Over The Line

HorseHead’s Archive

An Imperial Five

Posted by HorseHead at 12:58pm March 5th, 2009

Category: Sportsbook 4 Comments

Sometimes working for Paddy Power feels a bit like working for a charity. Yesterday we decided to give refunds on all bets in next week’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle if favourite Cousin Vinny does the business and now they’ve decided to pay FIVE PLACES in the Paddy Power Imperial Cup at Sandown on Saturday.

Talking about charity and the Paddy Power Imperial Cup, the race has been a bit of a Pipe benefit in recent years and if the way Mr Thriller has been backed in recent days is anything to go by, it wouldn’t be the greatest of surprises to see that fellow bolt in on Saturday and then, for good measure, gobble up Paddy’s £75,000 bonus if the winner can follow up in any race at Cheltenham.
Our man Horsehead caught up with Tom Scudamore this morning and Mr Thriller’s jockey told him straight from the horse’s mouth: “He has been very impressive – he was good around Bangor and I was pleased with him at Fontwell over two miles two furlongs. He had good form in France and with two wins from two starts here, has done absolutely nothing wrong. He has pleased me very much so far and hopefully will continue to do so.

“I don’t think soft ground is important to him. He’s a very versatile horse and I don’t think that he needs it one way or the other. I think that he handles everything and so far he’s been very versatile and hopefully everything will be ok for Saturday.
“I hope that he’s got a favourite’s chance, but it’s going to be very tough. The race is one of the most competitive handicap hurdles of the season and possibly more so this year with no totesport Trophy. There aren’t that many two-mile handicaps and with one less, it’s going to be hard. But it’s always a great race and Pond House has a great record and hopefully that will continue.”

Meanwhile Horsehead’s considered nap for Cheltenham is Coe in the National Hunt Chase. An 8-1 chance with Power, this horse has improved dramatically for a step up to three and a half miles and connections feel that he will almost certainly get the four miles as he stays longer than an Irish banker at an expenses-paid company bash in a Bermuda hotel.


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Any fat footballer joke

Posted by HorseHead at 3:14pm November 19th, 2008

Category: Sportsbook 10 Comments

A wag at Cambridge Utd livened up the thrilling 1-0 victory against York City last night by suggesting that it was lucky that they were playing with a white ball. This was because a certain ‘podgy’ (compared to HorseHead and most of the people reading this he has the body of a Titan) player might have mistaken a yellow one for a cheeseburger and eaten it.


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Cheltenham Live Blog Sunday

Posted by HorseHead at 12:29pm November 16th, 2008

Category: Sportsbook

Our man on the inside - Horsehead - keeps you updated with all the latest news and gossip from Cheltenham on the final day of the Paddy Power Gold Cup meeting. Check back with us through the day.

1708 Well, that’s it then. The great Paddy Power meeting is over for another year. What’s been your highlight? For me, as I couldn’t back my car out of a garage, it had to be Tatenen today. He just looks special. It’s getting back on horses like him that will help speed Ruby’s recovery. Thanks for being with us over the three days. It’s been emotional, as they say.
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Cheltenham Live Blog Saturday

Posted by HorseHead at 11:42am November 15th, 2008

Category: Sportsbook 2 Comments

Our man on the inside - Horsehead - keeps you updated with all the latest news and gossip from Cheltenham on Paddy Power Gold Cup day. Check back with us through the day - and tomorrow!

1650 So that’s Paddy Power Gold Cup day done and dusted. How was it for you? Rather suspect one was not amused by the result. And as for the Scoop6 that always sounds like having to deal with the cat’s litter. Paddy at least got as far as the fourth.
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Cheltenham Live Blog

Posted by HorseHead at 1:55pm November 14th, 2008

Category: Sportsbook

Our man on the inside - ‘Horsehead’ - keeps you updated with all the latest news and gossip from Cheltenham on Day One of the Paddy Power Open. Check back with us through the day - and over the weekend!
1700 What a day that was. We had Jason McKeown borrowing an implement, Davy Russell going boldly where no jockey had gone before, and Ruby going awol with Herecomesthetruth in the last. What treats do we have in store for the next two days? (more…)


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Cheltenham Live Blog

Posted by HorseHead at 1:19pm November 14th, 2008

Category: Sportsbook

1216 Told you it wouldn’t last. Garde Champetre is now 2-1 jolly for the Cross-Country from 9-4. (more…)


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Cheltenham Live Blog

Posted by HorseHead at 1:10pm November 14th, 2008

Category: Sportsbook

1205 I managed to sneak into Paddy’s box undetected and grab a few words with his hero Mick Fitzgerald, who is busy promoting his new book ‘Better Than Sex’. (more…)


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Cheltenham Live Blog

Posted by HorseHead at 12:45pm November 14th, 2008

Category: Sportsbook

Early betting news centres on the tussle for top jockey and trainer at the meeting, and it’s the in-form combo of Paddy Brennan and Nigel Twiston-Davies who have been the buzz; (more…)


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Cheltenham Live Blog

Posted by HorseHead at 12:15pm November 14th, 2008

Category: Sportsbook

Morning all, and welcome to the Paddy Power Cheltenham Live Blog. We’ll be keeping you up to date with all the news and gossip from the three days as the jump racing season really hits its straps. (more…)


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