Bets of the Day: Horse racing, football and rugby league

Racing

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Richard Mann

Even Keel to win the 3.50 Newmarket

EVEN KEEL has always been held in high regard by trainer Jonathan Portman and despite taking five starts to get off the mark, the Born The Sea colt has really flourished in the last couple of months.

He might well be chasing a four-timer in the Coral Nursery Handicap (3.50) had he not met trouble in running at Sandown but he is clearly on a steep upward curve at present and looks capable of winning again.

David Ord

Happy Power to win the 4.15 Newmarket

Andrew Balding’s HAPPY POWER has been to Hamilton for his last two starts, winning a maiden that has worked out very well in August.

He returned to the track last month for a novice stakes and shaped well in defeat, being short of room at a crucial stage before finishing third, beaten just a length-and-a-half, by subsequent Group Three winner East.

The runner-up Constant heads to a Listed race at York’s final meeting and the selection, a 625,000 son of Dark Angel, promises to improve further going up to seven furlongs. He looks a good bet in against capable – but more exposed – rivals.

Matt Brocklebank

Kadar to win the 2.25 Newmarket

KADAR was a non-runner in the Royal Lodge the other week but I was really impressed by his winning debut at Haydock earlier in September and he's an exciting type for Karl Burke and Phoenix Thoroughbred in the Masar Godolphin Autumn Stakes.

He's another quality-looking two-year-old courtesy of the ill-fated Scat Daddy and while he only beat six horses first time out, he did it with loads to spare at the line and two of the vanquished have won since, albeit in handicaps.

There could be another boost to the form in the opening race at HQ as Haydock runner-up Waldstern runs against Persian King – either way, Burke can do no wrong currently and it's hoped he can keep the ball rolling with this expensive colt.

Simon Holt

Anthony Van Dyck to win the 3.00 Newmarket

Saturday's Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes, the most prestigious two-year-old race run in Britain, looks a vintage renewal in which ANTHONY VAN DYCK may have the most solid form.

Aidan O'Brien's highly-regarded son of Galileo won a Group Three and a Group Two at Leopardstown and The Curragh before running an excellent race in the Group One National Stakes last time, when going down by just over a length to the smart Godolphin juvenile Quorto with four-and-a-half lengths back to his re-opposing stable companion Christmas in third and another near two lengths back to Mohawk - who has subsequently won the Royal Lodge Stakes.

On his previous start at The Curragh, Anthony Van Dyck had again beaten Christmas and Mohawk but with less daylight between them suggesting his latest run was another step forward.

At this stage, the National Stakes form has greater substance than the winning efforts of Too Darn Hot and Sangarius even though both have been very impressive.

Football

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Tom Carnduff

Plymouth to beat Oxford

It's a real six-pointer at the bottom of the Sky Bet League One standings as Oxford and PLYMOUTH meet with just two wins between them this season. The hosts sit at the foot of the table with just six points in 12 games and 23 goals conceded.

Plymouth haven't done much better as they are just one point ahead, although they are on a two-game unbeaten run and won last time out.

Any side struggles if they can't win in front of their own fans, and that's the issue for Oxford with their only victory coming at the Kassam Stadium. Plymouth have picked up points in recent encounters on the road, while Oxford's last three home games have all ended in 2-1 defeats.

It's a game that could go either way, but the 29/10 available on an away victory looks overpriced when you factor in their opposition's poor start as well.

Sporting Life Accumulator

Southend, Lincoln and MK Dons to win at 11/1

Rugby league

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Tom Carnduff

Stefan Ratchford to score anytime

Stefan Ratchford to be man of the match

John Bateman to be man of the match

While Wigan are fancied, they will have their work cut out to stop STEFAN RATCHFORD, with the full back being a key part in Warrington's progress to this point.

His attacking intent and ability to get his side up the pitch have contributed massively and as the joint-second highest try scorer for the Wolves this season with 15, he's their key man.

A Wigan win could also see JOHN BATEMAN put in a performance worthy of the trophy in what will be his last appearance for the Warriors before departing for the NRL and it's worth splitting stakes on the pair.

The forward was on the three-man shortlist for the Man of Steel award, although he missed out to St. Helens' Ben Barba.

He has picked up numerous man of the match awards throughout the season and the story line is also there for him to potentially win it at Old Trafford.

Cricket

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Richard Mann

Joe Root to be England's top runscorer

The first match of the series was washed out earlier in the week, but not before England got a taste of what they will face on the remainder of the trip.

Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow both made typically bright starts but Sri Lanka’s spinners were able to exert plenty of control once they were introduced and England’s ability to accumulate against a strong spin attack in these conditions will be crucial if the tourists are to enjoy success over the coming weeks.

Step forward JOE ROOT. England’s best player and most accomplished batsman against spin looked in fine touch when stroking 25 not out in the series opener and his ability to prosper in these alien conditions suggests he could be worth supporting at 3/1 to be England’s top runscorer in the match.

And one for next week...