End of a long and successful era at Ferrari as chief quits after miserable on-track season September 10, 2014 FERRARI’S turbulent season shows no sign of ceasing after the long-serving chairman of their Formula One team, Luca di Montezemolo, announced he will stand down as the head of the Maranello-based outfit next month following a distinctly miserable season. The F1 giants are enduring their least competitive season for two decades, epitomised by the Italian [...]
Wounded warriors set for invictus battle as prince sounds starting pistol September 10, 2014 PRINCE Harry opened the Invictus Games for wounded service personnel at London’s Olympic Park last night, which will see competitors from 13 nations take part in events over the next four days. Prince Harry said: “For some taking part, this will be a stepping stone to elite sport, while for many others it will mark [...]
Skipper Rooney at the forefront of building England team unity September 10, 2014 INNOVATING England skipper Wayne Rooney has introduced player-only meetings to the Three Lions camp in a bid to drastically improve flagging squad cohesion. The Manchester United forward has a perfect record since being handed the captain’s armband by manager Roy Hodgson following the post-World Cup international retirement of previous incumbent Steven Gerrard and other elder [...]
Maestro Ramsey keen to douse injury concerns September 10, 2014 INFLUENTIAL Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has moved to deflate concerns the ankle injury he sustained on international duty will sideline him from the Gunners’ pivotal Premier League clash with Manchester City on Saturday. The 23-year-old picked up a knock on the controversial artificial pitch at the Estadio Nacional as Wales began their Euro 2016 qualifying [...]
Take two against the field to land big pot at Doncaster September 10, 2014 BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS THE SECOND DAY OF DONCASTER’S LADBROKES ST LEGER FESTIVAL THE BIG sales races at the top meetings are not everyone’s cup of tea. With horses carrying weight dependent on what price they reached at auction, it’s a lot less ‘fair’ than a handicap and you are generally left with big fields full [...]
Arabian Comet to sparkle in Park Hill September 10, 2014 The Park Hill Stakes (2.40pm) sees many contenders step up in trip for this Group Three prize. In races like these it can often pay to side with a proven stayer, a label that few runners can lay claim to here. ARABIAN COMET is one of those few though, after her game second to the [...]
David Williams of Ladbrokes with his best bets for today September 10, 2014 THE GROUP Two Park Hill Stakes (2.40pm) on day two of the Ladbrokes St Leger Festival provides SILK SARI with a big chance to remind punters of the genius qualities of trainer Luca Cumani. The selection proved herself to be gutsy and classy in equal measure when running out a game winner of a decent [...]
QPR threatened with expulsion to Conference if they fight fine September 9, 2014 QUEENS Park Rangers have been warned they could be demoted to the Conference next season if they carry out a threat to contest a fine for breaching Championship restrictions on spending. Chairman Tony Fernandes has indicated he intends to challenge a likely £40m sanction – a stance that Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey said [...]
Sevens loophole closure to dent Armitage switch September 9, 2014 ENGLAND outcast Steffon Armitage has been warned to forget about switching his allegiance to France ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup. The Toulon No8 was crowned European player of the season last term but has not donned an England shirt since 2010 due to the Rugby Football Union’s stance of not selecting foreign based [...]
England need major tournament joy to win fans back, says Owen September 9, 2014 FORMER England striker Michael Owen insists victory over Switzerland will not prove an instant tonic for past failings but does believe there were signs of a brighter future. Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck netted twice as England boss Roy Hodgson named a starting eleven with an average age of 24. Owen announced himself as the future [...]