HANK'S HOT FOR SUCCESS
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Th Jul 14 – 4:00 pm (USA)/20:00 GMT
Fr Jul 15 – 4:00 pm (USA)/20:00 GMT
Sa Jul 16 – 3:00 pm (USA)/19:00 GMT
Su Jul 17 – 3:00 pm (USA)/19:00 GMT
The eyes of the golfing world will all be on St Andrews this week, but it could also be worth taking a glance at the chance of Hank Kuehne (33/1) for this week's BC Open. That's over twice the odds of our 16/1 'jolly', Brett Quigley, who is probably the most consistent in this field but is a notorious 'bottler' when in contention. For someone who hits the ball as far as Kuehne (his final drive last Sunday was 375 yards!), the sub-7,000 yard track at En-Joie is not obviously going to suit, but you can't argue with his course form – 13th last year, fifth in 2003 and 19th in 2002. And now could be the time for him to strike after a superb second place at the John Deere last week. Last week's tip, Mark Hensby, finished tied 3rd at 20/1. Live In-play betting available throughout the BC Open, and the Open from St Andrews.

Golf - BC Open Pick: Hank Kuehne @ 33/1

KENSETH CAN BREAK THROUGH
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Su Jul 17 – 1:30 pm (TNT)/17:30 GMT
This week's NASCAR race is on the relatively flat 1 mile track at New Hampshire, where one team has swept each of its two races the last two seasons. Jimmie Johnson brought out the broom two seasons ago, while last year saw Kurt Busch winning both races on his way to the championship. Busch comes in this week as favorite at 13/2, however, based on what we've seen this season, that's not a value bet. His cars haven't been performing on the tracks that they should be, so he's passed over for betting purposes. At 7/1 we have Tony Stewart, who continues to march forward to the chase with good quality finishes, but the winner this week could be Matt Kenseth at 8/1. Kenseth continued his recent upward swing with a strong run last week in Chicago and, if the swing is to continue, New Hampshire couldn't be a better place for him. Last season Kenseth had a 4th and 2nd place finish in the two races here, and overall has finished in the top 10 in 60% of all his starts there, so this could his week to break through.

Nigel's Checkered Flag: Matt Kenseth @ 8/1

TOUGH START FOR THE PATRIOTS
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Three Super Bowl championships in four years, 32 victories from their last 34 games, and a 25-8-1 (75%) mark against the spread, yet the New England Patriots are as big as 6/1 to win the Super Bowl. That's a bigger price than the Eagles (11/2) and on the same mark as the Colts. To understand this we need to look at the schedule. The Patriots open at home where they are minus 7.5 against the Raiders and, as the Patriots are 15-4 (79%) against the spread at home, this line could well move to around the 9 mark. After that they travel to Carolina in Week 2, before staying on the road in Week 3 to meet the revenge-minded Steelers. After a home game in Week 4 against the Chargers, they're on the road again against the Falcons and Broncos in Weeks 5 and 6. That's four road games in five weeks, and it's not until Week 11, when they host the Saints, that they face an easy game. On the positive side the Patriots have Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, Corey Dillon and a healthy Deion Branch, but that may not be enough to overcome their schedule.

Latest bet365 Super Bowl XL prices…Philadelphia 11/2, New England, Indianapolis 6/1, Pittsburgh, Carolina 14/1, Atlanta 16/1, others on bet365 website

BANK ON SOX TO GET THE JOB DONE AT HOME
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Th Jul 14 – 7:05 pm/23:05 GMT
The second-half of the baseball season starts this Thursday with the Red Sox and Yankees rivalry from Fenway Park. For the Yankees, it's not been the season so far that everyone expected. They are currently struggling in the American League East and, sitting several places back in the wildcard race, they could even have a battle on to reach the playoffs. Remember, there is only 1 wildcard (best finishing 2nd team) slot available, which goes into the playoff with the winners of the AL East, West and Central. So if the Red Sox win the AL East, the Yankees have to have the most wins of the other 2nd place teams. Of course, they could still stroll it in the second-half, but their away form has been patchy so far, and they have to play all the league leaders of the 3 AL divisions away from home - Boston 7 times, LA 4 times and the Chicago White Sox 3 times. All in all, that makes the 10/11 for the Red Sox to win the AL East title look very attractive, particularly as they have 43 home games in the second half and they are a much better side at Fenway.

MLB Pick: Boston Red Sox (AL East) @ 10/11

CARDINALS LOOK GOOD TO GO ONE BETTER
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After last October's World Series loss, it would have been understandable if the St Louis Cardinals had come out of the gates a bit sluggish in 2005. However the opposite has happened as they have emerged even more determined to go one better this season. They have already built a massive lead in the NL Central (1/50) and, if they can wrap up the division early, will be a rested and healthy team going into the playoffs where they will be surely too strong for any other National League clubs. Take the 6/4 for the League now, and at the same time, grab some of the 7/2 to win the whole thing. They will have learnt a great deal from losing last years final, while the Red Sox, although still finding a way to win, don't seem as strong this season.

MLB Pick: St Louis Cardinals (National League) @ 6/4 & World Series @ 7/2

Get in the game and be lucky!

Nigel

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NIGEL RIDGWAY, an experienced punter and betting shop owner of many years, believes that “The key to successful gambling is getting value for money.” Nigel was once forced by local bookmakers, to stop writing a tipping column in a UK newspaper, because he was costing them a fortune. Find out what offers and lines are hot at bet365.com