Celebrate Good Times – Huge Saturday Tipping Profits – Sunday Advices – Big Zeb to win Tied Cottage at Punchestown as well as across the Punchestown Card

The Major enjoyed the best Saturday service of the year yesterday offering 14 selections which have already paid out £25.82 to level £1 stakes.  Plus we still have West Ham who could add another £2 to the result if they beat Nottingham Forest at 2pm.

Big Zeb pinging one

Highlights were picking the terrible value in Punchestown and opposing on 9/1 morning price Neptune Collonges who demonstrated a great return to form.  I was proud to see Knockara Beau come home second with credit making a mockery of 33/1 and the winner Grand Crus, advised at 11/4 made this a sensational race for the Major, if only I had advised the forecast!

On the pitches of Britain, FA Cup pricing helped us again with Reading a stand out result at 6/5 but we had to rely on a late goal. 

That will make January a special start to the year and a harder act to follow. 

Sunday and time to offer a handful of things to follow for those who like to reinvest!

1.50pm Punchestown Tied Cottage Chase – Easy pickings.  Firstly, as you may know the Major had Big Zeb as a huge part of my ante post piece for Cheltenham.  The 7/2 for the Champion Chase has all gone now.  I expect his preparation to go smoothly and would even suggest that the way he will demolish Sizing Europe and Golden Silver today may just flip flop the head of the market for the big one. 

I see nothing to change my mind about Big Zebs chances as they race today.  OK so you may shout at your screen right now ‘Come on Major how did you pick that one!’ but value resides in odds on, odds against and virtual no hope situations.  Big Zeb should win.  In my head if they ran the race ten times, he wins seven.  To break even you have to price him just over 1/2.  8/11 is available, smash it.

Already advised is a West Ham home win.  Consider having the two in a little double.

The Punchestown card is a good as anything, in fact better, than anything on offer at Cheltenham yesterday. 

4.20 The Bumper – On the surface of things there does not look an obvious champion bumper sort here but this is the time of year when the Irish trainers get their Cheltenham bound hopes out.  Victor Chandler are offering an early market and they may get taken up on 5/2 about Celtic Folklore just because of connections.  Carbon Credit though won a point to point well last time out and with the services of Rubys sister in the saddle, could bring home the bacon.  No bet advised, how could you seriously advise with so little to go on!

The 2.20 is a punting nightmare best left alone and so I will but not before buying a ticket on Karanga Queen at 50/1 with one of my favourite jockeys, Slippers Madden on board.  Could he get a decent tune out of this unreliable and fully exposed sort.  Probably not.

The Novice graded hurdle is a great race but this years renewal looks average.  That said Gagewell Flyer seems to have finally got his act together and is a graded winner causing a 6lb penalty which I don’t think will stop him.  7/4 is the price, bet like men – Mullins and Townend will not let us down.

The 3.20 maiden is also a hard to bet on encounter.  Too little is known of many of these.  Westmeath would be a class bet at 11/2 if I didn’t suspect the soft ground may be responsible for his latest flop.  Jetson looks more exposed.  I like the 10/3 about Harpsy Chord – Have a small nugget of this one and save the bank.

The 3.50 is the last race to look at and I take two potentially progressive types.  Flemensford in the McNamara colours and Kerb Appeal, again for the inform Mullins yard.  12/1 and 14/1 dutched up, thank you.

In the coming week, I aim to get a post up summarising January in detail, looking at the Superbowl and a couple of midweek quick posts advising some cheeky side orders.

Thank you for reading, hope you are on the big winners today.

The Majors Saturday Service – Fairyhouse, Doncaster and Cheltenham Trials Day Tips, FA Cup Fourth Round Tipping

Good morning faithful followers and welcome to the Majors Saturday tipping service bought to you from the dark, cold and overcast conditions of Pershore.

He would be taking on his turf accountant with wins for Bolton and Reading.

The greatest commander in our history, the Duke of Wellington once said ‘All the business of war, and indeed all the business of life, is to endeavour to find out what you don’t know by what you do; that’s what I called ‘guess what was at the other side of the hill’

The Saturday Service is written with this endeavour at heart.  The Iron Duke would have been a ‘straight on the nose’ sort of gentleman gambler I suspect, we shall do our best to honour him with the product of our research today.  At tea time, we shall see whether we were right about the other side of the hill.

Our relentless assault on the turf accountant community has resulted so far this year in a 12.45% profit.  The Major is delighted to have finished January in profit.  Particularly pleasing is the profit made across the disciplines, although horseracing (22%) has been a more profitable than football (2%).

The football came back into profit this week with a lovely couple of tips landing in the shape of away wins at tasty prices for Villa and Burnley.  Back to profit on football tips…. Do not call it a comeback, the Major had never gone.

Once more we shall return today to the field of battle.  Our sabre gleams clean, our eye is hard, cold and resolute. 

Cheltenham has called a second inspection for 10.45am.  Good lord, allow the temperature to rise and racing to go ahead.  The Major is hungry for the Prestbury action.  I am prepared.  My enemy awaits my moves.  To all those on course, enjoy.

A few points of order.  Can I call to your attention the email service on the left menu.  Twitter users can follow @tdl123.  Plus, we do get hundreds of visitors a week as the growing mass of followers decides to read the Majors nonsense tips before doing something more sensible.  Feel free to contribute, you can click comment and leave your thoughts, communication welcome.  On that score, if you feel you have a particular thought you want to share with the followers, guest posts would be welcome, let me know if you have an angle on an upcoming event.

Finally, thank you to the advocate followers.  You know who you are.  Shad, Redmond, Hill and the rest.  Stay loyal to the cause, I feel a monster bet being landed will be our just reward.

Let us start at Cheltenham.  I have focussed the write up on a couple of key races.  I have also included an across the card tipping service for all of you lucky people attending today (assuming the frost crust is off the ground).

One of the Majors betting resolutions for the year was not to get too enthusiastic about novice hurdlers.  However, there is one that the Major fins a likeable profile. 

The 3.05 Neptune Novices is probably my favourite race on the card today as it is the one where a true star could emerge.  There are plenty in the race that could be anything and so this is not one to get carried away with.  For example, Drive Time did absolutely nothing wrong on his winning hurdle debut and probably boasts one of the better flat forms of these sorts.  He has a better than 20/1 chance in the Majors view.  Backspin is a Grade 1 winner already but at 7/4 the Major would like to have seen a previous strong run at Prestbury Park.

Bobs Worth is a clear contender and a much better bet for the red hot Henderson yard (16 winners from 47 in the last two weeks – worth following again today!).  Clearly a promising sort and a much better bet than the 7/4 favourite at 9/2.  Considered.

The one carrying the Majors money though is Champion Court.  Hot favourite before being pulled out of a heavy ground race in Ireland last week, this horse needs to run past it’s previous form to take this.  However, this horse is one that has had the opportunity to run at Cheltenham and shaped well, winning here back in November.  Impressions that day suggested he could get further, I think conditions are ideal today – 11/1 is available with Skybet who are also one of the two bookmakers to go quarter odds the place, honourable stuff.  Have an each way slice.

The 2pm Murphy Group Chase is an interesting puzzle which the Major has wrestled with before conclusively solving.  A lot of my thinking about this contest revolves around what you make of Little Josh.  If you take his run in the Paddy Power on a form line through Long Run, then he will make mincemeat of this lot.  So the question is what do you make of that form when asked to shoulder a nine pound rise, Little Josh fluffed his lines in Decembers Vote AP (the old Boylesports) Chase – My original view that the Paddy Power run was a reliable yardstick has changed.  Long Run clearly was below his best that day (I am unsure of his suitability for Cheltenham) – Little Josh won the Paddy Power when given an uncontested lead and he certainly won’t get that today with 4 or 5 likely prominent racers.

OK, considering this race is going to have a lot of pace on with several likely sorts wanting to dictate the tempo (Little Josh amongst them).  Buffalo Bob needs assessing as another ‘from the front’ sort.  I like his chances and he races off a significant weight advantage. 

Pricewise suggested Bakbenscher – You can see why, he fancies it to close to win on the hill.  The Major prefers to take a gamble on the well being of another closer, Chapoturgeon.  On his best form, only 18 months ago, Chapo has as good as record as anyone.  Course form is not a problem.  If he had shaped more promisingly on reappearance from injury then he would be a leading fancy for this.  At 11/1 quarter odds with Corals, I advise you to have a healthy touch.  Yes we take a chance on his well being but let’s hope that he can travel well enough at the back of the field with Timmy Murphy, one of the finest exponents of turning a horse off at the back of the field and kidding it into the race for the closing stages.  A nice looking grey horse too, eye catching.

These are the two advised Cheltenham Trials Day tips written up.  The best of the rest:

12.55 Triumph Hurdle Trial – Local Hero looked the best of these on the flat and showed he can convert that to hurdle form, take to win well at 2/1 with Coral to get the day off to a flyer.

1.30 Timeform Novices – Ikorodu Road is a bigger price because of his mistake which caused him to finish third at Newbury.  This also meant a lenient handicap mark and I take him to use that to advantage today, no mistakes and 5/1 is a monster price, get stuck in.  Shakalakaboomboom looks a useful handicapper for the red hot Henderson yard but the Major suspects his racing may catch up with him today.

2.30 – The Argento is the feature on the card.  I cannot have the price of Punchestowns and although Tidal Bay is a danger to all if he plays his A game, I take Neptune Collonges at 9/1 to show that injury and a fall have not dulled the shine.

3.35 – Fingers crossed we will get a stand out impressive winner of this to at least ask Big Bucks a question come March in the World Hurdle.  It is hard to believe Fair Along is just 9, he seems to have been around for ever and he would be a popular winner.  While he will go well in my view, his front running style will be picked off by something in this field.  Corals are 11/4 about Grand Crus and I think you should punish them for their error.  Couple this with a saver on Knockara Beau at 33/1 who is intriguing switched back to hurdles even if Jan Faltejsek in the saddle hardly inspires confidence.

4.10 If you need this one then we are in trouble.  The handicapper has made a fundamental error when rating Alarazi, who races off a featherweight.  12/1 Sportingbet, have a slice and thank me later.

If Cheltenham is called off then let us at least take succour from the fact Punchestown goes ahead.  The 2.40 handicap is hardly going to throw up a star but Artic Mick will run well for O’Hare who has had 2 winners in the last fortnight from 4 runners.  6/4 is a bit steep for the Major though who priced this one at 15/8.  Therefore a chance is taken on a second plausible run in a row (not a certainty) from Andreas Answer, 12/1 Bet 365. 

Fistral Beach is a great price for the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster, 3.20.  11/2 is too big, smash it up.  Equally, 33/1 about Etxalar who looks unlucky at times is too big.  We may not find out whether it is or not as Doncaster looks more weather prone.

To the football fields of Britain and fourth round FA Cup day.  For those that remember back, we had a great day on FAC3 weekend when the Majors profitable assertion paid out…. that turf accountants overpriced Premier League teams who treat this as a second competition .

There are no matches which match that profile today but we do have a number of games where pricing has been incorrectly applied.

The first for me is Bolton who should have no problems seeing off Wigan.  8/11 probably is not short enough for an organised outfit.  Coyle could have a proper crack at the Cup, Martinez is likely to have other priorities!

Reading are the best fit for the Majors profiling in the FA Cup.  Think about it, if Stevenage had not beaten Newcastle then you would never get ODDS AGAINST on Reading to beat them.  There were lots of contributing factors that day that do not apply.  OK, so Stevenage will be up for this and the third round antics may play on Readings minds but 6/5 is absurd – Speak to your money man and free up some funds!

West Ham could have a distraction from their troubles at home to the Tricky Trees.  5/4 is too big for a team that boasts better talent than the visitors.

Australia will revert to winning ways and continue their domination in the one day series against England.  10/11 is a great price for them to go 4-1 up.  England’s last win had a sense of fortune about it and the seamers are just not effective enough to suppress the Aussies surging ahead again.

Remember the Majors advice.  Bet big.  Be irresponsible.  Give yourself a chance of glory.  If you are uncomfortable with the stake then you have done the right thing.  It has to be worth winning and it has to hurt losing.

The Naps this year are off to a flyer and this week the Major will shirk not.  A treble on Bolton, Reading and West Ham is advised.  For those who like the lucky 15, you know who you are Martin, stick Bobs Worth in at 9/2.

Tonight, a gentle evenings dining.  Enjoy some mussels in white wine.  Eat fish and have a bottle of New Zealand white.  It is good for the soul.  Remember to tip well.  If the man thanks you, tell him it was your pleasure and that you are one of the Majors. 

Final thanks to the young Master Hobday who, as his legendary playboy status dictates, has organised his own gentleman’s trip to Aintree for Grand National day and the invitation list is delectable, superb company, stylish times ahead chaps.  It will not be long before the Major stakes an ante post selection in your name designed to more than recoup any outlays for the days entertainment.  Charge the brandy flask.

Thurles 27th January – Horseracing Tip – Kinloch Brae Chase (Grade 2)

Anyone else fancy a couple of pints of Guiness in Thurles before wandering up to the beautiful racecourse to see Trafford Lad boost our weekend fighting fund?

Last night was a lightning quick post to ensure the advices were down before kick off, apologies for it being a bit rough around the edges.  What a marvelous result though.  If you followed the Majors suggestion regarding the Paddy Power free bet offer then you would have returned £245 on a £50 stake for Villa to win at Wigan.

Burnley completed a good night winning at 17/10 under Eddie Howe, expect the value prices about both teams to dissipate.

The Major has had a rough recent run advising football but these two results put that discipline back into profit.  This means that both football and horseracing are in profit.  The overall result is a 12% return on the bank.  This also does not consider 4 ante post advices which are yet to complete.

Tomorrows card at Thurles has a decent 30k Euro Grade 2 chase, the Kinloch Brae.

Newmill would bring the house down if this old timer could win the race for a third time.  This Champion Chase winner is surely due a retirement and at 16/1 at the age of 13, the Major suggests that he would be a more romantic rather than logical selection.  That said, it was an honourable defeat in a race not run to suit in the warm up race when beaten by Sublimity.  I cannot imagine connections expected to get so close.  Maybe they were surprised on the day but the intention cannot have been give Newmill a hard race.  Not for the Major. 

That said, the field is full of some rascally types.  Glencove Marina is not a bad horse but we know all about him.  Also keenly priced at 5/1 (it could bite me), Roberto Goldbach, in a field of misfits and monkeys, I still cannot have it.  Both have form close to J’y Vole recently finishing within a few lengths of Tranquil Sea.  My view is that this was not Tranquils best run and the form is not as solid as you might think. 

Trafford Lad is a very interesting sort.  If he rediscover his love for the game again, he could run a race to mock quotes of 12/1 with Paddy Power.  This horse has to overcome recently poor runs but in the winter of 08 and 09, he scored good form with a less than two length defeat to Tranquil Sea and dishing out a 5 length defeat to Forpaddydeplasterer.  Can the first time tongue tie do the magic?  Let us not forget this is a multiple Group 1 winner, of interest.

Psycho is a decent sort running for the Mullins team.  Winning nicely against Quiscover Fontaine in a four runner event, it is hard to make a solid assertion of that form.  Who knows what the form means.  Quiscover once looked a tasty prospect and probably still is capable of a decent run or two but not the most reliable yardstick.  Psycho might be on the up and I liked the attitude shown knuckling down after the last to get the job done but I would want my stake back on a place and 10/3 is just too short.

So, to the favourite J’y Vole.  The same comments apply.  I like this one more than the others but at 2/1 it is not a solid bet to take. 

Trafford Lad is the chance selection.  12/1 each way, load the big guns.

Mid Week Tips from The Major – Villa and Burnley

Well last weekend while being another poor effort on the football, scrapped to a profit.  On £11 stakes, we returned a £11.43 very modest profit. 

This was solely due to the third nap of the season a Blackburn and Masterminded double which paid at 11/4 (ish).

Tonight there are a few interesting games of Association Football.  I really like a particular bet.

Villa must be on the up after surprising a few people beating MAn City at home.  What better way for Bent to remove the pressure than to score on debut.  Resurgent, I expect them to warm to their task at Wigan easily.  Therefore a 6/4 best price with Victor Chandler is a steal.

If you do not have a Paddy Power account then I suggest you open one.  No the MAjor is not on a commission but…. They offer best price on horseracing so if your price drifts you get the benefit.  Plus, they offer a £100 free bet to your first £50.

They are 13/10 tonight about the Villa.  I would take that for the £50 and the free stake.  This gives you a return of £245 to your £50 stake.  Even if you close the account afterwards you are in credit.  For those who are cautious or don’t like the bet, lay it off on Betfair!  You can still return a 210% profit by the Majors maths!

Burnley are the other team taken to win at 17/10.  Portsmouth are up and down but Eddie Howe will have bought a new direction to Burnley and I like this price.

Have a slice of both and thank me later.

The Majors Saturday Service – 22nd Jan – Victor Chandler Chase Tips, Premier League – Crack Away Followers!

Let's all hope that Ascot beats the weather

Warm greetings to another fine sporting weekend for the Majors faithful followers.  Today we have the usual premier league tips, while in horseracing The Major has a Victor Chandler Chase 16/1 tip against Masterminded going for his third win of the season. 

So far this week the Major has tipped two outstanding losers and a non runner.  This uninspiring week followed last weekend which was almost a write off due to a shocking football run.  However, last Sunday provided a 25/1 winner in Baycross, the Majors longest priced success of the year and this win did restore some parity. 

Today followers, have faith.

Faith is indeed why we gathered here on this day, the gamblers sabbath, as men prepared to do battle.  So the Major raises the clarion call again, you must restock your bank before we unleash the cannons once more.  Relentlessly positive.

An anonymous writer in Deuteronomy wrote..  ‘Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid…for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee’

The Major teaches you in the same vain to bet like real men (and women – you know who you are!), ensure the stake demands your heart to flutter and skip a beat, reminding you of your very existence, feel your pulse again and realise that the world is not about Simon Cowell or fast food or Wetherspoons.  Out there the meaning of existence resides in the simple pleasure of a guilty moment of regret over the risk you have taken in playing your hand, before the thrill of the contest itself.  Bet with a stake that means victory delivers sweet feelings and a cash return you can actually do something with.  If you are playing with a stake that will make absolutely no difference to your planned evenings entertainment, then what is the point?  Something needs to ride on the outcome, you need to feel alive again.

The Saturday Service is here, it is your honourable duty to load the large cannon with the fine shot and then lead the charge.  The Major is he that will go with you and will not fail you or forsake you*

Point of order, the data sheets which are on the top tabs hold all of the data year to date.  You will notice a new tab called the betting summary.  This simply takes the raw data and summarises the performance of the horseracing tips, football advices etc on a month by month basis.  You will see that our profit from 48 bets is 14%, horseracing has been our strongest suit at 37% profit.  The two naps have returned a trebling of stake.  Pleasing but not enough.

Second point of order, the Major reminds followers of how to get the Saturday Service quickly.  As soon as the Major posts, emails are sent to the subscriber list.  To subscribe, use the tool in the left hand menu.  If you prefer to get your notification by twitter, @tdl123 is the place to be.

To todays action.  First the Victor Chandler Chase.  Clive Smith and Paul Nicholls will be itching to win this after last weeks Kauto Star defeat in the King George.  In Masterminded they have the best rated horse in training and it is too easy to forget that Masterminded is in his prime and not on the downgrade like his stablemate Kauto.  After all Masterminded has already won several Grade 1’s, two champion chases and suffered a dip in form that had many writing him off – That’s quite a back story for a horse who has just turned eight. 

He looks back to his impervious best this season with two solid victories.  What impressed me in both wins this season was the flamboyance.  Is there a better chaser at standing off a fence before clearing it in soaring style by a foot, not touching a twig then landing like a ballerina moving away on the bridle; with horses trainling in his wake, their pschological well-being and ability to compete destroyed.  Masterminded does look to have found his love of racing again this season which is great news, unless you are competing with him. 

Some people have Masterminded as the unquestionable two mile champ which, if you are in this camp, makes the 15/8 about Champion Chase success this year an absolute must bet.  The Major thinks though that outstanding as he is, he also has an outstanding competitor in Big Zeb.  It is going to be a cracker in March but we must play todays hand and await that race with huge anticipation.  (The Major has already advised his ante post Cheltenham tips)

Todays Victor Chandler is a penalty kick for Masterminded, in the Majors opinion.  There is nothing wrong with Petit Robin, Somersby and Mad Max but they are up against a quality animal.  If Masterminded turns up in decent heart, there is nothing to suggest he will not, he will win.  8/11 does not quite reflect this and so the Major would encourage anyone to take William Hill on at that price.  Not an advised bet though, the Major seeks the value bet.

The horse the Major really likes and the only one that allows a chink of doubt about a Masterminded win is Crack Away Jack.  This horse was incredibly unlucky not to win the Champion Hurdle in 2009.  Watch the race again and you will see he loses 15 lengths at the start, which is a lot of ground to give to top class animals in a 2 mile hurdle!  He finished that day like a train up the hill finishing a 3 length (ish) 4th.  Having suffered injuries since then, it is hard to make what remains of his undoubted talent. 

The horse has won fresh before though and at 16/1 with Bet365 who go 3 places and quarter odds (best price too), it is worth a speculative one.  The speculation is not about whether I think Crack Away Jack is capable of running a place or picking up the race if Masterminded is not in top form, it is more about his readiness and in that his trainer, the wonderful Emma Lavelle is buoyant ‘He is in really good order…… He has always run well fresh.  He looks straightforward, seems well and is at a good weight’

Of the others, Petit Robin looks like he wants further to me and is not in the top draw.  Mad Max looks a hard sort to place.  Tchio Polos at the bottom of the card for Paul Nicholls might improve but looks nowhere near good enough on anything shown so far.

The 2.55 at Ascot offers a similar bet to Crack Away Jack.  Walkon is an Alan King (who has had a quiet season) trained hurdler who has been missing injured for over a year and a half.  However, returning in this grade 2 shows some confidence in the horse and his well-being. 

Walkons second in the Triumph hurdle was good form finishing second to Zaynar at his best with Starluck back in 4th. 

A complete unknown in this is Sire Collonges who races off a featherweight.  Another french import for the Nicholls stable – Who knows what this one is about, impossible to tell but taken as too green for this quality race particularly as Lough Derg will ensure a ready pace and will expose jumping inexperience. 

Soldatino is the 5/2 favourite but really, this Triumph winner while good, 5/2?!?  OK, it could win but really I am unsure its form of winning last years Triumph is as good as the form of the second Walkon achieved in the previous year.  This then leaves the 12/1 Walkon as a standout bet – Get stuck in, have an each way chunk and thank me later.  Generally available at quarter odds and three places.

As long as Ascot races, the ground will be perfect.  Gowran however is off as is Haydock which is a shame as the Major had done work on both!

Detail and research.  2pm Lingfield, not the natural start point for horseracing fans.  One thing of interest.  Pizzetti is 40/1 with Victor Chandler – Now OK, this looks like a plot horse for handicaps and from the Prescott stable, it is probably waiting for them but…. out of Singspiel it is arguably the best bred horse in the race and….. it has a Derby entry, so they must have had hopes at some point.  It is probably a handicap plotted sort but at 40/1 the Major is willing to stake an each way piece of silver.

Ascots 3.30 shold go to Breedsbreeze 15/8 (Sportingbet) – All of the others have big question marks, the preferences of the field would be Minella Theatre who needs to prove he is not simply at first time up specialist and I’m a Legend who looks well handicapped to the Major.  the tip is for Breedsbreeze though who has he form in the book, looks relatively well placed at 9 and the credible Ian Popham helps by taking a further 5lbs off.

Then to the sporting fields of Britain which suffer less from the wicked touch of the barren North and her icy fingers.

Wolves are no forlorn hope to beat Liverpool who have proved for a second time that changing your manager does not improve a mixed squad.  Wolves are organised and at 12/5 with Stan James, of some interest but no bet advised.

I think Aston Villa while too good for the drop have problems that Darren Bent alone cannot solve.  It is the live early evening game and backing Manchester City at 23/20 with William Hill is the advice.

The Major wants to keep Fulham on the ‘poor list’ – Thus backing Stoke at Craven Cottage makes sense at 14/5 with Victor Chandler.  Stoke may have had mid-week exertions at Cardiff but they were able and confident enough to rest key players.  John Carew may not be an inspirational signing but he can lead a line and will be another player bought into consideration from Stokes long throws.  Fulham continue to underwhelm the Major who thinks it is all presentation and no trousers.  It is worth remembering that there is a bit of bad blood between these teams.  Pulis and Hughes have twice this season refused to shake hands at the final whistle, if it tasty today, I don’t think that would suit Fulham.

Blackburn are a great price to beat the Majors own team, West Brom.  This Sunday fixture features a home team who are well organised under the quiet Steve Kean.  Albion can score goals but will struggle against the strong midfield of the Blackburn team.  5/4 with Victor Chandler is a decent price.  West Brom are getting stronger with their defense returning, Tamas is a big player but they were poor at the back when fully staffed and so it might make them more competitive but hardly delivers maximum confidence.

Equally Tottenham look a quality bet at 5/4 to win in the North East.  Andy Carroll is still missing and he is a key player for Newcastle.  Pienaar could make a debut for Spurs who just look to have enough quality to take maximum points. 

Sheffield Wednesday are spending some money and going through a transformation.  7/4 is too big for their chances to get the spoils from Orient today.

Sunderland look a tasty price too at 2/1.  Blackpool are only 6 points off the black cats who rest just outside the Europa positions.  I don’t think Sunderland will miss a beat with the loss of Bent.  Gyan looks a more complete player to me.  Blackpool are capable of scoring against most teams due to a refreshing attacking approach but they also concede.

The new Bournemouth manager has his hands full.  The club had already sold key players before losing their young talented manager Howe to Burnley.  While Bournemouth have a sterling home record, this could all change in the coming weeks and they have not entertained many of the top teams.  Brighton are that and at 15/8 are incredible value.  Take your deserved share.

The Major wishes all faithful followers the best of luck in your selections today.  Watch out for tomorrows Irish Champion Hurdle advice where sadly Dunguib has already withdrawn.

The NAP today is a double on Blackburn and Masterminded. General pricing of 6/4 and 4/6 means this pays £375 to a £100 stake, I am sure you will bet with more significant funds!

This evenings dining will follow a nine mile run.  The order of the day will be steak, shown the flame for the minimal period to make the chef feel he has earned his wage.  A Barolo to accompany, a brandy to finish.  Then to dark, peaceful slumber safe in the knowledge that no matter what happened today, no matter whether a fortune was plundered in the Majors favour or not; we sleep deeply with carnal knowledge of the joys the sporting gentleman’s world provides.

Play hard.  Allow instinct as well as research. 

As the man hails your carriage, tip well.  This is right.  Let him know the Major sent you, we will be back.

* Previous evidence demonstrates that the Major will quite regularly fail you!