Grand National Win

Just a message to gloat really.

After my message about always picking the one with three legs yesterday, it came as a surprise as my bet - and also one of my tips on this blog yesterday - actually won the Grand National, and pocketed me a cool 20 quid. Although it's not as much as I expected, still good enough to send me happy.

Bit disappointed Mckelvey fell, and had to be put to sleep though. Sad end to a fantastic day really.

So which horse are you backing?

It's that time of year when the bookies make an absolute fortune. Yes, for horse racing fanatics, Aintree awaits for the annual Grand National event.

I've decided to take a look at the runners and riders in the latest blog, which is getting posted on less by the week. Don't worry folks, once I'm back to Uni sipping the usual pint of Carlsberg, I will post up a lot more.

Usually people just pick out the horse (or donkey) that sticks out in a likeness to them, which is probably the wrong way to go about it as, like me, you probably end up with the one with three bandy legs and the jockey is built like Johnny Vegas. No offence, Johnny.

So, the first one I've picked out is none other than Hedgehunter, which according to my trusty odds, is going for about 23/1 - certainly worth a quid each way bet.

But if you do like the likenesses, then go for Snowy Morning at 25/1. This weekend's weather could certainly be worth a flutter on that. If it's snowy, it's certainly going to be cloudy, so favourite Cloudy Lane may also be worth a dabble, although the narrow odds of 6/1 may not be as worthwhile as it seems.

Whatever you do, don't go for Iron Man at 179/1. Like good old Maggie Thatcher, this horse will probably mess up your chances of winning something, just like Maggie messed up the country.

But, I think I'm going to go for Comply or Die. Well, the threat certainly made me contemplate doing it. If you're feeling extremely lucky, go put a fiver on Contraband at 399/1.

Just my luck for them all to fall over. Odds of around 25/1 I'd hazard a guess at. Have fun!

Are Castleford having a false start by signing.....err..Dwain Chambers?!

On your marks.......get set......try! I think we're all a little puzzled as to why Super League basement side, Castleford Tigers, have decided to sign failed athletics star Dwain Chambers.

As many journalists and supporters on Friday night were enjoying the spectacle that was St Helens versus Leeds at Knowsley Road, the story that took precedent was the announcement that Dwain Chambers, athletics star who had previously been banned for taking performance enhancing drugs, had signed for the Tigers.

I've refrained from commenting on the story since then, as I've taken a back-view to see what actually comes out in the press over the weekend, ahead of the "major" - or not so major now - press conference that occurs on Monday.

It seems that there has been a split in the world of rugby league, especially with a moralistic outlook on the change of sport from Chambers.

While many opposing clubs are relishing the chance to play against someone who has never played the game, fans were somewhat taking the mickey out of the Tigers club whose publicity stunt seems to have backfired.

Legend Martin Offiah was all the move, but since then rugby league great Alex Murphy, has spoke out opposing the view, insisting the RFL should not allow this.

Now come on, let's look at it from an unbiased perspective. Chambers has done the crime, and suffered the consequences. He's lost all his medals, he's lost his image and credibility, and has had the humiliation, as well as served his punishment.

I can understand people's concerns about him coming into sport, especially with his past history, but we've got to believe these people will repent and turn over a new leaf. But didn't Ryan Hudson also serve a suspension for performance enhancing drugs? Why wasn't he treated in a similar limelight? One simple fact: rugby league is a minority sport. If the sport had been more popular, then no doubt he'd have got the same criticism, but throughout the sporting world there are cheats. Let's face it, the people who cheat are only cheating themselves.

But the most mystifying thing on people's minds is what the Tigers actually gain from a stunt like this? With screaming headlines such as "Drugby League," and many articles containing the words "drugs cheat", is there such thing as bad publicity being good publicity? Well, again, in my opinion, yes. This raises awareness of the Castleford brand and of rugby league. Put it this way, just how many people will turn out to see his first game at rugby league, whether it be at Super League or academy level?

Then we've got the training. He's not just here, for a chance to play the sport, but he can pass on tips to the younger players about fitness, keeping healthy, and more importantly, sprinting. He will have a humongous lift on the all-rounded aspect of the game.

And then there is the community benefits. Chambers is likely to front an anti-drugs campaign by the club, highlighting the problems and stupidity regarding illegal and illicit substances.

Is the reported 60,000 pound a week salary a justifiable sum. Maybe, not in the eyes of some supporters, but it will be interesting to see how this story unfolds from this point forward.

England bowl out New Zealand

After my scathing comments of England in the first test against New Zealand, I had expected similar performances in the rest of the series.

But - true to form - the boys from good ol' Blighty proved me wrong (how many times as that been now?) by winning two tests against the Kiwis and winning the entire series in the process.

The victory was the first overseas win since 2005, so it ends a barren run for England abroad.

The star was Monty Panesar. The Northamptonshire spinner nailed 6 batsmen out for 126 runs off his spells at the wicket.

England did much better in the second test, especially with the bat, but it was the ball that did much of the damage. The Kiwis were bowled out for just 191 runs, a meagre score chasing England's tally of 342.

And despite a good second innings total, it wasn't enough to reach the 438 runs needed to win the match; England bowling them out for 311.

And so to the deciding test in Napier. England searching for the second win, New Zealand looking to win on their own turf.

After Hoggard and Harmison were dropped, the England bowling attack surprisingly got much better. Coincidence?

England's first half total of 253 was pretty darn average, but the bowling again was excellent with NZ falling for 168. But the second innings total of 467-7 declared, after just day 3 of the test put England firmly in the driving seat.

In the end it was left for Panesar to work his magic, despite some firm resistance from Brendan McCullum and Ross Taylor who shared a partnership of over 100.

Gunners running out of Arsenal..

Apologies to my readers, who have been expecting daily blog updates, but it has been a busy time around chateau Mark.

Today saw some top quality football action in Grand Slam Super Sunday football, as it had been touted and in a way it was a super Sunday cram packed full of action.

The day kicked off with Champions League chasers Liverpool travelling to Old Trafford to face Manchester Utd, while in the 4pm kick off succeeding was the international game between Chelski and Le Arsenal.

And following several rude and amusing texts from friends regarding the Manchester match, I decided to switch on in time for a self-destruction session from Liverpool.

It seems the disease of flapping goalkeepers has gone around the country again (it must be the weather). Scott Carson had a bit of an howler for Villa yesterday, and today was the turn of Pepe Reina. The Spaniard made several ill-decisions, one which ended in the first goal of the game as Wes Brown rose to nod home off the less-than-sticky reliable hands of Reina.

Javier Mascherano also showed his worth, by getting sent off. His first attempt at an innocuous challenge ended up catching Paul Scholes, and his, err, second booking was even more stupid. Liverpool won a free-kick after a foul on Fernando Torres, and Mascherano decided that he wanted a chin-wag with the ref. Bearing in mind the controversial issues surrounding players and refs over the last few days, it wasn't a wise move by the Argentine, who has yet to justify the Reds decision in splashing the cash over him.

Ashley Cole was lucky to stay on the field of play earlier in the week and his Chelsea teammates stalking the ref at every opportunity, you'd think that his fellow professionals would take heed and not do anything.

Instead Javier ran from one side of the field, and consistently back-chatting the ref. Rafa Benitez shouted to him to back off, but obviously the words got lost in translation - or Mascherano cannot understand plain English. Of course there's only so much you can take, and it ended up in a kerfuffle as he was given a second yellow. Not only did he stay on the field, but continued to mouth at the referee until the fourth official had to drag him off the field.

And in the end that was the end of the battle. Cristiano Ronaldo cannot stop scoring, and this was proved once again when he nodded in a poweful header, which was closely followed by United's third, an impressive finish from Nani.

Chelsea came from behind to beat the Gunners 2-1. Sagna gave Arsene Wenger's men the lead, but Didier Drogba's quick-fire two goals put Chelsea in front and the three points.

The result means Arsenal's form dips even more, and plunges them further away from the title. It's starting to make Wenger's comments look a little rash. Still many games to go though, and it should be exciting to the finish.