Super Salmon On Top!

What a month it has been for Salmon followers! In spite of the weekend's racing only returning 0.15 points (and that, a non-runner!), things looked much rosier Down Under, where Salmon suggestions Clijsters and Murray raked in a tasty 10.75 points.

As we have reached the end of the month, let's take a look at current profit and loss.

Total Profit /Loss = +19.65 points

2011 Profit/Loss = +11.9 points (up to 31/01/11)

2010 Profit/Loss = +7.75 points

As you can see, the stats are conclusive...you simply cannot afford NOT to back the Salmon!!! If you were following Salmon suggestions during January to the tune of just £1 per point, you would have staked £20 and returned £31.90

Midweek outlook good for Salmons

Another footie winner for the Salmon, taking this season's football tips to 3 from 4, and leaving followers 9.8 points in profit since post 1.

In addition, we have tips in both the Men's and Women's Australian Open semis, 3 football bets which are strong runners for profit come May and an antepost Cheltenham fancy all waiting in the wings.
Look out for next week's early post for more on these bets and a round up of profit/loss so far.

The Salmon strays from the farm this weekend, so an early look at the weekend's racing is required. One horse I will be keeping an eye on is Mobaasher who will either run in the Cleeve Hurdle or the Skybet Chase. However I will not be advising parting with any readies until we know more information about this tricky character who could be worth backing at a price. More to follow there.

For now we're going to throw caution to the wind and have a teeny little patent on Saturday's big races. I could go in to why each of these animals are selected, but between now and Saturday afternoon, you can probably find that out for yourself, so for what it's worth here are the selections.

Cleeve Hurdle - Bensalem (7/2 VC)
Argento Chase - Punchestowns (11/4 VC)
Skybet Chase - Fistral Beach (11/2 Coral)

The prices given are the current best odds and all these bookies offer best odds guaranteed. However, for the trio, Bet365 offer the overall bigger payout as well as best odds guaranteed, so take the prices with our favourite online bookie and have a go.


Bensalem, Punchestowns, Fistral Beach (7/2 5/2 5/1 Bet365) 0.15 point patent [total stake = 1.05 points]

Salmon looking to leap forward.

It's a humble Tuesday evening Salmons, but let not the dullest of days dampen the possibility of a couple of small but good looking investments.

Salmon followers are already on Andy Murray in the Men's Australian Open, and so far he looks in super form. Let's switch to the Women's draw now and get behind Kim Clijsters, who looks an absolute shoo in. She was available at 6/4 a few days ago and amazingly can still be backed at prices just short of that figure. She should have no trouble seeing off Radwanska in the semis, and on doing so is likely to be odds on for the final. She has to be backed at 5/4 to win outright.

As keen Villa fans at Salmon HQ, the sight of Darren Bent netting on his debut on Saturday evening was precisely the tonic required to revitalise our interest in the Premier League season. The Villans can be backed at 13/10 to continue their recent better form by putting a weak Latics side to the sword this evening. OK, Villa aren't the best away from home and have shipped plenty of goals this season, but they always create chances and against a Wigan team that have been whipping boys this season, I see no reason not to back Aston Villa to win.

On the subject of Villa, I couldn't help but flick through the end of season markets to see if there was any value in backing the Claret n Blues for a sudden upturn in fortunes. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that they can be backed with Stan James at a staggering 20/1 to finish in the top 6. They have work to do, but with current sixth place residents Sunderland having a very tricky run in and other challengers looking inconsistent at best, it could be worth chancing Houllier to come good and lead Villa to their fourth consecutive 6th place finish. On Betfair, they are half the price SJ are offering and a token shrapnel bet could prove to be more than just fun.

Kim Clijsters (Women's Australian Open) 5/4 Bet365 [2 points win]
Aston Villa (to beat Wigan) 13/10 Bet365 [1 point win]
Aston Villa (Top 6 finish) 20/1 Stan James [0.5 point win]

Citizens and Wanderers provide midweek tonic for Salmon!

Another winner for followers and a total profit since post one of +12.2 points.

At Salmon HQ, antepost Cheltenham bets are something of a rare commodity, but after last night's winning double and a quick revision of the Cheltenham odds, something stands out. Binocular, who was so impressive at the weekend is still available at 100-30 for the Champion Hurdle! This looks a huge price with Coral especially as numerous other large bookmakers offer only 5-2. Indeed, the simple fact that Hills offer second best price of 3-1 suggests that Coral are out on a limb here.

Chief rival in the betting market - Hurricane Fly, races this weekend, as does Solwhit, and as such, an impressive or unimpressive performance could turn the market on it's head. However, I would not put anyone off having a small dabble on the reigning champ. It seems certain that Binocular will run barring any major mishaps, and I don't think the price will lengthen dramatically between now and the festival. Let's throw some of last night's profit at the Bins and look forward to March!

Binocular (Champion Hurdle Antepost) 100-30 Coral [1.2 points win]

Time To Back Big Boys...

Regular Salmon viewers will be aware that our coffers stand at +10 points at the moment and therefore, let's try to sneak a bit more with a startlingly obvious footy double. We all love the romance of the Cup, but I think Man City and Wolves are as nailed on as you can get to win tonight's two FA Cup ties. City will change their team from Saturday's victory over Wolves, but still have far to much class for the plucky Foxes. Wolves on the other hand put up a great show at Eastlands at the weekend and assuming they don't show signs of fatigue, should overcome Doncaster Rovers. It is always tempting fate to say that a bet looks watertight, but with a Salmon record on footy doubles 1 from 2 so far this season, you should be in good hands.

Anything over evens looks tempting, and Coral offer a smidgen over 11/10 which looks too good an opportunity to double our money.

Man City & Wolves to win in 90 minutes (11-10 Coral) 2points win double

End of an era as Kauto misses out...

In spite of speculation of Kauto Star's retirement after he failed to notch a fifth successive King George on Saturday, Paul Nicholls insists that the horse will run in this year's Gold Cup.

It seems unlikely that he could re-rally and win it for a third time, most bookmakers go 10-1 for the ten year old to recapture his greatest form.

So, Salmon backers lose a little on the great horse, but have a cracking chance to get some back with a little patriotic punt on a certain grumpy Scot in the Australian Tennis Open.

As with most majors, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer dominate the betting market, and thus offer little in the way of betting value. Murray made the final last year, only to be outplayed by a rampant Federer, but there is no reason to suggest he can't at least repeat that feat. Ok, Nadal is looking to become the first man since Rod Laver to hold all Grand Slam titles at once, but I believe there is a little doubt over his fitness presently and could not back him at 2-1. Federer is the likely winner, and 7-4 looks like a realistic price, but not one to get excited about. Andy Murray is available at 8-1 with Paddy Power and with each way terms of 1/2 odds for reaching the final, looks the bet.

With Salmon followers at a total profit of 12.5 points at the moment, let's throw 1.25 points e/way at him.

Andy Murray (Australian Open) 1.25 points e/w [8-1 Paddy Power 1/2 odds 1,2]

Misfiring Rocket Brings Salmon Down To Earth

Oh dear followers.

O'Sullivan tumbles out of the Masters at the first hurdle in a match that was by no means vintage for players of Ronnie and Mark Allen's talent. The Rocket looked to have got on top with the scores at 4 apiece, but some wayward pots let the Northern Irishman in to put the mockers on our latest investment.

In further frustrations for Salmons, a lack of internet access procluded fish fiends getting on Blackpool draw-no-bet which was to be last night's tip. Nevermind...onwards. A great weekend ahead, watch this space for more suggestions and hopefully a return to winning ways.

Wolfie Roars To Success For Salmon!

Well folks, it's another successful tip from the Salmon, as the veteran Martin Adams takes home the BDO Darts World Crown to net a tidy +14.5 points.

Looking at this week's sporting action, it's difficult not to fancy a small dabble in the Masters Snooker.

One the one hand the fact that only the elite get to play in the competition would suggest that the event would be hard to call. However, when you bare in mind the fact that Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Selby have won the last four renewals between them and Ronnie has been in 6 of the last 7 finals, an unavoidable assumption is made...Ronnie should be on the premises. With Selby already out, I was stunned to see some 4/1 still available last night about the Rocket. Sadly, his price has contracted to 3/1 , but with Bet365 (amongst others) offering 1/2 odds on reaching the final, you'd have to think it's an each way bet to nothing.

It chills me to the gills to put up the Rocket, especially as the price has shortened and he is the favourite, but I just can't see past him and reckon there's still value.

Let's not get carried away though, whilst O'Sullivan has shown some scintillating form of late, he does occasionally blow up and for that reason let's keep stakes small.

Ronnie O'Sullivan (Masters Snooker) 3/1 Bet365 [1 point each way 1/2 odds 1,2]

Deliberate Mistake!

Eagle eyed Salmons will have noticed that the footy tip given just moments ago, should have stated that Blackpool face Birmingham tomorrow and Arsenal face Man City on Wednesday...OOPS!

Happy New Year To All Salmons

Apologies fish fans, it has been a long time since the Salmon has been seen in action. Find solace in the fact that had you followed Salmon tips in 2010 you would find yourself +7.75 points from the handful of suggestions given, whilst still having live bets on Arsenal to win the Prem and Birmingham City to be relegated.

With these stats in mind, lets play up our profit now, before the new year starts in earnest.

If you fancy a dabble in the Prem footy over the next couple of days, you could do a lot worse than backing Blackpool to beat Birmingham tonight and Arsenal to beat Man City tomorrow (7/5 and 10/11 with Paddy Power respectively). Birmingham have been appalling away this season and have not won at Bloomfield Road in 50 years, Blackpool on the other hand have not played at home for over a month and have won 7 of the 9 games they have taken the lead in. I fancy them to score early and see out the victory. The other game looks harder to call, but I can't understand why Arsenal aren't a little shorter. Yes, City are good away from home, but can Mancini's men step up to this difficult task knowing that the gunners knobbled them 3-0 at Eastlands in October? I don't think so, and thus suggest a small double.

Thankfully we have not got involved with the PDC Darts World Championship as it has proved as predictable as a bucket of soapy frogs. Let's focus on the BDO Championship which continues live on the BBC from the Lakeside.

The first round has seen the departure of solid Lakeside performer Daryl Fitton and former champ Ted 'The Count' Hankey. This leaves only two former winners in the draw. They face each other and I think Martin 'Wolfie' Adams can overcome John Walton in round two and go on to success. He can be backed at 7/2 and is, to my mind, in the easier half of the draw. Stan James offer half odds to reach the final, and this looks a bet to nothing at least. Go each way on the England captain, who with his experience, should be shorter than main market rival Scott Waites.

Elsewhere, I am cock-a-hoop with excitement and anticipation. Why you ask? Well Kempton's King George VI Chase (usually held on Boxing Day) is to be run on 15th January after being defeated by the Christmas weather. I always hesitate to back odds-on shots, but with the great Kauto Star in the line up attempting to win it for an inconceivable fifth time you have to be on. Back him with William Hill who guarantee best odds and best industry price up until the beginning of the race.

Blackpool & Arsenal [0.75 point double] 3.58/1 Paddy Power

Martin Adams (BDO World Darts) 7/2 Stan James [2 points each way 1,2]

Kauto Star (King George) 5/6 William Hill [3 points win]