Right Said Fred: Talking Betting With Betfred Boss Fred Done

Matt Fitzpatrick’s sensational win  in the US Open has catapulted one of golf’s Mr Nice Guy into the reckoning at 8/1 at Betfred to be named 2022 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

He’s still behind record-equalling Betfred World Snooker Championship champ Ronnie O’Sullivan who remains the 3/1 favourite for the greatest individual honour in British sport.

Sheffield based Fitzpatrick’s win at Brookline was his first major – and frankly couldn’t have happened to a nicer bloke giving the sport a shot in the arm with all the negative headlines at the moment.

Harry Kane is on the drift after that poor England performance against Hungary which has led to many fans, including myself, starting to wonder about how we’ll do in the World Cup in Qatar later this year.

The Three Lions, who have hit poor form at the worst possible time with just two warm up games to go, are now third-favourites at 7/1 behind Brazil and France at 9/2 and 6/1 respectively.

Next up at 10/1 is Manchester boxer Tyson Fury with GP driver George Russell at 14/1 and Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson, who is also likely to be in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad, at 16/1.

Leading the charge for the women  is our best hope for  Wimbledon glory, if she’s fit of course, is Emma Raducanu who is 20/1  - the same price at Betfred for her to win the ladies title SW19. Andy Murray is a 40/1 shot to triumph in the men’s singles which is a sad indictment on the game in this country that we haven’t been able to produce the talent to compete with the world’s best at such a prestigious tournament.  

BETFRED are meanwhile 10/1 that Warrington winger Connor Wrench celebrates his new three-year deal by scoring the first try against Hull FC at the Halliwell Jones on Friday.

 It’s fantastic news that the 20-year-old, who has come through the club’s academy, has committed his future to his hometown club until November 2025.

He says he’s “buzzing”, and that it’s a dream come true having watched the Wire from the stands as a kid.

There’s nothing better than a local lad making good, and I know that is appreciated by the supporters to see one of their own make progress in Betfred Super League.

Connor, an England Knights star, has been saying he hopes the Wolves will make a top-six finish this season, but to do so they’ll have to start winning games.

The Wire are 4/6 favourites to triumph against Hull on Friday.

It was brilliant to see Warrington’s George Williams back to his best for England against the Combined Nations All Stars at the Halliwell Jones on Saturday night.

He must have impressed England boss Shaun Wane in what was a huge test ahead of the World Cup.

They came through it well – and if you think Williams will continue his good form and score first on Friday, that’s available at 18/1.

HERE’S the view of the international from Oldham born Paul Sculthorpe, the RL legend and Betfred TV pundit:

“The game was the first real match preparation ahead of this Autumn's home World Cup. There will be two more ‘run outs’ against France and Fiji, before the serious stuff begins on 15th October against Samoa at Newcastle’s St James Park.

“One positive from the All Stars game was the physicality of the game, something we know we will be faced with in that opening fixture.

“However, there needs to be a huge improvement in performance over the next few months. The tough talking Shaun Wane said after the game that the review won’t be pretty, and that the players will certainly know where they stand when they leave camp. He said the players need to take the feedback and put things right week after week in their club games if they are to stand any chance of claiming an England jersey at the end of the year.

“There were significant admissions to the side who you think would be nailed on come the tournament, namely Saints boys Lomax, Knowles and Percival if all fit. But one thing the gaffer has made very clear is nobody is certain of a place yet and if players are in poor form come the end of year changes will be made, no matter who they are.

“On saying that, Waney was very complimentary of two Saints, Alex Walmsley and Tommy Makinson. He said at the moment these two, along with Sam Tomkins are probably the only shoo-in’s to start on current form.

“Tomkins did get a mixed review from the coach after the game, saying he did some good things and some ordinary. My personal opinion, Sam is a cert. He’s an ultimate professional and has all the big game experience to help England challenge for World Cup glory. As for Walmsley & Makinson, totally agree with Shaun...with the latter probably the best player in the Betfred Super League at the moment.

“Saints young star Jack Welsby, like Tomkins got a mixed bag review. Playing at Stand-off, away from his accustomed full back role and alongside George Williams, the England boss wanted ‘more’ from him. I always think when you play someone in the halves who doesn’t play there week in week out, they can focus too much on others around them and trying to control the game rather than doing what they do best, and what Jack does best is run! He had some nice touches in the game but I agree could have had more involvement. His fellow halfback Williams had a much improved performance than what he has shown this year for Warrington. I thought he controlled the game, and like all good half backs was there in support of John Bateman to show a clean pair of heels and score England’s second try.

“The opening try was scored by Huddersfield’s Jake Wardle on his England debut. I’m a big fan of Jake and it was great to see him get his opportunity. I believe if we are to have success in the World Cup we have to find the best ‘English’ way of playing…and that for me is playing quick, with great skill and flair. Wardle certainly fits that bill, and if his Giants form continues I’m sure he  has a chance of making the final squad. We are not blessed with 110kg+ players like Australia, NZ, Tonga and Samoa, so we have to play to our strengths and move them around the park. In saying that we have to match the physical battle and be aggressive with our defence. That’s what test match football is all about.

“Meanwhile, back in the Betfred Super League following the stand alone International weekend, all teams are back in action, and it’s Super League strugglers Leeds who come to the Totally Wicked Stadium on Thursday.

“Unbelievably, the Rhinos are only 5 wins from 15 games this season so far, and must know they will be up against it this week against the table toppers. However, Saints Vs Leeds is always a big game, and one the hosts will be showing the upmost respect. Positive news from the Saints camp is Kristian Woolf looks set to play Jonny Lomax and Morgan Knowles following their aforementioned admissions from the England game. Mark Percival however will not play.

“Saints go into Thursday's fixtures clear favourites to retain their title for the fourth year running at evens with Betfred. They are followed by Catalan 7/2, Wigan 4/1 and Huddersfield 10/1. Proof of the poor Rhinos season so far as they sit way out at 33/1.

“I’m going for a Saints win by 18 points or more against Leeds which is 5/4 at Betfred. This will take us 6pts clear of both Catalan and Wigan who both face Castleford and Toulouse respectively later this weekend.

“Finally, it was great to see the England Women put on a great display before the men's fixture, as they convincingly beat 5th seeded France by 36-10 in their own pre-World Cup preparations.

“Two tries each for Saints star Amy Hardcastle and Leeds Rhino Georgia Roche helped coach Craig Richards’ team secure the win.

“Like the England men’s team, the women now have to come up with the blueprint to topple the much fancied Australia and New Zealand and lift that World Cup trophy! “

Finally life could hardly be better for a caravan sales company boss who has won big at Betfred.

 Twelve years ago Michael Baker, 40, was on benefits, but now he’s in the money.

The father-of-three won £43,122 from a £15 each-way accumulator at Royal Ascot on Friday – the day all bookies including Betfred were badly bruised – selecting five winners in Candleford, Inspiral, Heredia, Changingoftheguard and Latin Lover.

Michael, who lives in Hereford, picked up his hot tips the night before while chatting to pals in the New Strand pub in the village of Eardisley.

After his final selection Latin Lover won, Michael put an open tab behind the bar and stayed late to celebrate, with his final round topping £100.

Michael’s caravan business has gone from strength to strength thanks to Covid – with so many people option for staycations – and he’s just celebrated his 40^th birthday with a new Rolex watch from his wife.

He said: “My eldest son has just passed his driving test, so we’ve bought him a pick-up truck – and there were treats for all the family over the weekend at Cheshire Oaks.

“I can’t believe how I’ve managed to win so much from a relatively small stake. My last significant win was £2,600 at Cheltenham four years ago.

“We have some friends in the village who are looking to set up a hairdressing business, so that’s where we’re going to invest most of the win.

“It all came from a few conversations in the pub and I got a few tips as my racing knowledge is limited. It was only right that I should put some money back behind the bar the next day so everyone could celebrate.

“Changingoftheguard only just won, and then I didn’t realise there would be so many runners in the last race. I couldn’t believe it when he won, although I couldn’t actually watch the race. “

It’s no wonder we lost over £2million on Friday at Ascot when we have customers like Michael doing so well. No way am I looking for sympathy for in my business you get good and bad days. I’m of course paying out with a big smile – and It’s great that he’s helping other people in business with his substantial winnings.