Thursday 8th April...

Tomorrow is a big day for sport with the start of the much-awaited masters and the beginning of the Aintree festival. Add to this the quarter-final second legs for the Europa League and the weeks premier league darts fixtures and it becomes a day full of opportunities for layers. Im going to start with the darts. I have to lay Barney at 7/4 (1pt). He's been very poor this season and was trounced by Phil Taylor last week. Adrian Lewis, although not been in the greatest from himself has been much more consistent and I see him running out a comfortable winner, either 8-4 or 8-5. Also at the darts Terry Jenkins has been in awful form this year and I fancy Whitlock to easily beat the bull. Therefore I have to lay Terry (3pts).

In the Europa League I have to lay Fulham (4pts). They are awesome at Craven Cottage yet cant seem to find the same rhythm away from home. Wolfsburg, with a one-goal deficit to overcome will be fully motivated and are tough to face at home.

At Aintree, I would like to lay Imperial Commander given his poor form following only a short lay off period. However, he would receive nearly 20lb if it were a handicap and as such may just have enough quality to see his opponents off.

I am going to have a small lay in the 14.35 at Aintree. Barizan (2pts) put in a terrific performance in the triumph at Cheltenham, forcing a ferocious gallop before fading at the end. However, given his exertions in that race, I cant see him recovering in time to make an impact in the closing stages against some other smart horses. If he does it will be another incredible performance.

Lay Barney at 2.72 (1pt)

Lay Terry Jenkins at 3.55 (3pts)

Lay Fulham at 5.4 (4pts)

Lay Barizan at 7.2 (2pts)