The Bookies Blog team have already decided that Dunguib will canter home in the Supreme Novices Hurdle, but should that bet land us in trouble, which of the two fancied mares should we rely on to dig us of our financial hole?

Bookmakers took action today to cut Voler La Vedette’s odds into 7/4, which means she is now the new market leader to win the third running of the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

The latest market move must also be put down to Quevega’s weakness; I’m surprised to see bookmakers such as Sporting Bet offering 2/1 about last years winner recording a repeat success over the 2m4f.

The race looks between the pair of Irish raiders in my eyes. In 2008 the Irish sent over Sweet Kiln, who was a bitterly disappointing favourite, but this year they send over the first 3 in the betting.

Whiteoak was just a novice when winning this race at 20/1 in 2008, but she has since been retired to the paddocks.

7/4 Voler La Vedette

I’m already financially down on Voler La Vedette, before she has even set foot at Prestbury Park. I backed her each-way at 33/1 to romp home in a hurdles race on the opening day of the Festival. Unfortunately, it was for the Champion Hurdle, over a shorter trip that would’ve suited her better…

When Colm Murphy clarified the running plans atfer a February setback, I checked out her odds for this Mares race. 4/1.

She won 4 of her 5 starts as a novice, and then beat a below-par Go Native at the start of the 2009/10 season. Go Native wasn’t right on that day, so we shouldn’t read too much into that Down Royal success. She then swerved a clash with the smart Solwhit at Leopardstown, where she was tried over the 2m4f trip against inferior mares. She looked lazy when she hit the front, but she still managed to land the odds.

To me she has questionable stamina - but connections have every reason to have a crack at Quevega, who could be rusty after almost a year off.

Over 2m against Quevega, she’d be my idea of a banker.

2/1 Quevega

Quevega was heavily backed for last year’s Mares Hurdle, and she galloped away from United by 14 lengths to justify 2/1 favouritism. She hasn’t been seen since picking up an injury at Auteuil, but there haven’t been any negative comments from the Willie Mullins camp so far. She hasn’t had a prep run, but I wouldn’t be too concerned about that in such a weak race. Voler La Vedette has question marks over the trip, and I know that Quevega’s jockey Ruby Walsh is one to be trusted with my Cheltenham bankroll.

For me, Quevega should employ front-running tactics and make sure this race is a test of stamina. Not a stroll around Prestbruy Park.

She has a brilliant hurdling technique, and was only beaten 3 lengths by Solwhit and Punjabi at Punchestown last year. Those two horses are both at the head of this year’s Champion Hurdle market.

I have backed her at shameful odds of 11/8 and will step in again if she touches 5/2.

Voler La Vedette is a tempting place lay on Betfair.

bookies.com is your No.1 bet for comparing Cheltenham Festival betting odds:

David Nicholson Mares Hurdle Betting Odds

Supreme Novices Hurdle

Arkle Chase

Champion Hurdle

Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle

RSA Chase

Champion Chase

Ryanair Chase

World Hurdle

Triumph Hurdle

Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle

Cheltenham Gold Cup

The first race of next week’s Cheltenham Festival, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, will determine the fortunes of many punters, especially those travelling across the Irish Sea. Dunguib is the horse in question, and is the first so-called ‘banker’ to run. Combined odds of 6/1 about Dunguib, Big Bucks, Master Minded and Kauto Star all winning will tempt many - but will punters still be sitting pretty after the Supreme Novices’ - run over 2m110y?

9/10 Dunguib

Dunguib is undoubtedly the latest National Hunt superstar and he has won 7 out of his 9 races impressively. The most telling of which was last year’s Champion Bumper win at the Festival:

His jumping over obstacles has been atrocious though, and many pundits think that it will cost him the race. Those having large bets on this odds-on favourite will hope that his engine ensures that he trounces a weak looking field.

Last year’s favourite in this race, Cousin Vinny, was beaten at odds of 9/4. Another negative, is that Dunguib’s regular jockey, Brian O’Connell, has never ridden the Cheltenham hurdles course before.

7/1 Get Me Out Of Here

Get Me Out Of Here looks the natural each-way choice in this field. The JP McManus-owned gelding has a progressive profile with form that reads nicely: 11111. The last ‘1′ being the Totesport Trophy Handicap at Newbury, which was hotly contested by some useful types.

AP McCoy rides for boss Jonjo O’Neill, and the Champion jockey would love to have a winner before taking the Gold Cup ride on 4/1 Denman on Friday 19th.

12/1 Blackstairmountain

Ruby Walsh takes this ride, the first of many next week. Willie Mullins looks to have a formidable team one again for this year’s Festival, but Blackstairmountain only has a maiden hurdle victory at Punchestown to his name. Such inexperience is a concern in this frantic race.

12/1 Menorah

Menorah is the 15/8 second favourite in the ‘Best of British’ market, contested by Oscar Whisky and Get Me Out Of Here. A slow pace was blamed for his recent odds-on Ascot defeat, but I’d want my cash to be carried by a last time out winner. Richard Johnson is amongst the best jockeys around Cheltenham, but he is yet to win this curtain-raiser.

20/1 Oscar Whisky

Yet another Irish bred gelding in the race, and another one that is unbeaten over hurdles. What to make of his wins though? They have all come at short odds in weak-looking races.

That said, jockey Barry Geraghty is a plus and Nicky Henderson is the leading Festival trainer.

20/1 Dan Breen

Has been backed into 20s from 33/1 last week. His Doncaster win could perhaps be a good bit of form, as the second placed Tanto Faz went on to win a race at Stratford. I can’t get too excited and I’d still rather back the machine that is Dunguib!

bookies.com is your No.1 bet for comparing Cheltenham Festival betting odds:

Supreme Novices Hurdle

Arkle Chase

Champion Hurdle

Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle

RSA Chase

Champion Chase

Ryanair Chase

World Hurdle

Triumph Hurdle

Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle

Cheltenham Gold Cup

In recent months, Tiger Woods has lost sponsorship deals with the likes of Gatorade, AT&T, Accenture, Gillette and General Motors. So when Irish bookmaker Paddy Power entered in talks with Woods’ management company, IMG, over a $75 million sponsorship deal for his image rights, it looked as if the two would find an agreement.

Reports state that Paddy Power were prepared to pay Tiger the $75 million over the course of 5 years, dependent on his performances, with $5 million up front, as they sought to secure their biggest ever sponsorship deal.

The Irish giant is used to creating enormous publicity through their advertising campaigns, but the $75 million deal would rank way above giving out green umbrellas on Paddy Power Gold Cup Day in November or refunding losing bets if Dunguib wins the Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

However, IMG rejected the Paddy Power proposal, most likely because the PGA forbids golfers to have any ties with bookmakers.

Paddy Power are still keen to work with Tiger, and will reformulate their sponsorship proposal in the next few days.

Paddy Power offer the shortest odds about Tiger winning a fifth US Masters title this year - just 3/1.

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing golf odds:

US Masters Betting Odds

2010 Ryder Cup Betting Odds

The Open Betting Odds

Maybank Malaysian Open Betting Odds

Last year’s 6/4 Champion Hurdle favourite, Binocular, could still run in the 2010 edition, despite having previously been ruled out by trainer Nicky Henderson.

It had been reported that Binocular was suffering from a muscle problem, but he has now been given the thumbs up from the vets at the Henderson yard.

The French-bred hurdler has been beaten twice by Go Native this season, but a win in a Listed Hurdle event at Sandown Park led to renewed optimism about his Champion Hurdle bid this year.

Binocular (pictured) is a best-priced 12/1 now with Boylesports to be crowned Champion Hurdler, in what looks to be a wide open race without any outstanding candidate. William Hill go 10/1 and will refund you bet if he doesn’t line up.

He is a 20/1 chance on Betfair, as there is still a doubt that he will run. Layers have a chance to collect their winnings before the race is even run, but should he line up, they could face damaging liabilities. £52 has been matched at 999/1!

AP McCoy would be retained to ride Binocular for his boss JP McManus, which would leave Zaynar jockey-less, as it has been understood that Barry Geraghty will ride last year’s champion Punjabi. Top jockeys Ruby Walsh and Paddy Brennan both have fancied rides, so it may mean that Felix De Giles gets the leg up on Victor Chandler’s grey star.

bookies.com is your No.1 bet for comparing Cheltenham Festival betting odds:

Supreme Novices Hurdle

Arkle Chase

Champion Hurdle

Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle

RSA Chase

Champion Chase

Ryanair Chase

World Hurdle

Triumph Hurdle

Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle

Cheltenham Gold Cup

Jeff Bridges is the red hot favourite with the bookmakers at 1/6 (bet $60 to win $10 profit) to win Best Actor at this year’s Oscars. Bridges is nominated for his performance as Otis ‘Bad’ Blake in Crazy Heart, and his short odds are justifable given that he has recently won a Golden Globe.

Before punters pile into Jeff Bridges, it is worth bearing in mind that Mickey Rourke failed to complete the Best Actor double in last years Academy Awards, as he was beaten to the Oscar by Sean Penn.

The story line of Crazy Heart has been criticised as mundane by some critics, but the overwhelming consensus is that Jeff Bridges takes the film to another level. His character is an alcoholic country musician, who enters a relationship with a young journalist. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 92% ‘fresh’ rating.

Since the Best Leading Actor market opened on Betfair, $16,000 out of a total of $18,000 has been traded on Bridges.

George Clooney has taken an alarming drift in the market out to 18/1 from 4/1 on the exchange, which would suggest that his chances are slim. His film, Up In The Air, has received a total of six Oscar nominations.

If anything, it is actually Colin Firth that has been backed against the odds-on favourite, and he is at 12/1 with Bet365. It is only his first Oscars nomination, and his momentum has been derived from success at the BAFTAs and at the Venice Film Festival.

Morgan Freeman is 25/1 for Invictus and Jeremy Renner can also be backed at long odds.

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing Oscars 2010 betting odds:

Best Actor Betting Odds

Best Actress Betting Odds

Best Director Betting Odds

Best Picture Betting Odds

Best Supporting Actress Betting Odds

As ever, we have some terrific racing action to look forward to this Saturday.

The Eider Chase up in Newcastle will be one of the biggest betting races - a 4m1f Grand National trial where stamina is the name of the game. Comply Or Die took this in 2008 before his Aintree heroics, and to me 8/1 Iris De Balme looks the pick of the bunch. I am also a fan of Tarquinius at 16/1, as he always stays on at the end of his races.

Friday update: Newcastle has been rained off.

If Dubai isn’t enough to satisfy fans of flat racing, then they can also look forward to the Winter Derby Trial at Lingfield Park. Gitano Hernando is 10s for the Dubai World Cup, and he really ought to take this at odds of 4/5.

However, we are going to head to Kempton’s jumps action to try and find a good bet. The Racing Post Chase is off at 3.05pm, and is a handicap race over three miles. Triumph Hurdle favourite Mille Chief is also in action, and is 1/2 to win his race.

7/2 Nacarat

Nacarat won this last year at 10/1, and I was surprised to see odds of 9/1 about him repeating that win when the antepost market for this race opened a few weeks ago. 7/2 is a more realistic price now, but he is still entitled for support with AP McCoy taking the ride from the suspended Sam Thomas. McCoy has a good record on the grey, who is a Kempton specialist and ran a cracker in the King George.

I strongly believe that he’ll at least be placed in the first three.

This is what we said about his chances last year…

10/1 Nacarat will be ridden by AP McCoy, and will go well fresh. His form is very erratic, so I don’t think he’ll carry my money. He should be well supported in the betting tomorrow though.

4/1 Kilcrea Castle

Emma Lavelle’s Kilcrea Castle has been very well backed this week, and made a pleasing debut for his new stable at Ascot. If you like this one you’d be mad not to take Sky Bet up on their 50/1 quote for the Grand National.

4/1 Fistral Beach

Paul Nicholls won this race in 2008 with Gungadu, and commands respect in any big race on Saturdays. Ruby Walsh is going to have to do ten stone to get the ride, but Fistral Beach had a terrible spell of ’seconditis’ and has to race from out of the handicap. Will his recent win bring about a change in attitude? Punters will certainly hope so.

7/1 Miss Mitch

This mare will relish the testing ground and is another horse that’s been well backed for victory.

Betting Update: Withdrawn on Friday afternoon. Reported to be lame at home.

7/1 Madison Du Berlais

Carries the top weight of 11st12lbs and is a favourite of this blog. Forget his last race where he was beaten by Tarnis - he clearly hates Cheltenham and should never set foot there again. He beat Denman twice last year, loves flat tracks and will be suited by the good gallop in this race set by Nacarat.

In my eyes he is a Grade 1 animal and his main threat is the front-running Nacarat, who carries 4lb less than Madison.

12/1 Atouchbetweenacara

Paul Beck has now returned his horses to Venetia Williams. Atouchbetweenacara was touted a a possible Hennessy horse earlier this season, and went down on many lists. The boylesports.com Gold Cup looked the ideal race for him, but he could only manage 11th at 8/1. I think he’s one to keep an eye on for a Festival handicap in March.

14/1 Oedipe

Oedipe’s handicap mark has come down from 146 gradually, and as a result only has to carry 10st. Nicky Henderson won this race in 2004.

14/1 Piraya

Recent winner at Warwick for the David Pipe team, but I prefer the stable-mate, Madison Du Berlais.

25/1 Razor Royale

Could’ve finished closer on his most recent Sandown start, but the handicapper may have the edge over Razor Royale after his November win.

25/1 Private Be

Trainer Philip Hobbs has a good record in this race, and if you are looking for an outsider, I would take Private Be. Looked to have every chance when going down to The Sawyer at Cheltenham, who has since run a blinder behind Monet’s Garden…

25/1 Le Burf

33/1 Something Wells

33/1 Bible Lord

66/1 Ollie Magern

Best Bets:

2pts @ 7/1 Madison Du Berlais

1pt Forecast: 1st Madison Du Berlais. 2nd Nacarat.

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing horse racing odds:

Racing Post Chase Betting Odds

Adonis Juvenile Hurdle Betting

Pendil Novices Chase Betting

Grand National 2010 Antepost Betting Odds

Cheltenham Festival Betting Odds

Rio Ferdinand has certainly not been a regular fixture in defence for Manchester United, yet he has nevertheless been handed the England captaincy from Fabio Capello.

Ferdinand is suffering from a back injury, which isn’t simply disappear in a matter of weeks like any common injury. Sir Alex Ferguson decided not to risk him in this week’s clash against West Ham, and he has already been ruled out of this weekend’s Carling Cup Final. United are the 4/9 favourites to lift the trophy instead of Aston Villa, and are expected to cope once again without Rio.

And so we come to the betting on England’s World Cup Captain, a market that will be settled when England kick off against USA. Rio is unsurprisingly the 1/6 favourite with William Hill, but the nature of his injury must put punters off from taking such a short price about the supposed ‘good thing’ in the market. I very much doubt that Capello would start Ferdinand at the back against USA if he wasn’t feeling 100%.

The layers on Betfair offer slightly more generous odds of 1/3 on Rio. If you are willing to play the bookmaker and lay those odds, you are effectively backing the field at 3/1.

In Rio’s absence, Steven Gerrard will be captain, as he has already been named as the vice-captain. Hills go 9/2 that he leads England out against the USA, which has to be the value bet at this stage of the season. He drifted right out to 9/1 from even money on the exhange, but has now been halved in price. Also bear in mind that Gerrard’s Champions League campaign has been cut short, and that his beloved Liverpool will be looking to bank a top-four spot in the domestic league rather than lifting the Europa League.

It would take a horrendous run of injuries for John Terry to win back the captaincy at 20/1, and 25/1 Beckham is more likely to start on the bench. Becks is 1/5 with Bet365 to make the squad this summer, which looks like a pretty safe bet to me.

Bookies.com is your best bet for comparing football odds:

World Cup 2010 Betting Odds

England Captain vs USA Betting

England Squad Betting

The 2010 BRIT Awards take place on 16 February and will be screened live on ITV1. As ever, the bookies have priced up the nominees according to their theoretical chances of winning an award.

Duffy made waves in the betting last year as she scooped a total of three awards: British Breakthrough, Best Female Solo and Best British Album. Winning multiple awards on the same night is eminently possible, and has been done by the likes of Coldplay and Oasis in the past.

Therefore it may be a sound betting strategy to support your favourite group or singer across a range of markets.

JLS are the 6/4 favourites to win Best British Single for ‘Beat Again’, but will have to fight off competition from Cheryl Cole’s ‘Fight For This Love’ which is a 15/8 chance with Bet365. 2009 was a good year for genres such as R&B and hip hop, but the likes of Taio Cruz and N-Dubz aren’t given much of a chance at odds of 20/1 each.

JLS could also cap off a great night with the Best Group award, but Kasabian are the hot favourites at 5/6 in that betting market.

Nevertheless many pundits believe that this year’s Brit Awards will be a night dominated by the ladies. Lady GaGa, Florence and the Machine, Pixie Lott and Alexandra Burke all have nominations and solid chances respectively.

Florence and the Machine is strongly fancied in the Best Album market at 2/5 and could also take Best Female Artist at 9/4. Singer Florence Welch won Best Breakthrough Act last year, and has already received plenty of critical acclaim.

Paddy Power are best-priced at 2/7 about Lady GaGa winning Best International Female Artist - in what looks like a one horse race.

bookies.com is your best bet when it comes to comparing odds between the leading bookmakers:

British Male Solo Artist Betting

British Female Solo Artist Betting

Best Group Betting

British Breakthrough Act Betting

British Album Betting

British Single Betting

International Male Solo Artist Betting

International Female Solo Artist Betting

International Album Betting

International Breakthrough Act Betting

NME Awards Betting

Simon Cowell has described the Rage Against The Machine Facebook campaign as ’stupid’, but it still presents a very live threat to Joe McElderry’s divine right to Christmas Number One.

The X Factor winner is usually a banker for Christmas No. 1, but Joe’s cover of the Miley Cyrus single ‘The Climb‘ only has a 50% chance of claiming the prestigious top spot. Betfred are best-priced at evens, about an event that would not normally be a betting opportunity.

The Rage Against The Machine single (Killing In The Name Of) has been all the rage in the betting, and is now the 4/5 favourite from an early show of 6/1 at the beginning of this month.

Paddy Power offer a generous 1/18 that RATM wins in the market without The Climb. Bet £18,000 to win £1,000, and your Christmas will be sorted.

In another popular festive market, William Hill and Ladbrokes have reported decent money for a White Christmas. Snow in London on the 25th is now a 9/4 possibility with Betfred and Stan James. Paddy Power won’t tempt any punters with 66/1 about Big Ben to stop working due to the frost!

Ricky Whittle is favourite to win this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, and can be backed at 8/11.

bookies.com compares specials markets online:

2009 Xmas Number One Betting Odds

Winner without X Factor Betting

Strictly Come Dancing Betting

White Christmas Betting

Joe Calzaghe and his partner Kristina Rihanoff are the early favourites, priced at 9/2, slashed from the early odds of 16/1 before punters got stuck in. Retired boxer Calzaghe has been preparing for the show in an unusual way, deciding to go on a relaxed holiday instead of embarking on a fitness regime to get himself in shape. Calzaghe, who retired unbeaten after his fight with Roy Jones Jr. also has form in a public vote, winning BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2007.

The second favourite pairing of Hollyoaks actor Ricky Whittle and Natalie Lowe are priced at 6/1 with Coral. And five-time tennis Grand Slam winner Martina Hingis looks good at 9/1. Outsider Phil Tufnell together with partner Katya Virshilas also looks worth a bet at 10/1. Tufnell has pedigree in reality television having won I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here back in 2003.

The third favourite pairing of Jade Johnson and Ian Waite are priced at 7/1 whilst Crimewatch presenter Rav Wilding comes in at 9/1 with his partner Aliona Vilani. Ali Bastian who also acted in Hollyoaks appears at 12/1 while fellow soap-star Natalie Cassidy trades at 18/1. Footballer’s Wives actresses Laila Rouass and Zöe Lucker are at 14/1 and 16/1 respectively. Craig Kelly, former coronation street actor, comes in at 20/1. Sports Journalist and BBC presenter Chris Hollins is another outsider at 22/1. Retired jockey Richard Dunwoody is priced at 25/1, whilst Eastenders actor Ricky Groves is priced at 33/1. The final two contestants are Jo Wood, Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood’s ex-wife, and Loose Women panellist Lynda Bellinham who are priced at 40/1 and 50/1.

Click here for all the betting on Strictly Come Dancing