With very little of a summer to speak of it’s hard to believe that the Flat season is pretty much drawing to a close and that the last Classic of the season is almost upon us.

• Our 2023 St Leger tips and betting preview

The St Leger is the oldest of the five Classic races and is always fiercely contested. This year’s renewal is no different with Aidan O'Brien being responsible for 16 of the original 29 entries.

Sir Michael Stoute, who waited a total of 26 years before he finally trained the winner with Conduit in 2008, saddles the ante-post favourite Crystal Ocean.

Other notable trainers with entries are John Gosden and Saeed Bin Suroor.

A closer inspection the market principles

After securing his tenth victory in the Group 3 Gordon with Crystal Ocean, Stoute said he was ready to consider having "a one-off fling" at the St Leger with the colt, as he did with Conduit nine years ago.

Stoute said: "We've loved him from early days. He's a lovely stamp of horse with a good mind.

"He goes on soft ground – we knew that because he did in the Dante – but I was concerned about this ground because this is the worst they will ever get, with that phenomenal rain. But he's gone and handled it really well. He's a good athlete and that helps.

"I said before the Dante that I didn't consider him to be a Derby horse. You've got to be more mature than that at Epsom."

The Sir Evelyn de Rothschild-owned runner is currently a 7/2 shot in our 888sport horse racing odds.

The O’Brien factor

Aidan O’Brien’s Capri shot to the top of the betting after grinding it out in the Irish Derby and recent betting patterns suggest he will turn up on Town Moor rather than heading to Chantilly for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Capri had finished sixth, beaten less than four lengths at Epsom in early-June but appeared much better suited by the galloping Curragh circuit. He showed a great attitude as well as plenty of stamina to see off a host of challengers inside the final furlong and on that evidence the extra two-and-a-half furlongs of the St Leger should be within range.

Aidan O’Brien is seeking a fifth victory in the race and Capri may well be joined by some longer priced stablemates in the line-up.

Gosden playing second fiddle to no one

Gosden has saddled five Group One winners in Europe this season and will be hoping to pick up more over the coming weeks. He reports that all is well with Stradivarius, the Goodwood Cup winner, ahead of his run in the St Leger at Doncaster.

Stradivarius looked every bit a St Leger contender after accounting for Big Orange last time out in the Qatar Goodwood Cup.

Gosden has won the Leger in recent times with the likes of Lucarno, Masked Marvel and Arctic Cosmos and now there is every chance of him adding another name to that esteemed list.

After the Goodwood Cup, Gosden said: "We go to the St Leger, which is a race that I love and it is one mile and six and a half furlongs around Donnie, which is probably a similar test as it is an open galloping track whereas here is all zig zags and bends.

"I am always frightened when you take on the older horses with a three-year-old in a race like this, I thought he'd run well and I could see him in the frame but not necessarily winning. He has a good turn of foot, which is a good weapon in a two-mile race.

"I don't think the three-year-olds have an enormous advantage - Enable is a brilliant filly and this is a proper stayer, you can't come and do it without a proper horse."

Friend or Defoe?

Andrea Atzeni has his eyes firmly fixed on a third St Leger in four years after Defoe booked his place in the race with victory over his older contemporaries in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury.

Successful on Kingston Hill and Simple Verse in 2014 and 2015, Atzeni is once again looking forward to stepping foot upon the Yorkshire racecourse. Defoe is progressing at a rate of knots and took his 100% cent record this season to four - though Roger Varian's colt had to survive a stewards' inquiry before landing the spoils.

Atzeni said: "This horse is getting better and he could be anything. At least we know that he stays.

"The Leger will be a very good race, but this fellow will go there with a big chance."

House proud

It promises to be an exciting few weeks for the Manton trainer Brian Meehan as he gears up for the St Leger with Raheen House.

The son of Sea The Stars is a 10/1 chance in horse racing betting odds with us for the season's final Classic after winning the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket on his latest appearance in July.

"He's on course for the Leger. He seems in very good form at home," Meehan added.

"We're very pleased with what he's doing. We couldn't be happier with him, to be honest."

Chip off the old block

Joseph O'Brien's Rekindling is set for tilt at Classic glory in either next Sunday's Irish St Leger at the Curragh or the English version at Doncaster the following Saturday.

The colt was disappointing in the Derby in early June, but bounced back to beat last year's Irish Leger victor Wicklow Brave in the Curragh Cup in July.

Rekindling was last seen chasing home Order Of St George in the Irish Leger Trial at the Curragh.

Rekindling has been mentioned as a possible runner in the Melbourne Cup, but O'Brien is in no rush to commit to the long trip overseas.

"I'd say we'll go for either the English Leger or the Irish Leger and take it from there," said Joseph.

"He seems in very good form and we were delighted with how he ran the other day.

"In fairness to him, he's been running well all year apart from in the Derby."

*All odds correct at the time of writing - click here for the latest Doncaster St Leger odds*

The feature race on Saturday is The Beverley Bullet Stakes. A fast and furious dash up a five furlong course notorious for its stiff uphill finish, some of the classiest sprinters around will be heading to Beverley to battle it out in the thrilling highlight on the racecourse’s richest raceday.

• Bet on 2017 Beverley Bullet

Eleven runners line up for the £28,355 first prize and here is a runner-by-runner guide to all their chances.

Final Venture

Paul Midgley’s runner has faced some tough races of late including running in last week's Nunthorpe at York, where he was seventh behind Marsha, so this is one almighty drop in class. Prior to that run he was behind Take Cover in a Listed race at the same track.

Last season he was fourth to Alpha Delphini in this race last year, despite a wide draw hampering his chances somewhat. Things look a little more favourable this year for Midgley’s front runner.

Kimberella

A seven-year-old Chester regular who appears to do most of his winning at that quirky course.

He ran fairly well in a Curragh Group Three last time and was a fast-finishing third at Musselburgh when last tried over this trip. Most of his best form has come over six furlongs which is a concern for a horse on its Beverley debut running over the minimum trip.

Take Cover

David Griffiths' stable veteran may have been around the block a bit but he proved he can still mix it with the younger sprinters when landing the City Walls Stakes at York in July.

His fifth in the King’s Stand Stakes behind Lady Aurelia at Royal Ascot is form that puts him bang in contention here and he has to be a leading player.

Alpha Delphini

Bryan Smart's six-year-old is bidding for back-to-back victories in the five-furlong Listed event on the Westwood.

A third place in the Temple Stakes at Haydock in May was followed by a respectable run in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

He has been slightly disappointing since and his draw this year is a big worry.

Desert Law

Paul Midgley’s horses are flying at the moment and he is triple handed in this feature race. Paul Mulrennan had the pick of them all and he opted for this improver.

Desert Law has won his last two starts at York and Doncaster and is well drawn in stall six. Mulrennan believes he should run a very big race and the track will suit his mount.

Judicial

The Julie Camacho-trained five-year-old has won three times this year, including over this course and distance in June. He is seeking a first Listed success after finishing second and fourth at that level already this season.

Camacho’s gelding has made his way up through handicaps to pattern race company, having reached the winners enclosure nine times from just 21 starts.

He should give the Elite Racing Club members another great day out.

Line Of Reason

Line Of Reason is in the frame to run in a fourth consecutive Beverley Bullet and completes the triumvirate of Paul Midgley runners in the race.

In 2015 Line Of Reason went off the 100/30 favourite and looked all over the winner before being nabbed on the line by the fast finishing Maarek.

A 32-day break for the seven-year-old should have freshened him up and he could run a decent race at double figure odds.

Mirza

Another veteran performer who retains plenty of ability as his second-place finish to Battaash at Sandown on his penultimate start showed.

The Rae Guest-trained ten-year-old just failed by a neck to Pearl Secret in this Listed sprint in 2014 and will be looking for some kind of redemption.

Mirza has won 11 of his 60 career starts which includes two decent Group Three wins at Longchamp.

Lightly raced this season, the old boy should not be underestimated.

Pipers Note

Ruth Carr’s runner has been a model of consistency this season with his latest placing coming in the Great St. Wilfrid Handicap a fortnight ago where he finished second.

The seven-year-old boasts three course wins at Beverley under his former trainer and has never failed to finish out of the first three at the track.

Pipers Note probably has a little to find on the ratings but is clearly in fine fettle.

Go On Go On Go On

A rare runner at Beverley for the Lambourn trainer Clive Cox and the predominantly National Hunt owners, the Rooney’s.

The four-year-old filly was the last of ten back in May at Haydock and she looks to have plenty on her plate to figure here.

The Wagon Wheel

Richard Fahey’s three-year-old filly has run six times this season with mixed results.

A neck second at York in June was followed up by a nice win at Chester in July. However her two subsequent runs have been very poor, especially the one at Pontefract last time out.

She would be a shock winner here even if she is from a top northern yard.

Conclusion

This race is always a trappy little affair with the draw being quite significant on occasion.

Elite Racing Club members could well be toasting their luck again in Yorkshire as Judicial looks to have every chance of putting in a Marsha-eque performance over the minimum trip on Saturday afternoon.

The experienced pair of Take Cover and Mirza are likely to be prominent racers and should be taken to fill the forecast and tricast spots.

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.

• Bet on Prix De L'Arc De Triomphe

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.

• Bet on Great St. Wilfrid Handicap

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.