John Oxx has made the right decision – and, even if you disagree, it doesn’t affect our customers as we’ve refunded bets on Sea The Stars to win the Breeders’ Cup!

Retiring Sea The Stars at the height of his powers with nothing to prove is the correct decision. Many will argue it’s the coward’s way out. Cynics will say, “oh, he doesn’t want to have a George Washington on his hands” or another Rock of Gibraltar. As has been Oxx’s approach throughout the season, the horse’s best interests have been to the fore. Accordingly, it was the trainer’s decision - not the owners - who decided against a trip to Santa Anita. Yes, it protects his stud value – the colt’s, not Mr Oxx’s - it isn’t the main reason. He has nothing to gain from the trip.

Perhaps prematurely, the experts waded in on the debate about the six-time group one winner’s greatness following his Arc win. Some have even assessed him on that victory in Longchamp alone. On ratings some cited the mighty Sea-Bird as the marker for all things brilliant - which is fair enough. On race-record, though, the Guineas, Derby and Arc treble had never been achieved. Racing aficionados, however, have missed the proverbial boat with punters on this great Champion and have been swallowed up by all their own hackneyed rhetoric – the good and the bad. Sea The Stars is, quite simply, a hero and history will award him the tag of legend. No one else.

The Cape Cross colt may not have captured the imagination of the public like jumping greats such as Desert Orchid or Istabraq, but he was certainly loved by those who appreciate his wonderful ability – even those who opposed him through their pockets. Walking tall after the Guineas victory, Stevie Wonder could see he was a champion in the making. The steely, determined three year old has spectacularly delivered on his early promise and beaten all comers.

Some argue he’s beaten nothing, but he can only defeat what’s put in front of him. Gauging equine brilliance seems to be based on the manner of victories as opposed to its merits. This is wrong. Barcelona outplaying Man Utd to win Champions League 2 - 0 is surely more impressive than a 6 – 2 victory over Real Madrid in La Liga? Isn’t it? Some even have the temerity to say STS doesn’t deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Nijinsky, Shergar or Dancing Brave. He’s deserving of equal acclaim. He’s my Nijinsky. My Secretariat. His unique Triple Crown, I can assure you, will never be repeated.

Posted in Horse Racing Tips, Racing, Sportsbook | 15 Comments »

Following his defection from the Wyndham Championship, Tim Clark cited a “pain in the neck” as the reason for his withdrawal. Something he passed on to anybody who backed the short-priced player to win the PGA event. We’ve refunded all bets on the South African. Steve Flesch also pulled out early, but he didn’t feel like telling anyone why. The extremely poor weather conditions and being eight shots behind the leader probably had something to do with it. We’ve refunded bets on the American too. And some people think all our refunds and payouts are just cynical PR gimmicks. What did your bookie do with your money? A new villa in Monte Carlo, that’s what.

Posted in Golf, Justice Payouts, Sportsbook | 3 Comments »

Over the last few weeks golf had become boringly predictable. Tiger had won twice on the bounce and winning the US PGA Championship looked a certainty following some magical displays. The American was invincible, or so we thought. Convinced that the cat would get the cream, we opted to settle Woods as the winner on Saturday - two days before the finish. Unfortunately, we hadn’t counted on Korean YE Yang. In hindsight, it wasn’t a wise move, as has been pointed out on numerous occasions, but if you live by the sword, you die by the sword – or, in our case, get a big hole cut in your pocket where money falls out. No Christmas bonus, I guess. Eh, Paddy?
 
If nothing else, Yang was a deserved winner. Woods’ putter had clearly gone “cold” and nothing would drop on the greens. Yang, on the other hand, sank an eagle chip on 14 which turned the tide in his favour. His approach shot on the 18th at Hazeltine was reminiscent of Harrington’s on the 17th at Royal Birkdale in the Open last year. A bold statement of confidence in his own ability; it was inspiring.
 
While the Korean’s victory is a watershed moment for men’s golf in Asia and his performance was classy, he’ll be just another Rich Beem, Todd Hamilton or [include another one hit wonder] in years to come. Backing up your first Major success with another is the true mark of a golf champion. I can’t see Yang reaching that level again. He’s come from absolutely nowhere to win, a bit like John Daly in ’91, but repeating the feat will be difficult.
 
Thanks to the 37 year old, though, Tiger’s unbeatable reputation is somewhat damaged – but definitely not broken. You’d have to think Tiger’s Major-less streak will come to an end at the 2010 US Masters.
 
Why could Tiger not finish the job he started so well? Is Yang a one hit wonder? Join everybody else: point and laugh at us, a la Nelson Muntz, about our crazy early payout.

Posted in Golf, Sportsbook | 19 Comments »

You’d have to feel desperately sorry for Crystal Palace fans. They’ve an Oompa Loompa as a chairman, a mouthpiece for a manager and the FA don’t like them very much; they sent them a blind referee on the second weekend of the season.
 
No one at Ashton Gate, or anywhere else for that matter, could believe their eyes when ref Rob “Should’ve gone to Specsavers” Shoebridge failed to see Freddie Sears’ 30th-minute goal. Palace chief Neil Warnock said they were cheated and, in our eyes, so were our customers. So rather than spending your losing bets on updating his Playboy subscription, Paddy has decided to do the decent thing. As well as paying the official result, we’ve settled bets on the draw, the Correct Score, 1st Scorer and anytime scorer as winners. Did your bookie go to Specsavers?
 

Posted in Justice Payouts, Sportsbook | 1 Comment »

Just who has taken over at the asylum? Paddy Power has decided that Tiger Woods, with just a four shot lead, is such a certainty to lift the Wanamaker Trophy we’ve paid out on him to win the US PGA Championship early – before a ball has been a hit in the third round and before Westwood can get in contention only to bogey the last and miss out on a playoff. Our customers have collected £1.25 million before the great man even tees off for round three.

 
In fairness, despite a wobbly start to proceedings on day 2, the world number one manoeuvred through extremely difficult conditions to lead the field by four. Towing the company line, as I did earlier in the week, he won’t be caught. He’s just too good.
 
Do you think we’re going to be caught with out trousers down? Can anyone put it up to the American? Does Sandy Lyle dye his hair? Does anybody care? Have your say and more below…..

Posted in Sportsbook | 60 Comments »

The piercing stare of ruthlessness that was absent in the last 51 weeks has returned. Confirming rumours of his demise had been greatly exaggerated, Padraig Harrington bounced back to form in spectacular fashion at the WGC Bridgestone. The Dubliner’s display proves that he’s the second best golfer in the world at the moment, regardless of rankings. While he lacks Tiger Woods‘ ridiculous consistency, he can go toe-to-toe with golf’s greatest player. Harrington’s slump had been reminiscent of a period when Tiger perfected his swing and it seems Pod has too emerged an even better golfer.

One moment of pure magic was followed by a moment of tragedy on the 16th hole at Firestone. Both players were put on the clock for slow play which halted Pod’s momentum. Why the final group, who were contesting the title and providing compelling TV viewing, were told to ‘hurry up’ is a bit strange. CBS showing the next episode of Cold Case wasn’t more important, was it? The collapse on the 16th when he looked like he’d tamed the Tiger was unfortunate, but the Irishman is now well placed to defend his USPGA Championship title and hopefully resist doing that cringeful celebration again. Drowning his sorrows with copious amounts of Guinness won’t be a priority after his so-called ‘gaffe’. The Dubliner will be back, but not because he’s a glutton for punishment - he’s a winner and he wants to win.

Tiger’s Major form is the only negative in what has been a great season for a man just back from reconstructive knee surgery. In this kind of mood, Tiger should get his paws back on the Wanamaker Trophy at Hazeltine National. Pod won’t give it up without a fight though, but the signs are ominous. If Bridgestone was the tasty hors d’oeuvres, the main course at the US PGA will be absolutely delicious.
 

Backing Tiger won’t make you rich so the value must come in the shape Stewart Cink. The Open Champion had a glimmer of hope to get in the mix at Firestone, but poor shots on the 17th and 18th saw him slip back for tied sixth. To prove he’s no flash in the pan like Rich Beem, Ben Curtis or even Todd Hamilton - God forbid; the American will be determined to finish in the places.

Will it be Major-less season for Tiger? Who’ll be your e/w bet for the USPGA? Are my Shamrock shaped specs clouding my judgement? Let us know your thoughts on the last Major of the year.

Posted in Golf, Sportsbook | 10 Comments »

As one of the golfers labelled with the dreaded and annoyingly over-used ‘one of the best players never to win a Major’ tag, Paul Casey would have been hoping to return to form at the WGC Bridgestone in preparation for the final Major of the year, the USPGA Championship next week. Unfortunately the Englishman pulled out after six holes at Firestone, but Paddy Power punters who backed him to win in America won’t be disappointed. We’ve decided to refund all bets on Casey to win the event. Whilst other bookies would’ve taken your money and laughed all the way to Gibraltar, we’ve given you your money back!!

Posted in Golf, Justice Payouts, Sportsbook | 11 Comments »

Egged on by, arf, arf, Ranger’s Kirk Broafoot’s exploding egg incident, we’ve compiled a quick Top Ten list of bizarre sporting injuries to accompany the multitude of similar posts that will invariably pop up all over the interweb thingy in the next few days. Let’s leave the egg puns for the Paddy Power homepage and the well-paid sub editors at The Sun and The Mirror. Here’s our not-at-all plagiarised, all from our own memory list. Feel free to remind us of anything we’ve missed or perhaps a similar anecdote about your mother-in-law. I’ve got one of them too. (more…)

Posted in Sportsbook | 4 Comments »

We may have to resort to the moronically simple question method in future, but for what it’s worth, we thought there was some quality stuff offered in our VIP Trip To Punchestown comp – thanks for the material. Unfortunately there could only be one winner and our expert panel of judges have made their decision. While drum rolls are typical for an announcement of this magnitude, it’s a written blog so you won’t be able to hear them. The winner is:

1. tony Says:
April 14th, 2009 at 9:50 pm e

gnashional mouthrage

We’ve passed your details on to The Sun who will be in contact shortly to offer you a job and some bloke in Marketing is sending you some tickets for Punchestown. Congratulations Tony.

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Fran Berry may have had a wasted trip over to Doncaster after his only ride of the day Spectait refused to leave the stalls in the Will Hill Spring Mile, but Paddy Power customers weren’t counting the cost of the horse’s uncooperative nature. We refunded all bets on the JP McManus owed gelding who was well supported in the market.

Posted in Justice Payouts, Sportsbook | 3 Comments »