Monday, October 10, 2011
Sports World |
- Weird Al the latest string to McCain’s bow
- Woods and Haas handed wildcards
- Norman adds Aussies to team
| Weird Al the latest string to McCain’s bow Posted: 10 Oct 2011 07:53 AM PDT As if further proof were needed, the news that talented three-mile chaser Weird Al has left the Ian Williams yard and has arrived at Donald McCain's Cheshire base confirms once again just how quickly the son of the late, great 'Ginger' has risen close to the very top of the National Hunt training tree, writes Elliot Slater. Although the transfer of yards is reportedly on an amicable basis, McCain is clearly on a steep upward curve and is developing a more powerful team year on year. Weird Al did very well indeed for Ian Williams, beginning last term with a fifth consecutive victory when dead-heating with subsequent Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Little Josh in a pulsating intermediate chase at Carlisle at the end of October. Stepped up markedly in class, the eight-year-old was then asked to take on the big guns in Horse racing betting in the Grade 3 Hennessey Gold Cup Chase at Newbury a few weeks later and found the task beyond him, coming home eighth of the 18 runners behind the impressive Diamond Harry. Williams decided to give Weird Al a mid-season break after his Newbury exertions and the gelded son of Accordion wasn't seen again until going for the big one when he took on Long Run, Denman, and Kauto Star in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. After racing prominently for the first circuit the second-season chaser dropped away quickly after a mistake and was tailed off when pulled up fully a mile from home. It later transpired he had burst a blood vessel, so it is hard to read too much into the performance. Certainly the pick of the big races are likely to be on Weird Al's agenda later on this season, but McCain's new recruit (best racing odds of 50/1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup), will probably begin with a couple of runs at a lower level to boost his confidence before returning to the big league.  |
| Woods and Haas handed wildcards Posted: 10 Oct 2011 01:43 AM PDT The USA's Presidents Cup captain, Fred Couples, has announced his 'captain's picks' for November's showdown against Greg Norman's International side. Couples has confirmed Tiger Woods will be part of the US team for the tournament at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club. The former world-number one will be joined in that line-up by everyone's new best friend Bill Haas, who picked up the $11.5million winner's cheque at last week's FedEx Cup. Those following the golf betting will know this. The inclusion of Haas is one that is easy to understand, although selecting a Tiger Woods who has dropped to 50th in the world hasn't gone down well in all areas. USPGA champion Keegan Bradley has had a stunning season, picking up two titles as well as his first major. The decision to go with Woods could come back to haunt Couples should Tiger again fail to find his form when he tees off Down Under. People who bet on golf should bear this in mind. Woods will play his first tournament since the PGA Championship when he competes at the Frys.com Open in two weeks time, where he will team up with new caddie Joe LaCava for the first time. After that and it'll be off to Sydney, where he will be looking to once again get back on winning ways, at the tournament where Tiger has previously been successful. With so many writing Tiger off in the remainder of this season, the American will be determined to find some form with which to take into the Presidents Cup. It won't just be himself he lets down if he fails to perform again, but also Couples – the man who has stuck his neck out for Woods, not the mention the rest of the US team.  |
| Posted: 10 Oct 2011 01:49 AM PDT Greg Norman has added Australian duo Aaron Baddeley and Robert Allenby to his International team for November's Presidents Cup, which will be held at the Royal Melbourne Course. Allenby was instrumental to the Internationals only win in this tournament, coincidentally also held at the Royal Melbourne Course, back in 1998 and Norman will be hoping his Aussie compatriot can repeat that success this time around. Baddeley's selection was a more closely run thing, with fellow Aussie John Senden also very much in Norman's thinking. In the end and it was Baddeley's impressive performance at last week's FedEx Cup, where the 30-year old finished just one shot behind away from being part of the play-off between Hunter Mahan and eventual winner Bill Haas. Baddeley and Allenby will join fellow Aussies Adam Scott, Jason Day and Geoff Ogilvy in Norman's final line-up. People placing golf major bets will be impressed by the line up. Norman admitted that the fact the tournament will be held Down Under was a major reason for his decision to include such a large Aussie presence in the side. The captain also explained his decision behind opting for Baddeley over Senden. Fans of golf betting should bear this in mind. "Knowing we were playing in the backyard of Australia I wanted to load up the team with as many Aussies as I possibly could," he said. "The way Aaron and John Senden performed at the Tour Championship, I put them on notice that whoever played the best would get the final nod and Aaron put on a tremendous performance there." "The reason I picked Robert is his performances around Royal Melbourne over the years have been extraordinary... he was an automatic pick for me."  |
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