Formbook: horse racing and sports blog

Ouch thats three in a row!!!

Sharapova, Galway 5:20, was not even close finishing well back.

Running total now +1.5

With no nap on Sunday (10th) all eyes turned to Folkestone, 4:50 and Billy One Punch.

It was a close race and a blanket could have been placed over the first four home. But sadly Billy One Punch finished out of the frame a close fourth at 8-1.

Another one off the total which now stands at +2.5.

Oh dear!! bang goes any hopes of three in a row.

Topatoo, York 5:30, put up a good show to finish second at 4-1.

Sadly we’re only counting winners for our running total so that brings one of the running total which now stands at +4.5.

Looks like we’ll have to wait to see if they can manage three naps in a row as yesterdays nap, Collateral Damage, Sothwell was a non runner.

Running total remains at +5.5

There’s the Merseyside derby and plenty of exciting debuts this weekend to look out for. If you’re looking for a bet that’s a bit different, have a good look at the football markets at Sporting Index. We’ve taken a look at some of their prices - new clients can claim a great free bet:

Everton v Liverpool (Saturday PremPlus 12:45)

Saturday’s early kick-off is at Goodison for the 175th Merseyside derby. Everton’s unexpected win at Spurs saw them break into the top four, and they could be sitting top once the full-time whistle is blown. The Toffees have McFadden ruled out with injury, but new signing Andy Johnson could be their lucky charm; the last time he faced Liverpool he scored the only goal of the game. However, Moyes’ men have a single victory from the last 13 matches against their old foes. Sporting Index believe their fruitless run will continue and have the Reds to win by 0.5 to 0.7 goals. This fixture is always a fiery affair and last season saw an incredible 17 yellow and four red cards. Unsurprisingly, punters are taking interest in what Graham Poll may do, and Sporting think he’ll show 6 yellow cards. Last season saw a 3-1 double in favour of Benitez’s side, so a prediction of 2.3 to 2.5 total goals is sure to stir up interest.

Man Utd v Spurs (Saturday PremPlus 17:15)

Spurs head up to Old Trafford having taken only 3 points from 9. The Red Devils are the only team with a 100% Premiership record and Sporting Index see them extending that and winning by 1 to 1.2 goals. Martin Jol may name Mido and Ledley King in the starting line-up and there should be debuts for Malbranque and Chimbonda. Spurs can take inspiration from their previous two visits where they’ve come away with a point. However it’ll be a tough chore to do any better - they haven’t won at United in 17 years. There have only been 9 goals in the last 5 meetings between these two and Sporting don’t predict fireworks with a spread of 2.5 to 2.7 total goals. Mike Riley has given 10 penalties at Old Trafford in the last 8 years and has shown a flurry of cards in the process. Sporting Index reckon there’ll be 4 cautions in Saturday’s late afternoon encounter.

West Ham v Villa (Sunday Sky Sports 1 16:00)

It’s exciting times for Hammers and Villans alike as Upton Park witnesses the debut of key personnel for both teams. The Irons pulled off the transfer story of the summer by capturing Tevez and Mascherano and they’re expected to fire Pardew’s men to victory by 0.3 to 0.5 goals. Villa will look to new boy Petrov with Baros, Bouma and Berger returning from long-term injury. They will increase the options for Martin O’Neill as he looks to record Villa’s first victory in East London for 10 years. West Ham have impressed with their attacking philosophy and you’d hope for more than 2.7 goals that Sporting estimate. Steve Bennett has a tendency to brandish cards and Sporting Index predict he’ll show 4 yellows during Sunday’s game.

Hopefully that’s given you something to think about. For all the latest prices and to apply for your Sporting Index account, click here.

The new NFL Season is underway, and there’s only one place to go if you’re thinking about having a spread bet on any of the action between now and Super Bowl XLI. Sporting Index offer more American Football markets and cover more live games than any other spread betting firm. With a free £100 on offer to all new clients** (details below), you could be celebrating no matter how your team gets on. Here are our thoughts on this season’s top sides:

Will Pittsburgh Steel The Show Again?

The AFC East division is essentially a straight shootout between New England and Miami. Despite Bill Belichick guiding the Patriots to 3 Super Bowl titles in the past 5 years, doubts are surfacing as to whether he can repeat the same form. He needs Tom Brady to stay injury free and much will be expected from rookie running back Laurence Maroney. Question marks remain over a defense that’s slipping and the loss of 3 key players to free agency. Deion Branch may have recorded a career high 78 catches last year, but his contract dispute could see him miss the first 10 weeks of the season. Although Sporting Index make the Patriots favourites, Miami signalled their intentions early by winning the last 6 games of last season. Nick Saban’s well drilled outfit still have a strong defense and new quarterback Daunte Culpepper could help the Dolphins steal the glory.

Defending Super Bowl champions Pittsburgh will be pushed all the way by last season’s divisional champions Cincinnati in the North. Much will depend on whether sensational quarterback Roethlisberger fully recovers from his off-season motoring accident and recent appendectomy. The Bengal’s hopes rest on quarterback Carson Palmer. They need a stronger defensive showing this time round and have signed defensive tackle Sam Adams to remedy that problem. Baltimore, with their strong defense and good running game could surprise the pundits, especially after the signing of quarterback Steve McNair. Down in the South, the Colts should triumph despite the loss of Edgerrin James and linebacker David Thornton. They still have the game’s best quarterback in Peyton Manning as well as two quality wide receivers in Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. Their offense is simply too strong.

In the NFC, the East division is so strong that each team is a potential Super Bowl winner! Dallas have signed wide receiver Terrell Owens and Sporting Index make them favourites in the division. Philly were NFC champions 3 years in a row before last season, but their sack production dipped last year. Defensive end Darren Howard has a career average of 0.5 sacks per game and his signing could prove to be very shrewd.

Over in the West, it’s hard to see past defending NFC champions Seattle. They’ve caught everyone’s attention by bolstering their defense with 49ers’ linebacker Julian Preston. A great defense is also likely to see Chicago emerge as champions of the North

In the south, Carolina’s defense looks very dominant and many punters are already tipping them for Super Bowl glory. Keyshawn Johnson has signed from Dallas and the wide receiver could be the missing link they’re after. He’ll play opposite Steve Smith, who scored career-high touchdowns, catches and receiving yards last year. Although New Orleans are set to struggle again this year, they’ll generate much excitement through the signing of Reggie Bush.  He is viewed as one of the best running backs in college football history and Sporting have a season performance market dedicated to him called ‘Saint Reggie’:

This market gives 1 point per all-purpose yard he makes, including rushing/passing/receiving and kick returns, plus 25 points per touchdown. Sporting Index have a spread of 1215 to 1295 points.

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Well another winner this time at Uttoxeter in the 3:00 with Schicken Otto coming in at 2-1.

This brings the running total to +5.5.

Well lets start off with a bit of an apology. I started this blog with the intention of recording the performance of the naps (best bet of the day) give by the team at one4racing.Time got the better of me and as the result the number of posts has been low. Anyway enough of that….

We start on a positive note with a winner. Yesterdays nap was Trojan Flight in the 5:00 at Catterick at it duly obliged at 7/2.

Okay, lets make this Interesting, and start record the profit and loss for the naps!!

So, so far, the running total is +3.5.