Timeform Radio Racing Tips: Diva and Legacy to prove Lucky and Legal

Timeform Radio Tip / Will Hayler / 06 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Wolverhampton is the scene of today's two Timeform Radio selections

"Back down to 0-75 company at Wolverhampton this afternoon, Legal Legacy looks to have a solid chance of breaking his duck for trainer David Griffiths."

Despite having to abandon three races on Saturday, Wolverhampton has been given the green light to race today and Timeform's Will Hayler has two selections for us.

Considering that Andrew Mullen surrendered the outside line to nobody throughout, Legal Legacy was far from disgraced when fourth in a decent 0-85 handicap at Kempton last time. He even took a broadside from the drifting Bawaadi in the home straight, as well as an accidental smack on the head as the rider of that rival tried to keep his mount straight.

Back down to 0-75 company at Wolverhampton this afternoon, he looks to have a solid chance of breaking his duck for trainer David Griffiths when he lines up in the seven-furlong handicap at 15.55. In three starts for the yard, he's performed with credit on each occasion.

Seven furlongs is his minimum trip, but he should find his stamina sufficiently tested there are several possible pace angles in this line-up with habitual frontrunner I Confess the likeliest to ensure a decent gallop, although Ryedale Dancer and Riverdale have both also gone from the front in recent starts.

Pace was also the problem for Lucky Diva last time out when Steve Drowne rode a canny race from the front to make all aboard Fantino at this track last week. Her stamina failed to come into play as a consequence, but this likeable mare can bounce straight back with a big run against ordinary opposition in the 14.50.

Market leader Vertreux is capable of winning off his present mark, but has appeared more than once to have aversion to putting his head down and fighting and he looks a favourite to oppose.

Recommended Bets

Back Legal Legacy at [5.4] (win) and [1.9] (place) for the 15.55 at Wolverhampton
*Legal Legacy was available to back at [7.6] to win when recommended but has since been a morning mover
Back Lucky Diva at [4.6] (win) for the 14.50 at Wolverhampton

Racing has been decimated today and only the interesting card at Punchestown remains on this cold Sunday. Terry Norman believes he might have found a winning bet......

Lydia Hislop manages to make the best of a reduced Saturday card by selecting four intriguing bets......

Graham Cunningham picks today's bets with three in Dubai and two in Blighty!...

Amazon Watches Center

Lee Dixon: Lucky number six for Mick McCarthy's Wolves

Premier League / Lee Dixon / 21 October 2011 / Leave a Comment

Mick McCarthy will have his Wolves team primed for three precious points

"I really think this is Wolves’ to lose and they will get the three points they so desire."

Wolves are mired in a five-game losing streak but Saturday's early Premier League kick-off gives them the best opportunity yet to break that horrible run, says Lee Dixon

Wolves v Swansea, Saturday 12:45, live on Sky Sports 2
This may sound ridiculous but if Wolves had only defended better and taken their chances against West Brom they would have won the game. What I mean is that if they could cut out the silly errors at the back and be a touch sharper in front of goal the three points could, probably should, have belonged to Mick McCarthy's men.

You could pretty much say the same about any losing side but I thought there was actually a lot to like about the Wolves display in the Black Country derby. We watched the match live in the Match of the Day studio and I think McCarthy will have taken the positives from it and will be priming his boys to break their five game losing streak. And you know what? They should do it.

Match Odds - Wolves [2.06], Swansea [4.3], Draw [3.5]
It's an old cliche but a week really is a long time in football. You live from game to game and, if you are losing, those games just seem to come around ever quicker. It's worrying psychologically to lose five on the trot and Wolves will be primed to stop the rot here.

It's not just a big game for Wolves though. Swansea are 13th, two points off the bottom three, and a win for them would be massive. I suspect that Brendan Rogers' boys would be happy just to pick up their first away point of the campaign. But I really think this is Wolves' to lose and they will get the three points they so desire.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals
Wolves' problem last year was a tendency to give up some awful goals through defensive errors. I thought the arrival of Roger Johnson would sort that out, but they are still giving away bad goals through bad mistakes and that must be frustrating for Mick, being an ex-central defender himself.

Then again, opponents don't come much better than Swansea when you're looking for a home win. With just two goals scored, 12 conceded, and no points gained this is an ideal opportunity for Wanderers to cut out the blunders at the back and register a win. I think a 1-0 or 2-0 scoreline is likely here and will be backing under 2.5 goals at [1.86].

Half-time/Full-time
In keeping with the expected low-scoring nature of the game I will try for bigger odds by backing draw/Wolves in the HT/FT market at odds of around 5.8.

Recommended Bets
2pts Back Wolves to win @ 2.06
2pts Back Under 2.5 goals @ [1.86]
1pt Back draw/Wolves HT/FT @ [5.8]

There's one outstanding bet this weekend as far as Mike Norman is concerned, and it comes in the Bolton v Sunderland game where goals should be the order of the day....

There's no Champions League football at White Hart Lane this year and as a result slightly less media attention. Away from the spotlight, Harry Redknapp's Spurs keep on improving in the league....

Ahead of the Manchester derby on Sunday, City and United fans are being encouraged to vent their frustrations and trash their Carlos Tevez shirts in exchange for brand new ones....

Play Casino & Poker here

The Championship Betting: Twelfth time lucky for Adams?

Championship / Andrew French / 24 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Micky Adams is winless so far in his 11 games in charge of Sheff Utd

"Leicester have not failed to score in a game at the Walkers Stadium since Sven-Goran Eriksson took charge, suggesting he is making sure his side make full use of home advantage."

Andrew French picks out three bets from this weekend's Championship action, including what could turn out to be Micky Adams' first win in charge of struggling Sheffield United.

Sheff Utd v Derby

Listening to Sheffield United manager Micky Adams after his side's midweek defeat at Scunthorpe, he sounded like someone who seriously feared the sack. For a self-confessed Blades fan, Adams' failure to win any of his 11 games in charge will be even harder to take. They are in serious danger of going down and therefore a win this weekend is a must: they couldn't ask for a better opportunity. Visitors Derby are in freefall themselves, without a win in eight and having failed to score in three games. The Blades are showing some encouraging signs - they led 2-0 at Scunthorpe in midweek before throwing that game away, and they've drawn their last two at home against promotion-chasing clubs Reading and Millwall.

Back Sheff Utd at [2.48]

Doncaster v Watford

This may be a match between two sides badly out of form - but while their actual results don't offer much confidence in either team, the trends in their matches continues to hold up, meaning Over 2.5 Goals is the way to go. Donny have won once in 11 league games, Watford are winless in six. However, both score and concede goals for fun: only matches involving Leeds average more goals than games involving this pair. Rovers' 32 league games have produced an average of 3.13 goals, while there have been an average of 3.38 goals in each of the Hornets' 32 Championship outings. Furthermore, Watford's seven away trips to teams in the bottom half have borne 21 goals: that's three a game. Not a fixture you'd want to predict the outcome of with any confidence - but it's entirely reasonable to expect goals.

Back Over 2.5 Goals at [1.88]

Leicester v Coventry

One in-form Midlands side against a near neighbour in no sort of form at all - and the fact that Leicester have flown out of the blocks at home in recent games encourages me to back them to do so again. Backing Leicester/Leicester in the Half Time/Full Time market would have paid out in each of the Foxes last four home games - and they have been ahead no later than the 21st minute on each occasion. Leicester have not failed to score in a game at the Walkers Stadium since Sven-Goran Eriksson took charge, suggesting he is making sure his side make full use of home advantage. That will be bad news for Coventry who have lost three successive away league games amid a run of one win in 12 Championship fixtures.

Back Leicester HT/Leicester FT at [2.32]

Since the start of 2011 Andrew has had 17 winning bets from just 24 selections, resulting in a profit of £113.77 (£10 stake/liability on each selection)

Andrew French picks out three bets from this weekend's Championship action, including what could turn out to be Micky Adams' first win in charge of struggling Sheffield United....

Just like our Championship expert Andrew French, Leicester City are in fantastic form at the moment, and Andrew can see the Foxes winning again this weekend as well as a win for Millwall and goals at the Liberty Stadium....

Nottm Forest can continue their fine form at lowly Scunthorpe, Watford to go on the goal trail, and Ipswich look set to avoid defeat at Doncaster. Andrew French tells more....

Play Casino & Poker here