Thursday, December 22, 2011

Sports World

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Boston Bob fires Cheltenham Festival warning Posted: 22 Dec 2011 02:34 AM PST Willie Mullins unveiled a potential star staying hurdler of the future as his Boston Bob easily accounted for Mount Benbulben in the Grade 1 Navan Novice Hurdle on only the second outing of his career over timber, writes Elliot Slater. There was a great deal to like about the way the Graham Wylie-owned gelding went about his business giving the impression he had been doing the job all his life when in fact he is still very much a newcomer to the National Hunt game. Settling nicely under Ruby Walsh, the 9/4 second-favourite was dropped in at the rear of the field before being asked to make his move after the third last in the two-and-a-half-mile contest. Sweeping past the odds-on Mount Benbulben at the second from home, the six-year-old soon had matters under control and came away to win as he pleased by a very comfortable four-and-a-half-lengths from the favourite who found little once coming under pressure and proved a shade disappointing under Paul Carberry. People looking at the ante-post Cheltenham betting odds should bear this in mind. Mullins was delighted with the performance from the son of Bob Back who had only once previously raced over timber when scoring over course and distance five weeks earlier in maiden company. It is rare that a horse is asked to step up so markedly after just one experience of hurdling but it is a mark of the respect that the Irish champion trainer has for Boston Bob that he had no qualms about taking on a high-class performer and duly proved more than up to the task. Bookmakers slashed the odds of a victory for Boston Bob in the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March to just 12/1 (from 25's), whilst he was also cut for the Neptune Investment Managers Novices Hurdle at the same fixture and is now a best priced 16/1 chance having previously been available at 20/1.

Manchester Clubs Setting The Pace! Posted: 22 Dec 2011 01:40 AM PST It was another great night of English Premier League action last night, and once again as Victor Chandler predicted, both Manchester clubs put in convincing performances to maintain their lead at the top of the table. Manchester City are top of the league and were once again totally dominant against a Stoke side who went to the Etihad Stadium purely to defend and were never in any position to cause a vc bet upset. They set themselves up with a 6 man defense from start to finish and Manchester City had a very easy night. They had possession for most of the game, weren't caused any problems by the Stoke attack and cut through the defense on numerous occasions. Sergio Aguero scored two goals while Adam Johnson also got on the score sheet in a fantastic performance as he tries to cement his place in the Manchester City line up. He certainly did himself a few favors and it will give Mancini something to think about in the next game. On the whole, Manchester City look very very strong, and will go into Christmas at the top of the table which is often a good sign for those that have previously gone on to win the league in a similar position. Manchester United kept up the pressure however with a 5 star performance at Fulham. It took them just 5 minutes before Danny Wellbeck put them one nil up, and goals from Nani and Ryan Giggs gave them a 3-0 lead at half time. It was all United in the second half too as Rooney and Berbatov added late goals to take it to 5-0. Manchester United are looking like they are getting their form back after some unconvincing displays earlier in the season. Fortunately for them, they have still managed to pick up wins despite not playing well which is a true trait of champions. There isn't any doubt that Sir Alex Fergusons men will be right behind City all the way, but they will be hoping that the Blue Side of Manchester slips up some time soon, but right now it doesn't look like happening.

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