Went to Cheltenham yesterday, what a fantastic way to start the new year. 2 Winners, including my first bet of the year on Oh Crick in the first, so I hope that is a good omen.

Good luck to all the UKFF punters for the coming year.

I'll be having a bit of 2/1 for Bristol City tomorrow to beat Middlesboro in the FA Cup. Bristol City have only lost once in the last five games (and that was to WBA!), while 'Boro are all over the place at the moment.

I saw that Baz but the 'William Hill Cup' is a trap door and potential minefield all round.

Raith @ 13/10 against Ross County looks the only tempting thing for a single tomorrow.

16/1 odds on Beckham to play for Arsenal this season.

Might be worth a punt.

Wycombe 11/10 against Rochdale

Super single for this week.

I really fancy Norwich to win away at Barnsley today - best price 2/1. We have no team, and always do shit against them.

On a side note, did anyone see the article in the Racing Post yesterday? There have been more away wins than home wins in League 2 this season. If you were to blindly back every match to be an away win in that division, you'd be up £790 to a £10 level stake.

On a sider note, has anybody had any ante post nibbles at Cheltenham yet? Or any fancies, not be long now.

I've got the following:

Franchoek - Triumph Hurdle - 20/1, 16/1 and 10/1.
Iktitaf - Champion Hurdle - 16/1 - Dead.
Hardy Eustace - Champion Hurdle - 40/1, 25/1, 16/1 (DOn't know whether it will run in the World Hurdle)
Jack The Giant - RyanAir Chase - 16/1, 12/1.
Jack The Giant - Champion Chase - 20/1 and 16/1.

A mixed bag really. I really fancy Franchoek in the Triumph, I think the horse is made for McCoy. I also thought that Iktitaf had a cracking chance in the Champion, but sadly, RIP. It fell 2 out last year, whislt on the bridle. I also pray that Hardy Eustace turns up for the Champion and not the World, as the 2mile division is really weak this year, and I think that Hardy will at least place and will trade shorter in running.

I like Jack The Giant, and backed him for the CHampion Chase, but Henderson stated that he would be better stepped up in trip, and after winning well over 2.5 miles this week, he looks a good bet for the Ryan Air.

I also think that Kauto Star will piss the Gold Cup, but at 6/4, I may as well wait until the day of the race.

£5 accumulator: Ipswich 1/1, Villa 4/7, Swansea 11/10, Watford 6/5. It's worth £75.

3 out of 4 winning already.

In today picking up some winnings from yesterday and a chap next to me casually strolled up and put £1,200 on Espanyol to beat Almeria tonight. Now i like a wee flutter on the footie each week and i've seen folks do £500 on Chelsea and Man U now and then but bloody hell thats sticking your neck out.

Then his 1200 nicker is up in smoke as Almeira won 1-0.



I don't think McCoy will ride him, as although AP rides most of McManus's horses Robert Thornton is Alan King's stable jockey and it is McManus's first horse with King.

Glencove Marina for either the Arkle Chase or the Royal Sun Alliance Chase. Family ties here as my uncle is the owner, but it done the business Sunday, and when Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh are talking it up they way they are, has to worth a few quid.

I know you have family ties but my guess would be for the Arkle. Glencove Marina won as easy as you like in that race on sunday and considering Perce Rock was supposed to be the good thing you could see from a long way out what was going to win.

Fade To Grey has just won the 4.10 at Kempton at 8-1. It was 50-1 this morning. An owner, a trainer and a few stable lads will be having a pint tonight.

Re: Franchoek - I didn't realise that it was JP's first horse with Alan King. Both Choc Thornton and Richard Johnson has won on it recently, so i'm not too bothered, as it seems a pretty versatile horse.

I had a nibble on Imsingingthebluse for the Supreme Novices a bot back, but it now seems that Breedsbreeze is the Nicholls horse in that race. This is a pity, because i'm sure a strongly run 2miles would suit it to a tee, as it got outpaced a bit in a slowly run race last time out.

I'll be keeping an eye on Glencove as well.

On a side note, Norwich did the biz against us at the weekend. Wank, but 2-1 was cool.

I'm guessing Arkle too, he will probably run in Leopardstown on the 27th (holds an entry along with Scotsirish), so it will be interesting to see how it goes. Perce Rock has some very shaky jumping (Casey was so lucky the ground was as soft as it was), but it was clearly beat before that.

Betting on the Gold Cup has been suspended. Kauto Star a potential non runner due to been found to be lame after his run today.

was some great racing today .......should of been a cracking race if kauto and denman were head to head,letshope it still happens.....forget about kicking king after today i feel



from racing post site....

KAUTO STAR'S bid for a second Cheltenham Gold Cup success was the subject of an injury scare on Saturday night after he was found to be lame behind following an impressive success at Ascot.

However trainer Paul Nicholls was not ruling his brilliant chaser out of the Gold Cup and will know more after Clive Smith's superstar is examined again by his vet Buffy Shirley-Beavan on Sunday morning.

Nicholls had initially thought that the injurycould have been a sprained fetlock. However, he later reported that Ascot's senior vet Sven Kold had informed him that it was possible that an infection was developing in one of Kauto Star's feet. If that was the case the problem could begin to improve within the next few days.

Kauto Star had hardened as favourite for the Gold Cup following his eight-length defeat of Monet's Garden in the Commercial First Chase but just after 6pm the eight-year-old was the subject of a sudden drift on betting exchange Betfair with stablemate Denman taking over as market leader.

Earlier in the day it had seemed that only an act of God would prevent Nicholls winning the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup in 26 days time.

The question racing had so badly wanted answering was with which of his two stars would he do it, and while Denman continues on the ascent, Kauto Star had showed that the final climb to chasing's summit would be extremely challenging with an emphatic triumph.

Set a more competitive test than Denman faced in the Aon Chase, Kauto Star dismissed the top class Monet's Garden and Racing Demon, the performance convincing William Hill to cut the defending champion to 8-11 favourite from 10-11 and leave Denman at 7-4, but he remains available to back at Evens with Ladbrokes, Coral and Totesport.

Nicholls said after the race: “I don't think I have ever been so nervous as I have been this week. I didn't even watch too much of it.

“We wanted him to win like he did today. There was a lot notin his favour round here by racing right-handed and over a trip short of three miles but we can relax a little now and make sure everything goes right in the next month.

“I think he is as well as he has ever been, if not better. He looks great, we've left plenty to work on again but he is probably a lot fitter than Denman because he is that type of horse. I have a month now to put him spot on.

“It's always difficult to pick one. I have a certain amount of loyalty to him because he is the reigning champion but you could see on today's performance he is going to be very hard to beat. With those two horses unless anything goes wrong one of those two horses should win the Gold Cup on what we've seen. It's great to have two good chances that seem to beway above the rest of the opposition at this moment.�

Monet's Garden is more likely to wait for the Grand National meeting, but third home Racing Demon is back in the Gold Cup picture.

Cheltenham starts tomorrow whats anyone fancy this week then?

These are mine for tomorrow

Supreme Novices
Muirhead
Sentry Duty

Arkle
Thyne Again
Leslingtaylor

Champion Hurdle
Katchit
Catch Me

William Hill
An Accordion
King Harald

Cross Country
Garde Champetre
Wonderkid

Fred Winter
Squadron
Western Point

I am not as up on my Cheltenham this year as I have not been able to study much while I have been recovering.

Supreme Novices
Muirhead
Khyber Kim

Arkle
Noland
Tidal Bay

Champion Hurdle
Ebaziyan
Catch Me

William Hill
Abragante
Patsy Hall

Cross Country
Head's on the Ground

Fred Winter
Squadron
Prince Erik



Been studying and watching for this years festival for the last 2 weeks. Lot of thought gone in for tomorrow so hopefully some profits can be made.

as ive been ill for the last week im behind on my Cheltenham studying as well...spent last few hours looking for tomorrow and have come up with this so far but will reduce it to 1 bet per race except champion hurdle after more reading in the racing post tomorrow morning.....

Supreme Novices
Tranquil Sea
Cork All Star
Rippling Ring

Arkle
Thyne Again
Moon Over Miami

Champion Hurdle
Katchit
Harchibald

William Hill
L`ami
An Accordian
Monkerhostin

Cross Country
Royal Auclair
Le Duc

Fred Winter
Grand Schlem
Zanir(been given an inside word on this BUT its £40/1 so just a £ or 2 e/w i think just in case)

Harchibald will be my only bet tommorow, i havn't had time to look at any of the races properly this year so will just go for that tomorrow then try and study some form for the other days.

No 5 year old has won this race since 1985, plus the last 4 winners have all been Irish trained.

Still going through the form for tomorrow but the one that stands out already for me is Kruguyrova in the Arkle. Has a lot of form lines with other horses. Goes well on the soft ground and stays the trip well. I cant have Noland at the price that he is and have to look for something each way. Kruguyrova also has the mares alowance of 7lbs which is a lot in a race like this and also has the champ on board.

I agree. I don't like Ruby riding in 2mile chases at Cheltenham, far too negaitve imo. I've still got nightmares of Missed That staying on for 5th two years ago.

Harchibald is an each way bet to nothing in the big race, whikst I fancy Sentry Duty in The First.

right bets are on a few changes to what i picked last night.....

Supreme Novices
Pigeon Island 9/1
Pasco 18/1

Arkle
Thyne Again 9/1


Champion Hurdle
Katchit 10/1
Harchibald 7/1

William Hill
Monkerhostin 8/1

Cross Country
Le Duc 12/1

Fred Winter
Grand Schlem 12/1
Zanir 28/1(wish id taken 40/1 last night!!!)

backed them all each way.....GOOD LUCK ALL

If anyone wants to test their tipping ability throughout Cheltenham feel free to sign up to OLBG where you can win prizes and also join the UKFF league and beat Baz every month

Had Snap Tie in the first e/w which was nice. Kruguyrova in the 2nd and Katchit in the Champion, still working on the rest of the card.

Has anyone been put off by the state of the ground at the moment??

Ground looks absolutly fine to me, yes its soft, but horses are running to form.

3rd at 20/1 and 2nd at 12/1 so far for me!

Shocker: English trained 5 year old wins the Champion Hurdle.

Somewhere theres a statitican crying.

Had the winner of the last two races so I'm about £10 up on my lucky 15 so far.

I'm going to Romford for some good old dog racing this weekend - never been before has anyone got any idea what to do to look 'in the know'?

Just the one winner for me today, Tidal Bay backed at 8/1 each-way.

Also backed Binoclar each-way at 8/1 for second.

3 winners today, luckily all on the same lucky 15

Tomorrows picks

Ballymore Properties
Group Captain
Venalmar

Royal and Sun Alliance
Albertas Run
Starzaan

Queen Mother
Voy Pur Ustedes
Schindlers Hunt

Coral Cup
Junior
Song of Songs

National Hunt Cup
Old Benny
Back On Line

Champion Bumper
Gold Award
Keki Buku

Had a dabble last night and had bets on Noland at 2/1 which came third however, had Katchit at 8/1, shame it drifted in the betting. Nearly backed Captain Cee Bee but didn't.

For Tomorrow. Albertas Run.

On the OLBG yesterday, I picked Katchit for some reason. Won that one.

I never bet with real money, but I'd get some notes on the Premiership matches tonight..

Chelsea to beat Derby
Aston Villa to beat struggling Middlesboro'
Portsmouth and Birmingham to have a nice draw.

In my opinion.

UKFF Tipsters Team link below..

http://www.online-betting-guide.co.uk/team/UKFF+Tipsters

Join now!

Cheltenham is off today

All of the races are to be run over the next 2 days. Racing starts at 12.30 the next 2 days.

Listened to Alan Brazil ont he way in this morning, he was still half cut and absolutely raging at it being called off, Legend.

Mine for the monster day that is tomorrow. Pissed off at having a hospital appointment at 3 o'clock. Damn car crash has affected me in all sorts of ways.

National Hunt Cup
Old Benny
Back On Line

Royal And Sun Alliance
Albertas Run
Starzaan

Jewson
The Hairy Lemon
Templer

Queen Mother
Voy Pur Ustedes
Schindlers Hunt

Ryanair
The Listener
L’Antartique

World Hurdle
Blazing Bailey
My Way De Solzen

Racing Post Plate
Il Duce
Kelrev

Pertemps
Backboard
Russian Trigger

Fulke Walwyn
Nykel
Ma Yahab

Champion Bumper
Gold Award
Keki Buku

heres my picks.....

National Hunt Cup
Back On Line

Royal And Sun Alliance
Albertas Run

Jewson
Barbers Shop

Queen Mother
Fair Along

Ryanair
Turko

World Hurdle
Lough Derg
My Way De Solzen

Racing Post Plate
Bible Lord

Pertemps
Gunner Jack

Fulke Walwyn
Noir Et Vert

Champion Bumper
Corskeagh Royale

The gold cup tomorrow is a two horse race with Denman and the favoruite Kuato star right?

But are there any other horses that might steal it or be worth a punt each way?

As a spectacle, today's Gold Cup is one of the best we'll ever see. As a betting medium, it isn't. Realistically, if every horse runs to form AND jumps the fences, Denman and Kauto Star will be in the first two, in some order. The pick for third is Exotic Dancer. He survived an injury scare and probably isn't improving, but if he had been at his peak four or five years ago, would arguably have been favourite for a Gold Cup. Jonjo must be right pissed off - he gets a good, quality horse and then fucking Kauto and Denman turn up.

Try two straight tricasts - Kauto-Denman-Exotic & Denman-Kauto-Exotic. Only for small stakes though, it's more about the top two.

I went to Cheltenham on Tuesday, and to those who haven't been, go. It really is a great day - drinking from 8am/9am in local pubs, making your way to the course, desperately figuring out a placepot, running round 60 bookmakers to find 16/1 for your 14/1 shot, hearing the roar for the first race, it's a great day. In the Best Mate enclosure, you're getting a whole day's top quality racing and entertainment for £20. A belting day.

My beasts for today. I am not against Kauto Star today, I just think my 2 represent better value.

Mares Only Hurdle
Theatre Girl
Whiteoak

Ballymore Properties
Group Captain
Venalmar

Coral Cup
Junior
Song of Songs

Triumph Hurdle
Franchoek
Beau Michel

Albert Bartlett
Nenuphar Collonges
The Tother One

Gold Cup
Denman
Halcon Genelardais

Christies
Alert The Earth
Natiain

Grand Annual
Howle Hill
Enlightenment

County Hurdle
Kings Revenge
Wingman

had a decent day yesterday have made a profit both days so far so im expexting a loss today!!!.......

Mares Only Hurdle
Refinement
Gaspara

Ballymore Properties
Forpadydeplasterer

Coral Cup
Whispered Promises
Song of Songs

Triumph Hurdle
Silverhand

Albert Bartlett
The Tother One

Gold Cup
Denman
Exotic Dancer
Neptune Collenges

Christies
French Thyne

Grand Annual
Andreas
Mister Quasimodo

County Hurdle
Premier Dane
Wanago


good luck all lets hope the gold cup lives upto the hype!!!!!

What a machine denman was today. Kauto never got near him which was a shame from the actual spectacle of the race point of view, but it showed what a machine denman was. I dont think kauto was at his best today, but even at his best i dont think he would have got his head in front today. What a training feat by nicholls though. 1-2-3 in the gold cup.

Denman was indeed a class act today,great Cheltenham i thought, roll on 2009!!!

Absolutely barrow load of money has been coming in on Tottenham tomorrow according to one of my friends who's a manager at Ladbrokes. Make of that what you will - Portsmouth are missing one or two bodies but nothing bordering on an injury crisis.

Burnley away to Preston is my super single this weekend.

Looks like this was right.

Yeah put a fiver on it, cheers for that

I just missed quarter to 1 so I couldn't stick Spurs on (cracking odds too, evens I think), but I had a Hull, Torquay, Reading and Blackburn on a £5 accumulator and still got £80 back.

Thank fuck Chelsea won!

Got a £5 accumaltor running at the moment.

Chelsea, Man Utd, Celtic, Villareal, Barcelona and Lyon to all win!

First 5 have won so far, just need Lyon to win later and im £75 up! Lyon at Home to PSG, watch them go and fuck it up for me!