Midas Touch the golden Derby bet for O’Brien June 3, 2010 Who do I think is the most likely winner of the Investec Derby? It has to be Jan Vermeer. Who do I think is the best betting proposition? It has to be MIDAS TOUCH. Aidan O’Brien hasn’t won English racing’s premier Classic since 2002, but that looks set to change tomorrow and his supposed second [...]
the INSIDER June 3, 2010 On 1st June I normally have two things on my mind, firstly, “Where is my top hat?” and secondly, “So-and-so will be my Derby bet”. This year was different. Worryingly I have already found the hat and for some strange reason it no longer fits like a glove. I think failing hair follicles are the [...]
Dalglish ideal man to rebuild troubled Reds June 3, 2010 LIVERPOOL legend Phil Thompson believes Kenny Dalglish is the ideal man to take them forward in the wake of Rafael Benitez’s exit. Dalglish, 59, has not managed a side since leaving Celtic 10 years ago, but ex-assistant boss Thompson insists his former Anfield team-mate is the perfect candidate to lead the club through uncertain times [...]
Benitez exit sparks protests June 3, 2010 ANGRY Liverpool fans burned American flags outside Anfield last night in protests against the club’s US owners following the departure of manager Rafael Benitez. Benitez (right) ended his six-year reign on Merseyside by accepting a £6m pay-off to terminate a £4m-a-year contract that still had four years left to run. The Spaniard’s departure comes after [...]
James receives a boost through new poster campaign June 3, 2010 ENGLAND coach Fabio Capello dropped the strongest hint yet that David James will be his No1 goalkeeper for the World Cup – through an innovative advertising campaign. The 39-year-old Portsmouth stopper was back between the sticks for Sunday’s 2-1 friendly win over Japan, and was yesterday handed the No1 shirt for this month’s showcase in [...]
Shahzad left to sweat over Test debut June 3, 2010 CAPTAIN Andrew Strauss says England will make an 11th hour decision on team selection ahead of the second Test with Bangladesh, which starts this morning. Strauss and the selectors are torn between handing Ajmal Shahzad a Test debut for the Old Trafford clash, or recalling Ryan Sidebottom in place of the injured Tim Bresnan. “They [...]
Sizzling Stosur reaches first slam final June 3, 2010 THE women’s game will have a new Grand Slam champion tomorrow after Sam Stosur and Francesca Schiavone booked their places in the final at Roland Garros. Australian Stosur, the No7 seed, continued her outstanding French Open with a 6-1, 6-2 trouncing of former world No1 Jelena Jankovic. Schiavone was handed an even easier path when [...]
Gerrard hails Capello mentality June 3, 2010 STEVEN GERRARD says coach Fabio Capello has given the England squad a “winning mentality”. Capello’s squad touched down in Johannesburg to begin their World Cup preparation yesterday ahead of the first match against USA, on 12 June. Gerrard has been a mainstay of the England squad since the days of previous coach Steve McClaren, who [...]
We’ll learn quickly to stun Wallabies, claims Easter June 3, 2010 NICK EASTER believes England can up the ante when they head Down Under for their summer tour of Australia and New Zealand. The Harlequins No8 captained the side to an encouraging 35-26 win over the Barbarians at Twickenham on Saturday and now has the six-game series, including two Test with the Wallabies, in his sights. [...]
Wood boosts Ryder Cup hope June 3, 2010 CHRIS WOOD gave Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie a welcome nudge after firing a sizzling six-under-par 65 in the Wales Open at Celtic Manor. The course, which hosts the tournament in October, proved easy meat for the 6ft 5in Englishman, who raced to the top of the leaderboard, one shot clear of Australia’s Andrew Dodt [...]