Inisherin and Lazzat crossing swords with Satono Reve on Saturday
Kevin Ryan's Inisherin was a brilliant winner of the Commonwealth Cup over the course and distance 12 months ago and while he subsequently failed to run up to expectations in either the July Cup or the Sprint Cup, he got the show back on the road with a comeback win at York last month.
French raider Lazzat won his first six starts for Jerome Reynier before suffering a narrow defeat at the hands of the William Haggas-trained Lake Forest in Australia. He disappointed in the Hong Kong Mile and over the longer trip on his Saint-Cloud return, but having bolted up back over six furlongs at Chantilly he has since been snapped up by the powerful Wathnan Racing operation.
Christopher Head's Topgear is another improving sprinter from across the Channel, while further international spice is added by the presence of Japanese raider Satono Reve, who caught the eye of work-watchers in a recent gallop in Newmarket.
Aidan O'Brien's Australian recruit Storm Boy runs, with the only two not declared from the confirmation stage being George Boughey's Believing, who ran in the King Charles III Stakes on Tuesday, and James Fanshawe's Champions Day winner Kind Of Blue.
Nine juveniles are set to go to post for the opening Chesham Stakes, with Charlie Appleby's impressive Newmarket winner Treanmor the likely favourite ahead of O'Brien's Leopardstown scorer Moments Of Joy.
Al Aasy heads a 12-runner field for the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes, with Rebel's Romance and Al Riffa two of his rivals, but ante-post favourite Kalpana is a notable absentee.
Remmooz will put his unbeaten record on the line for Owen Burrows in the Group Three Jersey Stakes, which has attracted 15 participants in total, while the two handicaps on the card – the Wokingham and the Golden Gates – have maximum fields of 28 and 16 runners respectively.
The two-mile-five-furlong Queen Alexandra Stakes traditionally brings the Royal meeting to a close and plenty will be putting their faith in Sober, who represents the formidable combination of Willie Mullins and Ryan Moore. The six-year-old, who was a multiple winner in France for Andre Fabre before scoring over hurdles on his first start for Mullins, heads a field of 11 in the finale.
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Rhyl Journal
2 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Borthwick backs George in co-captaincy role with Ford
However, with Itoje away on Lions duty where he will captain the touring side in Australia, Borthwick has gone back to the tried-and-tested with George set to lead the team for the game against a French XV on Saturday, working as a co-captain with Ford. Borthwick explained that the two dovetail nicely in their leadership styles and having both in the joint position was 'the right way to go'. 'He's (George) really clear from a tactical point of view. He's got a brilliant voice. He has a fantastic feel and manner with people,' said Borthwick. 'Both of them are phenomenal players and both are brilliant, experienced leaders, both at club and international level. 'Whether they've been captains or vice-captains or not, they are leaders and they are role models for the rest of the players. 'I decided that was the right way to go, to have two great figureheads for this team. 'This week training, they complement each other superbly well, as you'll know from their different styles and different positions they play. 'That then gives us a figurehead in the forwards, a figurehead in the backs, leading the team. 'I've been really pleased with how it's gone.' Ford and George come into the tour as two of the most experienced members of the squad, with a combined 200 England caps between them, having both missed out on selection for the Lions in May. George, whilst not making the 38-man squad, has clearly remained in Farrell Snr's thinking and was called up to train with the Lions out in Portugal last week due to the absence of Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher, both of whom were on Leinster duty in the URC Final. Now back with England, the hooker reflected with pride on his third different Lions camp, despite the initial disappointment of missing out. 'I loved it,' he said. 'Me and George [Ford] are in the same boat. I was very disappointed not to be on the Tour in the first place, but to be given any opportunity to go in and show what you're about a little bit… It was a great opportunity for me to go out there. They're setting themselves up very nicely for a successful tour.' And with England set to fly out to Argentina, the opponents of the Lions on Friday evening in Dublin, George revealed he was keenly observing everything that was going on, partly to help when he was back with his national side. He added: 'There's a little bit more in it because they're playing Argentina tomorrow night and that's where our tour is going to be. As we were analysing in the Lions meetings, I was making sure I was making extra notes just to bring back about what I've seen. I think it's important.' There is scope for the England squad to change should the Lions come calling, with Jack van Poortvliet currently away as scrum-half cover for the side with Jamison Gibson-Park not fully fit. Borthwick remained tight-lipped about any potential return to the international fold for Owen Farrell, however, after he re-signed for Saracens this week following one season at Racing 92 in France, making him eligible for international duty once more. 'I think Owen has been very clear,' said Borthwick. 'He's happy to be home and he hasn't made any discussion around his future other than just wanting to get his family settled back in Hertfordshire. 'My focus is on these guys here.' On the timescale regarding Van Poortvliet's return, Borthwick said he is due to be back next week but admitted that date could be subject to change and that the Leicester scrum-half would be fully supported if that were to be the case. 'Jack might well be at the game on Saturday afternoon, but if that changes from a Lions perspective, then we fully support Jack,' he added. 'We've also spoken very publicly that we want as many England players in that Lions squad as possible. 'There might be situations were other England players join the squad in which case we'll be delighted for our players to do that.'
South Wales Argus
2 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Borthwick backs George in co-captaincy role with Ford
However, with Itoje away on Lions duty where he will captain the touring side in Australia, Borthwick has gone back to the tried-and-tested with George set to lead the team for the game against a French XV on Saturday, working as a co-captain with Ford. Borthwick explained that the two dovetail nicely in their leadership styles and having both in the joint position was 'the right way to go'. 'He's (George) really clear from a tactical point of view. He's got a brilliant voice. He has a fantastic feel and manner with people,' said Borthwick. 'Both of them are phenomenal players and both are brilliant, experienced leaders, both at club and international level. 'Whether they've been captains or vice-captains or not, they are leaders and they are role models for the rest of the players. 'I decided that was the right way to go, to have two great figureheads for this team. 'This week training, they complement each other superbly well, as you'll know from their different styles and different positions they play. 'That then gives us a figurehead in the forwards, a figurehead in the backs, leading the team. 'I've been really pleased with how it's gone.' Ford and George come into the tour as two of the most experienced members of the squad, with a combined 200 England caps between them, having both missed out on selection for the Lions in May. George, whilst not making the 38-man squad, has clearly remained in Farrell Snr's thinking and was called up to train with the Lions out in Portugal last week due to the absence of Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher, both of whom were on Leinster duty in the URC Final. Now back with England, the hooker reflected with pride on his third different Lions camp, despite the initial disappointment of missing out. 'I loved it,' he said. 'Me and George [Ford] are in the same boat. I was very disappointed not to be on the Tour in the first place, but to be given any opportunity to go in and show what you're about a little bit… It was a great opportunity for me to go out there. They're setting themselves up very nicely for a successful tour.' And with England set to fly out to Argentina, the opponents of the Lions on Friday evening in Dublin, George revealed he was keenly observing everything that was going on, partly to help when he was back with his national side. He added: 'There's a little bit more in it because they're playing Argentina tomorrow night and that's where our tour is going to be. As we were analysing in the Lions meetings, I was making sure I was making extra notes just to bring back about what I've seen. I think it's important.' There is scope for the England squad to change should the Lions come calling, with Jack van Poortvliet currently away as scrum-half cover for the side with Jamison Gibson-Park not fully fit. Borthwick remained tight-lipped about any potential return to the international fold for Owen Farrell, however, after he re-signed for Saracens this week following one season at Racing 92 in France, making him eligible for international duty once more. 'I think Owen has been very clear,' said Borthwick. 'He's happy to be home and he hasn't made any discussion around his future other than just wanting to get his family settled back in Hertfordshire. 'My focus is on these guys here.' On the timescale regarding Van Poortvliet's return, Borthwick said he is due to be back next week but admitted that date could be subject to change and that the Leicester scrum-half would be fully supported if that were to be the case. 'Jack might well be at the game on Saturday afternoon, but if that changes from a Lions perspective, then we fully support Jack,' he added. 'We've also spoken very publicly that we want as many England players in that Lions squad as possible.
Spectator
3 hours ago
- Spectator
Four wagers for the last two days of Royal Ascot
My main fancies for Royal Ascot this year have all run in the first three days and the final two days look a lot harder to me in terms of finding good wagers. Winning money from the bookmakers is hard, giving it back to them is easy. I am therefore going to approach today and tomorrow with caution and have fewer bets. In today's Group 1 Commonwealth Cup (3.05 p.m.) over six furlongs, Shadow of Light and Jonquil have been heavily backed as both horses drop back in trip from a mile. The former was third in the Betfred 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, while the latter was second in the equivalent French race at Longchamp. Both horses clearly have strong form but I prefer to side with a proven sprinter in the shape of BABOUCHE, who has winning Group 1 form from Ireland last year and who was impressive last time out at Naas when winning a Group 3 contest, beating the odds-on Whistlejacket very comfortably. I hope this three-year-old filly can continue to improve for the Ger Lyons/Coline Keane trainer/jockey combination and I would be surprised if she is out of the frame today. Back her 1 point each way at 4-1 with bet365 or SkyBet, both paying a generous five places (she is 9-2 elsewhere paying one place less). Trainer Emma Lavelle is best known for her exploits over jumps but when she turns her hand to the flat her runners are always worth a second look. Silver Ghost is an improving horse and must have a chance of landing today's Sandringham Stakes (5 p.m.) at Royal Ascot. However, the handicapper has raised Silver Ghost 8lbs for her comfortable win at Goodwood last time out and that may prevent her from landing her hat-trick. Twenty-five three-year-old fillies are due to line up for this one-mile contest which is worth more than £56,000 to the winner and I am going to side with Ed Bethell's unusually named OOLONG POOBONG, who won with plenty in hand at Haydock last time out over seven furlongs. Jockey Connor Beasley keeps the ride today and the extra furlong should be within his mount's reach. Back Oolong Poobong 1 point each way at 11-1 with Betfred, Paddy Power, Betfair and Unibet, all offering six places. At a much bigger price in the same race, I am going to take a chance on Owen Burrows' second string SEA POETRY, who is lightly raced and open to improvement. She would ideally want the going softer than it is today having won on her racecourse debut at Newmarket last year with cut in the ground. She has been second in both starts since. However, at big odds, I am prepared to take the risk on her being able to handle this quick ground and so the suggestion is 1 point each way at 50-1 with bet365, paying six places. Odds of 10-1 that he will reach the first six seem more than fair, although her draw in stall 9 may not be ideal. I have already put up Elite Status each way at 25-1 for tomorrow's Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (4.20 p.m.) but I was hoping this race would cut up more than it has. Furthermore, trainer Karl Burke's horse have not been in sparkling form this week but the bet is on so let's hope for the best. However, I now want to go into this race double-handed in this race with the six-year-old French raider TOPGEAR for the Christopher Head/Stephane Pasquier trainer/jockey combination. This six-year-old is on a four-timer tomorrow after comfortably winning on his seasonal debut, a Grade 3 contest at Longchamp over seven furlongs. This stiff six furlongs at Ascot should be ideal for him and, although most of his best form is with cut in the going, his handler insists his horse is versatile ground-wise. Back him a point each way at 7-1 with SkyBet, offering five places rather than at 8-1, less places, with other firms. That's it for a week of tipping at this glorious event. As usual with betting every day at these big meetings, there have been plenty of highs and lows but fortunately more of the former than the latter, with three decent-priced winners and some other placed horses at big odds too. I am pleased to say that my tips this week will have shown a healthy profit overall even if these five wagers for today and tomorrow, including the one from last Friday, all bomb (and hopefully that will not happen). Thanks for those who have shared their views and expertise this week in the comment section – keep those thoughts coming please. I will be back again as usual next Friday. Yesterday: + 12.6 points. 2 points win Parole d'Oro at 10-1 for the Britannia. Unplaced. – 2 points. 1 point each way Afentiko at 25-1 for the Britannia, paying 1/5th odds, 5 places. Unplaced. – 2 points. 1 point each way Trawlerman at 8-1 for the Ascot Gold Cup, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places. 1st + 9.6 points. 1 point each way Yorkshire at 40-1 for the Buckingham Palace, paying 1/5th odds, 6 places. 6th. + 7 points. Pending: 1 point each way Babouche at 4-1 in the Commonwealth Cup, paying 1/5th odds, 5 places. 1 point each way Oolong Poobong at 11-1 for the Sandringham, paying 1/5th odds, 6 places. 1 point each way Sea Poetry at 50-1 for the Sandringham, paying 1/5th odds, 6 places. 1 point each way Elite Status at 25-1 for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places. 1 point each Topgear at 7-1 for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee, paying 1/5th odds, 5 places. 1 point each way Duke of Oxford at 33-1 for the Northumberland Plate, paying 1/4 odds, 4 places. 1 point each way Who's Glen at 16-1 for the Northumberland Plate, paying 1/4 odds, 4 places. 2 points win Caballo de Mer at 10-1 for the Northumberland Plate. 2025 flat season running total: + 44.86 points. 2024-5 jump season: – 47.61 points. 2024 flat season: + 41.4 points on all tips. 2023-4 jump season: + 42.01 points on all tips. 2023 flat season: – 48.22 points on all tips. 2022-3 jump season: + 54.3 points on all tips.
