50-1 howell showing signs of a revival

ATHLETIC returned to winning ways at the expense of Hereford on Sunday, a victory which saw their odds for the League One title trimmed from 12-1 to 11s.

And Lee Hughes, who started the season as 50-1 to be top scorer, is a best-priced 16-1 shot following his sixth goal of the campaign.

Leicester and Leeds are dominating the betting to win the title, the former just shading it at 9-4 ahead of their Yorkshire rivals (5-2).


THE value of winning the toss was never better illustrated than in the first Test between India and Australia at Bangalore.

Ricky Ponting has an uncanny knack of choosing right and once again his powers of foresight enabled the Aussies to bat first on a wicket which deteriorated throughout a tense match.

India fought hard for a draw, but nothing which happened in this game altered my view that the hosts possess more firepower in this series, granted equal luck with the toss.

The two bitter rivals lock horns again on Friday when Mohali is the venue for the second of four Tests.

The cracked, seaming wicket of Bangalore is unlikely to be replicated in Mohali, where the Indian spinners are likely to have a greater say in the outcome of the game.

If India win the toss and bat, I suggest you back them at once, but the best wager in this match lies in the choice of top Aussie batsman as it is clear to me that Ponting and Mike Hussey are streets ahead of their team-mates.

The latter grafted manfully at Bangalore and is overpriced at 4-1. He may just have a little more patience than his skipper.

As for the match odds, both teams are a best-priced 9-4, with the draw the favourite at 5-4.


VILAMOURA hosts this week’s Portugal Masters and the Algarve resort could see England’s David Howell return from a spell in the golfing wilderness.

Howell was one of our finest players a couple of years ago, but rather lost his way and slipped down the European rankings.

However, I have seen enough in recent weeks to suggest that Howell is definitely on the way back and, if his former putting skills return this weekend, he could be a huge price at 50-1 to triumph at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Club.




TELEVISION votathons Strictly Come Dancing and the X Factor are in full swing and punters have been quick to latch on to the fancied contenders.

Actress Cherie Lunghi has proved a springer in the SCD market, having her odds for the title slashed to 5-1, behind Austin Healey (9-4), Tom Chambers (4-1) and Rachel Stevens (5-1).

The names in the X Factor are not so familiar, but for those of you who have been following the show, Laura White is the 3-1 jolly, ahead of Alexandra Burke (4-1), Diana Vickers (7-1), Austin Drage (8-1) and Eoghan Quigg (17-2).


RECOMMENDATIONS: Mike Hussey to be top Australian batsman in second Test, 4-1 (general); David Howell, Portugal Masters, e.w., 50-1 (general).