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WINTER'S WORLD FEATURING EURO 2012 DAY ONE REVIEW
9th June 2012
Before the start of the Euros it was my fifth race meeting since last Saturday at wind and rain swept Catterick. The last race winner and forecast put me in front, that had been helped by backing the winner in the 5.15 at Market Rasen. Check it out if you can.
King Mak duly obliged @ 4/1 in the most unusual circumstances. Coming over the last the favourite was going clear and King Mak was running on empty, its jockey lost his irons and was going out the side door but he managed to stay aboard by holding onto then pushing the jockey on the horse he was alongside and in so doing finished that horses chances.
Young Kyle James re-gathered control of his mount and got her going again as the favourite tied up and was caught on the line. I haven't moved so fast in years getting paid out before a steward's enquiry was announced, I need not have bothered as he kept the race!
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Darlington supporters may be interested to know that on Thursday evening at Wetherby I bumped into George Houghton, the man I hold mainly responsible for the demise of their club. He was there to see his horse Clever George run. Along with Quakers supporters I can no doubt think of many more appropriate adjectives to describe the weasel of a man.
I noticed him as I entered the Owners And Trainers Bar and headed to pour myself a coffee. His stables racing representative was pouring him a drink. Now had there been any arsenic instead of milk I would have willingly assisted.
He embarrassingly mumbled something like "Long time no see", and I chose not to respond. He then turned to pick up what he thought was his drink, but instead went for mine. "That's mine", I stated but being too much of a gentleman I failed to add, "you devious, obnoxious, scheming little runt!!"
His hoirse finished sixth and to make matters even better, I backed the winner. There is a God!
Rangers Racing Club has a filly in training called Lady Ibrox. She won on Bank holiday Monday @ 18/1. It's not too late to join us at Rangers Racing. Click here for full details
Back from the racing and having Sky Plussed the first game I sat down to see if my tips for the games would come to fruition. The first game between Poland and Greece lacked quality but made up in terms of excitement, entertainment and controversy.
Rangers fans would have enjoyed the performance of Samaras who was his usual inept self in front of goal. His team mates were theatrical and were apt at surrounding the referee. They did have cause for complaint though with the ridiculous first yellow card of the tournament. I really do not know why the Spanish official brandished a card as it wasn't even a foul.
Still, my forecast of a red card in the opening match came when the same player committed a second offence and on this occasion the yellow was justified.
The one positive thing that came from the undeserved dismissal was that perhaps out of a sense of grievance the Greeks woke up and started playing. Arsenal's keeper was correctly shown a red card for denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity but in line with the quality of the game the Greeks spurned the opportunity to defeat one of the host teams.
I had suggested that a draw is not necessarily a bad result in your first game and that is how it transpired.
Yesterday I suggested also that "there is also a tendency for the officials to clamp down and set the standard disciplinary wise for the tournament. The circa 11/4 odds available for a red card in the opening game between Poland and Greece might prove good value and gives the neutral an interest right up to the final whistle."
The second game was officiated by Howard Webb and his team of English officials. They were exemplary, faultless in fact. No cards and total control for the entire game.
The game was fast, furious and full of good football. Forget the normal caution expected at the start of a tournament, both teams went for it. The Russians were brilliantly led by a Messi-esque performance by Andre Arshavin. They cut the Czechs to pieces, though left enough gaps at the back that perhaps a better team might punish.
They ended up easy winners, they will win the group but I think that the Czechs can regroup and still qualify for the knock out stages.
JEFF'S TIPS
A great start with a red card in the first game @ 11/4 and 3 or more goals in the second game @ 17/10 meaning that to a level £10 stake you would be £44.50 up. Hopefully it continues.
The Netherlands are 4/6 to beat Denmark and for 3 or more goals in the game the odds of 21/20 look attractive.
As previously suggested I advise caution but the favourites for the tournament should expect to win their games and a treble for Netherlands, Germany and Spain to all win their first games would pay out almost 7/2 and Germany, second favourites to actually win the tournament, are available at around even money to dispose of the Winker's Portuguese.
Looking ahead to Sunday and former Rangers star Nikica Jelavic is a tempting 9/2 to score the opening goal, not a bet I am fond of, because you don't usually get much of a run for your money, but I tell you this guy will win more for you than you lose on him. Betting on him as first goal scorer last season with both Rangers and Everton would have seen you in profit.
Good Luck punting.
The Euros and Olympics coupled with the usual summer break means that speaking events are fewer but I am in Greater Manchester next Tuesday, Scotland on Saturday then the Potteries the following Friday. Now is the time though to plan your event for the autumn.
Anyone interested in booking me to host or speak at their event me can be assured that as well as speaking I will give maximum help to fundraising on the evening with my auctioneering skills. Contact me regarding availability by clicking here.
Don't forget Lodges, Pipe Bands, Supporters Clubs, charities and sports clubs to book me for forthcoming events.
Enjoy the Euros.
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