Sportsman Racing: Weird Al’s Gold Cup Tilt

In this regular Monday segment, racing expert Scott Armstrong rounds up all the action of note from this weekend’s racing for SBC Blog readers.

The injury-plagued Weird Al put his problems well and truly behind him with a monumental win in the jump season’s first big renewal – the Charlie Hall chase. Superbly piloted by Timmy Murphy Weird Al came from off the pace to quicken away from Time For Rupert after the last fence earning quotes of 20-1 for the Gold Cup next March. Owing to setbacks Weird Al has only had nine career runs at the age of eight and remains open to further progression. Long Run will prove very difficult to beat in next year’s Gold Cup but if Weird Al stays in good health then he must have a chance in the Hennessy if entered at the end of next month. Continue reading

Sportsman Racing: Weird Al's Gold Cup Tilt

In this regular Monday segment, racing expert Scott Armstrong rounds up all the action of note from this weekend’s racing for SBC Blog readers.

The injury-plagued Weird Al put his problems well and truly behind him with a monumental win in the jump season’s first big renewal – the Charlie Hall chase. Superbly piloted by Timmy Murphy Weird Al came from off the pace to quicken away from Time For Rupert after the last fence earning quotes of 20-1 for the Gold Cup next March. Owing to setbacks Weird Al has only had nine career runs at the age of eight and remains open to further progression. Long Run will prove very difficult to beat in next year’s Gold Cup but if Weird Al stays in good health then he must have a chance in the Hennessy if entered at the end of next month. Continue reading

Are Man United more dangerous after a shock defeat?

In this article, the analysts from the excellent Form Lab software analyse over performing teams in major European leagues.

Manchester United didn’t just lose against Man City, they were demolished. They suffered their worst home defeat last weekend since the formation of the Premier League, and in the process drifted out to 2/1 second-favourites to be lifting the trophy in May.

A popular theory is that this makes United more dangerous to their opponents in their next game because they are looking to avenge their loss.

But is this true?

We have examined the data across Europe’s Big 5 leagues to find out if there are any trends that might point to an instant return to form for United this weekend against Everton. Continue reading

Sportsman Racing: Diamond Harry To Sparkle?

Welcome to our latest column from Scott Armstrong of The Sportsman tipster service.

Each Friday, Scott provides us with a rundown of all the best weekend racing action – including the key  horses to follow and those to oppose. You can also find a recap from him each Monday on the SBC Blog with his reaction to the weekend’s events. Thorough, frank and not afraid to take a contrary view, Scott Armstrong is a racing man whose opinion you can’t afford to be without.

The jumps season kicks off in earnest this weekend with the Charlie Hall meeting at Wetherby. Ascot also holds a decent National Hunt card while the flat season has not quite dwindled out yet with meetings at Newmarket, Ayr and there’s racing on the polytrack at Wolverhampton.

The Charlie Hall Chase is the pivotal jumps race of the weekend and this season’s renewal is a cracker. Having been won on previous years by such luminaries as One Man, Wayward Lad, Forgive ‘N’ Forget, Barton Bank, Our Vic and See More Business this term’s contest witnesses Diamond Harry as current 11-4 favourite and he looks the one to beat. Continue reading

The Free Bets That Would Have Grown Your Bank By 116%

One question we are often posed here at the Smart Betting Club refers to what type of bets a keen punter should look to focus on if he wants to be a success, especially when betting on Football.

Very often the simple answer for this is…look at the type of bets the bookmakers advertise and then go nowhere near them!

Because if you were to login to a bookies website or visit your local turf accountant shop, you would quickly notice the type of bets they advertise, which are in markets such as…

  • First goalscorer
  • Correct score
  • Refunds if a certain player scores the winner

It isn’t because bookmakers have suddenly seen the light and actually want you to win money, but more the fact they know these type of bets are very hard to call.

The bottom line is these type of bets pay for bookies to go on holiday…or more likely these days,  swell the shareholders coffers!

Therefore the next question that might fall from your lips could well be…

So what bets should you look for when football betting? Continue reading

Sportman Racing: Derby Crusade For Camelot?

In this regular Monday segment, racing expert Scott Armstrong rounds up all the action of note from this weekend’s racing for SBC Blog readers.

It was a great day for punters on Saturday when the very well backed Camelot justified his odds-on price with a mightily impressive win in the Racing Post Trophy. Scott examines his Derby credentials, where he is now 7-2 favourite and highlights a number of other horses and trainers to note from the weekend.

Money spoke volumes in the Racing Post Trophy as the once-raced Camelot was hammered in to odds-on at the off, winning easily by two-and-a-quarter lengths and making the 10-11 SP look extremely generous. Ladbrokes famously have a line on the Aidan O’Brien stable and in the lead up to the race they went odds on with Camelot while other bookmakers were odds against. O’Brien said after the race “The boys (in the yard) were saying that Camelot’s work was so exceptional it was hard to believe. In comparison to other horses his data was incredible”. Unfortunately for punters, O’Brien was typically reticent about such news before the race itself. Continue reading

Football Bulletin: Why Goals Might Be Scarce In The Capital This Weekend

By utilising the excellent Form Lab Black software, the team at the Smart Betting Club have cast their eye over some of the weekend’s feature games in search for any angles of betting interest.

This weekend, we highlight two London based games where goals might be in short supply and neither match likely to feature prominently on Match of The Day. We also have some interesting stats on the Manchester Derby as well as suggested bet trends in Italy, France and Spain.

English Premier League

Arsenal vs. Stoke Under 2.5 match goals @ 2.11 SBO Bet.

Much has been written about Arsenal’s poor form this season, but they have won three out of four at home so far. Unlike their away games, they’ve also kept things very tight at the Emirates conceding just three goals and scoring just six. Furthermore, 11 of the last 20 Arsenal home games have had under 2.5 goals, while stoke have been -2.5 in 12/20. Arsenal are also ranked first for going under 2.5 goals against top half teams when at home. Continue reading

Sportsman Racing: Camelot To Fall On Fencing's Sword

Welcome to our latest column from Scott Armstrong of The Sportsman tipster service.

Each Friday, Scott provides us with a rundown of all the best weekend racing action – including the key  horses to follow and those to oppose. You can also find a recap from him each Monday on the SBC Blog with his reaction to the weekend’s events. Thorough, frank and not afraid to take a contrary view, Scott Armstrong is a racing man whose opinion you can’t afford to be without.

Newbury hosts a strong Saturday card, featuring two Group 3 races, the Horris Hill and the St Simon Stakes, while jumps fans have action at Aintree, Chepstow and Stratford. The key contest on the flat is the Racing Post Trophy a race for two-year-old colts and fillies run over a mile at Doncaster. Only six runners line up in this year’s renewal which is a poor return for the final flat Group One of the season in Britain. Reknowned as a stepping stone to the classics the Racing Post Trophy has produced a number of great winners in its 50-year history with three impressive Derby victors in the past decade in the shape of Authorized, High Chaparral and Motivator. Continue reading

Sportsman Racing: Camelot To Fall On Fencing’s Sword

Welcome to our latest column from Scott Armstrong of The Sportsman tipster service.

Each Friday, Scott provides us with a rundown of all the best weekend racing action – including the key  horses to follow and those to oppose. You can also find a recap from him each Monday on the SBC Blog with his reaction to the weekend’s events. Thorough, frank and not afraid to take a contrary view, Scott Armstrong is a racing man whose opinion you can’t afford to be without.

Newbury hosts a strong Saturday card, featuring two Group 3 races, the Horris Hill and the St Simon Stakes, while jumps fans have action at Aintree, Chepstow and Stratford. The key contest on the flat is the Racing Post Trophy a race for two-year-old colts and fillies run over a mile at Doncaster. Only six runners line up in this year’s renewal which is a poor return for the final flat Group One of the season in Britain. Reknowned as a stepping stone to the classics the Racing Post Trophy has produced a number of great winners in its 50-year history with three impressive Derby victors in the past decade in the shape of Authorized, High Chaparral and Motivator. Continue reading

The SBC Interviews: Laurence Lambourn – The UK’s Top Tipster.

If Carlsberg did tipsters, then it’s fair to say they may well do so in the guise of Laurence Lambourn, who many of you may be more familiar as the brains behind top tipster service Equine Investments.

Since April 2004, Laurence has been a constant scourge of the bookmaker, taking in excess of 2450 pts profit from 2652 bets during a 7 year reign of absolute terror on the odds compilers.

Such expertise does not come cheap and nor do opportunities come around too often to sample Laurence’s wares as his membership quotas are generally filled.

However, recently, Laurence was kind enough to grant us an audience where we were able to reap the benefit of his wisdom with a series of practical tips for SBC members looking to improve their betting performance.

Read a selection of our interview with Laurence here… Continue reading