Newbury on Betfair Super Saturday, the Reynoldstown or maybe Fontwell on National Spirit Day. Star De Mohaison won at Fontwell before winning the RSA. In fact, those three races are possibles for Silviniaco Conti, too.

I have two entries in the four-miler and Sir Alex Ferguson part owns both. Picture This got a leg last season and was only half fit when winning a match at Folkestone first time up; he is better than that.

But if he runs at the Festival, it could be in a handicap. But the National Hunt Chase is something that I have had in mind for Harry The Viking all season, and he showed all the attributes that you need for this marathon test when battling to win a 3m2f handicap at Doncaster last time. He is a true stayer.

There's plenty of racing to look forward to in the coming week, the highlight being Trials day at Cheltenham on Saturday, and Paul is sure to be have numerous runners putting their Festival credentials to the test there......

Paul Nicholls give us his views on Al Ferof's performance yesterday in finishing third and why he's such an exciting prospect with Cheltenham now on everyone's minds....

There's a host of news from Ditcheat where Denman's recovery is taking a little longer than expected but Zarkandar appears to be in fine fettle with a big race on the horizon...

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Latest WSOP Win Goes to Caldwell

Poker player wins gold after outlasting 2,828 players. The latest winner is Kirk Caldwell who took his first WSOP win. The 31-year-old is an amateur poker player who won his way into the World Series of Poker by winning a satellite tournament put together by himself and his friends. Caldwell's his first-ever WSOP cash means a $688,276 cash purse as well as a coveted gold bracelet. Caldwell is the fourth Canadian to win a title at the 2011 WSOP. Ben White took the 2nd place prize of $414,918.

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Latest Limit Holdem of WSOP 2011

The latest limit holdem event of the 2011 WSOP has come and gone. Event 14 was won by Tyler Bonkowski. Bonkowski outlasted 337 poker players to win the World Series of Poker event, pocketing $220,817 and his first WSOP bracelet. He was down as much as 12 to 1 in chips during heads up play, so his final victory over Brandon Demes was a dramatic one. Demes took $136,419 for second place while Andrew Brongo took third and $100,198, and Shawn Keller won $74,171 for fourth place.

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Royal Ascot Latest News: Fallon to miss Tuesday rides

Latest News / Editor / 14 June 2011 / Leave a Comment

Fallon misses his two rides at Royal Ascot today

Kieren Fallon has been forced to miss his two rides at Royal Ascot this afternoon....

There's nothing untowards about it this time, however, as Fallon has simply suffered a minor injury.

The former champ apparently jarred his neck while riding out this morning and has been advised to take the afternoon off and instead have some physio.

Fallon was due to ride Veiled, currently trading at [7.0] in the Ascot Stakes, and Caledonian Spring in the Windsor Castle, and the former mount will now go to Eddie Ahern.

Prohibit arrives on the scene late to give Robert Cowell and Jim Crowley a Royal winner in the King's Stand Stakes.......

Canford Cliffs gained his third straight Royal Ascot win as he beat defending champion Goldikova in the Queen Anne Stakes.......

Frankel, Goldikova, Canford Cliffs - the big names are set to make the first day of Royal Ascot a humdinger. And our own big name - Geoffrey Riddle - is on hand to bring you all the news, views and betting tips from trackside. Feel free to get in touch by email: theriddleratbetfair@gmail.com or by Twitter: @louchepunter...

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Latest WSOPC Champion

Sam Barnhart has been named the WSOPC National Champion. Barnhard won the poker event at Caesars Palace and $300,000 as a first place prize. This event was the end of the World Series of Poker Circuit season for 2010 and 2011. Barnhart has made nearly half a million dollars in prize money in the last four months. The WSOPC is the extended series that builds off of the WSOP, which will begin next week in Las Vegas. Sam Barnhart is a 50 year old software analyst that may also be considered a poker pro.

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Latest Derby Odds: Carlton's price settles but doubts remain

Ante-Post Betting / Joe Dyer / 01 June 2011 / Leave a Comment

Carlton House (right) may not even make it to Epsom

"Our market now suggests that he is odds-against to line up on Saturday."

Carlton House price stabilises at [4.5] but will he even remain favourite on ante-post market?

Carlton House, still as short as [2.38] elsewhere, looks to have found his "true" price at [4.5] on Betfair for the Derby.

Betfair spokesman Tony Calvin said: "Comments from John Warren today certainly seemed more hopeful than confident, and the Betfair market has responded.

"He is now [4.5] and, if anything, I can see the horse drifting further. And maybe it is even possible that he will lose favouritism on the Betfair ante-post market before tomorrow's declaration stage at 10am.

"Because, unfortunately, our market now suggests that he is odds-against to line up on Saturday."

On what promises to be a great weekend of racing, Timeform run the rule over what looks a strong, yet wide open, Oaks at Epsom on Friday......

Whilst the Derby is sure to be the race all eyes will be focused upon at Epsom on Saturday, the supporting card is due to feature a number of quality performers, with the 'Dash', over the world's fastest sprint course, a particular highlight. Timeform's Adam Brookes looks over the field......

The Oaks isn't the only Group 1 at Epsom on Friday, as there's also the Coronation Cup, in which Aidan O'Brien's St Nicholas Abbey is currently a short-priced favourite. But does he deserve to be?......

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FA Cup Betting: All the latest odds after the fifth round draw

FA Cup / Joe Dyer / 20 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Wazza faces Arsenal earlier this season

"United are favourites for Wembley glory at the moment and can be backed at [3.85] to lift the trophy, Arsenal are [5.5]."

An FA Cup classic is on the cards after Arsenal/Leyton Orient were pulled out of the hat to face Manchester United in the fifth round

The FA Cup is likely to see a clash between the two teams at the top of the betting after Manchester United were given a home tie against the winner of the Leyton Orient-Arsenal tie. The two London teams are set to replay following a 1-1 draw at Brisbane Road this afternoon.

Should Arsenal get through, the mega-clash will pit together the two most successful clubs in the history of the competition with 21 wins between them.

United are favourites for Wembley glory and can be backed at [3.85] to lift the trophy, Arsenal are [5.5]. Next up is Manchester City - 5-0 conquerors of Notts County today - at [6.0].

Just one other team, Everton, trade in single figures ([9.2]). Reading ([160.0]) are next up for the Toffees, who would then play the winners of City's tussle with Aston Villa ([22.0]).

Stoke's reward for a 3-0 defeat of Brighton is a home tie against West Ham ([30.0]) or Burnley ([90.0]), who play on Monday night. The Potters are fifth favourites at [13.5].

Carling Cup finalists Birmingham ([18.0]) meet Bolton ([18.0]), 1-0 conquerors of Fulham, in the other quarter-final fixture.

To view the full list of odds click here

An FA Cup classic is on the cards after Arsenal/Leyton Orient were pulled out of the hat to face Manchester United in the fifth round...

Leyton Orient pull off a classic cup performance as [1.04] Arsenal are denied while five-star Manchester City sink Paul Ince's Notts County...

County's cup run should finish here, says Feizal Rahman, who has dug up a few bets to accompany that eventuality...

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Latest News: Indian Daudaie in Ireland - Take Two

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Fernando Torres Transfer: The latest odds on the big move

Premier League / Joe Dyer / 31 January 2011 / 6 Comments

Torres arrives at Liverpool for training - could it be the last time?

"Torres is priced at [5.0] to still be a Liverpool player at 13:00 on February 3. He is [1.25] to be elsewhere."

Though likely this is not a done deal yet, say Betfair punters

The headlines suggest Fernando Torres is on his way to Chelsea - but the betting on Betfair suggests there could be a twist or turn in the saga yet.

Given the pace with which a sale can move this could be old news before it's even published but at the time of writing (16:15, Jan 31) Torres is priced at [5.0] to still be a Liverpool player at 13:00 on February 3. He is [1.25] to be elsewhere.

And, if taking the short price, don't forget that Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez both looked to be on their way earlier in the season. The pair traded at [4.0] to remain and where are they now? Old Trafford and the City of Manchester Stadium.

However, with deals for Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll possibly going through - a rumoured £50m injection from Chelsea must be very tempting to the Liverpool hierarchy.

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