Bet365 Weekend betting wrap

Sa Jul 2There seems to be plenty of confidence in the Shamardal camp ahead of his mouth-watering clash with Epsom Derby winner Motivator in Saturday's Coral Eclipse Sakes at Sandown (3.15). His demolition of a high-class field in the St James' Palace Stakes at York was a highlight of the meeting, and came only nine days after he made all to win the French Derby at Chantilly.However, he was tiring in the closing stages that day, and Sandown's still uphill finish may not suit him. On the other hand, Motivator, who is dropping down in distance from 12 to 10 furlongs, will be reeling him in the closing stages. Not that the drop back in trip will be any disadvantage whatsoever and could even be in his favour given his brilliant turn of foot. The decision to bypass York and the Irish Derby means he'll be fresher than most of the runners, while his trainer, Michael Bell, is confident that he'll handle the fast ground (likely to be well-watered). Of the older horses, it's difficult to enthuse about their chances, having to concede 11lb to the three-year-olds, who have an excellent record in the race, so it's Motivator for me.Eclipse Pick: Motivator @ 5/6 at Bet365Sa Jul 2We're sponsoring the feature race at Haydock on Saturday - the bet365 old Newton Cup (2.50) - and the early money has been for Michael Stoute's Promotion (now 5/1 favourite). This one did not get the best of runs at York last time out and is likely to improve for the step up to a mile and a half. Back the winner of this race, at 4/1 or bigger, and we'll give you a free bet on the next live Channel 4 race.The opening bet365 Lancashire Oaks (2.20) is also shaping into a decent race, and Stoute has a chance here too with his Fillies Mile heroine Playful Act, who is making her seasonal debut. She faces strong opposition, however, including Cheshire Oaks winner Alumni and the improving Ruby Wine from the James Eustace stable. Channel 4 offer applies here too!Haydock Picks: Promotion & Ruby Wine at Bet365 BEST BETS IN THE WESTTh Jun 30 - 19.00 BST (SS2)Fr Jul 1 - 21.00 BST (SS2)Sa Jul 2 - TBCSu Jul 3 - 20.00 BST (SS2)For this week's US Tour event, the Cialis Western Open, there's been plenty of interest in Billy Mayfair at our best price of 66/1, and it's not difficult to see why. He won here in 1995, has five top-10 finishes this year (a big improvement on last year), and shot a closing 5-under par 66 in last week's Barclays Classic. He does tend to have one bad round per tournament but, at the price, he's worth a bet this week. Also worth an interest is Aussie Mark Hensby at 40/1, who might be ready to win again after his fine performance in the US Open (tied for third). As a 'fledgling' pro, Hensby spent several weeks sleeping in his car next to the course at Cog Hill, and this is an event he would dearly love to win (third here last year). Other players fancied to play well this week are Jim Furyk(10/1) and Scott Verplank (25/1). Both have excellent form on the course, but are too short in the betting considering they rarely seem to win these days. A better bet could be a saver on favourite Tiger Woods, whose course form is second to none (winner in 1997, 1999 and 2003). Live In-Play betting available throughout.Western Open Picks: Billy Mayfair 66/1, Mark Hensby 40/1, Tiger Woods(saver) @ 10/3 (Each-way ¼ odds 1.2.3.4.5) at Bet365 PUNTERS GIVE LIONS THE BOOTJul 30 - 07.30 BST (SS1)After last week's 21-3 mauling the Lions have made 11 changes to their side to face New Zealand in the 2nd Test in Wellington on Saturday (live In-Play betting available). However, it is difficult to be confident about their chances of a turnaround in Wellington, and that is reflected in their price of 9/2 to win - they were 7/2 to win the Christchurch match. They are also rated 14.5 point underdogs on our handicap line (10/11), but those odds could be more appealing. This time Clive Woodward looks to have picked a more balanced and aggressive side, which includes seven new faces and four positional switches in the back division. Defeat for the Lions would leave them facing an irretrievable 2-0 deficit with one Test still to go in Auckland on Saturday week. New Zealand are 2/7 to whitewash the series, and5/2 to win 2-1.2nd Test Pick: British Lions (+14.5) @ 10/11 at at Bet365 FOOTBALL FANS ALREADY SEEING REDOur ante post prices for next football season have already been attracting plenty of interest and, despite their hectic schedule next season, Liverpool have been the best backed team for the Premiership (20/1 from 25/1). In contrast there is has been little in the way of support for Arsenal and Man United. In the Championship, all the money has been for Norwich at the early 8/1 (now 6/1). The Canaries will keep the nucleus of their Premiership squad, including Dean Ashton, and they could be a good bet to go back up at the first time of asking. In League One, the early move has been for Doncaster Rovers at 25/1 (now 16/1). Their boss Dave Penney will be hoping that new signing Paul Heffernan will sore the goals to get them back into the Championship. In League Two there has been some serious money for Chester, who have been slashed from an opening 66/1 into half those odds.The fixture list for next season came out this week and we make champions Chelsea 4/11 to beat newly promoted Wigan at the JJB Stadium. They look sure to be a popular choice for Premiership accumulator bets on the first weekend of the season, along with Man City 8/15 (home to West Brom) and Arsenal 4/9 (home to Newcastle). Bet365 has all football prices for next Season