Miko De Beauchene looks pure Gold to add to tremendous Haydock record February 18, 2010 THE expression ‘horses for courses’ could not be more appropriate when it comes to weighing up the chances of MIKO DE BEAUCHENE in bottomless ground at Haydock. Venetia Williams’ 10-year-old is attempting to win the Blue Square Gold Cup for a second time and represents terrific each-way value at 10/1. The 2007 Welsh Grand National [...]
the INSIDER February 18, 2010 It’s that time of year when the two-year-olds face the stalls for the first time. The outcome is polarised. They are either indifferent to the starting stalls and walk in, or they have to be man-handled into the offending metal framed contraption. Witnessing the careful preparation of 40 or so individuals makes you realise just [...]
City and Reds to share the spoils as battle for fourth spot heats up February 18, 2010 MANCHESTER CITY V/S LIVERPOOL Sunday – 3.00pm THIS game could quite easily decide which team finishes fourth and takes the crucial final Champions League spot. Manchester City and Liverpool have been nip and tuck all season and a 10th home victory of the season for the host side would put them in a hugely strong [...]
Ref ‘mistake’ could cost us, says Wenger February 17, 2010 FC PORTO(2) v/s ARSENAL(1) INCENSED Arsene Wenger insisted referee Martin Hansson had made a “massive mistake” as Arsenal were hit by a Champions League sucker punch in Porto. Wenger was furious after the Swedish official awarded Porto an indirect free-kick inside the box after keeper Lukasz Fabianski had picked up Sol Campbell’s back-pass. Hansson then [...]
Beckham tips red-hot Rooney to scoop top gongs February 17, 2010 FORMER Manchester United darling David Beckham is backing Old Trafford’s latest hero, Wayne Rooney, to achieve world domination. Beckham, who is on loan at AC Milan, was reminded of Rooney’s talent on Wednesday night when the striker scored twice in United’s 3-2 win over the Italians. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes the 24-year-old’s current form [...]
League shouldn’t tamper with rules February 17, 2010 WHEN it comes to the plans to introduce a play-off for the fourth Champions League place, I’m with David Moyes and Rafael Benitez. They are both against plans for the teams who finish from fourth to seventh in the Premier League battling it out for the lucrative spot – and so am I. Firstly, it [...]
Johnno slams Wilko critics February 17, 2010 ENGLAND manager Martin Johnson last night hit back at critics of Jonny Wilkinson, insisting the record-breaking fly-half is being made a scapegoat for side’s inconsistent form. Wilkinson came under fire after missing three penalties in England’s nervy Six Nations win over Italy on Sunday, with some suggesting Toby Flood should take over for next weekend’s [...]
Vonn revels in golden dream February 17, 2010 ON a treacherous piste named Franz’s Run, American Lindsey Vonn summoned the daredevil spirit of the legendary Klammer to secure the Olympic women’s downhill title. Just a week ago Vonn, the dominant force in World Cup racing, announced in front of a packed media conference that a shin injury could have ended her Games before [...]
Kiewetter makes his mark as Lions embarrass England February 17, 2010 BATTING sensation Craig Kieswetter gave a timely nudge to the England selectors after inflicting an embarrassing defeat on Andy Flower’s senior side. The South African-born wicket-keeper/batsman smashed 81 off just 66 balls to help a second string Lions side to a surprise five-wicket victory over the England first XI in a Twenty20 warm-up match in [...]
Honours even as drop rivals battle in the mud February 17, 2010 WIGAN(0) v/s BOLTON(0) WIGAN and Bolton remain embroiled in a relegation dogfight as the Lancashire rivals shared a rather predictable bore draw at a muddy DW Stadium. The hosts had the better of the game on a horrendous surface, with Charles N’Zogbia coming closest the snatching the points with an effort which came off a [...]