Any pub debate to determine the greatest player in the modern era usually involves only Messi or Ronaldo. Yet according to two times Champions League winner Ivan Campo there might shortly be a third megastar to consider.

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“Gareth Bale can become the best player in the world. He definitely has the potential and he has developed massively since joining Real Madrid.”

Speaking exclusively to 888sport.com ahead of this weekend’s all-Madrid Champions League final Campo also insists the Welshman can go a long way to securing his name in Bernabeu legend by repeating his feat from 2014 and once again scoring the winning goal against Real’s neighbours and arch-rivals Atletico.

“He can certainly decide the final again with his talent and skill and because he likes to drift into the middle like Ronaldo.”

Campo himself played in several local skirmishes during his five years with the Spanish giants but this Saturday evening promises to be the biggest of them all, a full bodied rioja of a clash with the most prestigious club honour up for grabs.

“This European final will be the perfect derby. Atletico have Simeone at the helm who is like having an extra man in your team. He is the master of motivation. Whereas Real Madrid’s camp is very positive with the counter-attacking style brought about by the arrival of Zidane. I don’t think they’re the favourites; it’s all about who holds their nerve.”

Remaining calm in the chaotic confines of the San Siro this Saturday evening will certainly be key but for los blancos having Ronaldo in your starting eleven considerably helps too.

The teak-tanned genius has blasted home a mind-boggling 51 goals in 2015/16 and will be razor-keen to add to that tally against an infamously stubborn Atletico rearguard. Campo however believes the Portuguese sorcerer could soon be seeking pastures new, or at least returning to pastures old in a transfer that would surely smash all records for fee and headlines.

“Anything can happen in football if the money is right so Ronaldo could well go back to Manchester United. Money talks!”

With Jose Mourinho expected to be installed at Old Trafford this week that would mean a sensational reunion for the Special One with the most prized talent on the planet not to mention a pair of egos that would dominate English football for seasons to come. Yet the potential for fortunes to be exchanged between Manchester and Madrid does not end there with speculation arising anew on David De Gea’s post-Euros future.

“Of course there is going to be speculation after last summer, but we will have to wait and see if this is the year that he finally makes the switch. In Spain we have had great goalkeepers like Iker Casillas and now we have De Gea. He can be the best keeper in the world if he’s not already.”

United’s number one and regular saviour can cement that claim should he enjoy a successful summer in France playing behind a team who have redefined football as we know it while winning three major trophies in the process. For the former international defender however there is evidently a mix of optimism and concern for his national side that have recently slipped below those exceptional standards.

“We will have to leave Del Bosque alone to prepare the team over the weeks prior to the tournament but we have a magnificent squad with high expectations. At the Euros we have to show why Spain has won what it has won.”

It would take a brave man to bet against that.

For nearly two decades the distinctive shaggy curls of Campo could be seen nonchalantly mopping up trouble in a distinguished career that eventually took him from La Liga to the Premier League in a move that raised many eyebrows at the time. After excelling under Guus Hiddink and Del Bosque and being an integral figure among the glittering galacticos the then 28 year old found himself at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium and being barked at by Big Sam Allardyce. Was it a culture shock and how did the present Sunderland boss compare to the illustrious coaches that came before him?

“Sam taught me everything I know when I made the move from Spain to England, and he taught me how to adjust to life in the Premier League. Sam is a great coach and I have great memories of him. His man-management was the reason that he was able to attract the top talent such as Fernando Hierro to Bolton.”

Modesty forbids him from including his own name in that last statement but anyone who witnessed his elegant and intelligent stewardship of the Wanderers midfield back then knows full well that Campo was a class act; a galactico who came to greater Manchester with a brace of Champions League medals and charmed us like few others have before.

The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is the climax of the flat racing season and the most eagerly-anticipated race of the year.

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After winning the most prestigious races in their respective countries, the world’s top gallopers do battle in the season’s most hotly-contested event.

With the race just over a month away and with plenty of clues to take away from the recent York Ebor Festival, let’s take a look and some of the leading players in this year’s race which for a second time will be held at Chantilly.

Enable strengthened her grip on Arc favouritism after recording her fourth successive Group One victory by winning the Yorkshire Oaks last week.

As a three-year-old filly she will get a valuable weight allowance from colts and older horses as she attempts to become the sixth filly to win the Arc in the past seven seasons.

Enable’s jockey, Frankie Dettori said. “I pushed her out, but I felt I had something left if someone had come to me. She likes to have a fight on her hands; unfortunately today there was no fight and we had to do her own thing. She goes there (to the Arc) with a favourite’s chance and the weight allowance. She has won four Group Ones in a row by five lengths and you can’t ask for more than that.”

Her trainer, John Gosden said after her York romp: “She got lonely in the last part, she was looking around and idling. It’s not her favourite way of racing but she can do it that way. It was a lovely prep for the Arc, and it’s a nice run-in now.

"She’d be the best mile-and-a-half filly that I’ve trained. Golden Horn (the 2015 Derby and Arc winner) would be the best mile-and-a-half colt, I think (the four-time Group One winner) The Fugue was better at a mile-and-a-quarter, and Royal Heroine (the 1984 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner) at a mile, but that’s a long time ago.”

Gosden will resist a prep-run before the showdown at Chantilly. "She took the King George well and been very playful and full of herself," he said.

"Either you don't run here (York), which would be a shame for a fabulous meeting, so what do you do. She'll go straight to the Arc, I don't want any more trips, and she'll have nice two or three weeks easy."

Great Voltigeur Stakes winner Cracksman could have an outing in the Prix Niel at Chantilly on September 10^th.

The Champion Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe were flagged up as the only possible next races for the colt, but it now appears the son of Frankel may run in what is regarded as the leading trial for the European middle-distance championship.

Cracksman, who is also trained by John Gosden said: "We are just keeping our minds open at the moment. We are just thinking that it is August and it is a long time until he can run again next May if you count the months on your fingers.

"If he is on good order I will discuss it with Mr Oppenheimer and we may well run again."

After Ulysses scored emphatically in the Juddmonte International at York he was instantly slashed to as low as 8/1 with bookmakers.

However the Niarchos family, who own Ulysses, are much keener on a tilt at the Breeders’ Cup Turf and probably would like to avoid another clash with Enable.

It has long been said in some quarters that when (and it is only a matter of when, not if) a Japanese-trained horse wins the Arc, it will be because two conditions have been met:  a top quality horse has been entered, and they have to avoid coming up against a champion European horse, the like of Sea The Stars,Treve, Zarkava etc.

Connections of the Japanese raider Satono Diamond will more than likely cursing their luck again this autumn as they have the horse, they just didn’t need to run into the super filly Enable.

One thing Satono Diamond won't be lacking when he lines up at Chantilly is stamina. He was run over much further than the 1m4f trip, so connections will be hoping for a strong pace which could suit their horse. As a three-year-old, he won the Kikuka Sho, which is the Japanese St Leger, run over 1m7f.

Orfevre came the closest of any Asian horse to win the Arc in 2012 when denied by Solemia in a photo finish.

This horse will have to been exceptional to even figure in anything remotely like a photo with a class filly heading the market.

After lowering the colours of the local hope Brametot in the Group Two Prix Guillaume d'Ornano, Martyn Meade’s Eminent put himself right in the Arc picture.

Asked after the Deauville victory whether the son of Frankel could come under consideration for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Meade added: "He could do. We can all dream, can't we? I do think he'd like that distance (mile and a half)."I know him so well now, so it just depends how he is at home. If it's a possibility then I'd love to bring him back."

Aidan O'Brien is usually well represented in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, in which he saddled the first three home last year, and his Highland Reel is his most prominent horse in the betting at 10/1.

The globe-trotting five-year-old was second to Found in last year’s renewal and is certainly a class act with Group One wins on several continents to his name.

For me, Highland Reel is the most likely horse in the field to pick up the pieces if Enable fails to shine.

My long range prediction: Highland Reel (e/w).

Manchester City legend Shaun Goater believes that the emergence of the Blues’ teenage scoring sensation Kelechi Iheanacho can save Pep Guardiola millions in the transfer market this summer.

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“A few months ago I used to think we needed a forward to push Aguero but Kelechi Iheanacho has a frightening record and is excelling in his role. He also has a good work ethic and this is a key thing Pep Guardiola will be looking for next season – a work ethic as well as producing goals.”

It is fair to suggest that such a work ethic was lacking from City’s weekend showing at Southampton. The Nigerian’s two goals were the only bright moments in a lacklustre defeat that has left City still fighting for a top four spot. Yet the former striker is under no illusions that it isn’t simply commitment that Guardiola will be entrusted to instil into the team next season. Defensive frailties need to be urgently addressed and the player affectionately known as ‘The Goat’ puts forward a surprising name that the incoming coach should target.

“In defence we need to look at who can really partner Vincent Kompany. I really doubt the club will go back there but Jerome Boateng at Bayern Munich has really matured. He is a key player for Bayern Munich and Germany. We don’t know who they will bring in but what we do know is that players will be excited about playing under Pep Guardiola because of the style of football and it’s as close to a guarantee to winning things as you can get.”

Close to a guarantee? The 46 year old who is idolised by the City faithful after feeding on 103 goals in a tumultuous period for the club goes even further.

“In his three year period he’s expected to be at the club he will win the Champions League and he will also win the league.”

As well as bringing widespread optimism, the imminent arrival of arguable the best coach in world football has prompted speculation as to who may leave this summer. Topping the gossip columns is the possible departure of Yaya Toure with Inter Milan reportedly keen along with a string of other suitors. Might this be the final season in Manchester for the talismanic Ivorian?

“As long as his agent keeps talking then yeah but we all read things into Pep previously letting Yaya go at Barcelona. Maybe we can get another year out of him because he knows the Premier League well. If he is allowed to play and his agent does less talking then that’s how it could play out.”

Toure is one of several influential players who have undeniably under-performed this season in a largely disappointing Premier League campaign for City that initially promised so much.  Yet when asked to pinpoint the main causes for their feeble title bid, Goater absolves the players and instead focusses his attention on the Manchester City technical area.

“My personal thing is rotation. We play games in Europe and with all the travelling it can be a gruelling schedule. But, when you look at teams like Leicester, they’re having success because of the continuity of the team. For a large part of the season Pellegrini should have been a lot more consistent with the players he selected.”

The intimation – intended or otherwise – appears to be that the Chilean has put his personal legacy ahead of City’s title challenge.

“It is important we finish top four but because Pellegrini knows he’s not there next season, it’s not his priority. His priority is making the final of the Champions League because no-one else has done that so he would be seen as a success.”

Winning the most coveted club competition of them all is undoubtedly the ultimate goal for a club that has changed beyond all recognition since Goater’s time there. This week an intimidating trip to Madrid stands between them and a potentially famous night in the San Siro later this month.

With Ronaldo and Bale to contend with- not to mention a ferocious packed Bernabeu – the temptation will surely be to stay compact and defend for their lives. City’s favourite son however believes attack may be the best policy.

“Initially in the first ten or twenty minutes City need to be cautious enough to not do anything silly and concede. Beyond that, it is about going out and getting the away goal. For me it’s a huge thing and once they’ve settled they need to step it up.”

“Reaching finals is definitely the mandate the owners will be expecting and we’re capable of doing that. Though we’ll have to play a hell of a lot better than against Southampton.”

It has become a source of great frustration among supporters that the last remaining English hope believe they don’t get the credit they deserve from the media in this county. Goater, once City’s best attacker, now does his best to defend a club he evidently loves.

“This comes from when you’re having success and have the money and so we don’t get a fair crack. I was listening to a station after the first Real Madrid game and they were talking about the atmosphere yet the atmosphere was brilliant. Where were they sitting? There was so much going on in that game yet that’s what you want to talk about? I then watch a United game and maybe they’re noisy a couple of times tops. Yet everyone is talking about the game, nobody is talking about that.”

“This is what happened with Chelsea and it comes in cycles. It’s our turn now to be put up there as a target due to our resources.”

Shaun’s quickfire questions

Who will win the FA Cup final?

I think Manchester United. They have the experience. If you’d asked me who do I want to win it that would have been a different answer!

Who will win the Champions League

Manchester City. I feel we can get something from Real Madrid.

Who will win the Euros?

Germany

Who will win the Golden Boot?

I’d like Jamie Vardy to do it because his story reminds me of my own.

“I know where the fans are coming from because I’ve been part of the Manchester United set-up for over twelve years so I knew what was required and what Sir Alex Ferguson demanded. Yes there was pressure to win and get results but the way we got those results was always very important as well.”

The Dutchman is not the first prominent figure from United’s recent trophy-laden past to speak out against his fellow countryman’s cautious philosophy. Meulensteen however believes Paul Scholes and company are entitled to voice their concerns.

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“Everybody is entitled to opinions and you’re talking about legends of not United but the game. They have been a part of Manchester United’s success and they have every right to speak.”

“Scholes and Schmeichel and the others are saying these things for the right reasons and nothing else.”

The 52 year old is widely respect in the game having spent six successful years as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant in a dominant spell that secured a Champions League and four league titles for the club. Mention of his ex boss prompts a revealing take on how the famously no-nonsense Scot would have handled the present under-performing bunch.

If that’s how Fergie would have dealt with the under-achieving 2015/16 side, it’s equally as intriguing to imagine him chewing furiously on the touchline at some of the poor individual displays that has ultimately led to United missing out on a top four spot. Meulensteen stresses it is the management and squad who have all collectively failed to hit the heights this season but does offer an example.

“I don’t want to dig out any particular player but it’s disappointing if you bring in players for quite a bit of money, for instance Memphis Depay who came in for twenty odd million, and he’s not really brought what everybody expected. We keep coming back to it and asking why have they disappointed because there has been inconsistency through the season.”

“I know Depay obviously because he’s from Holland and I’m from Holland so I’ve followed his career. It was a big transition to make going from the Dutch league to the English league. Over there you can go away from home and win games playing at 60% of your capabilities. You can’t do that here. You can’t put in one good performance and then not turn up for three or four weeks after. It is a mental mind-set.”

The winning mind-set he refers to was exemplified by the famed Class of 92, whose hunger for glory and improvement brought silverware aplenty to Old Trafford. With United currently blooding a new batch of talented kids, Meulensteen hopes the likes of goal-machine Marcus Rashford can learn from those who went before him.

“The world is his oyster but he needs that mental strength that will carry him on to sustained success. One of the first things I learned at Manchester United in 2001 was how strong the commitment and drive and motivation was from Beckham, the Neville brothers, Giggs and Scholes, the heart of the class of 92. They trained every day to get better and did so for over ten years.”

“That is now ingrained in the academy. You don’t stop after having one good game. You carry on. I know Marcus and he’s very solid and down to earth so with experience he will only get better and better.”

Whether the Wythenshawe-born teen continues to impress under Louis van Gaal or his replacement remains to be seen. While newspapers talk up Mourinho as a likely successor for Meulensteen there is only one candidate worth considering.

“People say that Ryan Giggs has no managerial experience but the one thing they forget is that he might not be the finished article but he has more experience of Manchester United than many of the coaches that could come in. That is a big plus for him. He knows the identity of the club and has been part of a successful at the club for a long, long time. He would know what it takes to get United back to where they belong.”

That knowledge would surely include making the right signings this summer. Whilst missing out on Champions League only makes United’s job harder as they look to rebuild once again. Emphasising this point, Meulensteen rues the failure to land either Mats Hummels or Renato Sanches who have already been snapped up by Bayern Munich before he selects his dream summer target. Leicester fans it’s time to look away now.

“Drinkwater has a Manchester United history having come through the academy and look at how he’s established himself in the Premier League. Sometimes you don’t have to look further because those players know what playing in the Premier League is about. If you bring a foreign player in they might need time to adjust. Players like Danny Drinkwater who is now in the England squad would fit in nice and easily.”

1. Who will win Euro 2016?

   France being the home team has a chance. - Bet on Euro 2016 Winner

2. Who will be top goalscorer at the Euros?

   Thomas Muller - Bet on Top goalscorer Winner

3. Who will win the Premier League in 2016/17

   That is a good one. With one or two new players Spurs will be up there again. - Bet on Premier League 2016/2017 Winner

The four-day York Ebor Festival starts on Wednesday of this week and runs through until Saturday. It is one of Britain’s leading summer festivals and features three top-class Group One contests and culminates with the ultra-competitive Ebor Handicap over 1m 6f on the fourth and final day.

• Bet on 2017 York Ebor Festival

Here is guide to what you can expect to see this week on the Knavesmire:

Wednesday

The opening day of the Ebor Festival is named Juddmonte International Day after the showpiece event, the Juddmonte International. The Juddmonte is a Group One over 1m2f for horses aged three years and older and is renowned for bringing together the Classic generation with their elders.

It has become routine for dominant Guineas’ and Derby victors to tackle the older crop in the Juddmonte.  The race is regarded as one of the very best middle-distance contests of the summer, adding further importance to the first day of the meeting.

This year’s Juddmonte International is being billed as a “clash of the titans” by many and the race should really live up to its star billing from what we have seen from the main protagonists already this season.

Barney Roy and Churchill share favouritism after featuring among 14 confirmations for Wednesday’s renewal.

Aidan O'Brien's 2000 Guineas hero Churchill will be having his first run over ten furlongs as he bids to put a lacklustre performance behind Barney Roy in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot behind him.

The pair top the betting but are closely followed by the Sir Michael Stoute’s Ulysses who got home by just a nose from Barney Roy in the Eclipse, and has since finished second behind Enable in the King George at Ascot.

The Great Voltigeur Stakes also plays a major role in the horse racing action on the Ebor meeting’s opening day. As a Group Two race over 1m 4f for three-year-old colts and geldings, the Great Voltigeur is a mid-summer alternative to the Epsom Derby.

Leading fancy Capri is not a certain runner on Wednesday, Aidan O'Brien told reporters on Sunday.

The John Gosden trained Cracksman who was third in the Derby at Epsom and second in the Irish equivalent shortened in price when news of Capri’s possible absence filtered through.

Thursday

Day two marks Ladies’ Day at York racecourse as the Yorkshire Oaks and Lowther Stakes dominate the afternoon’s racing.

Enable faces just eight rivals in the Yorkshire Oaks and she is the heavy odds-on favourite to take it.

The English and Irish Oaks heroine beat the boys in style in last month's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes and will be aiming to clinch her fourth Group One success of the season en-route to a tilt at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at the beginning of October.

Newbury winner Madeline has been installed as the marginal 3-1 favourite for the Lowther Stakes in front of 7-2 shot Happy Like A Fool.

The Roger Varian-trained filly is one of 15 entries for the Group Two at the forfeit stage, with Goodwood winner Threading being supplemented along with Wesley Ward’s Queen Mary Stakes runner-up Happy Like A Fool at a cost of £15,000 each.

Aidan O’Brien has four entries and Actress, who was third in the Phoenix Stakes, comes in as his most fancied runner.

Friday

The third afternoon of the Ebor meeting is centred around the sprinters, and the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes for horses aged two and older. The contest is a blistering five-furlong sprint that is regarded as one of the strongest races in the division.

The fastest race of the week, the Coolmore Nunthorpe, is the target for Lady Aurelia and she is set to clash with Battaash, the impressive winner of the King George Stakes at the Goodwood Festival.

Clive Cox’s Profitable and Priceless are both aiming to cause an upset against the two ante-post principles in the betting.

Bought by Godolphin in the off-season, Profitable has been super game this term, finishing second in France, at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood.

Sir Mark Prescott's flying filly Marsha will be hoping to prove that this race is certainly not just a matchup between Lady Aurelia and Battaash.

Marsha looked like taking the sprinting world by storm when winning the Palace House under a penalty back in May and since then she has run well in defeat.

She will be 1lb better off with Battaash at York following her fast-finishing third behind him at Goodwood and should not be ruled out.

Saturday

The last day of the Ebor meeting sees the week’s showpiece event, and Europe’s richest handicap, the Ebor Handicap headlines a hugely competitive card. Raced over 1m 6f, the race brings together a number of Britain and Ireland’s best staying handicappers as they do battle for a share of the £285,000 prize-purse.

York Racecourse chairman Lord Grimthorpe said: “York is delighted that our continued commercial success in the first half of the season has allowed us to keep investing in the prize money, facilities and experience of racing at York.

"The Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival is our flagship meeting and we look forward to welcoming the racegoers and supporters to York to see the world’s best horses and jockeys competing on the Knavesmire.

"It already looks set to be a fabulous four days of racing action. Our continued thanks to our supporters and sponsors who help us to invest in racing at York.” 

The Great St. Wilfrid Handicap is a flat race handicap run over a distance of six furlongs at Ripon racecourse.

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The race derives its name from the patron saint of Ripon, St. Wilfrid. In fact the winning owner receives a trophy which depicts St. Wilfrid on horseback.

Ripon has hosted some of the most exciting, prestigious and enjoyable racing in the country for more than 300 years and this is the most notable race on their calendar.

Plenty Of Prize Money On Offer

It is also the most valuable raceday of the season at Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’ with total prize money of £150,000 up for grabs. The meeting also includes the fifth running of The Silver Trophy, a £20,000, ‘consolation’ race for the horses entered but unable to get into the feature race.

James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course is looking forward to Saturday.

"It's one of our highlights of the season and something we build up to over a period with huge excitement," he revealed.

"For the past six years the race has been won by Yorkshire trainers and the field is set to be full of talented Yorkshire sprinters once again."

Last year’s contest was won by Nameitwhatyoulike who is entered again and set to challenge for back to back wins.

Trainer Bryan Smart said: “He is in good order and working well at home, he loves the track at Ripon so we are hopeful he will run a good race”.

Here are some key trends and statistics from the last fifteen runnings of the race.

• Only five favourites have won since 1990 which is an ominous trend for Growl to overcome.
• 12/15 winners did not win last time out. The only runner this applies to this year is Flying Pursuit.
• 13/15 were previous winners at six furlongs.
• 10/15 won at a double-figured S.P
• 10/15 carried 8st 12lb or more to victory. Ten runners qualify under this criteria.
• 9/15 had raced five times or more that season. Shanghai Glory, Mattmu, Nameitwhatyoulike, Right Touch, George Dryden and Hoofalong do not have those five runs.
• No winner has come from stall one in the last eleven years. That’s bad news for Kachy supporters.
• All winning horses since 1986 have been priced at 20/1 or below.
• 7/11 winners have come from stalls 8 to 13 inclusive. Backers of Eastern Impact, Mattmu, Naadirr, Nameitwhatyoulike, Robero and Flying Pursuit will be happy with their draw positions.

Some of the contenders:

Bryan Smart is hopeful Nameitwhatyoulike can be in the mix again.

The eight-year-old is now 1lb lower in the handicap than when successful last season having struggled to find his form in 2017 Three of his four runs have been in pattern races however so this race should be somewhat easier on paper.

Tony Coyle is fairly sweet on his runner Snap Shots who is quite a big price in horse racing odds.

Coyle said of his five-year-old last month: "I think Snap Shots is still improving. He's a big frame of a horse. There was a question mark if he'd go on soft ground, but he just got beat at Haydock on soft," said Coyle.

"He was unlucky at the Curragh. It was one of those things.

"Hopefully he can bang in a big one by the end of the year. He's a good horse.

"Snap Shots will go for the Great St Wilfrid or the silver consolation if he doesn’t get in. He loves Ripon."

Snap Shots won a six furlong handicap sprint at Ripon last August so the signs are positive.

Out Do Can Repeat 2014 Triumph

Out Do won this year’s Wokingham Handicap at the Royal Ascot meeting and was the winner of this race in back in 2014. On his last run he was just 3¾ lengths behind the classy Take Cover in City Walls Stakes at York.

David O’Meara’s record in this race is excellent, sending out the winner in 2011 and 2012 as well as 2014.

Yorkshire trainer Ruth Carr is very much in form at the moment and her seven-year-old Pipers Note has been a model of consistency in his recent runs.

He has finished in the first four places in his last five outings including a decent run at Ascot just last Saturday. He will certainly have plenty of local support in this renewal.

Growl’s fourth place in the Stewards’ Cup has had form readers putting him in as the favourite for the race. He does however have to shoulder top weight of 9st 10lbs with jockey Andrew McNamara taking off a 3lb claim.

Mattmu is a four time Stakes winner in his career and this is a significant drop in class for him. Tim Easterby’s five-year-old usually performs his best with a little bit of juice in the ground so it would be well worth checking out the ground conditions at Ripon on Saturday morning.

Here at 888sport we have installed Richard Fahey's Growl as our market leader at 9/2 with Stewards' Cup fifth Shanghai Glory next best at 8/1, and then it's 10/1 bar those three.

888sport predicts:

Pipers Note & Mattmu (e/w singles)

*All odds correct at the time of writing - latest horse racing betting markets available here*

The York Ebor Festival is a little over a week away and already there is excitement building around the Juddmonte International which will witness a mouth-watering clash between Barney Roy and Churchill.

• Bet on Juddmonte International

Barney Roy, who was a nose second to Ulysses in the Eclipse at Sandown last month, was entered in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday afternoon but instead will head to the Knavesmire on Wednesday week.

His trainer Richard Hannon said: "He came out of the Eclipse fine like he normally does and he's been ticking over since. He's in great form at the moment –he did a piece of work this morning and Sean Levey seemed very pleased with him.

"It will be a good race and so it should be. You wouldn't expect anything less for the level of the prize-money that's on offer – it’s a lovely track and I think it will suit Barney.

"He's proved himself now at the top level. He proved he gets a mile and a quarter and is probably just as effective over that distance as a mile, which a lot of the good horses are.”

Barney Roy is priced at 3/1 with us here at 888sport for the £1 million Group One contest held over a mile and two and a half furlongs.

O'Brien To Give Churchill The Green Light

Just like his rival Barney Roy, Churchill also swerved the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday in preference to an assault on the Juddmonte.

The dual Guineas winner was a late withdrawal from the Sussex Stakes at the Glorious Goodwood meeting last week due to the testing conditions but trainer Aidan O'Brien is now redirecting him to York.

O’Brien said before the French race decision: "We are looking at York with Churchill.

"It is not written in stone, but we are looking at going up to a mile and a quarter with him.

"The plan was to go to Goodwood and then go up to a mile and a quarter after that.

"If we were to go to France this week then we might not get a chance to go up to a mile and a quarter.

"If York went well then he may go on to Leopardstown (Irish Champion Stakes)."

Ryan Moore's faith in Churchill is unwavering and the number one jockey is looking forward to the three-year-old colt stepping up in trip in the Juddmonte International.

Moore believes he can bounce back with him at York.

"Things just didn't go his way in the St James's Palace Stakes," said Moore last Wednesday. "York is a lovely track and hopefully it should suit him." 

Highland Reel May Be One To Consider

Aidan O'Brien has not ruled out the possibility of dropping multiple Group One winner Highland Reel back in trip for another crack at the race.

The five-year-old may now tackle the mile and a quarter distance for this race again having finished second behind Postponed twelve months ago.

O'Brien said: "It was a good run at Ascot in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but obviously he likes nice ground and always has.

"We could possibly look at York as he is in Juddmonte. It is a possible, but we won't decide for until nearer the time."

Ulysses Is A Consistent Performer

Adding another scintillating dimension to the race, should he take up his entry, is the possible participation of Sir Michael Stoute’s Ulysses.

Although the Breeders' Cup Turf remains the long-term target for the four-year-old, connections are contemplating which 10-furlong Group One contest he will take in next.

After scoring at Sandown last month, the son of Galileo found only Enable too strong when tackling a mile and a half in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Alan Cooper, racing manager to the owners, said: "We are going to have a chat with Sir Michael Stoute later this week and the plan for him will then become much clearer.

"He ran a super race in the King George, but he just met a very good filly.

"We just like to give the horse plenty of time to see how he is. He is in good form, but we would just like to wait a few days to decide if we go to York or Leopardstown.

"They are the two obvious options for him in August and September, and then we will have a chat and re-group after that. All being well, the Breeders' Cup is the long-term plan again."

So Mi Dar Will Want Better Ground

Connections of So Mi Dar expect the high-class filly to "improve immensely" for her belated seasonal reappearance in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood and there has been some support for her in the betting for the Juddmonte.

So Mi Dar finished fifth of six runners on the Sussex Downs, but was not beaten far by the excellent Winter.

Simon Marsh, racing manager for owners Lord and Lady Lloyd Webber, said: "Having missed the Middleton Stakes at York because of the ground before she had this muscle enzyme problem that has kept her off the track, we had no option but to run her.

"She didn't like the ground and there was a slow pace, which didn't suit her, but she ran a perfectly fine race.

"She's come out of the race well and I'm sure she'll improve immensely. Hopefully you'll see a much better filly next time she runs on more suitable ground.

John Gosden’s charge is now a 16/1 shot in the betting.

At the time of writing, odds for the Juddmonte International at York on Wednesday 23^rd August are as follows:

3/1 Barney Roy. 7/2 Churchill & Ulysses, 6/1 Highland Reel, 8/1 Winter, 10/1 Queens Trust, 12/1 bar.

Saturday August 12th sees the thirty-fifth renewal of the Arlington Million.  Like other races of name and fame, it only needs two words to describe it: the Million.

The $1,000,000 Arlington Million became an instant classic when John Henry beat The Bart by an inch in the first running in 1981 before a packed grandstand at Arlington Park.

The Million's ten furlong turf trip makes it a convergent race for the mile category and the longer distance-inclined turf runners. Twelve horses from several continents will be contesting this truly international race in 2017.

Here is a runner-by-runner guide to the race which viewers in the UK can watch live on Racing UK on Saturday evening.

Deauville

Deauville is well known to American racing fans thanks to his victory in the Belmont Derby Invitational in his start prior to the Arlington Million last year in which he finished a close up third.

Aidan O’Brien’s four-year-old son of Galileo was testing his elders in this race last year at the age of three when only going down by a mere half-length so you would expect a much stronger horse to show up this time around.

Multiple placed finishes have come Deauville’s way over the last year and he is understandably heading the betting. Ryan Moore, aboard for all but one of Deauville's starts this year, returns to the saddle.

Mekhtaal

French Group One winner Mekhtaal certainly adds some “joie de vivre” to the race and holds a solid chance.

Beaten 3 ½ lengths in sixth by Highland Reel in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out, the top-class colt is trained in France by Jean-Claude Rouget and Frankie Dettori will be taking up the ride on the four-year-old son of Sea the Stars. However, Mekhtaal must overcome a far outside gate position if he is to be successful.

Beach Patrol

Winner of the Secretariat Stakes last year on the Million undercard and has been on the premises all year, without managing to get his head in front. He has run well without reaching the winner's circle in his last six races now.

Joel Rosario takes the ride but whether he can fend off the European challengers in the home straight remains to be seen.

Divisidero

After three defeats at the start of the year, Divisidero won the Turf Classic again, giving him a remarkable three-from-three record in Derby Day Stakes. Divisidero then finished sixth behind Ascend in the Manhattan at Belmont on June 10^th.

All his graded stakes wins however have come at Churchill Downs, and he has yet to find success at ten furlongs in three attempts.

Kasaqui

Kasaqui will aim to become the first Argentine-bred horse to win the Million. After winning his first graded-stakes victory last year in the Arlington Handicap, the seven-year-old finished second by a neck to last year’s winner Mondialiste.

After capturing the Wise Dan Stakes at Churchill Downs on June 17th, Kasaqui managed third place in the 2017 Arlington Handicap which secured his entry to the Million.

The Pizza Man

Winner of the 2015 Million and was a fast-closing sixth last year, but the eight-year-old has not been performing like his old self in recent starts, clocking up his losing streak to four in the Stars and Stripes (Group Three) most recently.

Expect to see The Pizza Man late on in the race rallying from the back.

Ascend

Ascend runs in the Arlington Million two weeks after finishing fourth as the favourite in the Bowling Green Stakes, but trainer Graham Motion is not at all concerned.

During the last five years, Motion has started 45 horses within two weeks of their previous race, and 21 of them have finished third or better. Of those horses, three ran back in graded stakes.

Ascend will have to overcome being drawn twelve however.

Fanciful Angel

The good-looking son of Dark Angel is now the winner of five races to date, including a win in the Mina Rashid Turf Handicap at Meydan Racecourse earlier this year.

Fanciful Angel will be the eighth runner for Botti at Arlington, who is still seeking success in Arlington’s most prestigious race. Botti found victory in the Beverly D back in 2014 Euro Charline and cannot be underestimated with his international raiders.

Oscar Nominated

Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey’s Grade Three Spiral Stakes winner Oscar Nominated looks to have it all to do on Saturday.

His last win came in the Dueling Grounds Derby almost a year ago, but he has been running against quality opposition ever since.

Oscar Nominated has managed to win more than $800,000 in his career but has never won a graded stakes on the turf.

Enterprising

Winner of the Grade Two Muniz Memorial Handicap back in April and has been victorious in nine turf races in his lifetime.

The six-year-old gelding put back-to-back graded stakes wins together earlier this year but then went off the boil in May and June.

A break may have perked him up however but he does look up against it in this field.

Ghost Hunter

Ghost Hunter sprung a 12-1 upset in the $100,000 Arlington Handicap last month to book his “Ride to the Million” card on Saturday.

Reaching a new career high at the age of seven, the Jamie Ness trained runner outran 45-1 outsider Oak Brook, with defending champion and even-money favourite Kasaqui third under top weight.

Oak Brook

By finishing first in the Black Tie Affair, and then second in the Arlington Handicap, Oak Brook has now earned a career high rating of 117 and could add the pace to the race.

He looks like a horse to place in your exotics at a big price to help boost those dividends.

Conclusion

European runners look all set to dominate proceedings this weekend at Arlington and Aidan O’Brien’s Deauville can scoop the massive first prize in the Million.

A year wiser and a year stronger the Galileo colt can show his pedigree and class here.

Click here for the latest racing markets ahead of Saturday's big race...

With Newcastle facing relegation, the future intentions of boss Rafa Benitez remain unclear, but for Toon legend Rob Lee, the situation is clear-cut – the Spaniard will be jumping ship if the dreaded drop occurs.

Should the north-east giants endure relegation for the second time inside a decade, the former midfielder who played over 300 times in the famous black and white jersey knows exactly who he would like to see come in to steady the sinking ship. Unfortunately he fears recruiting the man in question – or indeed anyone of note – will be difficult, considering who is in charge.

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“I was surprised when Benitez came because do they want to work with Mike Ashley? To have their hands tied and be tarnished when they fail even though it’s not their fault because they’re not allowed to bring in players they want to bring in. I would say Steve Bruce would be a great manager for us. He’s a Geordie and he’s done a great job wherever he has been. But would he want to work where others are bringing in players who are substandard and they get you the sack?”

Lee is referring, of course, to the club’s transfer policy that entrusts head scout Graham Carr to target promising but unproven talent, usually untapped markets of Holland and France.

“We have players we signed for the sell-on value and they’re not good enough for Newcastle United and don’t really want to be there. They’re using Newcastle as a stepping stone which is a shame because it’s a huge club. They should be desperate to play in front of the passionate Geordies.

“The problem is that Graham Carr had a little bit of success with Cabaye and Tiote but that well has run dry. We need a spine of British players who know the history of Newcastle and want to play for Newcastle.  Instead we have players who want to play in the Premier League then realise it’s cold.”

It has been a torrid season on Tyneside that has seen a squad packed with internationals languish in the bottom three for much of it, but, speaking in an exclusive interview with 888sport, Lee is under no illusions that the malaise extends beyond a few months of underachievement.

Mention of Keegan is a reminder of the team – and ambition – the club once had, a side that became the nation’s second favourites with their free-flowing game almost won the league. Lee was an instrumental figure from that golden recent era and it is evident Newcastle United is not just a name on his CV but a club close to this heart.

If Mike Ashley receives some straight-shooting, the players themselves get it with both barrels.

“Defensively we’ve been poor. Coloccini hasn’t been good enough for a long time. Steven Taylor is not good enough. So we’ve struggled. But if you put a Newcastle shirt on – as I did playing for them for ten years – you have to give 100%. Can players say they have done that week in, week out? I don’t think so.”

“The players haven’t performed. They didn’t perform under Steve McClaren and if they scrape their way out of this you just hope that Benitez stays on and is allowed to bring in players to make the club better. In order to do that they have to spend a lot of money because they are miles behind everybody.  We’ve so far behind people that if we get away with it we’d have to spend at least a hundred million to get back to where we should be in mid-table.”

Sadly, even the scenario of competing with the likes of West Brom and Watford for a place in mid-table seems an awfully long way away at present and, with just four games to go, Newcastle require a mini-miracle to ensure safety.

If they do go down, does Lee think the club can repeat their recovery in 2010 when they went back up at the first time of asking?

“No, because last time we got relegated we had players like Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan and players of that ilk. I look around now and we’ve got players who will not want to play in that division. If they’re made to stay they won’t want to play.

“You’d have thought they would definitely lose a lot of players but you look at the players they’d lose and they are players who haven’t performed. Sissoko won’t want to play in that division nor will Wijnaldum nor Mitrovic but these are the players who have put us where we are.”

1. Who will win the Premier League?

   Leicester. I’d love to see them do because they remind me of the Newcastle side of the mid-nineties. - Bet on Premier League Winner

2. Who will win the Golden Boot?

   Harry Kane - Bet on Golden Boot Winner

3. Who will win the Champions League?

   City have a chance but Real Madrid - Bet on Champions League Winner

4. Who will win the Euros?

   People are going to laugh at me but if Roy Hodgson picks the right team England have got half a chance. - Bet on the Euros