SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Cheltenham may be over for another year, but the competition is just heating up in the Tipster Challenge, as LeoVegas signs up to provide expert tips at Haydock.
With just six weeks to go in the competition, sponsored by Betting Gods, Sportsbook Manager Edward Rycroft is chasing AppBet’s Sarah Shannon at the top of the leaderboard.
After enjoying a first Cheltenham that “exceeded all expectations”, the Swedish-based mobile gaming specialist is hoping for a punter-friendly day of short price winners at Haydock, reminiscent of last week’s Ruby Thursday at The Festival.
Rycroft will be going up against sixth placed Stephen Harris, the horse racing guru from bettingexpert, and the experts from Timeform in 15th.
____________________________________
2:10
bettingexpert: Potters Story
Looked promising when making a winning hurdling debut and can follow up at Haydock.
Timeform: Potters Story
Made a good impression despite being a fortunate winner on the day at Ffos Las and can make it two from two in this sphere with improvement on the cards.
LeoVegas: Fairlee Grey
Gets my pick over Potters Story, jumping well until the last fall in G2 and this should be an easier race.
____________________________________
2:40
bettingexpert: The Nipper
Can defy a double penalty in all the way style on deep ground he loves.
Timeform: The Nipper
Warren Greatrex’s charge is narrowly preferred having looked impressive at Newcastle.
LeoVegas: The Nipper
Probably the best mare around last season (bumpers). Looked unstoppable at Newcastle last time.
____________________________________
3:10
bettingexpert: Buttercup
Has a great make up with three of these rivals best front running and she can swoop late to complete a hat-trick.
Timeform: Clan Legend
A very tight contest can go the way of Clan Legend, who bounced right back to form in a first-time tongue tie at Kelso from a 2lb lower mark, and whose yard is in very good form at present.
LeoVegas: Buttercup
Won last two at Towcester and Warwick by staying on well and should do well under the penalty.
____________________________________
3:40
bettingexpert: Robin of Rocksley
Landed a hefty gamble with ease on stable debut for Caroline Bailey and can follow up here with deep ground ideal.
Timeform: Robin of Rocksley
Was well prepared by his new yard to emphatically land a gamble at Warwick 10 days ago and he looks a fair way ahead of the assessor turned out under a penalty.
LeoVegas: Robin of Rocksley
Future Guilded was my pick but 2nd choice must go to Robin after landing the gamble at Warwick.
____________________________________
4:10
bettingexpert: As De Fer
Has become well handicapped after a poor winter and his stable is now in blistering form.
Timeform: Saroque
Attractively weighted nowadays and was beaten only by a thriving rival at Plumpton last time, so is taken to go one better at Haydock.
LeoVegas: Sunny Ledgend
Close call between Sunny Ledgend and Saroque but Sunny has more to offer after Saroque was beaten at Plumpton last time out.
____________________________________
4:40
bettingexpert: Johanos
Comes from a small stable in terrific form and can follow up his recent victory.
Timeform: Johanos
Made the most of a good opportunity to score at Carlisle recently, yet he still showed further improvement, and gets the vote with less questions to answer than his rivals.
LeoVegas: Middlebrow
Struggled in last race but has a longer trip and should be improved today.
____________________________________
Where will Edward Rycroft enter on the Tipster Challenge leaderboard?
| Rank | Tipster | Race Wins | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sarah Shannon - AppBet | 3 | 13.69 |
| 2 | Alan Alger - Betway | 3 | 11.41 |
| 3 | Jacob Johns - Easyodds | 3 | 7.72 |
| 4 | Phillip Anderson - Before The Off | 3 | 6.17 |
| 5 | Ciaran O'Brien - William Hill | 3 | 5.29 |
| 6 | bettingexpert | 1.57 | 4.70 |
| 7 | Ben Cleminson - Square in the Air | 1 | 4.50 |
| 8 | John Hill - Coral | 2 | 4.25 |
| 9 | Alex Donohue - Ladbrokes | 2 | 4.11 |
| 10 | Michael Shinners - Sky Bet | 2 | 4.00 |
| 11 | Stuart Tilly - Argyll Entertainment | 1 | 4.00 |
| 12 | Darren Moore - Betting Gods | 2 | 3.66 |
| 13 | Trevor Keane - Sportego | 2 | 3.50 |
| 14 | Harry Lang - Pinnacle | 1 | 3.50 |
| 15 | Timeform | 1.81 | 3.46 |
| 16 | Matthew Hulmes - Betfred | 2 | 3.25 |
| 17 | Paddy Power | 1 | 3.00 |
| 18 | Russell Yershon | 1 | 1.88 |
| 19 | Charlie McCann - BetVictor | 1 | 1.75 |
| 20 | Stephen Power - @racingblogger | 2 | 1.69 |
| 21 | John Cruces - Dafabet | 1 | 1.25 |
| 22 | Michael Whittle - Team FA | 1 | 0.91 |
| 23 | Ed Nicholson - Unibet | 1 | 0.73 |
