» Issue April 14-17, 2005

The Heritage

Th Apr 14 – 21.00 BST (SS2)

Fr Apr 15 – 21.00 BST (SS3)

Sa Apr 16 – 20.00 BST (SS2)

Su Apr 17 – 20.00 BST (SS2)

The Masters is a hard act to follow but we can get some added interest this week with a bet. The market leaders are Stewart Cink and Davis Love at 12/1 and 14/1. On their day, they are both world class players but I do not fancy either this time. Love has looked to be struggling so far this year while Cink is skinny at 12/1. I prefer Rod Pampling at a tasty 40/1, who is coming off a more than respectable fifth at Augusta without ever feeling the pressure of being in serious contention. He is clearly comfortable here with ties for 16th in 2003, and 10th last time out. It’s a while since Billy Mayfair won (1998 Buick Open), but there have been omens this year that his game is back to the form that he showed when landing the 1995 Tour Championship. A sixth at Tucson has been followed by a couple of top twenty finishes in good contests, and he looks sure to go well this week in one of his favourite tournaments (fifth in 2002, second in 2001). I also have an inkling for a huge 100-1 fancy and that is Lucas Glover. The South Carolina player comes here pat the very top of his form based on his ninth and tenth places at Doral and the Bell South. Even more encouraging is his 16th place here last year on his first visit.

Nigel’s Three Off The Tee ... Rod Pampling @ 40/1, Billy Mayfair @ 50/1, Lucas Glover @ 100/1. Each-way 1/4 odds, 1.2.3.4.5. Betting In-Play available throughout.

World Championship 2005

starts Sa Apr 16 - Live on BBC

The first round gets under way on Saturday and it’s very hard to get away from the chances of title-holder Ronnie O’Sullivan, despite a tricky looking 1st round draw against Scottish star Stephen Maguire. It will be the fourth time the pair have met this season with the record standing 2-1 in Maguire's favour. Despite this, we still make the world number one 2/7 to win his match. O’Sullivan has already won four major trophies this season, and has already proved that on his day, he’s a class above anyone else. If he does get beat, then the betting could really open up, with the most likely beneficiary being Stephen Hendry in the top half of the draw, although he was recently beaten by Chinese sensation Ding Junhui (not qualified this week!) in the China Open final. Perhaps the best policy is to lump on O’Sullivan and have a small saver on Maguire. With the event covered by the BBC’s interactive service, don’t forget to check out our ‘Next Frame’ Live In-Play betting including: Frame Winner; Winning Margin and Total Points.

Scottish National – 4m 1f, Ayr

Sa Apr 16 – Live on C4

After victory for last week’s Grand National market leader, D’Argent can strike another blow for favourite backers in this weekend’s Scottish equivalent (3.25). Currently our 7/1 joint market leader, the Alan King-trained runner is fancied to gain compensation for two near misses in staying handicaps this season. After a gallant run in the Totesport Chase at Warwick, he was looking the winner three-out when unseating his rider in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter last time out. The fact that top-weight Take The Stand is an intended runner means the weights are compressed, and he can run off an attractive 10st 3lb. He also has the advantage of being a fresh horse with just two runs to his name since the start of the year. As the race is one of seven races on Channel 4, don’t forget if you back the winner with us, at 4/1 or bigger, we’ll give you a free bet on the next live race (3.45 Newbury).

FA CUP SEMI FINALS

Arsenal v Blackburn

Sa Apr 16 – ko 15.00 BST (SS1)

Newcastle v Man Utd

Su Apr 17 – ko 14.00 BST (BBC1)

This weekend’s two FA Cup semi’s have a rather one sided look to them, with Arsenal and United priced at 8/15 and 4/6 respectively, but that does not mean we have to take odds on prices. A double on the two pays out at just over £25 for a £10 stake, while a more speculative HT / FT double result ‘double’ pays out £59.80. And you’d expect a half time lead for United would be enough to see them through (considering Newcastle’s abysmal record of failing to get anything from games in which they were behind at half time in the Premiership this season). Even if the play is in one direction, then we should at least see plenty of goals. The Gunners won 1-0 at Rovers last month, in between walloping Pompey and Norwich, while it would be a shock if the Red Devils did not at least equal the 2-0 winning scoreline of the 1999 Final between these two teams. A double on the Total Goals Over 2.5 in both games pays out £40 for a tenner! Of course, it’s after kick-off that our betting really gets under way with up to 15 In-Play markets on offer.

Picks: Arsenal & United HT & FT ‘double’, Goal Line Over 2.5 both games.

Ipswich v Sunderland

Su Apr 17 – Live on SS1

Sheffield United v Derby

Fr Apr 15 – Live on SS2

The battle for the Championship is far from dead and buried, with Sunderland slipping up last weekend, and Ipswich coming a cropper at Wolves on Monday night. The main beneficiary has been Wigan, who’ll be confident of getting maximum points from their match at Leicester, and then hope that the Tractor Boys can do the same to the current league leaders. The Black Cats are chasing their ninth league win out of ten here, including their last seven aways, but Ipswich are on a run of their own. Town are chasing a fourth straight home win and, after slipping out of the automatic promotion places, will be well up for this! Friday night’s clash sees two teams battling it out for play-off spots and, as one of the best away teams in the division with over 30 goals, Derby are fancied to take the points.

Picks: Ipswich to beat Sunderland @ 5/4 & Derby to beat Sheffield United @ 11/5

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Get in the game and be lucky!


Nigel

Please be aware that prices are subject to change. All times are subject to change. Check local listings for TV coverage on these event.

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