Betting Scene by Fred Done

THIS is the most exiting time of the year for me with the Cheltenham Festival taking centre stage next week.

The unofficial World Championship of National Hunt Racing starts on Tuesday with the feature race the Champion Hurdle, before Thursday's climax with the Gold Cup.

I've been offering 'Non Runner Money Back' for all ante-post bets placed on or after February 3, so my call centre and shops have seen plenty of action over the last few weeks.

The biggest single bet I've taken to date is £50,000 on Best Mate to win the Gold Cup at 7/4, while I'm holding fortunes for Rhinestone Cowboy in the Champion Hurdle.

In football the FA Cup takes pride of place tomorrow with Burnley the only North West side left in the competition.

They can be fancied to progress against an inconsistent Watford side. The Clarets are 6/5 to go through or 9/4 to win in 90 minutes.

Obviously the big one is Arsenal v Chelsea. It is a repeat of last year's Cup Final and a repeat scoreline, 2-0 to Arsenal, is a 7/1 shot.

Earlier on in the day, the third Old Firm clash of the season kicks off and this looks to be the game of the weekend if the first two clashes between the sides are anything to go by - there has been a 3-3 draw and a 3-2 Rangers win. Celtic need to win to put pressure on and 3-2 for the Bhoys is a massive 28/1.

It's a crucial weekend for the Six Nations Rugby Tournament, with Ireland needing to beat France in Dublin to keep up the pressure on an England side that will surely knock a cricket score up against Italy at Twickenham on

Sunday. The Irish have suffered a few injuries to key personnel in their opening two fixtures and can be backed at 9/2 to win the Six Nations (or 11/2 to achieve the Grand Slam). England are a rather prohibitive 2/9 and

2/5 respectively for the same events.

All prices correct at time of going to print and are available in my 350 shops and also for telephone punters - Free fone Fred on 0800 028 64 68.