Yorgunnabelucky if you follow in-form Mark Johnston runner June 3, 2011 EEPSOM handicaps are always fiendishly difficult and the Investec Surefooted Handicap is no different. Regular readers of The Punter will know that I tipped Zuider Zee last weekend at Haydock but he was a non-runner due to the fast ground. He could be a doubtful starter again today, unless clerk of the course Andrew Cooper [...]
Parisian Pyramid set to strike for red hot Ryan June 3, 2011 THE finale to this year’s Derby Festival is the Investec Specialist Bank Handicap and it’s another complicated puzzle to unravel. Last year the old boy Flipando came with a rattle under Philip Makin to lead near the finish and Graham Gibbons will be trying to repeat the trick on the evergreen 10-year-old. Horses tend to [...]
Repentant Capello to let players rest before Euros June 3, 2011 ENGLAND vs SWITZERLAND ITV1, Kick-off 4:45pm ENGLAND manager Fabio Capello has promised his players a lengthy holiday before next summer’s European Championships, as they prepare to take another step towards the tournament this afternoon at Wembley. Capello insists he has learned lessons from last year’s World Cup, in which players appeared jaded by a lack [...]
Dancing Rain romps to Oaks victory June 3, 2011 William Haggas-trained 20-1 shot leads from the front as Dettori is hit with 10-day suspension TRAINER William Haggas toasted Dancing Rain’s surprise victory in the Investec Oaks yesterday at Epsom, joking: “That’s payback for my wife’s broken leg.” The 20-1 shot, ridden by Johnny Murtagh, set the pace and repeatedly mined her reserves of energy [...]
Magnificent Nadal rises to Murray’s challenge in Paris June 3, 2011 BRITISH No1 Andy Murray’s hopes of banishing his grand slam curse evaporated, for a few weeks at least, in the French Open semi-finals yesterday, where Rafael Nadal demonstrated just why he is called the King of Clay. Murray strove manfully – as he has all fortnight, despite an ankle injury – but on the crucial [...]
Cook shines as England shrug off morning losses June 3, 2011 ENGLAND bounced back from the loss of three early wickets to reach 342-6 on day one of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s yesterday. Captain Andrew Strauss, Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen were all dismissed before lunch as the hosts slumped to 22-3. Ashes hero Alastair Cook steadied the ship but fell four [...]
Stuttering start for City A.M. Team New York June 3, 2011 DEFENDING champions City A.M. Team New York and IG Index Team Sydney both suffered shock defeats as this year’s MINT Polo In The Park began with a day of upsets. City A.M. Team New York’s line-up of Jack Kidd, Henry Brett and Jamie Morrisson lost for the first time since 2009, going down 8-13 to [...]
Spurs snap up Friedel June 3, 2011 THE FUTURE of error-prone Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes has been plunged into fresh doubt after the club swooped for Aston Villa veteran Brad Friedel. The arrival of the 40-year-old American, who has signed a two-year contract after moving on a free transfer, means Spurs now have three senior stoppers. Besides Gomes and Friedel, manager Harry [...]
Bahrain GP reinstated June 3, 2011 THE BAHRAIN Grand Prix has been restored to the Formula One calendar and will take place on 30 October, more than seven months later than scheduled. The World Motor Sports Council’s decision means that the Indian Grand Prix, whose date has been assumed by Bahrain, will be put back to December. Bahrain was originally meant [...]
Fallon sweating on court verdict June 3, 2011 JOCKEY Kieren Fallon will learn this morning whether he is free to ride in the Investec Derby today following a High Court bid to prevent him partnering Recital. Ibrahim Araci, the owner of Native Khan, says Fallon had previously promised to ride his horse, only to switch on Monday, and is therefore breaking a contract. [...]