Voler La Vedette could be value at 9/1

5.30pm Punchestown Rabobank Champion Hurdle (grade 1)

A real treat is in store at Punchestown today. Punjabi won this in 2008 and had a tremendous battle with Solwhit before going down a short-head a year ago. Neither were at their best in this year's Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and look certain to get competitive again. Solwhit landed a slowly-run Grade 1 Punchestown Hurdle in November from Muirhead, Hurricane Fly and De Valira. Hurricane Fly produced the outstanding run over timber in the last couple of years when slamming Go Native in the Future Champions at Leopardstown in December 2008 and Willie Mullins would not be risking him after his long lay-off if he wasn't confident of taking home the spoils. Dunguib looked a monster before failing at Cheltenham and needs to have made rapid progress in the interim to have a chance against these top-notchers who also include Champion Hurdle disappointment Medermit, who had previously beaten Punjabi easily at Haydock. I have no firm idea on today's race but Voler La Vedette could be value at 9/1.

Snooker World Championship 2010

For live online coverage of the 2010 World Snooker Championship, which starts on Saturday 17 April, head to the BBC Sport website. Streaming from The Crucible begins at 10am on Saturday when 2009 champion John Higgins plays Barry Hawkins.  It might be a noisier championship than normal, because Barry Hearn, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, has confirmed that players can enter the Crucible to their choice of music - just like boxers entering the ring.  The move is part of Hearn's crusade to jazz up a sport that has declined in popularity since the Eighties. Back in 1985 an incredible 18.5 million TV viewers stayed up until after midnight to watch Dennis Taylor's famous black-ball victory over Steve Davis in the 1985 final. Taylor and Davis will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of that epic final by playing a special one-off frame at The Crucible on 29 April. Davis will be playing in his 30 championship this year, but fans' favourite Jimmy White failed to make it through the qualifying rounds.

Current rankings
1. Ronnie O'Sullivan
2. Stephen Maguire
3. Shaun Murphy
4. John Higgins
5. Allister Carter
6. Ryan Day
7. Mark Selby
8. Marco Fu
9. Neil Robertson
10. Stephen Hendry
11. Mark Allen
12. Joe Perry
13. Ding Junhui
14. Peter Ebdon
15. Mark Williams
16. Mark King

For all the latest information and news for the Snooker World Championship 2010 go to
http://www.worldsnooker.com/world_championship10_news.htm?tid=154

2 days to the big event

Take Zaarito for the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse

Lets hope the Irish grand national meeting goes ahead this weekend as it is always a hugely competitive and enjoyable meeting. The opener (1.55pm) is a real puzzle but the top weight Colbert Station should go close. He looks to have been laid out for this challenge and will relish the likely soft ground. Admitedly he would prefer further than this trip but with the ground likely to be heavy he should still go close. The 2.25pm  race is another trappy affair but perhaps Blackstairmountain will succeed for Ruby Walsh. Willie Mullins's inmate was a shade disappointing at Cheltenham but I believe he is better than the form he showed there.  That was a messy race at Prestbury Park when the ground was fairly quick on the opening day (Dunguib did not show his true form that day either). Loosen my load rates the danger on Sunday. The valuable mares race (the 2.55pm event) is a cracking good affair with Morning Supreme and For Bill renewing rivalry. Morning Supreme is taken to follow up her Limerick win although a slight negative would be the trip on heavy ground. Ruby will need to get the fractions right on this likely front runner. The feature race of the day, the Powers Gold Cup, is a really top class affair. I like the chances of Zaarito. This fellow has fallen a few times but is actually a pretty good jumper on the whole,like his high class stablemate Big Zeb. His trainer Colm Murphy is sure to have him primed for this having skipped Cheltenham. He had a nice confidence boosting win at Naas recently and should be tough to beat here. Jagoes Mills rates the danger. It is interesting to see that JP Mcmanus has bought Kempes. This classy sort has an outside chance but I suspect that the heavy ground will put a huge emphasis on stamina and I therefore believe that he is unlikely to get home. The 4.05pm event is another  minefield but perhaps Some Target (ew) will pay dividends. This fellow is a tad slow but stays very well which he will need to do on Sunday. In the concluding bumper (the 5.05pm race) Our Girl Salley should send us all home happy. She is a very likeable mare who relishes soft ground and was impressive recently at Limerick.

I like Full of Hope in the 5.40pm race at Dundalk on Saturday. The negative is her wide draw but this is a moderate enough maiden and she is taken to finally get the Ballydoyle bandwagon rolling for the season.

P.s As for the snooker in China, home favourite Ding Junhui (pictured below) is a confident selection to see off Mark Allen in the semi finals. 4-6 with Paddy Powers looks tasty.

Aidan O'Brien update

From Aidan O'Brien's website:

"Our most likely runners for the Stanjames.com 2000 guineas at Newmarket on Saturday 1st May will hopefully come from the following horses;

St Nicholas Abbey Viscount Nelson Fencing Master and Beethoven

It is unfortunate that Steinbeck is going to miss the Stanjames.com 2000 Guineas. He has done really well and we are very excited about him. Hopefully he will restart in the Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas on Saturday 22nd May at the Curragh. Our most likely runners for the Stanjames.com 1000 guineas at Newmarket on Sunday 2nd May will hopefully come from the following fillies;

Famous Devoted To You You'll Be Mine

Grand National

The Grand National takes place this year on April 10. Will there be another 100/1 winner?

Cheltenham Festival - Day 1

Well the long wait is finally over and Cheltenham 2010 is upon us. The opening day has normally been my best day so hopefully that trend will continue tomorrow. My nap has to be Dunguib in the opener, the Spinal Research Supreme Novices Hurdle. This Presenting gelding is a machine and who knows his price might yet touch evens. I would not be worried about his jumping as I am sure he will jump better with the likely fast pace. Get Me Out Of Here is a big lay in this race, as I cannot see him having the class to trouble Dunguib. Blackstairmountain has an each way chance and may follow Dunguib home. I have no massive opinion on the outcome of the Arkle Novice Chase but Captain Cee Bee is my selection. This horse will relish the uphill finish which cannot be said of Sizing Europe who is a definite lay in my opinion. Sports line is a big danger and perhaps a small exacta on Captain Cee Bee and Sports line will pay dividends. On to the big one the Champion Hurdle. I am a massive Solwhit fan and must keep the faith even though I feel he needs much softer ground. There will be a furious pace on here and that will suit him perfectly. It is just possible, however, that something will have too much pace for him at the business end. I would be totally against Kybher Kim and he would rate a decent place lay in my book as I don’t think his form stacks up and would not be one for a hard battle. I was never a fan of Go Native but with the ground perfect for him I would not be surprised if he pulled it off. Expect to see a Harchibald type ride by Paul Carberry. In the cross country chase l'ami is given a tentative vote over Garde Champetre but it is not a race to be lumping on. The mares race is another race that i’m really looking forward to. Voler La Vadette is a mare I have been following all season and she would not have been out of place in the Champion Hurdle. She faces stiff opposition in the form of last year’s runaway winner Quevega who has been a massive drifter from 5-4 out to 2-1 in recent days. I have massive respect for both mares and I think I will just sit this one out.

On the amount of Irish winners I would say 8 or more over the four days. Best of luck everyone. Lets hope the dreaded bookies get whipped big style!

Bob's backs

1. Dunguib (nap)

2. Captain Cee Bee

3. Solwhit

4. L'Ami

Bob's lays

1. Get Me Out Of Here

2. Kybher Kim (in place market)

I don't fancy anything today but watch out for Cheltenham tips coming up soon.

Notre Pere to deliver at Fairyhouse

Once again there is very good racing to look forward to this weekend. At Fairyhouse Notre Pere is a confident selection to win the feature event, the Bobbyjo chase. The softer the ground the better for this dour stayer. He has yet to hit top form this season but faces an easy enough task tomorrow barring accidents. On his best form Casey Jones would be a danger but he much prefers better ground than he will encounter tomorrow. Alaivan looks a class apart in the juvenile hurdle but will be very short in the market. The rest of the card is ultra competitive and very difficult to find winners so I will concentrate on the UK action for the rest of my fancies. If Haydock goes ahead Adams Island looks good in the 3.00pm race. This horse is a relentless galloper and should have too many guns for the opposition. I also like Predictive in the 1.50pm race at Uttoxeter. This horse is a course winner that stays well and should relish the conditions. At Naas on Sunday Tranquil Sea should win and hopefully he will not be too short in the market with Scotsirish in opposition. Take it Easee is one I like in the handicap hurdle although that is a very competitive race and is one for only small stakes.

Reflections: It was amazing to see Zaynar beaten at Kelso on Thursday, he was the only danger in my book beforehand to Solwhit in the champion hurdle. I still wonder whether Philip Fenton will be tempted to run the mighty Dunguib in the Champion Hurdle as it does not look a strong renewal this year.

It is not too long to the flat season as well and it will be fascinating to see if St Nicholas Abbey proves the real deal this season. He does look a machine but has yet to encounter fast ground so that might be a slight worry. Aidan O'Brien's tally of 10 group 1 prizes last season will easily be bettered this season in my view, as he has a host of promising sorts to look forward to plus a very strong older horse brigade this season including Rip Van Winkle,Fame and Glory and Age of Aquarius. At First Sight is a potential dark horse and this Galileo colt could be one to follow later in the season.

Gowran Park and Navan previews

At Gowran Park today I fancy Noble Prince in the grade 2 Red Mills Trial hurdle. This horse has lots of class being by Montjeu and is a strong traveller. His trainer Paul Nolan is on record saying he is best kept fresh so as he hasn't run since Leopardstown at Christmas and therefore should be ready to fire. His last run was over three miles where I don't believe he quite stayed or perhaps went for home a little too early. It is two miles today so hopefully he has the pace for it. There is strong opposition, however, in the shape of Jumbo Rio, Muirhead and Luska Lad but that should enable Noble Prince to go off at a value price. I reckon Jumbo Rio is the biggest danger as I suspect that Muirhead is slightly regressive and Luska lad not quite good enough. As for Navan on Sunday Mourad is my nap. This horse needs a fast pace and should get it with War of Attrition and Ebadiyan likely front runners. Therefore I can see Ruby arriving at the last and going clear up the hill. I expect Ruby and Willie Mullins to have a good day at Navan as they have a host of horses with serious chances. Osana should also be hard to beat at Navan. It will be interesting to see how Denman gets on with AP on board at Newbury. Finally on snooker it was crazy to hear Stephen Lee was arrested on suspicion of cheating. I thought he was arrested for eating too many pukka pies!

Welcome to my blog

Welcome to my blog.

I will be providing content on the goings on in the snooker and horse racing worlds in this space and anything else that captures my attention. Tips, news, previews and maybe even a bit of gossip will appear here as well as links to stories and events. Day 1 of my blog will be a post on Friday that will preview the weekend horse racing action. Having a horse racing bet? Then check the horse racing blog. My section will become a must see when deciding on which animal is going to pass the post first.

The Totesport Trophy hurdle is the feature event on Saturday at Newbury.

Totesport Trophy - ante post betting: 6/1 Spirit River, Harry Tricker, 7/1 Ronaldo de Mottes, 8/1 Mamlook, 9/1 Get Me Out Of Here, 14/1 Stravinsky Dance, Manyriverstocross, Takeroc, 16/1 Fairyland, 20/1 Frontier Dancer, 25/1 First Point, Siberaian Tiger, Any Given Day, Numide, Simarian, Fushe Jo, First Avenue, 33/1 Arch Rebel, Keki Beku, Blue Bajan, European Dream, Oldrik, Pascha Bere, 40/1 Mutual Friend, Ring The Boss, Songe, 50/1 Chanibar, Culcabock