Longchamp: Feature Races

There’s a veritable feast of horse racing taking place at ParisLongchamp on Monday afternoon, with no less than four Group-level races to be contested on an action-packed ten-race card.

The star name on the day is last season's Prix du Jockey Club and Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe third Sottsass.

The Jean-Claude Rouget-trained four-year-old is due to kick start his season off in the Prix d'Harcourt and is currently priced up as an 8/15 chance with us here at 888sport to make a winning return.

The one mile Prix de la Grotte is sure to provide plenty of Classic clues for the rest of the year with the top two in the French 1,000 Guineas (Poule d’Essai des Pouliches) betting, Khayzaraan and Tropbeau, due to take each other on.

Both horses are currently trading at 3/1 for the French Guineas in our ante-post market.

Sprinting is the name of the game in the opening race on the card- the Prix de Saint-Georges (5f Group 3).

Last year’s winner Sestilio Jet lines up once again, but due to travel restrictions the British and Irish raiders that have fared really well in this race over the years, will sadly be absent.

Prix de Fontainebleau hopefuls are headed by the Andre Fabre-trained Victor Ludorum who was last seen bringing home the silverware in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on Arc day.

He will be a tough nut to crack if he turns up in the same frame of mind as last year.

10.55 CET – Prix de Saint-Georges (5f)

Sestilio Jet won this race last year in heavy conditions in the hands of Frankie Dettori.

In fact, that was the five-year-old’s only win of last season and despite running second next time out under Dettori at Chantilly, Sestilio Jet’s form went off the boil somewhat.

He was never in contention in the Abbaye but did run with some verve in the Premio Omenoni in Italy.

The Pascal Bary-trained Gold Vibe (nap) ran with credit all of last season without unfortunately managing to get his head in front.

The gelding finished fourth to Sestilio Jet in this race last year and then ran two decent races behind Glass Sippers at the latter end of last season proving his worth at this minimum trip. The seven-year-old should be on the premises again.

Last year’s runner-up Batwan hasn’t been seen on a racecourse since, whilst Trip To Paris, who spent the winter racing at Meydan, looks very dangerous to dismiss.

12.55 CET - Prix de Fontainebleau (1m)

The Godolphin-owned Victor Ledorum (nap) puts his unbeaten record and reputation on the line in this intriguing renewal of the Prix de Fontainebleau.

His race entries after this Group examination already include the French 2000 Guineas, the Prix du Jockey Club and the Grand Prix de Paris, so Andre Fabre will be leaving nothing to chance with the three-year-old.

Jean-Claude Rouget’s Helter Skelter received an indifferent ride in Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere behind Victor Ledorum and should be in closer proximity to the pace on this occasion.

The Wootton Bassett-colt showed plenty of promise at ParisLongchamp and Deauville prior to the Arc weekend and he could prove to be the biggest threat to the favourite.

The Freddy Head-trained Devil appeared to hate the conditions in the Prix Morny and finished stone last.

However, he is a much better performer than that as he showed by winning twice in Group company at Maisons-Laffitte and it would come as no surprise if the Wertheimer homebred puts up a bold show.

13.25 CET – Prix de la Grotte (1m)

The Lady Bamford-owned Tropbeau (nap) clocked up an impressive three-timer in France last season before coming over to Newmarket on her final run to finish third in the Cheveley Park Stakes.

She was staying on in that race and had she not been hampered, the result may have been a lot different. It’s not difficult to see why she’s currently all the rage for the French 1000 Guineas.

The Freddy Head-trained filly Khayzaraan also holds Classic ambitions this season but she will need to step up another notch this year if she is going to live up to people’s expectations.

On paper, the filly appears to have more to find in this race than Tropbeau, but if anybody can train her on then it’s Freddy Head. The Sheik Hamdan-owned daughter of Kingman will certainly be hoping to push Tropbeau right to the wire.

Whilst all the focus will be around the first two in the betting, many of the other competitors in this field may well be overlooked.

At a decent price, the Mme Pia Brandt-trained Quiet Times looks really interesting on her return back to the turf after two decent wins on the Polytrack.

Irish-bred Dream And Do has been the subject of sustained support in the betting all week, while Criterium disappointment Secret Time has received a few nibbles from punters keen to take on the two market leaders.

14.05 CET – Prix D’Harcourt (1¼m)

The eye is naturally drawn to the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained Sottsass here and understandably so.

The chestnut colt took in the Prix de Suresnes, the Prix du Jockey Club and the Prix Niel last season before running a commendable third behind Waldgeist in the Prix De L'Arc De Triomphe.

He’s the form pick for sure but on seasonal debut last year he was beaten by Shaman at ParisLongchamp, and if ever a favourite is vulnerable then it’s first time out.

The Shamadal-colt Shaman (nap) carried his great two-year-old form over to a three-year-old and he had a really fruitful season which included wins at Saint-Cloud and Longchamp, second place in the French 2000 Guineas, a close up fifth in the St James’ Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, runner-up in the Jacques le Marois, and third in the Prix Daniel Wildenstein on the Arc weekend.

He’s won first time out for the last two seasons so why not so again?

The likeable grey Way To Paris is an old hat around ParisLongchamp and the seven-year-old can certainly still hold his own in this type of company.

I personally thought he was unlucky in the Prix Foy and could quite easily have turned over the short-priced Waldgeist had he not been hemmed in. Trading at around the 20/1 mark, he’s a decent each-way shout here.

French Horse Racing Tips: 888sport

These four French Group races make up just part of a fantastic looking ParisLongchamp card on Monday afternoon. Please check out the website for all our latest horse racing odds and free betting tips on the French action!

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Thibault Camus / AP Photo*

Former Liverpool and England forward Emile Heskey believes Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have now overtaken Manchester City as the leading light in English football.

“They have slowly got to the point where they are the dominant force. They are the standard-bearers now. It was Manchester City for a while but now Liverpool has taken on that mantle.

"But with their forward line getting a year older can they carry on doing it at that level? That’s the question. So then your recruitment has to be special too.”

Or perhaps not, because emerging through the ranks at Anfield is a wealth of teenage talent in the form of Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliot and others; exciting young stars who have already shown their potential in first team cameos this year.

Their development, Heskey hopes, might not only save Liverpool a small fortune in the transfer market but strongly hints at continued success on the pitch for seasons to come.

"The squad is probably missing one or two players but overall it is set. Age-wise they are not too bad for the next year or so but you’d want to bring in a couple of younger players to freshen it up and to give some of the established players a challenge.”

Only six players have made more appearances in the Premier League than the affable, now-happily-retired 42-year-old, whose journey began at Leicester City, his hometown club.

It was on Merseyside however that his career went up a serious notch, gaining England caps by the plentiful and winning European and domestic honours.

With typical modesty Heskey is quick to credit his then-manager for the form that swiftly made him one of the most impactful strikers in the land.

"Martin gave me my first opportunity and made sure I played without fear and allowed me to do what I love and what I’m capable of doing. Gerard Houllier put a bit more structure to that. He was brilliant in that sense.”

Evidently, the French coach was impressive in other ways too, namely his introducing of good habits that are now considered the norm.

“He was probably ahead of his time because the things he was doing then, everyone is doing now. When it comes to nutrition and diet, he was doing that years ago and encouraging us but we weren’t mentally ‘there’ then.

"I know some older players who were there back then and they recognise now the things he was trying to get us to do but we were stuck in our ways. He was a bit before his time and if he were there now he would see even more results that what he got.”

Staying with the management theme, for his country Heskey played under six different managers, none more divisive than Fabio Capello, whose authoritarian ways have once again been scrutinized of late with a news story revealing that he once banned tomato ketchup from international meet-ups.

Heskey however has little tolerance for any team-mate who is now happy to use such extreme measures as a reason for England’s failings back then.

“I didn’t mind Capello’s style of management and a lot of the time it comes down to excuses. That’s my view. If you take butter away from someone and they let it eat them up then that’s their problem.

"It's true. That should not be a hindrance to going out there and performing. That’s your problem and it’s just excuses to moan about butter, ketchup or chips.

"He was a disciplinarian, he was strict, and he was very strong in how he spoke. Sometimes that can rub people up the wrong way.

"But to complain about butter….at the end of the day I grew up in an era when managers were in people’s faces. I was 16 when I was in changing rooms with the pros."

Liverpool are not the only club from the player’s C.V. to have enjoyed a sensational year.

Leicester too have exceeded all expectations by establishing themselves in the top four, playing a brand of fluid and confident football that bodes extremely well for their future.

When asked about how they have done this Heskey once again turns to the touchline for the answers.

"Now he’s doing the same at Leicester and he’s still getting good results. Now every player is being linked to so-called bigger clubs. That’s how you know how well he is doing.”

One such player of course who is currently acting as grist for the transfer rumour mill is James Maddison, with Manchester United reportedly keen to secure his services at the earliest opportunity.

Heskey though, thinks the attacking midfielder might be better off remaining in the Midlands for the time being.

“Maddison has to look at himself and found out where his pathway lies. He is still a young lad with many years ahead of him and a lot of learning still to do.

"He has a great teacher in Brendan Rodgers. But at some stage he will be wondering what his next path will be. That he has taken it so far at Leicester and now what is the next path. So at some stage he will be looking to move to a bigger club.

"Right now though I don’t see why he can’t stay for another two or three years. That will still only take him to 25.”

On the days when Maddison is absent from the back pages it’s always fair to assume that another Jack Grealish to Old Trafford story is there instead.

In this instance the ex-Villan believes that an imminent move might actually be on the cards. Follow our transfer betting odds to keep up with the latest developments...

"Not just in a ten-day spell with the under 21s or training with the England full team. But week in, week out. And I know that he can. I played with him when I was at Villa and he was just 15 and he could hold himself then.

"With England he will have spoken to people and they will have told him what it’s like at the bigger clubs. 100%."

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Sang Tan / AP Photo*

We’ve focused on greyhound racing betting in the United Kingdom but it’s now time to look at greyhound action around the world.

Racing sports are generally popular in Australia and the United States, as well as South Africa and France.

Here, we look at greyhound betting and racing in four areas outside the UK.

888sport is the place to be for the latest greyhounds news, tips and betting odds – you will be a greyhound expert in no time!

Greyhound Betting In Australia

With a grand total of 65 greyhound venues across the country, Australia is one of the most popular regions in the world for greyhounds racing.

Some of the most famous greyhounds of all-time raced in Australia for the entirety of their careers and greyhound betting regulars will be familiar with the biggest names in the racing industry.

The Melbourne Cup for greyhounds is regarded as the most lucrative greyhound race in the world, with a prize pot of over £300,000.

If you want to watch greyhound racing outside the UK, Australia is the place to be.

United States Greyhound Betting

With a similar number of racetracks in the United States, greyhound racing has a long and rich history in North America.

America is home to close to 70 racetracks and greyhound venues across the country – an impressive figure to say the least.

Betting on greyhounds in the United States is easy with 888sport, with daily markets on meetings across the nation.

You can watch greyhounds via our live streaming service and follow the latest races online.

While greyhound racing is in decline compared to horse racing, sport fans can watch and bet on greyhounds throughout the week.

Greyhound Betting – New Zealand

There are a grand total of 11 racing clubs in New Zealand who manage racetracks across the country.

Greyhound racing in New Zealand is relatively niche, with an estimated 700 dogs bred each year specifically with racing in mind.

South Africa Greyhound Betting

Greyhound racing is strictly an amateur sport in South Africa.

No spectators are allowed to attend any greyhound events and racing has been banned as a professional sport since 1946.

Unusually, greyhounds are kept with owners and not trainers in South Africa.

Horse racing is huge across the country but greyhound racing is still relatively small fry.

Lewis Hamilton is second all-time in world titles and race wins. He’s entered 250 consecutive races, comfortably a record, and only eight drivers ever have competed in more races.

He’s won a race in 13 consecutive seasons, a feat only bettered by Michael Schumacher’s 15. He’s got 20 more poles than anyone in the history of Formula One.

Hamilton is without doubt one of the greatest racing drivers ever, and to many he’s already surpassed Ayrton Senna, Juan Manuel Fangio and Schumacher to sit top of that podium too.

For a sportsperson of Hamilton’s standing, his reputation – in the UK at least – isn’t befitting. Formula One’s stature, and the importance of the team, plays a part in that.

Hamilton divides opinion too – the revelations of the Paradise Papers a significant factor.

The morality of taxation, and how it should impact the public perception of a celebrity or sportsperson, is complex. Even before the controversy surrounding his private jet, Hamilton didn’t receive the adulation of other sporting superstars.

Hamilton has suffered racist abuse throughout his career, and as recently as last year, Rio Ferdinand pointed to ‘racist’ undertones in the coverage of Hamilton.

To look at the underappreciation of Hamilton, there’s plenty to consider, and race is clearly an important part in that. Hamilton was the first, and remains the only, black driver to race in Formula One.

The six-time champion has been impacted by racial abuse; he has overcome discrimination. It shouldn’t be controversial to suggest black athletes are treated differently. Hamilton, like many others, has been on the receiving end of that.

The mix between admiring sporting success with how people view a person is complicated.

It is possible to respect a person’s achievements while disagreeing with their behaviour elsewhere, but Hamilton’s level of acceptance in the British public doesn’t feel like it has struck a balance.

Despite the Paradise Papers, the opinion of Hamilton is disproportionately low compared to other sportspeople who have less than perfect non-sport lives.

Finding Hamilton annoying or disliking Formula One shouldn’t discredit what he has achieved.

Perhaps you don’t tune in when he’s on Graeme Norton, or you don’t settle down for the British Grand Prix, but that doesn’t have to equal dislike, which Hamilton receives.

Hamilton riles people up in a way that very few other sportspeople do, and the public treatment of him is disproportionately negative for someone at the very top of motorsport.

The 35-year-old is only one Drivers’ Championship behind Schumacher. He’s come out on top in two great F1 driver rivalries, going toe-to-toe with Fernando Alonso and duelling with Nico Rosberg at Mercedes.

As the next generation, led by Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, ascend, Hamilton still stands firm atop the Formula One mountain. Deep into his thirties and with 250 races under his belt, Hamilton is the man to beat, he’s the driver you least want in your mirrors.

Hamilton will remain at the top of F1 betting online until he retires. As long as the partnership with Mercedes continues, he will be among the favourites to add to his tally of six world titles.

Hamilton, Peter Bonnington, Toto Wolff and hundreds of others have formed a winning machine.

He has changed as a driver from the ultra-aggressive rookie, there’s unquestionably more caution in the latter years of his career, but it hasn’t significantly compromised the raw pace.

That, paired with an improving ability to eke every inch out of the car and tyres, makes Hamilton a force that shows no sign of slowing down.

Formula One is relatively niche in the UK, sitting behind cricket, tennis, football, rugby and perhaps a few others. The British Grand Prix was overshadowed by the Wimbledon and cricket World Cup finals last summer.

Hamilton, though, is bigger than his sport. He’s a celebrity in his own right (which irritates some), and earned the 10th-most among athletes in the 2010s. Hamilton is a sporting giant, the most successful British sportsperson of the 21st century.

What he has achieved on the track is oft downplayed. How his success is valued is ultimately subjective, but being the first black driver in Formula One, and becoming arguably the greatest ever, should never be devalued.

He has challenged racial politics and looked to open doors for kids like him to make their way into Formula One.

Hamilton is a modern great. He doesn’t have to be everyone’s favourite but appreciating sporting brilliance doesn’t require an acceptance of everything they have done as a person.

If it did, there are suddenly a lot of athletes we cannot applaud. He doesn’t have to be adored. His latest clothing line doesn’t have to be popular. His sporting achievements, though, are unrivalled.

It isn’t often a Brit has a legitimate claim as the greatest ever – Hamilton deserves much more appreciation for that feat alone.

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Luca Bruno / AP Photo*