Sport is made for betting

Some of France's top races have been moved aronud this year due to the redevelopment of Longchamp. The Guineas has moved to Deauville and I've had a crack at deciphering the form for the 3yo colts. -------------------------------------------- Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) Group 1, 3yo colts, approx €500,000 1600m 1620 local, 1520 BST, 0020 AEST Zarak - largely favourite on his breeding, and could you blame them? By Dubawi out of super filly Zarkava, he's two from two and still untapped. In the Prix de la Croix de Chavaux , he was pushed out hands'n'heels by Soumillon to beat George Patton by a neck. Both were making their seasonal debuts and the margin between was about the same as it was throughout the race, Zarak went right to make his challenge, the runner-up went to the left (and kept throwing his head to the left). Priceless breeding, the combination of de Royer-Dupre and Soumillon, and scope for improvement. Tough to beat. Taa...

The Dante Festival is underway at the glorious York racetrack. Day One went to the punters with a swathe of favourites winning but we all know that can soon turn sour. Thursday's card opens with a tricky little sprint, and it's a welcome return to Stephen Boardman, @ste_b85 , casting an eye over this highly competitive field. -------------------------------------- BETFRED "SUPPORTS JACK BERRY HOUSE" STAKES Class 2 Handicap, Five furlongs, 0-105 rating £25,000 1410 local 2310 AEST Toofi Placed in both the Stewards'' Cup and Ayr Gold Cup last season when with Varian and no reason why he can''t continue same level of form for yard known for their sprinters. First try at 5f today (worth a crack); respected despite top weight; chances. Desert Law Enjoyed a solid campaign last year winning the Epsom Dash for his new yard. Has shot up the weights now; though did run well here off 3lbs higher in August. Balance of factors suggest other days becko...

The Kentucky Derby blows everything away in the US as far as racing coverage goes, it's all about this race (unless there's a Triple Crown on the line). Churchill Downs is the place to be, and in his inimitable style, regular US racing correspondent Jon da Silva, @creamontop , has provided his preview. Links to key race replays included below. ------------------------------- Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands 1m2f Grade 1 Dirt US$2,000,000 1834 local 2334 BST Free Timeform Past Performances/Form Guide Yes once again we can be thankful to the owners of Kentucky Fried Chicken for their kind and generous sponsorship. Next time you have a Zinger Tower Burger you are supporting this fine institution. Indeed if you're a racing fan you should probably consider eating more. Indeed Yum! is owned by Pepsi and also has Pizza Hut and Taco Bell under its banner. Your heart attack and girth is all in a good cause. My personal plan of attack is to favour forward runners b...

It's Run for the Roses week at Churchill Downs but it's not just about the Derby. Friday's card traditionally features the Oaks, oddly run over a slightly shorter distance, and piping up with the preview, it's regular US racing correspondent, Jon da Silva, @ creamontop . ------------------------------ Longines Kentucky Oaks Grade 1, 3yo fillies 1m 1f 1749 local, 2249 GMT This race was due to have one a monster filly in Songbird the imperious winner of all her races but with her scratch this preview is somewhat longer. Note all trials over a mile and sixteenth bar the Gazelle which is over the full classic trip. Run Style E= Early Pace P=Presser and sadly S=Sustainer or plodder in TimeformUS parlance - late runner. The number indicates the amount of speed the horse has. Bear in mind these are lightly raced horses so run styles can change. Thus a P5 will be up there but not try for lead. An E8 is a stone lead horse who will likely contest the lead with another E8...

Last year during the Rugby World Cup, a few people with little understanding of modern business practices were surprised to learn that nations such as Australia had 'bet' on their success by way of sports insurance firms. This is very common in professional sport with virtually every athlete having some type of performance bonus in their contract. Win a tournament, break into the top 10, qualify for the Champions League etc. - sometimes they are personal bonuses, other times they are major windfalls for the club. Imagine how much Chelsea money will 'lose', or more correctly, not receive, from not qualifying for Europe this season. Accountants run businesses these days, and they hate volatility. Just look at bookmakers moaning about results. The actual bookmakers understand this is part and parcel of the betting industry, but the bean counters and shareholders despise them. This not only affects players and clubs, but sponsors and businesses linked to the sport. Danny ...

The Kentucky Derby is just over a month away so it's warming up quickly for America's biggest race. One of the key lead-up races is the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, and taking on the preview is regular contributor and US racing aficionado, Jon da Silva, @creamontop . -------------------------- Florida Derby Grade 1, 1m 1/16 (~1700m) US$1,000,000 1848 local 2348 BST Free Brisnet form sheet This race is set up like two champions v eight of what Mike Tyson would call Tomato [Tom-may-toe] Cans - the eight to be called "The Cans" henceforth. This is D-Day for Mohayman facing an opponent who will likely stand up to him in 'Drug' O'Neil's Breeders Cup Juvenile winner Nyquist. Tyson of course folded the first time someone threw back and gave up and bit ears when faced by superior talent. Will Mohayman spit the bit? Mohayman will likely go very short for the Kentucky Derby if he wins. Don't think this is a two horse race? Well here are ...

Sydney's big day of racing is no longer Golden Slipper day, it's the opening day of The Championships, featuring the Derby, the Sires Produce, the TJ Smith and the Doncaster for a combined $8.5 million, which was supposed to draw quality thoroughbreds from across the globe. But how many have they managed to bring to Sydney this year I hear you say? Sweet FA. Actually, one came from Japan and will go home without having a run. So basically they're spending $4m more than required to get exactly the same horses. Still, it all looks great on your ego-trip press releases doesn't it Mr V'Landys? The Doncaster Handicap is one of those great races which traditionally pits the WFA stars against the rising handicappers who might just get their chance with a decent spread of the weights. But will any of them get a chance today against the freak that is Winx? A rare return to previewing from me, a great race in store so I had to give it a crack... ------------------------ ...

The second biggest race of the night in Dubai, at least pursewise, is the Sheema Classic on the turf. Lining up for another preview is international racing aficionado Davy Lane, @loscharruas . ---------------------- Dubai Sheema Classic presented by Longines Group 1, US$6,000,000 Turf, 2410m 2020 local, 1620 GMT, 0320 AEDT This is a two-horse race. The rest are in town for the place money or for diplomatic reasons. Postponed was aimed at this race the day after it was clear he could not compete at last’s Arc. Duramente may be the better horse, but one suspects Postponed has been more finely tuned for this race. In every ante post multiple I have placed I have chosen to alternate between the two. It promises to be a duel. I cannot split them, so the reverse forecast is the logical bet advice. The Race for Third I am not convinced Highland Reel is fully wound up for this race. The Irish are not afraid to pick up decent place money and move on. It’s hard to bet again...

Next up on Meydan previews is the Golden Shaheen, the G1 sprint for dirt racers. Once again with the preview, it's international racing guru Davy Lane, @loscharruas . -------------------------------- Golden Shaheen Group 1, US$2,000,000 Dirt, 1200m 1845 local, 1445 GMT, 0145 AEDT Ten go to post in the Golden Shaheen. XY Jet has been a winning machine at Gulfstream Park. Super Jockey, second in the race last year and ridden by the João “Magic Man” Moreira, returns with a shot. As does, Rich Tapestry, third last year, with the seasoned Gerard Mosse aboard. The Maktoum brothers are each throwing respectable speed into the mix. The market suggests it is a one horse race. And it promises to be so for at least four or five furlongs. Can anyone catch XY Jet? I 'bet the farm' on the Florida beast a few weeks ago. His latest win over 6.5 furlongs has only cemented my conviction. XY Jet has been portrayed as an obscure Florida-bred, winning Grade 3 and Conditi...