So its red versus blue in Moscow, and its red versus blue on the streets of London and Boris lines up to bash King Newt. But of course in Sheffield there are more colours on view with two very contrasting semi-finals. Experience galore as Stephen Hendry takes on Ronnie O'Sullivan while its the opposit as Ali Carter faces Joe Perry - who stole his quarter-final from under Stephen Maguire's nose. Both are best watched rather than backed though. And the same goes for the darts. With some dead rubbers and the Lewis v Mardle game too close to call, its watch and enjoy time.

11.30 Rajasthan to beat Kolkata 5/6 (WON +.83 - Warne's boys were in control from the off, and I as wrote in a previous blog, this could well come down to who has the best locals. So far Rajasthan are winning that hands down)
Two teams going in opposite directions here. Rajasthan lost their first game, but have bounced back since knocking off 168 with 11 balls to spare, 214 with one ball to spare, and 135 with 17 to spare, as Shane Warne's team have moulded into a useful team in all areas of the game. Saurav Ganguly's side started with a huge bang with Brendan McCullum's 158 leading them to a 140 run victory in the first game and then seeing of the disappointing Deccan Chargers in a low-scoring affair. Since then Matthew Hayden and MS Dhoni handed out a 9 wicket defeat before Mumbai pased 137 with ease. With Ponting and McCullum away on international duty too the 5/6 for Warne's charges seems too generous.

4.10 Hereford Jocheski 13/2 e/w (2nd +1.46 - so close! Plenty of people joined the gamble and he went off 11/2. Patiently ridden and closed well from three out. Just got in front but pipped by a short head on the line)
This 4 year old gelding has come up against some decent sorts in his maiden hurdles so far - the likes of Chapoturgeon and Prideus have gone on to prove themselves at a higher level, while 4 of the 9 horses to finish in front of Jocheski in his three hurdles races so far, have registered a win when moving to handicap company. His best run yet came on good ground at Taunton last time out, so if the rain stays away and the going remains good today I expect him to go close on his handicap debut.

7.45 Rangers +0.75 Asian Handicap 8/7 (WON +1.60 - What a performance! The finest example as a team performing better than the sum of its individual parts)
Its easy to dismiss an SPL side against a Serie A side, but Rangers record in Europe this season has been very impressive, and even more so away from home after drawing 0-0 at Ibrox, as they did in the first leg here. Walter Smith no longer has the resources to bring in big name flair players like Gascoigne, Laudrup, Steven, Kanchelskis as Rangers once did, but instead he has spent wisely on a steadfast defence - if you don't concede you can't lose. Carlos Cuellar and David Weir, and Christian Dailly since January, have been at the heart of that with Barry Ferguson snapping away in front of them. They have hit sides on the break with the pace of their front men and supporting midfielders - a tactic that will be well suited to tonight, where an away goal will be priceless. Fiorentina are fourth in Serie A but, like the Premiership, the top clubs are clear of the rest, and Fiorentina are not exactly free scoring. So while I agree with the bookies and find it unlikely Rangers will win on the night, a draw is not out the question and if Rangers do go down it may well be to just the odd goal. In that scenario the +0.75 Asian handicap will leave us a touch up, and the draw will double our money.