Bet365.com's UK weekend sports commentary

MAJOR TOMS READY TO PEAK THIS WEEK********************************** Th Jun 16 - 15.00 BST (SS2) Fr Jun 17 - 15.00 BST (SS2) Sa Jun 18 - 17.30 BST (SS2) Su Jun 19 - 17.30 BST (SS2)The second Major of the year is being played at Pinehurst No.2 this week, with armchair punters in for a treat of Sky blanket coverage on all four days. As for a bet, with none of the Big 4, or defending champion Retief Goosen, playing that well right now, we'll be pinning our hopes on a couple of in-form Americans this week. David Toms looks to be approaching peak-form at just the right time (3rd, 2nd, 8th last three starts) and is value at 25/1 in our Outright market. What's more, his relative lack of length off the tee will be no handicap this week. This is a course where accuracy and a deft touch around the greens will be key, and Toms scores well on both counts. I also expect a big show from Texan Justin Leonard, whose price of 50/1 is ridiculous considering he's a dual winner this year, and has the advantage of being a past winner of a Major (1997 Open). He also has form at Pinehurst, where he finished a respectable 15th in 1999, and he'll be relishing another crack at the course. Of the Big 4, Tiger will have his backers at 5/1, but the chances are you'll be able to beat those odds in-play. The same comment applies to Phil Mickelson, although the 10/1 in our Enhanced Win Only market is tempting, if only as a saver.Phil has to be a factor this week based on his excellent US Open record, including a runner-up spot at Pinehurst last time.HOWELL IS PICK OF EURO STARS****************************Its 36 years since a European won the US Open but, with a record 24 contenders taking part this week, hope springs eternal. However, with the US players fancied to dominate, the best way to back one of the Euro stars this week is in the Top European market. Donald and Garcia are our jollies, but there has to be some value in backing David Howell at a best priced 22/1. That's a big price considering he's massively in-form and put up a fine performance on his Masters debut back in April. In the Top American market the bet has to be Jeff Maggert at 50/1. Jeff has been a solid performer in US Opens down the years (six top-tens), but is an unlikely winner, so back him in this market instead (1/4 odds 1.2.3.4). The arrow-straight driving of Tim Clark makes him a big player in the Top Rest Of The World market at 25/1.The first players tee off at about noon on Thursday, so make sure you get your specialty bets on before then. Our outright market will be available in-play throughout, however, so the more patient among you may wish to wait before placing your bets. If so, the advice is not to look too far down the leader board. The tough nature of the US Open set-up makes it difficult to play catch-up. In the last six years the winner has been 1st or tied-1st at halfway five times.US Open Picks:Outright: David Toms @ 25/1; Justin Leonard @ 50/1 Top European: David Howell @ 22/1 Tope American: Jeff Maggert @ 50/1 Top R.O.W: Tim Clark @ 50/1Go to Bet365 now!WESTERNER IS A GOLD PROSPECT**************************** Th Jun 16Hopefully, by the time the weekend comes around, we'll be counting our winnings from Westerner after he's won Thursday's Gold Cup. His current price of 7/4 is nothing to get excited about (tipped at 5/2 last week), but he does look a class above his rivals, including last years' winner Papineau. In last year's race he had to play second fiddle to the Godolphin horse, but the ground was very fast that day which wouldn't have suited the French runner, plus he's 2lb better off with his conqueror this time around. He's also had an ideal preparation, while Papineau has not, so lump on! Go to Bet365 now!MAKE A FRIEND OF THE GEEZER*************************** Fr Jun 17On Friday, Karens Caper is worth an interest in the Coronation Stakes (3.45), after not quite lasting home when fourth in the Guineas last month.That day she raced much too freely and saw too much daylight from a draw on the opposite side of the track to the winner. Rested since, she will be much more at home on this sharper track and, ridden with a bit more restraint, can be fancied to turn the tables on those that finished in front of her at Newmarket. In the King Edward VII Stakes (3.05) I've got a strong fancy for Derby 'failure' The Geezer (8th of 13 to Motivator), now he's back on a more suitable track. Never on an even keel at Epsom, he's much better judged on an excellent second to the Derby winner in the Dante Stakes here last month.Go to Bet365 now! Sa Jun 18Sprint races dominate Saturday's card and there's a cracking race in prospect for the Wokingham handicap over six furlongs (4.20). Our pre-race favourite is Iffraj (currently 4/1) who, despite shooting up the weights for hacking up at Lingfield last time out, remains one of the least exposed in the field and is the one they have all got to beat. However, he'll need the rub of the green as far as the draw and luck in running are concerned, so we'll take him on with Soldier's Tale (5/1). The latter's course and distance win at the Dante meeting represents just about the best sprint handicap form this season (the third, fifth, sixth and seventh have all wonsince) and, as that was only his third career outing , there could be more improvement to come. In the Golden Jubilee Stakes (3.45), also over 6 furlongs, a chance is taken on Bailmont (12/1) fulfilling the promise of his third over an inadequate five furlongs in the Temple Stakes at Sandown last time.Go to Bet365 now! BRING YOUR RACING ALIVE AT BET365*********************************As you'd expect, when it comes to placing a bet this week, we've got plenty of offers to keep you 'in the game', including a Best Odds Guaranteed race every day (take a price and if the SP is greater we'll pay you at the bigger price), Enhanced Place Terms and Double Result every race. Also,look out for our 'high draw / low draw' betting on Saturday's Wokingham, where you can back a 'winner' without having to find the first past thepost. Enjoy your betting!Go to Bet365 now!TAME LIONS NOW 5/2 FOR GLORY****************************The British Lions have been eased in the betting to 5/2 for theirthree-Test series against New Zealand, after a far from convincing display on Wednesday (the All Blacks are now 2/7 from 2/5, with the draw at 20/1).The Lions returned to winning ways by defeating Wellington 23-6 at Westpac Stadium - but it should have been a far more convincing victory. They certainly played better than they did against the Maoris but will ultimately be disappointed that they didn't score more points, although a swirling wind and a greasy surface may have been to blame. They now head south to Dunedin for a Saturday morning appointment with Otago (livein-play betting available), with the first Test due to be played on June 25th.Go to Bet365 now!Engalnd are 10/3 for the Ashes after their crushing Twenty20 win over Australia on Monday evening. The 100-run winning margin highlighted the supremacy on the day of England, although the win will be of littlesignificance when the Ashes begins on July 21. However, it will have provided a psychological boost ahead of the NatWest Series, which getsunder way on Thursday morning. England are 13/8 to win the Series, with the Aussies at 4/9 (Bangladesh 100/1), and that's a price which looks worth taking. An unbackable 1/200 for the first ODI (live in-play betting on 7 markets!), they can be backed at 10/11 in our match handicap betting - thecatch being is that they have to concede 126.5 runs or 7.5 wickets. In this market, the runs handicap is used if the team bats first (wickets if they bat second).Pick: England to win the NatWest series @ 13/8Go to Bet365 now!