Templegate tips ‘hugely impressive' Aidan O'Brien star to stun the favourite in monster 116-1 Epsom double
They can be backed in singles or the each-way double could give us a bumper payout at odds of a lovely 116-1.
1
Ryan Moore surges to victory on Illinois against a strong field at Chester
Credit: Getty
ILLINOIS (8-1 for the Coronation Cup)
He was hugely impressive when winning the Ormonde at Chester's May meeting coming back from seven months off.
He tanked along in the tacky ground and showed lots of pace and staying power.
That was over 1m5f and he'd be a tool in Cup races but Aidan O'Brien already has the mighty Kyprios operating at that level.
There's every chance he'll be dropped back a furlong for the Coronation Cup on Oaks day, where the awesome Calandagan is 11-8 fav.
Illinois was a close second in the Grand Prix De Paris and Great Voltigeur over 1m4f last season so the trip suits.
Handling Chester bodes well for Epsom where they usually pour plenty of water on for Friday's card so the ground's not too quick for the Derby.
At 8-1 with Ladbrokes – others are as low as 5-1 – he looks a good bet and it's worth taking the chance that he lines up.
Most read in Horse Racing
GISELLE (12-1 for the Oaks)
She may not have had much to beat in taking the Lingfield Oaks Trial but Giselle looks the ideal type for Epsom.
She took a little time to settle but came round the Lingfield bend nicely to run right away from her rivals.
The Aidan O'Brien filly answered any questions about her staying power and she's certain to improve for this experience.
I wasn't concerned by her being keen early on as they go quick early on in the Oaks which should help on that score.
Ladbrokes' 12-1 is more than fair for the fillies' Classic.
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. gambleaware.org
.
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
36 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Top amateur jockey Derek O'Connor aiming for Galway Plate glory on Anyway
His name might be nondescript but Anyway can still insert it on to the coveted Tote Galway Plate roll of honour on Wednesday evening. More evocatively titled rivals such as Down Memory Lane and Nurburgring are also among the maximum 20-strong field for the summer's steeplechase highlight, off at 6.40pm and live on RTÉ. But the big-race answer to what's in a name didn't stop a rosy outcome for the inelegantly named Inothewayurthinkin in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. Nor did it stop Aidan O'Brien winning the Oaks in 2012 with Was. Only the subsequent Grade One winner Caldwell Potter prevented Anyway from pulling off a 125-1 upset at Cheltenham in March for his Cork trainer Ken Budds. READ MORE His only start since then yielded a first win over fences at Kilbeggan last month and he will be ridden for the first time by top amateur Derek O'Connor, who memorably rode Inothewayurthinkin to win a Kim Muir at Cheltenham in 2024. O'Connor will concede nothing to top professional rivals that include the former British champion jockey Harry Cobden. He flies in to team up with the dual-Cheltenham Festival winner Jazzy Matty, while Paul Townend has opted for Adamantly Chosen from a Willie Mullins trio. Gordon Elliott dominates the race numerically as he pursues a record fifth victory in the historic €270,000 highlight with seven runners. Bookmakers reckon Down Memory Lane will be Elliott's number one, but Jack Kennedy will also fancy his chances on Three Card Brag. Nurburgring has been popular in ante-post betting as Joseph O'Brien's runner zeros in on a rare double. JJ Slevin got HRI's Ride of the Year prize for his initiative at the start on Nurburgring in last year's Galway Hurdle. The road is open to pulling off a big festival double, last achieved by Ansar. He won the Hurdle in 2001 and landed the Plate back-to-back in 2004-05. If Anyway would be a popular local success for his Galway-based jockey, so too would a win for the high-class hurdler Buddy One, representing Paul and Jack Gilligan. He is a course and distance winner and had an ideal warm-up when successful on the flat nine days ago. Jesse Evans lines up here rather than having a fifth attempt at Thursday's big Hurdle, while Emmet Mullins relies on Sea Music. When the race is run, all the opposition may have left to say is 'Anyway'. Racing opens up with the Ebor favourite Hipop De Loire getting an unusual prep for the upcoming big York handicap in a maiden hurdle. Arctic Gale is likely to also figure closely in another handicap over flights. Dermot Weld's Sujet looked a transformed proposition after being gelded when scoring impressively at the Curragh on Derby day. A 10lb hike may not prevent him following up in a mile handicap. Last Ammo's only career win came in the concluding two-mile handicap in 2023. He's back for another crack at the race off a similar mark.
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Emma Raducanu's partnership with Carlos Alcaraz CONFIRMED as Jack Draper teams up with newly-single Badosa for US Open
DYNAMIC duo Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz are wildcard entries in the US Open mixed doubles event. The competition takes place before the main tournament on August 19 and 20, where £750,000 in prize money is at stake. 3 Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu will play together at the US Open Credit: Getty 3 Jack Draper has been paired with Paula Badosa Credit: Getty 3 She is newly single Credit: Getty The 2021 US Open champ Two more will soon be revealed to take the overall number of teams to 16. Eight of the 16 pairs have received direct entry into the draw, including Emma Navarro and Sinner will be looking to at least reach the final after READ MORE ON TENNIS The Italian, however, has recently been slammed for rehiring fitness coach Umberto Ferrara Britain's An updated entry list was unveiled on July 22, with SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN Most read in Sport Badosa ditched Tsitsipas were known as "Tsitsidosa" but reportedly broke up during Wimbledon. They had previously been referred to as a "power couple" on the court as they started dating in 2023. Cam Norrie bats away awkward question about Emma Raducanu's love life But rumours of the split started to swirl after they both suffered round one exits at SW19. Draper, meanwhile, suffered an early exit at the tournament as he was knocked out in the second round. He navigated his way past Sebastian Baez in the first round but lost 4-6 3-6 6-1 4-6 to Elsewhere, US duo Jessica Pegula and Tommy Paul will team up. Other notable wildcards include Novak Djokovic and Olga Danilovic. Play Dream Team now! Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season Free to play Over £100,000 in total prize money Play in Mini Leagues against your mates Submit a team for Gameweek 1 to enter £5,000 prize draw
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Lionesses' Beatlemania-like homecoming shows women footballers are FINALLY getting the honour and respect they deserve
WITH Chloe Kelly inevitably at the front of the bus, the Royal Marines band struck up Sweet Caroline and the parade was off. Inching down the Mall — British royalty's ceremonial thoroughfare — the Lionesses were accorded all the trappings of a state occasion. 11 Beaming families made up much of the crowd at the Lionesses' victory parade in London Credit: Getty 11 The champions return, with an open-top bus parade towards Buckingham Palace Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 11 Spectators show their love for the team as they wait for the bus to pass Credit: Getty Banned by the FA for half a century, ridiculed and written off by others, women footballers were now receiving the honour and respect they have long been due. And much of the admiration was coming from mums, who had brought their daughters along to soak in the inspirational Lioness magic. Among them was Kerry Randall, from Gloucester, who made a last-minute decision to bring her brood — Kaydee, six, Hadley, seven, Lennox, ten, Macey, 12 and Cole, 14. The 37-year-old early-years educator told me: 'It's nice for the girls to see we're equal to the men — if not better sometimes.' READ MORE ON THE LIONESSES Daughter Macey added: 'It shows that women can succeed in life.' Holding a giant poster of London , said: 'The win meant everything to me. It's a giant step forward for women's football and for women in general.' Proper recognition for the Lionesses' achievements has taken a long time — but now it's unmistakably here. Standing ten deep around me as the bus passed, the Beatlemania-like roar from tens of thousands of female voices was deafening. Most read in Football There were plenty of blokes in attendance, but with so many women cramming along the railings lining St James's Park, the testosterone was drowned out. Michelle Agyemang, the tournament's 19-year-old breakout star, seemed a little overawed by the ecstatic scenes that were unfurling as the bus passed a sea of phones. There were plenty of blokes in attendance, but with so many women cramming along the railings lining St James's Park, the testosterone was drowned out. Inside Lionesses' boozy Euro 2025 celebrations as stars party with pizzas, beers and loved ones after win over Spain No one was swilling tinnies, let alone chopping out lines of coke in the Portaloos. And nobody felt the need to shove a Wembley . Passing alternate Union flags and St George Crosses on the Mall, the procession soon reached Buckingham Palace. I'd half expected the wrought iron gates to swing open and a flunky to beckon inspirational coach It's no more than the likeable 55-year-old Dutch former PE teacher deserves. 11 This young fan's face paint conveys the crowd's love for the Lionesses Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 11 A young girl gets a better view as crowds cheer on the returning champs Credit: Getty 11 A young fan signals her appreciation as the Lionesses make their way down the Mall towards Buckingham Palace Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Her squad shuffled on to a makeshift stage in front of the Victoria Memorial. Beneath the gilded monument to one English Queen, there now gathered more than two dozen others. Seated on a throne above the Lionesses was the marble figure of 'They didn't want us on their pitches' When the King's great, great, great grandmother died in 1901 women didn't even have the vote. It took another 27 years before all women over 21 were finally enfranchised, giving them the same voting rights as men. Women's football had a similar struggle to win acceptance in a male-dominated world. Amid the scenes of hysteria, I thought back to the day in 2010 when I met Edna Broughton, then 80, who was the Edna, who sadly didn't live to see the Lionesses' two Euro triumphs, was star striker for the world-famous Dick, Kerr Ladies football team, which was founded in 1917. In its heyday they played in front of 53,000 fans at Everton's Goodison Park, and beat a French side in the first ever women's international. The team were treated like superstars — but in the stuffy Football Association corridors of power , it caused deep consternation. Minutes from a 1921 meeting read: 'Complaints have been made as to football being played by women and the Council feel impelled to express their strong opinion that the game is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged.' So I love the fact that they're so proud to be English and that it doesn't matter what colour or race you are. That brings people together. Pat MacFarlane, 64, fan at the parade Edna, who played for Dick Kerr from 1945 until 1959, told me: 'They were chauvinists — they didn't want us on their pitches. 'I think the men were worried because we were becoming as popular as they were.' So yesterday's celebrations were also for those who came before the Lionesses, and for the young girls who will follow after — not just as footballers, but as leaders in industry and politics who will have fed off the Lionesses' guts, drive and will to succeed. As student Katie Baird, 18, from Guildford, Surrey , put it: 'The women's teams had massive crowds before they were banned — but now we're back.' Her friend Lauren Mutch, 19, added: 'The Lionesses' victory was nothing short of inspirational. They showed the men how it's done.' In their St George plastic bowler hats, Joyce Allison, 79, Elizabeth Elrick, 73, and Pat MacFarlane, 64, had travelled from London's East End to witness the joyous scenes on the Mall. Teacher Pat told me: 'When I was a kid, only boys were allowed to play football. We were told you weren't allowed to play.' Of the Lionesses, she said: 'I love the fact that they're so proud to be English and that it doesn't matter what colour or race you are. That brings people together.' 11 A fan shows her support with three crosses of St George Credit: Alamy 11 Fans Lauren, Katie and Lillianne wave the flag for the Lionesses Credit: Paul Edwards 11 Mum Kerry Randall, from Gloucester, made a last-minute decision to bring her brood — Kaydee, six, Hadley, seven, Lennox, ten, Macey, 12 and Cole, 14, to the parade Credit: Paul Edwards 11 Joyce Allison, 79, Elizabeth Elrick, 73, and Pat MacFarlane, 64, show their support Credit: Paul Edwards 11 Sun man Oliver Harvey cheers on the champs Credit: Paul Edwards
