The Racing Post (London, England) back issues from December 2007:
Football: ARSENAL'S ADVENTURE STARTS HERE; Gunners face tough test of title credentials this month.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Mark Langdon TODAY is the day when you open the first window of your advent calender and a lovely treat awaits. For Arsenal, though, it promises to be a severe test in a month that will go a long way to deciding whether they are indeed the real deal in ...
Football: Derby 16-1 shots for Championship crown next season.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Mark Langdon PAUL JEWELL takes charge of bottom club Derby for the first time today and not only does he face an almighty task in trying to keep them in the Premier League, but Coral believe he would find it tough in the Championship next term. The Rams ...
Football: Crouch 5-4 to leave Anfield next month.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Mark Langdon RAFAEL BENITEZ insists Peter Crouch has a future at Liverpool, but the bookmakers are far from convinced and he is only 5-4 with Hills to depart Anfield during the January transfer window. Sven-Goran Eriksson is a known admirer of the beanpole ...
Football: 9-4 Lampard value to notch against his old club; Premier League CHELSEA v WEST HAM SKY SPORTS 1 12.45pm MARK LANGDON'S VERDICT.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: MARK LANGDON FRANK LAMPARD is guaranteed a dreadful reception from the visiting West Ham supporters today, but the former Hammer can silence the boo-boys by getting on the scoresheet at Stamford Bridge this afternoon. Hills have been pushing the boat out with ...
Football: Buoyant Villa can pose Arsenal many problems; Premier League ASTON VILLA v ARSENAL SETANTA SPORTS 5.15pm.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Steve Davies ARSENAL take their unbeaten Premier League record to Villa Park where, contrary to the bookmakers' prices, they should be in for a serious examination of their title-winning credentials. The Gunners are odds-on with most firms but Hills go ...
Football: Hosts look the bet with a start; Premier League ASTON VILLA v ARSENAL SETANTA SPORTS 5.15pm STEVE DAVIES'S VERDICT.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: STEVE DAVIES THE Arsenal machine, which is less exposed on its travels than most, faces a real test today and it promises to be a tight match. Arsenal have played three fewer games away than at home and though unbeaten, their road trips inevitably tend to be ...
Football: Royals clash could get dirty; WEEKEND FORMGUIDE.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Mark Langdon READING'S Premier League clash with Middlesbrough is seen by VC as the most likely 3pm Premier League game to get dirty. Arbiter Alan Wiley is the man with the whistle and the firm quote 5-2 that he produces more cards than the four other ...
Football: INSIDE INFORMATION; Odds-compilers' views.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Why we are short about ... Portsmouth (13-10) v Everton James Farley, Coral Pompey are turning Fratton Park into a fortress and while we expect Everton to give a good account of themselves, we wouldn't want to be laying Harry's side. Indeed, ...
THE STATS THAT MATTER.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Tranmere, who are at Bradford today, have failed to score in six of their last eight games Derby have not scored in their seven Premier League awaydays this season. They visit Sunderland Barnsley have lost their four away games without scoring. They are at Ipswich ...
Football: Rudderless Robins look set to be roasted by 11-2 Rovers.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: MARK LANGDON Swindon v Forest Green THE giantkilling of today's FA Cup second round could come at the County Ground, where Forest Green look capable of shocking their illustrious neighbours Swindon at a tasty 11-2. Forest Green sit sixth in the ...
Free-scoring Falkirk to bash up Buddies.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: Dan Childs has fallen in love with the 5-2 Falkirk St Mirren v Falkirk FALKIRK gave an excellent account of themselves in last Saturday's 3-1 loss at home to Rangers and, if they play to a similar standard today, they could be leaving Love Street with all ...
Football: Royals visit may be bad news for nice guy Gareth.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: TONY CASCARINO WE'VE already had six bosses leave this season and there could be another casualty in the Premier League very soon. In fact if Middlesbrough don't avoid defeat at Reading today I wouldn't be at all surprised if Gareth Southgate leaves the ...
Football: Rafa looks to have signed his own death warrant.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... I'M not sure Rafa Benitez is overly concerned about the the threat of the axe from Liverpool. He can't be or he wouldn't want to be winding up George Gillett and Tom Hicks, the club's owners. Because there's only one outcome and Rafa just needs to look at what ...
Football: Eyes on the prize of the third round; DARREN WRACK.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: The Walsall midfielder with his weekly diary of a lower-league footballer Saturday Today was the first part of our double-header against Northampton - we're due back at Sixfields for an FA Cup second-round tie. Got to the club at 10.30am and to the ...
Football: CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM NEWS.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Blackpool v QPR Seasiders boss Simon Grayson may recall Ian Evatt, Ben Burgess and Adrian Forbes after injury. Dexter Blackstock is banned for the Hoops while Michael Mancienne (hamstring) and Akos Busacky (dead leg are doubtful). Charlton v Burnley ...
Football: Lack of goals a big concern for Robins; Championship FOOTBALL WATFORD v BRISTOL CITY SKY SPORTS 1 5.30pm.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Michael Brear BRISTOL CITY head to Vicarage Road buoyed by the news that they could be hosting World Cup games in a new 40,000-seater stadium in 2018, although it's a lofty ambition based on more than a little speculation, and they'd do well to instead focus on the ...
Football: Hornets can shake off shoddy November form; MICHAEL BREAR'S VERDICT.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... DESPITE all their recent problems, Watford remain top of the table and the extent of the current minicrisis should not be overestimated. Aidy Boothroyd is as good a manager as any at this level when it comes to motivating his side to bounce back from such mediocre form, and a ...
BLACKBURN v NEWCASTLE; PREMIER LEAGUE SPECIAL Best prices: 10-11 Blackburn, 7-2 Newcastle, 5-2 draw.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: Verdicts by DAN CHILDS TEAM NEWS Blackburn are without banned centre-back Ryan Nelson, but have no fresh injury concerns. Defenders Steven Taylor (back, right), Abdoulaye Faye (hamstring) and Claudio Cacapa (knee) are doubts, but Michael Owen ...
PORTSMOUTH v EVERTON; PREMIER LEAGUE SPECIAL Best prices: 13-10 Portsmouth, 13-5 Everton, 9-4 draw.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: Verdicts by DAN CHILDS TEAM NEWS Kanu (right) returns to the Portsmouth squad after a three-week absence with a thigh injury. Harry Redknapp must decide whether to revert to a 4-4-2 to accommodate the Nigerian striker. Everton are without injured ...
READING v MIDDLESBROUGH; PREMIER LEAGUE SPECIAL Best prices: 11-10 Reading, 3-1 Middlesbro, 23-10 draw.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... TEAM NEWS Best prices: 11-10 Reading, 3-1 Middlesbro, 23-10 draw Michael Duberry again misses out with the rib injury he suffered at Fulham early in November. Long-term casualty Glen Little (Achilles) is also out. Boro are without Mark Schwarzer (thumb), ...
SUNDERLAND v DERBY; PREMIER LEAGUE SPECIAL Best prices: 7-10 Sunderland, 9-2 Derby, 13-5 draw.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... TEAM NEWS Kenwyne Jones (rib), Dean Whitehead (knee), Andy Cole (calf) and Carlos Edwards (shoulder, right) are fit, but Nyron Nosworthy (hamstring) is out. Derby have not reported any fresh injuries since their 2-0 loss to Chelsea. VERDICT ...
WIGAN v MAN CITY; PREMIER LEAGUE SPECIAL Best prices: 2-1 Wigan, 7-5 Man City, 9-4 draw.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... TEAM NEWS Emile Heskey (right) is pushing for a starting spot and Antonio Valencia (knee) is also expected to return. Darius Vassell, Michael Johnson Nedum Onuoha and Elano are sidelined, but Vedran Corluka and Emile Mpenza have shaken off knocks. VERDICT ...
Robins' problems mean they have to be laid against Rovers; TRADING POST.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Dan Childs THERE was an optimistic outlook for Swindon fans at the start of the season, but a poor run of results and the departure of their former manager, Paul Sturrock, has darkened the mood at the County Ground. And there are no guarantees that respite ...
Celtic no value with minds on San Siro clash; FOOTBALL HEARTS v CELTIC.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Mark Langdon CELTIC have a massive Champions League date with Milan in Italy on Tuesday and may not be 100 per cent focused on today's lunchtime showdown against Hearts at Tynecastle. The Bhoys will reach the knockout stages of the Champions League with a ...
Apocalypse will provide plenty of pain to titillate the sickos; VIEW FROM THE SOFA Cage Rage Sky Sports 2, 9pm.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: Steve Palmer TONIGHT'S live wrestling 'action' comes from Wembley Arena and is being billed as the Feel The Pain event. I thought the Feel The Pain event was staged at Wembley ten days ago when a load of pesky Croatians condemned English football fans to at ...
Football: Jubilant Vics to build on Rushden success; NON-LEAGUE.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Dan Childs Stafford v Northwich Northwich fans waited until last Saturday's 1-0 home win over Rushden for their first three-point haul of the season but they could be celebrating another victory after today's relegation six-pointer at Stafford. ...
Bunny's right on the money claims Paddy; THE FAR POST.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... PROOF, were it needed, that bookmakers will bet on pretty much anything these days comes in the form of a market on what the best-selling Ann Summers gift will be over the Christmas period. The market is provided by Paddy Power (who else?), who make a rabbit the 2-1 favourite. ...
Football: Arsenal-slayers face humbling at Almeria; EUROPEAN FOOTBALL.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Dan Childs SEVILLE turned on the style against an under strength Arsenal side on Tuesday night but they could be brought crashing back down to earth in tonight's clash at Almeria. The Andalucians have been dogged by inconsistency this term - they have lost ...
Football: The Old Lady can prove she is contender for championship; EUROPEAN FOOTBALL.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Dan Childs JUVENTUS'S one season sabbatical from Serie A is already a distant memory and Claudio Ranieri's side can re-affirm their title credentials by beating Milan at the San Siro this evening. When Milan were crowned European champions in May, there was ...
Horse Racing: Look to Henderson and have No Regrets; GET IT READY!!(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: Richard Birch PART of the thrill of antepost betting is the buildup; the anticipation. It's certainly been an exciting seven days since I backed Snowy Morning each-way at 10-1 for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup (2.40) at Newbury. Daily appearances in the ...
Lay of the day; Coventry (v Sheffield United) GET IT READY!!(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: Richard Birch WITHOUT the goals of Michael Mifsud, Coventry would have scored just three times in their last 11 Championship games from open play - two of which came in the 86th and 90th minutes. Mifsud serves the final part of a three-match suspension versus ...
Get it on early; Vieris Surprise (Romford Gold Cup) GET IT READY!!(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: Richard Birch MONDAY'S much-trumpeted clash between Spiridon Louis and Westmead Aoifa failed to burst into fanfare, partly due to the brilliance of Vieris Surprise. Having seized command from trap-rise, Dean Childs's fastimproving bitch never looked like ...
MAKING IT PAY; This week: 100 per cent concentration needed GET IT READY!!(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: Richard Birch BRENIN CWMTUDU. Couldn't pronounce name, but thought it would win first at Ludlow on Monday. Watched previous victory on excellent Racing Post video form. Bridle job. Impressed. Looked up prices. 2-1 with Victor Chandler an hour before off-time; ...
Football: Pumped-up Blues are the card sharks; SPREADWISE.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: KEVIN PULLEIN IT may take a while for Avram Grant to put his mark on Chelsea, and if it does there could well be a value-for-money bet on today's televised lunchtime derby at home to West Ham. Back Chelsea to receive more cards than West Ham at 9-2 with ...
Football: Wenger may live to regret resting players if his team fail to top their group; THOUGHT FOR THE DAY.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: KEVIN PULLEIN A TEAM who have already qualified for the Champions League knockout stages really should do everything they can to try to finish top of their group. Not only are they likely to get amore favourable draw in the first knockout round but they are ...
Rugby Union: Blustery conditions in Wales may scupper points buyers; SPREADWISE.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Graham Woods THIS afternoon's live EDF Energy Cup match pits Llanelli, the team with the highest aggregate pointsper-match record in the Magners League, against Saracens, who hold that distinction jointly with Gloucester in the Premiership. The Scarlets' ...
Snooker: Red-hot Ding can turn on the style once again; SPREADWISE.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Adrian Humphries DING JUNHUI is back in top form again and it could pay to buy the Chinese star's highest break in his Premier League play-off semifinal against John Higgins in Aberdeen this afternoon. IG quote Ding's highest break in the best-of-nine-frame ...
Brook buckles but backers refunded; TV SPECIALS STRICTLY COME DANCING BBC1, 5.45pm.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Jeremy Chapman KELLY BROOK, third favourite for Strictly Come Dancing, pulled out yesterday after finding it too painful to carry on practising so soon after the death of her father, Kenneth, from cancer on Monday. Ladbrokes, Hills, Power and Skybet decided ...
Cheesy act to go; TV SPECIALS THE X FACTOR ITV1, 6.55pm.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: Mark Longdon GIRL group Hope are red-hot favourites to get the chop from The X Factor, but taking short prices on talent shows has been the quick way to the poorhouse this year, writes Mark Longdon. Time after time the jolly has been upset whether it be ...
Football: Champions League final.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Uefa have decided to move the Champions League final from its traditional Wednesday night slot to a Saturday evening from the 2009-10 season. Three Premier League teams will automatically for the ...
Golf: Practice makes Scott perfect bet.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Steve Palmer JUSTIN ROSE grew up desperate to play in the Nedbank Challenge at Sun City and after finally being unleashed on to the Gary Player Country Club this week the Johannesburg-born Englishman has been making birdies for fun. Rose, 7-1 second ...
Darts: 66-1 Artist looks back to his best.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Steve Davies PHIL TAYLOR leads a stellar list of arrowsmiths into battle for the German Darts Championship in Halle. Grand Slam runner-up Andy Hamilton is one of the few big names swerving the last warmup before the Ladbrokes.com World Championship. ...
Cricket: Zims 100-30 for follow-up victory.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: Max Oram ZIMBABWE are 100-30 to secure the three-ODI series with West Indies tomorrow morning after winning yesterday's opener by 30 runs, writes Max Oram. Four years and four days after last emerging victorious over a major Test-playing nation - the same ...
Bowls: Thomson odds-on to take crown.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: Adrian Humphries ANDY THOMSON is 8-11 with Ladbrokes to beat even-money Mark Royal on this afternoon's Scottish International Open final, writes Adrian Humphries. Thomson is the bookies' favourite after producing some sterling performances in Perth this week ....
Snooker: Favourite Rocket is on course for clean sweep.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Adrian Humphries RONNIE O'SULLIVAN has not been at his most convincing this Premier League regular season, but the round-robin phase is behind us and the important knockout action starts today as far as the Rocket is concerned. O'Sullivan may never emulate ...
Cowboys turn up play-off heat; AMERICAN FOOTBALL.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: Phil Agius DALLAS confirmed themselves as the NFC's leading contenders for Super Bowl glory with a crucial 37-27 win over Green Bay on Thursday night, writes Phil Agius. The teams went into the game with matching 10-1 records but the Cowboys now effectively ...
No shocks on BBC award shortlist; TV SPECIALS.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... ALL the likely contenders safely made it on to the shortlist for the BBC sports personality of the year award after the chosen ten were named last night. Lewis Hamilton is the 4-11 favourite to drive off with the award and only a Ricky Hatton victory over Floyd Mayweather in ...
Miss Northern Ireland.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... LADBROKES expect a hometown decision in Miss World this afternoon after Miss China was backed from 25-1 to 2-1 to win in Sanya, China. The local lass is a best-priced 3-1, while Miss Northern Ireland is the shortest-priced home ...
Rugby Union: Sarries set to grind down Scarlets in hunt for semi spot; EDF Energy Cup LLANELLI v SARACENS BBC ONE 2.30pm.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Graham Woods SARACENS boast a perfect record in the EDF Energy Cup with ten points from two matches and need only avoid defeat or claim two bonus points at Llanelli today to reach the semis. The Scarlets need to win without conceding a bonus point and have ...
Rugby Union: ROBBO'S LAST HURRAH.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Graham Woods A STAR-STUDDED Barbarians side against world champions South Africa at Twickenham. A piece of history, an occasion to savour. But bet on the result? You must be joking. Anything can happen when the Baa-Baas are in town and with so much talent ...
Football: Celtic no value with minds on San Siro clash; HEARTS v CELTIC SPL SENTANTA SPORTS 12.30pm.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Mark Langdon CELTIC have a massive Champions League date with Milan in Italy on Tuesday and may not be 100 per cent focused on today's lunchtime showdown against Hearts at Tynecastle. The Bhoys will reach the knockout stages of the Champions League with a ...
Can he prove them all wrong?(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... He's the long-time ante-post favourite for the Hennessy, but the mighty Denman now has few friends, with even trainer Paul Nicholls doubting his star's fitness James Willoughby, pages 2-3 Owner Harry Findlay, page 4 Paul Nicholls' exclusive column, page 8 ...
Horse Racing: Even at his peak Denman would need to prove a muddy marvel with this weight; 2.40 HENNESSY GOLD CUP.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: James Willoughby on the factors that have conspired against victory for the topweight THERE was no need for slow-motion footage from Newbury yesterday. The races themselves provided enough of that. Testing conditions, combined with the tendency of Newbury to ...
Horse Racing: Rain may soften Newbury ground; 2.40 HENNESSY GOLD CUP.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... NEWBURY clerk of the course Richard Osgood yesterday warned that more rain was forecast ahead of racing today. With 8-10mm due before 10pm last night, Osgood predicted that the going would be "good to soft, soft in places or vice-versa" before the first race. He said ...
Horse Racing: WEXFORD; 2.40 HENNESSY GOLD CUP.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... WEXFORD'S meeting today was cancelled last night because of waterlogging. "The course had a ...
Horse Racing: 'What if he hacks up under 11st 121b? What will all the others think then?' 2.40 HENNESSY COGNAC GOLD CUP Harry Findlay, legendary punter and joint-owner of Denman, tells Peter Thomas he knows his horse has a tough task today, and yet . . .(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: Peter Thomas WHILE everybody else is worrying about whether Denman will be cherry-ripe for his assignment at Newbury today, the gelding's owner, Harry Findlay, is busy worrying about everybody else. The intrepid punter is under no illusions about the task ...
Horse Racing: Bridle horse is badly handicapped, says Johnson; 2.40 HENNESSY COGNAC GOLD CUP Abragante Contender.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: Rodney Masters SO, who is kidding who in the Abragante guessing game? Senior handicapper Phil Smith thought Timmy Murphy was attempting to hoodwink him by restricting Abragante's winning distance at Wincanton to two and a half lengths when, Smith considered, ...
Horse Racing: Mullins hoping to end Ireland's drought; 2.40 HENNESSY COGNAC GOLD CUP Contender Snowy Morning.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: Tony O'Hehir THE statistics show that Newbury's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup has not been a good race for Irish-trained horses, but that has not stopped the money coming for Snowy Morning. Apart from Arkle's two wins in the 1960s, there has been only one other ...
Horse Racing: Murphy: staying power not in doubt; 2.40 HENNESSY COGNAC GOLD CUP Contender New Alco.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: Rodney Masters ASK Ferdy Murphy if he reckons there are negatives appended to New Alco's Hennessy chance, and without a pause he replies no, he can see only positives. The trainer also has an immediate response to anyone who points out the one possible flaw ...
Horse Racing: Trip right but lack of experience a concern; 2.40 HENNESSY COGNAC GOLD CUP Contender Patsy Hall.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: Tony O'Hehir TONY MARTIN is hoping that a return to long distances will aid Patsy Hall's cause when the seven-year-old, who has stealthily made his way up the Hennessy betting, makes his second appearance for the County Meath trainer today. A three-time ...
Horse Racing: Turnell worried Bible Lord may need another outing; 2.40 HENNESSY COGNAC GOLD CUP Contenders Rest of the field.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Key stat In the last ten years, just ten per cent of the total runners were attempting to carry a winner's penalty, yet four won. Today's qualifiers are New Alco and Sir Rembrandt Nicky Henderson, trainer of Juveigneur "With a recent run over hurdles, we've given him ...
Horse Racing: HENNESSY SUPERLATIVES; 2.40 HENNESSY COGNAC GOLD CUP.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: Compiled by JOHN RANDALL Best winning performance Arkle (1965) The supreme champion put up perhaps his greatest performance in his second Hennessy victory, carrying 12st 7lb and beating Freddie (received 32lb) by 15 lengths at odds of 1-6 Worst ...
Horse Racing: Inglis out to repel young guns in bid for hat-trick; 2.05 LONG DISTANCE HURDLE.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: Bill Barber The race Key stat Six of the last eight winners carried the full 8lb penalty to success - all were favourites Inglis Drever is the third of the 'big four' from the Cheltenham Festival to return to action this season, and connections ...
Horse Racing: Denman still on burly side for such a red-hot race.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: PAUL NICHOLLS IT WAS on Thursday morning that the reality of the situation suddenly dawned on me. I watched Denman jumping in our loose school, then turned to his joint-owner, Paul Barber, and said: "He still looks a bit burly to me and he needs to be tighter than that ...
Horse Racing: Kauto in great nick following Haydock victory.(Sports)
Dec 01, 2007 ... Byline: PAUL NICHOLLS KAUTO STAR has been in top order since Haydock. He was hardly blowing in the unsaddling enclosure afterwards - a trait he showed last year. For me, his first two performances this season were superior to his first two runs last season, when he didn't have ...