SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
It is the final week of action in the Tipster Challenge 2016/17, sponsored by Betting Gods, and BetStars is now the only company that can prevent a victory for AppBet.
Ian Marmion, Director of Trading for BetStars, has picked his winners for today’s seven-race meet at Perth, with 13.69 points the target to snatch the title from Sarah Shannon.
Marmion will also be going up against sixth placed Stephen Harris from bettingexpert, who holds a 4.53-point average after 26 weeks, and the racing experts from Timeform in 17th .
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2:00
bettingexpert: Royal Village
Sets a clear standard on form and will improve for decent ground.
Timeform: Royal Village
This looks a good opportunity for Royal Village who made the frame for the third consecutive time over hurdles at Market Rasen recently, that despite suggesting a stronger gallop would have suited ideally.
BetStars: Petiville
Showed promise in two bumpers before coming second on hurdles debut over an inadequate two miles around Stratford; will relish the extra half mile here and a value shout against the odds-on favourite.
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2:35
bettingexpert: Our Valentina
An Eire raider on the up and is fancied to see off some more exposed handicappers.
Timeform: Gold Chain
Gold Chain has slipped to an appealing mark following a quiet spell and, having shown herself back in form on the Flat recently, she’s in an excellent position to take advantage returning to a C&D where she excels.
BetStars: Vic’s Last Stand
Ran well back from a break last time over 2m, and with Champion Jockey Richard Johnson booked, expect him to build on that run over this trip.
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3:05
bettingexpert: Gayebury
Returns to calmer waters after struggling at the Festival and has potential to do better.
Timeform: Aintree My Dream
Posted a very useful effort when routing his field at Hereford last time and can cap an excellent first season over hurdles by bagging this listed prize.
BetStars: Aintree My Dream
A tight little novice hurdle here – prefer Aintree My Dream with Dan Skelton’s yard in fine form.
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3:35
bettingexpert: A Good Skin
Has slipped down the weights and could be revived by first time blinkers and faster ground.
Timeform: Ballykan
Has plenty of solid efforts to his name this season and could be the answer.
BetStars: Ballykan
Been competing in top handicap company, and should relish this grade drop against a few out-of-sorts opponents.
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4:10
bettingexpert: Late Date
Hails from a yard coming back to form and he has shaped well recently at a similar level.
Timeform: Doktor Glaz
Doktor Glaz and The Wise One are relatively low mileage and going the right way – the former is preferred with the return to this trip likely to be within his compass with the emphasis on speed.
BetStars: Heart O Annandale
Ran third in a similar C&D handicap this time last year at a huge price, could surprise again back over hurdles after a spell chasing.
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4:40
bettingexpert: Billy Billy
Has run four times over fences in deep winter ground, but could be a different proposition here under Hughes.
Timeform: Jovial Joey
Looks fairly treated if his efforts in non-handicaps on his last two starts are taken at face value and gets the nod for the Maurice Barnes team.
BetStars: Lord Ballim
Revitalised of late going up 21lb over hurdles and then maintaining the winning habit last time over fences, could still be unexposed as a chaser.
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5:10
bettingexpert: Great Fighter
Won hard held last week and is expected to defy a penalty with conditions ideal again.
Timeform: Great Fighter
Looked value for more than the winning margin when scoring at Ayr last week, and wisely turned out under a penalty, he gets the nod in the hope the headgear has the desired effect once more.
BetStars: Sleepy Haven
Showed a little more last time and he should get a nice tow into the race from Wisty with plenty of the rest in trouble by half way.
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Where will Ian Marmion finish 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 | 1.62 | 4.53 |
| 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 | Conor White - BetBright | 3 | 3.62 |
| 14 | Trevor Keane - Sportego | 2 | 3.50 |
| 15 | Harry Lang - Pinnacle | 1 | 3.50 |
| 16 | Matthew Hulmes - Betfred | 2 | 3.25 |
| 17 | Timeform | 1.85 | 3.20 |
| 18 | Paddy Power | 1 | 3.00 |
| 19 | Russell Yershon | 1 | 1.88 |
| 20 | Edward Rycroft - LeoVegas | 2 | 1.82 |
| 21 | Charlie McCann - BetVictor | 1 | 1.75 |
| 22 | Stephen Power - @racingblogger | 2 | 1.69 |
| 23 | John Cruces - Dafabet | 1 | 1.25 |
| 24 | Michael Whittle - Team FA | 1 | 0.91 |
| 25 | Ed Nicholson - Unibet | 1 | 0.73 |
| 26 | Gerry Murray - 32Red | 1 | 0.44 |
| 27 | Bradley Gibbs - Bookmaker Ratings | 1 | 0.20 |
| 28 | Ged Colleypriest - Ball Street | 0 | 0.00 |
