Could the Hungarian wonder-horse, Overdose, be the betting highlight of 2010? Well, he’ll have some way to go if he is to capture the attention of English punters who will be fixated by the World Cup taking place this summer in South Africa.

In case you aren’t already familiar with the horse Overdose, you might be interested to learn that he has won 12 times from 12 starts. The ‘Budapest Bullet‘ is already on the way to emulating Kincsem – the wonder mare who won 54 of her 54 starts.

Overdose looked like brilliant antepost bet when the Royal Ascot markets came out in spring last year, but he had to miss most of it because of laminitis, a chronic inflammation of the hoof. The latest news from Berlin is that he is recovering well, and on track to run at Ascot this year on June 19.

That is certainly a date to have in your diary. Save up your pocket money and remortgage your house before he runs, he is a true superstar. Punters will worry though that the injury could have taken some of Dózi‘s spark out of him. However, there is every chance that he’ll be given a prep race over 1,000 metres at Hoppegarten on May 9. The plan is to then go for a Listed race on May 29 at Haydock. Fingers crossed, he then makes it to Royal Ascot.

He holds entries in both of the big Ascot sprints: the King’s Stand Stakes and the Golden Jubilee Stakes. The King’s Stand Stakes looks the likelier option, and Overdose can be backed at generous odds of 11/1 (bet $10 to win $110) to win that race with Victor Chandler.

Overdose has attracted bids of up to €5,000,000 – remarkable given that he was bought at the Tattersalls December Yearling Sales for only 2000 guineas, equal to £2,100.

This month it was announced that 5 companies had grouped together to purchase a 50% share in the horse. Zoltán Mikóczy will own the other 50%. Those 5 companies are CIG Életbiztosító, Euroinvest, oil company MOL, OTP Bank and construction company Közgép. The companies want to have a bit of fun and are also keen for the horse to represent the Hungarian economy abroad. So expect the horse to run on foreign turf this year, and win the Prix de l’Abbaye on Arc day at Longchamp.

bookies.com is the best place to head to if you want to bet on Royal Ascot 2010.

Kasbah Bliss, winner of last year’s Group 3 Prix Gladiateur and unplaced favourite in the 2009 World Hurdle, is making his reappearance at Deauville tomorrow in a Group 2 contest over 1m4f.

François Doumen is better known over the Channel for his jumpers, but he has already sent out two winners at this month’s Deauville festival. On Verra and Green Rock completed a double ten days ago on the sand course, but tomorrow’s Lucien Barriere Grand Prix De Deauville will be run on Kasbah Bliss’ preferred going – good.

The seven year old is a 13/2 shot for next year’s World Hurdle, but his previous runs have suggested that the undulations of Cheltenham aren’t to his liking. He proved at Longchamp last year that he was also a top class horse on the flat.

He won’t be fully tuned up for tomorrow’s race, so 10/1 is probably a fair price. 

Andre Fabre saddles the 6/4 favourite, Ideal World, who is by Kingmambo. He took the spoils in a listed contest over course and distance earlier this month and should hold off the 5/2 chance Pouvoir Absolu on that form.

Christophe Soumillon has just picked up a ban, and is having a wretched week, so we probably shouldn’t back Wing Express.

Mark Johnston‘s raider, Jukebox Jury, looks of interest at the 3/1 mark. He receives a handy 5kg allowance from the others. The trainer’s last winner in France came in the shape of Laa Rayb, exactly one year ago.

The Great Voltigeur Stakes was a strangely-run affair, but Jukebox Jury ran out a decent winner at Haydock earlier this month. A repeat of that performance will surely see him involved in the finish.

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

Deauville Betting

2009 World Hurdle Betting

Ladbrokes St Leger Betting

Arc De Triomphe Betting

We were on the money last weekend, selecting 16/1 Hennessy as our bet for the Bet365 Gold Cup. Hennessy was a great example of antepost betting value, because AP McCoy’s mount was sent off at 13/2!

And so to the flat season, we have the Stan James Guineas weekend coming up at Newmarket. The majority of prices are sure to be shorter on Saturday, so today is the best day to have a wager.

The 2000 Guineas is the first ‘classic’ of the season, which saw a thrilling finish last season between Henrythenavigator and New Approach.

Aidan O’Brien has won five of the last eleven runnings of this race over the Rowley Mile.

7/2 Delegator

At 7/2 we have to oppose the Brian Meehan-trained Delegator. At Bookies Blog, we do well to steer clear of favourites, with the exception being Expresso Star. 

Delegator won the Craven Stakes impressively, but faces much tougher opposition if he takes his chance on the firmer ground this Saturday. The market support suggested that Delegator was better than when fifth in last year’s Dewhurst.

In any case, Jamie Spencer likes to come from behind, so you can almost guarantee that the odds will get bigger in-running. If you’re a favourite backer, I’d look to bet at odds of at least 8/1 during the race.

7/2 Rip Van Winkle

The 6/4 favourite disappointed in the Dewhurst Stakes, which looks like the key 2000 Guineas trial. Johnny Murtagh gave him an easy ride, but he ran on with credit at the end. It looked like a schooling, but that won’t console favourite backers! Should fare better.

Rip Van Winkle was 10/1 last month, but Kieren Fallon prefers Mastercraftsman.

9/2 Mastercraftsman

Will stay the mile and is a tough colt but Murtagh opts for Rip Van Winkle.

The Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere probably came after a tough campaign, so he can be excused his 4/9 reverse. He’ll like faster ground and the form of the Phoenix Stakes looks exceptional, where he beat Bushranger and Art Connoisseur over six furlongs. Every chance if ridden handily. 

9/1 Evasive

Sir Michael Stoute is another trainer with a great record in this race, and he thinks that Evasive holds a strong each-way chance. He worked well over seven furlongs with Ryan Moore and will certainly be shorter than 10/1 on the day. 

The Horris Hill Stakes isn’t a strong Guineas Trial, but winning jockey Christophe Soumillon was very happy with Evasive’s win.

12/1 Sea The Stars

The son of Cape Cross ought to do better over further, and is generally a 10/1 chance for the Derby. John Oxx might decide to wait for the Irish 2000 Guineas, in which case he won’t be 20/1 – currently available at Ladbrokes.

14/1 Cityscape

Takes the same route as the 2007 winner, Cockney Rebel (25/1). That means we can’t afford to discount Cityscape on the basis that he hasn’t appeared in a Group One race before.

Beaten one length by Vocalised in the Greenham Stakes, but he wasn’t race fit. Seven furlongs may have been too sharp.

14/1 Gan Amhras

Jim Bolger runs Intense Focus at Longchamp. Gan Amhras beat the Dewhurst winner in the Goffs Million, but will be seen to better effect over the mile. He is Bolger’s Derby horse, and the Galileo colt could be in the same league as New Approach.

20/1 Ouqba

Supplemented by Barry Hills at a cost of £30,000. His son Richard Hills (pictured) rides the impressive winner of a listed Newmarket contest over seven furlongs. May not stay the mile.

22/1 Lord Shanakill

Lord Shanakill and Finjaan were involved in a three way photo finish in the Dewhurst, so at bigger prices they should both be considered.

Lord Shanakill has been placed in some cracking two year old contests but has never raced over a mile before. Completed a good piece of work at Ripon the other day and Jim Crowley will be on board. 

33/1 Finjaan

Backed over the weekend from 33/1 into 25s. The market support is crucial and Finjaan should run a big race, but Richard Hills rides 20/1 Ouqba for his father. With doubts over the market leaders, it is no wonder that punters are looking towards the talented outsiders.

Never raced beyond seven furlongs, but stayed on well in the Dewhurst. Has been working well and trainer Marcus Tregoning is excited.

33/1 Ashram

Beat the below-par Wingwalker at Newmarket in October, who has since died. Ted Durcan was happy with the last workout and Godolphin had the option of running Shaweel.

50/1 On Our Way

The Henry Cecil trained colt has some good two year old form and is a course and distance winner.

50/1 Monitor Closely

Perhaps better suited to ten furlongs.

66/1 Zafisio

Paul Blockley won a Group One at Saint Cloud with Zafisio last year, but he will prefer softer ground. 

66/1 Pure Poetry

Third to Delegator last time out and hard to see the form being reversed.

200/1 Imperial Guest

Is working well at home and won’t have any problems with the ground. Although he finished last in the Craven, he could be the one to pull off a Stubbs Art, third last year at 100/1.

250/1 Ocean’s Minstrel

His last win came in a poor listed event.

Recommendation:

2pts each way @ 9/1 Evasive (Stan James, 3 places, 1/4 odds)

1pt win @ 25/1 Gan Amhras (Victor Chandler)

Also:

2pts win @ 20/1 Sea The Stars (Irish 2000 Guineas, Ladbrokes)

bookies.com is the best place to compare antepost horse racing odds:

Stan James 2000 Guineas Betting

Stan James 1000 Guineas Betting

Epsom Derby Betting

Irish 2000 Guineas Betting

Corals have just opened up some extra Royal Ascot 2009 antepost markets, including the Kings Stand Stakes and Golden Jubilee Stakes.

The antepost value is only going to be around for a few days, so we simply must take advantage soon.

Stan James are best-priced for Yeats to win a fourth Ascot Gold Cup at 2/1, but Corals’ 12/1 about Kasbah Bliss is my idea of decent each way value. He disappointed in the World Hurdle, but has shown great flat form at Longchamp. Francois Doumen’s star is available at 6/1 for next year’s World Hurdle, but Cheltenham isn’t his favourite course.

Yeats may take the headlines for the Ballydoyle team, but I cannot wait to see the Hungarian sprinter Overdose (pictured) on English turf.

The four year old star is unbeaten in twelve starts and was the moral winner of the farcical Prix de l’Abbaye last year.

The Budapest Bullet will be seen in the Temple Stakes at Haydock, by which time his Royal Ascot antepost value will be long gone.

Overdose was bought for just two thousand guineas in 2006, but is already attracting offers of over five million euros. This summer he will stay with Amanda Perrett and will be partnered by the arrogant Christophe Soumillon.

The front runner is 3/1 for the 5f King’s Stand Stakes and 4/1 for the 6f Golden Jubilee Stakes. The double with Corals pays a giant 19/1, which will do me nicely this summer. Forget the going or the draw – Overdose is a class act.

Choisir was the last horse to do the double in 2003.

May 23 Update: Sadly Overdose will miss Royal Ascot 2009. He will be given time to recover from a foot injury. Corals laid a $5000 bet from Hungary on the Overdose double.

3pts Royal Ascot Antepost Double (Corals: Pays 19/1)

3/1 Overdose (King’s Stand Stakes)

4/1 Overdose (Golden Jubilee Stakes)

bookies.com is the best place to compare antepost horse racing odds:

Bet365 Gold Cup Betting

Ascot Gold Cup Betting

Lockinge Stakes Betting

Newmarket 1000 Guineas Betting

Newmarket 2000 Guineas Betting

Epsom Derby Betting