THE BERNIE THE BOOK COLUMN DEJA WHO?
UNCLE TED TO TURN BRONZE INTO GOLD
CHELTENHAM IS OVER FOR ANOTHER YEAR and readers of this column will have been in heaven with my ante-post tips. The attached issue of January’s column says it all but the facts are there for all to see with Naps given at prices of CONSTITUTION HILL (9/2), EDWARDSTONE (5/1) and ENERGUMENE (11/4). Plus anyone backing GALOPIN DES CHAMPS at 4/1, who fell at the last with the race at his mercy would have been kicking himself. BACK HIM NOW for next years GOLD CUP, you can get 6/1. What a steal.
CONSTITUTION HILL – SUPREME 9/2, currently 9/4 EDWARDSTONE – ARKLE 5/1, currently 2/1 JOURNEY WITH ME – BALLYMORE 7/1 currently 11/2 ENERGUMENE – CHAMPION CHASE 11/4 now 3/1 KLASSICAL DREAM – STAYERS 5/2 now 9/2
It has to be pointed out that I tipped both GALOPIN at 4/1 who was 30 lengths clear when falling over the last and GINTO, who would have won the Albert Bartlett if not breaking down. But if Cheltenham is the professional’s choice, then apart from Lester in the Derby, the housewives choice and the biggest betting race in the calendar by far is the Grand National at Aintree on the 9th of this month. I confess to being all horsed out after a tumultuous Cheltenham…that was until a nagging (no pun intended) reminder kept pulsating in my brain and I just had to refer to my column last April and lo and behold, last year’s head- line nap was ANY SECOND NOW to win last year’s renewal. The fact that he didn’t (tipped up at 20/1) and only managed third was largely due to a shuddering mistake that nearly brought him down mid race and also Henry de Bromhead’s stellar year in saddling the first two home!! In addition to the multiple Grade Ones at Prestbury Park!! The fact remains ANY SECOND NOW ran a great race to finish third last year and will run an equally fine race this year to claim victory for the legend that is JP, sometimes an initial is all you need. And he is trained by Ted Walsh (father of). The only caveat is the price which is 12/1 and a price that will get shorter pre-race. Back ASAP. My second one against the field is LONGHOUSE POET who came back from a lengthy absence to claim victory in one of Ireland’s premier staying chases and has avoided the rigours of Cheltenham. At 25/1 he is a steal at current prices. Meanwhile Aintree is not only about one race, and those perennial flat track bullies, Mssrs. Nicholls and Skelton have
APRIL 2022
trained their horses for Liverpool rather than the ultra competitive Cheltenham, so look out and keep on your side (esp Paul Nicholls) any horses in Graded races that haven’t used Aintree as an afterthought. Its not all about horse racing and this month sees the business end of European football, but also, Golf’s first Major, the Masters at Augusta. This year there is a changing of the guard and you can throw away any allegiance to DJ, Bryson, McIlroy, Lefty, Rahm, Jordan, Brooks, Sergio and Tiger. That will certainly help your staking plan. My four against the field are COLLIN MORAKAWA, SCOTTIE SHEFFLER, VIKTOR HOVLAND and CAMERON SMITH. They are respectively, at the time of writing, 12/1, 28/1, 22/1 and 25/1 My first preference is for the Australian Cameron Smith who continues to impress and compete well on the PGA Tour. Nearer the time, most layers will be offering TOP MARKETS and he should be backed in TOP REST of THE WORLD as should Hovland in TOP CONTINENTAL EUROPE.
AND SO TO THE FOOTY… The draw has now been made for the latter stages of Europes two main competitions. My final opine is my ante- post tip of WEST HAM have it tough from now on, but may surprise some, but in the Champions League, the only bet to have is an acca of Man City, Real, Liverpool and Bayern to progress to the semis. It pays a shade under 9/4 Lastly, you might find it strange for me to be tipping a team to win next year’s Superbowl, but early birds etc. and…stop press…DENVER BRONCOS have just done what the Rams did last year (tipped in August 2021 at a whop- ping 20/1) and Tampa did the year before, in that they are putting all their eggs in one basket and trading future draft picks etc. for instant success and in much the same way Matt Stafford and Tom Brady left their franchises, so too has Denver and gone all in to sign RUSSELL WILSON from the Seahawks. WOW…I mean wow, so get on early at 16/1 for 2023. And spare a thought for the American businessman who shelled out $450,000 on the football that Tom Brady threw his last touchdown pass before retirement. With a retail value of under a 100 bucks, it’s a bit left field. But these things do accrue over time and it was the GOATS last TD. Spare a thought, I hear you ask?? Well Tom came out of retirement and that $450,000 investment has just depreciated somewhat!!!
So until next month…good punting
Bernie the Book 101
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