GOLF
The Abu Dhabi Championship is the first of a now four-tournament ‘Desert Swing’ as Bahrain joins Qatar and Dubai to supply us with a month’s ‘Golf in the Gulf’.
Six of the world’s top ten players, including all of last year’s Major winners are taking part at the demanding 7,590 yard Abu Dhabi course and it will probably be the case that one of them comes out on top.
Martin Kaymer has form figures of: 1st, 2nd, 1st for his last three appearances in the tournament and is therefore very difficult to ignore.
I’m going for Paul Casey however, as he seems to be really well suited to the course, having won here in 2007 and also in 2009. The 33 year old from Cheltenham is a class act and could be in for a big year.
Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. United Arab Emirates.
M Kaymer 8/1
L Westwood 10/1
R McIlroy 12/1
G McDowell 16/1
P Mickelson 16/1
P Casey 16/1
I Poulter 16/1
L Oosthuizen 16/1
F Molinari 25/1
P Harrington 33/1
R Fisher 33/1
R Goosen 33/1
C Schwartzel 33/1
M Manassero 40/1
A Quiros 40/1
H Stenson 40/1
E Molinari 40/1
P Hanson 40/1
Chris Wood 50/1
Each-way bets 1/4 odds first 5
The Bob Hope Classic is played over 5 days and 90 holes and is a basically a test of concentration and patience as the professionals have to play the first four rounds with amateurs and celebrities, with rounds taking anything up to six hours to complete.
With that in mind, i think the best policy is to look for someone who has shown previously that they are
comfortable with this style of play and that means last year’s joint second, Matt Kuchar, should be worth a punt.
Kuchar is very consistent (15 top-15’s last season and 2 top 6’s already this season, including tied 5th last week at the Sony Open)
Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. California.
M Kuchar 10/1
T Clark 14/1
B Haas 16/1
R Moore 20/1
C Campbell 25/1
R Sabbatini 25/1
Bubba Watson 25/1
J Senden 33/1
D Toms 33/1
C Hoffman 33/1
M Laird 33/1
S Marino 33/1
B Gay 33/1
S Cink 33/1
C Howell 33/1
B Van Pelt 40/1
M Wilson 40/1
J Overton 40/1
J Kelly 40/1
K Na 40/1
K Streelman 40/1
B Snedeker 50/1
D J Trahan 50/1
H Slocum 50/1
M Weir 50/1
Each-way bets 1/4 odds first 5
HORSE RACING
The Thyestes Chase is sure to take some winning as it will come down to a slog in the testing conditions.
The one i like here is Alpha Ridge. Paul Nolan’s nine year old has won over 3m on heavy ground at Gowran Park and looks the type to do well in a race such as this.
Thyestes Chase. 2.35pm 20th January.Gowran Park.
Pomme Tiepy 7/2
The Midnight Club 10/1
Alpha Ridge 9/1
Agus A Vic 12/1
Selection Box 12/1
Whinstone Boy 12/1
Sam Adams 14/1
Siegemaster 14/1
Telenor 14/1
Ten Fires 14/1
Hangover 14/1
16/1 Bar.
Each-way bets 1/4 odds first 4
Without doubt the form horse in the Irish Champion Hurdle is the hot favourite Hurricane Fly but in looking for a little bit of value, i’m going with Dunguib to come good here.
He was rated one of the Irish bankers for last year’s festival in the Supreme Novices Hurdle but disappointed the visitors when finishing third to Menorah.
He again disappointed on his seasonal bow behind both Hurricane Fly and Solwhit in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown but i think he is worth another chance to show his undoubted talent.
Bhp Insurances Irish Champion Hurdle. 2.45pm 23rd January.Leopardstown.
Hurricane Fly 8/11
Solwhit 7/4
Dunguib 6/1
Voler La Vedette 10/1
Luska Lad 14/1
Blackstairmountain 16/1
Sublimity 20/1
Thousand Stars 20/1
Donnas Palm 25/1
Silent Oscar 33/1
Secant Star 33/1
Each-way bets 1/5 odds first 3
It is impossible to oppose Master Minded in this one.
The 2008 and 2009 Champion Chase winner at the Cheltenham Festival came back to form when beating Petit Robin in the re-arranged Tingle Creek.
Paul Nicholls’s chaser was off the boil last season but looks likely to make up for lost time this year.
Victor Chandler Chase. 2.25pm 22nd January.Ascot.
Master Minded 4/7
Somersby 6/1
Petit Robin 9/1
Crack Away Jack 10/1
Mad Max 12/1
Gauvain 14/1
Tchico Polos 20/1
Kalahari King 20/1
Im So Lucky 25/1
Each-way bets 1/5 odds first 3
All odds supplied by Ladbrokes.