Betfair Betting Blog

Betting news and tips

Cheltenham 2010 - Bet Now

Jack Houghton

My Dad assures me I was present to see Nijinsky win the triple-crown, but I don't remember it.

And as I wasn't yet born in 1970, I'm guessing his memory is a little off. Nonetheless it's true to say that he took me racing at an early, if not quite pre-birth age, and that racing has dominated most of my waking thought since then.

On that basis it was an easy decision to accept a job at Betfair, where I worked for four years, before heading off to work with racehorses in the flesh. I've written about racing and betting for a few years now, winning the Martin Wills Award for racing journalism in 2002 and writing Winning On Betfair For Dummies, first published in 2006.

Jack Houghton's Betting Challenge Week 31: To the Oscars we go!

07 March 2010 / Leave a comment

After a bad few weeks dabbling in the world of racing, Mr Houghton is off to Hollywood for some betting redemption...Read more »

Jack Houghton's Betting Challenge Week 30: The best horse for the Kempton's course

26 February 2010 / Leave a comment

With his back against the wall courtesy of a some poor racing bets and Ireland's failures in the Six Nations, Jack Houghton is coming out of his corner fighting and turning his attentions to the Racing Post Chase this weekend....Read more »

Jack Houghton's Betting Challenge Week 29: Back to what I know best

19 February 2010 / Leave a comment

They say variety is the spice of life but it's killing Mr Houghton's betting bank so he's focusing on the Saturday jumps action, including the Betfair Ascot Chase, in attempt to turn a profit...Read more »

Jack Houghton's Betting Challenge Week 28: Downhill value?

13 February 2010 / Leave a comment

After last week's Super Bowl bet went awry, Jack finds himself in the red. Can he rebuild his empire via the Winter Olympics?...Read more »

Jack Houghton's Betting Challenge Week 27: Absence of silly names makes Colts the bet

05 February 2010 / Leave a comment

With a team of Brees, Bush, Bushrod and more, our blogger just can't take the Saints seriously. No, it's Colts all the way, says Jack...Read more »

Jack Houghton's Betting Challenge Week 26: Ireland don't even need luck

30 January 2010 / Leave a comment

As he waits for the winners of the Australian Open to be known, Jack Houghton turns his attentions to the upcoming Six Nations and invests some more of his balance on politics markets....Read more »

Jack Houghton's Betting Challenge Week 25: Boy or girl?

24 January 2010 / 1 Comments

Should we send presents that are pink or blue? With a little help from Usain and Paula, our man asks you to predict the sex of his first-born. Yes, really......Read more »

Jack Houghton's Betting Challenge Week 24: The Aussie Open portfolio is open

17 January 2010 / Leave a comment

Jack Houghton runs through a variety of markets at the Australian Open as his Challenge marches on towards profitability...Read more »

Jack Houghton's Betting Challenge Week 23: Salad days still far away for Wembley-bound Rocket

07 January 2010 / Leave a comment

Mr Houghton enters the snooker betting as he attempts to keep his profitable punting on track...Read more »

Jack Houghton's Betting Challenge Week 22: Time to open the Cheltenham portfolio

04 January 2010 / Leave a comment

Most of the big names have made their first runs and Mr Houghton has seen enough to open his book - so who are his backs and lays for the big races? Read on...Read more »

Jack Houghton's Betting Challenge Week 21: Sticking to the script

29 December 2009 / Leave a comment

After a less than commanding performance at the races, Jack Houghton injects some drama into proceedings as he tries his luck at football punting......Read more »

Jack Houghton's Betting Challenge Week 20: Imperial Commander's Star qualities

23 December 2009 / Leave a comment

Jack Houghton tells us how he will be splitting his Festive betting.betfair.com betting purse of £50 amongst best-watched TV programmes and horseracing....Read more »

Jack Houghton's Betting Challenge Week 19: Salvation Saturday looms at Ascot

17 December 2009 / Leave a comment

A harsh run of losing bets has thrown the challenge into turmoil and Jack's returning to the sport he knows best in an attempt to pitch the column into profit again...Read more »

X Factor 2009: Joe's win caps a profitable series for ace tipster Houghton

14 December 2009 / Leave a comment

Our man Houghton registers a huge profit on his X Factor tipping...Read more »

Jack Houghton's Betting Challenge Week 18: Dogs, politics and fighting

12 December 2009 / Leave a comment

At one end a civilising force; at the other a brutal assault on humanity; in the middle a cacophony of baying men surrounding competing animals. This week the Betting Challenge delivery truck makes three drop-offs: at Westminster; at UFC 107; and at Wimbledon for the Greyhound Oaks. You can always...Read more »

X Factor Final Betting: Olly looks the value

12 December 2009 / Leave a comment

Amid the excitement and anticipation of Saturday night's X Factor Final, Jack Houghton is feeling a little bereft. What will we do with our weekends now? And who will triumph on Saturday? Our man selects his final bets of 2009....Read more »

Jack Houghton's Betting Challenge Week 18: Dogs, politics and fighting

12 December 2009 / Leave a comment

At one end a civilising force; at the other a brutal assault on humanity; in the middle a cacophony of baying men surrounding competing animals. This week the Betting Challenge delivery truck makes three drop-offs: at Westminster; at UFC 107;...Read more »

Jack Houghton's Betting Challenge Week 17: Pair of personalities can drive us back to profit

06 December 2009 / Leave a comment

Mr Houghton has managed to just about break even after 17 weeks of betting and now he's waltzing on to the Strictly Come Dancing gambling dancefloor with grand plans of big winners...Read more »

X Factor Betting Week 9: Maths and science at play when it comes to eviction time

05 December 2009 / Leave a comment

Jack Houghton brings us his latest X Factor musings...Read more »

X-Factor Betting: Doofus to get the boot?

28 November 2009 / Leave a comment

Susan Boyle helps out the twins, Lloyd blubbers and Macca considers an appearance - but who will be eliminated from the X Factor in week eight? Jack Houghton selects the best bets....Read more »

£25 Free Bet Join Today

How to claim your free £25 bet:
1. Open your account (3 mins)
2. Make a deposit into your account and place your bets
3. If you lose your first bet we will cover you up to £25
Free £25 Sports Bet, Join Today

$50, $500 or $1500 Bonus Play Now

Choose your own poker bonus. Choose the bonus you want and claim it your own pace.
Join Today. Click here to claim you $50, $500 or $1500 sign up bonus.

£50 Casino Bonus Play Now

100% deposit bonus up to £50 for all new casino players. Just join and play to claim.
Join Today. Click here to claim your £50 Casino Bonus

Refer and Earn Go

Earn substantial rewards every time you introduce someone new to Betfair, Betfair Poker, Betfair Casino or Betfair Games
Refer and Earn Today

Real time Football feed
Events Calendar

© Betfair 2007–9 | Contact Betting.Betfair team on: haveyoursay@betfair.com

Proud to back    

Betfair UK | Australia | Canada | Online sázení | Væddemål | Wetten | στοιχήματα | Apuestas | Paris en ligne | Ireland | Scommesse | Norge | Онлайн ставки | Vedonlyönti | Apostas | Zakłady | Vadhållning | 网上投注 | Betting Education