Malaysian Grand Prix - Preview

Well what a day and week that was at Aintree. Sadly we had to miss quite a few races but we had 4 winners from about 8 posts, which was a good return, and the Easter break means that we can tackle the Champions League head on next week; There are still some good prices to be had.

On another much lower note, it was a terrible shame to see Dooney’s Gate and Ornais die in the National. As sad as it was (commiserations to all the connections) even if it can’t be ignored, we shouldn’t let it detract from what has and will always be a brilliant sporting occasion. These horses get the best of care before, during (there’s a reason a jockey pulls a horse up) & after races (take a look at this picture of a beaten jockey having only fallen a few minutes ago, pouring water on Ballabriggs to help him recover after his heroic effort)

If a National Hunt racehorse either doesn’t want to run or jump, they`ll either refuse to start no matter how much they’re enticed or they`ll refuse to jump...THEY`LL REFUSE!  - Take Chaninbar’s refusal at the start of the Melling Chase (see first 15 secs of video), where he wasn’t forced to run after they’d realized he had enough. If you can't watch it then switch off and follow another sport, after all, nobody forces you, do they?

Onwards and upwards to a very different subject, The Malaysian Grand Prix. Sadly I missed out on a seasonal preview and also the Australian Grand Prix, but it’s time to make amends by taking a second opportunity to back Sebastian Vettel from pole for the race.

Vettel - Can win again

Admittedly this is no easy money, and the gap between Sebastian Vettel and the rest of the field that was upwards of three-quarters of a second is now just a tenth, but going from pole makes so much difference to the race and especially Vettlel in particular, who’s record from pole means that being infront is all the more crucial. He came back from third to get the win here last year, and can do so again from the front.

The miniscule gap between him and Lewis Hamilton is of some worry but that doesn’t; necessarily put us at an instant disadvantage, and if not for two small mistakes in the final sector of his lap Hamilton could have been on pole. But while he’s going to have a bigger shot than 11/4 suggests, the preference is for Vettel given how the race pace unfolded in Melbourne.

Jenson Button could also go very close now he’s seemingly gotten his qualifying act together, and he probably shouldn’t be as big as 14’s on all evidence. He’s a safe pair of hands to say the least, so should be able to keep tabs at least, and he’s made the long stint his own over the years. I’d just take him over Mark Webber on a value basis, although 5/6 for the pair to make the podium is very reasonable.

The other bet comes in the shape of Renualt to have a double points finish at 6/5 with Paddy Power.  Vitaly Petrov gave their car an almighty drive to snatch a podium in Australia while Nick Heifeld finished out of the places but he started 18^th then and now is 9^th today, so better can be expected from him, while Petrov should do fine upfront. It’s hard not to see the pair of them in the points.

Advice

3 pts Sebastian Vettel to win the Malaysian Grand Prix (6/5 Skybet)

2 pts Renault double points finish (6/5 Paddy Power)