Prize fighter Eldarov to give his rivals a royal beating in the Queen’s Vase June 14, 2022 Prize fighter Eldarov to give his rivals a royal beating in the Queen’s Vase STRADIVARIUS won the 2017 renewal of the Queen’s Vase (3.05pm) before going on to become one of the greatest stayers of all time. It is highly unlikely there is a horse of his calibre in today’s field, but it looks [...]
Unbeaten Branwell might become Queen Maria in opener June 14, 2022 WESLEY Ward has won the Queen Mary Stakes (2.30pm) three times in the last seven years, so the obvious starting point when analysing today’s opener is his Love Reigns. A daughter of U S Navy Flag, she won on debut at Keeneland over five and a half furlongs in April by almost 10 lengths. You [...]
Don’t leave King out of your Hunt Cup Quinellas June 14, 2022 THERE aren’t many more challenging puzzles to solve than today’s Royal Hunt Cup (5.00pm). 30 runners hurtling down Ascot’s straight mile, almost all of whom could easily be well ahead of their handicap marks, means that finding the winner is very difficult, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to give it a good go. ASTRO [...]
EP: 139 Royal Ascot – Thursday June 14, 2022 The Gold Cup, run over two and a half miles, takes centre stage at Royal Ascot on Thursday when Frankie Dettori teams up with his old favourite stayer Stradivarius, who looks to win the Group 1 prize for a fourth time. The Norfolk Stakes and Ribblesdale Stakes, both Group 2 contests, also take place on [...]
Burnley appoint Vincent Kompany as new manager June 14, 2022 Championship outfit Burnley have appointed former Manchester City player Vincent Kompany as their new manager. The Clarets were relegated from the Premier League following the recent conclusion of the season and will compete in their first Championship season since 2015-2016 this summer. Kompany, 36, joins after a spell with Belgium’s Anderlecht – where he guided [...]
Sublime Jimmy Anderson takes 650th victim 19 years after his first June 14, 2022 “When he makes it swing, the Barmy Army sing, for Jimmy Anderson.” The chant made famous by England’s most devoted Test fans in the 2017 Ashes. But James Anderson has been running in the new ball for his national side now for over 19 years. The 39-year-old has long been a favourite of players, coaches [...]
What it’s actually like in Qatar ahead of the World Cup 2022 June 14, 2022 Before I touched down in Qatar, I assumed it was a nation of falconry, beauty pageants for camels, and endless amounts of money. Save for a sprinkling of snazzy, FIFA-approved stadiums, little suggests Qatar plays football. When I arrive I see no goal posts in parks, locals playing, or even “No Ball Games” signs like [...]
Lydia Hall interview: Welsh golfer on her Amazon delivery sideline and the Aramco Team Series June 14, 2022 Lydia Hall spent much of the pandemic delivering parcels but now the Welsh golfer is enjoying improved returns on the Ladies European Tour, thanks in no small part to the Aramco Team Series. When Covid-19 shut down much of sport in early 2020, Hall was forced to put her clubs to one side and turn [...]
George Blackshaw interview: Amputee Golfer on learning from the pros at the Aramco Team Series June 14, 2022 The Aramco Team Series might boast some of the best women’s golfers in the world but that doesn’t mean that it remains roped off to non-professionals. George Blackshaw, known to thousands of followers on social media as the Amputee Golfer, was one of those who got the chance to play alongside the elite at the [...]
Hannah Burke interview: Aramco Team Series tipped my season into profit June 14, 2022 Sharing in victory at the Aramco Team Series in Jeddah last year was more than just a welcome boost towards the end of a long season for England’s Hannah Burke. It also marked her first success since being sidelined by injury in 2019, losing sponsors and then having to take more time away from competition [...]