Geir Stabell #3 (17th December 2008) "I do not have any strong fancies in the football this week but, if you have not already done so, I would suggest backing Barcelona for the Champions League prior to the draw on Friday. The best price around is 9/2 (Ladbrokes, Extrabet) and they seem to be a good few lengths ahead of the pack, at least at this stage, and I can see them contract after the draw - almost regardless of who they are paired with in the last sixteen. People are beginning to lose faith in Chelsea now, aren't they?" BET: CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Barcelona to win the 2008/09 competition: WIN @ 9/2
Geir Stabell #26 (4th June 2009) "If you fancy an each-way alternative to backing Mine That Bird at short odds, look no further than Summer Bird. Potentially a big improver, a very likely stayer, he can be backed at 20/1 (generally). It's my guess that he will more like a 12/1 shot at Belmont on Saturday. Summer Bird finished really well to be sixth, beaten by Mine That Bird, Pioneer of The Nile, Musket Man, Papa Clem and Chocolate Candy. All those were more experienced than Summer Bird, but in passing the winning post 13 lengths behind Mine That Bird (after having been shuffled back early on) he ran a fine race. And the best news is, he had produced an even better performance in the Arkansas Derby, where Summer Bird finished by far the best from a seemingly hopeless position to take third. Summer Bird was dead last and detached from the field down the backstretch, but came rolling like a star in the making through the last quarter. He checked in just 1 1/4 lengths behind Papa Clem, as Old Fashioned was second. That was only his third lifetime start. A mile and a half will not suit many of the Belmont horses. True, it will probably be to the favorite Mine That Bird's liking, but take him out and all but one are suspect stayers; Summer Bird. Not only will he stay the trip, he will almost certainly improve vastly for this step up in distance. He bypassed the Preakness and comes here a fresh horse. BET: U.S. RACING: Saturday 6th June: Belmont Park: BELMONT STAKES (Race 11): Summer Bird (each-way): WIN @ 20/1
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