The “Monet’s Garden” Old Roan Chase is a Grade 2 National Hunt steeplechase run on the Mildmay course at Aintree and takes place on Sunday 28^th October.

This race traditionally attracts the top two and a half milers and has been won by the likes of Kauto Star, Monet’s Garden (2007, 2009, 2010), Alberta’s Run, Wishfull Thinking and last year, by Smad Place.

Here we take a look and the trends and statistics over the last 10 renewals of race plus a look at some of the interesting contenders:

 

Weight (wins-placed-runners)

11st +: 7-8-34

10st 13lb or less: 3-6-49

The last nine winners have carried 10st 7lb or more which is good news for those horses at the top of the handicap.

 

Age (wins-placed-runners)

5-y-o to 8-y-o: 3-9-41

9-y-o to 12-y-o: 7-6-36

Five out of the last ten winners have been aged ten or more so the older horses are not easy to dismiss.

 

Ratings

154+: 7-8-34

153- : 3-5-44

The last ten winners have been rated 150 or higher.

 

Trainer Form

Paul Nicholls has been responsible for sending out the favourite five times in the last ten years and has won the race twice overall.

He is represented by Frodon and Modus this year.

 

Starting Price

The S.P of the winner has ranged from 9/4 to 14/1.

 

Interesting Contenders

Cloudy Bay (Donald McCain)

Last year’s runner-up Cloudy Dream makes his course debut for new trainer Donald McCain on Sunday.

The Trevor Hemmings-owned eight-year-old has been the subject of sustained support all week long for the Grade Two feature and looks sure to go off the favourite.

Cloudy Dream, who was formerly trained by the Jefferson family, was second to Smad Place in this contest last season. His final race was also at Aintree when he was a disappointing fifth of six behind Politologue in the Melling Chase.

Whilst trained by the late Malcolm Jefferson he had a wonderful first season over fences, winning three of his seven starts and finishing runner-up on the four other occasions.

His efforts in defeat in that star-studded season included a six-length second to Altior in the Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival which put the grey gelding firmly on the map.

Last season bore no fruits whatsoever, with four runner-up spots being filled in his six races.

A switch to McCain’s stables in Cheshire may well perk him up a bit and McCain was very positive about his chances after a recent after-hours blowout at Haydock.

 

God's Own (Tom George)

God’s Own is a former Grade One course and distance winner and the Old Roan is a race he has contested several times before.

The ten-year-old is still a useful sort, as he showed when he was placed in last year’s Champion Chase, and he should get his favoured ground and will be suited by the trip. He could easily make the frame again but will probably just come up shy of winning it.

 

Javert (Emma Lavelle)

After an 869 day lay-off, the nine-year-old won a handicap chase by two lengths against a useful a field at Uttoxeter under Leighton Aspell.

Prior to his setback, Javert won three of his five starts over fences, the last of them being a valuable prize at Haydock Park where the world looked his oyster for his syndicate owners.

If he doesn’t “bounce” on this second run of the season then a lot more success can be expected in the future.

 

Value At Risk (Dan Skelton)

The nine-year-old has been flitting between hurdles and chases in his last few runs but it is in the chasing sphere where he tends to excel, as his season ending victory at Ayr in April clearly proved.

Skelton has been popping in the winners in the last fortnight and his brother Harry is sure to give his sibling’s runner a positive ride.

 

Flying Angel (Nigel Twiston-Davies)

Nigel Twiston Davies' Flying Angel was a game winner of the first race of the 2017 Grand National Festival, the Grade One Manifesto Novices' Chase and is no stranger to the Merseyside venue.

He was well fancied for the Topham Chase back in April but could only manage 10^th place, but this is a very different race altogether and he should be better suited by it.

He has some serious Grade One form at Aintree and he could rate as the best value each-way runner in the field.

 

Frodon (Paul Nicholls)

Paul Nicholls has saddled the winner of the Old Roan twice, once with Kauto Star in 2006 and also with Sound Investment in 2015.

Frodon, who won a Grade Three chase at Cheltenham in January under Bryony Frost, will have to shoulder the top weight of 11st 10lb in the Limited Handicap.

The six-year-old has won 8 of his 21 starts and has been somewhat of a punters friend. His Caspian Caviar Gold Cup victory at Cheltenham was by far his best result when he beat a decent field at a top winter fixture.

Frodon appears to go well fresh and Nicholls has a solid chance of making it three Old Roan trophies on his mantelpiece.

 

Beggar's Wishes (Peter Bowen)

Beggar’s Wishes has been a revelation in his last three runs under Sean Bowen and last time out he claimed the scalps of Dolos and Benatar to great adulation on social media.

The seven-year-old is very much in the same mould as Peter Bowen’s former stable star, Snoopy Loopy, and he looks every bit a progressive autumn horse. There could be plenty more to come and he should put up a good fist of it on Sunday.

888sport suggested bets: Flying Angel and Beggar’s Wishes (e/w).

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

Are you missing strong (but fair) tackle football like in the good old days? If so, Wes Brown has your back. The former Manchester United defender is the latest ex-footballer to join 888sport EXCLUSIVE "Against the Grain" video series as he rants about referees nowadays.

 

Watch Brown full rant here:

 

Check out Brown & Dennis Wise going head to head and argue who is a bigger club - Chelsea or Man United? on our 888sport "A Tenner Says" series:

 

 

Don't miss 888sport former "Against the Grain" rants with Jason McAteer & Tim Sherwood!

 

 

It’s matchday three in the 2018/19 Champions League campaign and 16 teams will be in action on Wednesday evening.

Tottenham Hotspur will be hoping to claim a first European win of the season when they go up against SSV Eindhoven in one of the two early kick-offs.

Spurs rode their luck against West Ham at the weekend but picked up a vital win and confidence will be high.

Meanwhile, Liverpool will be looking to take advantage when they host Red Star Belgrade.

Jurgen Klopp’s side could score any number of goals in that encounter and the Anfield crowd will be hoping for a one-sided demolition job.

Without further ado, let’s get down to the action. Scroll down for our top tips on this week’s fixtures; we’ve compiled a tasty 16/1 accumulator ahead of Wednesday’s European fixtures.

 

PSV EINDHOVEN vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

PSV’s form in the Eredivisie has been well documented; the defending champions have won nine out of nine, scoring 36 goals whilst conceding just three.

The hosts are valued at 13/5 to prevail and plenty of punters will fancy the Dutch outfit at that price. After all, Spurs are always at risk of going full Spurs and hitting the self-destruct button.

Tottenham got lucky against West Ham at the weekend but winning ugly is an excellent trait to possess. The north London side are dangerous and it would be foolish to write Spurs off despite two defeats in two Champions League games.

Punters may fancy the visitors to just about edge this one. 19/20 is a solid enough price if you fancy Tottenham’s class to shine through in Eindhoven.

For me, the best bet here is for both teams to score. Stick it in your accumulator at 11/25 and sit back, relax and watch what should be an entertaining game of football.

TIP: Both teams to score @ 11/25

PREDICTED SCORE: PSV 1-1 Tottenham (Priced at 6/1 with 888sport)

 

BORUSSIA DORTMUND vs Atletico Madrid

Watch this space, Borussia Dortmund could go deep into the competition this season. At 60/1, they are well worth a speculative bet to win Europe’s elite club tournament…

After two group stage games, Dortmund have a 100% winning record and the German giants have yet to concede a goal. 6/4 looks like a huge price for Dortmund to claim another important victory on home soil.

Atletico Madrid have been somewhat out of sorts in 2018/19 but Diego Simeone’s men have started to put a run together. In Europe, Madrid have also won both group fixtures so far this campaign and we could be set for a thriller on Wednesday night.

The visitors will want to keep things tight during the early exchanges and writing Atletico off completely would be foolish. Punters backing the visitors could take the 11/20 in the double chance market.

For me, Dortmund’s class should tell. They are a different beast altogether at home and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see the German side prevail.

TIP: Borussia Dortmund to win @ 6/4

PREDICTED SCORE: Dortmund 2-0 Atletico (Priced at 8/1 with 888sport)

 

FC BARCELONA vs Inter Milan

Barcelona are one of the favourites to win this year’s competition but Lionel Messi’s latest injury may hinder their chances here. The Argentina star could be out for a prolonged spell and it may affect the Spanish side in the coming months.

The hosts will take some stopping in their pursuit of glory in this contest though and you won’t find too many punters opting for a Barcelona defeat. 12/25 is quite short for a home win but Barca rarely fall short at Camp Nou.

Meanwhile, Inter are coming into this game on the back of a 1-0 injury time victory over arch rivals AC Milan. Confidence is high in the visiting camp and it wouldn’t be a huge shock to see the Italian outfit snatch a positive result.

Mauro Icardi has been in scintillating form so far in 2018/19 and punters will fancy Messi’s compatriot to shine on Wednesday night. 11/5 for Icardi to score anytime is some price…

However, it could be a case of no Messi, no problems for Barca in this one. The hosts have enough quality in the final third to put Inter to the sword – take the 7/4 for Barca to win and both teams to score.

TIP: Barcelona to win and both teams to score @ 7/4

PREDICTED SCORE: Barcelona 3-1 Inter (Priced at 10/1 with 888sport)

 

LIVERPOOL vs Red Star Belgrade

Liverpool have struggled to inspire confidence in the final third in recent weeks but the Reds are primed to end that run at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Klopp’s side are in an excellent position in the race to reach the knockout stages and plenty of punters will fancy Liverpool to run riot in this encounter. 43/20 for over 4.5 home goals is worth a second look…

Red Star were thrashed by Paris Saint-Germain in their last European away encounter and it doesn’t look great for the Serbian side ahead of this trip.

Yes, Liverpool are no longer scoring goals for fun but the Reds are a class above on paper and an early goal could see the floodgates open. The visitors are 16/5 to get to half-time on level terms but that looks like a stretch.

My top tip ahead of this contest is for Liverpool to win by three or more goals at 11/20. The Reds are due a strong performance after an attacking lull and this one could get ugly for the visitors.

TIP: Liverpool to win by three or more goals @ 11/20

PREDICTED SCORE: Liverpool 4-0 Red Star (Priced at 6/1 with 888sport)

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

It’s matchday three in the 2018/19 Champions League campaign and we have a real treat in store for football fans this week.

Cristiano Ronaldo will return to Old Trafford for his first homecoming as a Juventus player; the Portuguese has enjoyed plenty of success against his former side in recent years and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could flourish on Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, Manchester City will look to build on their 2-1 victory over Hoffenheim last time out when they travel to Shakhtar Donetsk. Three points for Pep Guardiola’s side will put the Blues in a strong position ahead of the return clash.

Without further ado, let’s get down to the action. Scroll down for our top tips on this week’s fixtures; we’ve compiled a tasty 11/1 accumulator ahead of Tuesday’s European fixtures.

 

AEK Athens vs BAYERN MUNICH

AEK Athens will be quietly confident of springing a shock – their passionate home fans will be looking to create a daunting, hostile atmosphere on Tuesday night.

The visitors are in poor form whilst AEK Athens have an excellent home record. 10/3 on the double chance market for the hosts to win or draw is worth considering.

Bayern snapped a run of four games without a win this weekend and the Bavarians will be looking to build momentum after a tricky start to the campaign.

The hosts have lost both Champions League fixtures this season and Bayern will be sniffing blood ahead of their trip to Greece.

There isn’t much value on an away victory so taking the 7/25 for over 1.5 Bayern goals may be the way to go.

On paper, there is a clear gulf in class and the German giants could run away with it if they go for the jugular.

TIP: Over 1.5 Bayern goals @ 7/25

PREDICTED SCORE: AEK Athens 1-3 Bayern Munich (Priced at 10/1 with 888sport)

 

Manchester United vs JUVENTUS

Jose Mourinho’s side were seconds away from a confidence-boosting victory over Chelsea on Saturday afternoon but the Red Devils were pegged back in the 96^th minute.

The Red Devils will hope that a return to the Champions League is enough to spark another impressive performance; the hosts are out at 23/10 to claim three points in this clash.

Juventus are on another level right now though, having won eight of their nine Serie A games in 2018/19. This one could get ugly for United…

Cristiano Ronaldo is doing Cristiano Ronaldo things and the Portuguese star is 11/8 to score on Tuesday night. Watch this space, he usually raises his game for the Old Trafford crowd.

Backing the outcome of this contest is tricky – especially with so much at stake; both in terms of Champions League qualification and avoiding the sack for Mourinho.

In years gone by, Juventus would have taken a point but the Serie A champions may push for three against an inconsistent United side.

TIP: Ronaldo to score @ 11/8

PREDICTED SCORE: Man United 1-1 Juventus (Priced at 5/1 with 888sport)

 

REAL MADRID vs VIKTORIA PLZEN

Real Madrid are in a spot of bother. Currently languishing down in seventh spot ahead of the first El Clasico of the season, a huge win is needed here.

Those fancying a convincing Madrid display should take the 4/6 on offer for the hosts to win by three goals or more – that has a solid chance looking at both clubs.

Viktoria Plzen were expected to be the whipping boys in Group G but they snatched a point against CSKA Moscow; something that Real Madrid failed to do last time out.

Securing a positive result in the Bernabeu looks unlikely but this is NOT the Real Madrid of two years ago. The visitors are priced at 9/1 to avoid defeat.

It would be foolish to look past Madrid though despite their recent struggles. This is one of those ‘David vs Goliath’ clashes that the Champions League tends to throw up…

However, the under 4.5 goals mark at a very appealing 8/15 is my pick. Real will dominate but they may have one eye on El Clasico.

TIP: Under 4.5 goals @ 8/15

PREDICTED SCORE: Real Madrid 3-0 Plzen (Priced at 6/1 with 888sport)

 

Shakhtar Donetsk vs MANCHESTER CITY

Shakhtar have picked up two points from their European encounters in 2018/19 and some punters will fancy the hosts to notch another draw on Tuesday night.

The Ukrainian outfit have faced City on numerous occasions in recent times; Shakhtar ran out 2-1 winners against Pep Guardiola’s men in this exact fixture less than 12 months ago.

However, the 29/20 for a Man City win with both teams scoring is arguably the best bet in terms of value.

It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see the visitors score a hatful of goals but backing the Premier League champions to keep a clean sheet would be unwise.

Underdog backers may take the 6/1 for a Shakhtar triumph, especially thinking back to last year’s fixture, but this is City’s to lose.

We could see Kevin de Bruyne make a full return to the side and that is an ominous sign for City’s rivals – both domestically and in the Champions League too.

TIP: Man City to win and both teams to score @ 29/20

PREDICTED SCORE: Shakhtar 1-3 Man City (Priced at 9/1 with 888sport)

 

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

It may be several months away but as the dust settles on another Flat season our attentions are drawn towards the new National Hunt season, and its pinnacle – the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Here at 888sport we take a look at some of the possible candidates for next March.

PRESENTING PERCY (Pat Kelly)

Presenting Percy was installed as the early favourite for the 2019 Cheltenham Gold Cup after running away with the RSA Novices’ Chase at The Festival.

The former Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle winner, ridden by Davy Russell, was sent off the 5-2 favourite that day and sprinted up the hill to beat Monalee by seven lengths.

Trained in Galway by Pat Kelly, the seven-year-old has been taking a well-earned break over the summer at his owner’s farm in County Westmeath.

Presenting Percy has twice gone to the Cheltenham Festival and been successful on both occasions and looks to be Ireland’s best prospect of winning the Gold Cup next March at this stage.

He finished the 2017/18 season as the top-rated staying novice on a mark of 165.

 

FOOTPAD (Willie Mullins)

After winning the Arkle Novices’ Chase by an impressive 14 lengths, Mullins indicated Footpad "could be a future Gold Cup horse".

The brilliant six-year-old went through his novice season unbeaten in five races and will be challenging for top honours again this season.

In his debut over fences at Navan last November he put in a scintillating display of jumping to score by 11 lengths.

In the Arkle Trophy Footpad blundered at the sixth, which left him a fair way back, but under a patient ride from Ruby Walsh, he effortlessly made up the lost ground and went on to win by a wide margin.

Footpad then topped off a splendid season by making all to win the Grade One Ryanair Chase at Punchestown by 12 lengths.

Whether the Gold Cup is on the horizon this year remains to be seen but he is definitely worth a speculative punt.

 

MIGHT BITE (Nicky Henderson)

Nicky Henderson has said he will adopt a more attacking policy with Might Bite this season.

Last seen winning the Betway Bowl at Aintree, Might Bite had previously finished second to Native River in the Gold Cup.

Henderson recently said: "The Betfair Chase at Haydock is the likely starting point for Might Bite and we might as well have a go at the Jockey Club Triple Crown and the £1million bonus.

We were tempted with it last season but the King George was our main goal, however this year we might as well give it a shot and see where we end up."

 

ROAD TO RESPECT (Noel Meade)

Connections of the Cheltenham Gold Cup fourth Road To Respect are saying that he is a much stronger horse now as he prepares for a season focused on another tilt at the blue-riband event next March.

The Noel Meade-trained chaser finished 12 and a half lengths behind Native River in the Gold Cup Cheltenham before rounding off last season with a third place in the Punchestown Gold Cup.

Meade’s retained rider, Sean Flanagan said: "We're looking at going back to Leopardstown with Road To Respect and then I'd imagine the Gold Cup will be his target.

"I had one sit on him and he's a much stronger horse this season. He's in great form and everything is coming together with him now.

Last season soft ground played into the winner's hands, but the second horse wanted better ground too. 

Our horse ran a respectable race and it'll be great to go back again."

Road To Respect, who missed the Irish Daily Star Chase at Punchestown last Wednesday due to the fast ground, will now reappear in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal on November 3^rd.

 

NATIVE RIVER (Colin Tizzard)

The Triple Crown will be the target for Native River this season, starting with the Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 24^th.

The King George VI and the Gold Cup make up the other two legs of the treble that carries a £1million bonus should any horse win all three events.

"Native River will go straight to Haydock. He's galloping away and looks an absolute picture," assistant trainer Joe Tizzard told At The Races last week.

"The Million is the sort of plan. Those horses, the routes get mapped out for them - Haydock, then the King George and the Gold Cup. That's three obvious targets, and they're spaced out lovely."

Native River emerged as a leading staying chaser from 2016-17 season winning the Hennessy Gold Cup, Denman Chase and Welsh National before finishing third in the Gold Cup.

He then went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup last season in a thrilling dual with Might Bite.

 

SIZING JOHN (Jessica Harrington)

Sizing John will have Cheltenham ambitions once again this season and we should be seeing him lead up to Christmas by all accounts.

The 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero has not been seen since a poor run in the Leopardstown Christmas Chase last December and was unable to defend his Cheltenham crown because of a pelvic injury.

Jessica Harrington revealed the tote.com Fortria Chase at Navan on November 11^th could be his first port of call, before going to Leopardstown for the Christmas Chase on December 27^th.

Alternatively his seasonal debut may kick off in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown, which he won last season.

“He’s very good and I’m very happy with him,” said Harrington.

“We could look at the Fortria or Christmas with him or maybe the Durkan and miss Christmas, I don’t know. We’ll see.”

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

The international break has come to an end and club football is back.

The Nations League has improved these fortnights without the Premier League but watching semi-competitive internationals still cannot compete with the buzz of Saturday 3pm kick-offs.

Some managers might just be fighting for their jobs this weekend. This break could be a turning point for some, and a confirmation of what we’ve seen so far for others.

Here are a few thoughts on four of the Premier League’s 3pm kick-offs…

 

AFC BOURNEMOUTH vs Southampton

Bournemouth have started the campaign brilliantly. Aside from the bizarre 4-0 defeat to Burnley, the Cherries have performed very well (and even then they were unlucky).

Eddie Howe’s side have a tendency to have bad days, but they are one of the best sides to watch in the league when they are on form.

It’s bleak for Southampton again. Mark Hughes’ side have lost their last three without scoring a goal.

Hughes is one of the favourites to be the first manager to lose his job – Southampton must be close to handing him his P45, despite keeping the club in the Premier League last term.

The home side sit at 21/20 to win this one. Given the results and performances from Hughes’ men of late, that looks like a steal.

TIP: Bournemouth to win @ 21/20

PREDICTED SCORE: Bournemouth 3-1 Southampton (Priced at 13/1 with 888sport)

 

Cardiff City vs FULHAM

Cardiff are bottom of the league with two points in eight matches. Neil Warnock’s side were expected to struggle this season and a difficult run of fixtures has made for a particularly poor start.

Home matches like these are crucial if Cardiff are to have any chance of safety come Christmas.

Slavisa Jokanovic is in that group of managers who might be a loss or two from the sack. Fulham have just five points and the league’s worst defensive record.

Performances are getting worse if anything for the west London club. Fulham’s extra quality should shine through in this clash though.

This is a massive match for both sides and it could be a very tense occasion, despite the fact it’s not even Halloween yet...

TIP: Fulham to win OR draw @ 11/20

PREDICTED SCORE: Cardiff 1-2 Fulham (Priced at 9/1 with 888sport)

 

WEST HAM UNITED vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

It’s a little surprising that this London derby wasn't selected for the television cameras this weekend.

Tottenham, led by a return to form for Harry Kane, have pulled themselves together after a September dip, while West Ham have begun to resemble a football team after a torrid start to the Premier League season.

Manuel Pellegrini has tinkered with his midfield to build some protection from his defence. It’s his front three, though, that make West Ham a real force.

Marko Arnautovic has picked up where he left off last season and his new teammates, Felipe Anderson and Andriy Yarmolenko, have hit the ground running.

This should be a good match to watch with plenty of goals. The hosts’ attacking trio are capable of causing Spurs problems, but the visitors will fancy their chances of goals against this West Ham defence.

TIP: Over 2.5 goals @ 4/6

PREDICTED SCORE: West Ham 2-2 Spurs (Priced at 11/1 with 888sport)

 

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS vs Watford

These two teams got out the blocks quickly. Wolves sit just three points short of the top four, while Watford are in the top half despite picking up just one point from their last four matches.

The home side have won four of their last five. Wolves have combined an inventive attack with a very resilient defence.

The newly promoted side are giving up fewer chances than any other non-top-six side.

Watford’s defence was similarly resolute in the first few matches, but they have leaked goals lately, conceding nine in their last four.

The hosts are the value pick for this match at 4/5. Wolves look every bit a top half Premier League team and Watford are on a bad run.

TIP: Wolves to win @ 4/5

PREDICTED SCORE: Wolves 2-0 Watford (Priced at 7/1 with 888sport)

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

This Saturday sees the eighth staging of QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot racecourse and it will once again break all records as the most valuable day's racing in the history of the sport in Britain.

As the culmination of the QIPCO British Champions Series, this raceday features the end-of-season championship races for five racing divisions.

Here at 888sport we will concentrate on the two major races that have attracted the most betting turnover and the biggest interest globally.

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes

Roaring Lion has kept on improving throughout the campaign, establishing himself as the leading colt of his generation with fine performances in the second half of the season.

During the year, he completed a hat-trick of Group One wins in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, the Juddmonte International at York and the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

His trainer, John Gosden, had the option of either running him in this or in the Champion Stakes and the connections opted for this race.

Whether the conditions underfoot are going to blot his copybook remains to be seen but he certainly won’t lack for fitness and resolve.

The French-raider Recoletos ran well in the Champion Stakes last year on the same type of he will encounter this Saturday when fourth to Cracksman.

His Royal Ascot performance can be forgiven in the Queen Anne over this course and distance, and he comes into this off the back of a good win in the Prix du Moulin at ParisLongchamp.

Lord Glitters can handle a variety of ground types but appears to excel himself when conditions are soft.

David O’Meara’s grey was a popular winner of the Balmoral Handicap on this card 12 months ago and this has likely been the long term plan for the five-year-old for some time with conditions right up his street.

The Karl Burke-trained Laurens takes on the boys for the first time, but that should hold no fears for her and she still looks to be progressing.

She has landed four Group One contests this season and she looked like she could win a few more when taking the Sun Chariot at Newmarket earlier this month.

William Haggas’ Addeybb was a real stamp of a horse on a soft surface at the start of the season and his run in the Lockinge on fast ground can be forgiven. Since then Haggas has given the Pivotal gelding the summer off to recover.

Unfortunately his comeback plans have been scuppered twice now because of a quick surface. He was pulled out of the Irish Champion Stakes on the day of the race and he was also removed on the day from the Prix Daniel Wildenstein.

Ready for the track for almost six weeks now, and choosing this race over the Champion Stakes, the match fit four-year-old could quite easily run a few of these into submission.

888sport selection: Addeybb (e/w).

Champion Stakes

In what will be his final race before being retired to stud, Cracksman is the clear favourite to go out on a high on his favoured ground.

Cracksman was the clear cut winner of last year’s Champion Stakes, but comes into Saturday’s feature with something to prove having not been seen in public since his surprise defeat in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes back in June.

That defeat was attributed to the rattling fast ground that was experienced over the summer, so when the Clerk Of The Course predicted soft ground for Champions Day, the money piled in for Cracksman who will wear blinkers for the first time on Saturday.

All these quirks of fate will be music to the ears of the Cracksman team given that the son of Frankel has had to sit out the King George (July), International (August) and the Arc (October) all because of unsuitable ground.

Unbelievably, Sir Michael Stoute has never trained a winner on British Champions Day, but he will be hoping to rectify that with Crystal Ocean.

The four-year-old son of Sea The Stars won the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot before being touched off by his stablemate Poet's Word, in a rousing finish to the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

On his latest start he had to concede 8lb to Enable in the September Stakes at Kempton and valiantly came off second best.

Last year’s Irish Derby and St Leger winner Capri has had a mixed bag of a season but showed some encouragement with a close fifth behind Enable in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

A greater stamina test will be ideal for Capri and Aidan O’Brien is happy that the predicted rain has arrived just in time for the grey.

Monarchs Glen came back better than ever after 12 weeks off when winning the listed Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot by a length from Euginio, putting the race to bed quickly in the final furlong.

He has not been seen on the track since but that form has been franked and he could easily come into the reckoning at a nice price.

888sport selection: Capri (e/w).

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

Although more than a year has passed since the much-hyped bout between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor, one question remains constant: can UFC ever match boxing in the long term?

In order to gauge this, McGregor’s key financial stats will be compared to Deontay Wilder’s.

Although Wilder (as of August 2018) holds only one heavyweight belt to Anthony Joshua’s three, his greater fight experience, and status as an American, gives a clearer view of how UFC athletes compare with their boxing counterparts.

The rate of the development of female athletes in the UFC franchise is also rising at a considerable pace, and thus, the question of just how marketable female MMA fighters could become is also raised.

There can be no doubt that Conor McGregor’s bout with Floyd Mayweather boosted his net worth above and beyond some of the finest boxers on the planet. Thus, in the interests of fair comparison, only his financial earnings from UFC fights will be taken into account.

It is also worth remembering that Wilder has opted to shun the sort of large sponsorship deals that have been the financial making of McGregor, and Cris Cyborg, who is arguably the female ‘face’ of the UFC franchise.

Without sponsorship and endorsements, McGregor would still lag behind Wilder, but the rate at which his marketability rose before fighting Mayweather in August 2017 provides a massive clue that the most charismatic UFC fighters are closing the gap on boxers in terms of the rate at which they accumulate personal wealth:

Although Cris Cyborg’s fight earnings continue to undulate around the $500k mark, and do not rise in the same uniform fashion as fellow martial artist McGregor, there is every indication that her average will rise over the next couple of years. Her recent sponsorship deal with Reebok has also grown in value.

Perhaps the most intriguing observation is that, although ratings are approximate and always subject to manipulation, Conor McGregor’s last UFC bout is said to have outperformed Wilder’s battle with Luiz Ortiz.

The tagline is, of course, a major part of a PPV fulfilling its expected buyrates, and there is the additional question of what storyline the audience wants.

For McGregor v Alvarez, it was a story of a comeback fight, and establishment as a multiple belt holder.

Meanwhile, Wilder’s own agenda was simply to go 40-0, and get within ten victories of the all-time record. In the short term, McGregor’s backstory is arguably more marketable.

This is especially true, given that Wilder hitting 50-0 is a long shot, and one for the more distant future, in any case.

Ultimately, rather than it being a case of UFC slowly eclipsing boxing through natural order, the PPV buys are created by shrewd marketing and the presence of a true ‘face’ to go with a storyline.

A lot has been made about the increasing cost of Premier League match tickets over the last decade or so, let alone how much they cost before each increase.

So, through analysing attendances at top-flight games in the biggest leagues in Europe, we’re going to see if the ticket pricing has had an impact on attendance numbers at the biggest clubs across the continent.

Bundesliga

Germany’s top division boasts the likes of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and the newly emerged team from the east, RB Leipzig.

The Bundesliga regularly averages better attendance at league games than the Premier League or any other of Europe’s elite divisions.

As of 2016, they boast only the third most expensive average ticket price, perhaps lending to their immense and increasing attendance numbers.

La Liga

Some people see La Liga as the best league in Europe because of two reasons: Barcelona and Real Madrid.

These two football powerhouses have been able to flex their financial muscles in the transfer market every year to the extent that even Premier League clubs must bow before them.

However, these two global brands have been draining the rest of the league of television rights revenue for years – to the extent that they’d combine for a third of the total profits from broadcasting services.

This will have influenced La Liga’s standing as the second-highest in average ticket price at £31.40. The disparity between the clubs may have also influenced the dive in attendance numbers.

Serie A

Over the first eight years of attendance numbers taken in this analysis, Serie A experienced a nose dive in attendance numbers.

But, over the last couple of seasons, those numbers have nearly recovered, likely helped by the low average cost per ticket.

Ligue 1

Like Serie A, but nowhere near as extreme, Ligue 1 suffered a downward turn in attendances through the 2008 to 2016 seasons.

However, over the last two seasons, those numbers have rocketed.

Of England, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Turkey, Italy, Scotland, Belgium, and France, Ligue 1 boasts the lowest average price per league game at £17.40.

Premier League

As you can see, Premier League match tickets are, by far and away, the most expensive on average at £44.50. Despite this, the Premier League has experienced a lot of growth in its attendance numbers.

From an average of 35,630 in attendance at each game in 2008, there’s now an average of 38,297 attending each game as of the 2017/18 campaign.

The Premier League boasts the greatest increase in average attendance over the last decade at 7.49%.

So, perhaps the revelry of the occasion, the huge sums of money spent by almost every Premier League club, and the football culture in the UK overrules the negative of lofty ticket prices.

Attendances aren’t as high as he average of 44,646 in the Bundesliga, but those in the Premier League are growing at a faster rate in spite of what many deem to be overpriced tickets. 

To celebrate Europe's showpiece club competition making a return, now seems as good a time as any to take a look back and muse over the finest individual Champions League performances.

There isn’t a tournament like the Champions League and its presence on a school night gives football fans the chance to witness Europe's best inspire and thrill whilst all the pressing commitments of a working week are put on hold.

Indeed, the Champions League seems to offer hope to football fans in the northern hemisphere as it arrives at a time when the summer begins to make way.

A Lionel Messi hat-trick and a Tottenham Hotspur collapse. 

What a way to kickstart the 2018/19 Champions League campaign!#UCL pic.twitter.com/gqjd4BsMT5

— 888sport (@888sport) September 18, 2018

It is during those weeks that the nights begin to draw in that the Champions League starts to breathe life into the continent of Europe.

So often, the exhilarating Champions League fixtures that bring living rooms to a standstill and stadiums to their feet are down to one individual deciding to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.

These are the six most memorable individual performances that have shone brightest in the modern era.

 

Frank Lampard (CHELSEA vs Liverpool, 2008)

Six days before the second leg of the all-English semi-final between Chelsea and Liverpool took place at Stamford Bridge, Frank Lampard was to suffer a tragic family bereavement as his mother Pat passed away after a battle with pneumonia.

There were doubts as to whether Lampard would even play, but Chelsea boss Avram Grant made the brave decision to pick the midfielder after he declared himself available to play.

The first leg at Anfield finished 1-1, with the Blues looking on-course to reach their first ever Champions League final. When Didier Drogba opened the scoring on 33 minutes in the reverse fixture, Chelsea fans could be forgiven for looking at the price of flights to Moscow.

However, a cracking sliding finish from Torres on 64 minutes after being sent through by Benayoun was enough to send the game to extra time.

The Heavens Opened

All this time, Frank Lampard had been pulling the strings in midfield and creating chances. Every shot Lampard took was on target and with every touch, he seemed to break away into space and make something happen.

It was in the driving rain in South West London that Sami Hyypia fouled Michael Ballack and Chelsea were awarded a 98th-minute penalty.

Lampard stepped up and slotted home the spot-kick in a moment that must have taken an enormous amount of courage given the traumatic week he had endured.

Thanks to ‘Super Frankie Lampard’, Chelsea would reach their maiden Champions League final.

 

Ronaldo (Manchester United vs REAL MADRID, 2003)

After Manchester United had gone down 3-1 in the first leg of their quarter-final showdown with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, there was a desperate need for a big European night under the lights at Old Trafford in order to progress.

It almost seemed inevitable that this would be the case and you have to remember that this wasn't the Manchester United of 2018 -far from it, under Sir Alex Ferguson the impossible became possible on a weekly basis.

When the Red Devils welcomed Real Madrid to Old Trafford on the 23rd of April 2003, there was an expectant feel in the stadium as the players warmed up, which was backed up by an electric vibe in the city during the days that preceded the tie.

Needless to say, there was a clamour for tickets with fans not wanting to miss out on being there to witness one of the great comebacks in Manchester United's history.

As Pierluigi Collina got the game underway, a roar rang out from the Stretford End but it was to be short-lived as Ronaldo ran through on goal on 12 minutes and slid a controlled finish past Fabian Barthez on the Frenchman's inside post.

To the naked eye, it looked like the World Cup-winning goalkeeper should have done better but the replay confirmed it was just one of many thunderous strikes from the boot of Ronaldo that was never staying out the net.

Ruud van Nistelrooy grabbed an equalizer on 43 minutes but, before the Old Trafford faithful could blink, Ronaldo had collected a perfectly weighted pass from Roberto Carlos and tapped his finish into an empty net to make it 2-1.

Another blow Ferguson's Manchester United never saw coming and there was a worrying feeling that Ronaldo wasn't finished yet. In true Manchester United fashion, they immediately equalized on 52 minutes and it was game on again.

Ronaldo Brings Old Trafford To Its Feet

However, the knockout blow that sent Manchester United's chances of Champions League glory to the canvas came in the 59th minute.

It was that man again; Ronaldo picked up a ball from Luis Figo on the halfway line and, as the Brazilian turned to run on goal, everyone at Old Trafford shifted nervously in their seats.

Ronaldo let fly from 25 yards and a flailing Barthez couldn't get near it as it rippled the back of the net to an eerie silence.

With three effortless goals, Ronaldo had single-handedly denied Manchester United a chance at a memorable comeback, despite two late strikes by David Beckham to leave the aggregate at 6-5 in Madrid's favour.

On 67 minutes, the fourth official raised the board with Ronaldo’s number on it and, as the Brazilian made his way off the park, everyone at Old Trafford rose to applaud him off in a spine-tingling show of wonderful sportsmanship.

 

Lionel Messi (BARCELONA vs Arsenal, 2010)

A list of the most memorable Champions League performances over the last 20 years wouldn’t be complete without the name of the world’s finest player on it.

In fairness, you could dedicate an entire piece to Lionel Messi’s exploits in Europe. On this occasion, a trip back to the Nou Camp in 2010, when Barcelona were facing Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, is a good place to start.

Arsenal had managed to secure a 2-2 draw against Barcelona at the Emirates in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final and despite having conceded two goals at home, there was a feeling that the first leg had been a good night’s work in north London.

It was to get even better with 18 minutes on the clock at the Nou Camp as Nicklas Bendtner opened the scoring to the shock of the watching world.

Viewers around the globe rubbed their eyes and adjusted their TV sets but it was in fact not a technical glitch, Nicklas Bendtner was indeed wheeling away to celebrate a goal against Barcelona.

Messi Shoots Down The Gunners

They say a week can be an eternity in football; it’s even said 24 hours can be a long time in football if it's transfer deadline day.

Well, it’s very seldom said that 22 minutes is a long time in football but, for Arsenal, it was, as Lionel Messi scored a 22-minute hat-trick following Bendtner's opener.

It was a typical Messi hat-trick that comprised a tight finish, pinpoint accuracy from 25 yards and a deft dink that left the goalkeeper and defenders lying helplessly on the floor.

It was carnage and it felt like a hurricane had demolished the Arsenal backline. The little magician wasn’t finished either and added a fourth for good measure in the second half as Barcelona ran out 4-1 winners on the night and 6-3 winners in the tie.

Simply breathtaking from the diminutive Argentine on a night where it would have been easier for the Arsenal players to mark thin air

 

Roy Keane (Juventus vs MANCHESTER UNITED, 1999)

Controversy seems to have dogged Roy Keane’s career. Even since hanging up his boots, confrontation never seems far away; the bearded Irishman's latest bust-up with Harry Arter illustrates yet again what a fiery character he is.

It’s been a horrendous few weeks for the Irish national team and at 8/1 to win their UEFA Nations League group, their chances of Euro 2020 qualification look remote at best. Many have pinpointed Keane as the man that has brought disharmony to the camp.

Keane’s most recent altercation with a player he is managing has sparked a massive debate, with questions asked as to why the 47-year-old is so confrontational.

Right then - the BIG question of the day... 

Who wins in a no-holds barred street fight, Roy Keane or Slaven Bilic? 

RT - Roy Keane 
❤️ - Slaven Bilic#BRASUI pic.twitter.com/yPkppO2wuJ

— 888sport (@888sport) June 17, 2018

A range of answers have been forthcoming, but perhaps a look back at a night in Turin during April 1999 may go some way in understanding Roy Keane's uncompromising approach.

1999 was a year never to be forgotten for Manchester United after they won the treble, but how different it could have been but for a selfless performance from Roy Keane in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals.

Following on from a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, Ferguson’s men needed a result in the away leg and that looked far from likely, especially after Filippo Inzaghi converted two close-range finishes to give Juventus a 2-0 lead after 11 minutes.

Captain In The Cauldron

It really was an utterly desperate situation for Manchester United and the body language of the players suggested their dream of completing the treble had died after 11 minutes of madness.

Just 13 minutes later, though, David Beckham swung in a corner and first to the near post was Roy Keane, who jumped highest to send a glancing header into the back of the net.

It was a moment that galvanized his troops and by 34 minutes, Manchester United had levelled it up thanks to a diving Dwight Yorke header.

Just after Keane scored, he went in hard on Zinedine Zidane as the Frenchman tried to break away and was shown a yellow card, which would rule him out the final.

Keane, with his head to the ground, pulled up his captain's armband and defiantly marched on with his back to the referee.

Over the next 70 minutes, Keane would give everything he had in midfield to ensure his teammates got to the final and it proved to be enough.

If ever you need to understand why Roy Keane is so relentless in his desire to see players go above and beyond, you only have to look back to that fateful Champions League night in Turin to understand why.

 

Gareth Bale (Inter Milan vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR, 2010)

The Champions League has a way of introducing the next generation of world beaters and it was fitting that in 2010 and in one of the cathedrals of European football, a Welsh star was born.

If you had asked anyone in the San Siro at halftime whether anyone from Tottenham Hotspur would cover themselves in glory that night, you would have been met with a resounding no as Inter Milan had raced to a 4-0 lead inside 45 minutes.

It was turning into a catastrophic night for Spurs and to make matters worse, goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes has been sent off in the eighth minute after a wild lunge on Jonathan Biabiany inside the box.

It was another inexplicable moment for Gomes in a career for Spurs that was blighted by regular howlers.

Needless to say, Spurs were reeling at halftime and weren’t so much on the ropes as they were on the stretcher being carried from the ring.

They had been well and truly beaten up and a second-half mauling looked the only logical outcome. Step up 21-year old Gareth Bale.

Hat-Trick Hero

Over the next 45 minutes, Gareth Bale would wrestle the tie back by relentlessly running and shooting at the Inter defence.

This gangly young man threw off the chains and with nothing to lose, he found the bravery within needed to become one of the world's best players.

The Welshman scored a sensational hat-trick with three almost-identical goals as Spurs eventually lost 4-3; however, they would win the return leg 3-1 after Bale stole the show again at White Hart Lane.

Bale's tag as one of the world's finest players has only continued to gain credence since that coming of age night in the San Siro. In many ways, the Welshman’s career at Real Madrid could just be about to kick off, with Ronaldo having moved to Juventus.

With Bale standing at 7/1 to be the top goalscorer in La Liga, you can be sure Lionel Messi won’t be gifted the Golden Boot this season, even if his archenemy has gone.

 

Steven Gerrard (AC Milan vs LIVERPOOL, 2005)

The Miracle of Istanbul would never have been possible if it wasn’t for one Steven George Gerrard MBE. Gerrard’s performance in Istanbul during the 2005 Champions League final will live long in the memories of the neutrals and forever in those of Liverpool fans.

It was a night that changed Gerrard’s life forever and may well be the reason Rangers came knocking on his door when they asked him to be the one to stop years of Celtic dominance.

At odds of 1/6, Celtic look nailed on win the SPL again but Rangers will be hoping Gerrard's legendary man-management will help them reach the big time again. 

The Istanbul Miracle really is one of football's greatest tales and considering how high a mountain Liverpool had to climb, it may possibly be the best sporting comeback of all time.

When Paolo Maldini opened the scoring after less than a minute had passed, there was a collective groan on Merseyside. Even with 89 minutes left to go, an AC Milan win looked written in the stars.

More quick interchanges were to follow as this phenomenal Milan side cut through Liverpool at will to reach halftime at 3-0 up after Hernan Crespo added two more goals.

The Reds trudged off after being completely outplayed and the players gathered in a shell-shocked dressing room. It was then that Steven Gerrard asked the coaching staff to leave as he wanted to have a word with his players.

Leader Of Men

Djibril Cisse said that Gerrard's speech will live with him forever, with the Liverpool captain telling his colleagues that he didn’t want to see his boyhood club being humiliated like this.

Gerrard went on to say that if Liverpool scored the first goal in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, they would win.

You can almost say Gerrard’s impact on the game started in the dressing room and his words of motivation were quickly backed up when he met a John Arne Riise cross to make it 3-1 on 54 minutes.

It was an iconic moment: if you watch the game back now, as Risse crosses the ball, Gerrard can be seen pulling his captain's armband up before rising up to set Liverpool on a course with destiny.

Who can forget Clive Tyldesley's reaction to the goal – "Hello, hello, here we go!" – as Gerrard wheeled away to the Liverpool fans and gestured in wild movements for them to keep believing.

His goal would start a six-minute revival that football had never seen before; by the 60th minute, the Reds were all square again. Liverpool would go onto to win the game in a penalty shootout and lift their first Champions League title for 21 years.

Out of all the memorable Champions League performances the world has been treated to, Gerrard’s has to be the greatest, given the stage and the size of the task at hand. Even today, it is a game that raises the hairs on your neck when reflected on.

 

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*