4BR has been in touch with our local branch of ‘Honest Ted — the Punter’s Friend', to find out what has been happening to the odds over the last few weeks.

Rumours and gossip have shed a few points on prices here and there, whilst the early form at Butlins has meant some prices have dropped further than Barclays Bank shares.

Favourites

Those who put a few quid on Redbridge winning Butlins would have gone home as happy as the band themselves as the pre contest price of 25 –1 would have netted a few bob.

Each way bets on Hepworth and Desford who were the starting price favourites would have got you some money back.

The latest odds then from our friendly bookie...

Yeovil Entertainment Championship:

Ian Pothouse’s ride on Hepworth at Skegess has meant that his usual mount at Tredegar has seen a shortening of the odds for the Welsh band at Yeovil.

SWT Woodfalls who failed to last the distance there drop a few points, whilst rumours suggest that BTM and Camborne could be the bands to look out for in a couple of weeks time.

4-1 favourites: Tredegar
5-1: BTM
7-1: Camborne
10-1: Camborne
12-1: SWT Woodfalls

20–1 bar

Norwegian Championships:

Our man in Bergen tell us that some impressive amounts of Krone are being placed on the runners and riders at the Norwegain Championships in a couple of weeks time.

The going is said to be firm to very hard under foot, but it seems the usual suspects are in the frame to come out on top.

3–1 favourites: Eikanger Bjorsvik
5–1: Stavanger
6–1: Manger Musikklag
10–1: Krohnengen

New Principal Cornet at Grimethorpe:

All sorts of rumours have been flying around the banding miasma of late, but the odds have shortened on Philip McCann being in the top seat come Bradford.

All sorts of rumours have been flying around the banding miasma of late, but the odds have shortened on Philip McCann being in the top seat come Bradford4BR

Rumours

However, rumours have also suggested that a few well known principals have been touted and sought out, with a real outside name having plenty of Krone put on him at the local Bergen branch of ‘Honest Teds’ bookies – Martin Winter.

Robert Westacott and Chris Howley (who did a fine dep job at Skegness for the band) have seen their odds shorted somewhat too, although it seems fanciful that Richard Marshal will return to the band, even though he too did a splendid dep job with the band in Barnsley a week ago.

As for Roger Webster? Only if there is a Barnsley coup d’etat is it likely he will be sat in the principal’s seat come ‘Salute to Youth’.

7–1 favourite: Philip McCann
10–1: Martin Winter & Raf Van Looveren
12–1: Robert Westacott
25–1: Alan Morrison, Stephen Wilkinson, Richard Marshall, Iain Culross
100–1: David King, Stuart Lingard
1000–1: Kirsty Abbotts, Roger Webster

New MD at Brighouse & Rastrick:

With the announcement of Garry Cutt taking the reins at Brighouse for Bradford and the sideways move of Alan Morrison to the Resident MDs post, there is speculation to who will be the man in the middle at West Riding after the Area.

By all accounts the rumour mill has been going into overdrive with a few surprising names being whispered along the way – including one well known Australian…

12–1 joint favourites: Garry Cutt and Frank Renton
15–1: Russell Gray
20–1: David King
25–1: Allan Withington
50–1: Philip Harper, Ian Porthouse, Jeremy Wise
1000–1: Nicholas Childs, Robert Childs

Regional Championship betting:

Yorkshire:

No real movement, but Hepworth’s fine performance at Skegness has shaved a few points off their odds, whilst Carlton Main have drfited a little.

Grimethorpe’s troubles have seen them lose ground to allow Dyke to emerge as clear favourites.

2-1 favourites: Black Dyke
3-1: Grimethorpe, Brighouse & Rastrick
5-1: Hepworth (Cookson Homes)
10-1: Rothwell Temperance
12-1: Carlton Main, YBS

North West:

No real movement in betting, but Faireys seem to be closing in a little after news of a new associate conductor and with rumours of new players coming to the ranks.

The demise of Stockport Brass means a refund for punters who put a few quid on them at 15 –1, whilst Wingates uneven performance at Skegness keeps them as outsiders.

2-1 favourites: Fodens
3-1: Leyland
5-1: Fairey
12-1: Wingates

Scotland:

It seems the Scots have been taking advantage of the generous odds on offer, but it still looks like it will be a three way fight for the title once more.

The canny punters north of the border have opened their sporrans just enough to see the prices on the three big name bands close up somewhat.

3-1 favourites: Whitburn
4-1: Scottish Co-op
6-1: Kirkintilloch
25-1: Unison Kinneil & Kingdom Brass

Wales:

Much the same news in Wales, with Cory still the clear favourites to regain their title.

Tredegar and BTM still have plenty of punters putting a few quid on them, but it seems a bit cut and dried this one, although Tongwynlais drop out after their demotion to the First Section — replaced as the outside bet by Burry Port.

2-1 favourites: Cory
4-1: Tredegar
6-1: BTM
10-1: Burry Port

Midlands:

Interesting. With Desford not really sparkling at Butlins (despite the extra stablehands) the odds have closed up somewhat.

GUS seem to have a bit of a following now and the inactivity may have done Sovereign a bit of good. Thoresby remain the best of the outsiders despite not bothering the stewards at Skegness.

4–1 favourites: Desford
6-1: Virtuosi GUS
7-1: Sovereign Brass
15-1: Thoresby Colliery

West of England:

No real movement in the West, despite Woddfalls solid enough outing at Skegness.

It seems the money is still going on the big four, with Mount Charles now emerging as the favourites after rumours of poor training outings for some of their rivals.

6-1 favourites: Mount Charles
8–1: SWT Woodfalls, Camborne, Flowers
15–1: St Keverne
20–1: Bournemouth Concert

London & Southern Counties:

As expected the odds on Redbridge have taken a beating and they are now clear favourites to retain their title after their impressive win at Skegness.

3–1 favourite: Redbridge Brass
8-1: Aveley & Newham
15–1: Zone One Brass

North East:

No real shocks in the betting in the North East, although Reg Vardy’s odds have shortened a little after news of good early outings on the training paddock.

EYMS though could be the band to look out for and following two impressive performances at Skegness they are now closing in on their rivals.

3–1 favourites: Reg Vardy
5–1: EYMS
10–1: Fishburn
15–1: Felling & Tavistock Chester-le-Street Riverside

Roundabout Stakes:

As for the roundabout stakes – rumours have been flying around as usual with quite a few quid being placed on the usual suspects.

So which conductor will be conducting a new band from the one they direct as their first choice at the Regionals by the end of the 2009 season?

8–1: Russell Gray, Andrew Duncan, Morgan Griffiths, Allan Ramsay
12–1: Phil Harper, Frank Renton, Melvin White, Jeremy Wise
25–1: Alan Morrison, Steven Mead, Phil Chalk, Gareth Pritchard
40–1: Jason Katsikaris, Nigel Seaman, Jeremy Wise
50–1: Allan Withington, John Berryman
75–1: Ian Porthouse, Selmer Simonsen
150–1: Garry Cutt, Nigel Taken
500–1: Robert Childs, Nicholas Childs, Frans Violet, David Roberts