Horse racing tips: ‘Her trainer is in absolutely flying form' – Templegate's 5-1 NAP to relish conditions at York
TEMPLEGATE'S TIPS Horse racing tips: 'Her trainer is in absolutely flying form' – Templegate's 5-1 NAP to relish conditions at York
TEMPLEGATE tackles a massive day of racing at York hellbent on smashing the sorry bookies to bits.
You'll find all his tips for day one of the Ebor Festival below.
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SANTORINI STAR (4.10 York, nap)
Can shine for William Haggas. This Golden Horn filly has been brought along nicely this term, winning at Brighton and Goodwood before running with credit in a Group 3 over 1m6f. She finished off strongly there, suggesting this step up to 2m will unlock further improvement. Proven on quick ground, she's tactically versatile, and with her yard in flying form, she can progress again.
ITALY (2.25 York, nb)
Aidan O'Brien's colt oozed class when unlucky not to land the Group 2 Superlative at Newmarket last time, staying on strongly after being squeezed up when it mattered. That was only his second start and he's bred to thrive over 7f on fast ground. With a smoother run, he's the one to beat.
CARMERS (3.00 York, treble)
Can put himself in the St Leger picture by upsetting the dual Derby winner. Paddy Twomey's unbeaten colt has done nothing but improve, and his gritty success in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot marks him out as a serious contender. That was over 1m6f and, while he drops in trip today, York's long straight suits strong stayers.
Templegate's TV verdicts
YORK
1.50
FOLLOW THE MAN in the opener after he routed 21 rivals over course and distance in May.
He looked a different beast after a wind op and being gelded – travelling strongly and putting the race to bed with authority.
Back from another break and drawn nicely in stall 4, he has the look of a well-treated improver.
Trefor has hit new heights this summer and ran a cracker at Windsor last time.
He's consistent, handles the ground, and looks sure to give backers a run for their money at a price.
Vintage Clarets relished the drop to 5f at Ascot and has strong course form to his name, while Jordan Electrics, runner-up in this race last year, is building back towards peak form.
Spring Is Sprung has racked up a hat-trick and is thriving.
2.25
ITALY can rule the roost in the Acomb Stakes.
Aidan O'Brien's colt oozed class when unlucky not to land the Group 2 Superlative at Newmarket last time, staying on strongly after being squeezed up when it mattered.
That was only his second start and he's bred to thrive over 7f on fast ground.
With a smoother run, he's the one to beat.
Main rival Distant Storm looked the part when getting up late at Newmarket on debut and the form is working out superbly but he had to dig deep to win, and this will ask more.
Goodwood Galaxy posted a solid fourth in the Vintage Stakes and should be in the mix again, while Gewan impressed at Newbury and looks a strong type for Andrew Balding.
John Gosden's May Angel bounced back on the all-weather but still has turf questions to answer at this level.
3.00
CARMERS can put himself in the St Leger picture by upsetting the dual Derby winner.
Paddy Twomey's unbeaten colt has done nothing but improve, and his gritty success in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot marks him out as a serious contender.
That was over 1m6f and, while he drops in trip today, York's long straight suits strong stayers.
He showed heart and gears at Ascot, kicking early and fending them all off.
Blinkers stay on and he'll be tough to pass.
Dual Derby hero Lambourn is clearly the one to beat on form, but he's had two hard races and had to dig really deep at The Curragh.
Stay True looked a real stayer when just denied in the Lingfield Derby trial and is open to any amount of improvement after only two runs.
Pride Of Arras won the Dante here before hating Epsom and should do better.
3.35
OMBUDSMAN can reverse Eclipse form with Delacroix.
The Gosden colt was coming back just 17 days after winning the Prince Of Wales's at Royal Ascot and was sent for home a good way out at Sandown and was there to be shot at.
A stronger gallop on York's galloping track will play more to his strengths.
Delacroix is the obvious danger again. He came home impressively in the Eclipse to erase all memory of his Derby flop.
This is his trip and it should be a good battle.
Japan's Danon Decile brings global Group 1 form, including a win in the Sheema Classic, but I worry about his rider seeing this track for the first time.
See The Fire was ultra-impressive here in May and has run with credit in deeper waters, while French hope Daryz was an impressive Group 2 winner latest.
4.10
SANTORINI STAR can shine for William Haggas.
This Golden Horn filly has been brought along nicely this term, winning at Brighton and Goodwood before running with credit in a Group 3 over 1m6f.
She finished off strongly there, suggesting this step up to 2m will unlock further improvement.
Proven on quick ground, she's tactically versatile, and with her yard in flying form, she can progress again.
Chief danger may be Dancing In Paris, who brings top-class staying handicap form into this, including a near-miss in the Northumberland Plate and a strong second at Goodwood.
He stays well and handles quick conditions.
Fireblade is another serious threat. He's on the upgrade and beat several of these last time with a well-judged front-running ride.
Templegate's tips
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Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘He's unexposed and like a bullet out the gates' – Templegate's huge 12-1 NAP for day three of York
TEMPLEGATE'S TIPS Horse racing tips: 'He's unexposed and like a bullet out the gates' – Templegate's huge 12-1 NAP for day three of York Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TEMPLEGATE tackles day three of the York Ebor Festival confident of bashing the bookies with his best racing tips. Back a horse by clicking their odds below. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up Bet £10 get £50 in free bets for racing with Tote - CLAIM HERE York Ebor Festival best free bet offers - CLICK HERE NIGHT RAIDER (3.35 York, nap) He has shaped better than his form figures suggest, especially when sixth behind JM Jungle at Goodwood. He was the winner on the wrong side of the track there. Still unexposed at 5f and can improve again. ZGHARTA (4.10 York, nb) She was a typical Goodwood hard-luck story last time and this more conventional track should be ideal. She finished with running left and the return to this trip on fast could suit ideally. She is on a workable mark and shapes as one firmly on the up. TRAWLERMAN (2.25 York, treble) The Gosden stayer can reel in another nice prize after his demolition job in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. He made all that day and surged clear of a strong field, backing up a dominant win in the Henry II at Sandown. Proven over the trip and fine on this quick surface, he looks the class act here and hard to oppose. Templegate's TV verdicts 1.50 NAQEEB looks primed to land this hot handicap after a huge run at Goodwood, charging home for second despite losing a shoe during the race. That backed up a storming third at Royal Ascot and he's crying out for this sort of test. A strong traveller with proven form on quick ground, he's weighted to strike and looks ready to cash in. Mount Atlas is a big danger up in class after a smooth Ascot win. He's clearly thriving but has a little bit more on his plate here from a career-high mark. Insanity is one to note after a luckless third in the same race – he wasn't ideally placed that day and could easily hit the frame again. This Songisforyou was pitched into Group company last time and didn't disgrace himself – he'll find this easier and shouldn't be overlooked. French Duke hasn't fired this season but has talent and is slowly coming down the weights. 2.25 TRAWLERMAN can reel in another nice prize after his demolition job in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. He made all that day and surged clear of a strong field, backing up a dominant win in the Henry II at Sandown. Proven over the trip and fine on this quick surface, he looks the class act here and hard to oppose. Al Qareem is thriving, especially at York, and arrives chasing a hat-trick after front-running wins in Listed and Group 3 company. He'll push the pace again and won't go down without a fight. Sweet William is consistent and stays all day but often gives ground away early and may need to be sharper from the gates to land a blow. Al Nayyir bounced back with a narrow defeat to Coltrane last time and does stay this far, though he's yet to score at this level. Dubai Future has plenty of back class but has been found wanting in top races this term, while three-year-old Shackleton is a likeable type for the future but needs a big step forward to trouble these old hands. 3.00 DO OR DO NOT can get off the mark in the Gimcrack. This son of Space Blues has danced every dance this summer, hitting the frame in three consecutive Group 2s. He was just behind high-class performers at both Newmarket and Goodwood, shaping like a colt crying out for a big pot. He's tactically sharp, handles quick ground and looks rock solid with first-time cheekpieces added to the mix. Reciprocated went backwards at Ascot after two easy wins and needs to settle better, while Rock On Thunder ran well at Newbury but needs more in this company. Egoli has won twice and fared best on the wrong side of the track at Goodwood. Any improvement on that would put him in the picture. The speedy Comical Point needs a revival after flopping in the July Stakes at Newmarket last time. Lifeplan impressed on debut but faces a major class hike, while Irish Fighter and Yorkshire Puds both look up against it in this good company. 3.35 NIGHT RAIDER can land a smash and grab in the £700,000 Nunthorpe (3.35 York, nap). Karl Burke's flyer is ideally drawn in stall eight and deserves a change of luck after winning on the wrong side at Goodwood last time. He has loads of pace and will be right up there. JM Jungle beat him and a few of the others in that race and looks dangerous again. Arizona Blaze and Aussie Asfoora are in the mix too along with youngster Lady Iman. Here's my guide to the field, where I rate them from one (worst) to five (best): JM JUNGLE 4 JUNGLE boogie. Thriving sprinter, has improved through the season and comes here on the back of a Group 2 win at Goodwood. 5f ideal, handles fast ground well and is a strong contender at a track he likes. KERDOS 2 DON'T Ker. Well beaten at Goodwood but didn't really get the run of the race. Has shown flashes of form this year, including a solid Group 1 run at Ascot. 5f suits but might find a few too sharp. MANACCAN 1 NO Man. Back from a break this season and took a step forward last time in handicap company. Has Group form at best but looks vulnerable in this calibre of race. NIGHT RAIDER 5 NIGHT fever. Has shaped better than his form figures suggest, especially when sixth behind JM Jungle at Goodwood. He was the winner on the wrong side of the track there. Still unexposed at 5f and can improve again. RUMSTAR 3 STAR potential. Didn't seem to like soft at the Curragh last time after a career-best Sandown win. Consistent and will prefer this going. Could bounce back and one of many place chances. SPARTAN ARROW 1 BLUNT Arrow. Listed winner earlier this season and solid handicapper but hasn't looked up to this grade in recent runs. Latest Goodwood ninth confirms he's got something to find at this level. WASHINGTON HEIGHTS 3 WASH and go. C&D winner in Listed last month, and third in a strong Haydock Group 2 earlier this season so deserves to be here. Ggoes well fresh, so could easily run into the frame again. AIN'T NOBODY 1 NOBODY'S fool. Yet to score in 2025 but fair placed form in Pattern company earlier this term. Last two runs have been below that standard though and this looks a stretch on known form. ARIZONA BLAZE 4 BLAZE on fire. Improving colt with a turn of foot and showed that with convincing Group 2 win in Ireland last time. Has high-level form at 5f and arrives at the top of his game. Major player. ASFOORA 4 AS a chance. Australian mare with top-class back form, including a Royal Ascot win in 2024. This season's efforts have been decent without being electric but now third-up and fitter. Should be thereabouts if able to bring her best form. FROST AT DAWN 3 DAWN chorus. Group 1 runner-up earlier this summer and consistent at 5f. Fourth behind JM Jungle at Goodwood last time was solid. Likes fast ground, and strong pace will suit her style. MGHEERA 3 HEER we go. Classy mare with two Group wins already this year. Not at best in Ireland last time but needed the run after a break. Has pace and on the each-way shortlist under Buick. SHE'S QUALITY 3 QUALITY counts. Very solid filly, placed in last four Group runs and just denied by JM Jungle at Goodwood. Consistent, speedy and suited by conditions. Likely to run her usual honest race. CELANDINE 2 HARD Cell. Good run at Chester last time and a previous Group 3 scorer. Ground no issue and course winner too but this is her toughest task to date and she may just get outpaced. SAYIDAH DARIYAN 3 SAY maybe. Impressive winner of the Summer Stakes here last time over 6f and is improving. Likely to be ridden for a late burst and has claims if pace collapses. Needs another career-best. LADY IMAN 4 IMAN of the moment. Unbeaten 2yo filly who took the Molecomb in style at Goodwood. Gets huge weight-for-age allowance and clearly fast. First time taking on older horses but her profile screams serious Group 1 potential. SPICY MARG 3 NICE and Spicy. Has done little wrong so far and bolted up in minor race last time. Faces far stronger opposition but her finishing kick is potent. Gets lumps of weight and can hit the frame. 4.10 ZGHARTA was a typical Goodwood hard-luck story last time and this more conventional track should be ideal. She finished with running left and the return to this trip on fast could suit ideally. She is on a workable mark and shapes as one firmly on the up. Wonder Star is a big threat after nearly landing a similar contest at Goodwood. She travelled well there and is improving, but her draw and lack of experience in deeper handicaps are small concerns. Akecheta caught the eye from off the pace at Goodwood and is well suited by a strong gallop. She's handicapped to strike again soon. Cape Flora was visually striking at Leicester. This is tougher, but she's unexposed. Callisto Dream has shaped with promise all this season and she could improve for this step up in trip. Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘He's unexposed and like a bullet out the gates' – Templegate's huge 12-1 NAP for day three of York
TEMPLEGATE tackles day three of the York Ebor Festival confident of bashing the bookies with his best racing tips. Back a horse by clicking their odds below. NIGHT RAIDER (3.35 York, nap) He has shaped better than his form figures suggest, especially when sixth behind JM Jungle at Goodwood. He was the winner on the wrong side of the track there. Still unexposed at 5f and can improve again. ZGHARTA (4.10 York, nb) She was a typical Goodwood hard-luck story last time and this more conventional track should be ideal. She finished with running left and the return to this trip on fast could suit ideally. She is on a workable mark and shapes as one firmly on the up. The Gosden stayer can reel in another nice prize after his demolition job in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. He made all that day and surged clear of a strong field, backing up a dominant win in the Henry II at Sandown. Proven over the trip and fine on this quick surface, he looks the class act here and hard to oppose. 1.50 NAQEEB looks primed to land this hot handicap after a huge run at Goodwood, charging home for second despite losing a shoe during the race. That backed up a storming third at Royal Ascot and he's crying out for this sort of test. A strong traveller with proven form on quick ground, he's weighted to strike and looks ready to cash in. Mount Atlas is a big danger up in class after a smooth Ascot win. He's clearly thriving but has a little bit more on his plate here from a career-high mark. Insanity is one to note after a luckless third in the same race – he wasn't ideally placed that day and could easily hit the frame again. This Songisforyou was pitched into Group company last time and didn't disgrace himself – he'll find this easier and shouldn't be overlooked. French Duke hasn't fired this season but has talent and is slowly coming down the weights. 2.25 TRAWLERMAN can reel in another nice prize after his demolition job in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. He made all that day and surged clear of a strong field, backing up a dominant win in the Henry II at Sandown. Proven over the trip and fine on this quick surface, he looks the class act here and hard to oppose. Al Qareem is thriving, especially at York, and arrives chasing a hat-trick after front-running wins in Listed and Group 3 company. He'll push the pace again and won't go down without a fight. Sweet William is consistent and stays all day but often gives ground away early and may need to be sharper from the gates to land a blow. Al Nayyir bounced back with a narrow defeat to Coltrane last time and does stay this far, though he's yet to score at this level. Dubai Future has plenty of back class but has been found wanting in top races this term, while three-year-old Shackleton is a likeable type for the future but needs a big step forward to trouble these old hands. 3.00 DO OR DO NOT can get off the mark in the Gimcrack. This son of Space Blues has danced every dance this summer, hitting the frame in three consecutive Group 2s. He was just behind high-class performers at both Newmarket and Goodwood, shaping like a colt crying out for a big pot. He's tactically sharp, handles quick ground and looks rock solid with first-time cheekpieces added to the mix. Reciprocated went backwards at Ascot after two easy wins and needs to settle better, while Rock On Thunder ran well at Newbury but needs more in this company. Egoli has won twice and fared best on the wrong side of the track at Goodwood. Any improvement on that would put him in the picture. The speedy Comical Point needs a revival after flopping in the July Stakes at Newmarket last time. Lifeplan impressed on debut but faces a major class hike, while Irish Fighter and Yorkshire Puds both look up against it in this good company. 3.35 NIGHT RAIDER can land a smash and grab in the £700,000 Nunthorpe (3.35 York, nap). Karl Burke's flyer is ideally drawn in stall eight and deserves a change of luck after winning on the wrong side at Goodwood last time. He has loads of pace and will be right up there. JM Jungle beat him and a few of the others in that race and looks dangerous again. Arizona Blaze and Aussie Asfoora are in the mix too along with youngster Lady Iman. Here's my guide to the field, where I rate them from one (worst) to five (best): JM JUNGLE 4 JUNGLE boogie. Thriving sprinter, has improved through the season and comes here on the back of a Group 2 win at Goodwood. 5f ideal, handles fast ground well and is a strong contender at a track he likes. KERDOS 2 DON'T Ker. Well beaten at Goodwood but didn't really get the run of the race. Has shown flashes of form this year, including a solid Group 1 run at Ascot. 5f suits but might find a few too sharp. MANACCAN 1 NO Man. Back from a break this season and took a step forward last time in handicap company. Has Group form at best but looks vulnerable in this calibre of race. NIGHT RAIDER 5 NIGHT fever. Has shaped better than his form figures suggest, especially when sixth behind JM Jungle at Goodwood. He was the winner on the wrong side of the track there. Still unexposed at 5f and can improve again. RUMSTAR 3 STAR potential. Didn't seem to like soft at the Curragh last time after a career-best Sandown win. Consistent and will prefer this going. Could bounce back and one of many place chances. SPARTAN ARROW 1 BLUNT Arrow. Listed winner earlier this season and solid handicapper but hasn't looked up to this grade in recent runs. Latest Goodwood ninth confirms he's got something to find at this level. WASHINGTON HEIGHTS 3 WASH and go. C&D winner in Listed last month, and third in a strong Haydock Group 2 earlier this season so deserves to be here. Ggoes well fresh, so could easily run into the frame again. AIN'T NOBODY 1 NOBODY'S fool. Yet to score in 2025 but fair placed form in Pattern company earlier this term. Last two runs have been below that standard though and this looks a stretch on known form. ARIZONA BLAZE 4 BLAZE on fire. Improving colt with a turn of foot and showed that with convincing Group 2 win in Ireland last time. Has high-level form at 5f and arrives at the top of his game. Major player. ASFOORA 4 AS a chance. Australian mare with top-class back form, including a Royal Ascot win in 2024. This season's efforts have been decent without being electric but now third-up and fitter. Should be thereabouts if able to bring her best form. FROST AT DAWN 3 DAWN chorus. Group 1 runner-up earlier this summer and consistent at 5f. Fourth behind JM Jungle at Goodwood last time was solid. Likes fast ground, and strong pace will suit her style. MGHEERA 3 HEER we go. Classy mare with two Group wins already this year. Not at best in Ireland last time but needed the run after a break. Has pace and on the each-way shortlist under Buick. SHE'S QUALITY 3 QUALITY counts. Very solid filly, placed in last four Group runs and just denied by JM Jungle at Goodwood. Consistent, speedy and suited by conditions. Likely to run her usual honest race. CELANDINE 2 HARD Cell. Good run at Chester last time and a previous Group 3 scorer. Ground no issue and course winner too but this is her toughest task to date and she may just get outpaced. SAYIDAH DARIYAN 3 SAY maybe. Impressive winner of the Summer Stakes here last time over 6f and is improving. Likely to be ridden for a late burst and has claims if pace collapses. Needs another career-best. LADY IMAN 4 IMAN of the moment. Unbeaten 2yo filly who took the Molecomb in style at Goodwood. Gets huge weight-for-age allowance and clearly fast. First time taking on older horses but her profile screams serious Group 1 potential. SPICY MARG 3 NICE and Spicy. Has done little wrong so far and bolted up in minor race last time. Faces far stronger opposition but her finishing kick is potent. Gets lumps of weight and can hit the frame. 4.10 ZGHARTA was a typical Goodwood hard-luck story last time and this more conventional track should be ideal. She finished with running left and the return to this trip on fast could suit ideally. She is on a workable mark and shapes as one firmly on the up. Wonder Star is a big threat after nearly landing a similar contest at Goodwood. She travelled well there and is improving, but her draw and lack of experience in deeper handicaps are small concerns. Akecheta caught the eye from off the pace at Goodwood and is well suited by a strong gallop. She's handicapped to strike again soon. Cape Flora was visually striking at Leicester. This is tougher, but she's unexposed. Callisto Dream has shaped with promise all this season and she could improve for this step up in trip. Templegate's tips Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The truth about the Julio Enciso deal: Who is he REALLY signing for? And who is paying? KIERAN GILL answers the big questions after controversial agreement struck by Chelsea's owners
Brighton & Hove Albion chief executive Paul Barber does not shy from referring to Chelsea as his 'best customer'. He will even joke they have 'loyalty points' with him after buying Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo, Robert Sanchez and Joao Pedro. Now, Brighton are in talks with Chelsea's owners again. That is BlueCo, who also own Strasbourg, the French side competing in Ligue 1, and this time, it is over Julio Enciso. In a remarkable development on Wednesday, Chelsea's owners reached an agreement to sign Enciso from the south coast club in a deal worth £13.8million. This one is not a straightforward transaction, with insiders at both Chelsea and Brighton cautious in what they would divulge on Thursday, but first, before our Q&A, a short history lesson on Enciso. He signed for Brighton when he was 18 years old and playing for Club Libertad in Paraguay. At the time, Sam Jewell was Brighton's emerging talent scouting manager. It was his responsibility to identify and recruit young players with potential, especially in South America. Jewell worked closely with Paul Winstanley, who was Brighton's head of recruitment. Now, both Jewell and Winstanley work for Chelsea, one as director of global recruitment and the other as co-sporting director alongside Laurence Stewart. Though their chief remit is Chelsea, they speak regularly with Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, and they know Enciso as well as anyone after originally bringing the now 21-year-old to England. With that, on to the questions and answers. Who is Enciso signing for? When asked on Thursday, one Brighton source said that even they were not entirely sure. Conversations are continuing with BlueCo but it is expected that he would sign for Strasbourg with a possible view to the mothership that is Chelsea eventually beaming him up for themselves. The fee to sign Enciso this month (£13.8m) is slightly more than the £9.5m that Brighton paid for him in 2022. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Ipswich Town as they were relegated from the Premier League and is currently sidelined by a knee injury which required surgery in the summer. He has entered the last year of his current contract. It is worth noting that club sources on Thursday were keen to stress that Enciso had not yet signed for anyone while also adding, amid social-media accusations of multi-club murkiness, there is no transaction happening here between Chelsea and Strasbourg. Will he end up playing for Chelsea? Talks are ongoing but an eventual switch is the suggestion. No rules would be broken if he were to, say, spend a single season at Strasbourg, impress, and then sign for Chelsea. FIFA say they do not need to perform checks on whether transfers within multi-club ownerships meet fair market value, but the Premier League do scrutinise such deals. Why wouldn't Chelsea just sign him themselves now if so? It might be that Chelsea see Enciso as a potential player for the future but not as soon as this season, especially given the attacking options they already have under Enzo Maresca. If he signed for them now, they would not be able to loan him to Strasbourg to gain experience. That is because they have already loaned Mike Penders, Kendry Paez and Mamadou Sarr to their sister club in France, and that is the maximum number of loans allowed as per FIFA's rules. By signing for Strasbourg instead, the costs would also go through their accounts, not Chelsea's. That would be extra helpful at a time when the financial constraints in football have clubs on edge, and with Chelsea already operating under a settlement agreement with UEFA which will impact who they can and cannot add to their Champions League squad for this season. How do Strasbourg fans feel towards BlueCo? Strasbourg fan group Ultra Boys 90 released a statement on the morning of their season-opening 1-0 win over Metz doubling down on their dislike of this ownership model. 'The issues we have been raising since BlueCo took over have not magically faded away during the off-season,' it read. 'On the contrary, the transfer window conducted so far proves, to an absurd extent, that Racing is no longer a club that makes decisions in its own interest. 'We are witnessing, instead, a headlong rush where Chelsea is steering the ship to the detriment of our club's independence.' It added that they would continue to perform a weekly protest by staying silent for the first 15 minutes of every match they play. Chelsea loanees Penders, Paez and Sarr all featured in their victory over Metz, while among the substitutes was Ishe Samuels-Smith, the Cobham academy product who signed permanently for Strasbourg over this summer. They also brought in Mathis Amougou in this window, and another Chelsea youngster in Genesis Antwi may be moving soon, too. Why would a player agree to go to Strasbourg before Chelsea? If – again, if – it has been sold to Enciso that he can sign for Strasbourg before swapping them for Chelsea in the future then you would struggle to find a young attacker not enticed by that idea.
