Nova Hawk to land the Coronation for France June 16, 2011 WITH plenty more rain expected to fall at Ascot, it’s extremely hard to confidently predict what the official going description will be come race time this afternoon. I’m working on the basis that the ground will be good to soft, but you can monitor the situation by following me live from Ascot on Twitter @BillEsdaile. [...]
Bewitched and Dalghar to fight out the big one June 16, 2011 TOMORROW’S Golden Jubilee Stakes (3.45pm) is the final Group One contest of Royal Ascot week and the rain is causing havoc to a number of the key contenders. Delegator has been the ante-post favourite since his hugely impressive seasonal reappearance at York, but the softening conditions are firmly against him. There is a chance he [...]
O’Brien error lets in Dettori and Rewilding June 15, 2011 So You Think defeat down to me, says trainer Nine-day suspension sours Dettori’s victory FORMER Champion trainer Aidan O’Brien accepted the blame for So You Think’s shock defeat at Royal Ascot at the hands of Rewilding in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. The multiple Group One winner was sent off as the 4-11 favourite and [...]
One of golf’s greatest tests to bring out the best in showman Poulter June 15, 2011 IF YOU were to rank the Majors in terms of importance and prestige then I’d have no problem putting the US Open in there just behind our Open as the second most significant event on the golfing calendar. A number of the world’s leading players have described this tournament as the ultimate test and from [...]
Chelsea fail with £22m bid for Spurs ace Modric June 15, 2011 CHELSEA have seen a £22m bid for Tottenham’s Croatia midfielder Luka Modric rebuffed by their north London rivals. After a trophyless season, owner Roman Abramovich is keen to rebuild his aging squad, whose midfield is lacking the creative qualities Modric would supply in abundance. Chelsea, who are still to appoint a successor to their former Double [...]
McIlroy sees an opening with Woods out of action June 15, 2011 NORTHERN IRELAND’S Rory McIlroy is saddened by Tiger Woods’ absence from the US Open which starts today but knows that with the former world No1 out of action his chances of a first Major win are greatly enhanced. Woods, out with knee and Achilles injuries, has failed to make it back to the Congressional course [...]
Fabregas won’t ask for Barca transfer June 15, 2011 ARSENAL captain Cesc Fabregas appeared to offer the club’s fans hope he might resist the overtures of Barcelona again this summer by claiming he “owes himself” to the Gunners. The reigning Spanish and European champions have failed to force Arsenal’s hand in each of the previous two summer transfer windows and are thought to be [...]
Strauss is boosted by Anderson return in his bid for total perfection June 15, 2011 ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss admits he’s hoping the return of seamer James Anderson will provide the spark that was missing during the second Test at Lord’s. Sri Lanka arrive at the Rose Bowl ahead of today’s final Test of the three-match series needing a win to secure a creditable draw and will feel confident of [...]
Nolan move sparks Barton outburst June 15, 2011 WEST HAM manager Sam Allardyce is set to step up his rebuilding operation by raiding his former club Newcastle and bringing their skipper Kevin Nolan to Upton Park, much to the distress of Joey Barton. The former England international performed with distinction alongside Nolan last season and feels let down by the club’s board. He [...]
Wembley favourite for 2013 final June 15, 2011 FOOTBALL: Wembley is the frontrunner to be named by Uefa today as the venue of the 2013 Champions League final. The success of this year’s final, coupled with the Football Association’s 150th anniversary celebrations are believed to have swayed the decision.