National Hunt Racing
Back Kauto Star to win the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup at 3.75 on Betfair.
What can Antepost say about this beautiful beast that hasn't already been said? He is the best chaser since Desert Orchid and a joy to behold when in full flow. Despite much concerned chatter about his jumping ability, he has delivered when it matters and, as our racing correspondent Noel Hayes points out elsewhere in this issue, should not be opposed anytime he strides out on a racecourse.
Now is the time to get on him for next season before his price becomes unattractive. While there's many a slip twixt cup and lip, punters can be sure that no other horse in the county will be looked after as well as Kauto Star. Barring injury, he will be geared toward this race again, and if he runs, he'll win.
Last season, Antepost cleaned up on the Star and fully expects to do so again this season. Take 3.75 (11/4) on Betfair now, because this fella will go off odds-on if he runs. You can buy Antepost a drink at the bar with your winnings.
Politics
Back Labour to win the most seats in the 2010 UK election at 6/5 on expect.com
This is one for the long-range punter, as the election is not scheduled until 2010 at the latest, but now that Tony Blair has gone, his successor, Gordon Brown, can start cleaning up the mess Blair made at the constituency level over the Iraq war. Even if he fails in shifting policy, he can and will blame Blair for this perceived aberration among the party's solid working-class rump support.
Appointing several Iraq war-policy dissenters to his first cabinet sent out a strong signal that he was prepared to engage in what is likely to be a robust debate.
Brown has more charm than most give him credit for, and has displayed significant economic nous in his time as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Britons traditionally like a safe pair of hands at the helm, and the rest of the pack are so far behind in terms of experience that the 6/5 about winning more seats than any other party looks very generous.
A little riskier but more attractively priced is the "overall majority" market, with Labour just over 2/1 on Betfair. The Liberal Democrats and Tories have been making hay while the sun shines on the Iraq issue, and have attracted plenty of disillusioned Labour supporters, but it remains to be seen if they have the legs to carry themselves to a position where they might thwart another overall majority. Take the risk-free money in the "win most seat" market at 6/5 - and if you vote for one of the other parties and your bet doesn't come in, don't blame Antepost.
Financials
Buy Diageo shares as a long-term investment.
The world's largest alcoholic drinks group may appear at first glance a rather moribund proposition. But after a few sips of its main products - Guinness, Smirnoff vodka, Jose Cuervo tequila - it becomes a rather more attractive one.
The company is priced around 17 times 2008 forecast earnings and has been a solid deliverer of growth and dividends to shareholders since Guinness and Grand Metropolitan merged in 1997. Operating in 180 countries, it is well-placed to both weather downswings and eke out new opportunities.
Speculation is mounting that the brewing behemoth may sell off Guinness, a brand that many analysts believe does not fit neatly into the existing portfolio of spirits, liqueurs, and alco-pops. Diageo has only confirmed that it is reviewing the brewing operation in Dublin city centre, where the stout has been brewed since 1759.
Whatever occurs, Chief Executive Paul Walsh is a safe pair of hands and has proven his worth, and the long-term prospects for the brewer are strong.
Football
Back Greece to qualify for Euro 2008 at 6/5 on Ladbrokes.
With half the campaign to qualify for Euro 2008 already gone, some front-runners are emerging. But most, such as Sweden (1/8) and Germany (1/9), are unbackable. Great value can be found in Greece, which heads Group C with 17 points - five ahead on nearest rivals Bosnia-Herzegovina and Turkey, though the latter does have a game in hand.
It's not an easy group, by any means - Norway and Hungary are also there - but Greece has some pedigree as the surprise winner of the event in 2004, and already has done a great deal of the necessary graft.
While Greece has tough away assignments at both Turkey and Norway, it has second-place Bosnia-Herzegovina at home, and with only one loss in the campaign so far, it is well worth a flutter at this price for a top-two finish.
Football
Back Hearts to win Scottish Premier League without Celtic and Rangers at 8/5 with Stan James.
Not much is likely to change in the upper echelons of the Scottish Premier League. Either Celtic or Rangers will win, with Celtic the shorter price preseason, based on last season's win and having much greater firepower in the transfer market these days.
That leaves the race for third an option for more adventurous punters. Aberdeen, Hibernian, and Hearts are the only serious contenders. Hibs has more or less ruled itself out, despite having a capable manager in John Collins. The sale of several players, mostly snapped up by Celtic, since January will bolster the finances but do nothing for its long-term chances.
Aberdeen has been building up a head of steam under Jimmy Calderwood, and last season's third-place finish was well-deserved. But the loss of captain Russell Anderson to Sunderland is a significant blow.
Hearts mercurial owner Vladimir Romanov has overseen a period of volatility at the club - caused mostly by his own actions, if media reports are to be believed. But he is not short on serious ambition, and if, and only if, the club can attain a sustained period of stability, Antepost expects it to go one place better than last year's fourth.
If the instability continues between the start of the season and Christmas, Aberdeen is the team to look to.
