THE big betting race of the weekend is the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday, and Do The Trick could be the answer to what is one of the most lucrative races of the year.

The seven-year-old, a 5-1 shot with me, has been heavily supported since running an eye-catching race when third on his debut.

Having been only eight over the final flight, Michael Halford's charge ran on really strongly under Paul Carberry and was beaten only a length at the line.

That run is sure to have put him spot on, and he is arguably very well handicapped over the sticks having been a rapid improver on the flat.

Another plus is that he handles all types of going, and that could be crucial as the heavens continue to open in the Emerald Isle.

Sharing position at the head of the market with Do The Trick is Roman Villa (5-1), and the horse seems to have an outstanding each-way chance on paper. The only negative is that he does not want it too soft.

Of the others to keep an eye on, Arthur Moore's runners always have to be feared in this type of event and Lenrey has been well backed down to 12-1, and The Spoonplayer looks a dark horse at around 16s.

Bolton take on Blackburn this weekend, and history shows that there should be little between the two sides.

With Nicolas Anelka in such good form I make the home side narrow 5-4 favourites to emerge victorious, with Blackburn 7-4 shots and the draw at 9-4.

In what is sure to be a real scrap the draw could prove some value, and a small wager on 1-1 at 11-2 could play dividends.

Bolton fans banking on a home win could do worse than backing them to emerge 2-1 victors at a tasty 8-1.

Anelka, who has been heavily backed to finish the Premierships top goalscorer after being linked with a possible move to Chelsea, is not surprisingly 9-2 favourite to score the first goal in the game.

Next in the betting is striking partner Kevin Davies at 11-2 followed by Helguson at 6s and Stelios at 15-2.

For the visitors, McCarthy and Santa Cruz are 6-1 shots to hit the opening goal.

Finally, it's not often that greyhounds get a mention in my column, but a pup named Ballymac Under has already been heavily backed to win next year's Greyhound Derby at 12-1 and puts his reputation on the line in the first round heats of the Birmingham Cup which gets underway at Perry Barr next week.

I have taken loads of money on him at 9-4 to win the contest, the final of which takes place on January 24, and if he is as good as my dog men tell me then it will be a tail' with a happy ending for his backers!