November 12: Weekend Fancies

International rugby, Premier League football and racing at Punchestown and Cheltenham are the main events for the latest edition of the weekend fancies.

By Niall Cronin (racing) and William Nestor

Weekend Patent

Ireland have made ten changes to the side that lost to South Africa last weekend for Saturday’s second November Test against Samoa at the Aviva Stadium.

The Samoans cannot be underestimated, despite their defeat to Connacht midweek (they left many first teamers in Dublin), and Ireland will need to put them on the back foot early doors.

With the retained firepower of Brian O’Driscoll and Tommy Bowe, alongside Luke Fitzgerald - and with Rona O’Gara pulling the strings – this one could well turn into a landslide.

Ireland to win by 26-30 points at 11/2.

Read JOE’s preview of Ireland v Samoa here.

The feature race at Punchestown on Sunday is the Grade 1 Hurdle at 2.15 and it all bodes well for last year’s winner SOLWHIT to start this season’s campaign with a win.

Charles Byrnes’ six-year-old may well be behind where he was at this time last year but in this four-runner field he do enough to fend off the challengers.

Solwhit is the favourite to back this weekend at 13/8.

Manchester United’s dip in form may not end this weekend in the Premier League as they face a sticky away trip to Aston Villa.

Gerard Houllier has yet to get into the groove in his new position but this fixture could turn the tables and see them make more slight headway up the table.

United looked flailing against Wolves and unimaginative in the Manchester derby midweek so this could be the one that rattles Sir Alex’s cage.

Aston Villa are superb value to win at 10/3.

Read JOE’s Premier League: Five things to look out for here.

A €3 patent (total outlay €21) will return €432.

Break the Bookie

There’s loads of value for the first try scorer at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday and, amazingly, Brian O’Driscoll is in double figures to touch down first.

It’s a given that O’Driscoll won’t play the full 80 minutes but he will be on the field from the get-go and he, above anyone, will lead the attack head first.

We just can’t resist odds of 10/1 for BOD to score the first try against Samoa.

The Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday is the race to look for value this weekend.

It’s hard to see Galway Plate winner FINGERONTHEPULSE running a bad race, especially after finishing a solid third behind Alfa Beat at Listowel last time out.

Tony McCoy will be in the plate for JP McManus and Tom Taffe and, at 16/1, he’s well worth each-way money.

He’s been making headlines for all the wrong reasons but Andy Carroll certainly doesn’t allow his personal life affect his performances on the field.

The Newcastle striker is currently co-top goalscorer on seven goals following his latest in the Magpies’ 2-1 defeat to Blackburn.

The gangly hitman will be back at St James’ Park on Saturday against a Fulham side who haven’t won away from home this season.

Have a stab at Andy Carroll netting a hat-trick against the Cottagers at a whopping 25/1.

A tenner win treble will return €48,620, more than enough to buy a pack of Nurofen and a bottle of wine to get you through a difficult flight. (JOE.ie is not responsible for any side effects mixing these two products might bring about).