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issue 60 posted at 11.00am on 29 February 2008...

The Mole's reporting of events from the trading floor this week has been slightly tarnished by the 'successful' completion of the 24 hour puntathon. To be completely honest, that super weekend of sport completely passed me by. But unfortunately for our traders it was a very cold, hard and vivid weekend where you guys unbuckled our belts and dropped our slacks.

Meanwhile I think it's time that you took a look at our Cheltenham markets, as in two weeks time the Festival will have come and gone! We've got week long markets, race markets, match bets and specials. Click here to take a look.

Yours in sport,
 

It's just over 11 years and four months since the most famous night on Tyneside when Philippe Albert's lob sealed that 5-0 drubbing over a golden Manchester United side. Newcastle have the same manager and one team again scored five goals, but how times have changed. One client will pay no mind to that fact after buying the Total Goals in the game at 2.9 for £5,000! Our traders were trembling, especially given the fact that United had just done them six love in last month's reverse fixture. Newcastle looked up for it but couldn't last more than 25 minutes as Rooney opened the scoring with a volley and Trader's Nightmare made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time. With the in–running quote of goals rising like a Plane Stupid protestor, the game was only going one way. Trader's Nightmare added the game's third, Newcastle's Faye the fourth, Rooney the fifth and Saha polished the drubbing off in the last minute to make it 5-1 to United and send a couple of traders reaching for the bottle! Those six goals meant our punter landed a massive £15,500 profit.

 

So the first domestic cup goes to a team that were apparently in crisis just months ago. What a strange game football is! Tottenham Hotspur, no strangers to a major final (as Chief keeps telling me), took on The Bank of Chelsea in the first League Cup Final at the new Wembley on Sunday. One punter, after watching 90 minutes, decided to get involved in one of our extra-time markets and sold Shirts at 15 for £30. Our man thought that, after seeing a game that Chelsea were lucky to still be in, the action could go all the way to penalties. But the client could not have been more unfortunate as four minutes into the first period Jermaine Jenas's cross was punched onto the head of Jonathan Woodgate by Petr Cech. The defender reeled away in celebration to reveal a big blue wallet shrinking number 39 on his back. The last 26 minutes wouldn't have made for comfortable viewing as Chelsea attacked, but thankfully the score remained the same and Spurs lifted another trophy, while our man was left to lift his spirits after his £720 loss.

 

Premier League The balance of power shifted back in Utd's favour last weekend. The Red Devils stuffed Newcastle while Arsenal were held by the Brummie Blues at St Andrews. Fergie’s men are up four to 47-50 on our Premier League Championship Index.

Cheltenham Festival Are the hairs standing up on the back of your neck yet? The Festival is so close and 'Jolly' backers are already getting in the spirit and our Winning Favourites x 10 market is up two to 62-67 (the number of SP favourites that win races x 10).

FA Cup Boro were saved from spot-kicks by a Paddy Kenny howler at the Riverside on Wednesday night and the Teesside outfit, who now face Cardiff in the Q-Finals, are up nine to 50-53 on our FA Cup Outright Index.

Entertainment Multi-talented or what? Not only can Suzanne Shaw belt out a tune or two, the blonde bombshell also knows her way around an ice rink. After impressing the judges last week, the former Hear'Say star is up nine to 26-29 on our Dancing On Ice Index.
 

Want to go to the Cheltenham Gold Cup? Well play Kennington Park! If you play our spread betting horse racing game, Kennington Park, not only could you double your profits up to £50, but we'll also enter you in to a draw to win one of five pairs of tickets for the club enclosure on Gold Cup day at Cheltenham. Click here for full T's&C's.

Can’t get to Murrayfield? Then come to Balham! It’s your last chance to join us for some top class hospitality at The Bedford Arms in Balham, South London to watch England’s crucial Six Nations match against Scotland next Saturday. Email rugby@sportingindex.com to find out more. Terms & Conditions apply.
 
 
 


...avg 2nd half goals scored by City in last 7 home games
 
 


...avg winning suprem in last season's 3 Wig/Bra games
 
 


...avg Liverpool team bkgs pts in last 4 matches v Bolton
 
 


..avg Gloucester pts in last
3 GP matches v Quins
 
 


...avg Hayden runs in last
2 Sydney ODIs vs India
 
 


...avg Hibs team GMs in
last 3 home games v Celtic
 
 


...mins since Pompey
scored against Everton
 
 


...mins since Everton
conceded in the league