The Peter Marsh Chase runs at Haydock Racecourse at 3.15, it is a limited handicap and is open to 5 years olds and older. The race is set to feature 13 runners of over a distance of 3 miles with the going for the course set to soft.

The bookies have made Maktu ridden by Michael Murphy their favourite at odds of 5/1 for this race, even though the horse refused to settle during the recent Welsh National, the second favourite is King Fontaine ridden by jockey Dougie Costello and at odds of 11/2. Here at freebetsblog.com out tip is for the 10/1 shot Major Malarkey ridden by David England for an each way bet.

Peter Marsh Chase outright odds

All odds for this market come courtesy of bookmakers Stan James. They will payout on the first 3 at 1/4 odds and will offer non runner no bet on the race.

• 5/1 – Maktu
• 11/2 – King Fontaine
• 6/1 – Becauseicouldntsee
• 6/1 – Buffalo Bob
• 8/1 – Take The Breeze
• 8/1 – Khachaturian
• 10/1 – Major Malarkey
• 12/1 – Sa Suffit
• 12/1 – Palypso De Creek
• 14/1 – Frankie Figg
• 25/1 – Atouchbetweenacara
• 33/1 – Madison Du Berlais
• 33/1 – Dream Alliance

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The Jonjo O’Neill trained horse Synchronised is leading the pack in the Welsh National betting odds, having champion jockey Tony McCoy on his back will only add to his chances of winning, and as such the odds have dropped to that of just 4/1. The second favourite is the Pat Murphy trained Maktu, currently showing at odds of 11/1. As with all nationals having so many runners can make it hard to get away from the pack and subsequently it can become any horses race, therefore we at freebetsblog.com are backing the 12/1 shot Dream Alliance to be our tip (an each way bet mind, we are not that daft with out money).

Click here to place your bet on the Welsh National with Bet 365

Welsh Grand National outright odds

All odds for this market come courtesy of bookmakers Bet 365 who will pay out on the first 4 finishers at 1/4 the odds and are running their best odds guaranteed offer along with their non runner no bet rule.

• 4/1 – Synchronised
• 6/1 – Maktu
• 8/1 – Dance Island
• 9/1 – Watamu Bay
• 12/1 – Silver By Nature
• 12/1 – Dream Alliance
• 16/1 – Giles Cross
• 16/1 – Arbor Supreme
• 16/1 – Exmoor Ranger
• 16/1 – Ballyfitz
• 20/1 – Old Benny
• 20/1 – I’moncloudnine
• 20/1 – Ballyfoy
• 28/1 – Royal Rosa
• 33/1 – Dashing George
• 40/1 – Flight Leader
• 40/1 – Bench Warrent
• 40/1 – Theatre Dance
• 50/1 – Magic Sky
• 50/1 – Eric’s Charm

Click here to place your bet on the Welsh National and claim your free £100 in free bets from Bet 365

The race that takes centre stage of course is the Grade 3, Paddy Power Gold Cup, which features one of the leading fancies for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in Long Run, trained by Nicky Henderson. The race which takes place on Saturday afternoon, has attracted a big field with 20 standing their ground with one day to go before the race.

Rain has been forecast during the course of the weekend but the going on the old course should be no worse than good to soft in places which should make for a speedy race.

Long Run, who will be partnered by amateur Sam Waley-Cohen, who is the son of the owner, arrived in Britain last year from France and made a huge impression on his early runs. His 13 length victory in his first race, the Grade 1 Feltham Novices Chase marked him up as a major force to be reckoned with, which he confirmed by taking the Grade 2, Kingmaker Novices Chase a few weeks later at Warwick in equally emphatic style.

However he certainly ‘fluffed his lines’ when he went to the 2010 Cheltenham Festival to take on the Grade 1 RSA Chase where he managed only third place behind winner, Weapon’s Amnesty. Waley-Cohen in fact was criticised by many for holding up the 5 year old in that race, but Henderson is perfectly happy for him to keep the ride this weekend.

Long Run is almost certain to go off favourite for the race, with the biggest threats to him coming from the David Pipe trained, Great Endeavour and Edward O’Grady’s Catch Me. That said, Pipe, has almost already conceded the race, believing that Long Run is a ‘nailed on certainty’ to take the honours.

Champion trainer, Paul Nicholls has three runners in the race with his best chance probably being Tchico Polos, winner of the Grade 2, Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on November 2nd. Nicholls has confirmed that he has come out of that race in fine form, but believes that the Paddy Power Gold Cup might have come around a little too quick for him. He also runs top weight, Poquelin, who will have 5lb taken off by jockey, Ian Popham. His third runner, Gwanako, will need to improve if he is to trouble the main contenders.

Local trainer, Nigel Twiston-Davies also has three runners, which includes Little Josh who dead heated Weird Al last time out at Carlisle and who will have the trainer’s son on board. On Cheltenham Festival form he has quite a lot to find with Long Run, but might well be good enough to run into a place. Possibly the better option of the Twiston-Davies team is Pigeon Island who will improve from his last run when third behind Kilmurry in the Kleinwort Benson Novice Chase at Cheltenham last month. He has stable jockey, Paddy Brennan on board!

The other big race at the meeting is the Grade 3 Greatwood Handicap Hurdle, which is the feature race of the final day on Sunday. Amongst the favourites is the Phillip Hobbs trained, Menorah, winner of the 2010 Supreme Novice Hurdle over course and distance in March and who has very definite Champion Hurdle aspirations this season.

Favourite for the race however is the Paul Nicholls trained Sanctuaire, who has been impressing every at home at Ditcheat and who also won at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Another major ‘player’ in this race will be the Jonjo O’Neill trained, Get Me Out Of Here, who was just a head behind Menorah in the Supreme in March. He warmed up for this with a pretty lacklustre effort when finishing only 7th in a Listed race at Ascot a fortnight ago. On that form he will need to improve if he is going to win on Sunday.

Also on Sunday is the Sinbad Testimonial 2010/2011 Chase which should see 2009 Arkle Trophy Chase winner, Forpadydeplasterer return to winning ways after five second place finishes last season, which included four at Grade 1 level and one at Grade 2. His major threat is probably the Paul Nicholls entry Tataniano, who looked a very good chaser in the making when winning the Grade 1 Maghulls Novices Chase at Aintree at the end of last season.

This Weekend’s Rodwise Racing Tips

Paddy Power gold Cup – Long Run @ 10/3 with Paddy Power
Greatwood Hurdle – Menorah @ 7/1 with Ladbrokes
Sinbad Testimonial 2010/2011 Chase – Forpadydeplasterer

There is a money back offer available on this race which comes from the Irish bookmakers Paddy Power. To be eligible to claim your stake back you must have backed a horse that is beaten in the race into second place by up to and including a next then Paddypower will refund you your losing single stake.

The favourite for the race is Colorus who is ridden by jockey Matthew Cosham and showing currently at odds of 7/2. The second favourite goes to Fair Passion ridden by Jimmy Quinn showing at odds of 6/1, the tip from freebetsblog.com goes to the Duran Fentiman ridden Sands of Dee who won its last outing which was at Musselburgh but as this race is tougher best to go for an each way bet and is currently at a great price of 14/1.

Click here to claim your free bet from Paddy Power

It is a group one race for 3 years olds and it will feature 16 runners who will be covering a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 110 yards and has a high monetary prize of £505,556 for the winner.

The favourite for this race is Rekindled Interest ridden by Dwayne Dunn and trained by Jim Conlan with second favourite going to Retrieve whose jockey is Kerrin McEvoy and was trained by Peter Snowden. With so much money at stake the calibre of horses in this race is excellent but we will plump as our tip (each way mind we are not psychics) goes to Digital Fortress who is ridden by Blake Shinn and trained by Guy Walter.

Victoria Derby 2010 outright winner

All odds are supplied by Ladbrokes who will pay 1/5 odds on the first 3 places.

• 5/2 – Rekindled Interest
• 3/1 – Retrieve
• 6/1 – Digital Fortress
• 10/1 – Almindoro
• 12/1 – Lion Tamer
• 12/1 – Smokin Joey
• 12/1 – Praecido
• 20/1 – Kudakulari
• 25/1 – Cosmonaut
• 25/1 – Shadowofexcellence
• 33/1 – Yulalona
• 33/1 – Shootoff
• 33/1 – Perfect Pecs
• 50/1 – Ulundi
• 50/1 – Absolutelyawesome
• 66/1 – Luckyimbarefoot
• 100/1 – Kirinata
• 100/1 – Tale Of Thunder
• 100/1 – Acclaimed Chaos
• 100/1 – Kerchings

Click here to place your Victoria Derby bet and claim your £25 free bet from Ladbrokes

The Irish bookmakers Paddy Power are running a cash back on this race where they will return your single losing stake if your horse finishes in second place to the starting price favourite in the race.

The favourite for this race according to the experts at Paddypower is Mount Athos who is at odds of 11/2, the second favourite is Zuider Zee ridden by jockey William Buick who is at odds of 13/2. However our tip for this race (for an each way bet) goes to Hanoverian Baron at odds of 10/1 who has improved well over middle distances and is in with a real chance if it has the stamina for the track.

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The favourite for the race is Orangeleg ridden by William Carson at odds of 11/4, the second favourite is Jimwil at odds of 5/1 who will be ridden by Phillip Makin, our tip for this race today is as always an each way bet on Custard Cream Kid who is ridden by Lee Topliss at odds of 9/1.

Paddy Power are running a cash back offer on this race. If your chosen nag finishes in second place and is beaten by and up to a neck in this race then you will be given a second chance as they will refund your losing single stake into your Paddypower account.

Click here to claim your free £30 bet from Paddy Power

Both races are run over a distance of one mile and the 2,000 Guineas, which is contested between the Colts, is run at 3:05 on Saturday with the Fillies equivalent, the 1,000 Guineas run at 3:20pm on Sunday, with both races are live on Channel 4. Last year’s winner was the John Oxx trained, Sea the Stars, who was the first horse in twenty years to win both 2,000 Guineas and Epsom Derby, before going on to win a further four Group One races including the Arc de Triomph.

It will take an exceptional horse to match the achievements of last year’s 2000 Guineas winner in 2010 but many are predicting that the Aidan O’Brien trained, St Nicholas Abbey, could be good enough to replicate Sea the Stars and go on to win at Newmarket on Saturday before heading to Epsom in five weeks time to land the Derby, a double which is as short as 5/2 with Guineas sponsor, Stan James.

Free £25 bet for new customers when joining Stan James today

The unbeaten St Nicholas Abbey is currently best price 5/4 to win the 2000 Guineas but his price for the Derby double is not much bigger because it is thought that this son of Montjeu will imporve both for the run and step up in trip. Judge on his two year old form, none of these rivals should be able to come close to beating him, with second favourite, Elusive Pimpernel, needing to overturn a three length defeat in the Racing Post Trophy back in October.

Canford Cliffs, who was long time antepost favourite for this race before St Nicholas Abbey asserted himself on the market in the Autumn is available at 8/1, whilst another unbeaten Colt, the Michael Johnson trained Awzaan is a 10/1 chance. Of the bigger priced runners, the one time raced Inler (20/1)  and French Raider, Makfi (33/1),  make each-way appeal if you want to take on the favourite.

However, it is difficult to look beyond St Nicholas Abbey to win the race and we could well have another potential superstar of the Horse Racing world on our hands.

In the 1,000 Guineas on Sunday, the race looks a much more competitive affiar with bookmakers offering 7/2 the field. The French trained Special Duty is the favourite but must bounce back after a disappointing seasonal re-appearance last time out. Kieren Fallon, who last won this race in 2005, teams up with Luca Cumani to ride second favourite, Seta, who is currently an 11/2 chance along with Music Show.

However, it could pay to side with Godolphin and Frankie Dettori who join forces on Hibaayeb who won a Group One at Ascot on her final start as a two year and with the chances of good improvement over the winter, could be a good each way alternative to the leading protagonists at odds of 20/1 with Stan James.

Guineas Tips

2,000 Guineas (3:05 Saturday 1st May) – St Nicholas Abbey @ 5/4 with Stan James

1,000 Guineas (3:20 Sunday, 2nd May) – Hibayeeb @20/1 with Stan James

£200 Free Bet with race sponsor Bet365

The shortest price of those who ran in the National is The Package who was subject to good support at Aintree before unseating his rider half way round. The David Pipe runner is 10/1 to win the Bet365 Gold Cup and providing his Aintree exertions haven’t taken too much out of him, he should run his race. However, horses who did run in the Grand National don’t have a great record of winning this race with only one winner in the last ten years managing to do so.

The well backed favourite is Just Amazing, who represents champion trainer Paul Nicholls and judged on his winning re-appearance at Cheltenham last week looks to be well in at the weights off a mark of 139 and his current odds of 13/2  with Bet365 are only likely to get shorter. It is hard to see this seven year old not making his presence felt and looks the most likely winner.

Of the other runners, winner of this race in 2008, Monkerhostin, carries top weight and whilst age is against him, he does love Sandown and has proved he can carry big weights around the Surrey track and at 20/1 could be worth an each way flutter.

Bet365 Gold Cup, Saturday 24th April, 15:05, Sandown

Just Amazing 13/2
Fairoak Lad 13/2
The Package 8/1
Kilcrea Castle 10/1
Lacdoudal 12/1
Hoo La Baloo 14/1
Nostrinsattached 14/1
Hello Bud 14/1
Air Force One 14/1
Lothian Falcon 16/1
Tamarinbleu 16/1
Monkerhostin 20/1
Church Island 25/1
Alderburn  25/1
My Will 25/1
Killyglen 25/1
Irish Raptor 28/1
Nozic 28/1
Piraya 28/1
Martys Mission 50/1

McCoy teams up once again with the trainer of Don’t Push It, Jonjo O’Neil, in the Scottish equivalent this Saturday and you can guarantee that punters will be queuing up to back him to land the double on Theatrical Moment who is a best price 14/1 shot with Paddy Power and is not without chance on the back of some good displays this season and on a fair mark of 138.

The favourite for the race is  Poker De Sivola who comes into the race on the back of his win in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, form which shows he will have no problem handinling the marathon 4 mile trip and could look well handicapped carrying 10 stone 11lb with more improvement possible.  The fact that his trainer, Ferdy Murphy, has won this race three times in the past ten years only fuels confidence in this horses chances and is sure to take plenty of beating.

Second favourite is Meanus Dandy, who represents champion Trainer, Paul Nicholls, who has surprisingly only won this race once before, back in 1997,  but his runner this year could be the one capable of ending that drought. A lightly race seven year old, Meanus Dandy could be anything in this field but the fact that he is 15/2 in the betting shows that bookmakers are not willing to take the risk that this Irish import is not thrown in at the weights. However, unlike his market rival, he must prove he has the stamina to stay this trip.

Scottish Grand National Tip

Poker De Sivola @ 7/1 with Paddy Power.

2010 Scottish Grand National Odds

Odds Courtesy of Paddy Power
Poker De Sivola 7/1
Meanus Dandy 15/2
Gone to Lunch 10/1
Theatrical Moment 14/1
Faasel 14/1
Killyglen 12/1
Mobaasher 18/1
Scots Dragoon 16/1
That’s Rhythm 16/1
Lothian Falcoln 16/1
Razor Royale 20/1
Merigo 20/1
Dom D’Orgeval 20/1
Halcon Genelardais 20/1
Out the Black 25/1
Chiaro 25/1
Himalayan Trail 25/1
Superior Wisdom 25/1
Others 33/1 or bigger