Spurs Thoroughbred

Its Champion's Day

Sat, 19 May 2012 09:58:00 +0100

Can only start with the world’s best racehorse , no horse has ever gripped the imagination like him.

My strong view is he is unbeatable ( even by the fish roe from Oz) over any distance 6f- 10f. I would love him to blast off choke out over a sprint, they wouldnt catch him

All things being equal and with the defection of Strong Suit backing Frankel at 2/5 in the Lockinge is like buying money. I like not to bet and just enjoy . A magnificent win will undoutedly bring a tear to many an eye, including mine

Next on the agenda is the Champion’s League final. I have never supported any German team in my life , but tonight I will be cheering on the boys from Bayern as much as I was cheering on the mighty Spurs last week during the first half at the Lane ( What an atmosphere!)

This all thanks to a totally inept goalkeeping performance by Marton Fulop , Arsenal’s player of the season, we now have to rely on Chelsea losing, which is not a given …unfortunately,

Finally its Greyhound Derby semi final time later tonight, and Razyldazyl JFK is a chamipon hound , well king of Wimbledon anyway , his style of running wide berthed , blistering early is is ideal. Dogs not turning in the 1st 2 rarely get a look in and so this has been proven. He is 11/10 tonight

I am having a sneaky treble on Frankel , Bayern and JFK

What a day

Ps Tangerine anyone?

Dont Hang Sir Harold

Wed, 02 May 2012 11:32:11 +0100

So the FA have snubbed Harry, let’s make sure we don’t do the same!

With the appointment of Roy Hodgson as England manager for the next 4 years, it draws a veil over the recent speculation that has hung over our club and our manager since Fabio Capello resigned the national post on 8th February

Spurs have been on a downhill run since then and the FA, who as ever couldn’t organise a piss up in the brewery, have a lot to answer for, by faffing around for three months. If as we are to believe Hodgson was the only candidate why wait so long with West Brom sitting in mid-table obscurity?

The truth is that Sir Harold was probably first choice, but Spurs’ £10m compensation needs must have had a bearing on their decision. I am approaching the appointment with an open mind and hope Hodgson does well , making the right team choices for the Euros and then building for the next World Cup by blooding some promising youngsters ( such as Walker) when the qualifiers start.

Now to Sir Harold. Too many Spurs’ supporters have short memories.

He has taken us from the carnage left by Ramos and 2 points from a possible 24 to the last eight of the Champion’s League. Our squad was the envy of many and earlier in the season our football was the best brand in the Premiere league. Don’t forget our ground is small and this has all been financed by just 36000 paying patrons

Up to the 8th Feb we were title contenders, no Spurs fan can be unimpressed by that surely.

Undoubtedly things have gone off the boil since then, although actually I think we have only played badly in 3 games, the FA Cup Semi, Norwich at home and most recently QPR away and luck has deserted us just when we need it in many of the other games. The battering we gave Everton at Goodison without winning, will long live in the memory

Some of Sir Harold’s tactics and team selections have riled me but I am now ready to forgive and forget and let him do for the last 3 games, what he does best, MOTIVATE.

Starting tonight lets all get back behind our team and Harry for a final push for Champion’s League qualification.

Greyhound Derby Pricewise

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:25:15 +0100

The greatest greyhound show on earth starts today at Wmbledon with heats 1 -11 of the 22 heats.

In my younger days I would be there watching everysingle one and follow the event right through to the final night.

Now my enthusiasm is a bit dappened , mainly because since the Stow has closed I have not been involved in ownership and this year because there is no value in the betting for me.

You must have early pace to win the Derby because of the tightness of the bends and if you are a wide runner even better. I can look past the handsome chap pictured, Razldazyl Jayfkay. He has it all and demonstrated his well-being with a sparking 28.20 trialstake win over the course last time out. Best price for him at present is 9/1 , so I have added a couple more to my portfolio to see if I can trade out further down the line……..

1) Blonde Snapper has just won the Golden Sprint and was 14/1 at this satge last year. he can be backed at a massive 80/1 with Bet365 ( you might get a fiver on with them)

2) Judicial Ruling has early to burn and a dark “horse” from Ireland and is a stand out 66/1 with Paddy Power ( the Magic Sign are more careful and go just 25/1)

3)Castlebridge Dan trained like the Snapper by Mark Wallace is a silly 200/1 with most. He boasts good sprinting speed at Romford and as he is just out of the puppy stage and must improve on his 28.72 clocking in a recent trial stake

Will update next week…..

For Pete's Sake

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:05:00 +0100

It’s not a picture of me and no I am not coming out.

This is a picture of the one and only Pete, because it’s all gone Pete Tong for my beloved Spurs.

“The cup semi final left us all very low“ according to Sir Harold. Well too bloody true!!Notwithstanding the dodgy refereeing, I was disappointed with a few things in the game:

1. No Brad. Defence looked shaky and in the back of my mind I am convinced Brad would have saved Lampard’s free kick and killer goal

2. JD came on too soon, Spurs reverting to the same 4-4-2 that was over-run by Norwich. Chelsea’s 5- man midfield thought all their birthday’s had come in one and made more hay than the Suffolk farmers I will be having a beer with later.

3. Gareth Bale skinned Boswinga twice ….. that was it for him in game. Why?

Following from last weekend’s debacle then;we have another important game tomorrow though and we face relegation fodder. In fact 4 of our last 5 games are against relegation fodder. But wait, the relegation fodder is not fodder any more, ask the Goons, who suffered a welcome defeat at home by the mighty Wigan!

So away to QPR fills me with trepidation fuelled by our inability to win in our last 7 away games and our inability to even score in the last 3. When Capello was sacked we were 5 points behind United and challenging for the title, now we are 23 points behind them and challenging potentially for the Europa.To me these facts are not coincidence. Sir Harold is a man motivator not a master tactician, if he isn’t doing the former we are in the serious brown stuff.

QPR were truly awful earlier in the season but have added Liverpool and Ar5enal scalps in recent games at Loftus Road. Bobby Zamora will be rubbing his hands at facing our 2 old boys in defence and here again I throw some blame at Sir Harold. At the start of the season I tweeted tmany times that we should not let Caulker go, how we need him now!

Kyle Walker looks knack (tired) and Modric is showing signs of being disinterested, the whole team seems devoid of confidence so the bottom line is I don’t think we will get the win that would undoubtedly kick start our Champion’s League challenge

On the brightside my predictions are cack at the moment ……….

Grand National -Get the Pins Out

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:25:00 +0100

Despite changes to the course this is still one of the most gruelling races for 40 brave horses and 40 brave jockeys

It is the race where apparently every man and his dog have a bet.

I used to work in a betting shop on a Saturday just to take in the atmosphere, and the independent bookies used to pay for their annual holiday from the takings just on this day

That is because the race is still a lottery and in reality picking a horse by name, number or colour is the order of the day for most

We “serious” punters like to use a bit more science; I like to look for the following:

1. A runner in the handicap but not carrying 11st or over.
2. Horses must be aged 9 or 10
3. It must never have fallen or unseated rider

Next eliminators:

1. Course form is a positive
2. A win over 3m 4f
3. Be ridden by a top jockey

Of the intended runners at this stage there are 31 runners in the right weight range and 17 are too old or too young, so we have 14 horses to sift through.

Only 3 horses out of the remaining 14 have never fallen or unseated:

West End Rocker (Best Price 16/1)
Le Beau Bai (40/1)
Midnight Haze (40/1)

There is some merit in backing all 3 each way, but based on course form and the likelihood that Choc will be up I think West End Rocker is a great bet

If the going comes up heavy I may switch to Le Beau Bai and if good or better back Midnight and West End

Good Luck all

Just another day in the Office

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 10:46:00 +0100

Its becoming a cliche, but it seems to be the norm these days. Today is another huge must win game against Swansea.

You could be forgiven to thinking it was an April fools joke when you opened up the Sunday rag and read QPR had beat the Goons, but it was true, a dire Rangers had indeed beaten Ar5enal which means a 4-0 win for us will move us back into third.

Chelsea as expected beat Villa to close the race for 3rd right up and Ladbrokes latest odds for third has Ar5enal at 8/11, Spurs at 6/4 and Chelsea at 13/2.

Nothing less than a win will do and our chances have improved with Aaron Lennon tweeting earlier in the week that he is fully fit and ready to play. Azza gives us much needed balance on the right and his pace will be needed against the likes of Sinclair and Dyer who returns today from a 3 match ban

Despite the best efforts of the Bolton carrot, Bogdan the terrible ( pictured above) there were some signs( that after a terrible March….Spurs have won none of their last five Premier League games ), that the Spurs’ mojo was coming back. Total domination, corners missing the first man and we nearly scored from a free-kick, a magnificent effort from Rafa cracking the bar at the Paxton End.

We should be able to field a first choice team, with balance and pace but we have to work hard against Swansea and not let them pass us to death. Scotty Parker has made 99 tackles this season, more than any other player in the top flight so Leon Britton wont be able to do his Xavi impression today.

As usual I am as biased but expect a comfortable Spurs’ win and if we score early expect the 4 we need to move into third as Swansea are no bus parkers!

Likely team: Freidel,Walker,Gallas, Kaboul, BAE,Lennon,Modric,Parker ( Capt), Bale, Adebayor, VDV

It's Squeaky Bum Time

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 08:33:03 +0100

Newcastle’s comfortable away win aginst a sub-standard West Brom has moved them to joint 5th with Chlesea closed the gap between 3rd and 6th to just 8 points . The race for coveted Champon’s League places has never been hotter.

After our total annihilation of Newcastle a few weeks ago at the Lane it would surely be a travesty if they leap-frogged us in the league . Our well deserved draw at the Bridge on Saturday has however put Spurs in pole position for a minimum of 4th and I still firmly believe we will end up 3rd

This belief is underpinned by the fact that on paper our run in is by far the easier of all 4 teams.

Ar5enal still have 3 very tricky games against City, Chelsea and Stoke.

For the Bar Codes the situation is even worse , a wounded Liverpool this week, Man City and 2 very trick away trips at Chelsea and in the last game of the season they must go to Goodison

Looking at Chelsea , you can tell from above they still have to play the Goons and Newcastle. Additionally they must go Liverpool , have 2 more SW London derbies to play and are still faffing around in The Champion’s League.

By contrast our run in should be straight forward with no top 7 teams to play. The hardest game we apparently have is away at 8th place Sunderland!

With Lennon returning soon and hopefully no other long term injuries to key players we are in the prime position to make a return to the top table of European football.

Keep the faith boys and girls.

Miracles do Happen !!

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:35:00 +0000

The recovery that Fabrice Muamba has made is a miracle of biblical proportions, culminating with him to be able to chat with Adebayor yesterday. Anybody in the 36000 crowd at the Lane at 615pm last Saturday might now well believe there is a god.

So we move on, Bolton are not pulling out of the FA Cup and Spurs are playing Stoke Saracens this evening.

Tonight will be pivotal in our battle to finish in 3rd. With Chelsea and Ar5enal facing tough away games a win against Stoke Rugby Club is a must. And the game won’t be as straight forward as the bookies think; Spurs are a ridiculously short 2/5 to win.

I suspect Ledley wont play and will saved for the weekend , which means we will be relying on a combination of Gallas, Nelson and Kaboul tonight to keep out Crouchie , Huth and Shawcross . I don’t for one minute think he will do it, but bearing in mind Adebayor is also a doubt I would play all 3 to give us some much needed aerial cover.

We have no balance with VDV playing on the right as he loves to roam and this would be dangerous with Etherington marauding on the left. He has scored in his last 4 appearances against us .We have to keep Bale on the left as well, so the solution is to play Bale and Walker as Wingbacks

So as a one off the team to play Stoke tonight should be

Friedel

Walker, Kaboul, Gallas, Nelson, Bale
Vdv, Parker, Modders
Saha JD

It a game of opinions what do you think?

The Day Football Didn't Matter

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 09:04:00 +0000

What started as normal day ended in us all saying prayers for young Fabrice Muamba.

The Bill Nich was buzzing , the Guinness was flowing and some of us even got our picture taken with a dodgy FA Cup

A quick dash to the ground and an excellent Chicken Balti Pie and we were all set for an easy win?

What happened just before halftime will remain with with me for a long time. In fact I am struggling to write or think what happened in the first 40 Minutes. I think we were not that good , apart from Gareth Bale, playing in his correct position and there was a well taken header from Kyle Walker

It was immediately obvious to all that when a Bolton Player collapsed to the turf that he was in a very bad way. We didnt know who it was, to be honest ,until the Bolton fans started to chant his name, but it wasnt long until the Spurs crowd also chanted his name

There was no movement for what seemed like an age ,just the frantic actions of all the medics and two haunting jolts of Fabrice as his body was charged by the defib machines

As he was carried off to the applause of 36000 people it was clear then the match was over ,( I am strugglling to see how the Stoke game can be on as well ).

We feared the absolute worse

The news now is that he is still fighting and the next 24 hours are crucial

We are all with you Fabrice

Cheltenham Reflections

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 09:17:00 +0000

The Champs

Who would have believed that only one champ would defend their crown this week. The imperious Big Bucks was the only one and it just shows how hard it is to defend the title.

The Pretenders
Sprinter Sacre (pictured above) looks a machine and looks destined to win next year’s Champion Chase

Rock on Ruby given a magnificent ride by one of my favourite jockeys, Noel Fehily, outstayed the field in the Champion Hurdle and is 10/1 for next years race which seems fair

Brindisi Breeze at last gave the Scots something to shout about in a sporting sense (in addition to the Dutch darts master, Barney). I am seriously impressed by him and he is even better in the soft. If and when THE BB (Big Bucks) hangs up his boots, the World Hurdle will be in Brindisi’s sights

Synchronised is never a horse I am likely to back, doesn’t excite me as I have him pigeon holed as a 4m Welsh National type. That said you can’t knock him and how he has performed in his last two races

Betting Highs

Didn’t win a million on a Hendersonaccumulator, like one of his stable lads, but his Fijians Rainbow, Sprinter Sacre and Riverside Theatre were notable successes.

Betting Low

Last race yesterday, Tanks for That, best bet of the day. Had the chance to trade back at 1.2 on Betfair and didn’t do it only for him to be over-hauled up the Cheltenham hill

Top Performance

I am going to give this award to Hunt Ball, who won off 69 last November, but “stormed clear” to win off 142 and 12stone on Tuesday. Well done Kieran Burke top training effort by him

Most Exciting Race

Has to the Ryanair, of course helped because I was on the winner!

Finally must mention the sad performance of Kauto Star, obviously not fit to run and perhaps his schooling fall caused more injury than was visible. He was clapped as he was pulled up, but I would not be surprised to see him back for one more King George swansong at Christmas

Until next year …. now how do you get to The Lane

It's a Big Occasion : Gold Cup Day

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 09:32:00 +0000

What a handsome chap he is , No not my brother , Kauto Star.

If he can win today the roof will come off Cleeve Hill and no one will be happier than me . Kauto Star will then be the undisputed King of National Hunt Racing.

His run in the Betfair was remarkable and he followed it up in the King George, . The fact is though he is 12, Cheltenham has never been his favourite track and he has had an “interupted preparation”, so from a betting point of view you cant back him

My inside info tells me that Burton Port is fancied more by the Henderson camp than Long Run so he is the one for me at the prices

Talking of my Bro , the old Betfairians are at Cheltenham in force , hoping for a Big Occasion in the Albert Bartlett. Shame the ground is not softer and from my point of view I cant get his run at Huntingdon out of my head.

Finally there has been some whispers for Alsaid in he Triumph. Small ew bet at 50/1 in an open race for me

It's All About The Big Bucks

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

World Hurdle day and the legend that is Big Bucks goes for his 16th straight win and his 4th World Hurdle. He is a true champ and for the good of the sport it will be fantastic if he wins.

The Ryanair chase is very interesting this year as on the official ratings there are alot of evenly matched horses competing. Looked at Captain Chris at a price based on his King George form but not sure I can forgive his last run so it has to be Riverside Theatre at 5/1. Jockey and trainer could not be in better form

Finally following form the win of Hunt Ball would love to see Keiran Burke double up with Holmewood Legend in the Byrne Group Plate . Course form, loves the spring and the jockey takes off a handy 7lbs.

Its a Day for fine Wine

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

It’s Champion Chase day today , defending champion Sizing Europe is the hot favourite but I am not investing, may be last year’s arkle 2nd Finians Rainbow each way is the way to go.

Best bet of the day has to be Grand Crus , Pipey wont hear of defeat, Proven at the course get on the 6/4 as I can see him going off a shade of odds on

Now for the value , I like the look of Tony Martin’s Benefficient in the Neptune seems huge at 25/1 if you take his last run literally when he beat Sous Les Cieux

Finally always like an interst on the Mullins raider in the bumper , so Pique Sous with Ruby up will do for me in the last

Severe Weather Warning : Hurricane Heading Your Way

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

So its the first day of Cheltenham , there is not many finer feelings , approaching first race time , after several pints of the balck stuff already downed waiting with intrepidation and expectation .

Of course on the first day it is all about the Champion Hurdle . Personally I have been disappointed in the pretenders this season. Maybe Rock On Ruby might prove me wrong one day, but if you saw the Fly in his last run then there is no way you can back anything else. What’s more everything I read from Mullins tells me he has been trained for the race and as good as ever.

Like I said I have been disappointed with the pretenders so If if you dont fancy lumping on the Fly, you cant go far wrong with a bet to nothing, backing Binocular ew at 5/1 . He is your classic spring horse and has bought all the tea-shirts as far as Cheltenahm and Champion Hurdles are concerned

Those poor old bookies could be in for a pasting today as a few like me will be trebling up the Fly with Sprinter Scare , who looks a machine and Cheltenham darling Quevega. Looking about 11/2 for the treble . Easy Money !!

One final mention for Hunt Ball in the last. I cant recall a horse in my lifetime inproving from a very very ordinary Handicapper to a top weight and a live fancy at Cheltenahm.

Would be a fairy tale for his owner “Knotty” , who can be relied on for some interesting antics in the unsaddling enclosure if the unthinkable happens.

Maicon Has Cancelled His Taxi

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

What has happened to our £100m man?

Another near anonymous performance from Gareth Bale last night against the Toffeemen of Goodison Park

Since Mr Bale’s sudden dip in form,Spurs have amassed , if that is the right word , 12 points from a possible 33 in our last 11 Premiere League games and it’s no surprise that we have failed to win away since the 2-0 defeat of Norwich on 27th Dec.

So whats gone wrong because at the moment Maicon has cancelled his taxi.

A number of factors could be involved :

Sir Harold in his wisdom has given him a free role in many games, since he shone in the Norwich game
He has been “worked” out , many smaller teams now always put at least two markers on him and are only too pleased to kick him out of the game
He has much in the way of adverse press lately including being accused of diving at every opportunity
Loss of confidence starting with a a missed one on one at Anfield that undoubtedly cost us three points
Has the untimely death of Gary Speed had an effect as his form loss has coincided with the Wales’ manager demise

Some items I agree are straw clutching because in reality we all know he is not a player that operates well anywhere except on the left wing

Injuries up top or to Aaron Lennon have dictated he has played out of position. On the right , every decent defender worth his salt will show him on the outside , in the middle he has no space to work with. He is not a hold up player

Sir Harold must get him back on the left with Modric in the middle putting him , this is where all the foundations of our success have been built this season.

These two players are world class in the right position and whatever tinkering is carried out these 2 positions should always remain and then just maybe Maicon will be looking for the local taxi rank number again