"For those who treated me like garbage I say we are in the World Cup with all the honours" - said Maradona after the Uruguay game on Wednesday. Why would you be treated like garbage Diego? You’re only a drug taking cheat, who used 79 players in the qualifying campaign and persisted at times with two Championship players instead of genuine world class stars. But to the little man's credit he did pull it out of the bag, much to the joy of one punter who loves his late shows, after buying time of the Winning Goal in the Peru AND Uruguay games at 38 and 36 respectively (for the lumpy sum of £250 a pop). So cue client cheer and trader deflation when the man who once missed three penalties in a match won the Peru game in the 92nd minute and made the little man do this. Then double the joy and depression when the ball found itself in the Uruguay area in the 84th minute and was somehow turned into the net by Mario Bolatti to send the punter as mad as Maradona and the Argie bench! Many will be happy that Argentina booked their place in South Africa and some will be able to afford to travel there in style after winning £25,000.

Now if you want an unbelievable tale of woe then read Frankie Boyle's new autobiography or you can simply read on. The venue: Ffos Las. The date: Sunday 11th October. The bets: a sell of Manorson in the 3.55 Race Index at 13 for £40 and a buy of Particle in the 5.05 Index at 23 for £25. For those of you with an At The Races password you'll be able to watch what I am about to describe, but for those without, picture this. Your horse is a distant second turning in and you're looking at a 12 point loss when the horse over 15 lengths clear in front over-jumps and sends his rider crashing to the floor, meaning a 25 point make-up soon turned into 50! Then an hour and bit later, more carnage, as your fancy looks as though it's going to hack-up, leading by plenty, sees its main rival crash three out. You're one fence from an easy victory and the stupid nag decides it doesn't fancy the last and refuses! Truly unbelievable scenes at the brand new Welsh course with the betting bloodbath costing our man £2,055.

Heineken Cup Reigning champions Leinster began the defence of their Heineken Cup crown in the worst possible fashion, losing 12-9 at home to London Irish as the visitors' gritty defensive display frustrated the Irish side. Can they recover from this early set back? Leinster are down seven points on our Heineken Cup Outright Index to 6-9.

Another upset in the Heineken Cup, as this time pre-season favourites Munster left Northampton empty handed. Fly-half Shane Geraghty racked-up 21 points in a display that will leave the hosts full of confidence as they get ready to face Perpignan. Can they maintain their early form? The Saints are up four points on the same Index to 9-12.

NFL Indianapolis made it five wins from five thanks to a comfortable 31-9 victory over Tennessee on Tuesday. The Colts now have the best passing offense of the new season, and with a solid defense to back them up, they have a huge chance of going deep into the play-offs. They're up six points on our Super Bowl Outright Index to 43-47.


Mildly interesting / useless sporting fact

Nicklas Bendtner, I think he's rubbish, here's the proof (skip to 0.34).