Right Said Fred: Talking Betting With Betfred Boss Fred Done

I was mightily impressed by Salford’s spirit as they forced a tremendous comeback win at Warrington on Sunday.

They had a narrow lead at the break then let Wire build up a 24-8 lead only to show great courage and endeavour to win 32-24 – a victory that has left the buoyant visiting fans dreaming that their team that never knows when its beaten could actually achieve a top six finish.

The against-the-odds triumph at the Halliwell Jones Stadium has catapulted the Red Devils to seventh in the Betfred Super League table and left the Wolves languishing third from bottom ahead of the Magic Weekend in Newcastle.

Salford, who have a tough job battling to make it three wins on the bounce when they play Huddersfield at St James’ Park on Sunday, are a tempting  100/1 to win the Grand Final at Old Trafford on September  24.

Leaders Saints, who lost a dramatic game against Catalans in France at the weekend, are evens with Catalans and Wigan both 7/2 shots while Daryl Powell’s Wire remain at 33/1 to mount a late charge  - and somehow win the Grand Final.

Powell seems to be taking two steps forward and one back with every week of this hugely disappointing season for the Wire.

He must be totally bemused to have thrown it away on Sunday with Salford running out convincing winners in the end, scoring four tries without reply.

Powell believes his team must be stronger mentally as well as physically – and he’s going to be tackling how to basically get his players to “do their jobs better” and crucially show more consistency in their performances.

As if things could be any more difficult for Warrington right now, they take on the in-form Catalans Dragons in Newcastle on Sunday.

If the Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries fancies it, I’m sure a trip to Newcastle for this festival of everything that is great about our game can be arranged.

Her gaffe when she mixed up rugby league with rugby union at an event to promote the World Cup is still raising eyebrows in the corridors of power at RL.

We at Betfred have got some tasty specials priced up for Magic Weekend – including this six-fold accumulator at an enhanced price.

We’re offering 20/1 that Wakefield beat Toulouse in what could end up being a million pound game, Saints put one over their old enemy Wigan, Leeds beat Castleford, Huddersfield triumph over the never-say-die Salford, Catalans inflict further misery on Warrington and Hull FC pick up both points against local rivals KR.

My best wishes meanwhile to Regan Grace, Saints’ flying Welsh winger a huge fans favourite who is to leave at the end of the season and switch codes to join up with top French club Racing 92.

The 25 year old has won three Betfred Super League titles as well as the Challenge Cup during his time with Saints who he joined from South Wales Scorpions under 16s – and has gone on to score 89 tries in 143 games.   

My congratulations to a Betfred regular has won £100,000 from a £2 punt on Betfred’s Bonus King Bingo.

The 50-year-old hails from Bulgaria, and he plans to use his winnings on buying a new house in his homeland.

The factory worker, who played his winning card at a Betfred shop in East Anglia, said: “I have a wife and I had a big party to celebrate with her, our family and friends.

“I picked the numbers randomly a few years ago and have stuck with them ever since.”

Our own bingo game is proving increasingly popular… and no wonder when we have wins like this, picking up £100,000 from such a tiny stake.

He has well and truly picked my pocket with this one – good luck to the fella who has won a life-changing amount of money.

 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 a 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 £2 million on a single day at Ascot when we have customers like Michael doing so well…and it’s great that he’s helping other people in business with his substantial winnings.

Don’t miss next week’s edition to find out how you can win  tickets for the Betfred World Matchplay Darts at Blackpool’s Winter  Gardens. We have eight tickets (four pairs) up for grabs between Sunday, July 17  to Friday, July 22. So make sure you get next week’s edition – and test your sporting knowledge to  win this fabulous prize.