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 [...]
EP: 138 Royal Ascot – Wednesday June 13, 2022 Wednesday at Royal Ascot sees the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes as the Group 1 feature race alongside a trio of Group 2 events. There’s also the Royal Hunt Cup cavalry charge, run over the straight mile course for us to look forward to. City AM Racing editor Bill Esdaile previews the best of Wednesday’s action, [...]
It’s in my Nature to take on jollies with Arecibo June 13, 2022 THERE’S certainly a very international feel to this year’s Royal Ascot and no more so than in the King’s Stand Stakes (3.40pm). Both Nature Strip and Golden Pal have proven their class in their native homelands of Australia and America, but now must prove they can strut their stuff on these shores. Nature Strip is [...]
Barmy Barbarians’ rugby against England will set Twickenham alight June 13, 2022 Rugby union is a sport in which traditions are constantly debated and continually evolving, but one element of the oval ball sport that has remained untouched since the late 1800s is the Barbarians. Almost a World XV, the Barbarians are a group of players cobbled together under – usually – an existing international coach who [...]
Coroebus looks set to leave St James’ Palace rivals in his Shadow in Berkshire June 13, 2022 THIS year’s St James’s Palace Stakes (4.20pm) doesn’t look the strongest on paper, but if there is one star in the line-up it’s certainly COROEBUS. Charlie Appleby’s colt has done little wrong in his career so far and you had to be impressed by the way he won the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket last time. Runner-up [...]
Reshoun can put up bold Ascot Stakes defence despite draw June 13, 2022 THERE is somewhat of a Cheltenham Festival feel to the Ascot Stakes (5.00pm) with Gordon Elliott’s Pied Piper and Willie Mullins’ Bring On The Night currently battling it out for favouritism. Funnily enough, Nicky Henderson was supposed to saddle another of the leading fancies in Ahorsewithnoname but she sadly wasn’t declared. Both current market leaders [...]
Busker and Agent can chase home superstar Baaeed June 13, 2022 THEY SAY that you should save the best until last, but this year’s Royal Ascot meeting kicks-off with BAAEED, widely recognised as the best horse in the world. William Haggas’ four-year-old is unbeaten in all seven career starts to date and takes on a field of six in the opening Queen Anne Stakes (2.30pm). The son [...]