World Cup

Buy Ireland on the Leaderboard Index at 19 with Cantor Sports for 0.5 pts ** M/U 30, Profit 5.5 pts.

From Day 1 with a 12 under 60 Ireland were always in this event although a poor R2 meant they were always looking at 2nd or 3rd at best.

Ireland have the pairing on Harrington and McGinley to represent them in this 24 team event where only eleven teams have realistic claims of success. At the top end of the list, Spain with Sergio and Jimenez, England with Casey/Donald and South Africa with last years winners Sabbatini/Immelman are probably along with Ireland the 4 teams likely to contest. In a scoring system of 60 to the winner, paying down to 8th place with points of 40, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10 and 5 at each position, Ireland need to finish 5th or better to achieve a profit for us. It would be a surprise though were they not to score at all.

** Note: In 2005 we will be offering trades from www.spreadfair.com. Spreadfair is an exchange set up by Cantor in June 2004. 99% of all prices at the exchange will be better than at Cantor such is the nature of exchange betting. If it turns out that this price is better than the other firms available then we will advise the bet at Spreadfair with a proviso that a certain amount of liquidity is available for the trade. In the case of this weeks bet, there is over £50 available to buy Ireland at 18 or better as I type. With a commission structure similar to other exchanges it would be value to back Ireland at anything up to 18.5