Bet365's Nigel Ridgeway Weekend Betting Wrap

CRICKET*******DON'T DESERT ENGLAND Th Jul 21 - 20.00 BST (SS1) Fr Jul 22 - 20.00 BST (SS1) Sa Jul 23 - 20.30 BST (SS1) Su Jul 24 - 20.00 BST (SS1)It would be easy to desert England for the Ashes Series after their second successive one-day hammering by the Aussies - Australia are 2/5 from 1/2 after their seven-wicket win at Lord's (England are 10/3, Draw 13/2). Of course, Australia must be favourite, but this is unlikely to be the 3-1 or4-1 thrashing (or worse!) that some are predicting. Under Michael Vaughan, England have been transformed into a quality Test outfit and, given that both teams like to play fast aggressive cricket, winning more than the standard one Test is not an unrealistic proposition. That could bring in three possible Series correct score results - 3-2 Australia (12/1), 2-2 (13/2), and 3-2 England (16/1). The advice is to have a decent bet on the draw, and a saver on the other two. The 1st Test gets under way on Thursday at Lord's (live in-play betting available), and we make Australia 10/11, with England at 7/2 (The Draw 2/1). Game on!Suggested Ashes Series Correct Score Bets: 2-2 Draw @ 13/2 (savers on 3-2 Australia @ 12/1 / 3-2 England @ 16/1)HORSE RACING************SWALLOW TO FLY HOME IN GEORGE Sa Jul 23With doubts over the stamina of 2/1 favourite Azamour, Grey Swallow looks the one to be on for this Saturday's King George VI and QE Diamond Stakes at Newbury - the current price of 10/3 is likely to be shorter on the day.Last year's Irish Derby winner is at his best over this trip of a mile and a half, and showed he was better than ever when winning first time out this season at the Curragh. That day he beat Bago (6/1) and Ace (12/1) into second and third, with Azamour only fourth. The latter went on to beat Ace at York, but this is a new trip for him, and proven ability to see out the trip is simply essential as every winner in the last decade had won over the big-race trip. Stamina is not an issue with the selection who looks to have been saved for this race by his astute connections. The only worry would be firm going, but with showers forecast, it should be no faster than good to firm. With question marks about several of his rivals the main danger could come from the old-timer Mubtaker (25/1), who often runs his best races at Newbury.King George Selections: Grey Swallow @ 10/3; Mubtaker @ 25/1 (Each-way)Go to Bet365 now!PEDRO CAN MAKE THEM ALL GO Sa Jul 23Up at York, the best bet on the card could be Danzili Bay (2.55), who looked a horse to follow when winning with something to spare at Haydock last month. On the same card, Yo Pedro can lead his rivals a merry dance in the three-year-old handicap (3.25). After winning a Lingfield maiden in January, David Loder's charge didn't reappear until running well at Newmarket last month, and will be suited by the drop back in trip on Saturday. As both races are covered live on Channel 4, make sure you take advantage of our 4/1 Offer (should they win at 4/1 or bigger), which entitles you to a free bet on the next live Channel 4 race.Channel 4 Tips: Danzili Bay (2.55) & Yo Pedro (3.25)Go to Bet365 now!LAFI TO MAKE YOU HAPPY Su Jul 24The big sprint on Sunday (2.45) can go the way of Lafi, who is sure to go off a hot favourite on the back of a cracking effort in listed company last time out at Sandown. Since that race, the handicapper has reacted by putting him up 12lb but, as he's able to run off his old mark here, he has the look of a handicap good thing. A Group 1 entry in next month's Nunthorpe is an indication of the regard in which he is held by king of the sprint trainers David Nicholls, who also has him in next week's Steward's Cup at Goodwood. He's 5/1 favourite for that race, but is not sure to be suited to the undulations of that track, and may be a doubtful runner.Besides, his trainer has another ideal candidate for that race - 8/1 second favourite Gift Horse - and that looks a price worth snapping up now!Hong Kong Jockey Club Sprint Selection: Lafi @ SPBet Now Ante Post: Gift Horse @ 8/1 (Steward's Cup)Go to Bet365 now!GOLF****PERRY HAS FEW PEERS Th Jul 21 - 21.00 BST (SS2) Fr Jul 22 - 21.00 BST (SS2) Sa Jul 23 - 20.00 BST (SS2) Su Jul 24 - 20.00 BST (SS3)Kenny Perry is an unoriginal selection for this week's US Bank Championship, but such is the weakness of the field (16/1 second favourite Scott Verplank has not won since 201 and is a final round bottler!) that any doubts about him being jet-lagged from his visit to Scotland last week are more than compensated by his generous price of 13/2. While not being royal or ancient, like St Andrews, the course at Brown Deer Park commands respect with some of the longest rough on the Tour. For that reason the ability to hit it straight off the tee is essential, and the accurate Perry has top marks in that department. No wonder he's already shown a liking for the course by winning there in 2003 (top seven in all of his five starts here!). As a two-time winner already this season, he'll not be afraid to win either, unlike some of his rivals who seem to have forgotten how to close out tournaments. US Bank Championship Selection: Kenny Perry @ 13/2Go to Bet365 now!FOOTBALL********WRIGHT MOVE FOR SHAUNThere must have been groans around Old Trafford and Highbury this week as Jose Mourinho further strengthened his squad with the acquisition of Shaun Wright-Phillips from Man City. However, as there's plenty of competition around at the Bridge, he may have to spend some time warming the bench, and we're betting on the number of starts he will make for the Blues this Premiership season (under / over 19.5 starts at 5/6). Whether he's done his chances of making the England squad any favours is also open to question.We go 2/7 that he doesn't start England's first game at the 2006 World Cup Finals (5/2 that he does).Shaun Wright-Phillips to make fewer than 19.5 starts for Chelsea 2005/6 @5/6CITY'S BLUESOf course, the departure of SWP can only be bad news for Manchester City, and it wouldn't be a major surprise to see the Citizens languishing near the bottom of the table for most of the coming season. Last season's finishing position of 8th was impressive, but without the contributions of SWP and Nicolas Anelka they would have been pretty ordinary. Plus, with debts in the region of £68 million, it's debatable just how much of their windfall they will be able to spend. Their manager Stuart Pearce has already been touted here as a likely candidate for the first Premiership manager to lose his job (14/1 still available in our 'Sack Race' betting), and 10/1 for City to finish in the bottom three could look a big price come Christmas.Man City to be relegated next season @ 10/1Go to Bet365 now!