My Royal Ascot day one tips include a 40-1 beauty his trainer says ‘will improve a lot' after debut win
THEY say revenge is a dish best served cold — and that's exactly what Kieran Shoemark aims to deliver at Ascot today.
The five-day Royal extravaganza kicks off with a bang, and every race will be live on ITV.
Just sit back and enjoy.
It was only early Sunday morning when Shoemark found out he will ride DANCING GEMINI (2.30) in today's opening Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes belter over a mile.
That gives him the chance to beat Lead Artist and Sardinian Warrior, two horses he adored before John Gosden sacked him for not winning the 2,000 Guineas on Field Of Gold.
At the time, everyone was led to believe it was Field Of Gold's owner Juddmonte who had the issue with Shoemark.
But subsequent events have proved otherwise.
After all, Sardinian Warrior is owned by Marc Chan — and Shoemark gave the horse a peach to land the Queen Anne trial.
Yet he has been ditched from the horse. Well, that can't be down to Juddmonte can it?
There is every chance Classic class acts Rosallion and Notable Speech will improve past Lead Artist and Dancing Gemini — the one-two in the Lockinge — and I've long held the opinion Rosallion is the one to beat.
However, the draw has fallen kindly for Roger Teal's stable star and I'm sticking with the horse who will run right to the line.
Remember, back in the day, Dancing Gemini was far from disgraced in the Derby.
However he's come alive this season back over a mile and the more you watch the Newbury Group 1 the harder it is to quite know how he got beat.
Ideally he might prefer more juice in the ground this afternoon, but the draw has worked out very well with Lead Artist next door.
I imagine Shoemark will track that rival and try and pounce late.
What a start, I can't wait.
The Group 2 Coventry Stakes for two-year-old colts over six furlongs is always a lottery and there have been some big-priced winners over the years.
I'm going to chance BALLISTIC MISSILE (3.05) to shoot down his rivals for Richard Hannon and Shane Foley.
A €260,000 yearling, the son of Mehmas — second to Caravaggio in the 2016 Coventry — got off to the perfect start when scooting home at York on debut over five furlongs.
He looked green that day and will improve. This stiffer test will also suit him better.
Back to Group 1 company for the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes — the old King's Stand — over five furlongs. A right Royal tough one this!
Connections of REGIONAL (3.40) wanted to be drawn away from Night Raider and that's happened.
They are both speedballs who want to get out and be away and gone.
And Regional — second last year — might just be good enough to hang on for Callum Rodriguez.
Field Of Gold is odds-on for the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes for three-year-old colts over a mile.
There is a real chance for RULING COURT (4.20) here to show his 2,000 Guineas glory wasn't simply down to Shoemark and Field Of Gold challenging too late.
With two pacemakers, Ruling Court will get the perfect position in third or fourth to pounce on the leaders first.
Of course there is a little bit of heart ruling head here for me, and I won't be surprised in the least if Field Of Gold — a horse I love for a superb operation in Juddmonte — follows up his Irish 2,000 success under the classy Colin Keane.
But it's Ruling Court for me for Charlie Appleby and William Buick.
All eyes will be on Reaching High for the King — not to mention Ryan Moore and Willie Mullins — in the Ascot Stakes.
Hats will be orf if he wins at short odds but MANXMAN (5.00) might go well as an each-way hope from a good draw in stall four.
While I dislike the horse and the way jockeys have been treated when riding him, there is a real chance here for AMBIENTE FRIENDLY (5.35) will bounce back to form in the Listed Wolferton Stakes.
He has been hopeless in small fields this season, but they were never going to suit a horse who often is hard to settle and needs to run at a strong gallop.
Here the former Derby runner-up has no excuses from a fine draw and gets Rab Havlin back on, who was on board at Epsom.
CABALLO DE MAR (6.10) has been one of the success stories of the season and has risen up the handicap ranks from 65 to 97.
He ran a blinder in the Chester Cup and bounced back from that second to win at Haydock and can take the closing Copper Horse Stakes.
.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Toxic feud destroying BBC Breakfast EXPOSED with bullying probe ‘tip of the iceberg' & Naga Munchetty at ‘her wits end'
THE toxic feud ripping apart BBC Breakfast can today be exposed in full – after The Sun revealed the show was facing a bullying probe. Tension between presenters Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt are threatening to combust over opposing views behind the scenes. 5 And workers feel uneasy around the programme's 'draconian' boss Richard Frediani if they are not in his clique — with Naga 'at her wits' end' over allegations of toxicity. Many fear that Frediani, known as Fredi, feels he is 'untouchable' after helping the show win a Bafta TV Award last month. And it was claimed some staff now avoid being left alone with him following an allegation last year that he physically shook a lower-ranking female editor. The complaint was upheld after a BBC investigation. The fresh claims emerged as Beeb bosses urged any member of staff with concerns to raise them. A source said: 'The probe into Fredi's bullying is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to BBC Breakfast. 'In reality, the smiles on the red sofa mask growing tension and an increasingly toxic culture, driven from the top down, with its unwitting presenters at the heart. 'Naga is incredibly approachable and friendly to everyone on set. 'Charlie is very professional and tries to disengage from any politics. 'But some stars, like Sally Nugent, are loved by Fredi, whereas others, like Naga and Charlie, are not. Watch awkward moment BBC Breakfast's Naga Munchetty shoots 'unimpressed' stare at Charlie Stayt on live TV 'Frankly, he can be mildly terrifying if you're on the wrong side of him.' A BBC spokesperson said of the claims: 'While we do not comment on individual cases, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously and will not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values. 'We have robust processes in place and would encourage any staff with concerns to raise them directly with us so they can be addressed.' But the source said: 'With advertising revenues plummeting across commercial terrestrial telly, some younger members of staff feel like they have no alternative but to keep their heads down and try to weather the storm.' Naga, 50, is said to be at the 'end of her tether' with Frediani and the fractious working environment. Naga finds the whole situation frustrating and is at the end of her tether, particularly with Fredi and his draconian ways A source She is known for working backstage to support younger journalists, especially women, and is believed to be frustrated that others accept the 'toxicity as the status quo'. Meanwhile, it is claimed Charlie, 62, takes a more laidback approach and 'films his scenes then leaves'. The duo present the daytime show together from Thursday to Saturday, whilst Jon Kay and Sally Nugent cover the rest of the week. A source added: 'Naga finds the whole situation frustrating and is at the end of her tether, particularly with Fredi and his draconian ways. 'She is passionate about speaking up if she believes something is wrong and has spoken to people who are unhappy — and is always trying to help others behind the scenes. 'Everyone feels like unless you're in Fredi's circle of favourites, you're likely to get a rough ride.' In a recent interview, Naga insisted she and Charlie were 'good friends' amid reports they had fallen out. The Sun yesterday told how the BBC had launched an investigation into their flagship programme following claims of bullying. 5 It is understood the probe will take in historical allegations against Frediani, and complaints dating back to 2019. A source added: 'The BBC are keen to stress this is more of an informal probe than a formal investigation involving external lawyers. In which case, when it is widely known how unhappy staff have been, past and present, why are the Corporation relying solely on HR execs to come to a resolution? 'Given everything that has happened these past 18 months, it seems a strange move.' Within hours of our story breaking, viewers were taking to X to question why the reported fallout had not featured in the show's newspaper review. And there were calls for Frediani to be axed. A whistleblower who previously worked with Frediani at both ITV and the Beeb also messaged to describe him as a 'bullying menace'. BBC Breakfast deputy editor Liam Blyth has been holding sessions with staff to explain the previously published Culture Review. The meetings are taking place across BBC News — independent of any HR complaints about Breakfast. It comes three months after industry site Deadline alleged Frediani — regarded as the most powerful BBC exec outside London — faced at least two misconduct complaints. One led to a formal grievance last year. Accusers claimed they were shouted at when mistakes were made on-air, while one person is said to have witnessed Frediani walking out of the production gallery and kicking a bin. In another incident last year, Frediani allegedly physically shook the lower-ranking female editor, with the complaint upheld. The Sun has learned that the events have allegedly left staff 'living in fear' of Fredi. One source said: 'It's got so bad that people don't really like to be left alone with Fredi because of the feeling of threat. 'It's an obvious reaction, really, when there are complaints. 'Bit of a perfectionist' 'People want to feel like there are witnesses present and there is safety in numbers. 'With the whole production up in Manchester, too, there's a disconnect from HQ.' Another insider added: 'Fredi is very old-school and has some slightly tyrannical tendencies. 'He is very cerebral, but also quite aggressive in his methods. 'Some think a recent promotion has gone to his head. 'Formal complaints have been lodged, so the BBC has to be seen to act. 'The probe has really divided the newsroom. 'There are people who think Fredi is just doing his job, trying to get the most out of people and with excellent results. 'Others think his methods are too tough, especially in 2025.' It is the latest crisis to hit the BBC following a torrid 12 months which saw shamed newsreader Huw Edwards arrested, Strictly Come Dancing pros under investigation and Match Of The Day star Jermaine Jenas axed for 'inappropriate' behaviour. Just a month ago, Frediani was pictured proudly clutching the programme's Bafta award for its coverage of the Post Office scandal. Crew feel the win has only heightened his behaviour as he is considered to be 'untouchable'. 5 5 Cuts across the TV industry have also left personnel worried about whether they would find work elsewhere if they spoke up and were axed, or chose to quit. A source said: 'The majority feel there is no point in speaking up because Fredi is untouchable. 'Many staffers feel trapped because of the TV world shrinking. 'They're scrambling to stay in their jobs because, if they leave now and can't pivot into another role, they'll be another person in TV out of work. 'They're looking over at the ITV bloodbath — usually ITV would be where they'd go next — but now they can't even go there. 'Many staff relocated up to Manchester to work on the show, so there's that added complication, too.' A BBC insider who has defended Frediani said: 'Yes, he is a bit of a perfectionist, but he is very well liked by many. 'He is aware of the issues and believes he will be vindicated.' Last month, ITV announced a raft of swinging cuts to daytime shows Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, Loose Women and This Morning. More than 220 jobs will be axed, while Loose Women and Lorraine's schedules will be slashed.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
David Beckham tells his children 'I will always be here - no matter what' in emotional Father's Day post amid family rift with eldest son Brooklyn - as he leads celebrity posts
told his children 'I will always be there, no matter what' in an emotional Father's Day Instagram post on Sunday amid their ongoing family fallout. Victoria and David, 50, are in the midst of an escalating rift with eldest son Brooklyn Beckham and his actress wife, Nicola Peltz, after the couple were absent from all of the former footballer's 50th birthday celebrations. He shared pictures of Victoria and their four children Brooklyn, 26, Romeo, 22, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 13, laughing and looking cheery in happier times. Subtly reaching out to his eldest son, David insisted he will always be around to support Brooklyn even if times get tough. He wrote: 'My most important & favourite job in life is being a dad... I'm so proud of all of you and like daddy ( sorry boys ) tells you every single day I will always be here for you no matter what... 'Mummy thank you for doing the most important part and making me a father there is no greater gift in life than making me a dad... Happy Father's Day... I love you kiddies more than you could imagine.. @victoriabeckham @brooklynpeltzbeckham @romeobeckham @cruzbeckham #HarperSeven @tedbeckhamdavid' Victoria and David are in the midst of an escalating rift with eldest son Brooklyn Beckham and his actress wife, Nicola Peltz - after the couple were absent from all of the former footballer's 50th birthday celebrations Cruz responded to his father on the post, writing: 'You mean the world to us and inspire us every single day dad I love you'. Victoria Beckham 's Father's Day tribute to husband David was filled with nods to their son Brooklyn as she reached out to her eldest child. Posh Spice, 51 - who became Lady Beckham as her husband led the King's Birthday Honours list - ensured Brooklyn was in the majority of the pictures in her post, despite the eldest failing to acknowledge his dad's knighthood this week. But their was no sign of their bitter rift on Sunday, as she wrote: 'Happy Father's Day to the best daddy there is! 'You always lead with love and our four beautiful children are a reflection of that. We all love you so so much!! @brooklynpeltzbeckham @romeobeckham @cruzbeckham #HarperSeven xxx' The fashion designer joined the likes of Megan McKenna, Oliver Proudlock, Amy Childs, Lottie Tomlinson and Mollie King in celebrating the special day. The former England captain proudly led in the King's Birthday Honours list after being in the running for more than a decade. Congratulating her husband, Victoria shared a loved-up photo to Instagram and wrote: 'You've always been my knight in shining armour, but now it's official. Sir David!!! What an honour, I couldn't be prouder of you. He wrote: 'My most important & favourite job in life is being a dad... I'm so proud of all of you and like daddy ( sorry boys ) tells you every single day I will always be here for you no matter what...' The former England captain proudly led in the King's Birthday Honours list after being in the running for more than a decade 'Your dedication to the things that matter most — your country, your work, your passion, and most of all, your family — has never wavered. 'The way you've touched so many lives over the years with kindness and humility speaks volumes about the man you are and continues to inspire us everyday.' She concluded: 'But above all else, I'm so, so proud to call you mine. I love you so much xxxx' David declared himself 'immensely proud' as he finally received a knighthood after years of being snubbed. He said he 'never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour', as his Spice Girl wife Victoria also becomes Lady Beckham. But while the family celebrated David's honour, the silence continued from Brooklyn who did not publicly post about his father's achievement.
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
The trans war between JK Rowling and Boy George
Do you really want to hurt me? When it comes to the increasingly vicious spat between author JK Rowling and Culture Club singer Boy George, the answer to that question seems to be a resounding 'yes'. Over the past couple of years the high-profile pair have taken up opposing positions in the transgender war, with Rowling long advocating for women's rights while Boy George recently becoming a vocal trans advocate. This weekend their row escalated dramatically into a social media mud-slinging match. On Saturday, responding on X to Rowling's post querying 'Which rights have been taken away from trans people?', Boy George fired back: 'The right to be left alone by a rich bored bully!'. The right to be left alone by a rich bored bully! — Boy George (@BoyGeorge) June 14, 2025 He might have thought that jibe would deter Rowling, but the author has been fighting this particular corner for some time. Rowling sent a lengthy reply to Boy George on Sunday morning which began: 'There are many differences between us, George, but some are particularly relevant to this debate. '1. You're a man and I'm a woman. '2. You've been wealthy and famous since your early 20s. I didn't become well known until I was well over 30. '3. I've never been given 15 months for handcuffing a man to a wall and beating him with a chain. '4. I believe in freedom of speech and belief.' There are many differences between us, George, but some are particularly relevant to this debate. 1. You're a man and I'm a woman. 2. You've been wealthy and famous since your early 20s. I didn't become well known until I was well over 30. 3. I've never been given 15 months… — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 15, 2025 That third point refers to Boy George's 2009 conviction for the assault and false imprisonment, in 2007, of Norwegian male escort Auden Carlsen (the singer served four months of a 15-month sentence). Speaking on Piers Morgan's Life Stories in 2017, Boy George called it a 'psychotic episode'. In her post on X, Rowling went on to say that she had spent many years in poverty, which is why she understood the importance of single-sex spaces for vulnerable women. She has previously spoken candidly about her experiences, including in an affecting personal essay published on her website in 2020, in which she said she is a survivor of domestic abuse and sexual assault. Again, addressing Boy George directly, she continued in her post: 'You yourself have been convicted of violent assault. The overwhelming number of people who commit crimes of violence are male, just like you. That's why I don't want to see men identifying into women's prison cells.' Rowling finished by accusing Boy George of doing the 'safe, fashionable thing in the arts world right now' by parroting the term ' trans women are women ' and sneering at 'the unenlightened plebs who think sex is important and matters. For a man who was once all about non-conformity, George, you couldn't have become more predictably or more tediously conformist.' That mic drop wasn't the end of it, though. Writing on X on Monday, Boy George used a Harry Potter term for non-magical people to insult Rowling: 'Turns out she's a Muggle!'. Turns out she's a Muggle! — Boy George (@BoyGeorge) June 16, 2025 When another X user, @MrMagspie, replied 'Turns out she created magic, and you've done nothing of note', Boy George shot back: 'She killed magic. I'm still making it daily. With a smile in my soul.' Boy George's apparent commitment to the cause appears to be something of a relatively new development. He has been a gay icon since the 1980s, celebrated by fans for his androgynous style and sharply witty media appearances. In 1983 when Joan Rivers asked him on her show if he preferred men or women, the singer replied teasingly 'Oh, both'. But he didn't immediately transfer that eye-catching advocacy to the trans debate. In fact, as recently as 2020 he was still expressing scepticism. He even told his fans to 'leave your pronouns at the door' and said that explaining your pronouns was 'a modern form of attention seeking'. A few months later, he tried to extricate himself from the subsequent opprobrium, although his defence still suggested some uncertainty. He claimed that he'd actually meant people would never have to explain their pronouns 'to the degree where it's uncomfortable for you' when they met him, but he did gripe about the 'policing' of his comments, saying: 'There is a lot of bullying online, like 'You have to do this, you have to do that.' There is this sense that our lives are being run by the internet.' Nor did he become actively involved in trans rights until the past couple of years, when it became more prevalent in the wider conversation. That apparent late change of heart was addressed by Rowling on Monday. Responding to a screengrab of Boy George's 2020 comment about pronouns, posted by another user, she essentially accused him of cynical hypocrisy, grouping him with other celebrities who have 'clambered onto the gender bandwagon because they were scared of being unfashionable. You could dig up most of their deepest convictions in under a minute, with a teaspoon.' In fairness, he's no worse than half the slebs who clambered onto the gender bandwagon because they were scared of being unfashionable. You could dig up most of their deepest convictions in under a minute, with a teaspoon. — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 16, 2025 Boy George seems to be sensitive to that particular accusation. In an X post on Saturday he shared a link to his song She Was Never He and said: 'Wrote this in 1995 long before JK got her oversized knickers in a twist! This conversation cannot be controlled by people who know nothing! #Trans'. Wrote this in 1995 long before JK got her oversized knickers in a twist! This conversation cannot be controlled by people who know nothing! #Trans — Boy George (@BoyGeorge) June 14, 2025 That level of vitriol is astonishing when you consider that, in 2023, Boy George was actually defending Rowling – to a certain extent, at least. He struck a more measured tone in October when he said on X that what she knows about trans people 'would be [a] short book', but also clarified 'I don't hate her. Her words have power sadly. Beyond Harry Potter.' Boy George actually seemed more dismayed than angered by Rowling at that stage – which is understandable since he was once a devoted Potter fan. On X, he's shared that he found the movie cast reunion in 2022 moving, adding 'So many great actors have been part of it. Weird not seeing JK though.' He also wrote: 'I wish real life were a bit more Harry Potter!'. But, as much as he loves the wizarding world, in 2020 he began attacking its creator. This was also the year in which Rowling stepping up her activities, expressing staunch opposition to Scotland's gender recognition bill, and slating an opinion piece which referred to 'people who menstruate' instead of women. Boy George took to X to criticise her words, posting: 'Why give attention to what you see as negativity? Who actually cares what JK thinks about something she knows zero about. Post positive stuff. I thought JK had more of an imagination!' Why? Why give attention to what you see as negativity? Who actually cares what JK thinks about something she knows zero about. Post positive stuff. I thought JK had more of an imagination! — Boy George (@BoyGeorge) June 11, 2020 Not everyone agreed with his stance. Singer Marilyn, formerly a close friend of Boy George's and a fellow 1980s pop star, took a very different tack. In June that year, Marilyn wrote on X: 'JK Rowling is one of the most supportive people I have ever met with regards to individuals choices to be whoever they want to be!! The fact that she seems to be continually 'on the chopping block' as 'anti trans' is absolute nonsense!! Give here [sic] a break!!' But Boy George clearly didn't listen to his old pal. Instead, he seemed to grow more militant in both his views and manner of speech about trans issues. Meanwhile, Rowling had grown much more battle-hardened while handling a torrent of criticism (including from former Potter actors), online abuse and even death threats. It became almost inevitable, then, that she and Boy George would ultimately clash – and so they did in April 2025. Following the Supreme Court's ruling that the definition of a woman is based on biological sex – a ruling vociferously cheered by Rowling – Hollywood actor Pedro Pascal (whose sibling Lux came out as transgender in 2021) blasted the author on Instagram for what he termed 'heinous LOSER behaviour'. Boy George then wrote on X, referring to Pascal's subsequent critics: 'Stop this nonsense that if you don't agree with @jk_rowling you hate women. She hates men. This is where this truth lies. She cannot differentiate between a 'trans' woman and a biological male. Which is weird with her imagination?' Stop this nonsense that if you don't agree with @jk_rowling you hate women. She hates men. This is where this truth lies. She cannot differentiate between a 'trans' woman and a biological male. Which is weird with her imagination? — Boy George (@BoyGeorge) April 26, 2025 The author was prepared for such censure and knew exactly how she wanted to articulate her position. She immediately wrote back on X: 'I'm married to a man, George. I do not hate men. I simply live in reality where men – however they identify – commit 98% of sexual assaults, and 88% of victims are female. Trans-identified men are no less likely than other kinds of men to pose a risk to women or girls.' 🙄I'm married to a man, George. I do not hate men. I simply live in reality where men - however they identify - commit 98% of sexual assaults, and 88% of victims are female. Trans-identified men are no less likely than other kinds of men to pose a risk to women or girls. — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 27, 2025 It's striking that Rowling's posts, while striking a tough blow by referencing his criminal conviction, generally stay more on message, articulating the well-practised arguments from her tireless campaigning. But Boy George appears to be relishing the attention, posting on Monday: 'Am I trending? Good. Get my new album.' As the rancorous debate over trans issues rages on, and with HBO's upcoming Harry Potter TV show likely to keep both the young wizard and his creator in the headlines, this won't be the last we see of Boy George and Rowling's public battle – although it may become increasingly one-sided, since Rowling has a whole army of critics to contend with. But one thing is clear: it would take a mightily powerful spell to silence either of them.
