How did you spend yours?

Some people bought cars. Went on holiday. Put down a deposit on a house. When Charlie McCreevy setup the SSIA scheme, it was with the intention of getting people to reduce their consumption and start saving a bit. But when the payout came, a lot of folks needed to pay off the credit cards bills that they had run up in the certain knowledge that the SSIA would come to the rescue.

So the money is gone.... but hopefully you still have the car, or the holiday snaps or the house.

You might even still have the race horse! A friend of mine decided that, rather than spend the money on something predictable - he'd do something different. He bought a race horse.

While the horse hasnt been in great form of late, it might be worth an each way bet today. With blinkers on for the first time, this could be his chance to shine.

16.50 Navan - Mr. Prince - 15.0 e/w 1/4 odds for places 1,2,3,4,5 (Boylesports) - Lost (pulled up)

Football Bet 27th March

Ireland V Bulgaria (D) @ 3.25 - Won
With Duff out and McGeady carrying an injury, the boys in green could have trouble breaking down the Bulgarians. I think 3.25 for the draw represents value and is my selection for this one.

Bets 20th March

Portsmouth V Everton (D) @ 3.2 - Lost
Could be a dull match, early kick-off wont help either. Bore. Draw.

Stoke V Boro (H) @ 2.25
City are different team at home - there's a bit of value at better than evens. Beattie is scoring a few goals for them too. Home win. - Won

A poor choice of words from Alan Pardew

He was forced to apologise for his remarks on Match of the Day 2 soon after....

Bets 10th March

Football: Man U V Inter Milan (H) @ 1.73 - Won
Inter were not impressive in the first leg and will struggle to live with an in-form United playing in front of their own support. United to win the game in 90 mins.

Nags: Barbers Shop in the Gold Cup e/w @ 13.0 -Lost
I haven't the first notion about the sport of kings, but I feel like I'd be missing out if I didn't bet on Cheltenham. Maybe it's an Irish thing, I don't know. Going for a bit of value here, Donn McLean tipped this horse, so that's good enough for me.

Football bet 4th March

Blackburn V Everton (A) @ 2.7 - Lost

The lad's done ever so well...

Lawro's prediction for Wigan v West Ham :)

Football bet 2nd March

Portsmouth v Chelsea (A) @1.53 (Won)
Guus Hiddink has made an impression here. While their win against Wigan last weekend was a bit undeserved, I think they have gained some momentum.

Liverpool v Sunderland (H) @1.44 (Won)
Bounce-back-ability. Getting beaten by Middlesboro will have come as a shock to the system - especially after beating Real Madrid only a few days previously. I expect a reaction against Sunderland...