CHAMBERLIN’S

Saturday 29 January >

Ed Chamberlin’s “Weekend Sports Bets”

1. The good thing of the weekend is surely Big Zeb. He was hugely impressive on ground he didn’t like last time and should win comfortably on Sunday (1.50 Punchestown).

I surprised not Master Minded (3.65) and not Big Zeb (4.1) is favourite to win the Champion Chase in March. The defending champion looks better than ever and seems to have got his jumping sorted, while his big rival Master Minded may be back in business but he does not look quite as good as he was. I’m expecting Big Zeb to win again and am tempted to back him for Cheltenham at 4.1 now but I can see him being a great bet on Champion Chase day as he doesn’t seem to have captured the public’s imagination in quite the same way as Master Minded.

To view the BETDAQ market for Punchestown 1.50 – Available Sunday

 
2. I hope Cheltenham beats the frost as there’s a cracking card in prospect on Saturday. My main fancy is Wishful Thinking in the 2.00. He’s had no luck at this track so far as he fell when in contention at the Festival last season and then got badly impeded here in December when I’m sure he would have won. To me he’s still a potential winner of the RSA Chase and for that to happen he must go close in this company. Wishful Thinking has been pitched in at the deep end against some seasoned handicappers but he looks on a decent mark to me, is due a change of luck and certainly has the ability to win this.

To view the BETDAQ market for Cheltenham 2.00 – CLICK HERE

 
3. Away from Cheltenham this weekend the highlight is the Skybet Chase at Doncaster. Giles Cross so nearly won the Welsh National for us at 27 but one place behind him that day was a real eye-catcher in I’moncloudnine. He looked a big danger turning in to the straight but I didn’t get home in that brutal test of stamina. The drop back to three miles will suit him as will the return to a flat track. I’moncloudnine is racing off the same mark (133) on Saturday, is very consistent and a great win and place bet. 16 on the Daq is a big price and we’ll all be on cloud nine if he wins!

To view the BETDAQ market for Doncaster 3.20 – CLICK HERE

Saturday 8 January >

Ed Chamberlin’s “Weekend Sports Bets”

1. Southampton to beat Blackpool in the FA Cup 3rd Round.

Just two fancies this weekend as the weather’s set to ruin the racing and most of the FA Cup ties look like minefields for punters with much changed line-ups and teams with other priorities. Blackpool fall in to both categories and I can see them going out at St Mary’s on Saturday. I’m wary of this one as I don’t think I’ve ever tipped Southampton in my 36 years of supporting them. Hwoever, I’ve seen them play a lot of late and Nigel Adkins has the team playing really well and full of confidence. Adam Lallana and Alex Chamberlain (no relation) will cause Blackpool all sorts of problems on the flanks and Rickie Lambert has re-discovered his scoring boots. Jose Fonte and co. look solid at the back too. I sense Adkins would love to keep the Saints’ winning run going, while I doubt Ian Holloway will lose too much sleep about going out of the Cup. Southampton at 2.2 look a decent bet.

To view the BETDAQ market for Southampton v Blackpool – CLICK HERE
 

2. Giles Cross win and place @ 22 in the Welsh National

Giles Cross always seems to run badly on his re-appearance and isn’t suited by good ground so put a line through his return at Cheltenham in November. Victor Dartnall kept his horses fit on Woolacombe beach during the cold snap and Giles Cross is primed to go well off a feather weight and the more horrible and slow the ground at Chepstow the better. He was running a decent race behind Saturday’s market leader Synchronised in the Midlands National in March before he was badly hampered by a loose horse five from home. Giles Cross is 10lbs better off with that rival, has been laid out for this contest and crucially has winning form round this track. He should go well at a big price.

To view the BETDAQ market for the Welsh National (Chepstow 1.45) - CLICK HERE

Saturday 18 December >

Ed Chamberlin’s “Weekend Sports Bet”

1. With the racing decimated by the weather again, just one fancy on the football this week.

It may not be the best quality Premier League but it’s certainly one of the most exciting. In previous seasons it’s often been a two horse race by Christmas but this term five sides look in with a real shout.

I talked last week of my long-term fear for Chelsea with Roman Abramovitch’s passion for the 2018 World Cup. Short term, I thought there were ‘blue’ shoots of recovery at White Hart Lane on Sunday. I don’t buy in to the theories that Ray Wilkins’ departure is to blame for their poor form but think they have desperately missed the engine room of Terry, Essien and Lampard, particularly the latter. With those three back in action, I think Chelsea are still big, big runners to win the title and are rapidly becoming decent value at 3.15 on Betdaq.

To view the BETDAQ market for Premier League Title – CLICK HERE

I also think they have a big chance of ending Man Utd’s unbeaten record in the big Super Sunday match. With the big guns back and sure to be up for it, I have a feeling this could be the game that re-launch’s Chelsea’s season. 2.18 on the Daq is tempting.

To view the BETDAQ market for Chelsea v Man U (Sunday) – CLICK HERE

2. For the best bet of the week though I’m going for Aston Villa to win at Wigan at 2.71. I can only assume they are that price because of lingering doubts about Gerard Houllier. However, I think Houllier and his team will be buoyed by their crucial 2-1 against in-form West Brom last weekend and can kick on from here. The away side usually wins this fixture and is unbeaten in the last eight Premier League meetings, winning five. The away side won both games last season.

This fixture is well suited to Villa’s counter-attacking style and they have won on their last three visits to Wigan – scoring eight goals in the process – and are unbeaten in last four. Villa have won five of their seven visits to Wigan in all competitions, losing just once. They are up against a Wigan side who have picked up just two points from a possible 15.

Hopefully, Aston Villa at 2.71 can make it five winning Premier League bets in a row.

To view the BETDAQ market for Wigan v Aston Villa – CLICK HERE

3. Finally, I’d like to make an appeal to you to vote for Tony McCoy to win Sports Personality of the Year on Sunday. He’s currently trading at 1.81 to win the award, with Graeme McDowell at 4.9 and Phil Taylor at 11.5.

I cannot think of a more deserving winner of the award than AP. On a personal level “the champ” was a great support to me in my battle against cancer and I will never forget him donating all the money raised on the memorable day at Plumpton when he rode his 3,000th winner, to the children’s cancer ward at Southampton Hospital where I was being treated. I will also never forget and will always blame him for my chemotherapy drip falling out during his amazing ride on Wichita Lineman. I would love him to win the award on Sunday.

To view the BETDAQ market for BBC Sports Personality – CLICK HERE