Horse Racing
BORN TO SEA is 66/1 to win the 2000 Guineas in 2012 and the same price to win the Derby according to Ladbrokes Sportsbook. The half-brother to 2009 superstar Sea The Stars is 200/1 to complete the Newmarket-Epsom double for trainer John Oxx. David Williams of Ladbrokes said: “The reports about Born To Sea are exciting and hope springs eternal for long-range punters who remember his half-brother with such affection.”

Entertainment Betting
Eastenders is the odds-on favourite with Ladbrokes bookies to be the most watched programme this Christmas. The special edition of the soap is just 2/5 to pull in the most viewers with fellow BBC favourite Doctor Who the 9/4 second favourite. The Beeb dominate the top of the market as the Royle Family are next at 4/1, with ITV’s best chance deemed Coronation Street at 4/1.

MATT BAKER is the odds-on favourite with Ladbrokes to be crowned the winner of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing. The Countryfile presenter has been the long term favourite and is currently 4/6 going into the final weekend of the show. Late gamble Kara Tointon is 13/8 having touched 5/4 and sharing favouritism with Matt at one point in the week. Pamela Stephenson is the outsider of the trio at 8/1 and therefore the favourite to finish third (4/9).

THE SHORTLIST for the Golden Globe Awards has been published and bookmaker Ladbrokes have responded with their assessment of the candidates. Several categories appear to have a leading contender with Anette Bening & Christian Bale both odds-on to be crowned for their work in ‘The Kids are All Right’ and ‘The Fighter’ respectively. British hope rests on Colin Firth’s shoulders and he is the even money favourite to win Best Actor for his role in the King’s Speech.

BRANGELINA are set to marry in February 2011 according to Ladbrokes. The firm opened up a book on the month of the wedding as soon as it was announced and punters have rushed to back February 2011, forcing it into 1/7. It’s 5/1 they marry in January, and 6/1 they leave it until March. Following the current trend they are set for a Hindu style wedding and it’s 10/1 that Brad arrives at the ceremony on an elephant.

RIHANNA & DRAKE look set to take the second spot behind Matt Cardle in the race to be this year’s Christmas number one according to Ladbrokes. Their ‘What’s my name’ has been given odds of 1/5 to come top without Matt Cardle, meaning they only need to come second assuming Cardle wins, or even win for punters to be paid out. The bookies have already paid out on the X Factor winner hitting the top spot after he was baked into 1/16 in the wake of the show’s final. Early gamble ‘Surfin’ Bird’ by the Trashmen is now 3/1 having contested favouritism with ‘The X Factor winner’ as the show was in its infancy. With memories of Rage Against The Machine’s ‘Killing In The Name Of’ ringing fresh in their ears, the bookies were quick to respect the internet campaign backing the bird.

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X-Factor Final- Ladbrokes Sportsbook expect to take upwards of 120 bets a second on this year’s X Factor final as they break new ground by betting in running throughout the entire broadcast until the climax of the show. There will be live betting in place as well as via telephone.

The odds point to an easy win by Matt Cardle with 5/6 followed by Direction (3/1) and Rebecca Ferguson (5/2). Ladbrokes are also breaking new ground by offering viewers the most comprehensive range of special bets on the night, allowing punters to speculate over what the judges and singers will wear, what they will say and even what mishaps may occur on the night including an offer of 14/1 about infamous stage invader Jimmy Jump following up on his invasion of the Eurovision stage by appearing on the X Factor at some point.

Cheltenham: Ladbrokes’ Top Offers on Menorah and Cue Card -Ladbrokes is offering a top price guarantee on Menorah and Cue Card in tomorrow’s big Cheltenham hurdle race from first thing in the morning until the first show across all channels. Ladbrokes will also be offering top price on Paco Boy in Hong Kong from Saturday afternoon until the off on Sunday morning across all channels.

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Laddies is now accepting bets on there being a bank holiday on the day of the Royal Wedding with 1/10 odds at Ladbrokes Sportsbook. A second leak in a fortnight shocked punters when news came out about the Royal Wedding being set for April at the Abbey. The previous November leak about the wedding caused a massive £200,000 loss and their fears were confirmed regarding the date and location just last week. The bookies are now taking bets on the “WHODUNIT” regarding the Royal Wedding leaks source being either Kate’s brother leading the pack at 4/1, Guy Pelly at 6/1, Pippa Middleton at 12/1 or Camilla with 20/1 for spilling the beans. There are still odds out on the wedding dress designer with Philipa Lepley now the 6/4 favorite from the previous 10/1 which was backed by an unknown punter from Brighton by a £2500 bet. Kenya is leading with 3/1 odds on being the honeymoon location for the happy couple.

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The Lads Cup is brought to you by sponsors and takes place in December for all fun-loving pub teams or groups of amateur darts pals interested in participating at the famous Alexandra Palace in London for a chance to play in the 9-dart challenge!

Fifteen-time world champion Phil Taylor heads the judging panel alongside the famous Anastasia Dobromyslova and gravelly-voiced legend Russ “The Voice” Bray. Defending world champion Taylor said: “The Ally Pally stage is the holy grail for darting nuts. The Lads Cup is all about bringing the people to the Palace so I’m looking for teams who are sure to entertain and get the most out of it.”

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Ladbrokes are pleased to announce the launch of the new Ladbrokes Sportsbook site. They’ve given the site a sharp new look for 2010 as well as making some key advancement’s to enhance the user experience.

Navigation around the site is now easier then ever. Once logged in, referrals can add their favourite events from all sports to their personalised favourites area, making it quicker and easier than ever before to place a bet. The right hand side menu now houses the bet in play options allowing users to keep up to date with all live sporting action as well as displaying what they can watch on Ladbrokes TV too.

Some innovative key features have also been implemented and on your right is a small taster of what the new site has to offer.

Horse Racing and Greyhound – fans will now be able to view their betting options for the next races. No need to find another race card again!
Intelligent bet slips – add 2 selections from the same race and watch as the bet slip gives you the forecast option.

New Tote and US pools interface – giving the user more information including silks and form.

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It’s ‘Murray Time’! With Nadal crocked and Federer (4/7) no longer perfect, it feels like the stars are aligning for Andy to end the 73-year British drought. You the punters certainly think so, driving his price down to a gnarly 7/4. So is this the year of the Murray miracle, or is someone else standing in the shadows to steal the glory? Here are some facts to help you decide – quiet please!

The third seed hasn’t won Wimbledon since 1990 and has only made the final in one of the last 14 years

But wait…

Federer’s run of five straight Wimbledon wins was ended by Nadal last year. The last man to win five straight was Bjorn Borg and the man who dethroned him, John McEnroe in 1981, was beaten in the final the following year by Queen’s champion Jimmy Connors. Like Murray, Connors won Queen’s without dropping a set, something only four other players achieved since.

Six of the last seven Wimbledon champions came into the tournament as winners at either Queen’s or Halle. Halle was won by Tommy Haas (40/1), who hasn’t got further than the fourth round at Wimbledon in ten attempts.

The last seven champions all won at least three tournaments ahead of Wimbledon that season. Only two players have claimed that many so far this year – Rafael Nadal (five) and Andy Murray (four).

Whatever your bet make Ladbrokes.com your number one for Wimbledon.

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The world’s greatest and most famous steeplechase is back. 40 horses, almost two and a half miles and 16 terrifying fences make up the Grand National.

This year all eyes will be on the partnership of trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Ruby Walsh which was so successful at Cheltenham.

Nicholls has other horses in the race but it’s My Will, riden by Walsh, which is the one to watch and could really get the Aintree crowd roaring.

What can’t be forgotten is the threat of Comply or Die. Last years triumphant horse is a year older and wiser and knows the pitfuls of the track and how to conquer them.
Whatever your bet make Ladbrokes your number one for the Grand National.

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Today, Ladbrokes can finally release the secret Ladbrokes promotions for Cheltenham! The specials have been closely-guarded until today, and now you can see why. The free bet literally blows away any other Cheltenham offer out there. There are actually three specials, and here are the details:
1) Bet between 10-100 GBP and get a free bet worth double your stake.
2) Betting after the off – punters can watch the runners settle into their stride before getting their bets on!
3) Take any price at 3/1 or above on any race at Cheltenham and if your selection wins they’ll match your stake as a free bet!

The free bet offer means that a player who deposits 100 GBP will be credited with a free bet of 200 GBP after settlement. So in other words, this is effectively a 200% match free bet! No other bookie has even come close in offering such a generous bonus to Cheltenham punters!

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The 2008 Ryder Cup, 16th-21st September
Can Team Europe captained by Nick Faldo make it a 4th straight title in the 37th Ryder Cup. He takes on the might of Team USA with stars such as Paul Azinger, Phil Mickleson and Stewart Cink. Playing at the luxurious Valhalla Golf Course, Louisville, this unique golf tournament creates so much emotion it’s a firm favourite with golf enthusiasts. Watch the action unfold from 16th-21st September and take a putt on the biggest winning margin, the player to get a hole in one or simply the winning team.

UEFA Champions League opening Group match
With the domestic league gathering pace England’s finest turn their attention to conquering Europe. Defending champions Manchester United did not make a perfect start at Old Trafford against tough Spanish opposition in Villarreal. Likewise, Big Phil kept Roman happy with a victory over Bordeaux but he was without midfield dynamo Michael Essien. Liverpool started away at Olympique de Marseille, Rafa’s rotation policy produced the best out of his players with a 2-1 victory.

The John Smith’s Ayr Gold Cup Festival – 18th – 20th September
The Ayr Gold Cup 2008 is one of the most eagerly awaited spectacles of the season as a huge field of sprinters prepare to battle it out on September 20. With 22 races over three days it’s going to be a betting bonanza. With the best horses, jockeys and trainers it’s sure to have all the ingredients of a top quality meeting. Ayr Gold Cup odds reflect the open nature of the race as the massive field of classy handicappers charge down the six-furlong straight course.

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