Gareth Bale: World Cup qualification is best result in history of Welsh football June 6, 2022 Wales star Gareth Bale has declared the country’s qualification for the World Cup to be the greatest in its football history. The principality beat Ukraine 1-0 in a play-off in Cardiff on Sunday night to clinch their place at this year’s tournament in Qatar. It is the first time Wales have reached a World Cup [...]
Stokes gets tenure off to winning start but England can’t overlook cracks June 6, 2022 On the surface, it’s a familiar story: England relying on Joe Root to haul the Test side towards a result. But yesterday at Lord’s, barely two hours into play on the fourth day, England had achieved what they had managed just once in the previous 17 matches – winning a Test. The five-wicket victory over [...]
Nadal’s 14th French Open could be his crowning glory June 6, 2022 The King of Clay has done it again; Rafael Nadal is the French Open champion at Roland Garros for the 14th time. His win in the Parisian suburbs yesterday afternoon, coming in straight sets 6-3 6-3 6-0 against Norwegian Casper Ruud, took him to 22 Grand Slams – two beyond the chasing Novak Djokovic and [...]
Dustin Johnson brings star quality as LIV Golf Invitational Series prepares for London debut June 5, 2022 Four months ago Rory McIlroy declared plans for a new Saudi-funded golf circuit to be “dead in the water” but, just days away from the first LIV Golf Invitational, that appears to be far from the case. Contrary to McIlroy’s forecast, the opening leg in a series of eight big-money tournaments which feature both individual [...]
Crown set to give Stoute a Derby Guard of honour June 3, 2022 IT HAS been 12 years since Sir Michael Stoute won Saturday’s Cazoo Derby (4.30pm) at Epsom, but in DESERT CROWN he looks to have a horse more than capable of giving him a sixth victory in the world’s most famous horse race. Since bolting up in a Nottingham maiden in November last year, there has been plenty [...]
Sprint King to Star if rain stays away June 3, 2022 MICK Appleby isn’t the only trainer who’s had a 12-month plan to win the ‘Dash’ (3:45pm), but this really has been KING OF STARS’ main target for some time. I’ve been lucky enough to own him since 2020 and have enjoyed some great days out, including five wins so far, but I haven’t been much happier [...]
Mr Big can Stuff his rivals in Epsom opener June 3, 2022 DERBY Day gets underway with the fiercely competitive looking three-year-old Cazoo handicap (2.00pm) with at least half a dozen contenders looking extremely well-treated. Top of my shortlist has to be the Richard Spencer-trained MR BIG STUFF, who looked a shade unlucky in last month’s London Gold Cup at Newbury. The son of Iffraaj has been raised [...]
All about red, white and blue in Princess Elizabeth June 3, 2022 YOU MIGHT think we’re watching the quarter-finals of Wimbledon when the commentator mentions Bashkirova and POTAPOVA at Epsom, but in fact they’re two of the leading principle for the Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes (2.35pm). Both are owned by Cheveley Park Stud and with both holding solid claims, it’s unsurprising both are vying for favouritism. Bashkirova did [...]
EP: 135 Hong Kong – Sha Tin Racecourse June 3, 2022 Following on from our special Cazoo Oaks and Cazoo Derby podcasts, in this episode we cast are regular eye over the best of Sunday’s Sha Tin racecard in the company of Wally Pyrah. Hosted by Chris Barnett. The Punter ‘The Punter’ has been City AM’s dedicated sports betting section for over a decade with a primary [...]
EP: 134 Cazoo Derby Day – Epsom June 2, 2022 The Cazoo Derby is the long-awaited feature race at Epsom racecourse on Saturday featuring the Group 1 race for 3 year old colts over the traditional mile and a half course. Saturday also features the thrilling 5-furlong Dash Handicap and the Group 3 Cazoo Diomed Stakes. Epsom based trainer Adam West has two runners in [...]