Speed Ticket looks ideal for the Plate June 25, 2009 THE NORTHUMBERLAND Plate is traditionally one of the most open and competitive handicaps of the season and tomorrow’s renewal certainly doesn’t disappoint on that front. There are six runners currently vying for favouritism and at least 12 runners priced between 8/1 and 14/1. It will therefore be no surprise that only two favourites have obliged [...]
THE INSIDER June 25, 2009 COULD tomorrow be the day? It’s almost two years since WINKER WATSON won the 2007 July Stakes, but since then, he hasn’t troubled the judge once. However, the combination of a drop in trip, a new partner in Adrian McCarthy and most importantly, the added assistance of blinkers, means that I am prepared to give [...]
Lions have a mountain to climb to top kicking kings in Second Test June 25, 2009 SOUTH AFRICA vs. BRITISH LIONS SECOND TEST – TOMORROW, 2PM – SKY SPORTS 1 THE CURRENT incarnation of the Lions squad may be the first to have gone unbeaten against provincial opposition on a tour since 1989, but that does not really tell the full story of a month of mixed success in South Africa. [...]
KP optimistic over injury as Ashes looms June 25, 2009 ENGLAND batsman Kevin Pietersen yesterday eased fears he could miss the Ashes series, insisting he had made “huge improvements” in his recovery from an Achilles injury. But with just 12 days until the first Test with Australia in Cardiff Pietersen admitted he is still having difficulty running. The problem forced Pietersen to miss matches against [...]
A MULLIGAN IN LIFE June 25, 2009 FIVE-TIME major winner Seve Ballesteros yesterday hailed his recovery from a brain tumour as “a miracle”. On his first public appearance since life-saving surgery last year, the Spaniard compared his survival to a golfing rule – known as a mulligan – whereby a player is allowed to retake a shot. “Nine months ago my life [...]
McGeechan hands Shaw Test chance June 25, 2009 THE BRITISH and Irish Lions face South Africa tomorrow in Pretoria, 4,500 feet above sea level – and head coach Ian McGeechan has told his players to set their expectations just as high. McGeechan’s beefed-up side head into the second Test at Loftus Versfeld trailing 1-0, after being overpowered in last weekend’s 26-21 defeat in [...]
Fota want independent FIA boss June 25, 2009 FORMULA ONE: Teams’ alliance Fota has called for the next president of governing body the FIA to be independent, amid rumours linking former Ferrari boss Jean Todt with the role. Current incumbent Max Mosley this week agreed to stand down when his term ends in October, after averting a Fota breakaway. Fota vice-chairman John Howett [...]
Aussie pair impress at Sussex June 25, 2009 CRICKET: Australia pair Brett Lee and Stuart Clark boosted their chances of Ashes selection by taking three wickets each in the warm-up match against Sussex at Hove. The tourists declared on their overnight score of 349-7 before Lee (3-53) and Clark (3-46) tore through the Sussex batting order, dismissing them for 311. In contrast, spinner [...]
Finch off to a flyer in Munich June 25, 2009 GOLF: England’s Richard Finch fired a six-under-par round of 66 to end day one of the BMW International Open in Munich just two shots off the lead. South African Retief Goosen, seeking his first European Tour win for more than two years, carded the lowest score, a bogey-free 64, but Finch was next. Welshman Phillip [...]
Murray shows title-winning form to silence Gulbis jibes June 25, 2009 AN EMPHATIC victory, a standing ovation and the sound of his opponent’s pre-match jibes drowned out by a rapturous Centre Court: it may only have been the second round, but British No1 Andy Murray could have asked for little more. There were no signs of animosity at the previous day’s accusations of gamesmanship when Murray [...]