Back by popular demand……..after several requests from various people.  I have updated the blog with this week’s tips and hints for the sporting world.  The reason why no updates have been done - is down to my attendance at Twickenham for the last four weekends.  This has meant my bank balance has eroded – leaving me with no slush fund to punt with and resulted in a rather portly Guinness baby!!  However, today is pay day and I have completed 4 – yes 4 gym sessions this week!

We have some great sport to watch over the weekend – The Ashes – England vs South Africa – Spurs vs Liverpool – Hennessy Gold Cup @ Newbury amongst the highlights for me.

First up - The Ashes didn’t start so well for England with Captain Strauss only lasting three balls – both sides show glimpses of brilliance only to expose their inadequacies.  The draw is the outsider in the betting but I feel the value is there at 8/1 on Betfair.

England vs South Africa is going to be a bruising encounter but I feel England will be far too strong for a much weakened Saffa side.  They have had injuries to key players like Schalke Burger but also some players have been sent home because of doping allegations.  The handicap is 7.5pts and England are easy to back at 10/11.

Liverpool have begun to hit form again and I feel Spurs will have a euro hangover and be any easy away win for the Reds – you can back them at 5/2 or bigger at most places.

In the Hennessy Denman is bidding to win his third Gold Cup in a row – something that has never been done.  He is a rather skinny 7/2 though and with some very strong new comers is easy to oppose.  Weird Al and Diamond Harry head up the betting with the favourite Denman – my preference is for the Irish raider Noel Meade who has sent over Pandorama, with Mr Carberry on board I feel he is the best bet at 8/1 with Ladbrokes.

Be Lucky

Last week there was no ‘Punters Perogative’ as I was occupied being the Stag at Ascot, amongst other places in South-West London.  Good fun was had by all and much alcohol was consumed and I even had 3 winners!!  Yes, I will type it again 3 winners!!  Ascot is a great racecourse and is a must visit for anyone interested in horse-racing.  The size of the Grandstand is amazing – but the price of ale is even more so, in the words of Timmy Collins – ‘£4.10 – how can you justify that?’

Radium got us off to a good start, followed by Dunraven Storm both short priced favourites.  But the biggest cheer on the grandstand was for Massini’s Maguire (David Pipe’s runner) who lead from the bend to finish in a gutsy display at 8/1.  So a tidy profit was spent on Guinness and Magners at Ascot.  Less said about the rest of the day the better – you know who you are?!!

Down to the serious stuff though – getting some winners this weekend is more important.  We are blessed with some fantastic sport this weekend as the home nations host the tri-nations.  I will be attending Twickenham tomorrow to cheer on the Lillywhites against the All Blacks.  England have lost by more than 13 points on there last 5 starts against NZ – and the handicap betting is 13 points.  I feel optimistic so I will be backing England Youth to lose by less than 13 @ 10/11 (widely available).

Liverpool host Chelsea on Sunday but I will be steering clear of the resurgent Reds – but hoping that Torres finally finds his scoring boots that have been missing for the last 6 months.  My football accumulator this week contains local rivals Everton who are away to Blackpool @ 4/5.  Spurs should shake off their European hangover and beat Bolton @ 11/8 and I am also backing Fulham to beat Aston Villa who are poor on the road @ 11/8.  Those combined provide a tidy £100 profit from £10.

The Breeders Cup Classic is the big race this weekend with a USD$5Million purse – and I would be highly surprised if another European winner romps it home this year!  I will be having a small each way on Paddy Oprado at around 16/1.

Be Lucky………