2000 Guineas: Dawn stars on Newmarket list

Jim Bolger: Trainer of Dawn Approach.

Long-time favourite Dawn Approach tops 14 colts confirmed for Saturday's 2000 Guineas at Newmarket...

The Jim Bolger-trained colt has dominated the betting for the 2000 Guineas after ending his 2012 campaign unbeaten in six starts, culminating in an impressive victory over stablemate Leitir Mor in the Dewhurst Stakes.

Victory for the Dawn Approach could provide owner Godolphin with a little comfort after a torrid few days following the Mahmood Al Zarooni drugs scandal.

Leitir Mor is also among the contenders for the Guineas, with Aidan O'Brien having the pick of four from Cristoforo Colombo, George Vancouver, Lines Of Battle and Mars.

Richard Hannon appears to have a strong hand with Craven Stakes victor Toronado and last year's Racing Post Trophy second Van Der Neer.

Hannon has, however, taken out Craven Stakes runner-up Havana Gold.

Free Handicap winner Garswood is set to represent Richard Fahey, while Greenham third Moohaajim is Marco Botti's sole contender.

Correspondent, Dont Bother Me, Glory Awaits and the Sir Henry Cecil-trained Kyllachy Rise complete the list of possible runners.

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Premier League: Back QPR to hit rock bottom again

Reading have more favourable fixtures left than QPR

As the bottom two prepare for their long awaited Premier League departures, Christian Crowther assesses the 'Rock Bottom' market...

The race for the top flight wooden spoon is on! In the blue and white corner, we have Reading and in the, erm, blue and white corner also, it's Harry Redknapp's QPR.

If you support a team that wear Hoops in the Premier League this season, you'll no doubt be thinking twice before renewing your season tickets.

After a roundly depressing Sunday lunchtime showing on the box, which summed up two miserable campaigns perfectly, the 0-0 draw at the Madejski seemed a fitting way to end months of putting off the inevitable by sending the two teams into the Championship for the start of next season.

If it had been a boxing match, any referee worth his salt would have ended the contest at half-time.

As it stands, both sides are down with just 25 points apiece and only one goal the difference, keeping QPR just a whisker in front with three left to play.

Reading are favourites at 1.68/13 to finish rock bottom with QPR rated at 2.56/4 to return to the position they kept warm for most of the season.

This is the time to assess both clubs' respective form and run-ins then to search for clues. The form book does little to separate things as that Sunday stroll made it two draws and two defeats from their last four Premier League outings for both.

However, on paper at least, it's Redknapp's overpaid flops who have the toughest looking schedule, playing Arsenal and Liverpool with a game against relegation-fighting Newcastle sandwiched in between.

Arsenal are finishing the season strongly as they strive for a Champions League place and wounded Liverpool have clearly been galvanised by the Luis Suarez affair.

It's difficult to see QPR cultivating much success from these fixtures and a point looks about the best they could hope for as the reverse fixtures with all three opponents
produced none at all.

In comparison, Nigel Adkins' Royals have a slightly gentler looking list with trips to Fulham and West Ham split by a chance to host the outgoing champions Manchester City at the Madejski.

Although strong at home, West Ham represent one of the only five teams Reading have beaten in the league this season, while they also took a point off Fulham earlier in the campaign.

Follow The Money: Back big mover Sharaarah to triumph at Wolverhampton

Sharaarah runs at Wolverhampton this afternoon

Today's Follow The Money movers come from the meetings at Towcester and Wolverhampton.

Our first selection runs in the handicap hurdle at 15:00 in which Meridiem has been supported in to 5.69/2 from 10.5n/a. With all three wins to his name over course and distance plus three place efforts from just seven attempts, the gelding will be looking to make amends for his one mishap which came last week when unseating at the second. Punters clearly think that he will do so.    

On an afternoon bereft of obvious drifters Officer In Command has been weak in the 15:50 Wolverhampton, moving from an early 4.57/2 out to 5.79/2. Despite a penchant for claimers (first two all four tries) there has been significant support for his two main rivals, both of which have, unlike our selection demonstrated a liking to this course.    

Our final selection also comes at Wolverhampton where, in the 16:50 Sharaarah has shortened from 8.88/1 in to 5.14/1. Handler David O'Meara has earned himself a reputation for improving horses from other stables and today's money would suggest that this will be one to add to that list. Formerly with Ed Dunlop, the filly landed a maiden on Kempton's all weather course and also ran well in a couple of soft ground efforts before changing hands. At what is still a backable price we can't let this one get away.   

Recommended Bets

Back Meridiem @ 5.69/2 Towcester 15:00
Lay Officer In Command @ 5.79/2 Wolverhampton 15:50
Back Sharaarah @ 5.14/1 Wolverhampton 16:50 

Timeform Daily: Tuesday, Yarmouth 15:40

King Of Jazz will represent Michael Bell.

Timeform analyse a decent handicap over seven furlongs at Yarmouth on Tuesday...

Khubala did well at 3 yrs, winning 3 6f handicaps before fine effort in defeat in Ascot contest in October. Pedigree offers hope he'll stay 7f and could go on again this term.

Princess Of Orange won 1m Newmarket handicap on good to firm last summer. Well held in couple of stronger races as year ended and needs to pick up again on return with mark looking on stiff side now.

Spirit Of Sharjah is a hold-up performer who has fine turn of foot when on song. Fended off sole rival in a 7f minor event at Kempton (7f) in January, but not in the same form since, and others make greater appeal.

Karam Albaari came up short in pattern/listed races at 3 yrs after making winning debut at Kempton (6f) in September 2010. Missed 2012 and can only be watched on return.

Noble Citizen didn't quite kick on from Goodwood second early last season. Has dropped in the weights and should make presence felt in some good handicaps this term but may need this.

Swiss Cross is now 5 lb below last winning mark and better than bare result both starts back on turf this month, finishing well behind Ajjaadd at Epsom latest. Leading claims.

Galician has gained all 3 wins over 6f but has stamina for this trip and ran a blinder when touched off by York Glory at Pontefract last week. Leading claims from same mark if overcoming highest draw.

King Of Jazz has run in some good handicaps last 3 seasons, and though yet to win one, has shaped well both starts this year at Doncaster over 6f. Just as effective at 7f and well worth considering.

Fast Finian has done well on AW for this yard, winning 3 times in 2012. Some good efforts in defeat since latest success but must carry that form back over to turf now. Blinkers tried.

Bayleyf improved throughout 2011, winning 6f nursery at Glorious Goodwood. Been given big chance by the handicapper after quiet 2012 and excuses for Lingfield defeat in January.

Comrade Bond has gll 3 wins over C&D but no great record fresh and may just need this.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. King Of Jazz
2. Galician
3. Swiss Cross

Timeform Verdict: Galician ran a blinder at Pontefract and Swiss Cross will find an opening again before long, but perhaps this could be the day King Of Jazz gets an elusive first handicap success following on from 2 eye-catching efforts at Doncaster. 

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Against All Odds: Goals on Monday

Benteke will be looking to add to his 15 league goals

This week's Monday Night football comes from Villa Park as Aston Villa host Sunderland and Paul Robinson is tipping goals, goals, goals for those who tune into Sky Sports One at 20:00.

Paul Lambert's side have moved out of the relegation zone in recent weeks but they are still right in the midst of a battle for survival. They have a two point cushion over Wigan behind them but as they have to travel to the DW on the final day of the season, they will want to ensure their safety before then.

Wigan aren't the only other team in the relegation mix though as both Newcastle and Sunderland are just three points clear of Villa, so victory tonight would see all three of them level on 37 points. The Villans lost 3-0 at Old Trafford last Monday but they looked extremely dangerous on the break, and in truth, they should have had a couple of goals.

Prior to that, Villa had won three from five and had put three goals past both Stoke and QPR. Their defence is still pretty poor though - no clean sheet since the start of December - with 16 of their last 18 going over 2.5 goals and eight of those going over 3.5.

Sunderland have been revitalised under Paulo Di Canio, and after an initial defeat at Stamford Bridge, they have won their last two and moved above bitter rivals Newcastle United. In fact it was at St James' Park that their revival began as The Black Cats thumped Alan Pardew's men 3-0, with Stephane Sessegnon and Adam Johnson, in particular, having fantastic games.

Those two are coming into form at exactly the right time as Sunderland have struggled to score all season. They do have plenty of quality going forward, but it seems that Di Canio has been able to harness that much more effectively than Martin O'Neill did while in charge.

Away from The Stadium Of Light, 11 of Sunderland's last 12 have had three goals or more, with four having three or more and they haven't failed to score since a 3-0 defeat at Anfield at the start of January.

This match seems to have goals written all over it and while I could play it safe with a lay of under 2.5 at around the 1.9110/11 mark, under 3.5 is trading at a very low 1.364/11. I think it's worth risking that extra goal, and that's why I'm making it my lay of the day.  

Recommended Bet
Lay Under 3.5 goals in Aston Villa v Sunderland @ 1.364/11 

2013 P/L (1pt each bet)

Wagered: 118 pts
Returned: 102.53 pts
P/L – 15.47 pts (after commission)
(2012 P/L: + 9.60 pts)

Champions League: Back Bayern to go to the Nou Camp and win

Lionel Messi looks set for disappointment on Wednesday

James Horncastle thinks Bayern can complete an historic double over Barcelona when the two teams meet at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night...

"There is a lot of catching up to do. I don't think it has ever happened in the history of the Champions League but we will do our best," Barcelona assistant coach Jordi Roura said after watching his team receive a 4-0 "drubbing," as Gerard Pique called it, from Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. 

Roura's instinct was correct. In the 155 cases of a team losing the first leg away from home by a 4-0 scoreline in this competition since the 1970-71 season, no one has ever contrived to go through. True, there's always a first time, but considering the state Barca are currently in and how formidable their opponents are, a miracle looks unlikely.

Barca, it must be said, have made a habit of launching successful comebacks this season. 

After losing 2-0 to Milan at San Siro in the Round of 16, they then won 4-0 at the Camp Nou. That would be enough to take things to extra-time on Wednesday night and serves as an example of what they're still capable of. 

Bayern, at the same stage of the competition, also displayed a complacency that might give Barcelona a feint hope. After beating Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates, they found themselves 2-0 down at the Allianz Arena. Laurent Koscielny's 85th minute goal made the close of that game unnecessarily nervy.  

You suspect Bayern will have learned from that experience. So dominant were they in the first leg, imposing themselves on Barca, cowing them into submission with their physicality like no one else in the last four and a half years, that while they're likely to still be respectful, you'd think they're unlikely to be scared on taking the field at the Camp Nou. 

Bayern won again at the weekend to set a new record points-total in the Bundesliga. Freiburg were beaten 1-0 even though Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm and Thomas Mller were in the stands and Arjen Robben, Dante, Manuel Neuer and David Alaba left on the bench. Mario Gomez and Frank Ribery played the final 15 minutes and Javi Martinez the last six. All are fresh for the trip to Catalunya. 

It doesn't bode well for Barcelona. Nor did their performance at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday. Like in the second leg of their quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain, they required Lionel Messi to come off the bench to rescue them from a goal down with a moment of inspiration. Eight minutes after replacing Xavi he equalised with a sensational goal. Alexis Sanchez then gave Barcelona the lead, but they couldn't hold on. Ander Herrera levelled in the 90th minute.

Barcelona are 1.9620/21 to win on Wednesday night. Considering the vibe around them at the moment and how good their opponents are, that seems flattering. Sure, Bayern haven't won at the Camp Nou since the group stages back in 1998 when they came back from behind to beat the hosts 2-1 with goals from Alexander Zickler and Hasan Salihamidzic. But their first victory there in 15 years appears closer, certainly than it did in 2009, when they lost 4-0 during the height of the Pep Guardiola era. 

Barcelona aren't as good as they were then and Bayern are better. Back them to win at 3.9n/a. 

Recommended Bet

Bayern to win 3.9n/a

Premier League: Newcastle should stay loyal to Pardew

Alan Pardew is under pressure at Newcastle

After a humiliating 6-0 defeat to Liverpool, the knives are out for Alan Pardew but this is no time to give up on their boss writes Christian Crowther...

Newcastle's second embarrassing home defeat on the spin, in which they were smashed for six by Liverpool, has seen the Toon dip their toe into Premier League relegation quicksand.

However, although the Magpies are now back in danger of the plunge - rated at 12.011/1 to go down - owner Mike Ashley should not be tempted into a reactionary squeeze on the trigger.

The man he would be firing, Alan Pardew, signed an eight-year contract off the back of Newcastle's best finish in the Premier League since 2003/04 last campaign, so it would make owner and club the laughing stock should he cast his man aside now.

It's no coincidence that Newcastle's wildly differing fortunes over recent years have been underpinned by one of the hottest managerial seats in the land.

Inadvertently, Pardew's biggest mistake at Newcastle so far was probably leading the Toon to that fifth-place finish last season. This highly commendable achievement has actually ended up causing Pardew a painful headache.

He's not only raised the bar of expectation to an unsustainable height, but with such a tight squad at his disposal, their resulting Europa League commitments have stretched things to breaking point.

While Pardew is far from beyond criticism for the Magpies' miserable league campaign, certain circumstances out of his control have contributed heavily to it.

For a start, his squad has been ravaged by injury since the very beginning of this campaign, especially in those vital defensive positions.

Ryan Taylor, Tim Krul, Fabricio Coloccini, James Perch, Mike Williamson, Danny Simpson and latterly David Santon have all missed many games due to injury.

Meanwhile, two of their most creative talents in French duo Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa were sidelined for lengthy spells, adding to the inconsistency of team selection.

Although Pardew targeted certain players in the summer, it wasn't until January - after the gruelling group stages of the Europa League had already taken place and ground had been lost in the Premier League - that he was able to capture the likes of Mathieu Debuchy.

He was also helpless in losing his top scorer Demba Ba to Chelsea in the same month and, while Papiss Cisse has notched a few latterly, Ba's compatriot is nothing like as reliable a source of goals.

For a while, the influx of French talent in January looked like it would turn the Toon's season around but they have since dropped off, something Pardew must shoulder some blame for.

Still, it would be foolish to sack the man who bought all these players to the club. Pardew must be backed not sacked and, if they stay up by the skin of their teeth, then next season should be much better for Newcastle.