Or try Something Exciting instead...

Horse Racing

Now the play-offs are done and dusted, we know exactly who we'll be playing next season and there are sure to be some mouth-watering 'derby' clashes ahead.

However, Saturday sees a derby of a different kind when around 15 finely tuned athletes of the equine kind line up for the Epsom Derby.

Picking the winner is never easy. For a start, there's the distance, the course, the going, and the jockey to consider.

However, if you're looking for inspiration then you could do worse than to look to Motivator (9/4). Unbeaten in three races and yet to be seriously tested, Motivator has the right blend of speed and stamina for this supreme test of a three-year-old. Trained by the not so well-known Michael Bell, he'd be a shorter price if trained by one of the bigger stables. A £20 bet on Motivator at the current odds returns £65.

As regards Friday's fillies classic - the Oaks - the best advice is to go for Something Exciting. No, literally, the filly of that name trained by David Elsworth may have been underestimated by the bookmakers and can be backed at over three times the price (currently 13/2) of the favourite, Eswarah (2/1). Something Exciting, an impressive winner of one of the recognised trials, the Lupe Stakes at Goodwood, could really be just that!

Greyhounds

Another Derby also gets under way this week, but this time we're talking muzzles rather than blinkers - the Greyhound Derby from Wimbledon.

As always, the challenge from the Emerald Isle is strong, and their team is head by Droopy's Maldini at 8/1. However, that's a short price for a competition with so much strength in depth, so we'd recommend a few quid on Westmead Hawk at 33/1 instead. Not the quickest from the traps, his brilliant middle pace can see him swoop late for glory!

Football

If you're already suffering withdrawal symptoms from the footy, you may want to consider having a bet on the World Cup qualifying matches taking place this weekend. Some of the bigger names are in action, including Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Holland, and a £20 accumulator on all four pays a respectable £112.81.

There's also the Women's Euro Championship 2005 kicking off on Saturday, and AbbeyBet make England favourites at Evens to win their opening game against Finland. In the outright market, England could also be worth a look at 14/1, as they come into the competition in great form (4-1 over the Czech Republic last week), and are in the opposite half of the draw to the favourites Germany. What price the Germans to beat us on penalties in the final!

And, win or lose, whatever you bet on, you can sure that every bet you place at AbbeyBet directly benefits the club!

You don't even have to be near your computer to use AbbeyBet. Just dial 08000 323 365 - but make sure you quote "AbbeyBet" to ensure we earn revenue from your business!

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