STAR PREVIEW: Millwall v Oxford United

[dropcap]J[/dropcap]ust the one match tonight – more of that in a moment but some racing news first of all.

Don Cossack repeated his success of last year in the Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles this afternoon – winning by nine and half lengths but that in no way tells the full story.

Considering he was sent off the 1/8 favourite and had a staggering 22lb in hand over his nearest rival on official ratings it was a far from impressive performance. In fact, if the two rags hadn’t collided at the second last it might have looked even worse.

On the positive side it was a confidence booster after his fall in the King George over Christmas and it was a performance over a short (for him) two and a half miles but it was also a performance that did little to boost his chances of success in the Gold Cup in March.

Star Trader Liam said tonight: “We were far from impressed. It looked hard work for him and he was looking around a lot. It would come as no surprise to see blinkers fitted and we have moved him out to 5/1 from 9/2 for the Gold Cup.”

Winning trainer Gordon Elliott admitted that cheekpieces will be be applied in the Gold Cup. He said after the race: “I was worried about the ground as he’s a better horse on better ground. He worked in cheekpieces the other day and flew in them and while there was no point having them on today, he’ll have them on in the Gold Cup.”

“Bryan (Cooper) said from the second-last to the line he was only getting going. He was free and exuberant in the early days and while it’s not good to look at, the last quarter (of his races) is his best now. ”

“He’s a better horse in the second half of the season and with a bit of better ground and cheekpieces, the Gold Cup is the plan. If he’s good enough or not I don’t know, but roll on March.”

Just one match tonight – it’s the (take a deep breath…..) Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Southern Section Final 1st Leg between Millwall and Oxford United LIVE ON SKY.

Both teams are having good seasons in their respective divisions. Millwall are 8th in League One – three points of the play off zone and Oxford are 3rd in League Two.

One thing Millwall don’t do is draws. From their last 13 matches they have won seven and lost six.

Millwall v Oxford United
Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Southern Section Final 1st Leg
19:45 Sky Sports 1 / Sky Sports 1 HD

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches)
Aug 2003 CARLING CUP Millwall 0-1 Oxford
Feb 2001 LEAGUE DIV 2 Oxford 0-2 Millwall
Sep 2000 LEAGUE DIV 2 Millwall 5-0 Oxford
May 2000 LEAGUE DIV 2 Millwall 1-0 Oxford
Oct 1999 LEAGUE DIV 2 Oxford 1-3 Millwall
Jan 1996 FA CUP Oxford 1-0 Millwall
Jan 1996 FA CUP Millwall 3-3 Oxford
Dec 1993 LEAGUE DIV 1 Oxford 0-2 Millwall
Nov 1993 LEAGUE DIV 1 Millwall 2-2 Oxford
Jan 1993 LEAGUE DIV 1 Oxford 3-0 Millwall

5/4 with Star Sports doesn’t look too bad for the home win – but I’m not expecting a huge number of goals.

RECOMMENDED BETS (scale of 1-50 points)

BACK MILLWALL for 12 points at around 5/4 with Star Sports

RETURN SINCE START OF WORLD CUP: PROFIT 45.49 POINTS

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