Friday night's live football encompasses the romance of the FA Cup when Kings Lynn welcome Oldham Athletic in their second round tie.

The home side will be playing in what is arguably the biggest game in their history when they take on the Football League Division One side.

Lynn's record, unbeaten since the start of the season, should provide them with confidence and with 5,000 fans roaring them they might fancy their chances if they catch the visitors cold.

However, there is a noticeable gap in class. Oldham beat Huddersfield 3-0 in the league last week and are pushing strongly for a promotion place.

The Latics are looking to win their sixth consecutive game in League and FA Cup and we think they will do it.

Betterbet.com will give you 6/5 for Oldham to be winning at half-time and full time. If you are looking for a correct score, take Oldham to win 2-0 at 11/2.

Stenson sunk the winning putt in the Ryder Cup
R1 LEADERBOARD:GB/Irl unless stated-5 H Stenson (Swe)-4 J Furyk (US)-3 P Harrington, D Howell Selected others:level S Garcia (Sp), E Els (SA) +3 C Montgomerie
Henrik Stenson carded a flawless five-under-par round of 67 for a one-shot first-round lead at the Nedbank Challenge in Sun City.
Stenson picked up birdies at the second and ninth holes, with three more at the 10th, 14th and 15th, to go one shot clear of Jim Furyk.
Stenson's Ryder Cup team-mates David Howell and Padraig Harrington share third place on three under par.
Colin Montgomerie is last, dropping four shots in the last five holes.

Andrew is leading the hunt for Robinson's replacementEngland are unlikely to have a new head coach in place for the start of the 2007 Six Nations, says Rob Andrew.
"If you are a betting man you would think it is highly likely (no-one will be appointed by 3 February)," said the Rugby Football Union's elite director.
Andrew, who has ruled himself out of the running to succeed Andy Robinson, also said the RFU are looking for a manager rather than a coach.
England kick off their 2007 Six Nations campaign at home to Scotland.

Robinson, 42, was axed on Wednesday after winning just nine of his 22 games in charge.
A host of names have been linked with the England job, including World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson, former South Africa coach Nick Mallett, Harlequins coach Dean Richards and former Wasps and Ireland coach Warren Gatland.

But Andrew says the RFU will not be rushed into making an appointment, despite next year's World Cup in France less than 10 months away.
"We have to take our time to get it right, that's the most important thing," said the former England fly-half, who will make his recommendations to Club England on 7 December.
"We have to look at who might be available and who might have the skills to do the job.
People might be out there looking at it saying 'I don't fancy this much, I will wait until after the World Cup'
Rob Andrew
"Inevitably, there is a chance that the person will be already employed somewhere else and there is a an awful lot of work to be done before we get to that stage.
"People might be out there looking at it saying 'I don't fancy this much, I will wait until after the World Cup'.
"So there is a whole range of issues that need resolving."
Andrew envisages the new man working with the coaching team that is already in place.
Attack coach Brian Ashton, defence coach Mike Ford and forwards coach John Wells were appointed after this year's disappointing Six Nations campaign.
"We have a good coaching team in place," said Andrew. "The chances are that we are looking at the skills of more of a manager than a coach."
Following Robinson's departure after 25 months in charge, the focus has once again switched to the problems faced by English rugby.
There are some serious issues that affect the game and everybody is aware of those
Rob Andrew
In his departing statement, Robinson insisted the current structure and system for developing elite rugby players and performance in the international arena was not working.
Andrew agreed, adding: "He is absolutely right, Andy has had a very difficult system to work under since 2003.
"It is no doubt that the system we operate in has been leapfrogged by other countries, most notably New Zealand but also Ireland and Wales.
"Two countries at international level that are struggling with their systems are France and England.
"There are some serious issues that affect the game and everybody is aware of those.
"We have a very complicated system and structure with our Premiership clubs and we have to work to try and improve that system."

TRAINER Jan Finneran was surprised that Blue Punisher downed a FFA field at Albion Park on Thursday night, but now will up the ante on the much improved galloper.Blue Punisher (Saintly Crew-Bonnie Shiraz) ran 30.33 to win the FFA by a half length over Token Jet with a length and a quarter to Wongawillisue in third.Blue Punisher will now run in next week’s Group 1 Brisbane Cup heats.“Tonight’s win was a surprise,” said Finneran. “I thought Token Jet would win but we were lucky to get the drop on him.”Blue Punisher and kennelmate Heap’s Fast have earned their place in the heats of the Cup. They are among the seven dogs in the Finneran kennel.Blue Punisher took his record to 15 wins and 12 placings from 37 starts. Finneran said she could not believe the improvement in Blue Punisher in recent weeks. “He’s been a different dog since we have kept him close to us in the car on the way to races,” she said.“He’s also a real dynamo. He’s 28.5 kilos ringing wet.”While Blue Punisher came off the two dog to win Thursday night’s top grade, Finneran believes the dog is best suited from a wide draw.“Just look at his run tonight,” said Jan. “He headed out early, then switched back to the fence in the middle of the race and again came wide in the home straight.”

So you are coming to Las Vegas for a weekend and want to play some poker? With all the new and old card rooms—where should you play? This is part one of a series which will take a look at what is actually going on at each and every one of the poker rooms on the Las Vegas Strip on a typical Friday night. For our first "Friday Night on the Strip" I started at the southern most end of the Las Vegas Boulevard where I began injecting, inspecting, detecting and rejecting the card rooms at: Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Excalibur, and Tropicana. Here is what the action and inaction looked like in these four poker rooms on a recent Friday Nite. Mandalay Bay I began and finished my evening at Mandalay Bay. You

gotta park the car somewhere, and with the tram from Mandalay to Luxor and on to Excalibur and then an over-the-Strip walkway to Tropicana, I was not going to get a lot of exercise between casinos tonight. Mandalay Bay has a ten table room which at 7:30 had nine tables in action. Like nearly all of the small and medium size rooms in Las Vegas these days, the action was 'all Hold'em all the time.' Limit and No-Limit, of course, and all of the tables were low-limit, nothing over $4/$8. Also like most of the rooms on the weekend, the tables are filled with players staying at the property. At Mandalay Bay about 70% of the players were staying on site, another 20% were staying at nearby properties and less than 10% were locals who consider this room to be their own private fishing hole. This split of players is fairly typical of many rooms. This means that some players at nearly every table know each other and are in Las Vegas to enjoy themselves. On this night I played three different tables at Mandalay Bay and played with two couples from Chicago and an entire family of four from Atlanta. A bit surprisingly, the action was actually a lot tougher after midnight when usually the alcohol factor has set in. The room was full by 11 PM and the wait for a seat got as long as 30 minutes by midnight. Luxor Just a short tram ride or a moving sidewalk away is the Luxor poker room, but these two rooms (Mandalay & Luxor) are nothing alike. Again, it's all Hold'em at the Luxor but they spread an interesting No-Limit game. The buy-in in $50 maximum with $1/$1/$2 blinds. Basically, this is a no fold'em Hold'em no-limit game and there were plenty of tables going on Friday night. You can only rebuy if you go bust, so any short stacks are pushing with borderline hands to either get back in the game or rebuy back to $50. These are very loose games, which make the room a lot of fun to play if you like loose and loose-aggressive games. No-limit with a low buy-in is a strange concept to get used to and many of the players never do. I walked the room around 11 PM and found only one player at any of the no-limit tables with a stack larger than $200. There was also a lot of table talk at the Luxor tables, about poker, about politics, about sex: "The Luxor ['working girls'] have better bodies than those at MGM." I am only quoting here, I have no evidence to offer a personal opinion. Excalibur Next it was on to Excalibur. The first thing you will notice at Excalibur is a lot more local players. The old room here was a local favorite for many years and the property still draws a fair number of locals. One reason is the $2/$6 spread limit game. There is a real added skill in having the option to "make it six" anytime. Also the room at the Excalibur seems to have a faster turnover; a fair number of players are sitting down for short sessions and the turnover makes for less reads and more cards-only play. On most nights at the Excalibur the games are a bit more conservative than at the more tourist oriented rooms, so if your game is tight and right, this may be the room for you. Tropicana Many rooms have become all Hold'em; the Tropicana has become all no-limit Hold'em. The only game dealt in the six table Trop room is $1/$2 no-limit Hold'em. Rumors are that the big face-lift in store for the Tropicana casino will include a new poker room but until then this is a small and quiet room with generally only one or two tables in action and several long-time players who make a living in this tropical pond. If you need no-limit lessons, you can get them here but you will pay.

Fallon has had a turbulent year in 2006French racing authority France Galop have suspended jockey Kieren Fallon for six months after testing positive for a prohibited substance.
The 41-year-old six-times champion jockey tested positive for a metabolite of a banned substance.
The ban, which is likely to be applied worldwide, is to begin on 7 December.
Fallon is currently banned from riding in Britain after being charged with conspiracy to defraud by the City of London Police.
The ban results from a sample given by the Irishman when he rode Ivan Denisovich in the Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly on 9 July and is likely to be reciprocated internationally.
"We were informed by France Galop this afternoon that Kieren had tested positive for a prohibited substance," said Denis Egan, chief executive of the Irish Turf Club.
"The stewards need to meet first but I would imagine he will be banned from riding in Ireland as well.
Fallon has the right to appeal but both A and B samples tested positive
France Galop spokesman Henri Pouret
"The international jurisdictions sign up to an agreement that if something as straightforward as this happens, we follow their decision.
"As both ourselves and France Galop are signed up to the agreement it seems likely he will be banned from riding in Ireland."
Fallon would be ruled out of the first part of the Classic season.
The quantity of metabolite found was described as "exceedingly low" by expert witness, Dr Michael Lewis, who admitted that there was a possibility that the test result arose solely as a consequence of environmental contact.
Fallon's solicitor Christopher Stewart-Moore said: "Over the course of his long riding career, Kieren Fallon has been tested by authorities all over the world and the results have always been negative.
"In this case, only trace levels were detected and these are considerably lower than generally accepted thresholds for positive results.
"Kieren is dismayed at this turn of events but understands that as it is a strict liability offence, France Galop has no alternative but to impose a suspension."
France Galop spokesman Henri Pouret said "Fallon has the right to appeal but both A and B samples tested positive."
This latest setback throw the Irishman's future in the saddle into further doubt.
Fallon has previously said he will quit racing if he cannot clear his name of race-fixing allegations.
He currently holds the position of stable jockey to the powerful Coolmore operation based at Ballydoyle in Ireland.
A spokesman said the team would "continue to use the best jockey available to them" during the ban.
Fallon has until midnight on Friday to appeal against the suspension.

I'm not sure exactly when, but at some point poker became more serious. Bucking poker's sobering trend, two upcoming events have built reputations for reveling in the joy of the game. During the second week of December, poker bloggers from around the country will descend on Las Vegas for the third annual World Poker Blogger Tour (WPBT) Winter Classic. Poker bloggers build powerful networks by linking with one another on the internet. The live WPBT events take those virtual linkages and forge lasting 'Brick & Mortar' friendships. The forging process, as witnessed during these events, involves lots of poker, drinking, discussion of craft, and teasing. And of course, the ultimate goal is to be able to remember enough of the weekend to yield a plethora of irreverent blog posts. While most tourists try to give this group a wide berth, professional players and writers including Howard Lederer, Barry Greenstein, and Michael Craig have spoken at past WBPT events. Phil Gordon ran a charity Roshambo event for the bloggers earlier this year at the WPBT Summer Classic. Marcel Luske and Max Pescatori have been known to drop by. Much of the weekend schedule is flexible allowing for many spontaneous outbreaks of cash games up and down the strip, but there is always time set aside for a blogger tournament. This year's tournament will be held at 1:30 pm on December 9th at Caesar's Palace. The Tao of Poker's Pauly will award the first player busted from the tournament with a DVD of the movie Gigli; which is also tradition. In January another irreverent group of internet connected players will head for the Bicycle Casino for the ninth annual ESCARGOT (Extraordinary Southern California Annual RecGambling Outing and Tournament). ESCARGOT is a regional spin-off of BARGE which was borne from the early days of IRC Poker and the rec.gambling.poker Usenet group. ESCARGOT is steeped in the BARGE tradition of almost obscene poker fun, exercised by some great poker talent. People that have made the money in past ESCARGOT events include writers Lou Krieger and John Vorhaus. Professional players Gavin Smith and Matt Matros also have scored ESCARGOT money finishes. And Suzan 'Sabyl' Cohen, the last woman standing at this year's WSOP Championship Event, honed her money winning ways at ESCARGOT. ESCARGOT 2007 runs from January 11th through the 14th and features four official tournaments, but participants will also be availing themselves of the Bicycle's twice daily tournaments. Rumors of a Roshambo (rock-paper-scissors) event and Chowaha (a three flop variant of hold'em) ring games appear to be well founded. For many, the popularity of poker transformed it from a great game to a serious business. It's comforting to know that there are still talented players out there that get together for ridiculously low buy-in events to celebrate the sheer joy of the game.

West Ham are considering moving to the 2012 Olympic StadiumWest Ham's chairman-elect Eggert Magnusson has held talks with leaders of London's 2012 Olympic campaign over a possible move to the Olympic stadium.
On Wednesday he met Olympics minister Tessa Jowell and London mayor Ken Livingstone plus senior Games officials for "a constructive meeting".
"We will look at all the options to move forward," said a spokesman for the Icelandic businessman.
He has already said it is his "dream" to move the club to the Olympic venue.
The conditions of London's successful Olympic bid required that there is a 25,000-seater athletics legacy at the stadium after the Games have finished.
Magnusson has agreed to this and thinks the retractable seating used at the Stade de France in Paris demonstrates how combining football and athletics in one venue can be a success.
"It was agreed that the ball was in West Ham's court," said a spokesperson for the Olympic minister.
"They would reflect on the discussion and decide how they wished to proceed."
Detailed design work for the stadium is expected to start next February, with construction for the 2012 venue starting the following year.
It is unclear at the moment whether any possible use of the stadium by West Ham will see the club buy it outright, or rent it in the way Manchester City do at the City of Manchester Stadium, built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Midweek Premiership football throws up an interesting tussle at the Reebok between Bolton and Chelsea.

The Trotters' 3-1 win over Arsenal at the weekend bust a lot of coupons even though Sam Allardyce's men have a good record against the big boys in the league.

Bolton again showed that they are not cowed by big-name opposition and finished the Gunners' title challenge off in spectacular fashion.

Chelsea though, will be another proposition. Their second-half performance against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday indicated the Blues have got plenty in their locker yet to be seen. And they could unleash it all tonight.

Bolton could pay the price as Jose Mourinho's men look to step up the pressure on United at the top of the table.

Chelsea have won 2-0 on each of their last three appearances at the Reebok and that's the score we think they will come away with tonight.

Betterbet.com offer 11/2 for 2-0 and as a side bet, perhaps invest at 9/1 on the visitors to win 3-0.

Sometimes situations arise which lend themselves to a bluff. Such a bluff is more likely to be successful if the correct groundwork has been laid. You hold 9S 9D and have called a single bet before the flop. Now the board is 10C 8D 4H and you bet out. The pair of nines is quite likely the best hand. You get one lone caller and the turn bring brings forth 10C 8D 4H JS.

If you again bet it is unlikely a strong player will call. You may have a straight; you may have bet with J-9, so that X-10 is now losing; you may have A-10 yourself. The initiative is very important in poker. Moreover, even if he calls, then you can still hit a Queen, seven or a nine to win the pot. This is called bluffing with outs.

If the river is 10C 8D 4S J S 3C, then you should bet again. If he calls you with a hand like KS KD, then you have been outplayed. Say, 'Good call', smile weakly, fold your tents and steal away into the night.

One day it's Manchester United versus Chelsea in the Premiership, the next it's Burton Albion versus Exeter in the Conference.

The Pirelli Stadium, with the SKY cameras present, should provide a perfect setting for an entertaining encounter between two closely-matched teams who are poised to push for a play-off place.

However, Exeter can be forgiven for being slightly apprehensive ahead of this fixture. In 12 attempts in front of the cameras dating back to December 1996, they have yet to win when appearing on live television.

Big-spending Burton, under the tutelage of Nigel Clough, all but ended City's promotion hopes last season with a 2-0 win but we reckon the visitors can get their own back this evening and will take the 7/4 that Betterbet.com is offering for a visiting win.

No doubt where the game of the weekend is and that is Old Trafford where Chelsea travel to take on Premiership leaders Manchester United.

With Arsenal dropping out of the title race on Saturday with a defeat at Bolton, this match has taken on even greater significance.

The home side were dumped at Celtic Park in midweek in the Champions League primarily due to their arrogance and Sir Alex Ferguson will stress the need to cut out the pussy-footing around and get the goals against the Blues.

But there should be no worries on that score in terms of the title. The Reds have won 34 points out of a possible 39 and have a three-point lead over the reigning champions. They look genuine contenders this season.

Chelsea, beaten by Spurs and Middlesbrough on their travels this season, usually do better when they play United at Stamford Bridge.

It is that fact that leads us to tip the Red Devils to come through and strengthen their grip on the Premiership trophy.

Take Betterbet.com's offer 13/2 for 1-0 United with a side bet of 8/1 for 2-0.

A cracking feast of racing on Saturday when the feature race is the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury (2.40).

16 runners stand their ground making it an ideal race to look for each-way opportunities given that you'll be paid out on the first four home.

The last three runnings of the race have been won by a horse who won its previous race and TURPIN GREEN qualifies on that stat - but more importantly has the overall form to run a huge race and the 13/2 on offer from betterbet.com appeals as an extremely sound each-way proposition.

The Nicky Richards trained chaser was set an easy task on his seasonal reappearance at Carlisle when he had just two opponents to beat but won extremely well by no less than 28 lengths and 47 lengths !! His second to Star De Mohaison at Aintree earlier in the year reads as good form and he is sure to give a good account.

We want to add in a horse at more speculative odds. PARSON'S LEGACY, 20/1 with betterbet is from a stable that can do no wrong at the moment and was also a winner last time out.

On the face of it there should be no real problems for the artisans of Arsenal at Saturday tea time when they travel to the Reebok to face industrial Bolton Wandererers.

But for some reason Sam Allardyce's men seem to know how to deal with Arsene Wenger and his Gunners.

The pair met three times last season with Bolton surprisingly winning two and drawing the other and you have to go back to March 2003 for the Londoners' last victory over the Trotters in the league.

Arsenal have already lost twice away from home in the Premiership to fired-up Manchester City and West Ham - will this be the third?.

Given Bolton's form - four defeats and a draw in their last five games - we think not.

Like Manchester United the other week, Arsenal's class will show and we will take Betterbet's 12/5 for the visitors to be winning at the interval and at full-time.

Will it be Irish Blarney of Irish Barney at Molineux on Friday when Wolves welcome Sunderland?

Two fallen giants of English football will be trying to make their way back to the top flight but most of the attention in this encounter will be on the dugout where home boss Mick McCarthy will meet up against with Black Cats manager Roy Keane for the first time since their infamous pre-2002 World Cup finals bust-up in Saipan.

The highly-publicised spat, which kept the media busy for weeks, saw the former Manchester United skipper sent home from the Republic of Ireland squad after an irrevocable split with then Irish boss McCarthy.

Keane insists their feud is at an end but we are sure that a tense game may open old wounds and certainly the visitors won't be travelling with any great confidence.

The Black Country side are 10th in the table with Sunderland, despite a 3-1 win over Colchester last week, struggling in mid-table.

But no matter what happens off the pitch, we think it will be an honourable draw on it and will take the 11/5 that Betterbet.com have on offer.

After an astonishing Champions League clash between Celtic and Manchester United which resulted in the Hoops qualifying through with a 1-0 win, two of Britain's other side are in action tonight.

Chelsea are in Germany to take on Werder Bremen while Liverpool welcome PSV with both sides already through.

The Blues need just a point against Werder Bremen to top the group but defeat for Chelsea, strangely, would put Barcelona under pressure with regards the Catalans qualifying, which would no doubt please Jose Mourinho.

Bremen, with 33 goals in the Bundesliga, are no mugs so we veer towards the draw which Betterbet.com are offering at 2/1.

A win for Liverpool over PSV Eindhoven will ensure they win Group C and there is no real pressure on the Redswho have won nine out of ten games at home this season.

But the Dutch side have only lost once away from home this season so again, we think a draw is likely in this match and will take Betterbet.com's 9/4 for that outcome.

Battle of Britain Part Two will have all the country looking on to see who comes out on top between Celtic and Manchester United in their eagerly-awaited Champions League clash.

This Group F game is crucial to both sides' hopes of qualifying through to the knockout stages and Sir Alex Ferguson's men, who slipped up when they lost in Copenhagen in their last European tie, hold the upper hand after their 3-2 victory at Old Trafford earlier in the section.

However, that win was not as close as the scoreline suggests and apart from a surfeit of class, the Red Devils will have several other factors in their favour in Glasgow.

Hoops defender Gary Caldwell is out with a knee injury, replaced by the erratic Bobo Balde who will be making only his second start in seven months.

That should be good news for Louis Saha whose pace will be far too much for the African and his central defensive partner Stephen McManus to cope with.

Betterbet.com offers 11/2 for Saha to score the first goal - the same price for Wayne Rooney - and we will hedge our bets by going heavier on the Frenchman with a side-bet on the scouser who returned to form with a double against Sheffield United at the weekend.

Since the dawn of the online poker age, no online poker room has launched to more fanfare than Mansion Poker. The company has pulled out all the stops to get players attention, and add value to their bankrolls. The company has a weekly television show in the U.S., broadcast from its own state of the art TV poker facility – the Poker Dome. Now, the company has taken its 'add to player value' philosophy to a new level. Between December 4th, and January 1st, Mansion is adding $250,000 to the prize pools of tournaments. This isn't $50 added to a bunch of different tournaments, either, this is at least $5,000 added to one tournament each day, every day until the first day of the new year. There are

no 'catches' to this promotion – anyone can enter the tournaments, and the added money is there for the taking. Mansion will add $5,000 to its 7:00pm (U.S. Pacific Time) $50+5 buy in tournament on December 4th, and won't look back from there. Each Sunday during the promotion, Mansion will add $10,000 to its 7:00pm (Pacific) $100+9 tournament. Each Monday during the promotion, Mansion will add $20,000 to its 7:00pm $200+15 buy in tournament. This all leads up to the big $300+20 buy in tournament on January 1st, where Mansion will add $30,000 to the prize pool. The fields for these tournaments will not have thousands of players in them, either. A good percentage of the prize pool will be added money, so the value to players is really high. Sign Up today, and take advantage of this big offer. Can't wait until Dec 4th? You're in luck. On December 3rd at 9:00pm GMT, Mansion are hosting an Aussie Millions Super Satellite with a $300+20 buy in that guarantees seven packages that are valued at $14,000 each. Each package includes an entry into the tournament, $2,500 for travel, AND 12 nights hotel accommodation. Mansion has far and away the best Aussie Millions package of any site out there. It's also very likely that there will be an overlay in the Aussie Millions satellite. Mansion have come out swinging from day one to try and get players the most value of any room out there, and its clear with this new promotion, they aren't going to let up any time soon.

We came close on Sunday afternoon when the second part of our double - Blackburn to draw with Spurs - was let down by Wigan's failure to beat Aston Villa at home.

So we still go into tonight's FA Cup replay between Hartlepool and Rochdale at Victoria Park with some confidence.

The first match was tied 1-1 and the winners have the prospect of facing either Macclesfield or Walsall in the next round.

Significantly, Hartlepool warmed up with a win over Accrington in League Two at the weekend while Rochdale went down 3-2 at Barnet.

However, Pools will definitely be without on-loan striker Darryl Duffy after Hull City once more refused permission for him to play in this cup tie so they will have to reshuffle again.

Rochdale boss Steve Parkin will have the same side available to him but we don't think that will be good enough to see them through.

We reckon Hartlepool will make full use of their home advantage with a bit to spare so we will take Betterbet.com's 9/5 for the home side to be winning at half-time and full-time.

MONDAY NOVEMBER 20

BEST BET: Saintys Flyer (T2 6.18 Walthamstow)

TODAY'S BANKER: Ballynok Ace (T1 8.30 Crayford)

TODAY'S TREBLE: Cheeky Again (T5 10.00 Crayford) Monday's programme kicks off with twelve races apiece from Swindon (11.03 to 1.51) and Sheffield (11.11 to 2.03). These no sooner end than Monmore (2.08 to 6.11) and Walthamstow (2.18 to 6.18) take over with a fourteen race card apiece. For this Monday's best bet we wait for the closing contest on the Walthamstow programme. This is an A5 contest for which Saintys Flyer (T2 6.18), who possesses useful early pace and rarely fails to lead, is fancied to make every inch of the running. There's only one open race to talk about this evening and that's a 540-metre event being staged at Crayford. The selection here is the well drawn Ballynok Ace (T1 8.30) who has shown excellent early pace in previous efforts over this course and distance and is taken to make all. There's a top graded hurdles contest on the card, the H1 event is due off at 10.00 and promises to be a cracker. Most of these have been contesting open race contests of late and Cheeky Again (T5), who has good form over both distances here, can come out on top in a competetive heat.

Jones says Wales are confident of beating the All BlacksWales captain Stephen Jones is over a knee problem and available for Saturday's Test with New Zealand.
But Gareth Thomas, who led the side in Friday's win over Canada, is a major doubt with a knee injury from the game.
Gavin Henson, a late withdrawal from the Canada match with a toe infection, is expected to be available.
The highly competitive team selection will be announced on Wednesday, but decisions on Thomas and Henson are expected to be made on Monday.
Lock Brent Cockbain is back from suspension and could challenge Ian Gough for a place, but a lack of game-time would seem to make that unlikely.
There were parts that were frustrating, particularly our indiscipline
Wales coach Gareth Jenkins on the Canada game
Ian Evans has impressed in the other second-row berth, but with Robert Sidoli also in form Evans' discipline problems could cost him a place.
Duncan Jones and Rhys Thomas are pushing Gethin Jenkins and Matthew Rees for starting berths, but the major selection dilemmas are in the backs.
Even if he is fit, Thomas is struggling to hold on to his place, Kevin Morgan having played full-back against Australia and the Pacific Islanders and wings Shane Williams and Mark Jones showing outstanding form.
"It doesn't look like Gareth will make it at the moment but we are trying to remain positive," said Wales coach Gareth Jenkins.
"Gareth is a key player in our environment, not just on the field but in the team environment. It would be huge if he wasn't available."

Thomas is doubtful with a knee injury
Stephen Jones will play at outside-half after recovering from the ligament problem he picked up early in the 29-29 draw with Australia.
Ceri Sweeney and James Hook could have covered him, but they are contenders for Henson's number 12 jersey, a shirt the physical and in-form Sonny Parker filled against Canada.
"It is a big decision for everybody in Wales," said Jenkins.
"We got a lot out of the Canada game. Our line-out was good; our scrum was always on top, and at times we played some brilliant rugby.
"But there were parts that were frustrating, particularly our indiscipline at the contact area.
"We conceded seven penalties for coming in off the edge. That is too many.
We will move the ball around and will look to take the game to the All Blacks
Stephen Jones
"We conceded five penalties on the trot in the second half. We cannot afford to do that against better opposition."
Jones was upbeat after being cleared to resume full training on Monday.
"There was no way I could play against Canada, but I'm back to full fitness now and I haven't lost any aerobic fitness because I have still been able to run in a straight line - lateral movement was the problem," said Jones.
"There's a realistic chance of us beating New Zealand. We ran them close two years ago and we want to play the Welsh way, be positive and attack from all areas.
"Against France, New Zealand were excellent, efficient and ruthless in the contact area - they turned France over if they didn't commit enough men to the breakdown.
"But we play a different way, move the ball around and will look to take the game to the All Blacks.
"We've improved every week through the autumn and take in a lot of self belief."

Granada only dropped four shots over the 72 hole tournament
FINAL LEADERBOARD:-4 J Granada (Par)-2 L Ochoa (Mex)-1 K Webb (Aut)Par I M Chung (Kor)N Gulbis (USA)M H Kim (Kor)A Miyazato (Jpn)+3 P Creamer (USA)
Rookie Julieta Granada held her nerve to win the season-ending ADT Championship by two shots in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday.
Two days after her 20th birthday, the Paraguayan carded a four-under-par 68 to earn the US$1m top prize, the richest ever in LPGA Tour history.
Mexican Lorena Ochoa, who closed to within one shot with two holes to play, ended with a 70 for second place.
Australia's Karrie Webb was third, one shot back on one under par.
The unique $1.5m event featured a starting field of 32 that was trimmed to 16 after Friday and halved again after 54 holes.
In the new play-off format the final eight players faced an 18-hole shoot-out for the bumper prize.
And Granada became the first golfer to make the Tour Championship her first tour title and jumped from 19th to fourth place on the final money list.
This has been one of the most nervous days ever, but now I can look forward to a brilliant off-season
Julieta Granada
"I can't believe I've won $1m in one day," Granada said.
"This is just the perfect way to end a great first year for me on tour."
Ochoa's $100,000 haul was enough to clinch the season money crown with $2.592m dollars because her main rival, Webb, captured only $20,000 for $2.08m.
Japan's Ai Miyazato, South Koreans Il Mi Chung and Mi Hyun Kim, and American Natalie Gulbis finished at level par 72.
American Paula Creamer was last on 75, while Sweden's world number one Annika Sorenstam missed the cut on Saturday.
Granada, whose previous best finish was second at the Wegmans Rochester International in June, is the first player from Paraguay to win an LPGA tournament.
She moved clear with a third birdie of the day at the 10th and three ahead when she made another at the 16th.
But Ochoa, playing with Webb at the back of the field, mounted the pressure and closed the gap to one shot with birdies at the 15th and 16th.
However, a missed green and a bogey at the 17th virtually ended her hopes of a seventh win of a superb season.
Granada added: "I knew Lorena and Karrie were closing the gap and this has been one of the most nervous days ever, but now I can look forward to a brilliant off-season."

We're quietly confident
Geraint Jones on first TestGeraint Jones has insisted he is still on good terms with Chris Read after replacing him as England keeper for the first Ashes Test in Brisbane.
Jones was dropped during the summer but coach Duncan Fletcher made an early decision to reinstate him after the team's arrival in Australia.
"It was difficult for him when I found out I was playing [in the Test].
"I felt for him in that regard but we still work out in the gym together. We're basically friends," said Jones.

"When he was included last summer I sent him a text to say good luck. There's nothing personal between us, we know that. It's a selection thing."
Jones admitted he was "a little bit surprised" to learn before the warm-up games against New South Wales and South Australia that he would definitely be playing in Brisbane.

He knows, however, that it is his batting ability rather than his prowess with the gloves which has prompted his recall and he needs to produce a decent score sooner rather than later.
Jones insisted he would not be fazed by having to face the likes of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, having played against them during the 2005 Ashes series, which England won 2-1.
"You've just got to look at that little red ball coming out of the hand.
"You can't think of the person who's letting it go because there are some Test greats there. That's something we did so well in the last Ashes," the 30-year-old added.
Warne, however, believes the decision is one England could come to regret.
"It's surprising they would go back to Jones. I thought they wanted Read back because they wanted their keeper to cling onto everything behind the stumps," he said.
"Jones will be under enormous pressure. It's not me sledging him or anything - he's in the side for his batting not his keeping and we've seen him drop some crucial ones.
"You don't want to be dropping Ponting on half a dozen when he's just been brought back into the side. It's good for us that he's playing."

Ask Frequent Poker Players (FPP) in Las Vegas about their favorite rooms and you will often hear low to medium limit players mention the Monte Carlo. Located between New York-New York and Bellagio, the Monte Carlo may be the best "overlooked" room on the Las Vegas Strip. This will probably change when the massive CityCenter opens in 2009 with a 60-story, 4,000-room hotel and casino along with two additional 400-room 'boutique hotels' and 500,000 square feet of premier retail shops, entertainment and dining. The completed complex will literally connect the Monte Carlo to Bellagio and allow gamblers, shoppers and strollers to experience these three casinos with all of their amenities as one massive CityCenter. At least until then,

I would guess that the Monte Carlo poker room will remain one of the 'best known but best kept' secrets in Las Vegas. The card room at Monte Carlo is tucked away back in the rear of the casino but that is actually a good thing. Very near the parking garage entrance and, of course, next to the sports book; the nine table room is well designed in beautiful dark wood paneling, unique and humorous poker paintings and the ever present flat screen televisions. The out of the way location means the room is quiet and amazingly smoke free despite the smokers hanging out at the entrance. You do have to fight through the cloud of haze to get to the podium or to the restrooms but the facilities are very close; you can make it in one hand or less. As with most low-limit rooms the Monte Carlo is usually 'all hold'em all the time.' Until very recently the room hosted one of the few remaining 7 card stud games still spread on the strip, I must announce, however, that this is no longer the case, during my last visit I heard a returning player ask to start a stud interest list and he was told: "There hasn't been a stud game here in six months." However, to counter the all hold'em saturation of the games, the Monte Carlo has a special HORSE night. Every Thursday a regular $4/$8 HORSE game is advertised and most Thursday there is more than one table dealing the mixed game. I played a couple of times and will report that the game is quite fun, moderately loose but is often HOSE and not HORSE as the regulars are not RAZZ fans. Still, it's a nice variation and the always competent Monte Carlo dealers run a very fine mixed game. The room has high hand bonuses for all hands four-of-a-kind and above with prizes generally between $100 and $2000 dollars paid fairly regularly. I would also point out that of all the rooms I have visited in Las Vegas, the Monte Carlo has the best cocktail service in town. The service is incredibly fast, the servers come around at least every ten minutes and they remember your beverage of choice. Tournaments at Monte Carlo are held twice a day. There is a $40+$10 NLHE everyday at 9 AM and a $50+$10 at 6 PM. Generally the morning offerings get two or three tables and the evenings are three or four tables, slightly larger on the weekend. The buy-ins needs some explaining and some complaining. $40+$10 means $40 buy-in plus and optional $10 add-on. The add-on comes at the beginning of the tournament and there are no re-buys, so unless you want to have half as many chips (1,000) as everyone else (2,000) in the tournament, this is in effect a $50 event. After all of the fine print ($32 to prize pool, $8 house fee, $4 prize pool, and $6 staff fee) your $50 goes $36 to the prize pool and $14 to various parts of the house. This amounts to a 28% house cut, which is only slightly lower (26.6%) for the 6 PM ($60) tournament. That's a lot of juice and a higher than most of the low buy-ins I have reviewed recently. One last tip for playing at the Monte Carlo, the CityCenter construction has the parking lots for the casino mostly covered with cranes and bulldozers. The current Monte Carlo lot is to your left as you drive down the cluttered roadway just south of the casino.

Star de Mohaison won the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at CheltenhamAnte-post favourite Star De Mohaison will not line up for Saturday's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury.
Owner Sir Robert Ogden and trainer Paul Nicholls have decided to miss the race, and he may also bypass the King George as they target the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
"It is a decision they have taken together," said Ogden's racing manager Barry Simpson.
"We all agree he is a very good horse and we want to give him time to develop into a possible Gold Cup horse."
Star de Mohaison won the Royal & SunAlliance Chase for novices at the 2006 Cheltenham Festival.
The gelding, who has won four of his six starts over fences, is set to race next in the Future Stars Chase at Sandown on 1 December.
"He is then likely to take in one of the trial races after Christmas - it is most unlikely at this stage that he will run in the King George," said Simpson.
"We will be looking towards something like the Cotswold Chase or the Aon Chase."
Cornish Rebel tops the list of 27 horses confirmed for Newbury's feature race ar the five-day stage.
Paul Nicholls' nine-year-old is set to shoulder top weight of 11st 12lb in the 3m 2f event, with stablemate Neptune Collonges next on 11st 10lb.
Evan Williams has left in State Of Play, who is due to make his seasonal reappearance, while the well-backed Turpin Green stands his ground along with other fancied contenders such as Montgermont, Idle Talk and Copsale Lad.

Hodson was injured shortly before the break against South Africa Charlie Hodgson and Andrew Sheridan will miss the rest of the season after suffering knee and ankle injuries in England's win over South Africa. The Sale duo were carried off in Saturday's 23-21 victory at Twickenham.
And further analysis showed fly-half Hodgson has ruptured his cruciate knee ligament, while prop Sheridan has a broken left ankle and ligament damage.
They will both be operated on in the next week but are certain to miss England's Six Nations campaign.
Hodgson's injury ends a miserable autumn series for the Sale fly-half after he struggled to reproduce his outstanding Guinness Premiership form on the international stage.
Their absence will be a real blow to England and Sale Sharks
England head coach Andy Robinson
And with Jonny Wilkinson sidelined until the new year while he recovers from kidney damage, England's number 10 shirt is now likely to be contested by Andy Goode - Hodgson's probable replacement against South Africa again next Saturday - Toby Flood and Olly Barkley.
Hodgson's injury is a repeat of the problem he suffered, albeit in his other knee, in 2003, which ruled him out of England's World Cup campaign.
Sheridan, like Hodgson, now faces a long rehabilitation period after undergoing surgery.
Sheridan missed a large chunk of last season due to injury
England coach Andy Robinson said: "Everyone feels for Charlie and Andrew, and we wish them all the best for their recovery.
"Charlie and Andrew are key members of the squad and they have contributed massively this autumn. Their absence will be a real blow to England and Sale Sharks."
While England contemplate a Six Nations season without Hodgson and Sheridan, Sale's hopes of defending their Premiership title has taken another major hit.
They have also revealed that Scottish international flanker Jason White has also been laid low by a season-ending injury.
Who will replace Hodgson for the Six Nations?
"This is a terrible blow for the players, for England and for Sale Sharks," said rugby director Philippe Saint-Andre.
"Our thoughts are with the players at this moment but we know that they will receive the very best treatment available to ensure that they return, for club and country, as soon as is possible.
"Of course, their loss is a blow to our aspirations to retain our title, and also to our chances in the EDF Energy and Heineken Cup competitions."

Cardiff's surprise defeat to QPR on Friday night was a stark reminder of how difficult it is to tip these days although the 11/5 for the draw between Middlesbrough and Liverpool - which we predicted - put a little shine on our Saturday.

Now to the Wigan v Aston Villa encounter. Wigan have again surprised many pundits this season, moving from a relegation battle up into the top half of the table thanks to four straight wins over Man City, Fulham, Bolton and Charlton respectively.

But those aforementioned clubs are hardly blue-chip sides so can they stop the rejuvenated Aston Villa?

Well, if Wigan's renaissance has an artificial look about it then the same could be said about Villa.

Martin O'Neill's side have only won one game away from Villa Park this season - against Everton - and will be there for the taking on this occasion.

Betterbet.com will give you 7/5 for the Wigan win which we will take onto the later Premiership match between Blackburn and Tottenham at Ewood Park.

Spurs continue to frustrate, exemplified by them beating Chelsea then losing to Reading which doesn't make it easy with regards predictions.

Blackburn, for their part, are struggling big time after four successive league defeats during which time they've managed to score just one goal.

However, neither side convinces us enough at the moment so we think this game is set to end in a share of the spoils and will double our Wigan victory up with Betterbet.com's 11/5 for the draw at Ewood Park.

The chasers very much get star billing on Saturday when both the Betfair Chase at Haydock and the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon have attracted small but very select fields

Betterbet.com have early prices on both events and we'll aim to provide you with a tasty win double.

Starting at Haydock with the Betfair Chase at 1.50pm and KAUTO STAR has been put in favourite at 11/8 by betterbet to continue the excellent run of his trainer Paul Nicholls. The six-year-old is chasing a million pound bonus put up by the sponsors if he was to win this, the King George and then the Gold Cup and we think he will start to make them feel just a little nervous after a success today. He is four years younger than principal rival Beef Or Salmon who has failed to win on his last six starts to Britain. Other rivals include Kingscliff and L'Ami neither of whom are in top form and maybe on the decline.

At Huntingdon five runners go to post for the Peterborough Chase at 3.00 and for our double we'll take MONKERHOSTIN at 7/4. Philip Hobbs's runner goes well fresh and can account for Racing Demon who played up at Exeter last time and Thisthatandtother who may just need the run.

It's not an original double but pays 11/2 with betterbet.com which will do us nicely.

Puskas led Hungary's greatest teamHungary and Real Madrid legend Ferenc Puskas has died at the age of 79.
Puskas, who was in hospital for six years with Alzheimer's disease, died in Budapest at 0600 GMT on Friday after suffering from a fever and pneumonia.
Puskas led Hungary's golden team of the early 1950s, before taking Spanish citizenship and becoming part of Real Madrid's all-conquering team.
Puskas scored 83 goals in 84 games for Hungary from 1945 to 1956 and later played for Spain in the 1962 World Cup.
Obituary: Ferenc Puskas
Interview: Sir Tom Finney pays tribute to Puskas
After leading Hungary to the 1952 Olympic Gold medal, he was part of the Mighty Magyars who became the first overseas team to beat England on home soil in 1953, scoring twice in the 6-3 win at Wembley.
FERENC PUSKAS FACTFILE
Born: 2 April 1927, Budapest, Hungary
Nicknames: The Booming Cannon & The Galloping Major
Clubs: Kispest Honved (354 apps, 357 goals) & Real Madrid (528 apps, 512 goals)
Honours: Hungarian league (5), Spanish league (5), Spanish Cup, European Cup (3), Intercontinental Cup, Olympics
Hungary then rolled England over 7-1 in Budapest and were consequently installed as favourites for the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland.
But injury to Puskas severely hampered the Magyars and they lost in the final to Germany.
Puskas joined Real Madrid and, along with Alfredo di Stefano, was the inspiration behind a string of domestic and European titles.
He scored four goals in Real's 7-3 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in a remarkable final at Hampden Park in 1960, and won the European Cup three times with the Madrid side.

In all, he scored 512 goals for Real in 528 matches and in 1962 he took out Spanish citizenship in time to play for his adopted country in the 1962 World Cup.
Puskas retired in 1967, going on to coach clubs in several countries, leading Greek side Panathanaikos to the European Cup final in 1971.
As the last millennium drew to a close, Puskas was voted the 20th century's sixth best player by the International Federation for Football History and Statistics.

The punters' arch enemy - Liverpool - are sure to test the nerves when they travel to Middlesbrough on Premiership duty.

The Reds are one of the most frustrating sides in the country who can be brilliant or brutal, mostly depending on where they are playing and in what competition.

Liverpool are unbeaten at Anfield which they have turned into something of the fortress it was in their late 70's and 80's hey-day.

However, it is when they board the coach that the fun begins and they have lost five out of six on their travels and now trail arch-rivals Manchester United by a daunting 14 points with the title all but conceded.

Optimists would point out that this is the kind of fixture where Liverpool should win. But optimists have paid in hard cash for being wrong in the past.

The Teessiders are hardly a model of consistency either but they have secured maximum points from their last three home league fixtures and boast a solid recent record against Liverpool in their last four encounters at the Riverside.

So what's it to be?

Betterbet.com offer 2/1 the draw and that's about as confident as we can be in this fixture.

Surprise Coca-Cola Championship leaders Cardiff continue their audacious bid to play top flight football in the Premiership.

The Welsh side are leading a host of big name clubs at the top of thae table and will be hoping to strengthen their title bid when QPR come calling.

Cardiff were made to battle for a 1-0 win over promotion rivals Burnley in a match decided by a superbly-taken Riccardo Scimeca goal in the 23rd minute but it is that tenacity that augurs well for the rest of the season.

In their last outing, QPR claimed their second away win of the season thanks to Dexter Blackstock's winner at Luton.

Rangers welcome back midfielder Steve Lomas, who was suspended for the Luton match after collecting his fifth booking of the season in the previous match against Crystal Palace, but even that boost will not be enough for the Londoners.

We will be having some of Betterbet.com's offer of 11/2 for Cardiff to win 2-0 with a side bet of 10/1 for 3-0.

In the League Two match, take Chester at 6/5 to dispose of Stockport at home. Then sit back and enjoy.

People often conjecture about what percentage of luck there is in poker and what percentage skill. Probably you won't find two experts who will agree on this thorny subject. Anyway, it partly depends on the game you play. For example, there is much more variance in Omaha than in Omaha high-low eight or better.

Perhaps in a cash game it is 80% skill and 20% luck and in a tournament 60% skill and 40% luck. The reason for the higher randomisation in a tournament is that you, not only have to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune caused by the cards you hold, but also have the randomisation due to the opponents you meet.

England limp into Wednesday's tricky friendly match against Holland in the Amsterdam Arena with the usual call-offs that accompany challenge matches.

However, boss Steve McClaren knows he has plenty to prove to the England fans and pundits who have been unconvinced since he took over from the much-maligned Sven Goran Eriksson after the World Cup.

The Dutch are not the superstars of old but then again neither are England and by naming his side 24 hours before the game, McClaren has left himself open to more criticism.

His revamped side, which sees the inclusion of teenage defender Micah Richards and Everton striker Andrew Johnson are under pressure to perform and they will come up against a Holland side who will be formidable in front of their own demanding supporters.

But Betterbet.com's 11/10 for the home win is tempting enough for us to back on more misery for McClaren. Prepare to put the tin hat on after this game Steve.

The FA Cup first round weekend concludes this Monday with an intriguing tie between Macclesfield and Walsall at the Moss Rose.

The length of League Two separates these two clubs and midlanders won the earlier encounter in the league at their Bescot Stadium by two goals to nil.

However, the Silkmen have undergone changes since then and most notably the high-profile former England midfielder Paul Ince has taken over as manager - and that rather surprising appointment is where most of the interest around this tie is focused.

But despite the boost that Ince's appointment has brought to the club, we can't see Richard Money's men tripping up in this tie.

Betterbet.com offer 10/11 for the away win which we will grab with some optimism.