Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has insisted that Golden Boot-chasing Harry Kane is not on Real Madrid’s radar this summer despite speculation to the contrary.

“Quite clearly Harry Kane is one of the top strikers in the world but Real Madrid have other priorities and they know how difficult it is to negotiate with Levy. So their eyes are on other players, not Kane.” 

The highly respected journalist and author remains tight-lipped as to who those names might be but he is more than happy to debunk a rumour that has grown wings in recent weeks concerning Luis Suarez’s future in Spain; a rumour that has led some to put two and two together to make five. 

Consider that a whisper well and truly shouted down. But if Suarez unquestionably isn’t heading for the Premier League it does beg the question who might be from the global shop window that is the World Cup. Balague ponders two possibilities that have whirred the transfer rumour mill into life across the tabloid back pages and social media.  

“Cheryshev is already in a good place and at a level that he belongs to. He is a very direct player with a lot of quality and he’s very fast. He’s got a lot of intelligence as well so he has enough to make an impact on the Premier League for sure.” 
Then there’s Serbia’s muscular midfielder Sergei Milinkovic-Savic, a talent who reportedly tops Jose Mourinho’s wish-list as he looks to over-haul his Manchester United options.

“He’s a very good player who is in the mind of some teams. Who knows if that will lead him to the Premier League. I think Milinkovic-Savic can take his qualities to the next level. He has shown flashes of that and we’ll see more of that if Serbia stay in the competition. He’s the kind of player who is mentally strong enough to deal with tension and when all is at stake.”

Unsurprisingly the Sky pundit has been in his element these past two weeks, relishing every game and immersing himself in the festival of football on display. It is intriguing then to find out which individuals have stood out for the 50 year old so far. 

“Who has impressed? Cristiano has saved Portugal twice. They didn’t play very well but his goals count. Harry Kane obviously is in the flow and things are happening for him. Coutinho has been a star for sure. Neymar I don’t think will be physically fit for ninety minutes to make the impact that he should and Coutinho is taking over the side in a position that he’s making his own from the midfield.”

Considering that the former Liverpool schemer wasn’t in coach Tite’s plans as a starter until the build-up to Russia 2018 this is quite some claim. Yet it is also undeniable for anyone who has witnessed Brazil’s stuttering performances to this point and particularly the toiling efforts of their striking superstar. Has Neymar become too selfish in his play since leaving Barcelona with his country now suffering the consequences? 

“It comes down a bit to picking up bad habits but if he didn’t have that in him then he wouldn’t start doing it now just because he plays in Paris. I’ve always felt like Neymar needs to control his emotions and give him a clear idea of what he needs to do because if he feels like he’s in charge of everything his focus evaporates and his emotions take over.” 

“He is not helping himself in this World Cup even in training with supposed injuries that the doctors are not backing up. Even the likes of Thiago Silva and Marcelo are telling him to behave and focus and it’s disappointing that he’s not using his talent to the maximum. He gets so confused sometimes.”

The bleach-thatched hot-shot is not the only household name underwhelming of course with arguably the finest player of all time flopping spectacularly in his opening two games with Argentina. Having written a best-selling book on Lionel Messi the journalist’s thoughts are certainly worth listening to on why this might be. 

“I think the likes of Busquets, Iniesta, Lionel Messi suffer when they don’t have quality players around them because they do the most difficult thing in football which is to take a team that is very good to another level. That’s what Messi does but to do that every superstar needs a quality team around them including Maradona in ’86. The quality of that 1986 side has been underplayed.” 

“But when you have Di Maria, Meza, even Mascherano, then Messi will struggle because what he needs – like Pep Guardiola once said - is to be kept happy. What he meant was Messi must be surrounded by players who understands what he’s trying to do. There are players there who can do that of course and I feel now the Argentina players are having more of a say in what the line-up should be and how Messi can be protected. The better the players, the better Messi.” 

On to Balague’s native Spain and the 2010 World Cup winners are also flattering to deceive in spells and hardly seem the all-conquering twinkle-toed giants of yesteryear. For Balague this is due to a gradual change in their identity, a modification that warrants praise for their combative figurehead.

Away from the greatest show on earth there is the not-so-small matter of a new Premier League season on the horizon and with Balague’s biography of Mauricio Pochettino still flying off the book shelves conversation naturally turns to the Spurs coach. Will a failure at the fourth time of asking to bring silverware to North London in 2018/19 ultimately make the Argentine’s tenure at the club unsuccessful?

“The thing with Pochettino and his process and his way of thinking is that it’s not about the targets but the journey. It’s about making the best out of it and making the players the best they can be. From there you see what happens. Competing is what he wants to do. It’s not about ‘let’s win trophies’: it’s about ‘let’s be the best that we can be’. Right now they are over-achieving big-time and that’s why people think the next step is to win a title but actually staying in the same place would still be over-achieving.”

Guillem Balague’s quickfire questions

• Who will win the World Cup? I don’t know anymore! I’ll stick with Brazil
• Who will win the Golden Boot? Harry Kane
• Who will be the player of the tournament? If Brazil win that will be Coutinho

 

 

After five days of top-notch action from Great Britain’s ultimate flat racing festival, we gauge exactly what is in store next for the winners from last week and what impact the main protagonists will have had on any future ante-post markets.

Here is your five-day résumé.

Tuesday

• Eve Johnson Houghton secured a first Group 1 winner and maiden victory at Royal Ascot when Accidental Agent won the opening Queen Anne Stakes at 33-1.

 

• Calyx confirmed his class by delivering an awesome run to land the Coventry Stakes under Frankie Dettori  and was immediately slashed for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas to as low as 4-1 favourite by some bookmakers, with 8-1 the biggest price on the high street.

 

• Blue Point claimed top honours in the King's Stand Stakes in the five-furlong sprint of the week. "There is the Nunthorpe, but there is also a race in Ireland so we will have to wait and see where we go." said his trainer Charlie Appleby.

 

• Without Parole brought up a day one double for John Gosden and Frankie Dettori with victory in the St James's Palace Stakes. The winner was cut to 12/1 for the 10-furlong Coral-Eclipse.

 

• Lagostovegas provided Willie Mullins with a fourth victory in the Ascot Stakes. Dual-purpose mare Lagostovegas may have more staying handicap targets on the horizon said Mullins.

 

• Frankie Dettori and John Gosden completed a hat-trick on the opening day of Royal Ascot as Monarchs Glen landed the concluding Wolferton Stakes.

 

Wednesday

• Signora Cabello (25/1) edged out Coolmore’s Gossamer Wings in the Queen Mary Stakes making Phoenix Thoroughbreds the new people to watch in any upcoming feature races.

 

• The talented Kew Garden led home an O'Brien-trained 1-2-3 in the Group 2 Queen’s Vase. Kew Gardens is now the 6-1 joint favourite for the St Leger in September.

 

• Aljazzi, runner-up in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes last year, went one better in the Group 2 event to give trainer Marco Botti his first Royal Ascot winner. The Falmouth is next on her agenda.

 

• Saeed Suhail’s Poet’s Word upset odds-on favourite Cracksman to win the 1 ¼- mile Prince of Wales’s Stakes under James Doyle and earned an automatic berth into the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf.

 

• Settle For Bay scorched clear to give David Marnane a famous victory in the Royal Hunt Cup. A four-time winner on the all-weather at Dundalk in the winter, the 16/1 chance gave Marnane his second Royal Ascot winner after Dandy Boy's success in the 2012 Wokingham.

 

• Expert Eye, one-time favourite for the 2,000 Guineas, was victorious in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes, giving jockey James McDonald a first success at Royal Ascot.

 

Thursday

• Shang Shang Shang held on to provide Wesley Ward with a tenth Royal Ascot success in the Norfolk Stakes and booked herself an automatic place for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs in November.

 

• Ryan Moore rode his 50th winner at Royal Ascot as Hunting Horn flounced his rivals in the Hampton Court Stakes. "He's got a lot of options, he can step up to a mile and a half, you could have a look at an Eclipse, you could go to France or we could give him a little bit of time as well.” Said his trainer Aidan O’Brien.

 

• O’Brien’ Magic Wand dominated her rivals in the Ribblesdale Stakes winning by four lengths. She may now take in the Irish Oaks before a possible trip to the Arc.

 

• Stradivarius, the 7-4 joint-favourite, stayed on best of all to beat Vazirabad and Torcedor at the end of a three-way scrap for the Ascot Gold Cup. Owner Bjorn Nielsen’s plan now is to defend the Goodwood Cup.

 

• Silvestre de Sousa made virtually every yard on Simon Crisford’s Ostilio in the Britannia Stakes, to take the spoils in the cavalry charge over a mile.

 

• Baghdad claimed a narrow victory after a thrilling end to the King George V Stakes. Mark Johnston saddled six in the closing handicap of the day and it was the son of Frankel who proved the strongest.

 

Friday

• Main Edition could be a contender for next season’s 1000 Guineas after following up wins at Windsor and Goodwood with victory in the Albany Stakes.

 

• Old Persian was the clear-cut winner of the King Edward VII Stakes, representing the Derby-winning combination of Charlie Appleby and William Buick. Asked if the St Leger was next on the agenda for the three-year-old, Appleby said: "William said it could be something to keep an eye on, but I'm happy to stay at a mile and a half given the pace he has shown at shorter trips. I've put him in the Grand Prix de Paris, and that is one for option.”

 

• Eqtidaar (12-1) just managed to hold to victory in the Commonwealth Cup on the fourth day of the meeting.  The winner and the runner-up, Sands Of Mali, may now renewal rivalry in the July Cup.

 

•  Jessica Harrington said at the weekend that she is weighing up several options for her record breaking filly Alpha Centauri - The Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket, the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville, the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown and the Irish Champion Stakes are all on the table after she demolished the field in the Coronation Stakes. She is highly likely to sign off this landmark season with a trip to the Breeders’ Cup.

 

• Agrotera charged down the centre of the track to win the Sandringham Stakes. Ed Walker’s filly was the 11-2 favourite having opened her account at Windsor last month.

 

• Dash Of Spice gave David Elsworth his first Royal Ascot winner for 11 years in the closing Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap. "I would love to win the Ebor again," said Elsworth after the race.

 

Saturday

• Arthur Kitt claimed an emotional victory in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot. Tom Dascombe's horse is a son of the yard's 2012 Queen Mary Stakes heroine Ceiling Kitty, who died after giving birth to this Camelot colt.

 

• Sir Michael Stoute’s Crystal Ocean landed the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes on the final day of the 2018 Royal meeting and is set to return to Ascot for the King George next month. Bookmakers make him the 4/1 favourite.

 

• Soldier’s Call provided upcoming trainer Archie Watson with his first winner at Royal Ascot with victory in the Windsor Castle Stakes. Soldier's Call's will now head to Goodwood for the Molecomb Stakes, while looking further ahead Watson is keen to take the juvenile to the Breeders' Cup.

 

• Merchant Navy (4-1) managed to grab a dramatic victory in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.  Formerly trained in Australia, the four-year-old provided his new handler Aidan O'Brien with his first Group One winner of the week as he got the better of the French raider City Light.

 

• Bacchus narrowly outgunned the gambled-on Dreamfield to claim the Wokingham Stakes. Trainer Brian Meehan said after the race: "We've been talking about the Ayr Gold Cup and races like that for him. He's tailor-made for the job."

 

• The quirky giant Pallasator claimed the Queen Alexandra Stakes, the final race of Royal Ascot 2018. The nine-year-old joined Gordon Elliott last year to embark on a belated jumping career in the hope it would revitalise a horse with his own ideas. Elliott afterwards: "He's won today. I'll talk to the owners and see what they want to do. I'd love to have a runner in the Melbourne Cup one day."

Established in 1868 and originally known as the Cork and Orrery Stakes, the race was upgraded to Group 1 status and renamed to mark The Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002, before taking on its latest title of the Diamond Jubilee Stakes in 2012.

It is open to three-year-olds or older horses and is run over 6 furlongs.

Trends And Statistics

• Age:  All 10 of the last 10 winners were aged 3-5.
• Price: 3 of the last 10 winners were favourites/joint favourites, 5/10 winners were in the top 3 in the betting. 5 of the last 10 winners returned a double-figure price.
• Last Run: 2/10 winners won last time out, 10/10 winners ran in the last 50 days or less.

Overseas Winners

Ireland (17) The latest being :Kearney (1980), Committed (1984), Big Shuffle (1987), College Chapel (1993), Starspangledbanner (2010), Slade Power (2014).

Australia (2) – Choisir (2003), Black Caviar (2012).

Hong Kong (1) – Cape Of Good Hope (2005).

USA (1) – Undrafted (2015).

Runner-by-Runner Guide:

Bound For Nowhere

American raider Bound For Nowhere was fourth in last year's Commonwealth Cup and trainer Wesley Ward is excited about his prospects in this race.

The four-year-old failed to figure in the Prix Maurice De Gheest in France on his final outing of 2017, but has made a promising start to his latest campaign in the States winning both his starts.

City Light

City Light put in some sterling runner-up efforts in last year’s G3 Prix Texanita, Listed Prix Marchand d’Or and Listed Prix Luthier, and opened this season by scoring on the Chantilly Polytrack, at Lingfield’s A.W Championships and most recently on the turf at ParisLongchamp.

The French colt should not be underestimated.

D’bai

D’Bai drops back in trip for a crack at the this race after he came out on top in a three-way finish to the John of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock.

The four-year-old is trained by the recent Derby winning trainer, Charlie Appleby.

Harry Angel

Clive Cox's star performer was narrowly beaten by Caravaggio in the Commonwealth Cup at last year's meeting, but went on to win two further Group One events in the July Cup at Newmarket and the Sprint Cup at Haydock.

Harry Angel made an impressive reappearance in last month's Duke of York Stakes, winning it rather cosily that day.

Despite Harry Angel suffering four defeats on his four starts at Ascot the son of Dark Angel is a firm favourite with punters for this.

Intelligence Cross

Aidan O’Brien’s runner will probably be out to make the running for his more fancied stablemate Merchant Navy.

Librisa Breeze

The six-year-old, owned by Brighton and Hove Albion chairman Tony Bloom, failed to feature on his seasonal return when finishing down the field in the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan in March.

He did however win last year’s British Champions Sprint and gave his trainer Dean Ivory his first Group One success.

Merchant Navy

Australian sprinter Merchant Navy booked his ticket into this race with victory in the Group Two Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh.

Now with Aidan O’Brien, Merchant Navy was trained by Ciaron Maher and Aaron Purcell and won five of his eight Australian starts, including the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes.

He ran third in the Newmarket Handicap behind Redkirk Warrior, whom he meets again on the other side of the world.

Projection

The Roger Charlton five-year-old is trained by Roger Charlton and is owned by The Royal Ascot Racing Club who will be hoping for a special day.

A close third on his last run behind the Tin Man puts him in with a decent each-way chance.

 

Redkirk Warrior

Redkirk Warrior lining up in the Diamond Jubilee sets up an exciting rematch with star Aussie three-year-old Merchant Navy who headed to Ireland to be trained by Aidan O’Brien after finishing third behind Redkirk Warrior in the Newmarket Handicap (Australia).

He is trained in a partnership by father and son David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig and will be ridden on Saturday by the man of the moment, Frankie Dettori.

 

Sir Dancealot

Trained by David Elsworth, the four-year-old was gelded in the off-season, and has looked better than ever in both starts so far this year, finishing a good third to Harry Angel in the Duke of York Stakes before getting the better of Kimberella up the hill at Hamilton last time out.

As a juvenile, Sir Dancealot’s principal weapon was his speed and his best performance was when he pounced late in the 6f Listed Rockingham Stakes at York.

33/1 appears too big for a horse that previously run Harry Angel close.

Spirit Of Valor

Finished second to his stablemate and rival Merchant Navy in the Greenlands Stakes last time out and would have some kind of chance if reproducing something like that run here.

Very difficult to assess whether he will be running on merit or keeping Merchant Navy’s principal rivals occupied.

The Tin Man

The James Fanshawe-trained The Tin Man has Group One-winning Ascot form and tends to be at his best on this Berkshire track. He is the defending champion after scoring by a neck in a nineteen runner field last year.

The six-year-old, owned by Pegasus Stables, made a winning return to action at Windsor when he took their feature Monday evening race, the Weatherbys Hamilton Leisure Stakes.

Today’s rivals D’bai and Projection filled the second and third spots on that occasion.

888sport suggests: City Light e/w

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

Run over 1 mile and 2 furlongs, the Prince of Wales’s Stakes is the third middle-distance race in the QIPCO British Champions Series calendar, following the Investec Coronation Cup and Investec Derby. 

In 2000 the race was restricted to four-year-olds or older (prior to that, three-year-olds had been eligible to run) and upgraded to Group 1 status. In that very first running of the race as a top level contest, it was won by a true great, Dubai Millennium.

The French have an excellent recent record in the race, having tasted victory with Byword (2010), Vision D’Etat (2008) and Manduro (2007).

Famous winners of the race include greats such as Brigadier Gerard (1972), Mtoto (1987 and 1988), Bosra Sham (1997) and Dubai Millennium (2000), both by an impressive eight lengths, Fantastic Light (2001) and the mare Ouija Board (2006).

Trends And Statistics

• Four winners have been sent off at odds of 8/1 or more in the last 20 runnings.
• 21 favourites/ joint favourites have been successful in 50 runnings of the race.
• Only two horses over 5 have ever won (Muhtarram 1995, So You Think 2012).
• 15 of the winners since the race became a Group One had already won at the top level.
• 19 of the last 20 winners had won over at least a mile and a quarter before.
• Shortest-priced winner was Royal Palace at 1/4 (1968).
• Aidan O’Brien has won three times, all in the last 10 years.

 

The Last Ten Winners

2017: Highland Reel (9/4)
2016: My Dream Boat (16/1)
2015: Free Eagle (5/2 fav)
2014: The Fugue (11/2)
2013: Al Kazeem (11/4)
2012: So You Think (4/5 fav)
2011: Rewilding (17/2)
2010: Byword (5/2 fav)
2009: Vision D’etat (4/1)
2008: Duke of Marmalade (Evs fav)

 

Runner-By-Runner Form Guide

Cliffs Of Moher

Aidan O'Brien sends out Cliffs Of Moher, who was last seen when second behind stablemate Lancaster Bomber in the Tattersalls Gold Cup last time out.

The four-year-old was just denied in last year’s Derby at Epsom, edging out Cracksman for second. Cliffs Of Moher then lost his way after finishing a badly hampered fourth in the Eclipse.

The Galileo colt appears to have regained his old enthusiasm this spring, capturing the Mooresbridge Stakes (G2) at Naas and then finishing runner-up to Lancaster Bomber.

 

Cracksman

Officially the highest-rated horse in Europe, the John Gosden-trained Cracksman is unbeaten in his last five starts, including victories in the Champion Stakes last October and the Prix Ganay on his seasonal bow.

He made hard work of winning the Coronation Cup at Epsom at the start of the month, apparently after banging his head when leaving the stalls, but he is undoubtedly the horse they all have to beat in this 10-furlong Group One.

Regarded by many punters as one of the “sure things” of the week, Cracksman could well have the bookmakers scurrying for cover on Wednesday afternoon.

Desert Encounter

David Simcock's Desert Encounter ran the race of his life to be third in the Eclipse last summer and he later added a Group Three at Newbury, taking the Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup Stakes.

He was no match for Cracksman in the Champion Stakes at the end of last season, finishing halfway down the field and his trip to the Dubai Sheema Classic proved fruitless.

The six-year-old came third to another of today’s rivals, Poet’s Word in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown on his latest outing, but he looks to have it all to do in this contest.

Eminent

Martyn Meade believes he has Eminent back to his best ahead of the Prince of Wales's Stakes.

Just like Cracksman, Eminent is also a son of Frankel and there is every chance he could run his half-brother close in this renewal.

A Group Two winner in France last year (Prix Guillaume d’Ornano), the four-year-old was expected to have few problems on his return to action at Chester in the Huxley Stakes but he trailed in last of the five runners.

However, he was found to be suffering from a fibrillating heart that day, and clearly had excuses for his poor showing.

Meade reports Eminent to have recovered well and he has been given the go ahead to race again on Wednesday.

Hawkbill

Hawkbill comes off a surprisingly bad fifth behind Cracksman in the Coronation Cup, where he was third last season.

After running out an impressive winner of the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March, the son of Kitten's Joy was well beaten on his first start in Britain since July.

Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby now shortens him up to the 1 1/4-mile trip that produced his first major wins in the Tercentenary at Royal Ascot and the Eclipse in 2016.

Hawkbill has won half of his career races and earned his connections a cool £3.4 million in prize money and should not be lightly dismissed.

 

Poet’s Word

Champion Stakes runner-up Poet’s Word was no match for Cracksman on that occasion, but the seven-length margin may have been attributed to the soft ground and Sir Michael Stoute believes the five-year-old can make it closer in this rematch.

Poet’s Word was also second in the Irish Champion last autumn and was sixth from a poor stall position in the Hong Kong Cup. After coming second in Hawkbill’s wire-to-wire demolition job in the Dubai Sheema Classic, Poet’s Word showed his class in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes over this distance at Sandown.

Bookmakers rank Poet’s Word (4/1) as the biggest danger to Cracksman in the betting.

Royal Julius

The French trained five-year-old son of Royal Applause will be one of the outsiders in a competitive field.

He was the winner of the Group Two Premio Presidente della Repubblica in Italy last time out under today’s pilot, Gerald Mosse, who is no stranger to riding winners at Ascot.

Prior to that Italian victory, Royal Julius was second to Air Pilot in the Group Two Prix D'Harcourt Stakes at ParisLongchamp.

888sport suggests: Cracksman (win)

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

The Coronation Stakes is another important test for the best three-year-old fillies around. More often than not it becomes a showdown for the winners and placed horses from the English, Irish and French 1000 Guineas.

This Group 1 event, run over one mile during Royal Ascot, is the third leg in the QIPCO British Champions Series Fillies & Mares category.

Trends And Statistics

• Price: 4 of the last 10 winners were favourites/joint favourites, 8/10 winners were in the top 3 in the betting.
• Last run: 5/10 winners won on their last run, 10/10 winners had their last run within the last 45 days.
• Previous course form: 4/10 winners had at least one previous run at Ascot, two of the four had at least one previous win at Ascot.
• Rating: 10/10 winners had a rating of 108 or higher.
• French challengers have won three of the past seven runnings.
• Since 1946 the longest-priced winner has been Rebecca Sharp (1997) at 25-1.

 

Runner-by-Runner Guide:

Adorable

Mick Channon’s Adorable showed real fighting spirit to take the Listed Prix Volterra at Longchamp last time out.

Her form suggests she needs a bit of cut in the ground which is highly unlikely to come along by Friday, this making her somewhat of a negative choice here.

 

Aim Of Artemis

Aim Of Artemis was ridden by Robert Havlin to win a Fillies’ Novice Stakes at Newmarket first time up this season, but the manner of her victory showed that she is a horse to keep an eye on in the future.

Considering the high esteem her trainer is held in, it’s a little surprising she is trading around the 25/1 mark.

 

Alpha Centauri

Alpha Centauri secured a first classic success for dual-purpose trainer Jessica Harrington when landing the Irish 1000 Guineas and she will also be aiming to give her handler an inaugural Royal Ascot.

Harrington came close to a Royal Ascot winner last season with Alpha Centauri when the grey just found Different League too strong in the closing stages of the Albany.

 

Anna Nerium

Richard Hannon had Royal Ascot pencilled in for Anna Nerium straight after her good second in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes.

Wilamina, who beat her that day, ran a fine third in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes on Wednesday to help frank the form.

 

Billesdon Brook

The daughter of Champs Elysees sprang a 66-1 shock when beating Laurens in the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket last month and we all know what Laurens has achieved since.

There will be no way this filly will be going off a double-figure price on Friday.

 

Capla Temptress

Having won a Group One at Woodbine for Marco Botti last year, she was transferred to Bill Mott for a Breeders’ Cup tilt.

After her return to Botti earlier this year she finished fourth, beaten just half a length, in the French 1000 Guineas last time out.

 

Clemmie

Aidan O'Brien's Group One-winning filly could not land a blow in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, but her trainer is convinced she will come on for that last run.

Her form at two was superb and O'Brien was keen to stress that she badly needed her belated seasonal reappearance in the Irish 1,000 Guineas.

 

Coeur De Beaute

Mauricio Delcher-Sanchez sends over Poule d'Essai des Pouliches runner-up Coeur De Beaute to the Coronation Stakes, hoping to reverse the Longchamp form with Teppal on this occasion.

The Japanese owned filly has been a model of consistency and should feature on any shortlist.

 

Nkosikazi

She ran third in an ordinary looking novice race at Haydock last time in which she never got on terms with the first two.

Probably best to look elsewhere.

 

Teppal

Unbeaten Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Teppal will be hoping to come out as the best filly in Europe when the winners of all the principal 1,000 Guineas races (i.e England, Ireland and France) clash in the Coronation Stakes for the first time since 2009.

Trainer David Simcock once again calls open the services of ace French jockey, Olivier Peslier to bring his filly home.

 

Threading

Mark Johnston’s Threading bolted up in a Listed contest at York last month and takes a step up in class here.

Owned by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, there is no reason why the filly shouldn’t put up a bold show against her comtempories.

 

Veracious

Connections of Veracious rated her a "50-50" chance of being ready for this race but they appear to have got there in the end.

This daughter of Frankel has not been seen at all this season after having met with a setback in the build-up to last month's 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned and Sir Michael Stoute-trained filly has only a maiden win at Newmarket to her name and it would be a massive achievement should she win this first time up.

 

Whitefountainfairy

Andrew Balding’s Whitefountainfairy was a neck win over Natural at Lingfield last time out and takes a massive leap into the unknown in this company.

Formerly trained by Jessica Harrington in Ireland, the filly is now based with Balding and is owned by Leicester City's billionaire owner and chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

888sport suggests: Coeur De Beaute (e/w)

 

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

There is no more famous race at the Royal Meeting than the Ascot Gold Cup, a contest that is steeped in history and prestige.

The Gold Cup stands proudly as the showpiece event of Royal Ascot week and is the world’s premier race for horses that are specialists over longer distances. Modern tradition has scheduled the race for the middle of the week- Ladies Day, when fashion and glamour are out in force.

The race has provided some of the meeting’s greatest moments. In 2013, the victory of Her Majesty The Queen’s filly Estimate was met by a public outpouring of joy around the world.

Furthermore, those in attendance when Yeats powered to his record fourth straight Gold Cup win in 2009 will never forget the reception he received that afternoon. Yeats is now immortalised with a statue that stands proudly in the Parade Ring...

Key Trends

Age: 7 of the last 10 winners were age 4-6.
Price: 6/10 winners have been favourites, 8/10 winners were in the top 3 in the betting.
Last Run: 8/10 winners won on their last run before Ascot, 10/10 winners had their last run within 53 days.
Previous Course Form: 8/10 winners had at least 1 previous run at Ascot.

Runners And Riders

Max Dynamite

Willie Mullins saw the form of his Gold Cup contender Max Dynamite take a boost last week when Call To Mind won in the USA.

Only 10th in this race last year, Max Dynamite went on to run a blinder in the Melbourne Cup when finishing third to Rekindling.

A spell over hurdles bore little fruit, but he was fourth in the Yorkshire Cup last time out, just behind Call To Mind.

Order Of St George

Many pundits and punters consider this horse to be Aidan O’Brien’s banker of the week from his extensive Royal Ascot squad.

Finishing first and second in the last two runnings of the Gold Cup, Order Of St George does not have to contend with Big Orange this year, who edged him out 12 months ago.

Just as he did last season, the six-year-old has warmed up for this race by running in the Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan and the Saval Beg at Leopardstown, winning them both.

In the last 12 months, Order of St George has won five stakes, including the Group 1 Irish St. Leger last September. He has been beaten twice in that period, finishing second in the Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup last June and fourth in the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last October.

Scotland

The Andrew Balding-trained Scotland has been unplaced in his two previous Gold Cup attempts.  Having missed two seasons, the seven-year-old returned to Ascot in May where he finished last of six runners.

It will take a leap of faith to believe this one will take top honours here.

Sheikhzayedroad

Sheikhzayedroad may be a nine-year-old but was only beaten a length by the classy Vazirabad in the Dubai Gold Cup two runs ago.

Davis Simmock’s globetrotting gelding failed to follow up that run back on British shores in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown when he trailed home in last place.

Previous top class wins around the world, across several seasons, make him a very dangerous horse to dismiss at a course where he appears to come into his own.

Torcedor

Jessica Harrington’s six-year-old is progressing rapidly and was last seen winning the Sagaro Stakes here at the start of May.

Harrington’s gelding was a close second behind Order Of St George, the 2016 Ascot Gold Cup winner, in the Group One stayers’ race on Champions Day but ran a below-par race at Meydan in the Gold Cup there.

Out of a full sister to Yeats, Torcedor has yet to prove himself at the trip. He was a well-beaten fifth in last year’s Gold Cup but returns with much more experience under his belt.

Vazirabad

Trained by Alain De Royer-Dupre, the six-year-old has won his last two starts, both in Group 2 company.

Vazirabad has won both of France’s top staying races, the Prix Royal-Oak (twice) and the Prix du Cadran (G1) , which would indicate there are no stamina concerns.

He is a totally dependable horse with a record of 15 wins and five seconds from 22 starts, his only unplaced efforts coming at shorter trips.

The top French stayer, who has to be produced late by Christophe Soumillon, will be a live contender on Thursday afternoon.

 

Desert Skyline

Desert Skyline should improve on the strep up in distance here. His best win came in the longest race of his career so far, the 2 1/4-mile Doncaster Cup against the older horses last September.

A staying-on third to Torcedor in the Sagaro and runner-up to Stradivarius at York, give the David Elsworth gelding every chance on the form book.

The talented Silvestre De Sousa takes the ride which is another positive for his supporters.

Mount Moriah

Mount Moriah looks like he needs a bit of cut in the ground to perform to his best, none of which is forecast for the Berkshire track in time for Thursday.

The four-year-old ran well in Group races last season and stayed on gamely to strike at Nottingham last month but could only finish fifth in the Henry II Stakes last time at Sandown.

Stradivarius

The John Gosden-trained Stradivarius did well against older stayers last year, notably beating Big Orange at Goodwood and shaping better than the bare result in the Long Distance Cup on unsuitable ground.

His Yorkshire Cup win last month suggests he is as good as ever this season and he is a proven performer at this meeting.

It is interesting to note that his career record on good or fast ground reads: 112111

888sport suggests: Vazirabad (win)

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

“Marcus hasn’t done himself any harm in his performance last week. I’m sure Gareth would have liked him to have featured more from a Man United perspective but we know what a talent the boy is and he will certainly be a key factor if England are going to be successful in this World Cup. He has the ingredients to cause defenders a lot of problems – he’s a bit unknown to the world in that respect, as much as he’s playing for United – and I feel when you’re young and have that ‘don’t care’ attitude that can only be a plus.”

The 20 year old is one of a number of attacking options for Gareth Southgate who have all blazed a goal-scoring trail across the Premier League this season. A problem however lies in the fact that one of them – Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling – hasn’t scored for his country since 2015. Does this concern Yorke? Should it concern us? 

“The one thing he’s improved under Pep is his goal targeting. Everyone has a phase when they have a low in terms of goals and so it’s important what else that you do for your team i.e. winning games and being creative for others. Raheem in my opinion should be in the England line-up. He’s a threat and he’s shown he’s not scared. I thought he was one of the outstanding players for City this season. In fact I don’t see any reason why Raheem and Marcus Rashford can’t play in the same team. Why not unleash your best players?” 

It is a gung-ho attitude typical of a forward who played in one of the most adventurously attacking Premier League sides in the modern era. Prior to his highly successful spell at Manchester United of course Yorke played for Aston Villa and lining up alongside him for several seasons was a player who now has the hopes of a nation on his shoulders. Will his ex-team-mate dare be so cavalier? 

“Only if it goes belly-up will he throw attackers on. If I was Gareth Southgate I’d say forget about what has happened these past few tournaments and all of the expectations and just do your thing. But knowing what Gareth is like after playing with him for four years he is Mr Reserved. He doesn’t take risks. He’s done a reasonable job and I’m pleased for him that he’s got the opportunity to manage the national team. He’s always had leadership qualities and that’s the one thing you’d associate him with. I hope he does well because he’s a personal friend of mine but at some stage he’ll come unstuck. He may have changed over the years, I don’t know, but….I like to see attacking football and Gareth Southgate as an individual is a little bit reserved. But he may get it right, you never know.” 

Doubts arise too over another instrumental figure in the England camp, namely the sometimes frustrating, other times brilliant Dele Alli. Yorke insists there is still some way to go before the Spurs midfielder can claim superstar status. 

“I’m not too sure the big four would touch Dele Alli right now. I think he still has some development to do. When he’s 24 we’ll know if he’s capable and he still has a year or two left at Tottenham. Of course he may have an outstanding World Cup and anyone who has an outstanding World Cup sees their value go up and all the big boys want you. So this is where he could step up and he’s got the perfect platform to do that. If not though there will be another two years before we see the best of him. He’s certainly done himself no harm but to get the big boys attracted to him – based on what he’s done so far – he needs to do a little bit more.”

As for England’s chances in Russia the popular former striker and present day pundit is hardly optimistic. 

“We were excited four years ago when we thought we were going to do well and look how that ended. This time they’ve got an easy start which is a plus. Imagine if we had Belgium in the opening game and what would have happened.”  

 

Mention of Harry Kane leads the conversation towards the possibility of the Three Lions skipper winning the tournament’s Golden Boot. Unfortunately, Yorke believes the armband might actually prove to be Kane’s undoing. 

 

 

Why then does the Tobagonian believe that he was bestowed with the honour? 

“Southgate had a dilemma because of the uncertainty about Jordan (Henderson) who I don’t see bossing midfields. He doesn’t give you that wow pass. It’s just simple graft, graft. That can only take you so far.”

Moving away from England matters to a domestic transfer window that has already blown wide open and it is fair to suggest that United fans will be watching Paul Pogba link up superbly with Antoine Griezmann at the World Cup and weep with frustration at the likelihood of the Atletico hotshot imminently moving to Barcelona. Yorke however suspects that the Reds’ long-term chase is not over just yet. 

“When you’re a big club you always have a chance and when you have friends of the player around the national team there is a way of selling the club. I’m sure it helps to have Pogba and Martial in there and that might be a turning point in making things happen and getting the deal done.”

“Hopefully that will be the case. Griezmann has been in Spain for a long time while United are looking to improve”.

As are so many of the big clubs this summer with the World Cup acting as a glittering shop window for the richest to pick and choose from. Yorke insists however that for Jose Mourinho the best buy lies on a beach somewhere presumably a long, long way from Russia.

 

Dwight Yorke’s quickfire questions

• Who will win the World Cup? Argentina
• Who will win the Golden Boot? Messi
• Leading England goalscorer? Dele Alli
• Who will win the Premier League in 2018/19? Manchester United. How could I say anyone else? 

 

The Queen Anne Stakes opens Royal Ascot, the first race of the meeting commemorating the monarch who established horse racing at Ascot more than 300 years ago.

As the curtain raiser to the festival, this Group 1, one mile race for four-year-olds and older horses that has always attracted class acts. Legendary jockey Sir Gordon Richards was 21 when he won his first Queen Anne and 48 when he claimed his last.

Richards record total of six victories has since been matched by Frankie Dettori, who won his first Queen Anne at 19 years of age and his last (to date) in 2007, at 36.

Fifteen runners go to post in Tuesday’s opener and here is a form guide to them all:

 

Accidental Agent

Rank outsider on the day, Accidental Agent outran his 66/1 odds to finish sixth to Rhododendron in the Lockinge Stakes for his trainer Eve Johnson Houghton.

No reason why he should turn the tables on the Aidan O’Brien favourite here but he could run well at big odds.

 

Beat The Bank

Beat the Bank was never a contender in the Lockinge and he finished a disappointing tenth.

It is very interesting to note that the Andrew Balding-trained gelding’s only blips, other than the Lockinge, have come when he has run at Ascot. That must be a big worry for punters.

 

Benbatl

Saeed Bin Suroor will hoping to keep the blue flag flying at Royal Ascot, and continue their good run of form, with Dubai Turf winner Benbatl.

The four-year-old is generally 6/1 second favourite for the race, a contest his trainer has won seven times previously.

Benbatl won the Hampton Court Stakes over ten furlongs at the corresponding meeting 12 months ago.

 

Century Dream

The progressive four-year-old has won seven of his thirteen races to date, including an impressive display in the Group Three Diomed Stakes at Epsom on his latest appearance.

Simon Crisford supplemented him for this race last Tuesday.

 

Deauville

Deauville set the pace for stablemate Rhododendron in the Lockinge before coming home in fifth place.

As a closing third in the 2017 Queen Anne, Deauville is eligible to do better on this occasion running on his own terms.

 

Lightning Spear

Lightning Spear, trained by David Simcock, has been placed in five Group 1 races without quite managing to win at the highest level.

The seven-year-old would be the oldest Queen Anne winner since Welsh Rake, who was eight when winning in it in 1963.

 

Limato

The Queen Anne is back on the cards again for Limato after connections blamed his Lockinge defeat on pollen.

Henry Candy's multiple Group 1 winner tries the mile once again, despite looking as if he didn't get home at Newbury.

 

Lord Glitters

Lord Glitters won the Balmoral Handicap at the track last October and finished second in the Lincoln on his only start this season.

This is a big step up in class for the exciting grey but David O’Meara believes he is up to it.

 

Oh This Is Us

The Richard Hannon-trained Oh This Is Us was beaten a neck last time out by the pretty talented Arod.

Winner of the Shaista Azizi Handicap at Meydan over the winter, the four-year-old has won seven of his 25 career starts, but this will be his biggest task to date.

 

Recoletus

The French usually have a strong hand in this contest and this year is no different with the Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained Recoletus being a live contender.

On his previous jaunt across the Channel to Ascot, he finished fourth in the Champion Stakes last year, mixing it up with the likes of Poet’s Word and Highland Reel.

He has won both his starts this season, starting with the Group 2 Prix du Muguet over a mile at Saint-Cloud and the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan over 1m1f at Longchamp last month.

 

So Beloved

David O'Meara's So Beloved was third to Absolutely So in last year's John Of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock then ran a blinder last time out, just going down a short-head at York.

Last October he was a 25/1 shot in the Qatar Prix de la Foret (Group 1) at Chantilly where he ran incredibly well to only go down by less than a length to Aclaim.

 

Suedois

Suedois is one of three entries in the race for David O’Meara.

The seven-year-old gave O'Meara the latest of his big-race victories in North America when winning the Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes last October and comes here on the back of a mid-field run in the Lockinge.

He usually improves for an outing so he is no forlorn hope.

 

Yoshida

American challenger Yoshida is fit and raring to go according to his stable.

Bill Mott’s charge won the Grade One Turf Classic at Churchill Downs in early May, after which he was prepared for his trip across the UK.

Yoshida runs under the familiar ownership of the China Horse Club, WinStar Farm, and Head of Plains Partners – owners last seen in the winner’s circle with Justify – the latest US Triple Crown holder.

 

Zonderland

The Clive Cox-trained five-year-old is expected to come on for his seasonal return in last month's Lockinge at Newbury in this mile Group One event.

Zonderland was beaten a nose by Lightning Spear in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood last season but put in a no show in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on his subsequent start.

 

Rhododendron

Rhododendron is the only remaining filly in a strong field for which she receives a small weight allowance.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Rhododendron claimed her third top-level victory when beating the boys in last month’s Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

The class that saw her finish runner-up in the Guineas and the Oaks last year was on show when she bounced back from a bleed in the summer to win the Prix de l’Opera just over three months later at Chantilly.

Rhododendron finished less than six lengths behind Cracksman on her first start of the season in the Prix Ganay. 

888sport suggests: Recoletus (e/w)

 

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

The 2018/19 Premier League fixtures are out and new Arsenal manager Unai Emery has been thrown straight into the deep end.

An opening weekend clash with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City is tasty for neutrals but hardly ideal for the Gunners. Facing the defending champions in Emery’s first home game at the Emirates Stadium could be… interesting.

I give it 45 minutes before Arsenal are two-nil down and fans are calling for Arsene Wenger to be reinstated as manager. In all seriousness, City may be slightly rusty at the beginning of the campaign and that could actually play into Arsenal’s hands.

888sport’s traders opened up with Emery’s side at 14/5 to pick up three points in their opening fixture; not a bad price considering Arsenal are the home side.

Looking away from that fixture, Tottenham Hotspur’s trip to Newcastle United also carries plenty of appeal. Mauricio Pochettino’s men are as short as 4/5 to emerge victorious in that contest and Spurs striker Harry Kane will be looking to break his August goal scoring jinx.

He will lead England in this summer’s World Cup and could go into the 2018/19 campaign full of confidence after lifting the Jules Rimet Trophy. We can dream, right?

The Magpies were excellent in the second half of last season and Rafa Benitez’s side will be looking to challenge for a top half finish in the upcoming campaign.

The foundations for a successful campaign are there for Newcastle but owner Mike Ashley cannot afford to be stingy in the transfer window. Give Benitez money to spend and the Magpies will flourish; whether he will have that luxury or not is another question.

Championship winners Wolverhampton Wanderers will host Everton at Molineux in their first fixture back in England’s top flight since suffering relegation in 2012.

Now blessed with lots of financial support, Wolves will be looking to sign a couple of big names before the start of the campaign and punters may be tempted by the 7/5 available for a home win in that clash.

Cardiff City will open up with an away trip to AFC Bournemouth whilst Fulham host Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage. The Welsh outfit are as short at 7/10 to go straight back down to the Championship next season but Fulham are out at 7/4 for relegation.

An opening day win for the Cottagers will certainly help to bolster confidence ahead of what could be a tricky campaign.

Liverpool, currently 5/1 to win a maiden Premier League title, will host West Ham United on the opening weekend and Jurgen Klopp’s men could run riot.

The Reds have bagged 12 goals in their previous three fixtures against the Hammers and another four-goal haul could be on the cards. Mohamed Salah and co have opened up at 3/10 to pick up three points in front of an expectant Anfield crowd.

But the pick of the matches is of course that contest at the Emirates Stadium. City are priced at 13/20 to defend their Premier League crown – unsurprisingly short given their dominance in 2017/18.

Emery has two months to come up with the perfect plan to derail Pep’s side; the Gunners will be raring to go but are they gifted enough to stop this City juggernaut? Only time will tell…

 

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

The Prix de Diane is a Group One race run at Chantilly exclusively for fillies, often referred to in the UK as the “French Oaks”. It is the fourth flat leg of the EpiqE series, a championship made up of the 14 most important races in France.

Thirteen fillies go to post on Sunday afternoon, among them one British and one Irish challenger. Here is a runner-by-runner form guide to a race steeped in history.

 

Shahnaza

The Aga Khan’s Shahnaza is the general 3-1 favourite for this French Classic.

The filly, out of Azamour, was most impressive when winning the Listed De La Seine Stakes on the 6^th May at Longchamp and has been at the head of the market ever since.

As an owner, the Aga Khan has won the Prix de Diane a record seven times with his last victory coming in 2012.

Happily

Happily started favourite for both the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas but could only manage third place on both occasions.

Stepping up now from a mile, the Aidan O’Brien filly probably boasts the strongest form line in the field having beaten two classic winning colts, Olmedo and the Derby winner, Masar, in last year’s Prix Jean Luc Lagadere.

Laurens

Prix Saint-Alary scorer Laurens is the sole flag-bearer for the UK but she arrives in Chantilly with a fighting chance of taking the top prize.

The high-class three-year-old won the Fillies’ Mile last season and made her seasonal reappearance in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, losing nothing in defeat to the shock 66/1 winner, Billesdon Brook.

She battled on well in the Alary, inflicting a first defeat upon Freddy Head’s With You.

Castellar

Castellar put herself right in the Prix de Diane picture when by winning the Prix Cléopâtre (Gr3) by a neck from Luminate.

Winner of her maiden at Fontainebleau in March, she stayed for second place in her next outing in the Prix du Louvre.

Her trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias indicated that had she won that race she would have run next in the Poule, which in hindsight would have been too short for her.

Luminate

Frankie Dettori receives the leg-up aboard Luminate at Chantilly on Sunday. She won both her starts as a two-year-old and made a winning start to this season, only to lose her unbeaten record in a dramatic Prix Cleopatre at Saint-Cloud.

Sent off the 2/5 favourite that day, she was deemed to have interfered with a rival by the strict French stewards, on her way to grabbing second place, which was just a short neck behind Castellar.

Having reviewed the evidence Luminate was demoted into fifth place.

Assonance

The grey filly was beaten just over three lengths by Lady Athena at Chantilly last time out but really looks out of her depth here in this company.

Five career starts have heralded three placed efforts but she appears to be more of an All-weather type if anything.

Homerique

Homerique was the only filly to be supplemented on Wednesday meaning that connections quite fancy her chances on Sunday.

Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, Homerique was second to Luminate in the Prix Penelope last time out and will clash again with that Freddy Head-trained rival.

Homerique will be ridden by last year’s French champion jockey, P.C Boudot.

Amazing Lips

Bred out of Camelot, the Nicolas Clément- trained Amazing Lips is still a maiden after suffering from a bout of “seconditus” on all of her three runs.

Promoted to second after the demotion of Luminate in the Prix Cléopâtre, she could quite easily outrun her odds, but will more than likely find one of these too good for her again.

Lady Athena

The daughter of a Listed winner in Italy, Lady Athena was bought for 170.000 € at the Arqana August yearlings sale in 2016.

Lady Athena was the easy winner of the Prix de la Chapelle-en-Serval (Class 1) at Chantilly last time out, accounting for a good field which included Zarkamiya, a well fancied daughter of Frankel.

Her trainer, Yan Durepaire, is 2/2 in the last fortnight and she looks well over-priced in the betting.

Musis Amica

A winner on her only start at two at Saint-Cloud, she made a winning seasonal debut at Longchamp when landing the G3 Prix de la Grotte by over a length, despite showing signs of greenness.

Trained by Andre Fabre, the Godolphin homebred was by no means disgraced when finishing sixth in a bunched finish in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) last time out.

With You

Freddy Head is doubly represented in the race this year and he his bullish about the chances of both his charges.

With You was narrowly beaten by Laurens on her seasonal comeback in the Gurkha Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary at Longchamp last month and she will be looking to avenge that defeat.

The combination of George Strawbridge, Freddy Head and Aurelien Lemaitre were on the score sheet just last weekend when their Dallas Affair won the Morocco Cup - La Coupe (Group 3).

Barkka

Barkaa was an easy winner of the Prix Vanteaux for three-year-old fillies, a trial for the Prix de Diane back in April, but she failed to get competitive in the French 1000 Guineas.

Barkaa, who previously raced in the colours of Gerard Augustin-Normand but has subsequently been purchased by American owners Peter Brant of White Birch Farm and Joseph Allen, has won three of her four starts.

Soustraction

Soustraction, trained by Carlos Laffon-Parias , won on her debut at Chantilly as a two-year-old but then failed to hit the frame in the seven runner Prix Marcel Boussac at the Arc meeting.

She was second on her reappearance to Barkka in the Prix Vanteaux Fillies Stakes but was probably inconvenienced by the going that day.

Her most recent run saw her in the mix, running just behind Laurens and With You in the Prix Saint-Alary.

888sport suggests: Homerique (e/w).

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