If this carries on we’re going to have to keep him under lock and key and most definitely well away from intoxicating liquor.

Just when we thought we were running a proper grown-up business, Mr Paddy Power himself had one too many at a Cheltenham preview at the Goat Inn last night and promised the crowd we’d refund all losing bets on the Supreme Novices Hurdle if Dunguib won the race.

A quick call around and a few terms and conditions later and we’ve decided it just about makes some sort of sense - we’re going to honour the promise. We did something similar (if less idiotic) last year with Cousin Vinny so it’s not like we’re in totally unexplored territory. However right now Dunguib is 4/6 for this race so by my reckoning you would be absolutely crazy to bet anywhere other than Paddy Power if you’re interested in any other horse in the race.

OK, plenty of opposition has been scared off by Dunguib but Oscar Whisky for one hasn’t been off the bridle either and at 12/1 - and knowing I’ll get my money back if Dunguib wins the race - he certainly sounds like at least one worth serious consideration.

If you’ve got any other possible outsiders for this race or indeed any other Cheltenham tips (paddy power employees  bet as well after all) please share. And while we’re at it feel free to tell us what you think of Paddy’s genius / lunatic idea.

Posted in Being An Idiot, Cheltenham 2010, Horse Racing Tips, Racing | 134 Comments »

Back by popular demand, it’s everyone’s favourite opportunity to look clever in front of the class - and pocket a cool £/€200 free bet in the process!

It couldn’t be simpler. Simply comment on this blog post giving us the winners of the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, World Hurdle and Gold Cup. Then, in case there is a tie-breaker, we’d like to know the winning distance in the Supreme Novices Hurdle. That’s all you have to do - but if you fancy giving us some reasons for your choice - or having a pop at someone elses -  be our guest.

The winner is the person who gets all four right. That never happens. If two people  are tied on 3 winners, or 2, we’ll split them by SP (ie the longer combined SP, the better). If there is still a tie, we’ll look at the tie-breaker. Simple.

Just a few important things to remember:
1) Closing date for entries is Friday 12th February
2) You can only enter once. And don’t try anything smart - we’re not stupid you know.
3) Please include your email when asked - it’s how we tell you you’ve won!

Lastly, to get the ball rolling, here’s my own selection:
Go Native, Twist Magic, Big Bucks, Kauto Star. 9 lengths. How original!

Posted in Horse Racing Tips, Racing | 321 Comments »

There’s nothing more fascinating than watching the Premiership handicap market shape up as the season gets underway. Well, maybe a couple of things, but we can’t really discuss them in a public forum. With half a dozen games under the belt, we can really see who’s up for the fight and who looks set to underperform.

Like poor old Pompey, pointless (in the literal sense of the word) and already out to 80/1 in our handicap betting. They’ll need every one of those 39 points our traders saw fit to give them at the start of the season - and then some.

Up at the business end of things, Chelsea have moved into 6/1 and are now outright favourites. Only a one point start, but with 18 from 18 in the real world and a very impressive display against Spurs at the weekend it would be a brave man who bet against them.

But (and it’s a big but) it’s often teams with credible mid-table campaigns and a decent haul of handicap points who end up pocketing the handicap title. Fulham did it last year, and if Burnley can keep their home form going then their massive 52 handicap points will put them right in the mix.

As a rule of thumb you need mid-90s to take this title, so just staying up will have Burnley there or thereabouts. Elsewhere Aston Villa +27 look the value, still available at 8/1. Yes, it is early days, but Villa only need a solid campaign to get close.

Keep watching!

Posted in Football, Premiership Handicap | 3 Comments »

He’s a cricketing legend.

He likes to drink, travel via pedalo and ‘water’ Tony Blair’s roses.

We are in danger of losing him. But if you want to save him - you know where to go.

And in the meantime, if you want to show your support, WEAR YOUR FREDDIE MASK today! That’s right, just click the link to download a full colour Freddie mask absolutely free! wow.

What you do with it then is entirely up to you. If you are Australian you could stick it on a dart board. No bother to us. Australians are crap at darts.

Posted in Cricket | Click here to comment »

I don’t pretend to know much about greyhounds. But I know man who does. A man who is always sniffing out value but too shy to let his face be seen. And I can’t blame him. And here’s his latest thoughts on the world’s richest race (for dogs):

One of the highlights of the Greyhound calendar is the Champions Stakes final, won each year by a top class hound, and this year we were treated to an exhibition of how trapping ability and early pace can be a lethal combination in the deciding the outcome of a race. With the track running fast, there were a few scintillating times posted by a number of dogs, not least Fatboyz Nodrog when taking the final.
(more…)

Posted in Sportsbook | Click here to comment »

If the prospect of two teams of middling talent spending a total of 25 days (minus lunch and tea intervals) throwing and hitting a ball around in order to determine the winner of a miniscule trophy, which never actually leaves the trophy cabinet anyway, then the Ashes is for you!
Luckily I am one of those people. Unlike Chris Gayle, I believe test cricket is the single greatest sporting spectacle in the world (if you disagree let’s settle the matter in the comments below) and it doesn’t get any bigger than England v Australia - even when the latter are no longer the dominant force they once were. (more…)

Posted in Cricket, Sportsbook | 14 Comments »

Over the past couple of years we seem to have lost a fortune on the Tour De France - mainly due to promising to refund bets on all cyclists failing a drugs test and being kicked of the Tour. We thought it would just be a bit of fun, but with whole teams being thrown out of the race in disgrace it turned into a costly joke (but that’s enough about the Paddy Power Marketing Department). (more…)

Posted in Sportsbook | 11 Comments »

Given the way in which Jenson Button has spent the year tearing up the track, we’ve got two choices when it comes to the hundreds of smart-arse petrol heads canny punters who have backed him to win this year’s drivers Championship. We can either sit on their winnings for the next five months and then end up paying anyway (which is what every other bookie is going to do), or we can do the decent thing, admit defeat, and get the whole thing out of the way.

No prizes for guessing that we’ve gone for the second option. As of today we’ve settled all single bets on either Jenson Button to win the driver’s championship, or Brawn GP to win the constructor’s championship as winners. (more…)

Posted in Motor Racing, Sportsbook | Click here to comment »

We’re guessing most Chelsea fans are about as happy about last night’s goings on as Didier “IT’S A F**KING DISGRACE” Drogba. So we’re refunding all bets on Chelsea to win last night’s match and reach the final of the Champions League! (more…)

Posted in Football, Justice Payouts, Sportsbook | 60 Comments »

As you may or may not know, the BBC is currently planning to remove 15 days of racing from its broadcast schedule for 2010. That’s not good news for racing fans - because whatever about this decision, their coverage is excellent. This latest step will restrict that coverage almost solely to the ‘flagship’ events of the year and little else.

Thankfully, if you happen to think that a public service broadcaster like the BBC would be
better off focusing on the sport of kings rather than Strictly Come Dancing or Changing Rooms, there is something you can do. A petition asking the BBC to reverse this decision has been posted on the Downing Street website - and we would encourage you to sign it.

You can sign the petition here, although please note you have to be a British citizen to do so. Those of us freeloading over here in Ireland don’t get a say. Shame!

Cheltenham 2010

Posted in Racing, Sportsbook | 5 Comments »