10/6

No places for the Irish boys yesterday. Good result in FRance game, although 0-0 break even was ill judged in retrospect. Frenchies don't look like winners of Euro 2008 that's for sure - no penetration up front , and over reliance on players picked on reputation. I was expecting a penalty to break the deadlock and old handsome himself, Ribery to take it, but that wasn't forthcoming

Laying the draw returned handsomely as Holland put Italy to the sword. We also got the Italy to be booked first with Luca Toni and GAttuso booked

Chester is not a meeting where I can form any opinions this early on.
400 REDCAR
BETTING FORECAST: 4/6 Timetable, 5/2 Times Vital, 12/1 Bollin Greta, 16/1 Phantom Serenade, Ring Bertie, 25/1 Snake Catcher, 50/1 Halton Castle, Peedee, Tump Mac, 66/1 Calza Di Seta, Ducal Regancy Duke .

SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: Henry Cecil's TIMETABLE won't get a better chance to get off the mark and ought to make short work of some modest opposition. Times Vital did enough on debut to suggest he can give the selection the most to do while Bollin Greta has the pedigree to make her mark

Looks a 2 horse race but the value is surely in each way alternatives given these prices will be inflated by money for the front 2? Bollin Greta and Ring Bertie each way in the hope the first 2 places won't be filled by the obvious market leaders

800 SOUTHWELL
BETTING FORECAST: 6/4 Delayed Approach, 2/1 Nakoma, 7/1 Lupita, 8/1 Peaceful Means, 16/1 Lucky Pearl, 20/1 Another Storm, Eliza Doalott, Starlight Air, 66/1 Back To Normal, Ellerslie Lisa, 100/1 Antigone´s Fire, Night Reveller, True Dove .

SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: Delayed Approach has plenty going for her but NAKOMA's handicap form entitles her to go very close back in this league

MAiden hurdle over 2 mile 5 - worth taking on the obvious market leaders with Lupita and Peaceful means each way

FOOTY

Going well at present. Correct score dutching paying dividends as well as under 2.5 goals - 78th minute goal in Dutch game ensured at least break even for traders. This was not a bet I did yesterday, preferring to lay the draw - 2 quick goals and it was game over for the draw as the odds increased rapidly

Tonight's fixtures look very tricky. Greece versus Sweden has had football supporters salivating in anticipation ....NOT.
Sweden's recall for OAP Henrik "mine's an Ovaltine and where are my favourite slippers?" Larsson is perhaps indicative of a lack of young talent in the side, although I will be having a bet that the Swedish female supporters are better looking than the Greeks. Still, Henrik LArsson really is a quality player as he showed fleetingly for MAn Utd .His nouse should not be underestimated but will he lack the service?

Will it be a case of "more of the same" from the Greeks? If so then we look nailed on for an under 2.5 goals game - 1.5 tells you all you need to know there. I'll be looking for a .25 - 0.30 point profit trading.

The price for the draw is exactly the same as the Holland v Italy game interestingly enough.
0-0 , 0-1, 1-0, 1-1 correct scores can be dutched but I will remain with 0-0 rather than break even. Prices are 7, 7, 7.6, 6.6. Returns generally 3/1 to level stakes

THe presumption here is the under 2.5 goals at 1.5 is correct and Larsson does not roll back the years!

HAlf time score 0-0 at 2.4, 1-0 at 6 and 0-1 at 5.2 Level stakes produce a loss for 0-0 but the chance of around 3/1 returns if one goal is scored.

HAve I missed something or is Sweden to win both halves the same as backing Sweden/Sweden in the half time/full time market? If so, then the odds are currently 8 to back Sweden to win both halves and 5.1 to lay Sweden/Sweden for a guaranteed return?

Ditti Greece - 12 to win both halves and 6.6 to lay greece/Greece - are these not the same bets in different guised?

SPain are odds on to beat Russia and, for me, may be worthy of support at 1.75 to lay off after they (hopefully) score the first goal.
This SPanish team on paper really is the dogs doodaas - Torres, Fabregas ( stick to the footy -your TV show was embarrasing!), the superb CAsillas in goal, Villa, Iniesta, Xavi and a certain "Sergio Garcia"

Although under 2.5 goals will probably come about, I'll leave it in this match as you never know if the Spanish front line click quickly.
Again, to eek out marginal gains, Spain/SPain , Draw/Spain, Draw/Draw appeals with break even on the first result to level stakes

HAlf time score - 2-0 at 12's is very enticing - dutched with 0-0, and 1-0 and we have a 9/1 payout for 2-0, slight loss on 0-0 and near enough evens on 1-0 .

2-0 is not out of the realms of possibility at half time
Presumption here is the Russians don't score of course

Again, Russia and Spain to win both halves are bigger odds than SPain/SPain and Russia/Russia

eg Spain/SPain is 2.88 but 4.2 to back if SPain win both halves - surely this is the same bet or am I having a JAde Goody moment?

Russia 1st card appeals at around 1.8 in a very illiquid market - Torres I am sure will induce some fouls.