The National Hunt season really kicks off today with the start of the three-day Open meeting from Cheltenham.

The meeting kicks off at 1.15pm with the Irish Times Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase. The queen of the amateur riding set is Nina Carberry and she has an interesting mount on board Irish raider Aggie’s Lad. Respect is always worth paying when Tony Martin sends one of his charges over the Irish Sea and the 9/2 available at totesport suggests this is no different.

There are a couple of short priced favourites in the second and third races at Prestbury Park in the shape of the Paul Nicholls trained American Trilogy (11/8) and Nigel Twiston-Davies charge Battlecry (8/11) respectively.

The highlight of the afternoon’s racing is undoubtedly the cross country chase at three O’clock and there’s some really interesting runners. Enda Bolger will again hope to take the prize after stable star Spotthedifference won the race an incredible four times and retired after last years win.

Bolger comes here double handed with Garde Champetre, winner of the festival Cross Country race back in March and new acquisition and former Gold Cup and Grand National runner L’Ami.

Garde Champetre is certainly the one to beat here at odds of 15/8 with totesport but is giving nearly a stone away to stable companion L’Ami, who if takes to the fences could capitalise. If you’re looking for some each-way value, unknown sort Juventus travels over from the Czech Republic. The cross-country specialist has placed three times in the prestigious Velka Pardubicka, including third in the latest renewal and is a 33/1 shot in the betting with totesport.

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After a shambolic episode of the UK’s favourite car crash TV program the X Factor last week where Laura White got cruelly eliminated from the show, it seems as though it’s been the hot topic of conversation on the lips of housewives and teenagers up and down the country.

In fact, following a large internet campaign and even a mention in parliament from the Culture Secretary about the injustice of Laura being eliminated from the show, totesport are offering 5/1 about her being re-instated into the program.

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It’s that time of year again, I’m a celebrity get me out of here begins in earnest this Sunday and totesport have some special match bets to celebrate.

There are a couple of wags amongst the contestants this year and although they may be divisions apart on the football field they’re much close priced in the jungle league betting.

Joe Cole’s squeeze Carly Zucker is an 8/13 shot with totesport to triumph over Peterborough United star Tom Williams who is priced at 6/5.

Totesport also have an Eastenders match bet available on this series favourite Joe Swash versus Sid Owen who finished third in series three. There may be some value to be had on Joe at 5/6 each of two.

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It’s officially the last day of the flat season tomorrow and totesport have sponsored six of the seven race card at Doncaster, including the feature totescoop6 November Handicap.

This is a real competitive handicap with top weight Presvis likely to go off favourite. The Cumani trained four year old was a winner last time out in the John Smith Stakes at Newbury and has the champion jockey elect on his back, he’s sure to take some beating.

Four of the last six winners in the race have been three year olds, so it may be worth having a closer look at Betchworth Kid, the highest rated of the trio of three year olds in this years renewal. A win here would cap off a superb season for jockey Hayley Turner and should be vying for third favourtism around the 10/1 mark.Elsewhere, the jumps season gathers pace at Wincanton with the feature Badger Ales Trophy following the totetentofollow.co.uk Elite Hurdle.

Leading Attraction will go off a likely favourite in the chase, with Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh having a terrific record at the Wiltshire track. The seven year old was bought by Trevor Hemmings in the summer after a decent novice career and with course form to boot should be difficult to beat here.

Another one to have a look at is Aztec Warrior. Course form and well in the weights the Henrietta Knight trained seven year old could have each-way claims with Andrew Thornton on board.

There are only five runners in the Elite Hurdle but the Champion two mile hurdler is amongst them and will take the beating here. If you were to oppose the champ, Takeroc and Chomba Womba both showed promise last season and could spring a surprise.

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After a week where none of the so called ‘big 4′ managed a victory in the Champions League, they’ll be looking to get back to winning ways in the Premiership this weekend.

The stand out fixture is Saturday lunchtime’s Arsenal v Manchester United match up where Arsene Wenger will be gunning for a home win. Wenger and his young Arsenal team have had a torrid last ten days but still only sit six points off the top back in fourth, just one point behind the visitors.

The draw at home to rivals Spurs was less of a concern to Wenger as the Gunners gave the lead away rather than lose it, but the away performace at Stoke three days later will be of much more concern to the Frenchman, who has since accused the Potters of bullying his players.

One thing for sure is that Wenger won’t get any favours from Alex Ferguson and his United team who have turned the corner after a slow start and have started to look imperious in attack. Add to this the home team missing forwards Robin Van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor, which may explain why the 6/4 for Manchester United has been clipped into 5/4 in the betting by totesport.

I can’t see past an away win to pile on the pain for Arsene Wenger and you can back Dimitar Berbatov to score anytime at 13/8 with totesport and back over 2.5 goals at 11/10.

You can bet in-running on this match at totesport.

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After some truly woeful pointers in yesterday’s blog, it’s back to basics for tonight’s Champions League fixtures.

A fortnight ago we suggested that Manchester United would concede at home to Celtic but that wasn’t the case, in fact, Celtic are yet to score a goal in this years Champions League. However, with United shipping three goals against Hull at the weekend and Celtic being notoriously difficult to beat in Glasgow tonight could be the night the Buoys break their duck.

With this in mind the 11/2 with totesport in the betting for a 1-1 correct score looks a decent bet.

Elsewhere, Arsene Wenger is claiming his young squad are being targeted by bullies and that players are deliberately going out of their way to injure Adebayor, Walcott et al. I’m sure this rather hypocritical viewpoint is aimed to deflect the pressure off of his failing squad but tonight’s match versus Fenerbahce shouldn’t prove to be too much of a problem.

Robin Van Persie will probably start tonight due to his ensuing suspension in the Premier League this weekend and you can back him at 7/2 to score first tonight at totesport.

A repeat of the 5-2 win in Turkey a fortnight ago is on the cards a a 4-0 win for the home team is available at 10/1.

You can bet line in-running on both of these matches at totesport.

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No sooner had Robert Karlsson been congratulated for winning the European Order of Merit at Valderrama on Sunday evening, the Swede was then whisked off to board his flight to China and take his place in the field for the 2009 Race to Dubai.

The Race to Dubai replaces the Order of Merit for the 2009 season, with the top sixty players entering into the Dubai World Championship in a years time where there’ll be a staggering $10 million prize fund.

The season kicks off in Shanghai this week in the form of the HSBC Champions Tournament and there’s no surprise that some of the US Tour regulars are trying to get a piece of the action. Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and Anthony Kim head the betting at 9/1, 10/1 and 12/1 respectively with totesport. Other US Tour regulars Camillo Villegas, Adam Scott, KJ Choi and Geoff Ogilvy also make the trip.

It’s the two Aussies that spark interest with Adam Scott at 20/1 and Ogilvy a 33/1 shot. Scott had a poor 2008 season by his hi standards but much of his woes can be put down to injury. If the young Australian can come back refreshed here he’s a decent price. Ogilvy’s another steady Eddie and at 33/1 represents some value in this field.

Make sure to get your bets on early as the event tees off at1.25am UK time tonight.

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A fortnight on and it’s the return fixtures in the Champions League. Tonight’s matches see home interest with Liverpool hosting Atletico at Anfield and Chelsea traveling to Italy’s capital to face Roma.

Liverpool let slip a lead in Spain when Portuguese winger Simao slotted home to punish some lousy finishing from the Reds. A similar story to that of the Spurs defeat at the weekend which makes you wonder whether the 11/2 on the Spaniards at totesport represents value.

Atletico have gone unbeaten since the first match and with Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan up top they certainly have a goal threat. You can back either to score anytime at 9/4 and 5/2 respectively with totesport.

Despite the home defeat to Liverpool in the league, Big Phil Scolari’s team have smashed eight goals with no returns in their two Premier League games since and we can see them keeping another clean sheet in Rome.

Roma are all over the place domestically and tonight’s match won’t come as a welcome distraction. However, it was a tight and nervy affair in the 1-0 win for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the return fixture and backing unders at 8/13 could be the way forward here.

Elsewhere, a £25 treble on Inter, Barcelona and FC Cluj wins you just over £40.

Totesport will be betting live in-running on both the Liverpool and Chelsea matches.

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The North London Derby is the live match offering tonight and with the recent goings on at White Hart lane there’s added an extra edge to this game.

Now it’s probably worth pointing out that as a Spurs fan it’s very difficult to remain impartial when discussing such a fixture. However, only a fool would back Spurs at the Emirates tonight.

That saying, totesport are happy to go best price Arsenal at 4/9 and it could be one to add toyour Premiership enhanced odds coupon.

Spurs do have the new manager syndrome and the Harry Redknapp factor but Harry would be the first to tell you that his record against Arsene Wenger is not the best.

Arsenal won this fixture rather fortuitously last season after a spirited Spurs team went down 2-1 after missing a penalty and conceding a late winner. Spurs did have Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane leading the line that day however and scoring goals has been the main problem this season.

Redknapp played Luka Modric in behind Roman Pavlyuchenko and that seemed to pay dividends with the Croatian pulling the strings in the 2-0 win over Bolton. Modric is a 9/2 shot to score anytime with totesport.

From an Arsenal perspective, a win here is imperative. With defeat to Chelsea and dropped points from Manchester United at the weekend there 2-0 away win at West Ham pushed them right back in to contention.

They’ll be certainly pumped up for this one and if Cesc Fabregas’s claims that Spurs wouldn’t beat Arsenal ladies team is correct then this should be a cake walk. Truth is, they should win this one, but they should have beaten Fulham and Hull and we all know what happened there. Fabregas’s own personal humiliation at the Lane last January obviously still cuts deep and Arsene Wenger will be hoping these comments don’t come back to haunt him.

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There’s a stellar line up at this weeks Volvo Masters at Valderrama in Spain and why not with €4.25m on offer for the top sixty European Tour players plus the Order of Merit title at stake.

Sergio Garcia cannot win the Order of Merit but has been installed as the 5/1 favourite with totesport after his fine victory last week in the Castello Masters. The Spaniard has never won the Volvo Masters but has three second places there in the past four seasons so should go close again this week.

Robert Karlsson leads the Order of Merit by a couple of hundred grand going into the tournament but with Padraig Harrington breathing down his neck and a mouthwatering €708k on offer to the winner there’s still some work to do. These two are 10/1 and best price 11/1 with totesport respectively but mathematically two more players have a chance of taking the title.

Lee Westwood is currently third in the rankings and Miguel Angel Jimenez fourth. It would probably take a miracle for the latter to win the title but he does have some course form at Valderrama. Winner here in 1999 and a top ten finish last season could see the 33/1 shot Spaniard gain another title to cap of a really good season.

Another 33/1 shot who could come from the pack is Rory McIlroy. The young Ulsterman has been knocking on the door with three top ten finishes in the last four weeks and will relish this chance to mix it with the big boys. He’s had a brilliant first season and it’d be the icing on the cake if he could make the top five here.

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