THE BERNIE THE BOOK COLUMN I WISH IT COULD BE CHRISTMAS EVERY DAY!!
WHO WAS IT that said “a week is a long time in politics”? Well I am sure the current government sees its present situation as decidedly precarious and feeling like it’s in a maelstrom of a decade of aggravation. Now as you know your convivial tipster does not espouse any Westminster rhetoric, nor lobby on behalf of any political party, but I have been known to scoop large on political elections… selling the Lib Dem seats in 2019, Brexit popularity, American Electoral College votes et al…and my advice (this week, geddit?) is that I have seen worse 33/1 shots than the next Tory leader after Rishi Sunak being DC himself, our new Foreign Secretary…DAVID CAMERON! Just follow the
logic...the Tories will be decimated at next year’s General Election (whether May or in the Autumn/Winter, the fallout from Covid mismanage- ment will get worse, anyone linked with the Johnson administration will be tarred with the same brush, and the Tory Rump of around 250 MPs will demand a new leader. A safe pair of hands, a man with influence and alliances, a man instantly recognisable rather than a faceless grey shirt and DC fits all of the above - remember he only resigned from the top job because of losing the Brexit vote and if he had ever thought he would lose that vote, he wouldn’t have given in to the Tory right to give the UK people an option. A safe Tory seat beckons and with it the Tory recovery. PS…in case you were wondering, it was Harold Wilson. Politics aside, in the run up to Christmas, it’s a veritable feast of sport.
WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIP The fancy dress is back, the beers will be overflowing and the Ally Pally will be rocking to the sound of one hundred and eighty as the arrowsmiths step up to the oche in the World Championship. Last year I gave my followers an early New Year’s present in Michael Smith at the juicy price of 10/1. And this year my two against the field, (one in each side of the draw) are LUKE HUMPHRIES at 4/1 and a rejuvenated GARY ANDERSON at 16/1.
PHTM DECEMBER 2023
It looks a year for the changing of the guard in Luke, who is on a stellar 2023, but there are others who can provide shocks in an open year. Gary Anderson is back and if he gets on a roll, there are few more dangerous opponents. Dangerous floaters to keep on your side (all 33/1 and above) and ideal for accas are Josh Rock, the Asp and James Wade.
KING GEORGE
The National Hunt season is in full flow and the midwinter showpiece of the King George set to be run on Boxing Day, and what a cracker it appears to be. Last years winner, Bravemansgame has rather blotted his copybook recently, and what more can be said of the enigmatic Shishkin except that he’s an enigma. However, I believe next year’s Gold Cup winner will be in attendance and back GERRI COLOMBE for both races, Gordon Elliot has always thought he was made for the top and the 3/1 currently on offer will disappear over the next few weeks. In any event, take the 5/1 now for the Gold Cup next March. Speaking of Cheltenham… The early bird catches the worm and you should start your portfolio now, to small stakes. As detailed above, Gerri Colombe is my standout choice for the Gold Cup, but based on what I have witnessed and more importantly read thus far, you should supplement with the following: SUPREME (Tues) ARKLE (Tues)
RYANAIR (Thurs) TURNERS (Thurs) GOLD CUP (Fri)
ILE ATLANTIQUE 33/1 MARINE NATIONALE 4/1 ENVOI ALLEN 10/1
GAELIC WARRIOR 5/1 GERRI COLOMBE 5/1
CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONE Well, it’s that time of year when Laddbaby launch their Christmas single, which for the last five years has been the Christmas Number One. But hey, stop press, the word on the street is that they are not releasing a single this year! Hardly merit worthy for the covid enquiry, but it does mean that this year there is yet another market to bet upon! And after due diligence I have decided that the current 6/4 favourite by the Pogues (Fairytale of New York etc. etc.) is poor value as Shane McGowan despite his untimely death. A quick glance of the charity single by Roy Wood and the ROCK CHOIR at 20/1 (I Wish it could be Christmas every day) seems worth a punt.
Bernie the Book 83
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