Frankie’s Thoughts June 20, 2012 It was a really hard choice getting off Opinion Poll in this afternoon’s Gold Cup as he is one of my favourite horses. He looked as good as ever at Sandown last time in the Henry II Stakes having won in Dubai before that. However, he loves soft ground and even though there is rain [...]
Trust The Fugue to bounce back from unlucky Oaks defeat June 20, 2012 THIS year’s Investec Oaks turned out to be a messy race and the unluckiest filly in the field was undoubtedly John Gosden’s THE FUGUE. William Buick’s mount was almost brought down on the back straight, but finished with such a rattle that she would surely have won had she not met with that interference. I [...]
Progressive Grandeur has the class to step up to next level June 20, 2012 I HAVE already talked up the chances of Trader Jack in the Britannia, so I just can’t ignore the aforementioned GRANDEUR in the following Tercentenary Stakes (5.00pm). Jeremy Noseda’s Verglas gelding was very impressive at Goodwood and then didn’t really seem to handle the camber at Epsom on Derby day. He still managed to finish [...]
Rooney sets up Italy tie June 19, 2012 Striker scores on return as England top their group ENGLAND 1 UKRAINE 0 MATCHWINNER Wayne Rooney insists rival teams will now fear England after he capped his comeback with the goal that secured top spot in Group D and set up a Euro 2012 quarter-final with Italy. Striker Rooney, returning from a two-match ban for [...]
FOOTBALL COMMENT June 19, 2012 IF you have only seen the result – a win against the co-hosts, Wayne Rooney scoring on his return, finishing top of the group – you might think England had enjoyed a perfect night. But if you did watch the game you’ll know Ukraine were very unlucky not to get at least a draw while [...]
Ascot romp extends Frankel run June 19, 2012 OWNER Sir Henry Cecil believes Frankel is still improving after the world’s highest-rated racehorse extended his unbeaten record to 11 races with an explosive victory yesterday at Royal Ascot. Frankel, who went off 1-10 favourite in the Queen Anne Stakes, beat Excelebration by a staggering 11 lengths after jockey Tom Queally conjured an electric turn [...]
Croatia fined less for racism than Bendtner is for flashing pants June 19, 2012 STARS slammed Uefa last night after European football’s governing body fined Croatia £64,500 for racial abuse just a day after issuing Denmark’s Nicklas Bendtner with a £80,000 penalty and a one-match ban for showing his underwear. Croatia were punished after fans made monkey chants towards Italy striker Mario Balotelli during a Euro 2012 group game, [...]
We weren’t strong or fit enough to beat Sweden, admits Blanc June 19, 2012 SWEDEN 2 FRANCE 0 FRANCE manager Laurent Blanc lamented his squad’s fitness after their surprise defeat to Sweden left them facing a daunting European Championship quarter-final with European and world champions Spain on Saturday. A spectacular scissor kick from Zlatan Ibrahimovic followed by Sebastian Larsson’s stoppage-time volley were enough for already-eliminated Sweden to salvage some [...]
Cav: I’d ditch Tour for gold June 19, 2012 BRITISH gold medal hope Mark Cavendish insists he would have skipped the Tour de France if he thought it would boost his London 2012 road race chances. The Isle of Man cyclist has already jeopardised his hopes of retaining the green jersey in the Tour, which starts next week, with an Olympics-oriented training regime. “If [...]
Head injury rules Monye out of improving England’s final Test June 19, 2012 SA NORTHERN BARBARIANS 31 ENGLAND 57 ENGLAND coach Stuart Lancaster confirmed Harlequins winger Ugo Monye is unlikely to be available for Saturday’s third and final Test in South Africa after being knocked unconscious in last night’s difficult win against Northern Barbarians. A hat-trick from Nick Abendanon, two tries from Jonny May and further scores from [...]