By Josh Powell | Money-Back Special

There are just two weekends of Premier League footy remaining of the 2012/13 season and the dreaded summer is approaching. Weeks are filled with endless transfer stories, meaningless friendlies on the other side of the world, and claims that your team’s kitman has scouted the next ‘Messi’ outside a chippy in the Costa Del Sol.

It gets to the point where even the footballing purists are craving that Saturday 3.00pm fix of Hull v Villa.

Fans are trying to get every last drop out of the final Premier League fixtures and Paddy Power is here to help. As punters plough into their Super Sunday accas Paddy is refunding losing five-folds or bigger on the win-draw-win markets if one leg lets you down.

Every punter has a losing acca story. You can hear up to three or four tales over the weekend about how that last-minute equaliser cost your pal a holiday. Players and officials are berated and sorrows are drowned.

Luckily there won’t be any last gasp heartbreak this afternoon as Paddy refunds your stake if one leg lets you down. With that in mind we’ve been mulling over today’s games with a fry-up this morning and here is the result. A decent 40/1 five-fold from The Paddy Power Blog.

Everton to beat West Ham – 8/15

West Ham haven’t won in nine league games against Everton. There have been 33 Premier League matches between these two sides and West Ham have won just six.

Liverpool to beat Fulham – 19/20

In the last seven head-to-heads both teams have won three each and there has been one draw. Fulham haven’t won in six league games though and failed to score in four of them.

West Brom to beat Norwich – 23/10

The Baggies have won on their last three trips to Carrow Road. Neither team is in great form but the Canaries have won just one in nine and haven’t kept a clean sheet in seven.

Sunderland to draw with Southampton - 11/5

Three of the last four meetings between these two at the Stadium of Light have ended all square. Southampton have drawn six of their last 11 away games in the league.

Manchester United to beat Swansea – 3/10

Swansea have travelled to Old Trafford nine times in their history. United have won seven of those games with two 1-1 draws back in 1933 and 1934. The Swans win against Wigan ended a run of seven without victory and United will want to see Fergie off in style.

Find out all of the odds on today’s games and take advantage of Paddy’s generosity by placing your acca on this afternoon’s Premier Leagues right here

Robin van Persie was always going to be the centre of attention for his return to the Emirates Stadium and although it wasn’t the type of vintage performance he’s put in while proudly wearing the tablecloth of United, he did the business for Paddy Power customers today.

His penalty late in the first half was the last goal of the game, which means our Money-Back Special clicked and we’re refunding all losing pre-match First Goalscorer, Last Goalscorer, Correct Score and Scorecast singles on the match. As a result, there’s over €100,000 winging its way back to the e-pockets of our customers.

So regardless of your opinion about him being a deserter or otherwise, you can thank van Pesie for something. Well, more accurately you can thank Bacary Sagna for the stupid tackle that handed RVP the penalty – possibly the worst decision made at the Emirates since someones decided ‘you know what, van Persie is getting over the hill, we should flog him to our fierce rivals’.

It’s a big refund and it’s currently being processed so be patient for a couple of hours. If then you haven’t got a refund you think you’re entitled to, give our always helpful customer service folks a shout on @AskPaddyPower or via email and live chat.

Conditions

• Applies to singles placed before kick-off only
• Applies to First/last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast markets only
• Applies to win part of each-way goalscorer bets only
• Max Refund €/£100 per customer
• Paddy Power football rules apply
• Applies to All Channels

IN CLOVER:  Punters who latched onto Paddy’s MBS  got cash back on Long Run

You backed second-placed Long Run in the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown today you’re probably cursing your luck – and your empty wallet – right about now.

Your mates are quids in after backing the 2/1f Sir Des Champs and are down the pub giving it large.

But you’re a Paddy Power customer right? And what’s Paddy done? Only gone and refunded more than €100,000 to 7,500 customers as part of his 2nd to Sir Des Champs Money Back Special on day two of the five-day festival.

Punters who backed Long Run may have felt aggrieved but with our Money Back Special if 2^nd to Sir Des Champs at least they got their hard-earned cash back on the runner-up.

And with Paddy paying 5 places in the handicap hurdle at Punchestown 6.05 on Thursday that’ll give you just enough time to cadge a few free beers off them tonight before getting stuck in again tomorrow.

Ante-post punters are already in clover after Paddy refunded bets on Certify for the English 1,000 Guineas after it was revealed that trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni was taking the Lance Armstrong approach to training Godolphin’s horses.

And with Paddy going Money Back if there’s a century break in the final frame of the World Snooker Championship matches and giving you a free bet if your golfer fails to make the cut in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans this weekend – things could get a hell of a lot worse for the world’s greatest bookmaker.

• Betting: Sports homepage

LUIS LETS LOOSE:  Suarez 99th minute goal against Chelsea cost Paddy on the double

Paddy was well and truly caught with his pants down after a monumental rick in enhancing Liverpool from 5/4 to 5/2 at half time ‘to score next’  saw punters take him for a cool six-figure sum on Sunday afternoon.

His recklessness – and Daniel Sturridge’s accuracy – means the bean counters have a ready-to-roll copy of his P45 hooked up to the printer and someone’s going to want to hit the print button real soon.

Trouble was Paddy –  just before pub time on Friday – had also signed off on a Money Back Special all  losing First Goalscorer, Last & Correct Score & Scorecast singles on the match if Luis Suarez scored the last goal.

Now Paddy prides himself as being King of the Money Back Specials, Extra-Place Specials and Justice Payouts. And with Liverpool fans facing the prospect of Everton sitting six points above them in the table with just five games left – the Uruguayan international popped up to level the scores after the Reds trailed 2-1 with 99 minutes on the clock.

Suarez’s goal may have left Paddy as the darling of football punters but he’s about as popular as Ashley Cole with the higher-ups.

• Betting: Paddy Power Money Back Specials 

3pm Update. According to the BBC, Tiger Woods has a two-shot penalty and will not be disqualified. This is based on a recent rule update from the USPGA. One rule for Tiger…

We’ve seen some unbelievable shots already at Augusta National in the U.S. Masters… mainly of Dustin Johnson’s girlfriend, Paulina Gretzky.

But trust Tiger Woods to stir more controversy for golf’s stuffy rule-makers. He faces disqualification today from the 77th Masters after a potentially illegal dropshot on the 15th hole during his second round on Friday.

• If Tiger gets the boot, Paddy Power will refund all outright bets on the world No1 in one of our famous Justice Payouts.

I went down to the drop area, that wasn’t going to be a good spot, because obviously it’s into the grain and it was a little bit wet. So it was muddy and not a good spot to drop. So I went back to where I played it from, but I went two yards farther back and I tried to take two yards off the shot of what I felt I hit.

VIDEO: Tiger Woods ends up in the water

VIDEO: Tiger Woods’s illegal dropshot at the U.S. Masters

Now, the Paddy Power Blog doesn’t even pretend to understand all the rules of golf. But we understand a lack of justice for our punters when we see it.

We’ll keep you posted here and on @paddypower but it doesn’t look good for Tiger as the Augusta bullies have already come down hard on 14-year-old (!) Chinese sensation Guan Tianlang with a one-stroke penalty for slow play.

Tiger Woods has history with Paddy Power, of course. In 2009 his defeat at the US PGA Championship cost PP £1.3m after we paid out early on him winning that tournament. During the Ryder Cup in 2012, his ‘gentlemanly’ conduct when conceding the final putt that handed Europe victory stung us for £800,000. By beating Francesco Molinari in the final pairing of the weekend he could have at least ensured a 14-14 draw for America.

Related links

• CLICK HERE for U.S. Masters betting
• CLICK HERE for U.S Masters tips

• T&Cs apply (see below)

USPGA Rule 26-1. Relief for Ball in Water Hazard

It is a question of fact whether a ball that has not been found after having been struck toward a water hazard is in the hazard. In the absence of knowledge or virtual certainty that a ball struck toward a water hazard, but not found, is in the hazard, the player must proceed under Rule 27-1.

If a ball is found in a water hazard or if it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found is in the water hazard (whether the ball lies in water or not), the player may under penalty of one stroke:

a. Proceed under the stroke and distance provision of Rule 27-1 by playing a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or

b. Drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped; or

c. As additional options available only if the ball last crossed the margin of a lateral water hazard, drop a ball outside the water hazard within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than (i) the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard or (ii) a point on the opposite margin of the water hazard equidistant from the hole.

When proceeding under this Rule, the player may lift and clean his ball or substitute a ball.

T&C’s IF Tiger is disqualified from the 2013 U.S. Masters

Refund applies to win and each-way single bets only on the Tiger Woods selection in following markets…

• Winner
• Place Only – 4 places
• Place Only – 5 places
• Top 10
• Top 20
• Top US Player
• Top Former Winner
• Hole In One By Tiger Woods
• Leader after Round 3
• Lowest Round Of Tournament
• Tiger woods Finishing Position – pay 41^st or worse incl missed cut. Void other two selections.
• US Masters Insurebet
• Which Major will Tiger win next – 2013 US Masters
• 72 hole handicap betting
• Tournament match bets (settle opponent as winner void Tiger):
• McIlroy vs Tiger

Paddy Power Casino have launched a brand new exclusive Paddy Power slots game called Money Back Special. Why Money Back Special? Because it gives you a chance to get paid out without winning. If a line on the slots reel doesn’t pay out in 50 spins you get your cash back on that spin, fifty times your line bet!

To launch their new slots game our Casino friends have come up this offer to celebrate. All you have to do is play the Money Back Special game this weekend and wager over €20 in total to qualify.

Once qualified you can place a bet of up to €50 on the England v San Marino game. If Wayne Rooney scores a goal in the first half of this game, you’ll get a free bet of equal value up to €50 which can be used on your Sportsbook or Casino accounts.

The Manchester United striker comes in to this game having scored 14 goals in his last 18 games. Of those 14 goals, nine  were scored in the first half.

Rooney also scored in the first half of England’s 5-1 win over San Marino at Wembley last October.

If he starts against the worst team in international football (it’s official), he’s very likely to score indeed.

Did somebody say free bet? Hells to the yeah. Just get yourself over to Paddy Power Casino now and start playing Money Back Special to take advantage of this fantastic offer.

Click here for more details

Wetherbys Champion Bumper | Cheltenham 2013

Ruby got to look Paddy in the eye after Hurricane Fly’s Champion Hurdle win yesterday and a few of the higher-ups at Power Tower will be doing the same over the coming days – and not in a good way.

Willie Mullins has three runners today in the bumper with  Briar Hill (R Walsh), Sizing Tennesse (A Lynch) and Union Dues - to be ridden by his son Patrick.

Champagne Fever won the bumper at 16/1 under Patrick last year and the amateur has already struck in the first today with Back in Focus (9/4f).

His dad has provided seven of the Ireland’s 15 winners in 20 runnings – so do the math on a race where Paddy’s going 1/4 the odds the first four places. 

Irish trainers have a 75 per cent strike rate winning it 15 times (meeting abandoned in 2001) with England having just five winners that included recent back-to-back successes with Cue Card (2010) and Cheltenian (2011).

Winning form is a must with 18 of the last 20 winners having a ’1′ beside their name going into the 2m contest while 14 of the last 20 winners started in the first six in the betting – including six second favourites.

Le Vent D’Antan landed a big gamble when hosing up on his debut at Leopardstown and looks a leading player but four-year-olds have only won three times in 20 years against their older rivals.

Paddy forked out £2.2m  (€2.5m) on his Money Back All Losers special when Ruby and Hurricane Fly won the Champion Hurdle yesterday as part of a 26/1 treble.

And here’s what Paddy’s nemesis Ruby Walsh has to say about the Bumper:

• Betting: Champion Bumper
• Betting Cheltenham 2013

Sean Goff | Cheltenham Festival 2013

Hurricane Fly took Paddy Power to the cleaners on Tuesday with a £2.2m payout (€2.5m). He become the first horse since Comedy of Errors in 1975 to regain his Champion Hurdle crown at Cheltenham.

Paddy’s Money-Back All Losers Special clicked for the second year-in-a-row as jockey Ruby Walsh booted the nine-year-old home ahead of Rock on Ruby in the day one feature. It leaves PP cowering in a corner before the big bosses arrive home, especially after Ruby warned he was gunning for Paddy for ‘taking on’ Hurricane Fly.

But that wasn’t the end of it as Ruby’s win on Hurricane Fly was the middle leg of a Tuesday treble. He also won the Supreme Novices Hurdle on Champagne Fever and the Mares’ Hurdle on Quevega, for the fifth time on the trot. Meanwhile, Simonsig’s win in the Arkle Chase twisted the knife even further as punters had a field day.

RUBY TUESDAY: The Kildare jockey celebrates after his big win on Hurricane Fly. Curses!

Our Money-Back All Losers Special leaves punters who backed Ruby quids-in, as well as giving back real cash – not free bets – to anyone who backed a loser in the Champion Hurdle.

It sounds like madness, and it probably isn’t far off. But there’s cold, hard cash in your pocket (or online account) if you backed any of these losing gee-gees:

• Zarkandar
• Rock On Ruby
• Grandouet
• Binocular
• Cinders And Ashes
• Countrywide Flame
• Khyber Kim
• Balder Success

And it’s not as if Paddy wasn’t warned by Ruby Walsh on the Paddy Power Blog last week…

With three days of the festival still to go and Paddy going non runner no bet on all races there’s plenty of cash still swirling around the Cotswolds for punters to hit him even harder with his two Extra Place Specials tomorrow. Even as the men in white coats (or the accountants on the fifth floor) warm up the van, Paddy is preparing for more punishment on Wednesday with his extra-place specials:

• 1/4 the odds the first 5 places in the Coral Cup at 4pm 
• 1/4 the odds the first 4 places in the Champion Bumper at 5.15
• Our Best Odds Promise applies to every race in Britain and Ireland
• Bucket loads of enhanced specials on Facebook and Twitter

After the mighty Sprinter Sacre emptied the company’s coffers to the tune of £2.5m last year Paddy was on red alert when Hurricane Fly ran up four Grade One wins before delivering the coup de grace earlier today. But a ‘red alert’ to Paddy means about as much as a traffic offence to Carlos Tevez.

So if you see Paddy out on the town tonight, buy him a pint. He’ll need it.

• Betting: Cheltenham 2013

The ref might have cost Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United the Champions League but luckily his poor decision-making won’t cost Paddy Power punters.

Cuneyt Cakr is the referee who sent Nani off with Manchester United 1-0 up and arguably in control. It was a cruel injustice but thanks to Paddy Power’s Money-Back Special punters won’t have to worry about losing any cash on the big match.

Ronaldo scored on his return to Old Trafford and Paddy Power paid out a whopping €750,000 to punters thanks to his massive Money-Back Special.

The boss offered money back on all first goalscorer, last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast singles on tonight’s match if Ronaldo scored at anytime and was left counting the cost when the Portugeezer duly obliged.

There was no celebration, and almost a hint of an apology as Ronaldo slid in to put Madrid 2-1 ahead and effectively put Manchester United out of the competition. Before that Sergio Ramos had poked the ball into his own net to put United ahead and Luka Modric had scored a thumping goal to draw Madrid level.

A spokesperson for Paddy Power said “We should never have underestimated Ronaldo but hopefully the refund will serve as some comfort to Manchester United’s shell shocked fans.”

Looks like Cheltenham might have to be cancelled!

THE YEAR OF MVG: Van Gerwen’s explosive start is a huge positive in a race to seven legs

By Josh Powell | Premier League Darts

The Darts Premier League has had a makeover and the sport’s most exciting competition just got even better. Instead of eight of the world’s best players battling it out over 15 weeks to determine a worthy Champion there will now be 10 players in the league.

The standard of darts last year was so mind-blowing, tournament organisers have expanded the Premier League format to feature five matches a night, each the best of 12 legs. After nine weeks the round robin will be complete and the bottom two players will be relegated, leaving eight players to battle it out for the remaining five weeks before the play-offs in London.

With the matches being a race to seven, your pick for the title will have to be quicker out of the blocks than a doped-up sprinter and that’s where the explosive ‘Mighty’ Michael van Gerwen comes in. The Dutchman is 11/4 to win the Darts Premier League and could be the one to side with on the back of his incredible last 12 months.

Unsurprisingly 16-time world champ and reigning king of darts Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor is the 2/1 favourite to win his seventh Premier League title but van Gerwen is hotly tipped to be the man to take Phil’s crown.

The two titans of tungsten met in the World Championship final at the Alexandra Palace in January and the two biggest names in darts battle it out in the show piece event on the opening night of the Premier League in Belfast.

On the biggest stage of them all at the Worlds, Taylor won 7-4 in sets, but the Premier League is very different because it is leg-play. If you break down that final to legs, MVG would have won 7-3 in a best of 12 and he is good value to get a result in a thrilling opening week.

Week One tips

Andy Hamilton v Rob Thornton: Both men were whitewashed by Phil Taylor at the Alexandra Palace and there’s little to separate them here. Thornton edges the head-to-head 6-4 but Andy Hamilton’s Premier League experience could be an advantage in what will be a tight opener. Draw – 10/3

James Wade v Wes Newton: James Wade made the semi-finals of the World Champs but is a slow starter and it took him until week four before he registered a win last year. Wade narrowly beat Newton at the Ally Pally but the opening 12 legs were shared 6-6 and Wes can nick it here. Newton – 13/8

Raymond van Barneveld v Gary Anderson: In the short format Anderson’s poor form on the doubles could be costly. The flying Scot will score heavily but in a race to seven he can’t afford to be missing his doubles. If Barney continues his World Championship form he wins. Van Barneveld – 11/10

Simon Whitlock v Adrian Lewis: The Wizard beat Lewis twice in the Premier League last year and leads the head-to-head 9-7. Jackpot will want to come out firing after losing his World Championship title but despite retaining the World Cup for England this month, Whitlock can beat him here. Whitlock – 5/4

Phil Taylor v Michael van Gerwen: The master v the young pretender. Is MVG the next big thing in darts? He beat The Power twice last year but lost out in the World Championship final despite leading 4-2. If Mighty Mike starts quickly again he can lay down a marker in week one. Van Gerwen -  17/10

• Betting: Premier League coupon
  
• Betting: Premier League outright

The offer:
We will refund losing match bets if your player loses in the 5th set!

Murray wasn’t exactly patting himself on the back after beating Federer in a Grand Slam for the very first time, describing his win as ” satisfying” and “nice” but no more.

This will be his third appearance in an Australian Open final and his sixth Grand Slam final. However, having broken his duck by winning last year’s US Open and following it up with an Olympic gold medal, he’s unlikely to fold the the way he did against Djokovic in the 2011 final in Melbourne.

Djokovic is looking to win his third Australian Open and his fourth in total to add to his 2011 Wimbledon and US Open wins.

Both players are playing their best tennis, they both look in great shape and for the first time they’ll both have the belief that they can win. With Nadal out injured, these are the two best players in the world right now.

Which all sounds like the perfect ingredients for a thrilling five-setter. As soon as that scoreboard reads two sets apiece you know someone’s getting their money back.

• Betting: Murray v Djokovic

OH NO YOU DIDN’T: If you suspect something isn’t right with your horse, take advantage of Paddy’s offer

Paddy Power refunded on all losers in the 1.15 Cheltenham and the 3.10 Lingfield today.

Paddy has now refunded over €900k to punters this January on this special alone.

Paddy Power’s generosity in refunding all losers in two races on every Saturday in January ended up with the universe’s most popular bookie giving back a grand total of just over €900,000 in cold, hard cash after today he refunded €200k to 20,000 customers.

Punters in Paddy’s shops and online, who were aware of the offer but did not know which two races until as soon as the races begun, got their money back on the Murphy Group Handicap Chase (1.15pm Cheltenham) and the lingfieldpark.co.uk Handicap (3.10pm Lingfield) this afternoon.

€115,000 was refunded to 13,000 punters on the former, while €85k was given back to 7,000 backers on the contest, resulting in a grand total refund of €200k being paid out to 20,000 ecstatic Paddy Power customers today.

Paddy had already refunded €150,000 to 14,000 customers when he did the same crazy money back special on New Year’s Day, while 22,600 happy punters benefited from €235,000 given back on Saturday, January 5, around 25,000 backers were made up to receive €190,000 back on January 12 and €135k was refunded to 13,000 customers last Saturday.

Paddy Power said: “Punters who together have had over €900k refunded on losing bets this month have unsurprisingly been ecstatic about the initiative. We set out to come up with a highly generous offer for the New Year and I think that we can confidently say that we have surpassed backers’ expectations comprehensively!”

Money-Back All Losers – refunds so far

• January 1 – Musselburgh 1.05 Bocciani wins @ 7/1 and Paddy Power refunds on ALL losers in this race (€100k; 8,000 customers)

• January 1 – Exeter 3.15 Flying Award wins @ 11/2 and Paddy Power refunds on ALL losers in this race! (€50k; 6,000 customers)

• January 5 – Chepstow 1.35 Ruacana wins @ 10/3 and Paddy Power refunds on ALL losers in this race! (€140k; 11,400 customers)

• January 5 – Wincanton 2.40 Big Fella Thanks wins @ 6/1 and Paddy Power refunds on ALL losers in this race! (€95k; 11,200 customers)

• January 12 – Lingfield 12.50 Upavon wins @ 7/4f and Paddy Power refunds on ALL losers in this race! (€30k; 3,240 customers)

• January 12 – Warwick 2.25  Ely Brown @ 12/1 wins and Paddy Power refunds on ALL losers in this race! 

• January 19 – Kempton 1.45 Big Sylv wins @ 11/4 Paddy Power refunds on ALL losers in this race! (20k; 3,00 customers)

• January 19 – Naas 2.45 Un Atout wins @ 2/7f and Paddy Power refunds ALL losers in this race!
  

• January 26 – Cheltenham 1.15 Katenko wins at 4/1 Paddy Power refunds ALL losers in this race!

• January 26 – Lingfield 3.10 Robin Hoods Bay wins at 9/2 and Paddy Power refunds ALL losers in this race!

• Paddy Power will refund all losing bets from two races that take place in UK and Ireland that race day
• The offer will apply on Saturday 12th January and every Saturday in January
• The offer applies across all Paddy Power betting channels: online, shops, mobile, phone and text betting
• Max refund: €100/£100 per customer per race.
• Applies to win (and win part of each way) single bets only.
• Does not apply to extra markets or betting in-running.
• Does not apply to Tote bets.
• A minimum of two race meetings must take place each day.

• BETTING: Horse Racing

ALLY’S PALLIES: McCoist is overcome after hearing about Paddy’s payout

Paddy Power has banished the January blues by paying out nearly £40,000 to Scottish football punters four months early on Queen of the South and Glasgow Rangers winning Scottish football’s Second and Third Divisions respectively.

Dumfries-based Queens have proven to be the kings of the Second Division winning 18 of 21 games in their march to the title.

Meanwhile, Rangers have stretched 19-points clear in the Third Division and Paddy Power has decided that these titles are already sewn up.

Ally McCoist’s side – who have lost just one game all season – are even money to avoid defeat in the rest of their league campaign or 8/1 to win the rest of their Third Division fixtures.

Controversial Scottish league restructuring plans have led to fears that Rangers will up sticks and leave Scottish football altogether by the start of the 2013/14 season can take 25/1 with Paddy Power to insure against such a possibility.

A Paddy Power spokesperson said:

Once Queen of the South took the reins at the top, they’ve not let go. We see no chance of Queens or Rangers choking at this stage and so we’re paying out this January, although it will be us choking in May if either team lets it slip!

• Betting: Football Coupon 

MURR’ TO COME – Murray celebrates his third round win by looking to the heavens. And probably swearing. (Pic: Eurosport)

By Aidan Elder | Chief Sports Writer

• MURRAY PROGRESSES TO THE 4th ROUND
• AN INCREDIBLE 27 REFUNDS THANKS TO OUR 5th SET MONEY-BACK SPECIAL
• DJOKOVIC STRUGGLES PAST WAWRINKA

There was a lot of swearing, grumpy cries of anguish and looking forlornly to the heavens. Yes, it was pretty much business as usual for Andy Murray at the Australian Open as he brushed aside Ricardas Bernakis in straight sets to book his place in the last 16 at Melbourne.

Despite the seemingly straightforward progress, Murray (25) still spoke with all the enthusiasm of a death row inmate in his post-match press conference.

“Every player wants to hit the ball well every day if they can but the reality is it isn’t always going to happen. So I’m aware I’ll need to improve,” he told the media before going on the offensive to rightly point out “but you also don’t necessarily want to be playing your best tennis the first rounds of a grand slam or of any tournament.”

In truth, it’s all looking pretty good for the Scot. With Juan-Martin del Potro suffering a shock defeat at the hands of Jeremy Chardy, his side of the draw looks easier than it might have been. In the fourth round on Monday morning (5am-ish), he’ll face Gilles Simon, a player he has beaten nine times in their 10 meetings.

It’s all looking good for Paddy Power customers too. Thanks to our 5th Set Money-Back Special, they’ve benfitted from a whopping 27 REFUNDS – a figure so startling, it has to be expressed in capital letters with bolding.

The Money-Back Special runs all the way to the end of the tournament, so that number could swell even further over the next seven days.

Murray is still on course to face Roger Federer in the last four, but to do so the Fed Express needs to overcome rising star, Milos Raonic and then Tsonga/Gasquet – all matches likely to test the stamina many people aren’t certain he still has.

No Djok’ for the defending champ

In contrast, world number one, Novak Djokovic had to dig deep to emerge victorious from his epic encounter against Stanislas Wawrinka. Nole pulled through, but only after having to withstand immense pressure from the Swiss player. The likely tests from Thomas Berdych and then probably David Ferrer will feel a little tougher after such exertions. After starting the week as the Evens favourite, the Serbian star has drifted to 11/10 as he looks to move level with Andre Agassi and Roger Federer with four Aussie Open titles in the Open era.

Further adding to the rosiness of his garden, Murray has spent just five and half hours on court for his three matches so far, a paltry amount of time he may feel the benefit of towards the end of next week. Anything other than straight sets victories will raise an eyebrow in the early rounds of a Grand Slam, but not only has Murray yet to drop a set, he hasn’t yet been handed the mild inconvenience of being dragged into a tie-breaker.

Murray’s solid but unspectacular progress is reflected in the minimal price change for him to win back to back Slams. He started the week as the 11/4 second favourite and with three wins under his elasticated waistband, he has been trimmed to 9/4.

I TOLD YOU TO PUT THE BET ON WITH PADDY POWER

Paddy Power’s at it again – refunding 13,000 customers and smashing through the €700,00 mark on Money-Back Special all losers in the 1.45 Kempton and the 2.45 Naas on Saturday January 19.

Take a bow if you backed Big Sylv in the 1.45 Kempton. But don’t despair if you punted anything else in the race as you will see that account being re-credited with some lovely dosh.

Not long after, there was another tasty refunded on all losers in the 2.45 Naas.

@Racing_Post @IrishRacing365 that latest money back all losers on the 2.45 Naas benefitted 3,000 customers and we refunded another €20,000—
Paddy Power Racing (@pphorseracing) January 19, 2013

The world’s favourite bookmaker also refunded €190k to customers across all channels in the 12.50 at Lingfield and the 2.25 at Warwick on Saturday, January 12, to add to the €235k (Jan 5) and the €150k on New Year’s Day that has been returned to punters since the Money-Back Special began on All losers every Saturday in January. 

With this gift that keeps on giving there’s still TWO more Money-Back Special All losers rces to come in January from your favourite bookie Paddy Power.

There’s no use talking to Paddy when he gets an idea in his head and this Money-Back Special All losers is the SIXTH refund of punters cold, hard, cash of 2013.

On January 5, the 1.35pm Grade One at Chepstow and the 2.40pm at Wincanton were the two races selected by Paddy himself and punters cashed in.

Ruacana won the 1.35pm at Chepstow at 10/3 and customers who didn’t back the winner got their money back in cold hard cash thanks to Paddy.

Paddy had to fork out €140,000 to 11,400 customers and before the men in white coats arrived to take him away he was at it again at Wincanton.

Big Fella Thanks won the 2.40pm race and punters were celebrating again as Paddy refunded all losers. 11, 200 punters benefited as Paddy coughed up an eye-watering €95k.

Just four days after refunding a whopping €150,000 to 14,000 punters on New Year’s Day he pulled off another couple of massive Money-Back All Losers offer. Tonight’s take-away is certainly on Paddy Power.

22,600 punters were left very happy today and Paddy was spotted rocking in the corner of a dark room at the top of Power Tower.

‘Our New Year Resolution was to give punters something no other bookie can even hope to match’, Paddy said. ‘The problem is we’ve come up with something so generous, it makes Roman Abramovich seem thrifty.’

Paddy is refunding two races every Saturday in January. So keep calm, punt as normal and enjoy the action. Paddy will spin the bottle and decide the race so keep your eyes on Facebook, Twitter, The Paddy Power Blog and in PP shops as we announce which races we’ve gone Money-Back All Losers on.

• More information on Money-Back All Losers