THE BERNIE THE BOOK COLUMN RAMS TO CLAIM SUPER BOWL -
It was supposed to be February 2026... they were unstoppable and destined for a home Super Bowl... they were the best team across the NFL... but they lost in a monumental NFC Championship game to eventual winners, Seattle... They were, and probably still are, seething!
HAGGAS TO FINALLY LAND ARC WITH RAIDER! THE ST LEGER
So, what have they done? Licked their wounds and cried foul? No, they have gone all in and now the league’s best offence have just sold their soul to the devil, like Faustus, to acquire the league’s most fearsome sack machine, the league’s defensive player of the year, the league’s perpetual pro-bowler, Miles Garrett to lead their defence, with the aim of claiming next year’s Super Bowl.
Value is not always in finding some trendy odds and the favourites, at 6/1, THE LA RAMS, simply cannot go unbacked and GO LARGE as this price will be a distant memory come Thanksgiving.
Of course, there are two sides to the NFL, the NFC (where the Rams play) plus the AFC, and rather than back the Rams each way, I prefer to pick a team from the opposing conference in the hope they meet in the final. On that theme, I quite fancy the chances of perennial contenders, the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, now that Patrick Mahomes is back from injury and with the acquisition in the close season of Kenneth Walker, last year’s MVP RB from reigning Super Bowl champions, Seattle. At 16/1, that price can be made to look ridiculous by the turkey carving time.
THE PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE
Paris in early October can only mean one thing to us horse followers, Europe’s premier all age horse race, and this year I quite fancy the chances of rapidly improving MALTESE CROSS to wrest home the crown for shrewdie William Haggas. 7/1 third favourite, the Malteser has recently been aimed at the race in preference to being favourite for the St Lager after impressing in both Paris (Grand Prix) and the Voltigeur, and this rapidly improving entire can dance down the Champs-Élysées come October.
PHTM SEPTEMBER 2026
Speaking of which, with Maltese not running, this opens the door to Joseph O’Brien beating his dad to the oldest classic with Gordon Stakes winner, ENCELADUS at 7/2. Trainer of the year Joseph is well capable of adding to his CV. Alternative, and definitely left field, is ZIA ZABEL at a juicy double carpet (at time of writing), that’s 33/1 for those not au fait with bookies’ speak.
FOOTY’S BACK! As promised last month, my tips for the lower league’s are...
DIVISION 1
Last year LUTON were fancied to return straight away to the Championship but expectations and managerial changes took their toll. Now under Jack Wilshere, they have turned the corner and are a confident selection for promotion. Back each way at 7/1 if you must, especially as that giant behemoth, Leicester, are in the Division, but I feel their off the pitch problems, notably that the club is
up
for sale, will distract them sufficiently to halt their
charge..yes it’s the Hatters for me at Nevis.
DIVISION 2
Big spending and moneybags Salford can be opposed in the basement by shrewd BARNET, who have started the season well. At 8/1, they are a fantastic price. Back now before the price shrinks.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
And so finally to the Champions League, now the participants have been decided and I can’t help feeling that Spanish super giants BARCELONA are due a win, especially if they manage to acquire Alvarez from Atletico before the end of the month. 6/1 Is a fair price
Until next month Good punting
Bernie the Book 77
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