English horses have had mixed success when sent to Australia for their rich spring horse racing carnival. Being the biggest spring carnival in the southern hemisphere, the trio of the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne cup have a combined prize pool of almost A$10 million dollars.

Godolphin won the Caulfield Cup last year with the well priced All The Good (40/1). Apart from that race, his pickings have been lean. He saddles up the favourite this year in Kirklees (6/1). This much traveled and well credentialed runner will be aiming for a fifth win from as many starts with his current record standing at three wins on home soil and a win in Dubai.

This years Caulfield Cup is similar to last years with any one of ten or more starters having a realistic chance. Kirklees has a few positives going for him. He is jumping from barrier 7, is down several pounds in weight compared to his last couple of wins and is the kind of horse that likes to go forward – you need to in this race with such a large field.

Godolphin is not the only local to send horses downunder. Luca Cumani has also had mixed results. For the past two years Cumani has saddled the runners up in the Melbourne cup. This year he has the handy Cima De Triomphe. He is coming off a short break and should be fit for this race.

Of the locals, the one to watch is without a doubt AJC Derby winner Roman Emperor. Trained by Australia’s master trainer, Bart Cummings, he is perfectly drawn and in form. Roman Emperor is around the 14/1 in most betting markets although you can get 16/1 in some places. Could be the best each way smokey in the field.

Delegator is the horse to beat right now for Newmarket on May 2. Will anyone top this quickie? After the first deadline day, reports BBC Sports, Delegator stands as the favourite at 2,000 Guineas.

Horse betting is a British pastime that won’t fade any time soon thanks to horses like Delegator. There’s a reason this horse jumped out to an early lead. First, Craven Stakes. Now what?

If you like to bet on the horses then you should put in your bet for Newmarket as soon as you can. Or wait and see what the odds move to. But I’m betting that Delegator stays out on top for awhile. With 7-2 odds on winning The Classic, you can bet the race at Newmarket on May 2 will be one to watch. And if there is any measure of a good race to bet on, that’s the one.

Find a book that will take your horse racing bet now.

This weekend marks the official end of the flat racing season whilst welcoming in the beginning of a new hunt racing season. Doncaster is where the flat action will end today and there is a top card of seven races with big fields to choose from. For jumps fans the action is at Sandown and Wincanton.

The November Handicap is one of the feature races as Doncaster and Sportingbet are making life a little easier for all paying out on the first five places. It’s a big field but odds are often better in these races so with each way in mind I suggest you look at bottom weight Electrolyser with a saver on Celtic Spirit.

Sportingbet are continuing the special bets at the hunt meets at both Sandown and Wincanton. If your selection falls or unseats its rider you will get a refund. That removes one of the barriers to losing your money – and there is nothing worse than seeing your horse well placed only to see the rider dislodged by another horse coming down in front of you.

For the keen punters I suggest Nelson’s Spice in the 2.30 at Sandown and follow that up with Bensalem in the last at 4.05. At Wincanton I suggest Breedsbreeze in the 2.20 and Joacci in the 3.25.

The Luca Cumani trained Mad Rush has been backed into favouritism for the Melbourne Cup to be run early Tuesday morning. Aiden Obrien’s charge Septimus was favourite at the ‘call of the card’ but has since drifted from 4.40 to 5.50. Mad Rush is around the 4.90 in from 5.60.

Cumani’s other galloper Bauer has also had some serious support with one bet taken 24.00 to return 480,000. Bauer is now into 14.00 and shortening all the time. Support in Melbourne for the international horses has never been this strong with Dermott Weld’s Profound Beauty also in well in contention.

Weld is the only European trainer to win the ‘race that stops a nation’ having done so twice. The Melbourne Cup is the richest flat staying race in the southern hemisphere being run over the 3200m (two miles). Dermott Weld has been a regular visitor over the last 10 years and claims it is one of the toughest staying tests.

Bauer looks good value and has won a tough staying test in the Geelong Cup, on the outskirts of Melbourne. Mad Rush finished a credible fourth in the Caulfield cup (2400m), always a good lead up event for the Melbourne Cup.

Of the local horses, Kiwi (if you can call that local) Nom De Jeu is well in the market at 9.00. Sportingbet is betting on the cup with no start – no bets. It’s their birthday and they are giving away the freebies so check out their special promotions.

Sportingbet have a great promotion running on today’s races at Doncaster and Aintree. For the Doncaster card, if your horse is beaten into second place by a neck or less they will refund your bet. At Aintree, if your horse falls at the last hurdle or fence they will refund your bet.

The promotion is for ‘Singles bets only’ with a minimum refund of £10 and a Maximum refund of £100. The refunds will be credited within 48 hours of last race and will be credited in form of a free bet. Check their site for the full details.

At Doncaster the highlight of the day is the 2YO Group 1 Stake of the mile at 3:35. Jukebox Jury is the clear favourite at Sportingbet at 4.50. Crowded House and Red Spider are second picks at 9.00.

Over at Aintree there is a great card of jumps racing including the Handicap Chase at 2:05. Early favourite is Kenzo Iii at 3.40. Second pick is Aleron at 6.50 with Ever Present at 7.00.

Bet to win, place, each way, forecast or tricast on both the Doncaster and Aintree meetings through Sportingbet.

This is going to be a great round of football this weekend and PaddyPower have come to join the fun with some great football betting specials.

Saturday afternoon starts with Bolton (10/11) at home to West Bromich (7/2). West Bromich have yet to score a point this season. You can get 5/2 a draw and this may be a surprise result for this match.

The bookies expect a closer match between Everton (6/5) and Portsmouth (14/5) with a draw 12/5. This is another match that may well end in a draw. Portsmouth will be looking to grab their first points for the season. Everton at home at 6/5 sounds good to me.

Hull (13/8) are sitting well in fourth place on the league table and will do everything possible to maintain that position. A win against the hapless Wigan (2/1) would help cement that place. A draw is quoted at 23/10 however, Hull, in form and at home looks a good bet.

In other matches, Middlesbrough (4/6) should be too strong for Stoke (6/1) Arsenal (1/2) far too good for Newcastle (8/1) whilst Blackburn (2/1) playing away may be too strong for West Ham (17/11). A draw here (12/5) is my pick to complete Saturday’s games.

Sunday has a couple of interesting matches. League favourites Chelsea, possibly with Real Madrid star Robinho, should continue the Spur’s (8/1) run of outs. A draw (12/5) looks a good bet in the match between Sunderland (13/10) and Manchester City (12/5).

The final match for Sunday has Aston Villa (23/10) at home to Liverpool (17/11). Villa need to win this match if they are going to make any claims on the top 6. Liverpool have been very scratchy to date and an away match may test them. A draw is the likely result and good value at 9/4.

PADDY POWER MONEY-BACK SPECIALS

Chelsea v Spurs
If Deco scores at any time Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st/last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on this match.

Paddy Power ENHANCED 1st SCORER BETTING

Paddy Power is enhancing the first scorer odds on some big name players this week.

1st Scorer Best Prices
18/1 Barry (v Liverpool)
15/2 Keane (v Aston Villa)

5/1 Van Persie (v Newcastle)
10/1 Fabregas (v Newcastle)

Check out more PaddyPower specials in our forum. UK Betting Central brings you all the odds and all the great tips.

Newbury has a good racing card today headed by the Hungerford Stakes. In the feature race, Paco Boy is a short 11/8 favourite at Paddy Power. Alexandros (11/2) is second pick followed by Arabian Gleam at 7/1. There has been plenty of money for Paco Boy while Arabian Gleam has been specked at longer odds. I’ll go with the top weight Arabian Gleam at nice odds to beat the short priced favourite.

The Geoffrey Freer Stakes has a very smart field with early favourite Sixties Icon at 3/1. Sixties Icon and Geordieland (8/1) are both nominated to travel to Australia for the prestigious Melbourne Cup. A win here would improve their chances. Geordieland chased home Yeats for the second year running in the Ascot Gold Cup. Donnegal is second favourite at 5/1 while Eastern Anthem, an impressive 10-length scorer at Newmarket last time is fourth pick at 9/1. It is hard to go past the favourite in this and 3/1 is a good price.

Meanwhile, at Rippon there is the Great St Wilfrid Hcp and Paddy Power will refund your bet if your horse finishes second (check the conditions at Paddy Power). This is a big field with Baby Strange the 6/1 favourite from Valerie Borzov 7/1, Fullandby 15/2. A hard race to find a winner although the late money has been for the two favourites. At those prices, you could back the top three and still come out in front – provided one of them wins.

Horseracing is at Ascot this weekend and the UK Betting Central forum has some great betting options.

Shergar Cup Challenge

All The Good is slight favourite in what appears to be an open race, as stablemate Filios is also fancied , thanks to the impressive recent form of Saeed Bin Suroor’s yard. Three wins and four good places from the last nine races have no doubt inspired confidence amongst their team,and they look in strong shape here to take another good result.

Favourites have a fantastic recent record in the Shergar Challenge Cup, with the last two winners landing the gamble. Before then however, the two previous years saw winners of 14/1 and 20/1 respectively. This year could see another outsider, such as last years winner Strategic Mount, upset the form book again.

Can last years winning jockey Frankie Dettori emulate Richard Hughes and win back to back in this race on Sahrati?

Can you beat Victor?

VCbet are running a fantastic promotion, all you need to do is select three horses from Ascot on Saturday. You will receive a mythical £1 win on each selection and the entry with the largest overall returns wins a £500 free bet. Every entry that beat’s Victor’s return on the day wins a £5 free bet! Entry is free, simply open an account, and take on Victor today!

Racing fans, get better odds than the SP every time guaranteed with Centrebet. SP+ offers you one roll over the official SP and is available on every meeting from the UK and South Africa, round the clock, 7 days a week.

The Stewards Cup and the Nassau Stakes are two of the feature races at Goodwood tomorrow. After a week of featured staying races in good to get back to some sprint action.

The Stewards Cup has a handy field of 28 going around so odds will be generous. Prime Defender and last years 3rd place getter Knot In Wood are the favourites at 8/1. Although drawn out in 19, Prime Defender should be taken with caution with only 4 wins from 24 starts, the last in May last year. Ladbrokes pay each way 1/4 odds first four – at 8/1 you will still get 2/1 e/w – I can take those odds.

Last years 3rd place getter, Knot In Wood, won last start and should perform well here. You can get 11/1 at Bluesquare. Borderlescott is 6yo and is carrying a fair bit of weight, however with the form going into this race looks to be a top each way option – 12/1 at Ladbrokes.

The Nassau Stakes is a different race altogether with only 10 starters. The favourite is Lush Lashes at 7/4 with most sportsbooks. Halfway To Heaven is second favourite at 4/1 whilst Heaven Sent is at 11/2.

All three horses are in form so perhaps a few exotic bets like the first three or first two could be picked up combining the three of them. For the record, Halfway To Heaven has some form and is better value than Lush Lashes. If Lush Lashes get out 2/1 or better then grab them.

UK Betting Central for access to all the top sportsbooks for horseracing.

Distance racing is the center of attention this week with the running of the Galway Plate today and the Goodwood Cup tomorrow.

The Galway Plate, to be run over 2 mile 6 furlongs has a good field of stayers lead in the betting by Oslot (9/2 with Ladbrokes). Second favourite is Green Mile at 8/1. Breaking silence (10/1) heads the rest of field, all at long odds.

Two mile events can often be lotteries. There is a lot that can wrong and if a horse isn’t in the right mood then the home straight may find them short. Green Mile at 8/1 looks a stand out each way bet. Breaking Silence at 10/1 is unbeaten in its last three starts and could also represent good each way value.

Tomorrow is the Goodwood Cup with the much traveled Yeates leading the betting at 8/11 (Blue Square). Stablemate Honolulu is second favourite at 9/2.

Yeats is too short for my money so in looking for some each way value I settled on the Godolphin trained Regal Flush at 12/1. Wth Dettori in the saddle and some reasonable form he may be able to take the distance crown away from the strongly fancied favourite.

If you like distance horse racing then you’re in for a treat today and tomorrow. Follow the punters at the best sportsbooks through UK Betting Central.