http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/news_blog en gareth.cartman@gmail.com Copyright 2010 2010-03-08T21:04:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/ruby_walsh_in_grand_national_headache_tricky_trickster_or_big_fella_thanks/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/ruby_walsh_in_grand_national_headache_tricky_trickster_or_big_fella_thanks/#When:21:04:00Z Ruby Walsh has a selection headache for the Grand National: that’s why they’re both favourites… Two horses at 10/1 for the Grand National, and Ruby Walsh could be riding either one of them. That's the tempting choice for one of the world's leading jockeys - and he also has Snowy Morning to consider as well. The Paul Nicholls contenders Tricky Trickster and Big Fella Thanks are the ones to look out for, and the latter has been on top form. Having come in 6th last year, he's got the Aintree experience behind him which counts for everything on the day. The likelihood is that Walsh will go for the latter: he's within the weights renowned for winning Nationals, and the form is well and truly stacked up behind him. He's as low as 8/1 with some bookmakers, while some are actually going as high as 12/1 if you look around. 20/1 shot Snowy Morning is his other choice, for Willie Mullins - and it's Mullins' Grand National record that is grabbing Walsh's eye in this case. Come back for more from FreeBetBookmaker over Cheltenham and Aintree... 2010-03-08T21:04:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/ready_steady_blow_volcano_betting_erupts/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/ready_steady_blow_volcano_betting_erupts/#When:14:39:00Z Ireland’s largest bookmaker, Paddy Power, have begun taking bets on the next volcano to erupt with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 3 or greater. This unorthodox betting opportunity was fuelled by numerous requests from punters around the globe following the recent eruption of Mount Mayon in the Philippines. Ireland’s largest bookmaker, Paddy Power, have begun taking bets on the next volcano to erupt with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 3 or greater. This unorthodox betting opportunity was fuelled by numerous requests from punters around the globe following the recent eruption of Mount Mayon in the Philippines. Mount Unzen on the island of Kyūshū in Japan, which was most recently active from 1990 to 1995, has attached the biggest number of bets so far and has been installed at the bookmakers 3/1 favourite. The largest volcano on the planet, Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, is the 9/1 second favourite with Ulawun in Papua New Guinea close behind at odds of 10/1. A Volcanic Explosivity Index of 3 would be considered severe but not uncommon with volcano’s such as Mount Vesuvius, Mount Etna, Surtsey, Eldfell, Nevado del Ruiz all experiencing this class of eruption over the past hundred years. Household names such as Italy’s Mount Vesuvius and Mount Etna also feature in the bookmakers betting and are both available to back at odds of 28/1. Paddy Power said “It’s amazing what punters will bet on and this particular betting market had our odds compilers literally outside their comfort zone. Suffice to say it’s a lot easier to figure out the odds on a football match than on a volcano erupting, but definitely not as much fun!” NEXT VOLCANO TO ERUPT 3/1 Mt Unzen (Japan) 9/1 Mauna Loa (USA) 10/1 Ulawun (Papua New Guinea) 10/1 Merapi (Indonesia) 10/1 Santorini (Greece) 11/1 Colima (Mexico) 11/1 Rainier (USA) 11/1 Taal (Philippines) 11/1 Teide (Spain, Canary Islands) 12/1 Mt Nyiragongo (DR Congo) 12/1 Popocatepetl (Mexico) 14/1 Sakurajima (Japan) 16/1 Stromboli (Italy) 22/1 Avachinsky (Russia) 22/1 Galeras (Colombia) 28/1 Mt Vesuvius (Italy) 28/1 Chaiten (Chile) 28/1 Etna (Italy) 33/1 Santa Maria/Santiaguito (Guatemala) 33/1 Yellowstone (USA) (*VEI of 3 of greater. Excludes Mayon Volcano) 2009-12-31T14:39:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/fbbs_favourite_athelete_the_very_hot_kelly_sotherton/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/fbbs_favourite_athelete_the_very_hot_kelly_sotherton/#When:12:57:00Z Here at FBB, we’re not afraid to announce our admiration for ladies of the hot variety - and so, we give you our very favourite athlete, Kelly Sotherton, and our second favourite Jessica Ennis - not that we’re betting on BBC Sports Personality of the Year here! So - with Jessica Ennis stealing the hearts of many, we decided we'd put it to the vote. Leave your vote as a comment below. Now then, Miss Ennis appears to be rivalling Jenson Button for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, but we thought Kelly Sotherton would have had a chance, had she not been injured. While she has been recuperating, Ennis has stolen her thunder. So - over to you to decide who is hotter... Kelly Sotherton Jessica Ennis 2009-11-27T12:57:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/top_10_commentators_gaffes/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/top_10_commentators_gaffes/#When:18:28:00Z We all like to think we could do better than the commentators on TV - and Sky’s Fanzone shows us just how wrong we are. Still, it’s great to have a laugh at them when they do get it wrong… like this bunch. Can you think of any others??? 10. Alan Brazil Now there's a man who could never quite control himself. Sacked more times than Big Ron, he never quite got over this classic: - "I was sad to hear yesterday about the death of Inspector Morse, TV's John Shaw."  - "John Thaw, Alan."  - "Do you know, I've been doing that all morning. John, if you're listening, sorry mate" 9. Murray Walker There are so many gaffes by Murray Walker that we'd have to write a whole book, but we picked this one as our favourite: “There is nothing wrong with the car except that it is on fire” 8. Alan Brazil (again) "Our talking point this morning is George Best, his liver transplant and the booze culture in football. Don’t forget, the best caller wins a crate of John Smith’s" 7. Willie Carson Good old Willie, a legend on an orange box. It's a little harsh that we haven't included Clare Balding in this, after her horror show at the Grand National, but here's Willie at his very best, with Clare... Clare Balding: "How do jockeys prepare for such a big race?" Willie Carson: "They usually have four or five dreams a night about coming from different positions." 6. Harry Carpenter One of our favourite old Colemanballs... "Ah, isn't that nice. The wife of the Cambridge President is kissing the Cox of the Oxford crew." 5. David Pleat David regularly confuses us, and once more, there are thousands of Pleatisms that could have gone in here... “Steven Gerrard is one of only a few Liverpool players who never get left out by Rafa. And even he doesn't always get picked” 4. Ted Walsh Commentating on the horses is a tricky job indeed - and Ted Walsh just put his foot in it. "This is really a lovely horse. I once rode her mother."  3. John Motson Motty realised he'd said this almost immediately, but decided to carry on with his own stat-laden bravado. Well done to him... "And for those of you watching in black and white, Spurs are playing in yellow." 2. Ron Atkinson No list of gaffes is complete without Big Ron, the man who enlivened many a shite match on ITV before being sacked for being a racist bigot. Here he is at his non-racist best. “Argentina are the second-best team in the world, and there’s no higher praise than that” 1. Pat Glenn, weightlifting commentator It has to be. From the Olympics, the gaffe that went around the world. Sorry, Pat... "And this is Gregoriava from Bulgaria. I saw her snatch this morning and it was amazing"  Remember, it's better with a free bet. 2009-09-30T18:28:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/its_still_sea_the_stars_even_at_4_6_in_the_prix_de_larc_de_triomphe/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/its_still_sea_the_stars_even_at_4_6_in_the_prix_de_larc_de_triomphe/#When:18:19:00Z Sea the Stars is such a huge favourite that even the bookies are looking elsewhere - with bets being taken on John Oxx’s legendary horse breaking Peintre Celebre’s course record time.  Rarely have we seen a horse as good as Sea the Stars - in fact, so good that if he wins the Prix de l'Arc on Sunday, which everyone expects him to, then he could become the greatest racehorse of all time, according to the Timeform statistics. And that would make John Oxx a very, very rich man when Sea the Stars inevitably goes to stud next year. In fact, John Oxx is going to be a very rich man whatever happens at Longchamp on Sunday. The rest of the field is, well - not quite as good. It would take a real off-day from Sea The Stars, of which we have seen none, for the likes of Fame and Glory and Conduit to really put up a fight. In fact, I'm looking further down the field to Cavalryman, as long as 10/1 with some bookies, as the horse that will chase home Sea the Stars, and Beheshtam, who is no slacker - to get a valiant each-way. The French horses usually love this one - and English horses, primarily those who run early season in the Derby and fade as the winter coat grows, do not. In fact, as I always tell you at this time of year, the Arc is almost always won by a 3-year-old French-trained horse, probably Andre Fabre's, and one that won the Prix Niel. Cavalryman fits the bill, but he's no Hurricane Run, and he's certainly no Peintre Celebre. Elsewhere, it will be the last race for legendary Yeats in the Prix du Cadran on Sunday, so at 9/4 he may not be the best price in the world, but it would be worth sticking around after the Prix de l'Arc just to see him one last time. Remember, it's better with a free bet. 2009-09-30T18:19:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/the_top_10_worst_football_managers_ever/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/the_top_10_worst_football_managers_ever/#When:15:29:00Z There have been some shockers over the years, but we’ve been wondering just who the very very worst football managers were. And that doesn’t include myself when I took over Southampton on Football Manager 2001. I was god-awful, but redeemed myself later, so I’m off the list. So who’s on there?  10 Claude Anelka If ever you're feeling a little down, seek solace in the fact that there is always someone less able than you. To do anything. Claude Anelka is that man. Having given up getting his brother signed to any club that would pay more than £20m, he decided he could go and manage a football club, despite never having played the game before. He offered £300,000 to Raith Rovers, using some kind of mystery magic dust to make them believe that he was the next Wenger. He brought in some French players that nobody in France had ever heard of - in fact, many of them had never played in a side with eleven players before - and got an amazing one, yes, one single point, from 24. Brilliant. 9 Tony Adams If one horrible failure at Wycombe Wanderers doesn't underline the fact that this man can't manage, the hatchet job he did on Portsmouth was enough to convince the whole world. Tony Adams always looked like his house had just been burgled - that far-away, troubled stare did nothing to inspire the Pompey players who fell apart, probably because his team talks were all in rhyming couplets. Ten points from sixteen games was enough for Tony, who will unfortunately never, ever become a manager. 8 Peter Reid It's rather unfair to place Peter Reid here for his Leeds days, as they were already on the slide. And Manchester City fans will rightly remind us that they were sixth when he was sacked - something of a crime. However, Sunderland fans will recant, misty-eyed, the days when they had all that money to spend on Argentinian midfielders nobody, not even manager Reid, had heard of. Coventry fans will wax lyrical about the time Monkey Heid took them to the bottom of the Championship. Good old Peter had a penchant for expensive foreign signings that would rot away in the reserves, wrecking clubs wherever he went. Remember most of those old First Division sides now slumbering away in the Championship or League One? Monkey Heid did that. Everton fans still tremble at the thought that when Davie Moyes does leave us for someone with a bit of money, the headlines will read: "Peter Reid New Everton Manager". Sleepless nights indeed. 7 Dave Bassett Wherever Dave Bassett went, the spectre of relegation followed. In one ludicrous season, he managed to relegate two clubs, proving his worth on this list. Having made his reputation at Wimbledon as a hit and hoper, Bassett stumbled from club to club, and was even brought in as a 'technical adviser' at Nottingham Forest before being given the opportunity to f-ck it up completely as manager. 6 Bryan Robson Captain Marvel could get a Man of the Match award from ITV's Big Match commentators even if Utd weren't even playing. That's how highly regarded he was until he became a manager. At Middlesborough, he benefited from some benevolent chairmanship, and even got Boro promoted a couple of times. He also got them relegated, too, and lost Cup finals on the way. He then went on to manage West Brom, getting them relegated, and was kicked out of Sheffield United for being horribly crap there, too. His record at Bradford is even funnier. Get this: 22 points from 27 games. And he still manages to keep finding jobs. Captain Marvel has become Manager Pooh. 5 Paul Sturrock It's amazing that this man took Plymouth up the leagues, especially as the enduring image of this chubby waster is of him scoffing pies at Southampton while his players. Now he's back, he is averaging a wonderful 1.08 points per game. 4 Mike Walker You'll forgive me if there's a slight Everton twist to this, and Norwich fans will forgive me for including one of their managerial legends. Mike Walker's ghost still stalks the halls of Goodison Park, with stories of his shocking management style. He lost the dressing room early during his tenure at Goodison, turning up late to training and rarely participating. Neville Southall refused to back down, telling the boss that he had the "warmest bed in Liverpool", they saw him so infrequently. Walker somehow kept Everton up, although Hans Segers' back pocket may have been weighing him down. He proceeded to muck it all up at the start of next season, and Joe Royle stepped in to show him how it was meant to be done, winning the FA Cup with the same squad. 3 Glenn Roeder This man should come with a warning. One of the greatest con artists to have ever managed a club - Glenn's record as a manager was shocking, wherever he went, but he still turned up at interviews boasting that he got more points than any other relegated manager. Not much to shout about. Five months without a home win is even less to shout about, and his record at Norwich was second to everyone. 2 Alan Ball A great man, and a great player in his day, but my God, what a terrible manager he was. Alan Ball shrieked from the sidelines to little effect. Of the six clubs he managed, he succeeded in getting five of them relegated, including one hilarious episode where he told his Manchester City players to play for a draw when they really needed a win to stay up. 1 Graeme Souness You know the feeling. When your team's manager gets the sack, you're inevitably thinking that you might be linked with a former player or an international boss, or some bright young thing who has taken clubs up a few divisions - maybe the next Cloughie. But then the papers start talking about Souey - the bookies stop taking bets - and you know the club's in trouble. The man who dismantled Liverpool's array of stars and replaced them with the likes of Piechnik (us Everton fans still laugh to this day), and then got scammed at Southampton by 'George Weah's cousin', Ali Dea - not even watching the guy in training - is top of every worst manager's list, and is most definitely top of this one. 2009-09-27T15:29:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/prix_de_larc_de_triomphe_the_free_bet_bookmaker_preview/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/prix_de_larc_de_triomphe_the_free_bet_bookmaker_preview/#When:18:09:00Z FBB is already rubbing his hands with anticipation - this is shaping up to be either a) the easiest bet of the year AND a huge cakewalk or b) the easiest bet of the year AND I prove my rule. What’s my rule? And why doesn’t it apply to a)? If you're new to FBB, then bear with me and I'm sorry for the gloating. I love the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe partly because a) I used to live in Paris and went there 10 years in a row and b) I used to win most of the time. How did I win most of the time? Well, it's because I followed a simple formula that has been broken the last two years, and that I have been willing to break just once. I may, just may, be willing to break it again, depending on the ground. Let's get to that when we get to that. This year, there is a big chance that Sea The Stars will run (and win) the Prix de l'Arc. This, without a doubt, is the greatest horse of his generation and of many generations before him. He ranks alongside Galileo and Hurricane Run (my previous favourite horse), and doesn't even break into a sweat when he streaks away from the opposition. Put simply, he's a winner and nobody can stop him, especially in this relatively weak Arc field. So, if Sea The Stars runs, I will break the following rule that works 8/10 times: - French-trained 3-year-old male - Preferably connected with Andre Fabre - At most 6 or 7 races in the year - Has won all of them - Won the Prix Niel in September - Did not win the English Derby It takes an exceptional horse to break the rule - Zarkava did just that last year (the filly), and Dylan Thomas fluked it the year before because there was no viable French alternative. This year, there is - and if Sea The Stars does not run, then you have Cavalryman, who fits the bill perfectly, and Beheshtam, whose star waned and is now waxing as a result of a valiant second in the Prix Niel. Cavalryman is an Andre Fabre horse, is a 3-year old male, has the Prix Niel and the Grand Prix de Paris in his back pocket, and is unbeaten. Longchamp, and the distance of the Arc, will prove no problem - in fact, he will probably chase home Sea The Stars quite well. I even have nightmares of Sea The Stars treading water on that long, long home straight at Longchamp, with Cavalryman charging through - but those are just nightmares. If Sea The Stars does not run, then this will be my top 3: 1 - Cavalryman 2 - Vision d'Etat 3 - Beheshtam If Sea The Stars does run, then just push them all down by one. This is an exceptional race, run in exceptional conditions, with exceptional horses. Keep your eye on the ground, keep your ear to the ground, and put your money on one or the other, depending on which way John Oxx's decision goes. 2009-09-16T18:09:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/key_carberry_ramprakash_denly_who_will_england_pick_at_the_oval_for_the_5th/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/key_carberry_ramprakash_denly_who_will_england_pick_at_the_oval_for_the_5th/#When:19:31:00Z Frankly, Headingley was a load of old rubbish and we know it. It merely exposed what, for everyone bar the England selectors, was the folly behind our selection policy. Players clearly unable to string innings together and unable to play themselves into form. So do we stick with the tired and tested (no spelling mistake) or do we try something a little different? var uri = 'http://impgb.tradedoubler.com/imp?type(js)g(17801524)a(1511557)' + new String (Math.random()).substring (2, 11); document.write(''); There is a school of thought that we have already lost the Ashes, and that Lords was a blip. That particular school will tell you to rip up the teamsheet and start again, maybe even getting rid of Andrew Strauss, whose captaincy has veered between the lucky and the confusing this summer. There is another school of thought (Andrew Strauss's), that says the team should be able to dig itself out of the hole it has dug for itself. Time, though, is up for Ravi Bopara, a player whom the Australians worked out from the first ball. He has the swagger, so they say, but he's technically exposed, and doesn't have the temperament. They were right, and our selectors were wrong. It's time to acknowledge that, and drop him until he grows up. In his place, I would bring in the fast maturing Michael Carberry. I've watched this lad develop into a solid batsman who doesn't seem fazed by the slightest aggravation. He's an England player for the future, and perhaps for many years. Time is also up for Ian Bell, who is still as flaky as he ever was. His sublime talent, which is only displayed fleetingly these days, seems to desert him against top-class opposition, and he cannot be in the Oval team for me. In his place, for one test only, I would play Mark Ramprakash. He's the country's number one batsman and he's there to do a job - hold the innings together. That was Pietersen's role, and it will be his role in South Africa. Paul Collingwood is another who gets away with a timely innings every now and again. He's had another poor summer, looking dreadfully out of shape against the in-swinger, and I'd go for another debutant, Jonathan Trott, who has had a fantastic summer and deserves to step up. Either we have two failures from Collingwood, or we try a future England regular out. Let's show some guts and do it now. Lords was a blip. In every other test this summer, the Australians have outperformed England, and have taken advantage of the conditions. They also look bang in form, with Stuart Clark returning and bowling superb line and length. Quite why England decided to bowl short all the time is a mystery only Andrew Strauss can answer. Win the Ashes, and Andrew Strauss will no doubt be lauded as a hero. However, that's highly unlikely now at the Oval against an Australia side that have pulled their socks up, sorted their game out, and are set to take the Ashes home, and deservedly so. So let's take a risk and change that fragile batting line up, it can't get any worse. 2009-08-10T19:31:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/sastre_to_power_up_the_alps_tour_de_france_betting/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/sastre_to_power_up_the_alps_tour_de_france_betting/#When:08:35:00Z So Alberto Contador is now 4/11 to win the Tour de France, and he’s probably just about the right value at those odds. However, if you’re looking for an alternative bet, then Carlos Sastre is 33/1 and he loves the Alps - there’s every chance he’s been saving himself for the last week, which will really separate the wheat from the chaff. Bet 10 get 20 on the Tour de France with Paddy Power. It's been a cracker of a Tour so far, and Hincapie's rapid rise up the rankings has shaken a few people up. However, few expect him to survive this gruelling final week which culminates in a huge climb up the Mont Ventoux. Alberto Contador is the huge favourite with the bookies, with many quoting him at 1/3 or 4/11, so it's worth looking further down the field. Naturally, you can never discount Lance Armstrong, who is still in there and is some kind of super human. In fact, I'd love him to win it if only to annoy the French, who despise anyone who craves success. Even Frenchmen who crave success. It's as if they only like people who love failure, and their continuing whining at Mark Cavendish's brilliance is another reason to wish a thunderstorm upon the entire nation. Still... betting without Contador gives you 10/1 against Sastre, and 33/1 with Contador in the field. He's well off the pace right now, but a couple of breakaways in the Alps and he might well be in with a chance. Cadel Evans is another one quoted at the same odds, and he's someone who can take advantage of his power up the mountains. The battle for green, however, has been one of the main talking points. Thor Hushovd is now 1/5 to win it after Mark Cavendish was disqualified yesterday for 'leaning' upon another rider. That's a huge shame as the sprints are all but finished now as the race heads into a week in the mountains. Cavendish is still 3/1 and there's no doubt that he'll be in the front row heading down the Champs Elysees, which has been his dream all along. That could get him the points he requires to win the green jersey, so 3/1 is tempting. And looking ahead to the Vuelte, the Tour of Spain, Alberto Contador is our dead cert for this one, and he's 5/4 with Paddy Power at the moment - odds that are well worth taking. 2009-07-19T08:35:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/paddy_power_to_refund_bets_on_lance_armstrong_if_he_fails_a_drugs_test/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/paddy_power_to_refund_bets_on_lance_armstrong_if_he_fails_a_drugs_test/#When:19:26:00Z Good old Paddy Power - I like this one. They’ll refund any money placed on Lance Armstrong if he fails a drugs test in this year’s Tour de France. The betting is hotting up, and the sensible money is on Contador, who could dominate the Tour for many years to come, he’s that good. But can Armstrong beat him with one last hurrah? Bookie Paddy Power, whose bet 10 get 20 free bet is the best we have, will refund all bets on legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong if the returning hero fails a drugs test in this year’s Tour De France. Even though Armstrong has ridden under his own cloud of suspicion down the years, the seven time champion is returning to the gruelling Tour looking to restore some of professional cycling’s drug-addled reputation - as well as win a historic eighth yellow jersey. Armstrong is the 11/2 second favourite to win the Tour De France behind hot favourite Alberto Contador at 11/10. As with many sports Paddy Power has seen a firm split between the head and the heart in the betting. The emotional money has been firmly toward Armstrong whilst Contador, winner of the Tour two years ago and considered the best rider in the world, attracts the serious wagers. Darren Haines, spokesman for Paddy Power, said: “Lance winning an eighth Tour De France would be the second greatest achievement by an Armstrong after the moon landing so it would be a travesty for cycling and Armstrong himself were he to add to the long list of failed drugs tests in the sport. “But his backers would also be hard done by to see their punts suffer a puncture having gambled in good faith.” With Armstrong and Contador riding for the same Astana team they are just 4/9 to top the team classification come the end of the race. Britain’s Mark Cavendish, seen by many as the best sprinter in the world, is the hot Evens money favourite to win the green sprinters jersey. The world champion is 5/2 to win five or more stages during the Tour whilst its 10/3 he repeats last year’s performance with four stage wins and 9/2 for an unexpected zero. Cavendish, largely due to his lengthy odds to win the Tour at 300/1, is Paddy Power’s worst result in the book with a payout currently in the region of £150,000. For the other jerseys David Moncoutie is 6/4 favourite to be crowned King of the Mountains, ahead of race favourite Contador at 5/1, whilst Andy Schleck is just 4/9 to win the white jersey for the younger riders. PADDY POWER MONEY-BACK SPECIAL – ARMSTRONG SHOOTS FOR THE MOON If Lance Armstrong is banned during the tour for a failed drug test, Paddy Power will refund all losing outright bets on him. Ts & Cs: Applies to outright singles only. Applies to win part of each way bets only. We will refund on Lance Armstrong if he is confirmed as having been disqualified by the ASO. Max refund €300/£200 per customer/bet. Paddy Power Cycling Rules apply. TOUR DE FRANCE BETTING Tour De France Yellow Jersey Winner 11/10 Contador 11/2 Armstrong 13/2 A Schleck 8/1 Evans 14/1 Menchov 16/1 Sastre 25/1 Leipheimer 33/1 Gesink 33/1 F Schleck 40/1 Kreuziger 40/1 Rogers 40/1 Vandevelde 50/1 Kloden 50/1 Efimkin 50/1 Sanchez 80/1 Millar 300/1 Cavendish Others available. e/w ¼ odds 1, 2, 3 How Many Stage Will Mark Cavendish Win? 9/2 None 9/2 One 4/1 Two 10/3 Three 10/3 Four 5/2 Five or more Green Jersey Evs Cavendish; 3 Freire; 11-2 Bennati; 13-2 Hushovd; 14 Farrar; 16 Haussler; 20 Kirchen; 22 Cancellara; 25 Ciolek; 66 Armstrong Others available. e/w ¼ odds 1, 2, 3 King of the Mountains 6-4 Moncoutie; 5 Contador; 8 A Schleck; 10 Gesink, Moreau; 11 F Schleck; 12 Chavanel; 16 Martin; 18 Sastre; 20 Pellizotti; 22 Di Gregorio; 25 Voeckler, Anton, Martin; 80 Armstrong Others available. e/w ¼ odds 1, 2, 3 White Jersey 4-9 A Schleck; 4 Gesink; 9-2 Kreuziger; 14 Martin; 16 Nibali; 22 Dekker; 33 Sorensen; 40 Lovkvist; 250 Cavendish Others available. e/w ¼ odds 1, 2, 3 2009-07-02T19:26:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/michael_jackson_is_dead_but_will_he_be_christmas_number_1_bet_on_it/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/michael_jackson_is_dead_but_will_he_be_christmas_number_1_bet_on_it/#When:08:06:00Z Yeah, I know, we should really have waited a couple of days, but Paddy Power have already published a list of odds on Michael Jackson. You suspect that they may have had a “BBC Queen Mother death"-style operation in place for the last twenty years, but hey ho - bet on it! So Michael Jackson is dead, and that's all very sad. But what's even sadder is that you just know some suit in a record company is rubbing his hands, safe in the knowledge that CD sales will now go through the roof. There's nothing but a surge in posthumous sales to keep the suits happy. Anyway, there you go - our advice is "Bet on it". Bookies Paddy Power are predicting that the Prince of Pop will once again top the charts and are offering odds of 5/2 for the late singer to be this years Christmas number one.  Betting is also available on how many Michael Jackson songs will be covered by acts performing at this weekend’s Glastonbury Festival. Paddy Power are also offering odds on the name of the inevitable Michael Jackson motion picture.  “Michael” has emerged as the 4/1 favourite followed by “Invincible” at 8/1.  Less likely options include “Black or White” at 50/1 and “The Lost Children” at 100/1. Paddy Power said “No matter how you feel about Michael Jackson he was one of the biggest influences on modern pop music and we’re sure his massive contribution will be celebrated at Glastonbury this weekend” How many Michael Jackson songs will be covered at Glastonbury the weekend? 2/1    None 4/5    One to Five inc’ 7/4    Six to Ten inc’ 4/1    Over ten     Will Michael Jackson be the 2009 UK Christmas Number One 5/2    Yes Name of the Michael Jackson Movie 4/1    Michael 8/1    Invincible 9/1    Thriller 10/1    You Are Not alone 10/1    Leave Me Alone 12/1    Bad 16/1    Prince of Pop 16/1    Dangerous 16/1    Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough 18/1    Man in the Mirror 18/1    We're Almost There 20/1    What More Can I Give 20/1    One Day in Your Life 33/1    Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 33/1    I Just Can't Stop Loving You 50/1    Black or White 66/1    Beat it 66/1    PYT (Pretty Young Thing) 100/1    The Lost Children 2009-06-26T08:06:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/will_the_oasis_gig_at_slane_castle_go_ahead_betting_odds/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/will_the_oasis_gig_at_slane_castle_go_ahead_betting_odds/#When:09:32:00Z The good thing about Oasis (and those good things have been decreasing in number since 1996) is that they’re always worth a story. So what a surprise that, despite being the noughties equivalent of the Rolling Stones in the 90s, they’re still feuding. Brats. Let’s bet on it! Bookies Paddy Power are betting this Saturday’s Oasis gig could quite literally be slain if the feuding brothers don’t kiss and make up before their scheduled weekend appearance. It’s 8/1 that Liam pulls out of this Saturday’s concert at Slane Castle in County Meath leaving his slightly more responsible brother Noel to go it alone, and just 9/1 that the gig gets cancelled completely. The Manc pair have allegedly been at war for more than two weeks and have refused to even sit in the same room together. And even if Liam does decide to be mature and show up on stage, it’s still no guarantee the wild man of rock will stay put. Paddy Power are quoting just 3/1 that Liam will storm off the stage and just 8/1 that he’ll get into a bust up with brother Noel on Saturday night. Sharon McHugh, spokesperson for Paddy Power said "It wouldn’t be the first time the brothers have come to blows or missed concerts because of their sibling squabbles. But Slane is such a massive gig so with a bit of luck they’ll put their differences behind them on the night! Paddy Power are also betting on what cliché/phrase frontman Liam will say first. ‘Howareya’ is the bookies 3/1 favourite followed by ‘Mad for it’ at 7/2 and ‘Let’s be ‘avin ya’ at 4/1. The odds on Liam proclaiming his love for Noel are a slim 16/1 while it’s 50/1 he claims Oasis are bigger than Jesus! Will Liam show up at Slane?   1/25    Yes     8/1    No   Slane Specials     3/1    Liam to storm off stage in a strop at Slane     4/1    A rock to hit Liam or Noel on stage     8/1    Liam and Noel to have a bust up (physical fight on stage)     9/1    Oasis to cancel their Slane gig altogether     10/1    Liam and Noel to thrash their rooms after the gig   50/1    Liam to throw a TV out of their room window Cliché Betting - What will Liam say first?     3/1     Howareya!     7/2     Mad for it!     4/1     Lets be 'avin' ya!     6/1     I can't be arssed     8/1     It's great to be back     8/1     They don't get it   10/1     It's about the music   12/1     This one's for Yoko   14/1     What Recession   16/1     I love Noel I do   18/1     He's not my brother     20/1     Me and him are cool   33/1     Posh boys can't take drugs   50/1     We're bigger than Jesus 100/1     Paddy Power Get a bet 10 get 20 free bet offer from Paddy Power. 2009-06-17T09:32:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/new_season_betting_opening_fixtures_are_out_already_odds_from_paddy_power/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/new_season_betting_opening_fixtures_are_out_already_odds_from_paddy_power/#When:09:28:00Z It feels like only yesterday the season ended, but the new season’s fixtures are out already. As an Evertonian, I’m looking forward to whupping some Arse on the first day (and have never used that word before), while I’m bemused at Newcastle being favourites for the Championship. Anyway. On we go… Bookie Paddy Power has issued betting for the first day of the football season with champions Manchester United once again the team to beat. Despite losing £80million man Ronaldo champions Man United are again title favourites at 7/5. Fergie’s boys are 1/5 to win their first fixture against Birmingham with Alex McLeish’s side 14/1 for an opening day upset. However the champion’s first big test will come on August 29th when they meet Arsenal and Paddy Power are offering 4/5 on United with an Arsenal win at Old Trafford 13/8 and the draw 11/5. Carlos Ancelotti’s first game for Chelsea is against Hull and he’s 1/5 to open with the full three points and 12/5 to win the title. Last season’s runner-up Liverpool are 3/1 for the long awaited title trophy. Burnley, this season’s minnows in the big league, are 4/7 favourites for relegation but will be looking to do a Hull City and catch everyone off their guard with a few early season surprises. Owen Coyle’s side face last year’s relegation fancies Stoke City who Paddy Power incorrectly paid out on for the drop last season. Which of these two teams will Paddy Power be paying out on first this time round? Burnley are 10/3 to win their first game in the Premier League with Stoke’s strong home record making them the 5/6 favourites. Darren Haines, spokesman for Paddy Power, said; “It’s as you were for the Big Four in the early betting but early punters fancy this to be a real shake up season. More early money is going on teams to break the Big Four monopoly than we’ve ever seen before at the fixtures day point of the off season.”   Outside of the Premier League Newcastle are the 9/2 favourites for The Championship followed by fellow relegation victims West Brom and Middlesbrough at 11/2 and 13/2. Leeds are 3/1 favourites for League One with Rotherham the 7/1 market leaders in League Two. PREMIER LEAGUE – Opening Day Fixtures Match Home Draw Away Aston Villa v Wigan 4/6 12/5 9/2 Blackburn v Man City 7/4 11/5 6/4 Bolton v Sunderland 5/4 11/5 21/10 Chelsea v Hull 1/5 9/2 14/1 Everton v Arsenal 15/8 11/5 11/8 Man Utd v Birmingham 1/5 9/2 14/1 Portsmouth v Fulham 5/4 11/5 21/10 Stoke v Burnley 5/6 23/10 10/3 Spurs v Liverpool 11/5 11/5 6/5 Wolves v West Ham 13/8 11/5 13/8 Man Utd v Arsenal – Aug 29 4/5 11/5 13/8 2009/10 SEASON BETTING   Winner w/o Big Four Relegation Man Utd 7/5 - 5000 Chelsea 12/5 - 2500 Liverpool 3 - 2500 Arsenal 8 - 1000 Man City 33 7/4 100 Spurs 80 10/3 66 Aston Villa 100 4 66 Everton 150 9/2 50 Portsmouth 200 25 13/2 West Ham 500 18 12 Blackburn 750 33 8 Sunderland 750 40 7 Fulham 750 25 11 Bolton 1000 80 5 Wigan 1000 80 7/2 Wolves 2000 200 Evs Stoke 3000 100 9/4 Hull 3000 200 10/11 Birmingham 4000 400 8/11 Burnley 5000 500 4/7 Coca-Cola Championship 2009/2010 Coca-Cola League 1 Coca-Cola League 2 9/2 Newcastle3/1 Leeds7/1 Rotherham 11/2 West Brom7/1 Norwich8/1 Shrewsbury 13/2 Middlesbrough15/2 Charlton9/1 Bradford 8/1 Ipswich10/1 MK Dons10/1 Northampton 12/1 Reading10/1 Huddersfield12/1 Bury 12/1 Sheff Utd14/1 Millwall12/1 Notts County 14/1 QPR14/1 Brighton14/1 Crewe 20/1 Cardiff18/1 Southampton14/1 Chesterfield 22/1 Preston20/1 Colchester14/1 Bournemouth 25/1 Derby20/1 Southend16/1 Rochdale 25/1 Leicester22/1 Tranmere20/1 Cheltenham 28/1 Swansea25/1 Oldham22/1 Dagenham & Red 28/1 Crystal Palace33/1 Bristol Rovers25/1 Hereford 33/1 Bristol City33/1 Wycombe25/1 Lincoln 33/1 Peterborough40/1 Brentford25/1 Torquay 33/1 Nottm Forest40/1 Carlisle25/1 Darlington 40/1 Watford40/1 Swindon33/1 Morecambe 40/1 Sheff Wed40/1 Leyton Orient33/1 Grimsby 50/1 Coventry50/1 Exeter33/1 Port Vale 66/1 Doncaster50/1 Gillingham40/1 Burton Albion 80/1 Plymouth50/1 Walsall40/1 Aldershot 100/1 Blackpool66/1 Hartlepool40/1 Barnet 100/1 Barnsley66/1 Yeovil80/1 Accrington Stanley 150/1 Scunthorpe100/1 Stockport80/1 Macclesfield 2009-06-17T09:28:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/can_yeats_win_the_ascot_gold_cup_for_the_fourth_time_odds_and_preview_here/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/can_yeats_win_the_ascot_gold_cup_for_the_fourth_time_odds_and_preview_here/#When:08:43:00Z They say he’s getting too old, but sometimes the heart rules the head and you come out on top - Yeats is one of the public’s favourite horses, so he’s the 9/4 favourite to win it… good shout? Other odds available here too… Yeats was among nine horses to be declared for Thursday's Ascot Gold Cup this morning. Paddy makes him a 9-4 favourite to win the race for a record fourth time. You can get a bet 10 get 20 free bet with Paddy Power if you sign up today. They're also offering top 5 each way and money back offers which puts them, in our eyes at least, way ahead of the opposition. Paddy Power spokesman Paddy Power said: Some pundits have argued that Yeats is a bit long in the tooth to create history. That's what they said about Lester Piggott at the age of 54 and few will ever forget what he did on Royal Academy at Belmont Park. GOLD CUP Paddy Power: 9-4 Yeats, 3 Geordieland, Patkai, 6 Veracity, 14 Eastern Anthem, 25 Hindu Kush, 33 Centennial, Washington Irving, Sagara PADDY'S WEDNESDAY PRICES PRINCE OF WALES'S STAKES Paddy Power: 15-8 Tartan Bearer, 3 Vision D'Etat, 4 Never On Sunday, 7 Twice Over, 10 Trincot, 12 Virtual, 14 Tazeez, 66 Estejo Paddy will pay out each-way on an incredible FIVE places in the Royal Hunt Cup. ROYAL HUNT CUP Paddy Power: 9-2 Forgotten Voice, 8 Roaring Forte, 9 Cadre, 14 Axiom, Docofthebay, Mia's Boy, 16 Dunn'o, 20 Kavachi, Lovelace, Soccerjackpot, 25 Light From Mars, Huzzah, Military Power, Nanton, 33 Alfathaa, Bushman, Ellemujie, Final Verse, Mahadee, Philario, Quinmaster, Webbow, 40 bar odds 1,2,3,4 5 QUEEN MARY STAKES Paddy Power: 7-2 Rose Blossom, 4-1 Don't Tell Mary, 11-2 Lady Of The Desert, 13-2 Capercaille, 10 Misheer, 12 Ceedwell, Jealous Again, 14 Chantilly Crme, High Spice, 20 Crown, 25 Grand Zafeen, 33 Lady Royal Oak, Itwasonlyakiss 2009-06-17T08:43:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/odds_from_paddy_power_on_the_colour_of_the_queens_hat/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/odds_from_paddy_power_on_the_colour_of_the_queens_hat/#When:08:36:00Z Green, apparently, is the colour this year. Why it’s the 11/10 favourite no one really knows, but old Betty Windsor is causing a stir already at Ascot. Some lucky punter already landed megabucks with pink at the Derby, so maybe he knows something? And maybe it’s Betty herself? Bookie Paddy Power could be feeling a little green around the gills at Royal Ascot’s Ladies Day on Thursday if Her Majesty dons a green hat at the races. Paddy Power’s famous hat colour betting has seen its first betting plunge of the year with a nationwide punt on green. The colour has come in from an opening 3/1 to just 11/10. Paddy Power himself said: “It’s rare that the opening favourite proves correct in the Queen’s Hat betting but we’re seeing a definite preference in the early running this year. If Her Majesty does goes green then punters will be cheering her all the way down the course as well as collecting a fair wedge of greenbacks from the bookies.” One lucky punter from Sheffield who landed a max bet that Her Majesty would wear pink at The Derby two weeks ago has also returned with a lumpy wager on green at 3/1. Other colours in the running include yellow at 5/1 and orange at 6/1 with the ever popular cream/beige at 8/1. Colour of Queen's Hat 11/10    Green 5/1        Yellow/Lemon 6/1        Orange 8/1        Silver/Grey 8/1        Cream/Beige 8/1        Blue 10/1      Brown 10/1      Purple 12/1      Gold 14/1      Red 14/1      Black 14/1      Pink 25/1      Tweed 100/1    Union Jack Design 2009-06-17T08:36:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/sexy_noirin_undie_scrutiny_with_big_brother_punters/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/sexy_noirin_undie_scrutiny_with_big_brother_punters/#When:10:53:00Z There’s loads of money going on Big Brother - especially Noirin Kelly who is set to become some kind of lingerie model. Yea, wha’ever. Pretty Dubliner Noirin Kelly appears to be ‘undie-scrutiny’ with some Big Brother fans requesting odds on the Irish housemate becoming a lingerie model when her stint in the house is over. Paddy Power, who are still offering their bet 10 get 20 free bet offer, are quoting 8/1 that Noirin will become a lingerie model for her former employer Dunnes Stores when she leaves the Big Brother house. The quirky sixteen have only been in the house less than 24 hours, but already this year’s Big Brother contestants are making a big impression on punters according to Paddy Power. The bookie had expressed concerns earlier in the week that this year’s series could be a big disappointment with regards to viewing figures and number of bets placed. Last night’s launch show drew the lowest ever audience for a live BB show pulling in just 4.79m compared to last years 5.31m. But, all might not be lost for the longest running reality show. In the 15 hours since the show launched Paddy Power have taken in over €20,000 on the series. If that trend continues, the bookie could see more than €1.8m wagered on this years show. Sharon McHugh, spokesperson for Paddy Power said "The viewing figures might have been down but so far the betting hasn’t been too bad on this year’s Big Brother. We’ve seen plenty of patriotic punts for the only Irish housemate Noirin but it’s bi-sexual Brazilian student Rodrigo that’s proving to be a huge hit with punters and he’s currently our biggest loser on the book.” The largest bet placed so far on 25 year old Dubliner Noirin was €100 at 25/1, while the largest bet placed so far on Rodrigo has been €750 at odds of 4/1. Noirin’s odds have since been shortened to 14/1 following support for the former All-Ireland athletic champion. Who will win Big Brother?   4/1     Rodrigo 11/2     Charlie   8/1     Kris   8/1     Sophia 10/1     Cairon 12/1     Marcus 14/1     Lisa 14/1     Noirin 14/1     Sree 16/1     Freddie 25/1     Sophie 25/1     Beinazir 25/1     Siavash 33/1     Angel 33/1     Karly 33/1     Saffia  3/1     Any Other (Not Listed) Dunne Deal  8/1    Noirin to become a lingerie model for Dunnes Stores in 2009 Next person to become an official housemate   5/1     Charlie   6/1     Freddie   6/1     Sophia   8/1     Cairon   8/1     Siavash   8/1     Beinazir 10/1     Sophie 10/1     Angel 10/1     Saffia 12/1     Sree 12/1     Marcus 12/1     Karly 1st Eviction        9/4     Lisa   4/1     Noirin 12/1     Kris 14/1     Rodrigo 2009-06-05T10:53:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/big_brother_betting_odds_and_special_offers_from_paddy_power/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/big_brother_betting_odds_and_special_offers_from_paddy_power/#When:15:48:00Z Big Brother. What the heck for? I mean why? What a waste of space. Still, at least you can make a few pennies on it. Paddy Power are launching a whole Big Brother market of betting, and I say go for it. But don’t watch it. It’s cack. The countdown is well and truly underway to Big Brother with just over 24 hours to go until Davina takes to the stage and introduces us to the BB10 contestants. The former daddy of reality shows is not expected to attract as much viewers or bets this year. Irish bookmaker Paddy Power is estimating £1million/€1.16million will be bet on this year’s show with an industry figure of £15million/€17.4million expected to be riding on the outcome. This compares to a total estimate of £1.25million and £17million last year. But Paddy Power are hoping that their generous money back special on this year’s Big Brother will entice more people to bet. On a show where literally anything can happen, it can sometimes be difficult to predict the winner in the early days. So to help make the difficult decision a little easier Paddy Power are offering to refund bets on the housemate that finishes second in this year’s show. Sharon McHugh, spokesperson for Paddy Power, said: “We’re hoping there’s a bit of life in the old dog yet! The success of this year’s show will depend on what the housemates are like, so the more controversial and the more interesting the better. This year we’re giving our punters the opportunity to put their money where their thoughts are with the guarantee that they’ll get their money back if their housemate is unlucky enough to finish second.” And viewing figures aren’t tipped to be much better either with Paddy Power offering just 9/4 that between 4.5 and 5 million people will tune in to watch the launch show. It’s a far cry from the average 8.2milion that tuned in throughout the 2006 series and the 9.4m+ that Big Brother 3 boasted in 2002. PADDY POWER MONEY-BACK SPECIAL Big Brother – Anyone for Seconds? If your housemate comes second in this summer’s Big Brother 9 Paddy Power will refund your losing single stake on that person. Terms & Conditions: Applies to single bets placed before 11th June only. Max Refund €300/£200 per customer/bet. Paddy Power Big Brother rules apply. Big Brother Pre-Show Specials Number of peak viewers on launch night 4/1    Under 4 Million 3/1    4,000,001 to 4,500,000 9/4    4,500,001 to 5,000,000 10/3    5,000,001 to 5,500,000 9/2    5,500,001 to 6,000,000 3/1    Over 6 Million Pre Launch Specials 3/1    Sex to occur in this year's Big Brother house 12/1    Susan Boyle to sing in the Big Brother house 8/1    One housemate to climb on the roof of the Big Brother house and escape 10/1    One housemate to leave the house voluntarily within the first three days 20/1    Two housemates exactly to escape via the Diary Room and leave the house for good What will Davina say first on launch night? 3/1    I love it 4/1   Now then 8/1   We're back! 8/1   The time has come 8/1   Ladies & gentlemen 10/1    Are you ready? 10/1    I'm so excited 14/1    The wait is over 14/1    Let's get started 16/1    You decide 16/1    Bigger and better 16/1    Where to begin? 20/1    Controversy 20/1    Please do not swear 25/1    Game plan 33/1    Cancel your holidays 33/1    Hold onto your hats 50/1    I'm not pregnant 2009-06-03T15:48:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/masterofthehorse/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/masterofthehorse/#When:19:40:00Z An odd one, Masterofthehorse… he needs to relax… but can he relax at Epsom Downs on Saturday? Masterofthehorse is one I haven't quite worked out yet. He needs to relax, and I don't think the Derby is the place for it. However, there's plenty of potential there, and people are backing the brother of Alexandrova in to 9/1 currently. Perhaps one of Aiden O'Brien's least interesting entries, though. There's better value elsewhere. 2009-06-01T19:40:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/crowded_house/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/crowded_house/#When:19:39:00Z October seems so far away. However, the winter favourite could surprise us all at 25/1. Crowded House. Ah, October seems so far away. That sprint away from the pack under Jamie Spencer at Doncaster catapulted this colt into Derby favouritism, but a rancid performance first time out this year in the Dante catapulted him back to the rank of outsider. Not to be ruled out, because on his day, he can beat anyone. 2009-06-01T19:39:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/gan_amrhas/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/gan_amrhas/#When:19:38:00Z Gan Amrhas to win the Derby? A decent finish last time out means he has good each-way chances for us. Jimmy Bolger thought Gan Amrhas would make it as a 3-year-old and a comeback in third in the Dante proved that he may have a point. It was a strong showing from a horse who saw off Masterofthehorse as a 2-year-old. Very good place chances, but the question remains - is he good enough to take on Fame & Glory and Sea The Stars? Perhaps not. 2009-06-01T19:38:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/kite_wood/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/kite_wood/#When:19:37:00Z What has happened to Godolphin? Frankie Dettori won’t be looking forward to this one… and he’s got an ugly, ugly statistic to overcome. What has happened to Godolphin? Are they saving themselves for the post-Derby part of the season? Frankie Dettori will be slightly disappointed to be riding Kite Wood, whose re-entry this season was somewhat flat in the Dante at York. Another one out of Galileo (who seems to be the only dead cert in the Derby this year), that promise as a two-year-old didn't seem to resurface. However, it's strange that Godolphin have an apparently weak entry - he'll be ridden hard and given the ride. We just don't really know what he's capable of. Remember, though - no horse defeated in the Dante has ever won the Derby. Ever. That's an ugly stat to overcome. 2009-06-01T19:37:00+00:00 http://the_derby.freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/debussy/ http://the_derby.freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/debussy/#When:19:10:00Z Our favourite outsider for the Derby is currently 50/1 with most bookies and may go off a little shorter than that. So what’s getting us so excited? If you know the Free Bet Bookmaker, you'll know by now that we often come up trumps with each way bets, and Debussy is looking like one of our better tips already. A course winner already, he's progressive and will probably have no problem with the distance, the question of real quality hangs over him, and he doesn't quite match up to Fame and Glory or Sea the Stars. That's why he's 50/1, but that Epsom win will count in his favour for us. As his owner said, we can all dream. The Derby 2009-06-01T19:10:00+00:00 http://the_derby.freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/sea_the_stars/ http://the_derby.freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/sea_the_stars/#When:16:55:00Z Winner of the 2000 Guineas, Sea The Stars is our favourite for the Derby. Progressive, and from good stock - there’s a lot going for this colt. Sea The Stars was such an impressive winner of the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket that it is very hard to exclude him from the reckoning for the Derby at Epsom. The way he swept past Delegator was eye-catching, and there is every chance that he'll take the step up in trip in his stride. He's a half-brother to Galileo, who won the Derby several years ago, and out of Urban Sea, a former Arc winner. I think we've got a good Derby horse here, who is taking the right approach to the race. Everything points to Sea the Stars for me, and he's good value at 4/1 with most bookies. Bet £10 on Sea The Stars and get a free £20 bet The Derby 2009-05-25T16:55:00+00:00 http://the_derby.freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/rip_van_winkle/ http://the_derby.freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/rip_van_winkle/#When:16:48:00Z Money is piling onto Rip Van Winkle for the Investec Derby - but our man is unsure, regardless of whether Johnny Murtagh takes the ride or not. I have to admit, I'm a little bemused by the amount of money going on Rip Van Winkle in the Investec Derby. While his last two defeats were excusable, there is absolutely no evidence that he'll take the Derby trip. A bruised foot last time out in defeat to Sea the Stars provides a handy excuse balanced out with a good staying performance, but that was his only performance this year and provides no firm evidence of Derby form or pedigree. There are probably better horses in the Derby, and I'm scratching my head as to why people are laying sums of four figures on Rip Van Winkle. Bet £10 on Rip Van Winkle and get a free £20 bet The Derby 2009-05-25T16:48:00+00:00 http://the_oaks.freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/rainbow_view/ http://the_oaks.freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/rainbow_view/#When:14:04:00Z We had hoped for so much more from Rainbow View, but the Guineas was a disaster. So what now of the Oaks? While Fantasia has gone one way (up), Rainbow View appears to have gone the other. The bookies, however, have not been fooled and have kept her at 5/1. The ground at Newmarket was far from suitable, and connections knew it. Rainbow View managed to hold of Fantasia last year at Ascot - and quite brilliantly so. Now that Fantasia has gone off to France, the field has opened up to Midday, Sariska and Rainbow View. If the ground is good to firm - look for Rainbow View to recapture last year's form. 5/1 is as good as you'll get right now. Get a sign-up bonus at bet now on Rainbow View with Unibet var uri = 'http://impgb.tradedoubler.com/imp?type(inv)g(16804758)a(1511557)' + new String (Math.random()).substring (2, 11); document.write(''); The Oaks 2009-05-17T14:04:00+00:00 http://the_derby.freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/fame_and_glory/ http://the_derby.freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/fame_and_glory/#When:13:50:00Z Keep an eye on any horse sired by Montjeu, especially this one. Fame and Glory is being kept under wraps and is 5/2 to win the Investec Derby. Any horse out of Montjeu is worth watching, although not usually so early on in the year. Fame and Glory, Aiden O'Brien's hot favourite for the Investec Derby, is unbeaten in four attempts, with a career total of over £250,000 winnings. Impressive? Yes, and there's little to persuade the keen-eyed punter that Fame and Glory isn't going to put up a decent performance at Epsom. After having beaten John Oxx's second-best horse, there's reason to suspect he'll take on Sea The Stars with confidence. The drift in price is strange - but so is the money going on Rip Van Winkle. I'd take this one at 3/1, never mind 4/1. Bet now at var uri = 'http://impgb.tradedoubler.com/imp?type(js)g(12543845)a(1511557)' + new String (Math.random()).substring (2, 11); document.write(''); The Derby 2009-05-17T13:50:00+00:00 http://the_derby.freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/black_bear_island_into_6_1_for_the_derby/ http://the_derby.freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/black_bear_island_into_6_1_for_the_derby/#When:19:59:00Z The Derby betting is as volatile as ever, with Black Bear Island cut from 16/1 to 6/1 in the blink of an eye after a good run ahead of Freemantle in the Dante at York today. So what does that say? The bookies knew nothing in the first place? 2/1 favourite Crowded House was crowded out today in one of the key pre-Derby races, the Dante Stakes at York. It was an Aiden O'Brien 1-2 with Black Bear Island edging out Freemantle. And what does this mean for the Derby betting? Well, we're looking at Fame and Glory going to outright favourite with most bookies at 5/2, but Fame and Glory didn't take the traditional route of the Dante on the way to the Derby. He remains unbeaten, while Crowded House now looks exposed. What became clear is that the trip does not suit - and if that doesn't suit, then how is the undulating Epsom course going to suit? Not a good choice. Three of the last five Derby winners have won the Dante, so that puts Black Bear Island on anyone's shortlist. Aiden O'Brien has tested this colt out in France and Ireland, so to win the Dante on his first trip to the UK is impressive. But it's back to Fame and Glory who is taking an alternative route to the Derby for Aiden O'Brien - is 5/2 really justified on the back of 3 wins against moderate opposition? I'm personally looking at Kite Wood, whose recent win at Ascot picks him out as one with guts and a bit of quality - he'll also have Frankie Dettori on board. I'd also add that Freemantle will get a better ride at Epsom. And I'll further that by saying that I know about as much as the bookmakers, and that's why the odds are so volatile. Get a double your money bet 10 get 20 free bet offer from Paddy Power on the Derby. The Derby 2009-05-14T19:59:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/betting_on_a_lords_draw_england_vs_west_indies_first_test/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/betting_on_a_lords_draw_england_vs_west_indies_first_test/#When:18:45:00Z Lords tests have had a recent tendency to end up as draws - as have England vs West Indies games of late. Two line-ups that are perfectly capable of getting runs, but seemingly unable to get twenty wickets. It all adds up… var uri = 'http://impgb.tradedoubler.com/imp?type(img)g(17535396)a(1511557)' + new String (Math.random()).substring (2, 11); document.write(''); Did anyone stick with that England tour to the West Indies? Apart from one appaling collapse from England, every game seemed to have draw written all over it - oh, apart from the ones where England were one wicket away from winning. And even then, you never had faith that the likes of Steve Harmison were ever going to be able to get one of those tailenders out. England's inability to pick up wickets was a constant problem for Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss, who seem to have hit upon a decent working partnership. Harmison is thankfully out, and England have turned to Bresnan and Onions for youthful exuberance. Whether they can help get England twenty wickets against a decent Windies batting lineup remains to be seen. Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan are more than capable blockers, while captain Chris Gayle weighs in at the top of the order. They have runs in them - but once more - the bowling lineup is inexperienced and erratic. So that's why I'm taking them to bat England out to a draw, at 13/10, with Chanderpaul an understandingly ungenerous 5/4 to be their top batsman in the first innings. Further afield, I've been watching the IPL 20/20 from South Africa with bemusement - it's just not cricket, is it - all this dancing and prancing and sixes being renamed as 'DLF maximums'. It's hard to know which part of it makes me most sick, but then again, there's some cricket out in the middle and some of it has been quite interesting. I've always been a big fan of Shane Warne and his Rajasthan Royals - reigning champions - look to have got their act together, especially with that slogger Yusuf Pathan coming in lower down the order to knock runs around for fun. They're currently 8/1 to win the whole thing, which is very long considering their recent form. Back 'em for fun. After all, it's not real cricket, it's just fun. Keep telling yourself that and it might just go away. Do it with a bet 10 get 20 free bet offer from Paddy Power. 2009-05-04T18:45:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/here_come_the_posh_kids_craven_at_newmarket_and_the_opening_of_the_flat_sea/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/here_come_the_posh_kids_craven_at_newmarket_and_the_opening_of_the_flat_sea/#When:02:08:00Z It’s the start of the flat season, and it’s rather like the posh kids starting term with their polished caps and briefcases while the rougher, older kids brush off the mud and cast envious glances. So which posh horses are we looking at this year? It's the start of the flat season, and it's rather like the posh kids starting term with their polished caps and briefcases while the rougher, older kids brush off the mud and cast envious glances. So which posh horses are we looking at this year? Father Time We just watched a replay of his fantastic win at Great Leighs and couldn't fail to be impressed. This Henry Cecil-trained colt is running on Friday at Newbury, so won't be going at Newmarket at the Craven meeting - keep an eye out, though, as this is a big strong horse being aimed at the Derby. Rainbow View "The best two-year old filly I've ever seen" said Luca Cumani. Four runs, four wins - can't say better than that. She beat Fantasia, who is an odds-on favourite on Wednesday at Newmarket, in a Group 1 race at Ascot, and has everything it takes to win the 1,000 Guineas. Get on her now. Delegator Aimed at the 2,000 Guineas, Delegator will get a run out on Thursday at Newmarket and has what it takes to make a big impression early this season. With a first and a second already under his belt at Newmarket, money has already been going on this one. Mastercraftsman A disappointing 4th at Longchamp should not mask the fact that Mastercraftsman was hugely impressive in being previously unbeaten. Aiden O'Brien will be pinning hopes on this horse whose impressive beating of Art Connoisseur, another colt with great potential, made him one of the top 2-year olds last year. Native Ruler Unraced, but highly spoken of, Native Ruler is one that Henry Cecil has been keeping up his sleeve. He's entered for the Dante Stakes and the Derby, and has been getting the gallops in at Newmarket. Another to watch. On Our Way A good tip for the Craven Stakes on Thursday, On Our Way has never been out of the places. Contacts have always said that he was going to be a good three-year-old, and that last year was mere preparation. We'll see on Thursday. Liberation We couldn't not mention the Godolphin colt Liberation, could we? Out of Refuse to Bend, Liberation is running on Wednesday at Newmarket, and is well worth keeping an eye on. Will go off with favouritism, but whether it is justified or not remains to be seen. So there you go, just a few horses to start you off with. As always at this time of year, we just don't know. In fact, by the time the Derby comes along, we still don't really know much - personally I tend to put my flat season money on towards the end of the season, and especially at the Prix de l'Arc when you've got enough data and information to really make an informed decision. Still, it's great to watch the posh kids dust their caps off for another season. 2009-04-15T02:08:00+00:00 http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/mon_mome_wins_the_national_at_100_1/ http://freebetbookmaker.com/free-bets/content/news_blog/mon_mome_wins_the_national_at_100_1/#When:20:36:00Z Mon Mome came from nowhere to win today’s Grand National at Aintree to become one of the longest-odds winners of the National since the race began at 100/1. Mon Mome came from nowhere to win today's Grand National at Aintree to become one of the longest-odds winners of the National since the race began at 100/1. Our pick, Butler's Cabin, came in with the pack, and there are doubts over his health - equally so with Hear The Echo. It could have been two in a row, though, for Comply or Die, who made all the running towards the back-end of the race without being able to match the astonishing charge of Mon Mome. For the record (and no, we didn't back it), this is what FreeBetBookmaker said earlier this week: His form has taken a knock, but his ability should not be doubted - he got round the National fences last time out, and had a great win at Cheltenham towards the back end of last year. Of the longer-odds horses, this one looks the best value, and comes in at a decent weight. Black Apalachi had led for most of the race before nosing into the ground, while Irish Invader and Hear the Echo made good running alongside him. Silver Birch kept on well, but it was Venetia Williams, who broke her neck riding the National, who trains the winner - a 100/1 shot - Mon Mome. 2009-04-04T20:36:00+00:00