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The cream of the canine staying talent goes to Doncaster on Saturday for the first heats of the Betfair-sponsored St Leger.


The countdown is underway to the Betfair Yorkshire St Leger.

The £8,000 to the winner event kicks off at Doncaster on Saturday with four heats over 661m and has attracted a stellar field, including Wimbledon St Leger champion Droopys Bradley.

Indeed, Paul Donovan's dog tops what must the best entry for a 24-dog six-bend event there has been for a long time. It's a Who's Who of staying talent and each of Saturday's four eliminators is choc-full of serious staying canine talent.

The first three in each of the heats qualify for the semi-finals on Friday, November 12, with the final live on Sky Sports on Tuesday, November 16. A usual, high-quality supporting card will be hosted alongside the feature event.

Last year's event was won by rank outsider Capel Smiley, who picked up Carbarns Tom. The latter, a veteran now, nevertheless proved he is in tip-top form when winning at Sheffield on Tuesday. But Droopys Bradley is expected to be favourite.


Saturday's heats of the Betfair Yorkshire St Leger, Doncaster 661m:

Heat one (20:19pm):1 Blue Bee (Matt Dartnall, Swindon), 2 Desert Judy (Tony Mckenna, Sheffield), 3 Farloe Can Do (Kim Billingham, Monmore), 4 Head Iton Jason (m) (Steve Race, Unattached), 5 Ten Dollars More (m) (Chris Allsopp, Monmore), 6 He Went Whoosh (w) (Claude Gardiner, Hove)

Heat two (20:52): 1 Bodell Clare (Hazel Kemp, Henlow), 2 Ballymac Rumble (Chris Allsopp, Monmore), 3 Oneco Leader (John Reid, Peterborough), 4 Pennys Genesis (John Walton, Sheffield), 5 Swift Lewis (m) (Bev Heaton, Belle Vue), 6 Carbarns Tom (w) (Charlie Lister, Unattached)

Heat three (21:27): 1 Droopys Eugene (Elaine Parker, Sheffield), 2 Lucerne Rhys (Harry Crapper, Sheffield), 3 Droopys Bradley (Paul Donovan, Wimbledon), 4 Penskey John (m) (John Curry, Kinsly), 5 Droopys Simon (w) (Pat Rosney, Unattached), 6 Droopys Belletti (w) (Charlie Lister, Unattached)

Heat four (21:44): 1 Frisby Fontenblu (Harry Crapper, Sheffield), 2 Hovex Brandy (Claude Gardiner, Hove), 3 Glenagower Champ (Chris Allsopp, Monmore), 4 Centurion Enry (m) (Paul Young, Romford), 5 Bower Hawk (m) (Pat Rosney, Unattached), 6 Shades Of Jonah (w) (Martin Cutler, Sheffield)


Chris Allsopp, who is certain of once again making the Betfair Trainers' Championship meeting, is having his best year yet and almost went through the open-race card at Monmore on Saturday.
His winners included Glenagower Champ, who lines up in Saturday's heats of Betfair Yorkshire St Leger, and a back-to-form Pall Mall champion Ballymac Ace, who could still be a surprise entry for the National Sprint at Nottingham at the back-end of the year.

Talking of sprints, Nottingham stages a cracking two-bend event on Monday when heat winners Rotar Wing, Bucks Yahoo and Slick Citi clash in a 305m final.
It represents a successful drop in trip for Laurels finalist Bucks Yahoo. Chris Lund's dog posted the fastest time of the night for two bends and he, too, could be being primed for the National Sprint.

Jimmy Lollie, in the front rank for Greyhound of the Year, is enjoying a short rest before his next assignment, the rescheduled Scurry Gold Cup at Belle Vue, starting next Thursday.
He, too, has the Nottingham showpiece on his agenda following a cracking run of success, the last being an all-the-way win on the Sky programme from Wimbledon on St Leger final night.

Bob Morton is in town for a meeting with Waltham Forest Council as efforts continue to return racing to Walthamstow Stadium.

Morton, owner of most of the Westmead dogs and chairman of Henlow, was recently in the news when his Westmead Guru won the Henlow Derby.

He is working closely with the Save Our Stow campaign, meeting various local councillors this week, and could be involved in any potential purchase.  Morton is also involved in owners and breeders' group, GOBATA.

Led by Martin White, who trained the likes of Wise Thought and owns Scottish Derby winner Nambisco, GOBATA is still understood to be in discussions with Towcester Racecourse in a bid to also stage greyhound racing there.

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The first heats of the Betfair-sponsored competition get under way on Saturday, but before you have a bet be sure to read our man's rating on all the Doncaster runners here.


Ballymac Rumble (Chris Allsopp): impressive runs over short six-bend trips, and the type to make them all go if blazing a trail. But 661m at Doncaster takes some getting. One to get stuck into for the heats, maybe? But it could get very tough.
The Lord's rating: 13

Blue Bee (Matt Dartnall): member of a great litter (Farleys Blitz, Totti etc) and has proved she gets the trip having won over 695m at Hove. Will try and slip her field at some point, and certainly has a touch of class. But not the type to get involved in a rough race.
The Lord's rating: 11

Bodell Clare (Hazel Kemp): had been one of the leading contenders for the Wimbledon St Leger until a tonsils problem. Seems to be coming back to form, and will continue to improve with racing. Top class at best. Boasts competition wins at Yarmouth and Romford.
The Lord's rating: 3

Bower Hawk (Pat Rosney): fast enough over four bends to win some decent opens, but was coming from a different parish at Wimbledon. Second to Droopys Bradley at Wimbledon, but supporters will be looking for him to lie closer. Big player if doing so.
The Lord's rating: 6

Carbarns Tom (Charlie Lister): terrific veteran, who continues to win races. Loved the mud at Sheffield on Tuesday and, while caught in the shadow of the line last year, is unlikely to relinquish such a position this time. The battle will be staying closer to the pace.
The Lord's rating: 10

Centurion Enry (Paul Young): on the bunny, he is among the best around. The Champion Stakes third found the extra straight at Henlow too tough and he was collared twice. Really 661m at Donny should be nigh on perfect and it will take a good one to reel him in should he get loose.
The Lord's rating: 5

Droopys Bradley (Paul Donovan): brilliant winner of the Wimbledon St Leger. Brushed aside any stamina doubts in style. Layers might want to take him on first time at Doncaster as he goes without a trial but he oozes class and a worthy favourite.
The Lord's rating: 1

Droopys Eugene (Elaine Parker): too one-paced of late to suggest he can get into the thick of things. Taking time to wind it up, but in his defence he is recently back from a lay-off. Another one who will appreciate testing conditions.
The Lord's rating: 17

Desert Judy (Tony McKenna): took a flyer in a recent Sheffield six-bender and will be looking for same again come the biggest test yet of her career. Still quite unexposed over this trip, and test will come if she is led. Needs to be a trail-blazer.
The Lord's rating: 23

Droopys Simon (Pat Rosney): boasts some decent enough middle pace. Has won four-bend opens but never over six, although in fairness has only had two proper six-bend contests. A rare winner, and realistically only a smash-and-grab job early on could increase his chances.
The Lord's rating: 22

Droopys Belletti (Charlie Lister): others are stronger, as was shown when tiring late on in soft conditions at Sheffield this week. However, Donny brings out the best in him as he proved when bolting home over course and distance in the Betfair Trainers' Championship meeting.
The Lord's rating: 2

Farloe Can Do (Kim Billingham): largely underrated dog, who is rarely out of the frame. Has claimed some decent scalps, especially at Monmore and a combination of a fast start and a rails draw will see him at his best.
The Lord's rating: 16

Frisby Fontenblu (Harry Crapper): struggled to be a force over four bends, but has led some good rivals home over six bends. Can trap and blaze a trail, and might not be picked up if doing so. Might surprise a few and has got his trapping together over a trip.
The Lord's rating: 8

Hovex Brandy (Claude Gardiner): comes across with some decent Irish form (11 wins from 26 starts), including a place in the Corn Cuchulainn final. One race here and led over Hove's 740m before being caught, so 661m looks mighty fine. Ignore at peril.
The Lord's rating: 12

Glenagower Champ (Chris Allsopp): probably another underrated dog. Closely matched with Farloe Can Do on Monmore form and, again, a combination of an early lead and the rails sees him at his best. In the best form of his life, but needs to be in this sort of company.
The Lord's rating: 18

Head Iton Jason (Steve Race): came of age in the tri-distance event at Sheffield, showing his versatility. Stamina proven, so his trial suggests he's not in the sort of form, or that his trial conqueror is in absolutely flying form. Needs to recapture best.
The Lord's rating: 10

He Went Whoosh (Claude Gardiner): grand servant, who has come back from injury brilliantly well. Winner of last year's Cesarewitch and this year's Regency, he is better blazing a trail. Couldn't do that in the St Leger final with Droopys Bradley in the field.
The Lord's rating: 7

Lucerne Rhys (Harry Crapper): caught the eye with a recent running-on second to Droopys Belletti. If it becomes a real slug-fest, he could pop up at a price. Running really well for relatively new kennel, although others might be classier.
The Lord's rating: 15

Oneco Leader (John Reid): Nottingham and Peterborough wins spice his card, but this is a real rise in class. A positive is his likely ability to see how the trip but it still requires a leap of faith to side with him. Got to try and keep up with the pace.
The Lord's rating: 24

Pennys Genesis (John Walton): lightly-raced and unexposed. The heats will be only his 12th race in the UK and he has been in with some decent sorts already over four bends (Craighall Horse, Mill Pinpoint, Jordansoilutions) and six bends (England Expects, Droopys Belletti). Live outsider.
The Lord's rating: 14

Penskey John (John Curry): almost caused a shock when leading in a couple of Sky marathons. The Kinsley raider boasts some fair four-bend Irish form, and has showed up well in trials at Doncaster. Looking to lose maiden tag, but will it back over a soft eight bends?
The Lord's rating: 20

Swift Lewis (Bev Heaton): has made real progression from graded events at Belle Vue over four and six bends. Like one or two others in the line-up he deserves the step up in class, especially after closing down Crown Rover over six bends at Belle Vue on Sky recently.
The Lord's rating: 21

Ten Dollars More (Chris Allsopp): big-race winner at Monmore and certainly must be on the short-list. Claimed a decent scalp in Bower Surfer last time and, although the second was a touch unlucky, it was a decent enough run after Ten Dollars More failed to lead. Best when leading.
The Lord's rating: 4

Shades Of Jonah (Martin Cutler): enough ability to make the semis, but always seems to find one or two too good. Will try and make the running, but would want fast ground to hold the stronger runners at bay. 661m will tax his stamina, for sure.
The Lord's rating: 19


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Geoffrey Riddle caught up with the Kiwi coach for an exclusive chat ahead of the first weekend of Autumn Internationals...


Although muffins and coffee are freely available at the table we are sat at, New Zealand coach Graham Henry proudly brandishes a take-away cup from one of the establishments on Kensington High Street.The 64-year-old did not come this far in his coaching life without knowing what he really wants.

And it is clear that the Aucklander, who was once the highest paid international coach when he in charge of Wales between 1998 and 2002, likes a little gamble, too.

After the painful 26-24 loss to Australia in Hong Kong last weekend, Henry has had to shuffle his 29-man tour squad around, and not wanting to miss an opportunity at blooding one of the most exciting talents in world rugby, he has sensationally handed former Rugby League international Sonny Bill Williams his first cap at outside centre.

"I don't want you to read too much into it, but Conrad Smith could have played," Henry insists.

"Due to a niggling hamstring injury, it gives us the opportunity to look at Sonny alongside an experience player."

Smith, who stars for the Wellington Hurricanes alongside centre partner Ma'a Nonu, has scored 17 tries in 42 Tests, and is known as 'Snake' for his ability to slither through defences.

It just goes to show how highly Henry and his coaching team rate Williams, who only switched codes two seasons ago when scouted out by Tana Umaga at Toulon.

Williams, who trades at 14.0 to score the first try on Betfair, played several times outside Jonny Wilkinson at the French club, and having played alongside Umaga and the likes of Felipe Cotepomi, he scored six tries in 33 outings. He has improved on that tally as his education becomes more rounded, and he boasts three tries from six starts for Canterbury this season.

Henry refused to leave too much to chance, however, and although there were suggestions at starting Isaia Toeva in tandem with Williams, Henry demanded an old hand to guide Williams through his debut.

"We wanted him to play with an experienced player, so Ma'a is perfect for that," Henry continued.

"Both of them could play at 12 or at 13, but Sonny may be best with a bit more space as there's a huge gap between the ITM Cup and international rugby, and he won't get the time he gets at Provincial level.

"I rang Sonny when we played France a few years back and he said to me: 'I'd like to play for the All Blacks but I will only come back to New Zealand if you think I am good enough.' He's that modest, which makes him very popular with his fellow players."

Henry has also named Alby Mathewson at scrum-half instead of Jimmy Cowan, and he explained that the rookie No.9 will help to sew up England's back-row, lead ably by skipper Lewis Moody.

"Mathewson has been impressive in the leagues below. We wanted to see how he could handle Test match rugby. To play at Twickenham, with a capacity of 83,000 it is a huge test for him, or I suppose for any player.

"He's quick, which puts pressure around the fringes, and we want to see how he handles this situation and how people handle him."

If Mathewson was a bit of a wild card, then Hosea Gear's inclusion on the wing for this third cap was Henry bowing to the demands of others.

"Hosea Gear has replaced Corey Jane because he's injured. Hosea needed the game, and there has been a lot of pressure from the New Zealand media and public about why he hasn't been in the All Blacks.

"Even my wife and mother asked why he wasn't in the team, so I suppose I've bent to the pressure. This job's a pain in the arse at times!"

Henry refused to be drawn in as easily as fellow coach Steve Hansen about the whys and wherefores of how good/bad (delete as appropriate) the Tri-Nations tournament was this year, preferring to look at the facts.

"Rightly or wrongly the southern hemisphere teams are ranked by the IRB as first, second and third in the world, so I guess they can play a bit," he said.

With New Zealand trading at around 1.2 for the Twickenham tussle with England, it is clear that the layers feel the All Blacks can play a bit too.


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England selector Geoff Miller was quoted during an interview that he gave last month and made to sound like a script writer for a blue comedian from a bygone era! He said "Size obviously does matter. We've got cover in bouncy areas but people who can swing as well!" Ignoring the double entendres (that Benny Hill would have been proud of ) there is a message of intent in that statement.

England have three pace bowlers in their Ashes squad, Chris Tremlett, Steve Finn and Stuart Broad who measure 6 ft 6 ins or more (no big boy comments please)! The advantage of delivering the ball from height on hard and bouncy tracks is obvious and the higher the hand is at the moment of delivery the greater the danger to the batsmen. There has been a lot of talk about taking the game to the Aussies and subjecting them to a barrage of accurate, short pitch bowling.

There is a fundamental flaw in that plan. It's a given that touring batsmen struggle against pace and bounce Down Under but the natives have been brought up on those wickets and learn to play off the back foot from a very early age. Dropping the ball in short is likely to play into their hands, they'll duck and dive until the ball starts to soften and the bowlers tire and then cut and pull off the back foot. The Aussies might not have introduced Bodyline but their generations have learned from it and if the Aussies don't lose early wickets it's vital that there is a Plan B and a Plan C.

Plan B will be swing, moving the ball in the air. James Anderson won't be digging it in short, he'll be bowling a good length and aiming to get the kookaburra ball to swing. So much will depend on the climatic conditions and England will be praying for a fair share of cloud cover. If the sun is blazing down and Anderson has to rely solely on movement off the seam for his wickets then it will be time for Plan C.

So much is expected of Graeme Swann and there's no doubt that the Australian batsmen will target him and try and hit him out of the attack. Swann is no shrinking violet, he won't take a backward step and he'll back himself if Ponting and co. come after him. But he can't bowl from both ends on a spin friendly wicket so let's hope that Monty Panesar hasn't been picked only to carry the drinks and pass on instructions. On turning Aussie wickets there is room for both Swann and Panesar despite the fact that even after having worked on his batting Monty is still a full blown rabbit (thank goodness Miller never used that term!)

But England's batting line up is long and deep (it's easy to see how Miller fell into Benny Hill speak!) and if Kevin Pietersen finds some form they might just be able to accommodate Panesar. They must not keep picking Anderson if it is blatantly obvious that conditions are not to his liking.

So which bowling strategy will prevail Down Under? Betfairians seem to think that spin is the key. Swann has been backed as short as 2.12 to be England's leading wicket taker although he is currently available at 2.34. The swing of Anderson trades at 6.8 but he has been backed as high as 9.6 and Broad leads the betting as far as the Jolly Green giants are concerned at 5.1 to back.

England head Down Under with a balanced bowling attack and in-form bowlers and they have devised a strategy that they believe they will enable them to take 20 wickets in a match. England supporters don't care if Benny Hill has written the script, they just want to win!


By Frank Gregan

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For Dynamo Kyiv, this has been a very odd year. At the halfway point of the Ukrainian season they trail Shakhtar Donetsk by five points [Shakhtar are 1.1 to win the title, and while they probably will win it, that is surely too short]. Dynamo lost their manager, Valeri Gazzaev, who protested that he was trying to build a team for three years time and never seemed to have the faith of Ihor Surkis, the club president. They went out of the Champions League in the qualifying round to Ajax. They drew at home to BATE Borisov and then lost to Sherriff in their first two games in the Europa League group stage.

There was talk of traumatic times, of the need for a new direction, as there was two years ago before the appointment of Yuri Semin as coach. And yet, almost despite themselves, as arguments raged as to whether they should go back to one of Valeriy Lobanovskyi's former players or if they should continue the policy of revolution enacted by bringing in two successive Russians as coach, Dynamo have started winning.

First 1-0 at home to Karpaty Lviv, then, stunningly, 2-1 away to AZ Alkmaar, which has suddenly resurrected a Europa League campaign that had seemed doomed. Then Yarmolenko scored twice as they won away at Volyn Lutsk in the league. They beat Sevastopol in the Kubok and then, in the final league game of the first half of the season (although there are a further four games to be played before the winter break, as well as the quarter-finals of the Kubok), they thrashed Illichevets 9-1. Illichevets are third from bottom, admittedly, and had conceded 27 in 14 games before they met Dynamo, but still, this suggested the new potency, the new ruthlessness of Dynamo since the former Arsenal full-back Oleg Luzhny took over as caretaker.

For the first time since Semin left to take charge at his beloved Lokomotiv Moscow, Dynamo have momentum. Whether that justifies them being as short as 1.25 to qualify for the knockout phase is another matter, but AZ were well beaten away to BATE Borisov in their last trip to eastern Europe, and have been inconsistent in the Eredivisie recently. They are 2.2 to make it through.

BATE, having drawn in Kyiv, beaten AZ at home and won away to Sherriff in Tiraspol, can all but seal their qualification with a home win against the Moldovans tonight (an attractive looking 1.64). They are 1.64 to win the group, and the only thing that looks likely to stop them is if they lose focus having already wrapped up their progress to the last 32 as they near their domestic winter break.

The key game in Group E, though, is that in Kyiv. In Alkmaar, Dynamo's success came down the flanks, with Roman Eremenko and Oleh Gusev repeatedly finding space. That is what can happen when a 4-4-2, as Dynamo played, meets a 4-3-3, so long as the two central midfielders aren't swamped by the opponent's three. Here, with Dynamo content to sit deep and break, Taras Mykhalik and Ognjen Vukojevic were exceptional. Neither is overly creative - in fact, Mykhalik is more commonly a centre-back, but their function here was to win ball and spread it wide, something they did supremely well.

It may be different at the Lobanovskyi Stadium, with the onus more on Dynamo to take the initiative. Luzhnyi fielded a 4-2-1-3 against Illichevets on Sunday, but it is highly unlikely he will be so adventurous tonight. More likely, if there is a switch from 4-4-2, is a 4-2-3-1, such as they played against Volyn, with Mykhalik and Vukojevic paired again at the back of midfield and Artem Milevskyi used as a lone forward. He is almost ideal for the role, technically gifted, but also physically strong and good with his back to goal - four goals in the turkey-shoot against Illichevets, though, may be misleading; he has been far from his best this season. Andriy Yarmolenko, presumably, will operate on the left, and Eremenko in the middle, which leaves a question on the right: either Danilo Silva or Gusev. Dynamo are 1.61 to win, AZ 6.6.


By Jonathan Wilson

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England vs New Zealand on the rugby field is one of sport's more one-sided fixtures, typically found just beneath bullfighting for its consistency of outcome. England have lost eight straight against the All Blacks, yet the Contrarian has pencilled in this Saturday as the day that Martin Johnson's men topple the best team in the world for the first time in over seven years...

England are getting closer each year

The All Blacks have maintained their winning form against England in their last few skirmishes but the margins have gradually become less emphatic, with the 32-point loss three meetings ago reduced to 26 five months later. England then lost out by only 13 last November in a game that was level at the halfway point and in which the hosts restricted New Zealand to just one try for the first time since their last victory over them in 2003.


The hosts are carrying momentum for once...

For the first time in five years, England head into their autumn internationals on the updraft of a big win (so not counting the reserves' loss to the NZ Maoris), after an unexpected 21-20 triumph over Australia in Sydney. It was a massive result for morale as the Wallabies are ranked second in the world and it ended a winless run against them, but also because it was their first away success against a southern hemisphere country in seven years. It was a win notable both for England's intensity (All Blacks assistant Wayne Smith has admitted "if we're not up to engaging them physically we're going to get hammered") and their positive approach and they showed fighting qualities too, firstly in coming from behind and then to hold on in the second half.


...and have their winning team together

England's preparations for big matches are often undone by injuries, yet the side that lines up against New Zealand will only have one change from that which overcame Australia, and it's a positive one - Andrew Sheridan returns after a lengthy lay-off to replace Tim Payne at loose-head prop. It had looked like captain Lewis Moody would miss out after suffering a serious eye injury last month yet he has made a full recovery. Jonny Wilkinson is an unsurprising absentee, though he didn't start in Australia and coach Martin Johnson has attempted to turn his unavailability into a positive by warning his players that with no talisman to fall back on, they must all step up.


All Blacks losses come in pairs

Whereas England are on a high, New Zealand's last outing was a 26-24 loss to the Wallabies that will feel far fresher having occurred just last weekend. It was the All Blacks' first reverse since last September and as a team that aren't accustomed to being beaten, they often struggle to respond positively. That last loss against South Africa almost 14 months ago was their third in three games and four of their previous six defeats came in pairs. Their form hasn't been as imperious as it usually is prior to visiting, with none of their three victories since August coming by a margin of greater than ten points.


The Foden factor could come into play

Johnson has been criticised by some pundits for sticking with familiar faces for the autumn internationals and going primarily with experience, but they have a wildcard in Ben Foden, who despite having only made six appearances has shown enough promise to be picked out by New Zealand captain Richie McCaw as a potential game-changer. The full-back has been a major factor in his club Northampton Saints' impressive start to the season, gaining more ground than any other player in the Aviva Premiership (491 metres), while creating the joint-most clean breaks.


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We all love a rumour. It's human nature. Ask us and we'll tell you that facts are sacred, and spreading gossip without any foundation is all wrong. But then tell us something in the strictest confidence and we'll soon whisper it to the next man along the line.

Back when I was at journalism college the lecturers told you never to repeat claims without first checking the facts behind them. And believe it or not newspapers still do try hard to follow those principles. But in the online world there are terabytes full of wild suggestions and stories, and whole chunks of the Web that are specifically designed to pass them on.

That's something which Audley Harrison's people know only too well, and he's given a masterclass this week in how to turn what might be fiction into cold hard fact. "I'm told," said the former Olympic world heavyweight champion to the Daily Mail and The Times, "that Haye has been knocked down by his sparring partner Tony Thompson. Thompson is no big puncher so if he puts him down, Haye can only be wondering what I'm going to do when I connect with my left hand."

Brilliant. In one little sentence Harrison has suddenly cast doubts about whether WBA champ Haye should really be as short as 1.18 to retain his title when the pair meet in Manchester in 11 days. And at the same time he's "refused to confirm rumours" that he's floored four of his own sparring partners. (Wonder who started those rumours?).

Haye is normally the master of handling the pre-fight media, but he's been outdone here. The word is now out there that while poor old Haye has been picking himself off the floor against a journeyman pro, Audley is beating up anybody who goes within a few yards of him. It's great hype, and all the better because if Haye's camp try to deny it then nobody will believe them.

Betfair's punters don't seem to have been taken in and make a Haye first round victory the marginal favourite at 11.0 to lay in the early market.

I'm not so sure. Harrison has made a habit of upsetting the odds ever since he surprised everybody by winning the Prizefighter as an outsider just over a year ago, and there's no doubt he's now training with more dedication and focus than during his first misguided attempt to manage his own career. I think 7.6 for him to win inside the distance is a very big price, and while it's a punt there's far more value there than in backing Haye. If you look at the bald statistics of height, weight and reach then Harrison comes out top in every one, and that gives him a puncher's chance if he can land one left hook.

We may never know whether the claim about Tony Thompson putting down Haye in sparring is true. But Harrison also says this is far more a 50/50 fight, and on that he might well be right - which makes backing him at 6.8 unmissable value. He's landed the most telling PR blow - I just wonder if he might throw the one that matters most too when they get in the ring.


Five things you might not know about Tony Thompson

1. Born in Washington DC in October 1971, he was 29 before he turned professional as a boxer. Until then he'd tried and failed at a variety of jobs, including a brief spell as an air traffic controller.

2. His mother died of HIV infection when he was 27, his father has served time in jail for drugs offences. He has five brothers and five sisters - but only one shares both parents. That is Keith who is a staff sergeant in the US Army.

3. He was 17 when he became a dad himself. He now has a wife, Sydnee, who is a speech pathologist, and together they share seven children.

4. A 6ft 5ins Southpaw, he's won 34 of his 36 fights.

5. He fought and beat Timor Ibragimov in 2007 wearing borrowed basketball sneakers because his boxing shoes had been stolen from his hotel room in the Playboy Mansion.


By Ralph Ellis

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Eamon Dumphy, ghost writer for Roy Keane's notorious autobiography, produced one of the best sporting books of all time. Called Only a Game, it was a diary of the 1973-4 season when he was playing for Millwall, and was the first ever honest account by a player of life inside a football club.

I remember it for exposing the selfishness of the average sportsman (don't let anybody kid you that the cyncial manoeuvring by the likes of Wayne Rooney is a new phenomenon). It also showed how the professionals will take whatever rules are introduced for the good of the sport, and adapt them to their own ends.

There was one great tale of a training session where the coach, concerned at the lack of dribbling skills, put on a game with a rule that somebody had to go past a man before the team were allowed to score a goal. It dissolved into farce when the players worked out that if you simply ran away from the person in possession, your side could never concede.

We shouldn't be surprised that the same spirit has spread into rugby in the professional era. As the Autumn Internationals approach this weekend, the rule makers are trying to encourage expansive, attacking try scoring. The guys at the coal face have a different view.

None more so than England's defensive coach Mike Ford. Presented with the challenge of facing the free scoring All Blacks, he's admitted that Martin Johnson's side will definitely not going to be attempting to trade tries in a Twickenham points fest. "Three games in the TriNations produced an average of 77 points. That for me isn't proper Test rugby," he's told today's papers.

That means England will be aiming to drag their meeting into a traditional forward slog, and if the rain happens to make the pitch a tad muddy well so much the better. It might not be good for the purists, but it may just help Johnson's side to stop New Zealand justifying their price of 1.17 favourites. At the very worst it should create a tight game and so give value in laying the All Blacks to win by more than 12.5 points at roughly even money - the current spread is between 1.76 and 2.2.

It's not only Johnson's side who are happy to indulge in a bit of gamesmanship. In Cardiff the Welsh are planning to open the Millenium Stadium roof and see how Australia's 20-year-old kicker James O'Connor gets on if the conditions are less than perfect. "We usually like to keep the roof closed but maybe this time we will keep it open and hope it pours with rain," admits Wales coach Warren Gatland, whose side are 4.4 to repeat their 2008 win over the Aussies (when the roof was closed).

Gatland has also had his team training in weighted shirts, with each player carrying five per cent of his bodyweight sown into his top. The idea is to get a "slingshot" effect when you play without the added burden which will help keep fresh legs and mind in the last 20 minutes. It sounds a great theory - but then probably so did that Millwall training session!


Five things you might not know about Mike Ford

1. Born November 1965 in Oldham, he was a promising midfield player with Oldham Athletic's youth team but they only offered him amateur terms. He was encouraged to play rugby league instead by his school's PE teacher Phil Larder, who later became Clive Woodward's defence coach in the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

2. He blossomed in RL, winning ten caps for Great Britain in a career that began with Wigan but also included time playing in Australia for South Queensland

3. His union career started almost by accident. Player coach of Oldham's RL team, he offered to help out the union club in the tiny nearby town of Dukinfield as a favour to a friend

4. His talent for coaching defences then took him to work for Ireland, Saracens and the British Lions before he began his current job

5. Married to Sallyanne, their elder son Joe, 20, is now a fly half with Northampton Saints while 17-year-old George is also a fly half at Leicester Tigers. The youngest, Jacob, plays rugby league and is scrum half for Saddleworth Rangers Under 13s.


By Ralph Ellis

(read more at betting.betfair.com)

The LA Lakers are the favourites from this division and can never be ruled out. Nick looks at the news affecting them and all the other teams in the Western Conference...


NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE

The opening tip in the 2010/11 season is a few days away. Below is a preview of the teams in the Western Conference.


Los Angeles Lakers

The defending champions have made very few changes to last year's rotation. The original starting five is back for another crack at the title. Matt Barnes and Theo Ratcliff were added to strengthen the bench.

The Lakers are still the team to beat in the Western Conference.

Current price to win the NBA championship 4.1


Oklahoma City Thunder

This young team gave the Lakers all they could handle in the playoffs last year. Kevin Durant leads this talented team along with Russell Westbrook and James Harden. I think the Thunder are legitimate contenders for the NBA championship.

Current price 22.0


Dallas Mavericks

The Mavs signed Dirk Nowitzki for four more years during the summer. The team also acquired Tyson Chandler and Alexis Ajinca to add some size to the squad.
Dallas came up short in the playoffs once again last year. This is a talented team that always finds a way to beat itself.

Current price 32.0


San Antonio Spurs

This team is not getting any younger but they always manage to compete. The great Tim Duncan is back for another tilt at the championship along with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

They should make the playoffs at the very least.

Current price 40.0


Utah Jazz

Carlos Boozer signed with Chicago over the summer after six turbulent seasons. His departure has weakened the rotation and I think they will struggle without him. They are a hard team to fancy.

Current price 55.0


Portland Trailblazers

The great Brandon Roy will do the heaving lifting for the Trailblazers again this year. LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden will ensure they make the post-season at the very least.

Current price 60.0


Houston Rockets

The Rockets missed the playoffs last year due to a mountain of injuries.Yao Ming has recovered from ankle surgery which is great news for this team. I think they have an outside chance of making the post-season.

Current price 60.0


Denver Nuggets

Carmelo Anthony is not happy in Denver and wants to leave. This news could not have come at a worse time. Coach George Karl spent the summer recovering from throat cancer and did not have the time or the energy to deal with team politics. I think they will struggle this year.

Current price 60.0


Phoenix Suns

The high octane Suns signed Hedo Turkoglu and Josh Childress during the off-season. Veteran point guard Steve Nash returns for another season but I think they are in for a bumpy ride.

Current price 95.0

　
Golden State Warriors

The Warriors are set for another losing year but there is hope on the horizon. David Lee joined the team from New York in the summer as an unrestricted free agent. He is a quality forward and is considered to be the future of this team.

Current price 220.0


Memphis Grizzlies

The cash strapped Grizzlies are slowly building a team for the future. Rudy Gay is one of the bright stars in the NBA and is the leader of this team. They have an outside playoff chance.

Current price 300.0


New Orleans Hornets

Chris Paul has fully recovered from injury which is great news for the Hornets. The talented Trevor Ariza was signed from Houston which should strengthen them. I think the Hornets could have a fair year.

Current price 300.0


Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers have been in rebuilding mode for the past 20 years. They have a new coach in Vinny Del Negro who has an impossible task. Another losing year is a certainty.
Current price 300.0


Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves only won 15 games last season. Former general manager Kevin Mchale drove this team in to the ground and it may take years to recover from the mess he left behind.

Current price 300.0


Sacramento Kings

Tyreke Evans is the star of this team and has a very bright future. The Kings signed rookie DeMarcus Cousins who looks like a good low post prospect. They still have a long way to go.

Current price 410.0


By Nick Shiambouros

(read more at betting.betfair.com)

From LeBron James' arrival at Miami Heat to the return of the man who served a 50 match suspension for bringing weapons into the locker room, here's all you need to know about the teams in the Eastern Conference...


NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE

The opening tip in the 2010/11 season is just a few days away. Below is a preview of the teams in the Eastern Conference.


Miami Heat

The great LeBron James ended months of speculation by announcing he was joining the Heat in a live show on ESPN in July. Miami moved heaven and earth to sign James along with Chris Bosh from Toronto.Team president Pat Riley orchestrated this complex trade which allowed these two players to join the great Dwyane Wade in Miami.

The Heat had to pay a hefty price to have three of the best players in the world on one team. Micheal Beasley, Jermaine O'Neal and Quentin Richardson were traded to free up salary space to make this deal happen.

The expectation level in Miami could not be higher. Every prominent analyst is predicting a championship for Miami this year but I am not totally convinced it will happen. Every great team needs the right balance and chemistry to win a title. Who knows if these three players can develop an understanding in their first season together?

Current price to win the NBA championship 2.9


Boston Celtics

The Celtics go to war with the addition of Shaquille O'Neal, who was signed from Cleveland during the summer. This is fundamentally the same team as last year with a couple of adjustments. Boston have added a little strength to their bench with the addition of DeLonte West and Jermain O'Neal.

Kevin Garnett and company look certain to make a bold to win the championship. They have the perfect combination of youth and experience and a great manager in Doc Rivers.

Current price 11.0


Orlando Magic

The Magic signed point guard Chris Duhon from New York during the summer. This was the only significant move from the Magic but it was an important one. Duhon has excellent ball distribution and is a welcome addition to this talented rotation.Orlando has all the components needed to win a championship and should have a big year.

Current price 13.0


Chicago Bulls

The Bulls failed to sign LeBron during the summer but got Carlos Boozer instead. This forward came over from the Jazz and is a welcome addition to the team. The talented Derek Rose will ensure this young team makes the playoffs at the very least.

Current price 36.0


New York Knicks

The Knicks had a dreadful season last year winning just 29 games. The best move they made during the summer was signing Amar'e Stoudemire from Phoenix. He should help this disappointing franchise with his explosive offensive skills.

Current price 85.0


Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks had a fair season last year and nearly beat Atlanta in the opening round of the playoffs. This team is built on defence, and as a result don't score a lot of points. With a little luck they should make the playoffs once again.

Current price 130.0


Atlanta Hawks

Larry Drew replaced Mike Woodson as coach during the summer. The fans are hungry for success but this team has yet to deliver. Joe Johnson was re-signed for a six year contract worth $120m which surprised me, to say the least.

Current price 150.0


Washington Wizards

Rookie John Wall was the most significant signing of the summer. This point guard will be thrust into action immediately to help this troubled franchise. Gilbert Arenas returns to the team after serving a 50 game suspension for bringing weapons in to the locker room. They have an outside chance of making the playoffs.

Current price [150]


Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers were devastated after LeBron James abandoned them for the bright lights of Miami. It has been reported that the franchise is worth $200m less after the departure of James.

The fans feel betrayed by his departure, and in truth, who could blame them? It will be a long season for the poor Cavs.

Current price 180.0

　
New Jersey Nets

New owner Mikhail Prokhorov has promised to deliver an NBA title within five years. That's is a tall order for a team that won just 12 games last season.

Current price 240.0


Detroit Pistons

This team is in complete chaos and another poor season is on the cards.

Current price 290.0


Philadelphia 76ers

New coach Doug Collins has the unenviable task of sorting out this poor team.

Current price 290.0
　

Charlotte Bobcats

The Bobcats made the playoffs last year but I don't think a repeat is on the cards. They lost Raymond Felton to New York during the summer.

Current price 400.0


Toronto Raptors

Losing Chris Bosh to Miami has decimated this team. It will be a miracle if they make the playoffs.

Current price 400.00


Indiana Pacers

The Pacers are set for yet another disappointing season.

Current price 460.0


By Nick Shiambouros

(read more at betting.betfair.com)