What Happens Next? Ante-post betting column

Racing

We’ve had some striking Classic trials in the last week but one of the most taking performances in those races was from a horse that was beaten.

Saeed bin Suroor’s Dream Castle (pictured, above right) is the horse in question, as he raced freely in the seven-furlong Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday before impressively moving into the lead two furlongs from home.

At that stage he looked as though he might run away with it, but as he tied up in the closing stages another Godolphin horse, Richard Hannon’s Barney Roy, moved upsides and then two lengths clear by the line.

Dream Castle made a good impression, however, especially with sprinting trips in mind. It’s not surprising he shows so much speed being out of a dam who won the Flying Childers at two and this is a Frankel colt that could well come into his own when dropped back to six furlongs.

His trainer is pondering the French Guineas and whether to put a hood on him, but the Commonwealth Cup over six furlongs at Royal Ascot in June could be a more appropriate target.

Dream Castle is 8/1 for the Commonwealth Cup with Sky Bet, but it might be worth keeping the powder dry for now in the hope that he runs in the French Guineas and gets beaten on stamina grounds.

That could force his connections hand with the Commonwealth Cup in mind – and he might well drift to a bigger price than 8/1 as well. (Ben Linfoot)

Click here to bet on the Commonwealth Cup with Sky Bet

Football

Several long-term football prices caught the eye on what was a cracking weekend’s action.

I’ll start in the Premier League where I simply can’t have Liverpool as 7/4 shots to miss out on the top four following their home defeat to Crystal Palace. Likewise, Manchester City should not be 8/1 in the same market.

Yes, on paper their run-ins look kind but certainly Liverpool have shown regularly their inability to put the so-called lesser sides way – while top of the Big Six ‘mini-league’ their six losses this season have all come against sides currently in the bottom nine.

Both City and United have two games in hand on Liverpool yet sit just two and three points respectively behind them. United could even afford to lose Thursday’s derby and climb above Liverpool were they to win their other game in hand comfortably.

Yes, United have tougher fixtures and a Europa League campaign continuing but it should also be remembered that Arsenal are also still in the picture – again if they win their games in hand they can go above Jurgen Klopp’s men. And the Gunners – confidence boosted by a great result against Manchester City on Sunday - have regularly delivered at this time of the season in the past.

Liverpool’s performance against Palace left a lot to be desired and shows Klopp has failed to fix long-standing deficiencies in his side. Basically 7/4 looks tempting.

Moving onto the FA Cup final, early prices are up and those who like stats-based bets may well be interested in the 5/4 about at least one side failing to score when Chelsea and Arsenal meet on May 27.

Only six of the last 23 finals have seen both sides score, while only one of the last 10 Chelsea v Arsenal meetings has produced that outcome.

Finally, the LaLiga title betting was shaken up by Barcelona’s thrilling late victory over Real Madrid on Sunday night and Barca now look worth serious consideration as the 13/8 outsiders.

It’s 75 points apiece but while Real have played a game less, they also have the harder run-in, including a home game with fourth-placed Sevilla and a final-day trip to Malaga, who beat Barca 2-0 on the Costa del Sol a fortnight ago.

Real also have what are sure to be two highly-competitive Champions League semi-final games to play against city rivals Atletico, meaning they have eight games left before the end of LaLiga, whereas Barca have just five.

Real’s confidence must have been jolted to some extent by what occurred in the Camp Nou on Sunday – anything but defeat would have left them in a very strong position - and with Barca knowing they will win the title courtesy of their head-to-head record v Real if the sides finish level on points, there’s surely value in backing them for the title at 13/8. (Andy Schooler)

Click here for all the latest football odds from Sky Bet

Golf

Kevin Chappell claimed the Texas Open at the weekend and while it's obviously very easy to start talking about PGA Tour champions contending for the Majors after their wins, there's good reason to on this occasion.

The Texas Open at TPC San Antonio has been a surprisingly good Major guide - Jimmy Walker and Adam Scott both won it before their top-level breakthroughs, while Brendan Steele contended in the USPGA the same year he triumphed (2011).

That's notable given they've only been playing there since 2010 and can largely be explained because it's a tough course, designed by a Major winner, Greg Norman, with help from Sergio Garcia.

Chappell was the best non-title winner around and could easily kick on after his maiden PGA crown. He already has a top-three finish in the US Open to his name and both US-based majors this season, the US Open and PGA, would look to suit.

Chappell is currently 100/1 for the former and 125s for the latter which may interest some. (Ben Coley)

Click here for all the latest golf odds from Sky Bet

Rugby Union

My ante-post pick, Saracens, still look a rock-solid bet after securing their place in this year’s Champions Cup final.

The defending champions proved too strong for Munster in their semi-final on Saturday and will now meet French giants Clermont Auvergne at Murrayfield on May 13.

Saracens are best price of 4/6 to retain their crown with Clermont 7/4 to deny the English champions.

Clermont edged home 27-22 in a titanic tussle with Leinster on home soil, but it was Saracens’ display in overpowering Munster in Dublin which caught the eye and only enhanced my belief that the trophy will return to Allianz Park this season.

For those not on at a bigger price, there may still be time to secure a good profit from the men from North London. (Steve Bramley)

Back Saracens to win the Champions Cup with Sky Bet