sports betting
It truly is a wide open handicap (each horse is allotted a weight to carry to try and equalise their varying abilities), and any of the forty runners these days hold realistic claims. No longer are hopelessly outclassed "rags" allowed to run, meaning the standard generally is much higher...
This weekend saw arguably the biggest betting sports event of the year, the Grand National, take place. No doubt many people would have laid money on their choices for this annual event. To some of those people this would be just another race that they would have gambled on.
Ladbrokes, one of the UK's oldest and most established bookmakers, recently introduced a new betting service that allows fresher's to bet on their own final degree classification. The new service, which is available now at Ladbrokers.com, covers odds for any fresher's degree classification in any of the UK's top 20 Universities.
The big betting race of the day is the Wokingham Handicap and the short-list is particularly long with Nocturn, Royal Rock, Palace Moon and the selection Rex Imperator (4.25) who has always promised to win a big one and can finally fulfil his potential.
After the opening two days at Royal Ascot, we have already refunded well over £100,000 as a result of our losses back if Richard Hughes finishes in the frame in any race and there is no question that punters have edged the opening couple of days although it could have been worse... I think!
All Shakin' Stevens fans will be hoping for a big run from Green Door in the opening Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot on Thursday but preference is for Irish raider This Ole House no sorry still in Shakin' Stevens mode I mean Coach House (2.30) who has won his last couple of starts including when showing improved form on fast ground at the Curragh last month.
Day two of Royal Ascot starts with the 7f Jersey Stakes; the race has often thrown up a shock in recent years with three 20/1 shots and no winning favourite since 2001 when Mozart obliged for Ballydoyle.
The opening race of Royal Ascot 2013 sees, arguably, the most versatile horse in the world Animal Kingdom (2.30) make his British debut on what is likely to be his final start before he embarks on a career at stud; nice work if you can get it.
