There’s a growing band of football supporters who are “against modern football”, and it’s easy to see why people are becoming alienated from our beautiful game.

• Bet now on Football

While football continues to be gripping at the very highest level, there are several ugly elements when it comes to the Premier League and other top divisions across Europe. It’s particularly the case with players who are simply happy to pick up the money wherever they go.

Most modern-day players have agents, with the latter often in charge of their client’s destination, and it largely comes down to how big a contract can be commanded.

There are still notable examples of players, such as Mark Noble, Steven Gerrard and Matt Le Tissier, who remain with one club throughout their career despite the potential to earn more elsewhere, while even legendary Premier League football players such as Eric Cantona, Thierry Henry and Gianfranco Zola had a deep love of the club they represented.

However, it’s increasingly the case that players are commanding large sums of cash and a burgeoning car collection simply by occasionally gracing the pitch with their presence.

SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS

Take SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS, for example. Between 2004 and 2010, the diminutive winger turned out 36 times for the England team and scored six goals.

However, the 34-year-old never really lived up to the hype that surrounded him when he left Manchester City in 2005 with the world seemingly at his feet.

Between 2005 and 2008, the adopted son of Ian Wright made just 81 appearances for Chelsea, and the London club cannot have considered this a justified spend of £21 million when you consider the wages that must also have been involved.

A return to Manchester City didn’t see SWP’s game-time increase, and he managed just 65 appearances over the next four seasons. There were a similar number of outings for QPR, and Wright-Phillips came to represent all that was bad about over-spending at Loftus Road. He’s now earning more mega bucks at New York Red Bulls.

ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO

Not that Chelsea have enjoyed a particularly successful transfer record since Roman Abramovich took charge of the club. The Russian is clearly immune to sensible spending, and that was certainly the case when drafting his chum ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO into the squad.

In 2006, Abramovich spent a staggering £30.8 million on Shevchenko, hoping that the AC Milan striker would light up Stamford Bridge and demonstrate that he was still one of the hottest strikers in Europe.

To say that Milan were laughing all the way to the bank is an understatement. The 2004 Ballon d’Or winner had seemingly been bought against the wishes of manager José Mourinho, and the Portuguese regularly deemed him surplus to requirements compared to the other strikers at his disposal.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, though it is clear now that Shevchenko was past his sell-by date when he arrived at Stamford Bridge, and the Ukrainian was happy to pick up some rather large pay cheques while enjoying life in west London.

EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR

Another striker enjoying massive wages for part-time work is EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR, a player for whom loyalty is a taboo word.

It is worth bearing in mind that the Togolese striker is still only 32, yet he has generated enough sign-on bonuses to last him several lifetimes. After spells with Metz and Monaco, Arsène Wenger took a punt on the forward for the modest sum of £3 million.

Adebayor was a big hit for the Gunners and looked set to take on the mantle of Thierry Henry at the Emirates Stadium, though this was before a newly wealthy Manchester City came calling. 

In 2009, City had recently been bought by the Abu Dhabi United Group, and their transfer policy was largely “buy on sight” like a greedy striker trying to score as many goals as possible.

With Adebayor angling for a move to City, Arsenal were powerless to prevent the rangy forward leaving, though £25 million in the bank was a coup considering that the striker’s career effectively took a nosedive since leaving the north London club.

Incredibly, Adebayor made just 34 appearances for his £25 million, and his astronomical wages meant that City didn’t want him sitting in the stands and checking his ever-expanding bank balance.

There was a brief loan spell at Real Madrid and then something more meaningful at White Hart Lane to the extent that Tottenham were happy to sign him permanently for a fee of £5 million.

However, Adebayor simply “tries when he wants”, and it was only manager Tim Sherwood who had any joy from a player who should be applauded for continuing to earn big bucks whether he’s been seen on the pitch or merely posting on social media with his latest dance moves.

FRANCIS JEFFERS

Another former Arsenal striker would have loved to have been a success at the north London club, though FRANCIS JEFFERS didn’t turn out to be the “fox in the box” described by Wenger after the London club stumped up £8 million to take the striker from Everton.

In fairness to Jeffers, it wasn’t as though he was content to collect his wages sitting on the bench, though the Scouser managed just 22 appearances for the Gunners between 2001 and 2004, scoring just the four goals.

He still made a fair packet despite being a complete flop at Arsenal, with the forward heading back to Everton on loan before a series of different clubs, though the striker never realised anything like the potential that seemed to be in evidence at Goodison Park.

At least Jeffers tried to make things work at Arsenal, and it was just a lack of ability that ultimately found him out.

READ MORE

• When David Seaman Met His Biggest Fan*
• 10 Signs You're Addicted To Football
• Football Betting Tips
• Football Betting Odds

WINSTON BOGARD

One of the biggest Premier League mercenaries of all time has to be WINSTON BOGARDE, who will look back fondly on his time at Chelsea for all the wrong reasons.

The Dutchman signed for the Blues in 2000, arriving against the wishes of then-manager Gianluca Vialli, while his replacement, Claudio Ranieri, wasn’t a big fan of the defender who had previously represented Ajax, Milan (very briefly) and Barcelona.

Incredibly, Bogarde spent four years as a Chelsea player but only made a sum total of 11 appearances. He was reportedly earning £40,000 per week during his time at Stamford Bridge, and he wasn’t shy in admitting that he was happy to collect his cash every month despite doing the square root of nothing in the process.

Of his contract, he said: "Why should I throw 15 million euro away when it is already mine? At the moment I signed it was in fact my money, my contract."

That statement is all you need to know about the way in which football players can command a ransom without having to work for their money. When Bogarde was asked why he didn’t agitate for a move away from Chelsea, the player simply responded: “This world is about money, so when you are offered those millions you take them. Few people will ever earn so many. I am one of the few fortunates who do. I may be one of the worst buys in the history of the Premiership but I don't care.”

JOSE BOSINGWA

Another ex-Chelsea player with a licence to print money was JOSE BOSINGWA, although the Portuguese full-back’s victim was actually QPR down the road. After a relatively successful stint at Stamford Bridge, Bosingwa signed a three-year deal with Rangers which saw him paid £80,000 per week for his services.

However, this acquisition was nothing short of a disaster, with Bosingwa actually refusing to sit on the bench for a league game against Fulham in December. Despite being fined two weeks’ wages, the defender was unrepentant and his attitude continued to stink as QPR sank towards the Championship. 

MARIO BALOTELLI

MARIO BALOTELLI also falls into this category, with the Italian forward still on the books at Liverpool after Brendan Rodgers foolishly decided to take a punt on a player who had previously been a rotten apple at Internazionale and Manchester City.

There is no denying that the Italian is hugely talented, as he demonstrated when scoring 20 goals in 59 appearances for Inter, while his time at City was not without success. His goal in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford and the “Why Always Me?” T-shirt will go down as one of the Premier League’s most iconic moments.

Liverpool spent £16 million on acquiring his services and, to date, the forward has made 16 appearances and scored just one goal for the Merseyside club. Last season was spent back on loan at Milan, where Balotelli’s goal rate dropped massively, and it’s hard to see how the 25-year-old is going to return to the sort of form that has seen him represent Italy on 33 occasions and play a key role in the Azzurri’s Euro 2012 run to the final.

When at Inter, José Mourinho described the player as “unmanageable”, though it hasn’t stopped other managers from trying to tame this precocious talent. In January 2013, Balotelli’s net worth was reported to be $40 million, and that has probably doubled over the past three years.

CHARLES N’ZOGBIA

An honourable mention should go to CHARLES N’ZOGBIA, with the Frenchman having actually represented his country on two occasions, though he’s a million miles away from being in Les Bleus squad for Euro 2016.

The 30-year-old was bought by Aston Villa in 2011 for a reported sum of £9.5 million, with supporters optimistic that the winger would help the Midlands club achieve new heights.

Instead, N’Zogbia will be regarded as potentially the worst buy the club has ever made, with the player rejecting a loan move to AEK Athens in January 2016 to ensure that he earned an additional £1.2 million for doing diddly squat.

Despite players such as N’Zogbia and Bogarde being made to train with the Under-21s, it sometimes doesn’t have the desired effect of getting them off the books, and the former has been collecting £63,000 per week since putting pen to paper.

JUAN SEBASTIAN VERON

Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson is the greatest manager in Premier League history, though the Scot wasn’t immune to making bad signings, and JUAN SEBASTIAN VERON was quite simply a massive waste of money.

ANGEL DI MARIA

Another of his compatriots far from keen on England appears to be ANGEL DI MARIA, who endured an ill-fated one-year spell at Manchester United during the 2014-15 season.

Di María arrived to a pretty big fanfare, considering he has been a first-team regular in the Argentina team and he was also a key player for Real Madrid before the arrival of James Rodríguez edged him out of the club.

The British transfer record was smashed by the Red Devils in the summer of 2014 as they stumped up £59.7 million to lure the winger to Old Trafford, with this being the fifth most expensive football signing of all time.

Things started well for Di María, and he was voted Player of the Month for September, though things took a turn for the worse during the autumn months, and it wasn’t helped by a hamstring injury.

Nevertheless, Di María clashed with Louis van Gaal in the New Year when he was deployed as a forward, with the player angling for a move away from Old Trafford for the remainder of the season, and he effectively called time on his United career when failing to board a plane for the US that summer. A move to PSG followed shortly afterwards.

With Euro 2016 this summer, there will be plenty of players putting themselves in the shop window for a potential purchase, with clubs likely to be parting with eye-watering sums of cash. However, we all know that for every top signing, there will be players who are set to flop in the Premier League and elsewhere this season.

The Harvest Festival at Listowel remains one of the most important weeks in the Irish racing calendar. The seven-day meeting takes place each September and like all major Irish racing festivals, it draws huge crowds from far and wide. The Kerry National Handicap Chase is the biggest race of the week and is run on Wednesday afternoon.

• Bet on Kerry National

Traditionally it was the meeting where the farmers of Ireland came to spend and gamble the money they made from the harvest but it has since grown into something much larger and more wide-ranging than that.

Let’s take a look at where the locals might be placing their money this week in the Kerry National.

Coneygree, who had been expected to start his season at Listowel on Wednesday, will not run in the €175,000 handicap because connections are worried the ground will be too testing. With Coneygree’s defection from the race the most likely favourite now will be Shaneshill.

Shaneshill is one of eleven horses that ran in the TheTote.com Galway Plate earlier in the summer and are engaged in the Kerry National. Shaneshill is set to carry 11st 4lbs and is one of five horses entered by Willie Mullins as he bids for a third win in the race and his first since Bothar Na won in 2006. Mullins could also run Arbre De Vie on 10st 10lbs. He finished sixth in the Galway Plate and then beat Shaneshill to win the At The Races Chase on the final day of the Galway Festival. 

Speaking last week Mullins said: "It will be an interesting race. I'd give Shaneshill and Arbre De Vie realistic chances on what they have done and hopefully The Crafty Butcher might get in too."

Gigginstown’s A Toi Phil is in with a realistic each-way chance in a typically competitive renewal of the race. Fourth in the Galway Plate, has been handed 10st 11lbs.

A novice last season, he won two Grade 2’s - at Punchestown and Navan - and he has valuable handicap experience after getting up late for Jack Kennedy to win the Leopardstown Chase back in January.

A Toi Phil jumps well and has experience of the hustle and bustle of handicaps. The trip is a slight question mark however but he has been on the premises in his previous three mile races.

The JP McManus-owned and Joseph O'Brien-trained mare Slowmotion is inevitably going to have plenty of supporters in the betting due to her connections.

Slowmotion's record over fences thus far is three wins, two places and a third from seven starts and she runs off an attractive weight of 10st 5lbs.

She looks to be a runner to keep onside with in this feature race.

Kylecrue won the Kerry Group Handicap Chase for the third year in-a-row at Listowel on Sunday, making all under David Mullins for trainer John Ryan.

"He'll take some beating on Wednesday (Kerry National) if he gets in! He has run 4 times over fences here and has never been beaten" said a jubilant John Ryan.

Gordon Elliot has highlighted Potters Point as being his best chance of landing the Kerry National on Wednesday.

Elliott said: “Potters Point looks the one for me and if he jumps and stays I think he could run a very big race.

"I know it wasn't much of race he won last time at Tramore, but he did it nicely and, for a horse who's had his fair share of problems, he looks to be in a good place right now.

“He's had a wind operation and he seems to have turned a corner since then. He looks really well and I would say he’s probably our main hope at this stage.”

Of his other entries Elliot said: “A Toi Phil looks like he could be the classier horse for us in the race and obviously Lord Scoundrel would have a chance, but as Coneygree isn't running now they look like they're at the wrong end of the handicap.

“Mountain King is also in the race and I'll definitely run at least three if I can. I'm not sure if I've a Wrath Of Titans this year but hopefully one of ours can go close.”

Henry de Bromhead has also made several entries including Riviera Sun which beat the Tony Martin-trained Phil’s Magic, winner of the Midlands National at Kilbeggan in July, to win the Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase last month.

The pair have been allotted 9st 1lb and 9st 2lbs respectively. De Bromhead also has Stellar Notion on 10st 2lbs, Heron Heights on 9st 11lbs and On Fiddlers Green with 9st 10lbs.

Gold Cup winning trainer Jessica Harrington could run Sandymount Duke (11st 3lbs), fifth in the Galway Plate, while Charles Byrnes, a winner with Alfa Beat in 2010, has both his Galway Plate seventh Shanpallas (10st) and the novice Sea Light (9st 2lbs) entered at this stage.

Andrew Shaw, Irish National Hunt Handicapper, said: “Last year’s Guinness Kerry National was very strong and this year’s renewal looks better again. The race is going up in stature.  The quality of this year’s race is emphasised by the fact that the last five winners were rated 133 or less and it looks like a rating of 133 will not be sufficient to get a run this time.”

Early ante-post thoughts

Most of the top Irish National Hunt races these days tend to be won by dominant trainers such as Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliot.

On this occasion the coin flip has landed on the Elliot side and the fancy is Potters Point.

Saturday sees the 51st running of the Sprint Cup being run at Haydock Park, a race that features some of the fastest horses in Europe.

• Bet on 2017 Sprint Cup

Be Friendly won the initial running of the race in 1966 and there is a statue in his memory right next to the paddock at the Merseyside track.

The Sprint Cup is steeped in history with Champions including classic sprinters such as the late Sir Peter O’Sullevan’s Be Friendly, Danehill and G-Force, and three times winning jockeys Lester Piggott, Pat Eddery and Willie Carson.

Here we take a look at the trends and statistics of the race, not over the past fifty-one years, but over a much more manageable ten year period.

Age (Winners-Placed-Runners)

3-y-o: 5-4-36

4-y-o: 1-10-42

5-y-o: 3-2-21

6-y-o+: 1-4-33

Only two horses aged over five have been victorious in the past 30 years. That is quite an ominous sign for Cougar Mountain and Kimberella.

Gender

Fillies and mares are not to be dismissed lightly in this race. Since 2004 they have won three times and placed three times.

Form lines

7/10 winners had finished in the first three places in a Group One race in their past two runs.

8/10 winners had won at least one sprint race that season prior to running in this race.

9/10 winners had won over 6f or 7f in their careers.

5/10 winners had at least one previous run at Haydock.

Trainer form

Henry Candy (2-1-6) had the race favourite in Limato last year but there is every possibility conditions will conspire against him this time. Candy sent out the winner in both 2010 and 2015.

It would be rather apt if James Fanshawe (1-0-2), also known as “the thin man” could land the race with The Tin Man.

Charlie Hills (0-2-2) was knocking on the door in 2015 when he saddled both the second and third places. This year he has a live contender with Magical Memory.

Draw

Seven out of the last ten winners came from a double-figure stall number.

The weather also appears to have a slight bearing on the draw. The two most recent high drawn winners won on ground the easy side of good, whilst the low drawn winners won when the going was firm.

Given that the going on Saturday is predicted to be softening up due to rain being forecast in the area then it may pay to side with a higher drawn horse.

Odds

Six of the last ten winners have been priced between 9/1 and 14/1.

Favourites have won three times in the last ten years.

Horses to consider

Connections of Harry Angel are confident he has what it takes to follow up his Darley July Cup success with a win in the Sprint Cup despite the forecast rain meaning the showpiece will be run on a softish surface.

The Clive Cox-trained three-year-old will be seeking to give Godolphin their first success in the race since Diktat triumphed in 1999. Given the amazing week of winners around the globe for the “boys in blue” who would bet against it?

Brando has a length and three-quarters to make up on Harry Angel from the July Cup but his trainer Kevin Ryan is buoyant about his chances.

Ryan's charge has progressed from winning the Ayr Gold Cup last season to collecting the first Group One victory of his career in the Prix Maurice de Gheest last time out.

He shouldn’t mind the ground and always seems to run a big race when fresh which he will be when returning on Saturday.

Another horse likely to enjoy the predicted underfoot conditions is Tasleet.

He was the winner of the Duke Of York at the Dante Meeting before finishing second in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot. Those two races however appeared to take their toll and he never figured in the July Cup.

Willy Haggas is sure to have him in tip-top condition after a 56-day break and he has been well supported in the betting.

The Tin Man is on course for another tilt in this race. He worked nicely under Tom Queally this week on The Limekilns, quickening nicely past his lead horse which made for very impressive viewing for the James Fanshawe team.

The five-year-old was an impressive winner in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in June but was unable to replicate that form in the July Cup at Newmarket, finishing back down the field in eighth place.

Fanshawe is no stranger to Sprint Cup success sending out Society Rock to glory in the race five years ago.

Another Godolphin-owned runner in the race is the Shamardal colt Blue Point and great things are expected of him too on Saturday afternoon.

Charlie Appleby has given him a well earned break since finishing third behind Caravaggio and Harry Angel in the Commonwealth Cup in June and he looks like he will return to the Merseyside track with all guns blazing.

A drop down in trip and a return to Haydock is expected to bring out the best in Magical Memory according to his team.

Magical Memory was close to winning the Group One Sprint Cup before, failing by just under a length in 2015 when going down to Twilight Son and Strath Burn.

Conclusion

Given the rich vein of form the Godolphin-owned horses are having all over the place at the moment it would come as no surprise to see their two runners fill the first two positions in the Sprint Cup at Haydock.

It is very hard to predict which way around they will finish however but the marginal hunch is for Charlie Appleby’s Blue Point.

888sport suggests: Blue Point & Harry Angel (r/fc and singles). 

Former Arsenal and England defender Martin Keown is convinced the Gunners’ main summer transfer target Jamie Vardy will prove to be a huge hit at the Emirates.

• Premier League Betting

“If you look at Vardy and you look at what Arsenal don’t have down the middle with their strikers – someone who likes to run behind a defence – then if you feed him he’s a real handful and as good as anyone. He’d be a player who would strengthen Arsenal and give them more variation to their play which they lack down that central area.”

In an exclusive interview with 888sport the respected pundit is quick to point out that it’s not only new blood that is needed if last year’s runners-up are to go one better in 2016/17. Securing Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez to new deals is of the utmost importance too. He then turns his attention to the 66 year old man in the technical area, a coach credited with transforming Keown from a very good defender into a great one while winning three league titles under him in the process.

As Mourinho positions himself as the new king of Old Trafford while Pep and Conte prepare to breathe fresh life into Manchester City and Chelsea, might Arsene Wenger look a touch long in the tooth in comparison?

“He manages himself very well and has a good support team around him which is key. He will be particularly hurt that Arsenal didn’t win the league last year and it will just make him stronger and more determined to win the following season regardless of who his opponents are. There are two managers there in Guardiola and Mourinho who will be dealing with new situations and he needs to steal a march on them”

Another prominent figure in north London who will be hoping to capitalise on the distractions of his peers is Theo Walcott who finds himself kicking his heels this summer after being overlooked for Roy Hodgson’s Euro squad. Keown – a player known throughout his distinguished career for his self-improvement and whole-hearted commitment – would be greatly disappointed if the winger is not using that time wisely.

“I should imagine he’ll have a lot to ponder this summer but Theo is the type to come back stronger and when they do those sprint tests in pre-season he’ll be quickest because he’ll be out there now. If he isn’t then he’s making a mistake because he needs to catch up in this time to make sure he’s ahead of the game in a month or so’s time.”

“Walcott needs to be playing more regularly and prove to Arsene Wenger that he should be a starter in that team. He hasn’t done that in over ten years though there has been spells of fantastic performances.”

Staying with the club where Keown scared forwards witless for nearly a decade but incorporating England’s Euro campaign into the equation, talk inevitably settles on Jack Wilshere’s controversial inclusion in the final 23. After playing just 141 minutes of Premier League football last season was it right that the injury-plagued midfielder was chosen ahead of Leicester’s Danny Drinkwater?

“You leave that door open for such a special talent. Last year against Slovenia he was absolutely outstanding and scored two goals. That loomed very large in the mind of Roy Hodgson to give him every opportunity to get ready for this tournament. There is no way that he’s one hundred per cent fit and it’s up to Roy to get him fit through the tournament. He’s a big player we need.”

Keown’s no-nonsense partnership with Tony Adams has rightfully gone down in legend helping his club win numerous trophies and securing the tag of Invincibles along the way. His 43 caps for England meanwhile is a testament to his defensive attributes that – on the surface at least – contrast with the ball-playing midfielder-at-the-back style favoured by his modern successor John Stones. Is Keown among the critics of the young Everton centre-back who many believe needs to cut out the risky stuff and concentrate on the basics?

“His best performance was against Australia where he looked a lot more assured. Though I enjoy seeing pretty football as a defender I expect to see that part of the game ironed out so he makes it to the top of the tree. I think Rio Ferdinand came in as a ball-playing centre-half and he had to work quite hard not to turn his back on the ball and make sure he was right for crosses. He went through this period and came out the other side and I think Stones can do the same.”

Stones’ display against Australia aside, there was all-too-few positives to take from England’s recent batch of friendlies as they prepare themselves for a summer competing against Europe’s elite. As Roy tried out various systems and personnel, it was tempting to think that England’s preparations have only thrown up more questions than answers. Keown veers towards optimism and is of a similar opinion.

“They kept winning and that’s a nice habit to have. They looked compact but over the course of the three friendlies I don’t feel we’ve found the balance yet between being hard to beat and offering a threat on the break. We didn’t necessarily use the players in the right way and in the last match against Portugal it was slow and robotic though the full backs were outstanding. It didn’t work with Vardy and Kane was hardly in the game. I don’t feel Rooney is the one who should be playing off the front. So there’s a lot of food for thought. The key thing for Roy is to select the best eleven in their best positions. If we get that right we could be quite successful at the Euros.” 

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.

• Get the best bets on Premier League

“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.

• Bet now on Premier League

“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.

• Get the best bets on Premier League

“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