Horse Racing, Football and Cricket

A bad trot here at the moment.

2.50 Taunton Arctic Magic each way 16/1 (3rd +4.78 - Couldnt really get close to the front two but showed more of her old form and one to keep on your side)
A late developer, this mare only raced in bumpers last year as a 7-year old and performed creditably winning on debut and then 3rd in a Listed bumper at Sandown. She then found 2m4f too far in heavy going on her return this season before being bumped around and possibly unsettled early on last time out. She is reunited with last term's jockey, Daryl Jacob today, and if she can settle, she may offer good each way value.

7.45 Roma Draw with Real Madrid (LOST +3.78 - one of the best games of football I have watched in a long time. I thought Madrid would run away with it after their early goal and Van Nistelrooj was fractionally offside moments later, but Roma showed why they are second in Serie A. Still fancy Madrid to finish the job in the Bernabeu next week.)
Both these sides qualified with the same record - 3 wins, 2 draws and a defeat, and although Madrid are slightly the better side I expect home advantage to nullify that, and the La Liga leaders to take the tie back to the Bernabeu level. Madrid have lost 4 games on the road in Spain this year but they have won at the Nou Camp and we all know they tend to play better in the big games. Roma may only have lost one at home, to table topping Inter, but also drawn with 3rd place Juve and Manchester United. Real will be happy with a draw, so it seems worthwhile backing it.

10pm Jacob Oram to be top NZ Batsman 9/1 (LOST +2.78 - if the football was good, how good was the cricket??? When I went to bed with England posting 340 I was confident Oram would get a decent crack, but it wasn't to be! I do wish spread betting firms would offer markets on runs conceded by Jimmy Anderson, however I feel there would be many more buyers than sellers! After 4 games, England's other quick bowlers (Sidebottom and Broad) have economy rates of 4.40 and 5.15 respectively - the 'Burnley Burglar' has gone at over 7s!!!)
In the first two games, England were so bad, New Zealand only lost 4 wickets and Jacob Oram never made it to the crease. However, when England finally put in a performance he was required and made 88, more than twice than any other Kiwi batsman. Similarly, in the one 20/20 match he played in he scored 61 - the next highest score being 21. So while England are no value again at 4/6, the 9/1 Skybet offer on Oram has to be good value if England perform and Oram is required to show his skills.