THE BERNIE THE BOOK COLUMN


PRANCING HORSE TO STAMP ITS HOOVES WITH LEWIS IN THE SADDLE


And happy new year!! I’m sure this isn’t the only column you’ve read recently that’s offered this salutation, but in my case its offered glibly and with no thought and its presumably being read equally glibly and read only to see who I am backing in 2025!!. After all its only about profit and so to events starting in January


SIX NATIONS


Firstly, an absolute steal of a wager, IRELAND to win the Six Nations, starting at the end of the month. Not only is Ireland the best team in the Northern Hemisphere and practically the world, but the fixtures this year see them at home to both France and England! - the only two teams that can possibly (on a good day...if Ireland didn’t turn up...and the ref was bent!) challenge. Take the universal 13/8 for the Championship now..15/8 with Hills if you hurry and maybe the Burlington Bertie (hundred to thirty) for Grand Slam glory


FORMULA ONE


What a season we’ve just witnessed with the petulant but extremely talented Max V actually being challenged hard by Norris, Russell and Le Clerc to the title. Red Bull’s wiiings (geddit!) have certainly been clipped by McClaren, Mercedes and Ferrari and where there was once was a yawnfest, now witness actual interest! And now the season runs over 23 races, with the highs and lows of car reliability and performance severely put to the test. Costs are astronomic but as a way of balancing the books , I have heard that Kwik Fit are fitting a new set of tyres for under £100! I digress.


What’s clear is that Red Bull won’t be as dominant and my crystal ball tells me that Max may well jump ship to a new team come 2026....you know he is bound to throw his toys out of the pram at some point. Christian Horner could be sacrificed in the melee and he may have to resort to being road manager on the next Spice Girls tour.


What’s equally clear to me is that the Prancing Horse is back and will challenge for the Constructors’ Championship, if that’s the case then their points can only be awarded by their drivers finishing positions. If


PHTM JANUARY 2025


that’s the case then I can see LEWIS HAMILTON at a massive 9/1 eclipsing not only Lando, Max and George, but also his team mate Charles LeClerc, who has flattered to deceive over the last three seasons. Lewis is a consummate world champion who is hungrier than ever in a car that will match his expectations


MASTERS SNOOKER


Mid January sees the top 16 men’s snooker players contest the Masters in London. A bit like the Golf in Augusta, its an invitational event and because of this all matches are of interest with only the very best adding their name to the trophy. It’s also the third leg of snooker’s Triple Crown.


The Rocket in London? Home crowd baying for blood (wrong sport but correct analogy), well not for me as 3/1 is way too short for a man, nay a legend with his powers waning. Since winning the World Crown in May, KYREN WILSON has to my mind improved and is still under the radar. Great under pressure and supremely combative he represents decent value at 7/1


AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS


At the same time, the first tennis Grand Slams are under way in Melbourne and my headline pick is an upset (not really an upset) in the Women’s with China’s QINWEN ZHENG tipped at 10/1 to capture her first Grand Slam. I can see her dominating the Division over the next few years and I can see her upsetting the mighty Sabalenka (9/4 next best) on a surface that plays to her strengths. Over to the Men’s and you can’t really oppose JANNIK SINNER in retaining his title at 2/1 although I wouldn’t dismiss Novak lightly and at 11/2 for the Serb....well 11/2 wow!


See which side the draw he is and back him if in the other half to the Italian.


Next month…Cheltenham tips. Tally-ho and off to Prestbury Park.


Good punting...


Bernie the Book 71


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