THE BERNIE THE BOOK COLUMN PRESTBURY PARK PREPARES FOR IRISH INVASION
FOLLOWERS OF MY COLUMN COULD BE IN FOR A NICE few pounds as my January headlined with victory for Neil Robertson in the Masters snooker at a tasty Tom Mix, which in betting parlances is 6/1. With progression for the Hammers in the FA Cup, together with Palace and now the Rams (antepost pick last August at 16/1) for the Super- bowl in mid February, it’s an interesting time with Cheltenham on the horizon.
apart but nevertheless the Flyer lived up to his reputation and although winning at a double figure price at Kempton, I still think that he is being understimated.
TURNERS This looks like being one of the highlights of the whole week with the superstar that is Bob Ollinger looking to cement last year’s Ballymore success. But the one I fancy is the Mullins’ hotpot GALOPIN DAY CHAMPS at 4/1. Strangely enough if you back him each way I believe that you have a free bet as, for example, £10 each way on him being placed will return £18. Naturally another £50 will be returned if a winner (£10 stake) and it is a common practice of most professional gamblers to back each way on horses priced between as low as 5/2 and 9/2. You do the maths.
My original thoughts largely haven’t changed. January’s column detailed:
CONSTITUTION HILL – SUPREME advised 9/2, now 2/1 fav EDWARDSTONE – ARKLE 6/1. Now 4/1 JOURNEY WITH ME – BALLYMORE 7/1 now 6/1 ENERGUMENE – CHAMPION CHASE 11/4 now 10/3 KLASSICAL DREAM – STAYERS 5/2 now 5/1
But now its time to look at the grade 1s to add to our portfolio.
CHAMPION HURDLE The Mare’s Allowance of 7lb seemingly makes Honeysuckle the banker of the meeting and in many people’s eyes, including myself, this is largely true but 4/6 doesn’t groove my truffles and with six weeks to opening night, things can befall any horse. With that in mind and a non- runner no-bet concession from Bet365 I think the 20/1 on offer about QUILIXOUS each way at one fifth the odds the first three makes plenty of appeal. The place money alone pays 4/1.
GOLD CUP The highlight of the meeting seems another Irish banker with the top six or seven horses in the lists all trained in Ireland. Of those, and in a race where it is difficult to retain your crown, I like the look of the King George winner, TORNADO FLYER at 12/1. The King George seemed to fall
FEBRUARY 2022
ALBERT BARTLETT The second grade one on the Friday is the attritional three-mile Novice Hurdle which tends to throw up Gold Cup winners or Stayers winners in future years. I was very impressed with GINTO in Ireland recently and I think this will be a popular winner for the returning Gordon Elliott. At 7/1 he is a big player.
Away from Cheltenham this month sees the return of Champions League action in Europe’s premier football competition with the round of 16 starting in mid Feb. As last year and in a belief that the Champions League only begins at this stage I would suggest an acc on the first leg ties as follows: Liverpool 21/20, Bayern 3/10, Ajax Evens, PSG 10/11 and Villa Real 17/10. The acc pays £274 for a £10 stake. With regard to the outright I still maintain MAN CITY at 11/4 is excep- tional value but anybody looking for a working man’s price should consider AJAX 14/1 and perennial winners REAL MADRID at 20/1. P.S. I hope you noticed my musing of the special one returning to the Premier League in 2022, as I noted that Everton might part ways with Rafa. Well they did and wouldn’t it be a challenge for Jose to square off with Jurgen or even Stevie G!!!!
Next issue we will highlight the Grand National at Aintree. Good punting…
Bernie the Book 89
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