Princess Highway just favoured in Oaks battle with Great Heavens July 19, 2012 WHEN John Gosden supplemented impressive Lancashire Oaks winner, Great Heavens, for Sunday’s Irish version (3.20pm) earlier this week, I was certain I’d be backing her with the testing conditions sure to play to her strengths. However, it’s all about the price in this game; I was expecting her to be around the 3/1 second favourite [...]
Wiggins senses historic victory and defends Froome conduct July 19, 2012 BRITAIN’S Bradley Wiggins refused to criticise Team Sky colleague Chris Froome for undermining him after taking a giant step towards becoming the first man from these shores to win the Tour de France. Wiggins tightened his grip on the yellow jersey with just three stages remaining, of which one is his favoured time trial, by [...]
Cook: Century provided much needed relief July 19, 2012 ENGLAND batsman Alastair Cook admitted the scoring of his 20th Test century provided a considerable catharsis after inspiring England to an impressive lead during day one of the first Test against South Africa. England reached 267-3 by close with Cook’s calm 114 not out supplementing Jonathan Trott’s 71 and Kevin Pietersen’s 42, and given the [...]
Hoy expects Kenny to impress after getting Olympics nod July 19, 2012 OLYMPIC gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy believes rival Jason Kenny can succeed at London 2012 after the 24-year-old replaced him as Team GB’s individual sprint track cyclist. Having been chosen to ride in both the keirin and team sprint, Hoy remains in a position to retain two of the three gold medals won during the [...]
Nadal saddened as troublesome knee ends London 2012 dream July 19, 2012 WORLD No3 Rafael Nadal has admitted that his withdrawal from London 2012 represents one of the most disappointing developments in his career. As the reigning champion, Nadal would have again been among the favourites to win a medal but recurring tendinitis of the knee has forced him to accept with regret that his Olympics dream [...]
Lawrie stole the show, but bad weather could eclipse him July 19, 2012 In association with Glenmorangie, official whisky of the Open Championships Yesterday was a great first day to The Open. I must admit that I wasn’t surprised by any of those that did well, but there were some that surprised me among those that didn’t impress. I was disappointed with Lee Westwood’s start. It’s such a [...]
Donald satisfied with delivering Opening 70 at Royal Lytham July 19, 2012 WORLD No1 Luke Donald was content with his opening round of the Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes and believes his start has positioned him well for today’s resumption of play. Donald continued his streak of failing to break 70 in the first round of a major championship since 2006 and after 16 pars, [...]
Arsenal must let Van Persie choose his club July 19, 2012 ARSENAL are facing yet another summer battle to retain their star players but one thing is clear: if Robin van Persie wants to leave then they have little choice but to let him go, and let him go where he wants. If the club cannot meet the Dutchman’s financial demands or satisfy his ambition then [...]
Spurs ace King forced to quit July 19, 2012 TOTTENHAM and England central defender Ledley King has confirmed his retirement from football following a lengthy battle with a chronic knee injury. The former Spurs captain, 31, who spent his entire career at White Hart Lane, will stay on at the club in an ambassadorial role. King said: “I have always considered it my club [...]
New calendar date for Wimbledon July 19, 2012 TENNIS: Wimbledon is to take place a week later in the calendar from 2015. There will now be a three-week, instead of two-week, gap between Wimbledon and the French Open.