The Stan James sponsored Springbok, an event for novice hurdlers, kicks off on Saturday night with six first round heats. Here's the draw -

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 2
WIMBLEDON

20.00 460M STAN JAMES SPRINGBOK 1ST RND HEAT 1

1 LILYWHITE PADDY (P C REES, WDON)
2 BE ALL (D MULLINS, ROMFD)
3 BILLSDAD BILL (M) (S A CAHILL, WSTOW)
4 VITEZ (W) (K W LINWOOD, HNLOW)
5 MUSTANG MCCAULEY (W) (G L DAVIDSON, CRYFD)
6 MORELL WARRIOR (W) (L D SAMS, UNATT)

20.15 460M STAN JAMES SPRINGBOK 1ST RND HEAT 2

1 BLAKES BARON (J S J SIMPSON, WDON)
2 STEPHEN PRIDE (M) (P M DONOVAN, WDON)
3 CUNNING DARBY (M) (P R GARLAND, WSTOW)
4 TULLYMURRY ZULU (W) (S C WILLEY, UNATT)
5 ALL CLUED UP (W) (S A CAHILL, WSTOW)
6 BEARDYS HARRY (W) (J T FOSTER, WDON)

20.30 460M STAN JAMES SPRINGBOK 1ST RND HEAT 3

1 PISTOL LOADED (G L DAVIDSON, CRYFD)
2 HOTDOG JACK (S A CAHILL, WSTOW)
3 SWIFT TONY (M) (J TFOSTER, WDON)
4 CEROC LAMBADA (M) (J W REYNOLDS, ROMFD)
5 BRICK (M) (L D SAMS, UNATT)
6 BALLYARD KAISER (W) (J T FOSTER, WDON)

21.00 460M STAN JAMES SPRINGBOK 1ST RND HEAT 4

1 BLACKBIRD OLDARY (T W MURPHY, UNATT)
2 PADDYS CEILIDH (N COLTON, UNATT)
3 ROANCARRIG VIEW (K MULLINS, WSTOW)
4 TERRY MY PAL (S A CAHILL, WSTOW)
5 MAYFIELD DAZ (J T FOSTER, WDON)
6 BALLYGUIRY JOE (W) (B DOYLE, WDON)

21.15 460M STAN JAMES SPRINGBOK 1ST RND HEAT 5

1 STRIDING EDGE (A C MEEK, HALLG)
2 TIME FOR LUNCH (A J TAYLOR, WDON)
3 LOCNAMON MAJOR (S C WILLEY, UNATT)
4 MAX OF ZORRO (M) (P A CURTIN, OXFRD)
5 MOANING PACEY (W) (J T FOSTER, WDON)
6 REAGROVE ROOSTER (W) (J T FOSTER, WDON)

21.30 460M STAN JAMES SPRINGBOK 1ST RND HEAT 6

1 RAZLDAZL SHREK (M J DARTNALL, READG)
2 BUBBLY MAGIC (P W YOUNG, ROMFD)
3 BALLYGARRON PARK (P C REES, WDON)
4 RUSHEEN BOSS (W) (M E WILEY, ROMFD)
5 QUIVERS PUNCH (W) (D J ALLEN, UNATT)
6 HORSESHOE MERLIN (W) (J T FOSTER, WDON)

This year's Scottish Derby, run at Shawfield, has been cancelled by promoter Billy King due to the lack of a sponsor.

It's a great shame that the race, won in the past by the likes of Larkhill Jo, Sonic Flight and Fear Me, won't be going ahead.

King had failed to reach agreement with Sky for their coverage of the race and said that it wasn't worth it for the money Sky offered. I'm no great fan of Rupert Murdoch's company and whilst I agree with King's sentiments I thought at the time he was being very short sighted with regards to the sport as a whole.

A major attraction for a sponsor is surely TV coverage and without that the track was always going to struggle. Now it seems he is paying the price as their biggest night of the year won't take place.

A quiet week in prospect this week with no Sky meeting and not much competition action.

The Springbok, Arc and Golden Jacket are all due to start soon so I'll be keeping an eye out for the antepost markets being put up by the bookies to see if any value is available. If there is I'll post it here.

Cheers

Si Senor got ran a cracker last night leading from start to finish to capture yet another big prize. His main rival Farloe Jester fluffed the start and never got into the race after that.

The excellent Greyhound Data website have got the video up of the final already (here). After supporting the winner it makes excellent viewing.

The final of the John J Casey 575 is the centrepiece of a good card at Dublin's Shelbourne Park tonight.

Speed Figs

T3 - Si Senor 100
T1 - Farloe Jester 99
T4 - Tyrur Seamie 93
T6 - Green Heat 85
T2 - Rebel Kewell 82
T5 - Erins Majesty 67

A real good race is in prospect with Si Senor and Farloe Jester taking each other on again after the former came out on top in the semi's by the minimum margin.

I expect these two to dominate from the front again and although Farloe Jester may get first run on his rival Owen McKenna's son of Droopys Kewell can nail him again before the finish. I took the 9/4 with Bet365 this morning but the best I can find at the moment is 2/1 with Blue Square. Betfair are also running the market so it may be worth keeping an eye on.

Bet - 25 points to win on Si Senor at 9/4

Ballymac Under made it eight wins from eight races on Thursday night winning the Birmingham Cup in fine style. He goes to Wimbledon next for the Racing Post Juvenile Championship on the 5th of February. If all goes well there he'll be put away for the Derby for which he's joint favourite with Barnfield On Air at 10/1. I hope Matt Dartnall's charge goes on to be a star, its just what the game needs, but he's a very short price at this stage for a pup and I couldn't back him myself.

On the punting front the buy of Farloe Niall on the spreads proved profitable with Barrie Draper's dog staying on to take second ahead of Wright Signal.

The Stan James Birmingham Cup concludes tonight with the final being shown live on Sky Sports 2.

Speed Figs

T2 - Ballymac Under 100
T6 - Farloe Niall 86
T3 - Lively Arthur 76
T1 - Wright Signal 73
T5 - Stormy Scholes 66+
T4 - Cleenas Lady 63

The very promising Ballymac Under is clear on the figures and rightly heads the market at a best priced 5/6.

I think Matt Dartnall's pup should win and remain undefeated but flanked by Wright Signal and Lively Arthur he may not get his own way up front and will need a bit of luck to get a clear passage.

The value alternative for me is Barrie Draper's well drawn Farloe Niall. This son of Larkhill Jo got within a couple of lengths of Ballymac Under in the semi's which is as close as any dog has ever done since the jolly's debut and he has a plot draw in trap 6. He's not the quickest away from the boxes so will need to show plenty of trackcraft but at the 8/1 available with Bet365, Betfred and Sportingbet he's a value each way alternative to the favourite. Arguably even better value is a buy on Bet HiLo's 50-25-10 index where 'Niall' is quoted at 9-12.

Bet - 2 points buy of Farloe Niall at 12 on the 50-25-10 index with Bet HiLo

Click here for a video preview of tonights Stan James Birmingham Cup courtesy of the sponsors. I'll post my own thoughts later.

Cheers

The big Sky card this week is the Birmingham Cup to be shown on Thursday from Perry Barr. Ballymac Under is the odds on favourite and most likely winner but seeing as I'm refraining from backing odds on shots I'm looking for another way to play the market. There is a dog I fancy supporting on the spreads but seeing as spread firms wait till the day of the race to post their quotes its going to be early tomorrow evening before I get to post my thoughts.

In the meantime have a look at this excellent blog run by a relatively small breeder in Tipperary -

Bantiss Greyhounds Blog

It gives an excellent insight into the game and covers breeding, rearing, racing and more. There's also some very good looking pups for sale too!

All too often it is those who have something negative to say about greyhound racing that get the publicity but this blog shows that, like most people involved in the sport, greyhound people care passionately about their animals.

Spiridon Louis was voted the 2007 Greyhound of the Year by the Greyhound Writers' Association with the award being presented at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on Sunday. Louis landed eight titles during the year and that was enough to win him the award over his rival Barnfield On Air.

Lorraine Sams' star, who also won the awards for top stayer, top marathon runner and best British-bred next runs in Pepsi Max Marathon at Walthamstow on Saturday.

Congratulations to all the connections.

As a result of backing Genesis Dream at odds on for the Coronation Cup, and losing 25 points from my betting bank, I've been going through my records to evaluate how I've done backing odds on shots in the past.

Over that last six months or so I've made money when betting dogs at odds on but only around 10% on turnover. Not to be sniffed at but I think the major problem with betting at odds on is psychological. Even when the selection wins your profit is less than the original stake (obviously) but the return leaves me feeling slightly hard done by. This is nothing compared to when an odds on shot loses and I almost feel robbed, like the money was already won but then taken away.

As a result of this soul searching I've decided to refrain from backing odds on chances in the future and instead try to find an alternative way to play a race. This will either be looking for a solid each way alternative to the favourite or turning to the spread markets to see if there's any value to be had.

It looks like I'll have an early opportunity to try this approach out in the final of the Birmingham Cup on Thursday, we’ll see how it goes.

Cheers

The trap draw for the Birmingham Cup final has been made as below. The race goes out live on Sky Sports next Thursday (24th Jan).

THURSDAY JANUARY 24
PERRY BARR (LIVE ON SKY SPORTS)

21.45 480M STAN JAMES BIRMINGHAM CUP FINAL

1 WRIGHT SIGNAL
2 BALLYMAC UNDER
3 LIVELY ARTHUR
4 CLEENAS LADY
5 STORMY SCHOLES (M)
6 FARLOE NIALL (W)

Joint market leader for the Derby, Ballymac Under, is the favourite, latest betting available here.

Unfortunately Genesis Dream continued the dismal run for favourite backers in the competition when she was beaten after finding trouble at the first bend.

Seamus Cahill's Ronaldos Merit led from start to finish and picked up a very nice prize for connections.

The Coronation Cup is decided over 575 metres at Romford tonight. The big race is due off at 22:08.

Speed Figs

T1 - Genesis Dream 100
T2 - Venturemore 67
T3 - Ronaldos Merit 52+
T4 - Erinaceous Rapid 46
T6 - Baran Mustang 24

Not one favourite has won in this competition so far but I'm backing Genesis Dream to put that record straight.

Mark Wallis' bitch has been in top form with wide margin victories in both of the qualifying rounds. She's a top priced 8/11 and whilst I'm not a great fan of backing odds on shots its hard to make a case for anything to beat her. Venturemore, best price 6/1 with Blue Square, can chase home the selection.

Bet - 25 points to win on Genesis Dream at 8/11

Tuftys Pearletta won the Prestige in terrible conditions at Hall Green. The rain was so bad at the Midlands track that the bookies were moved indoors and one race was abandonded due to the hare getting waterlogged.

Also 'waterlogged' was my bet in the final, Directors Chair, who was caught on the line by Laurence Tuffin's bitch. What made things even worse was that I'd looked at Tuftys Pearletta in the ante-post market as she was a bitch coming back from season and had recorded some decent times. She was 50/1 before the competition and unfortunately came back to haunt me, as the song says ... 'things can only get better'

Apache Spirit has been withdrawn (lame) from the Coronation Cup final. Trap 5 is now vacant.

One or two bookies are still quoting the dog but don't back anything with 'em as all bets will revert to starting price.

I'll try and post a preview for Fridays decider on Thursday evening.

The draw for the next stage of the Birmingham Cup has been made as below. Favourite Ballymac Under looks to have been given a good opportunity to progress to the final from the first semi. Farloe Hurricane, another promising youngster and second favourite overall, has been given a tougher assignment is a hot looking second qualifier.

THURSDAY JANUARY 17
PERRY BARR

19.52 480M THE STAN JAMES BIRMINGHAM CUP 1ST SEMI FINAL

1 BALLYMAC UNDER
2 BARNFIELD WEEMAN
3 PRIMITIVE WAY
4 LENSON EARL
5 FARLOE NIALL (W)
6 POND ASTRONAUT (W)

20.38 480M THE STAN JAMES BIRMINGHAM CUP 2ND SEMI FINAL

1 PIN HEAD
2 WRIGHT SIGNAL
3 CLEENAS LADY
4 FARLOE HURRICANE
5 DROOPYS TOBEY (M)
6 UNIQUE OPTION (M)

21.28 480M THE STAN JAMES BIRMINGHAM CUP 3RD SEMI FINAL

1 LIVELY ARTHUR
2 MARWILLS SILVER
3 STORMY SCHOLES (M)
4 LAST MOHICAN (M)
5 ICEMAN ROSS (W)
6 NOIRS TED (W)

The latest betting is available here.

The decider of the Prestige is Sky's first live offering of the year coming from Hall Green on Tuesday.

Only five dogs go to the traps with old rogue Romford Car Two being disqualified for 'fighting' in the semi's.

Speed Figs

T5 - Directors Chair 100
T2 - Killieford Raven 73
T3 - Glittering Aries 72+
T1 - Tuftys Pearletta 52
T6 - Westmead Liz 37

The figs are on a scale of 8 points per length making Directors Chair over three lengths clear on the numbers.

Mark Wallis' dog won the Midland St Leger over course and distance in December and had both Glittering Aries and Killieford Raven behind him on that occasion. There is a slight worry with Directors Choice being drawn in trap 5 but the empty box on his inside should help. I expect him to lead from the first bend and stay there, the 5/4 currently available seems fair enough to me.

Bet - 25 points to win on Directors Chair at 5/4

The Coronation Cup concludes at Romford on Friday night. The trap draw is as below -

TONY WILLIAMS CORONATION CUP FINAL

1 GENESIS DREAM
2 VENTUREMORE
3 RONALDOS MERIT
4 ERINACEOUS RAPID (M)
5 APACHE SPIRIT (M)
6 BARAN MUSTANG (M)

After an impressive semi-final performance Genesis Dream is odds on to land the decider. The latest betting is available here.

The antepost selection Iceman Vader went out in the heats of the Birmingham Cup, never getting going he finished a disappointing fifth.

Exciting prospect Ballymac under was fastest on the night. Quick away he won his heat by over eight lengths in a swift 28.10 (calc).

A bad night for punters at Romford last night as all three favourites were beaten in the semi-finals of the Coronation Cup, including ante-post hotpot Eye Onthe Veto. Its been a bookies benefit with not a single 'jolly' winning in the event so far!

Also out is my selection Heavy Weather who finished fourth after finding trouble.

By far the best time of the three semi's was recorded by Mark Wallis' in form bitch Genesis Dream. She won by 7 1/2 lengths in 35.64 (calc).

The Stan James Birmingham Cup gets underway at Perry Barr on Saturday night.

Exciting youngster Ballymac Under is the market leader at 5/2. This should be a good test for Mathew Dartnall's dog who is already second favourite for the Derby.

I'm going to oppose the jolly though and go for some each way value in the form of Iceman Vader. Lance Burford's charge has proved himself a good competition dog winning the Blue Riband last year and reaching the finals of the Eclipse, Steel City Cup and the Ladbrokes Gold Cup. He's had a little break after being tried over six bends an apparenty had a decent sprint trail the other day. I expect him to qualify from a good draw in heat 1 on Saturday and the 16/1 available with Corals, Totesport and Betfred looks fair enough.

Bet - 5 points each way at 16/1 Iceman Vader

The decider of the Bet Direct Prestige takes place at Hall Green on Tuesday (15th Jan), Sky are covering the meeting live. Trap 4 is vacant due to Romford Car Two being disqualified for fighting.

Trap Draw -

1 TUFTYS PEARLETTA
2 KILLIEFORD RAVEN
3 GLITTERING ARIES
4 - VACANT –
5 DIRECTORS CHAIR
6 WESTMEAD LIZ (W)

The Stan James Birmingham Cup starts on Saturday night at Perry Barr. Amongst the entries is the Derby second favourite Ballymac Under.

Trap draw for the six first round heats -

19.52 480M THE STAN JAMES BIRMINGHAM CUP HEAT 1

1 ICEMAN VADER (L BURFORD, COVEN)
2 MOANING ZIZOU (D B WHITTON, HNLOW)
3 LIVELY ARTHUR (E MCNAIR, UNATT)
4 LENSON EXPRESS (A M P COLLETT, STGBRN)
5 MARWILLS SILVER (S A CAHILL, WSTOW)
6 NOIRS TED (W) (S A CAHILL, WSTOW)

20.08 480M THE STAN JAMES BIRMINGHAM CUP HEAT 2

1 GALDARE CHARLIE (P SLATER, PER BA)
2 PIN HEAD (J R HALL, HALLG)
3 FARLOE HURRICANE (B DRAPER, SHEFF)
4 STORMY SCHOLES (M) (H F WILLIAMS, NEWC)
5 BARAN PEDRO (M) (G BAGGS, WSTOW)
6 MINNIES PREMIER (W) (F C WRIGHT, COVEN)

20.38 480M THE STAN JAMES BIRMINGHAM CUP HEAT 3

1 KILKENNY LONJACK (S A CAHILL, WSTOW)
2 WRIGHT SIGNAL (E T PARKER, SHEFF)
3 ASK THE QUESTION (M) (S A CAHILL, WSTOW)
4 DROOPYS TOBEY (M) (G J HUTT, UNATT)
5 ICEMAN ROSS (W) (L BURFORD, COVEN)
6 ALSTON BIG LAD (W) (E A LAGAN, UNATT)

20.53 480M THE STAN JAMES BIRMINGHAM CUP HEAT 4

1 BALLYMAC UNDER (M J DARTNALL, READG)
2 BARNFIELD WEEMAN (G J HUTT, UNATT)
3 PRIMITIVE WAY (D R PRUHS, PBRGH)
4 BLONDE BECKS (E T PARKER, SHEFF)
5 RAGING JACK (N COLTON, HALLG)
6 REV COUNTER (C ALLSOPP, MONMR)

21.24 480M THE STAN JAMES BIRMINGHAM CUP HEAT 5

1 LENSON EARL (A M P COLLETT, STGBRN)
2 MAMA CHICO (G J HUTT, UNATT)
3 CLEENAS LADY (M J DARTNALL, READG)
4 UNIQUE OPTION (M) (D R PRUHS, PBRGH)
5 MEENALA BABE (M) (P A BILLINGHAM, MONMR)
6 SPEED GUARANTEED (M) (S RALPH, PER BA)

21.39 480M THE STAN JAMES BIRMINGHAM CUP HEAT 6

1 CORLEONES FLASH (P TIMMINS, NOTTS)
2 HACKNEY CARRIAGE (M) (J G MULLINS, UNATT)
3 LAST MOHICAN (M) (D B BUTLER, UNATT)
4 FARLOE NIALL (W) (B DRAPER, SHEFF)
5 DROOPYS WELLS (W) (E MCNAIR, UNATT)
6 POND ASTRONAUT (W) (H F WILLIAMS, NEWC)

Cheers

The Coronation Cup continues at Romford on Friday night. The antepost tip Heavy Weather goes in the 21:04 and is going to have to be at the top of his game up against hot favourite Eye Onthe Veto and Genesis Dream. The 21:20 looks like a race to avoid with six railers all drawn together. First two from each semi qualify for the final, trap draw as below -

21.04 575M TONY WILLIAMS CORONATION CUP-1ST SEMI FINAL

1 GENESIS DREAM
2 MAISIES GIRL
3 HEAVY WEATHER
4 ERINACEOUS RAPID (M)
5 LOVE FOREVER (M)
6 EYE ONTHE VETO (W)

21.20 575M TONY WILLIAMS CORONATION CUP-2ND SEMI FINAL

1 VENTUREMORE
2 STRIDE ON BABE
3 DANBURY DODGER
4 RONALDOS MERIT
5 GRAYFOX CHIP
6 DIRECTORS CHOICE

21.36 575M TONY WILLIAMS CORONATION CUP-3RD SEMI FINAL

1 FULL BLOOM
2 XAAR DOM BOOTY
3 BARAN MUSTANG (M)
4 APACHE SPIRIT (M)
5 FIRE LANE VIERI (W)
6 GENESIS SISTER (W)

Cheers

On a night of shocks, where all six favourites were beaten, Heavy Weather progressed through to Fridays semi-finals. He's now as low as 8/1 with Corals but Hills will still lay the 20's.

Stride On Babe was fastest on the night and is now second favourite behind Eye Onthe Veto.

Cheers

The Coronation Cup gets underway at Romford tonight with six first round heats.

Course specialist Eye Onthe Veto is hot favourite at a best priced 7/4 and he has an obvious chance but with 35 other dogs in the event he's a short enough price. Second favourite is 2006 Oaks winner and Derby finalist Dilemmas Flight. She's stepping up to six bends for this event and those taking the Totesport's offer of 5/1 are doing so in the hope that this trip brings out the best in her.

Its 12/1 bar the front two which means there's plenty of good dogs available at each way prices. The one that takes my eye is Seamus Cahill's Heavy Weather. This son of Top Honcho has won round here before and he's young enough to improve further. I expect him to progress tonight and at 20/1 he's decent value.

Bet - 4 points each way Heavy Weather at 20/1 with Totesport.

Cheers

The Bet Direct Prestige continues at Hall Green on Tuesday with the semi finals drawn as below -

1ST SEMI

1 FRISBY FOXWATCH
2 GLITTERING ARIES
3 TUFTYS PEARLETTA
4 WESTMEAD LIZ (W)
5 WESTMEAD TINA (W)
6 HILLCROSS LEGEND (W)

2ND SEMI

1 DIRECTORS CHAIR
2 ROMFORD CAR TWO
3 KILLEFORD RAVEN
4 SWIFT MAYBOLE
5 DEANRIDGE DI (M)
6 WESTMEAD AMY (W)

The latest prices are available here.

Cheers

A very interesting Tony WIlliams sponsored Coronation Cup starts at Romford on Monday (7th January). The entries include course specialist Eye Onthe Veto and Oaks Winner Dilemmas Flight. No odds from the bookies yet but here's the trap draw -

19.27 575M TONY WILLIAMS CORONATION CUP HEAT 1

1 VENTUREMORE (J J COLEMAN, WSTOW)
2 XAAR DOM BOOTY (P W YOUNG, ROMFD)
3 BARAN MUSTANG (M) (G BAGGS, WSTOW)
4 AIRTECH SPUR (W) (C N CRONIN, UNATT)
5 MYSTIC BREEZE (W) (N COLTON, HALLG)
6 DILEMMAS FLIGHT (W) (N SAVVA, HNLOW)

19.43 575M TONY WILLIAMS CORONATION CUP HEAT 2

1 TWILIGHT FANTASY (M A WALLIS, WSTOW)
2 GO MARCO POLO (J J LUCKHURST, CRYFD)
3 JOURNEY BACK (M) (S A CAHILL, WSTOW)
4 APACHE SPIRIT(M) (J J MARCH, PBRGH)
5 EYE ONTHE VETO (W) (M A WALLIS, WSTOW)
6 FIRE LANE VIERI (W) (N COLTON, HALLG)

19.58 575M TONY WILLIAMS CORONATION CUP HEAT 3

1 HEAVY WEATHER (S A CAHILL, WSTOW)
2 FABREGAS (S C WILLEY, UNATT)
3 STRIDE ON BABE (M A WALLIS, WSTOW)
4 ERINACEOUS RAPID (M) (E A GASKIN, ROMFD)
5 EN IT (M) (D MULLINS, ROMFD)
6 ROCKCHASE ALICE (M) (P W YOUNG, ROMFD)

20.14 575M TONY WILLIAMS CORONATION CUP HEAT 4

1 RONALDOS MERIT (S A CAHILL, WSTOW)
2 GENESIS DREAM (M A WALLIS, WSTOW)
3 NINE MILE (J W REYNOLDS, ROMFD)
4 RIO DIVO (C N CRONIN, UNATT)
5 DALCASH FICKLE (M) (N COLTON, HALLG)
6 LOVE FOREVER (M) (M L LOCKE, ROMFD)

20.31 575M TONY WILLIAMS CORONATION CUP HEAT 5

1 FULL BLOOM (L D SAMS, UNATT)
2 DIRECTORS CHOICE (SA CAHILL, WSTOW)
3 SHELBOURNE RYAN (M A WALLIS, WSTOW)
4 ASHLINGS GEM (M L LOCKE, ROMFD)
5 BORNA ACT (M) (J W REYNOLDS, ROMFD)
6 GENESIS SISTER (W) (M A WALLIS, WSTOW)

20.47 575M TONY WILLIAMS CORONATION CUP HEAT 6

1 DANBURY DODGER (J W REYNOLDS, ROMFD)
2 COOLANGA FLYER (M A WALLIS, WSTOW)
3 GRAYFOX CHIP (N COLTON, HALLG)
4 MAISIES GIRL (P F PAYNE, ROMFD)
5 THATCHERS BOY (M) (P W YOUNG, ROMFD)
6 DANGEROUS LADY (W) (D MULLINS, ROMFD)

Cheers

I've been thinking about the antepost bet I'd had on Local Knowledge for the Bet Direct Prestige.

I'd put quite a bit of work into looking at the competition but the method I normally use for choosing my antepost selections didn't highlight a bet.

What I should have done is passed on the antepost market and wait for the final to see if there was any value to be had. What I did, because I'd put a lot of work in and also because it was the first big competition of the year, was to try desperately to find a bet.

In the end I guess I got what I deserved as I lost 12 points of the bank when I shouldn't even have been playing. I'll put this down to experience but I need to keep in mind the old Alan Potts rule - "No bets is no problem".

Cheers