“We’re not just competing against other sports”: The Hundred’s managing director explains why English cricket needs a new format May 21, 2019 The staggered launch of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s great new hope hasn’t gone exactly to plan. Although it was always unlikely to begin in textbook fashion, The Hundred has so far experienced the full repertoire of problems on the runway, leaving the majority of its passengers apprehensive ahead of take-off. After all, the [...]
Hong Kong Horse Racing Tips: My Ally can defy handicapper and bowl over his rivals May 21, 2019 SUCH is the handicap system in Hong Kong, with relatively few racehorses totalling around 1300, it’s guaranteed that the majority of races are going to be tight and exciting finishes. Horses that collect penalties for a win will always find it hard to successfully follow up unless they are very progressive or potentially smart gallopers. [...]
Hong Kong Horse Racing Tips: Time for punters to shell out on Lor’s Fat Turtle May 21, 2019 REIGNING champion Zac Purton, with 123 victories this season, is already over the hill and far away as he closes in on his third jockeys’ title ahead of today’s Happy Valley action. He currently leads his nearest pursuer Karis Teetan by 48 winners but looks even more determined in his quest to overhaul his best [...]
Horse Racing: Gosden gives glowing update on his leading Oaks pair May 21, 2019 WHILE we won’t see the long-time Investec Derby favourite Too Darn Hot next week, John Gosden has high hopes in Friday’s feature, the Investec Oaks. The Newmarket-based trainer is set to be represented by both Mehdaayih and Anapurna in the fillies’ Classic, both of whom were impressive winners of their respective trials at Chester and [...]
Horse Racing: Dragonet set to lead good crew from Ballydoyle in Investec Derby May 21, 2019 DESPITE a sharp drift in the betting a few days ago casting major doubt over the participation of Aidan O’Brien’s ante post Investec Derby favourite Sir Dragonet, the latest report from the trainer suggests otherwise. Speaking at the annual Breakfast with the Stars event at Epsom Downs Racecourse yesterday, the six-time Derby-winning trainer far from [...]
From the World Cup to Ashes series and The Hundred: English cricket’s battle for hearts and minds May 21, 2019 With the biggest ever summer of international cricket about to start, featuring a men’s World Cup as well as men’s and women’s Ashes series, the sport faces perhaps its greatest challenge. But will such riches put cricket back in the public consciousness for the first time since 2005? That year’s Ashes series marked the end [...]
Lord’s last One-Day Cup final? MCC head of cricket John Stephenson on Hampshire v Somerset, the domestic 50-over competition’s future and The Hundred May 20, 2019 John Stephenson knows a thing or two about one-day cricket. As a fan, player and now head of cricket at Marylebone Cricket Club, he has watched, participated in and enjoyed the format as it has evolved. As a child his interest was piqued by Gloucestershire’s Mike Procter, who scored 94 in a win over Sussex [...]
Formula One taking cues from the Premier League on increasing competition and wants to add African race to calendar May 20, 2019 Since Liberty Media took over Formula One in 2017, the company has been insistent on the sport’s potential for commercial growth. How to achieve that has posed challenges, though, highlighting a need to improve the product on the track as well as expanding its reach. The first of those hurdles has proved difficult to jump, with [...]
Manchester City: Treble winners, record breakers, untouchable – and too good? May 19, 2019 In the wake of a domestic treble unprecedented in English men’s football, there should be no sparing of praise for the brilliance of Manchester City. Saturday’s FA Cup final against Watford was a devastating showcase: a 6-0 dismantling of a good team, the most emphatic margin of victory in the fixture for more than a [...]
Ollie Phillips: Premiership play-off place in Harlequins’ grasp ahead of trip to under-performing Wasps May 16, 2019 The final weekend of the Premiership season is upon us and there’s plenty to play for, with the last play-off spot still up for grabs. As it stands Northampton Saints are in pole position, occupying fourth, one point ahead of fifth-placed Harlequins. But despite their points advantage I’d rather be in Quins’ position – and [...]