In the first of a two-part interview, Henderson discusses his prospects of tasting yet more big race glory at the Festival, and outlines the prospects of horses such as My Tent or Yours in the Champion Hurdle and Sprinter Sacre in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, and also gives a steer towards Altior in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle as his best bet of the week. He also tells Emma about the prospect of battling master Irish trainer Willie Mullins, who has a star-studded line-up to take into battle once again at this year's Cheltenham Festival.
Remember to bag price boosts on ALL runners ten minutes before the off in EVERY Cheltenham Festival race and tune into betting.888sport.com for Emma Spencer's three best bets of the day!
The Serbian came through a dramatic three-set victory over world number one Andy Murray in the Qatar Open final on Saturday.
He is now the favourite to lift a seventh crown in Melbourne – and sixth in the last seven years – having beaten Murray in the last two finals.
Djokovic is focused on wrestling back that number one slot from Murray in what looks like being a fascinating contest ahead.
He said: "We both felt like if every match we are going to play against each other is going to be this way this season, we are going to have a fun time.
"This was the best scenario I could ask for at the beginning of the season, playing all five matches in this tournament and then three hours against the number one of the world, biggest rival, and winning in a thrilling marathon match.
"It is something that definitely can serve as a positive incentive for what's coming up in Australia."
Murray, guaranteed to be number one seed, believes there is more to come from him in 2017. The Scot, beaten in five finals Down Under, is 7/4 to stop being the bridesmaid.
He said: “Physically it was a good test to start the year and I did good there. Obviously I am disappointed not to win but I played pretty good the last couple of the matches.
"My body feels all right just now, so that's positive. It was a little bit sore earlier in the week after the first couple of the matches but I felt better each day and I think it is positive.
"I still think there are things I can do better because I wasn't that clinical on break points this week, which maybe comes with playing a few more matches.”
It was a first defeat for Murray following a remarkable run since losing to Juan Martin del Potro when playing for Great Britain in the semi-final of the Davis Cup in September.
The 29-year-old added: "I still think I have a chance of winning the Australian Open. I don't think that changes."
Rafael Nadal, who sole Australian Open came in 2009, is the 12/1 third favourite alongside 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka with Milos Raonic at 17/1.
Emma previews the 2016 Epsom Derby. With several leading contenders, it promises to be the most wide-open renewal in year, with the likes of Wings of Desire, US Army Ranger and Cloth of Stars all vying for favourtism.
Maestro Aiden O'Brien has five runners, and we're going 11/8 he gets the winner and 33/1 he has the 1-2-3.
We're price boosting EVERY Ryan Moore ride twn minutes before each race today and we'll be boosting the ENITRE Epsom Derby field ten minutes before the off from 4.20pm!
Aiden O'Brien's Minding is the hot favourite, but Godolphin's Skiffle, O'Brien's Somehow and Jim Bolger's Turret Rocks represent formidable opposition!
Remember, we'll be price boosting the entire Oaks field ten minutes before the off from 4.20pm, so make sure you pick up the late value and make sure you Bet & Watch all the action from Great Britain and Ireland today and every day for as little as a £1 stake per race at 888sport.com!
Dean Ivory’s five-year-old rose through the handicapping ranks last season to earn a crack at the Group 1 Champion Sprint here at Ascot in October. He came fifth that day, having been held up before finishing fastest of them all at the finish.
Having not been seen since then, he’s been laid out for this race and, with a more positive ride, definitely has the speed and ability to home on top – he looks a cracking EW price. Favourite Limato is the main danger.
The Chesham Stakes opens proceedings day five, and I like the chances of Aidan O’Brien’s September. The trainer won this with Churchill last year and this creature looks of similar ilk, looking very impressive when winning on her only start.
Trainer Roger Varian is putting the blinkers back on Central Square in the Wolferton Handicap, which I think might work the oracle. He’s got a slightly tricky draw but if he can overcome that he’ll be a big player over a trip that suits, having run well last time in the Suffolk Stakes over a furlong shorter.
The Hardwicke Stakes has been the plan for Royal runner Dartmouth for some time and I think he’ll be making Her Majesty very happy by hacking up in this for the second year in a row.
He looked as good as ever when beating Simple Verse in the Yorkshire Cup and it’s really difficult to find many flaws with him.
In the Wokingham at 5pm, a strongly-run contest would suit the improving Normandy Barriere, who has a nice draw on the far rail and can get up under top jockey William Buick.
Thomas Hobson won at the meeting on Tuesday and is back for another crack, this time in the longest race on the calendar, the Queen Alexandra. He can reward backers by doing the business yet again on Ryan Moore.
He’s Irish, but there’s nothing lucky about Aidan O’Brien’s dominance on the Flat, and the master trainer can enjoy another day to remember at Royal Ascot this afternoon.
Back the Ballydoyle boss to land a big race treble, starting with the unbeaten Caravaggio in the Coronation Stakes at 3.40pm.
He stormed home in the Coventry Stakes at this meeting last year and warmed up for this with another commanding win in a Naas Group 3.
With only four starts to his name and further improvement highly likely, the stable rated him among their top chances going into the week and I can’t see him being turned over.
Ice cool jockey Ryan Moore can complete leg two of the trifecta half an hour later on Winter in the Coronation Stakes.
An impressive winner of both the English and Irish 1000 Guineas, she has by far the best form of these and looks like a banker.
Complete the treble by backing O’Brien’s second string Wisconsin in the Queen’s Vase at 5pm. He won his maiden in eye-catching style at the second time of asking last month, never coming off the bridle under a hands and heels ride, and the word from the stable is that he’s a major improver – get on at 10/1.
In the opening race of the day, the Albany Stakes, I like Alpha Centauri, a winner of both his two starts, including a Listed contest last time. Jessica Harrington can train them from five furlongs to four miles and I’m backing her to produce yet another big race winner.
Finally, I think Crystal Ocean is a worthy favourite for the King Edward. He had been really well backed for the Derby but then had a setback and with a clear preparation coming in here, will take all the beating.
The joke will be on the bookies when Laugh Aloud comes roaring home to win the Duke of Cambridge Stakes on day two of Royal Ascot.
Bet on the Royal Ascot
John Gosden rates the filly his best chance of the week and reckons she’s a Group 1 horse running in a Group 2 race – and when the master trainer speaks, you should listen.
Laugh Aloud absolutely routed the field at Epsom last time out and is my NAP of the day.
Get off to a flier by backing Godolphin’s Dream Castle in the opening race of the day, the Jersey Stakes.
There are plenty of positive vibes from the stable about this one, who was an unlucky fifth in the 2000 Guineas; the drop back in tip to seven furlongs will suit, while the quicker ground is another plus. French raider Rivet is the main threat.
American handler Wesley Ward has won the Queen Mary the last two years and can complete the trifecta with Happy Like a Fool, who he rates his best two-year-old runner of the week. The filly won well on her only start last time out and will have too much zip for these.
The feature race of the day is the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, for which Highland Reel can prove his class once again.
Aiden O’Brien’s horse has won at the top level around the globe and, in a far from vintage renewal, can get the better of the likes of Ulysees and Jack Hobbs, who would prefer slower ground.
Frankie Dettori’s unfortunate absence through injury could end up being a blessing in disguise for supporters of El Vip, who’ll now be ridden by Jamie Spencer in the penultimate race of the day, the Royal Hunt Cup.
Luca Cumani’s runner loves being held up for a late run, absolutely ideal for Spencer’s style of riding, and I can see him arriving fast and late to get up on the line.
Did you know 888sport is price boosting every Group 1 favourite ten minutes before the race? Check out all the offers right now.
Get your Royal Ascot off to a thunderous start by backing Lightning Spear to turn over hot favourite Ribchester in Tuesday’s curtain raiser, the Queen Anne Stakes.
Backing odds-on favourites at the big festivals is the easiest way to run into trouble, and while Lockinge winner Ribchester, who beat Lightning Spear into a three length second at Newbury, has the best form in the race, his best efforts have come on softer ground.
With conditions set to be quick, David Simcock’s colt can turn the tables - he looks a mighty each-way bet.
Richard Hannon loves nothing more than training two-year-old winners at Royal Ascot and he looks to have a great chance with one such colt, De Bruyne Horse, in the Coventry Stakes at 3.05pm.
The colt looked very smart when winning the Woodcote at Epsom and looks to have a solid favourite’s chance again.
American raider Lady Aurelia is all the rage in the King’s Stand but I think she’s worth taking on with my each-way NAP of the day, Signs of Blessing.
The French runner scored at Group 1 level in 2016 and was a winner last time out at Deauville; he has all the tools to mount a mega challenge, with Prix de L’Abbaye winner Marsha the main danger.
Plenty fancy Barney Roy to get the better of Churchill in the St James’s Palace but I’m not one of them. The latter is a superstar, winning 2,000 Guineas on both sides of the Irish Sea and he can improve still further – he is the banker bet of the day.
The Ascot Stakes at 2m 4f is the longest race in the calendar and, as you might expect, jumps trainers have an outstanding record in it.
Willie Mullins’ Thomas Hobson is the favourite but I prefer Alan King’s Who Dares Wins, who warmed up for this with a close 4th in the Chester Cup, having previously come third in a big handicap hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
New 888sport customers can get a huge 6/1 on Churchill winning the St James’s Palace Stakes – see here for TCs!
Did you know 888sport is price boosting EVERY Frankie Dettori runner at Royal Ascot and EVERY Group 1 favourite?
It’s finally upon us. The Cheltenham Festival - jump racing’s Olympics, World Cup and Super Bowl rolled into one – kicks off on Tuesday, and I can’t wait.
One of the greatest experiences of my life was when my parents, both former trainers, had a winner in Top Cees in 1998 – the cacophony when he was led in in front of stands, with me by his side, will stay with me forever; in fact, I think the hangover is only just wearing off!
Ah. Cheltenham and hangovers. It wouldn’t be a Festival without one, and those without the constitution of a Gold Cup-winning gelding may very well not last the pace.
If the Irish only used to trounce the Brits in the drinking department, they’re doing the same on the track now, largely thanks to a man by the name of Willie Mullins.
The master trainer has plundered 48 Festival winners in the past two years, including 15 at the last two Festivals and he again holds most of the aces.
His best chance is the magnificent Douvan in Wednesday’s Queen Mother Champion Chase, while Vroum Vroum Mag faces stablemate Limini in the Mares' event - he should have the 1-2.
I really like the look of Brain Power in the Champion Hurdle - he's an unexposed type who absolutely trounced a valuable handicap hurdle field at Ascot last time, and in a race without an obvious superstar, it could pay to back an up-and-comer.
Money has been pouring in for Unowhatimeanharry to land the Stayers’ Hurdle on Thursday, but Cole Harden won the race in 2015 and has been primed to regain his crown.
The Gold Cup could be an absolute cracker. Trainer Colin Tizzard has the top two in the betting, Cue Card and Native River; it looks like it’s his to lose, but you’d do worse than to have some each-way money on Sizing John, winner of the Irish Gold Cup and tip of many a shrewd judge.
Whatever you’re backing, have a great Festival!
My five favourite Festival winners
Top Cees 1998
Nothing’s more special than having a Cheltenham winner, and that’s exactly what my parents had with Top Cees when I was a teenager. I’ll never forget the sheer elation of seeing a horse I grew up with win a race at the toughest meeting of them all.
Best Mate 2004
The emotion of seeing ‘Matey’ win his third Gold Cup was something to behold. He was one of those horses who caught the imagination of the wider public and watching him make history was special.
Hardy Eustace 2005
Who can forget Paul Carberry sitting motionless on Harchibald, going like a winner as Brave Inca and Hardy were being hard ridden, until the last 50 yards but not quite getting a response in time? A race for the ages.
Synchronised 2012
Vintage AP McCoy as he pushed and shoved the game and talented Sychronised for over a circuit to grab Gold Cup glory – a superhuman effort from horse and rider.
Sprinter Sacre 2016
The comeback of all comebacks. Sprinter looked to be finished with heart problems, but trainer Nicky Henderson somehow coaxed him back to regain his Champion Chase crown – I’ve never heard a Cheltenham roar like it.
Although British betting culture still places horse racing and football at the forefront of any shop or website, tennis is one of the most underrated sports when it comes to betting and potential payouts.
Tennis betting on 888sport
The more prolific a match, the greater the range of prices generally available from bookmakers, and with tennis matches being played for a vast majority of the calendar year, the rewards for shrewd gambling can come thick and fast.
Where tennis is concerned, the period between May and September is particularly busy, and unlike football, tennis also has a much simpler range of markets from which to choose. The most popular ones are identified in the next section.
Market types
Identifying the most lucrative market is important, and an in-depth read of a preview from a tennis expert is always a wise move before placing a bet or compiling an accumulator. Bookmakers will typically offer the following basic markets for tennis matches:
1X2: The overall winner of the match
O/U: In tennis, this market can refer to whether a match will last over or under a certain number of sets. For instance, if one player wins a best-of-three-sets match in straight sets (2-0), a bet predicting under 2.5 sets would win.
Handicap: Like 1X2, but the player in question must now win by two clear sets, or more, depending on how much of a handicap they are backed with. Odds are longer for each player, so this market is best delved into when the players are evenly matched, and more likely to share sets.
Correct Score: As a general rule, the more sets involved in a correct score, the longer the odds. For instance, backing a player to win a best-of-five match by 3-2 would offer a far better price than 3-0 (straight sets). However, the price difference between a straight-sets win and a non-straight-sets win is less drastic if the players are evenly matched.
Outright: Not found in individual matches, this is a single price for a player to win the tournament.
Players to back
Generally, in tournaments where a ‘seeding’ system is used, seeded players are considered more likely to progress. With is of more significance during the four ‘Grand Slam’ tournaments that take place. In chronological order, they are:
Australian Open (hard court)
French Open (clay court)
Wimbledon (grass court)
US Open (hard court)
The ranking system used by the ATP and WTA is based on the form of ranked players over a twelve-month period. Under normal conditions, the rankings are a solid enough guideline, but extenuating circumstances such as injury or suspension can result in a highly ranked player nose-diving down the rankings.
That is, of course, unless the player in question is granted license to keep their ranking by the relevant authorities. Research into a player’s strengths and weaknesses, along with his/her recent form is by far a more important element for a bettor to consider if they are to have any chance of success.
Certain players also thrive much better on certain surfaces. Rafael Nadal, for instance, is known as the ‘King of Clay’ – and for good reason. This year, he won the French Open for a tenth time in thirteen years.
Meanwhile, two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has been the man to beat on grass, and many believe that he would have won a third title if he had been free of injury in this year’s event.
ITF challenger events also offer a rich tapestry for bettors, with the tours for both gender divisions holding over 500 events each across the world.
'In play' betting and value for money
In the era of online betting, with betting apps providing an instant fix, many bookmakers compete to offer bettors the best deal. While some bookmakers choose to play the long game, by capitalising on events which will certainly be popular, tennis - by its very nature - demands a quick offer.
Games can change dynamically, and though the seeding system can offer people projecions as to who will face who in the next round, there is still very little time to promote special odds ahead of any match. As such, the best value prices for tennis can often be found during the match, as bookmakers compete with one another to reel new customers in.
When it comes to in-play tennis betting, one potentially rewarding option for the bettor is to look at matches in which the outsider is one or two sets down and back the favourite to win. Yet again, however, studying form is a vital part of doing so with vindication.
Whether a bettor uses in-play services or not, it is in the value of the price that the first battle to beat the bookmaker can be won. Although some picks appear obvious, not one edition of any major tournament has been without at least one upset:
Form over function
In the case of tennis, it is the form of the player – and, by extension, their own record against a particular opponent – that usually matters. For example, anyone backing Kevin Anderson (ranked 32nd) to beat Dominic Thiem (7th) at ATP Washington on 3 August 2017, would have seen a payout that was excellent value for money.
In beating Thiem, Anderson took his own personal record against the Austrian to 7-0, and this is crucial to determining the true value of any payout.
Thiem had enjoyed a strong Wimbledon, making him favourite ahead of his ATP Washington match against Anderson. However, Anderson was also in excellent form, and had beaten Thiem on (all) six occasions they had previously met.
Despite this, bookmakers only saw a probability of around 44% that Anderson would win, with the disparity in two players’ rankings their justification for publishing such long odds against Anderson. However, the probability of an Anderson win was (in reality) closer to 60%, given his form and record against Thiem.
Had this been reflected in the bookmakers’ prices, the odds would have been significantly shorter.
South Africa's Kevin Anderson reflects on 'epic' with Dominic Thiem.
Tennis betting: a bastion of change
The ever-increasing frequency of tennis matches on the market, accompanied by an ever-expanding range of betting apps, has changed the nature of sports betting on a wider scale. By extension, the very way in which bookmakers operate has been forced to change.
Some bookmakers, in order to keep ahead of the vast competition that now exists, now actively identify the best value bets. Certain bookmakers may even provide the probability of an outcome along with the price.
With a vast quantity of tennis matches being played, most bookmakers are increasingly using the most prolific matches in their special offers. Less experienced bettors – or simply those that are more casual about betting – will typically remain loyal to one bookmaker. However, these bettors are still more easily taken in than those that are more experienced.
The more drastic special offers advertised are thus targeted at new (not existing) customers, causing them to ‘defect’ to another bookmaker. Ultimately then, it could be argued that tennis has been one of the most influential sports, as far as the process of tilting the betting experience in favour of the bettor is concerned.
