THE BERNIE THE BOOK COLUMN


RUNE TO RUIN CARLOS’S CORONATION AND GOSDEN ON THE MARCH


May sees the culmination of most of the season’s winter sports, with football dominating the sporting consciousness, before a break of all of two weeks till next season. Well not quite!


TENNIS


What is fast approaching is the tennis season with Roland Garros starting towards the end of May on the iconic clay of Paris, and in the Mens’ tournament, it is hard to ignore the chances of Carlos Alcaraz on his fa- vourite surface, but at odds of 6/4, it is hardly a work- ing man’s price. His form recently has been excellent and what with his two market rivals in transition, Novak being past his best on his least favourite sur- face and Sinner (how apt!) just returning after serving his drugs ban, you can see the attraction.


Whilst I would advocate a French double with the queen of Paris, Iga Swiatek, single bets should only be for big hitters. That double pays a top price of 9/2. No, far better to look at HOLGER RUNE in the Mens’ at a tempting 20/1. Rune recently beat Alcaraz on his favourite surface (clay) in his own back yard (Barcelona) in a major final (Spanish Open) so he is not without a chance.


Similarly, Swiatek’s star is beginning to wane and I rather like the look of the new kid on the block MIRRA ANDREEVA who may announce her Grand Slam arrival. She is available at an acceptable 8/1. My other pick is JASMINE PAOLINI who continues to punch above her weight and is widely backable at 33/1.


FLAT RACING


The first horse racing classics of the Flat racing season quickly come around, with the Colts on Saturday the third of May and the Fillies 24 hours later.


The trials have been run and the first thing to note is that Ballydoyle seem to be off the pace with their Colts. Lion in Winter (LiW) is mooted as the next big thing but seems to losing his battle with fitness and postponing a Classic start in favour of the Dante at


PHTM MAY 2025


York in readiness for the Derby and lets be honest, if City of Troy and other luminaries weren’t quite ready for the undulations of Newmarket then LiW certainly wont be carrying my money.


The Craven, so long the number one trial for the 2000 Guineas due to the fact it is run over the same course and distance (almost) threw up a leading candidate and one that I have no hesitation in recommending is FIELD OF GOLD for the Gosdens. Odds of 11/4 might seem skimpy, they’re not and should be taken.


In the Fillies equivalent, even money about Godol- phin’s Desert Flower are plenty short enough and I would advocate an each way interest on RED LETTER at 8/1. CAUTION: She might stay at home for the Irish 2000 Guineas, so keep stakes sensible.


DARTS


With only a few weeks to go until finals night at the O2


, the Darts is hotting up. And it is no wonder Luke (the Nuke) Littler is odds on with the layers. Semis and finals are over a minimum of first to ten which play to his strengths. Where is the value??


I’d suggest a small interest on STEPHEN BUNTING who has shown improved form of late, but he is the outsider of the party and needs to win at least two of the final few nights just to qualify, but at 66/1, if he does he could trouble the boy wonder. It takes a leap of faith but for a few pounds?.....


GOLF


Finally to the second leg of the golf majors and the USPGA at Hollow Creek, and Rory is a worthy favour- ite. I prefer to go elsewhereand would advocate each way inter- ests, (you will always get first ten places )on a resurgent VIKTOR HOVLAND and under the radar MAVERICK McNEALY. The Norwe- gian is around 33/1 and as to Mav- erick? At least 66/1. Shop around!


Until next time Good punting


Bernie the Book 81


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