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Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Former Arsenal star reveals why Royal Ascot is so great
The FA Cup will always hold a special place in Ray Parlour's heart. Not only did he lift the famous trophy an incredible four times during his career with Arsenal, he also netted a spectacular goal in the 2002 final against Chelsea. But the former Gunner star says that when it comes to his favourite sporting events, Royal Ascot is right up there with the showpiece finale of the English football season. 'Royal Ascot is a superb spectacle,' says Parlour. 'The top hat and tails dress code looks great, and it's a chance for most to get dressed up and enjoy a day at the races. 'The FA Cup Final is also a great one because of how big the competition is for English fans. For me, growing up, the FA Cup final was a special day in the house where we all watched it together on TV. To score in a final was incredible. 'And Wimbledon is a great event to go to, with fans from all over the world. 'But horse racing has been part of British culture for a very long time and Royal Ascot is an icon of national sport, with the quality of racing. It gets royal treatment as well, so it's 100 per cent up there for sure as one of the year's greatest events. 'As a footballer, I got more into horse racing as the lads were all keen on it. I have owned horses over the years and had a few named after me as well. It's a great day out, and it's great to be part of owning a horse, to go down to the training yard to see the horse, and then the race day is the pinnacle.' This year's event starts on Tuesday 17 June, with more than 300,000 visitors expected to attend the five-day festival at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire. In total, there will be 35 races taking place, with more than £10 million in prize money on offer. No race will be run for less than £110,000. The two highest-earning races are the Prince Of Wales' Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, with a huge prize pot of £1 million for each race. Los Angeles is the favourite to cross the line first in the Prince of Wales Stakes, with NetBet offering odds of 17/5, followed by Economics at 21/5 and Map of Stars at 11/2. In the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, Lazzat is the 7/2 frontrunner, Inisherin at 24/5 and Storm Boy at 6/1. And the winner of this year's Ascot Gold Cup will receive an eye-watering £650,000 prize. Legendary trainer Aidan O'Brien will be looking to add to his record-breaking eight wins in the race this year, with his horse Illinois 7/5 favourite with NetBet to triumph ahead of Candelari at 7/2 and Trawlerman at 21/5. As well as NetBet Sport offering great odds on all UK and international horse racing events, NetBet Casino has welcome offers and promotions, including up to 500 free spins for new customers (full T&Cs can be found here). Sport-specific promotions include Wheel of Sportune, daily prizes, and Correct Score Predictor, with a jackpot of up to £5,000. 'I know Aidan O'Brien is the best flat trainer at the minute,' adds Parlour. 'He has so many top horses in his stable who can win the sprints and longer distance races. So naturally he is one to follow. 'Looking at a jockey to follow, then it's Ryan Moore. He is such a great jockey and proves time and time again, the quality he has in the saddle. 'From an English perspective, Charlie Appleby and John Gosden are trainers I like to follow at these meetings too. 'Sometimes you receive a tip and follow that one, or look at the in-form trainers and jockeys. 'For me, especially in the big races, I may just go with horse number 15, which was my number when I played.'
Irish Daily Mirror
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Arsenal legend reveals Irish duo he's backing at Royal Ascot
Royal Ascot returns on Tuesday, 17 June, and this year's event will see more than £10 million in prize money handed out across the five-day festival. In total, 35 races will take place across the week, with a staggering £1 million on offer for the winners of Wednesday's Prince of Wales Stakes and Saturday's Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. The opening race is almost as lucrative, with first place netting £750,000 - and former Arsenal star Ray Parlour has his eye on Lead Artist, set to be ridden by Irish jockey Oisin Murphy, to triumph in the mega-bucks curtain raiser. Only last month, Murphy rode Lead Artist to victory at Newbury in a thrilling encounter that saw the Killarney-born star edge past Dancing Gemini in the final moments. The pair are now set for a rematch at Ascot, with former Gunner and NetBet main man Ray Parlour backing the 29-year-old to repeat his heroics in Berkshire. 'In the opening race at Ascot, Lead Artist is a horse I know won at Newbury and could go very well in the Queen Anne Stakes,' he says. 'Sometimes you receive a tip and follow that one, or look at the in-form trainers and jockeys. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, I will keep a keen eye on this horse, and likely, Oisin Murphy will take the ride.' Lead Artist is 26/5 with NetBet to win the race, just behind Dancing Gemini at 9/2 and the favourite Rosallion at 7/2. Parlour is also tipping another Irish racing legend to succeed, with trainer Aidan O'Brien looking to add to his record-breaking eight wins in the Ascot Gold Cup this year. His horse Illinois is 7/5 favourite with NetBet to win the race, ahead of Candelari at 7/2 and Trawlerman at 21/5. O'Brien scooped six wins at Royal Ascot in 2024, making him the leading trainer at the event last year, the 13th time he has managed it in his career. 'Aidan O'Brien is the best flat trainer at the moment,' says Parlour. 'He has so many top horses in his stable who can win the sprints and longer distance races, so naturally, he's one to follow. 'Illinois is a good horse who may make it a very interesting race and could come out on top in the Gold Cup. Ryan Moore is such a great jockey too, and he proves time and time again the quality he has in the saddle.' As well as NetBet Sport offering great odds on all UK and international horse racing events, NetBet Casino has welcome offers and promotions available, including up to 500 free spins for new customers (full T&Cs can be found here). Sport-specific promotions include Wheel of Sportune, daily prizes, and Correct Score Predictor, with a jackpot of up to €5,000. You could also win a pair of tickets to the Summer Festival at Galway Races every time you bet €10 on UK and Irish horse racing - terms and conditions apply*. 'Royal Ascot is a superb spectacle,' adds Parlour. 'It's an icon of British sport. With the quality of racing, the main stand at the race course looks great, and it gets royal treatment as well, so it's 100 per cent up there for sure as one of the year's best events. 'For me, especially in the big races, I may just go with horse number 15, which was my number when I played.' *Key terms and conditions for the Summer Festival at Galway Races giveaway: The promotion will run until 13/07/2025. Customers will earn 1 entry into the prize draw for every €10 wagered on UK & Irish horse racing within the promotional period. Minimum odds of 1/1 (2.00) per selection apply. Only bets placed with cash stakes qualify. Bets placed using Free Bets or bonus funds do not count towards this promotion. Settled bets only. Cashed out and cancelled bets will not qualify. Prize draws will take place on 14/07/2025. Open only to customers from Ireland. Full terms and conditions can be viewed here. Commitment to responsible gambling The NetBet website is licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission: licence number 039170, and by the Malta Gaming Authority: license number 21233842.
Metro
4 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Ray Parlour tells 'great' Chelsea star to snub shock Arsenal transfer
Ray Parlour rates Arsenal's interest in one forgotten Chelsea star but believes the player would be better off snubbing the transfer. After finishing runner-up in the Premier League for a third successive season, Arsenal are ready to spend big this summer in order to finally end their trophy-drought. Martin Zubimendi is expected to join from Real Sociedad for £50million, a new striker will surely be signed and Gabriel Magalhaes has penned a new long-term contract with the club. A new back-up goalkeeper to David Raya is also on the agenda with rising stars Jack Porter and Tommy Setford to be loaned out, while Neto has returned to Bournemouth after his season on loan at the Emirates. The Gunners wanted to sign Joan Garcia from Espanyol, but appear to have lost the transfer race to Barcelona. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. It is now reported that Arsenal have enquired about signing Kepa Arrizabalaga from fierce London rivals Chelsea, with the 30-year-old available for just £5m. Still the most expensive goalkeeper of all-time, Kepa impressed while on loan at Bournemouth last season but his career at Stamford Bridge has long been over. Former Arsenal star Parlour believes the Spain international would be a brilliant signing for Mikel Arteta's side but thinks the keeper would and should turn down the move as he won't get much game time. 'It's all on whether he wants to play, he's not going to play at Arsenal is he?' the former England midfielder told talkSPORT. 'He's going to be the No.2, do you want to be No.2? He's obviously been No.1 at Bournemouth. If you're Arsenal, you want to buy him because he's a great No.2 to have. Should Kepa leave Chelsea for Arsenal? 'But if you're Kepa, you want to play unless you're happy to sit on the bench but if I was a keeper at his age I'd want to play because you'll regret it once you finish.' Arsenal would also like to sign a left-sided attacker this summer, with Rodrygo, Nico Williams and Morgan Rogers on their shortlist. Rogers is a player Parlour would like to see in red and white following a terrific season at Aston Villa where he recorded 14 goals and 15 assists across all competitions. With five years left on his contract, the England international would not be cheap, with some reports claiming Villa would want upwards of £80m, but Parlour thinks that's a price worth paying, saying: 'I think he's got so much potential. More Trending 'I would pay the money to get him because he's 22-year-old, he's got everything going for him, he's going to get better, Arteta can teach him. 'He can play No.10, he can play wide, he can play everywhere and he'll score you some goals as well. So I'd buy him. 'I'd rather have him than Rodrygo. I think he's got everything going for him, he's in the England squad as well now, a very good player.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Man Utd make new Bryan Mbeumo offer with final warning to Brentford MORE: Liverpool set to sign Armin Pecsi as Golden Boy nominee travels to finalise transfer MORE: Napoli want to sign £25m Chelsea 'leader' to challenge in Champions League
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Arsenal defender Lewis-Skelly ‘destined' for World Cup place
Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour believes Myles Lewis-Skelly can become England's starting left-back for the 2026 World Cup. The 18-year-old has recently been included in Thomas Tuchel's squad for the upcoming international fixtures against Andorra and Senegal. Advertisement On his senior England debut against Albania back in March, the left-back announced himself at Wembley Stadium with his first goal for the Three Lions. In an exclusive with The Football Faithful, in association with NetBet Sports Betting, Parlour claimed the teenager has all the ingredients for success. 'With a debut like he had, maybe he is destined for the top at international level,' the former England player declared. 'Myles has a great team around him, a very supporting family and he is well grounded and knows he needs to keep learning and listening to the coaches and working really hard. Advertisement 'He has this position now, so hopefully he can keep it for the next World Cup.' Naturally, Lewis-Skelly is far from the finished article. The Englishman has only made 39 senior appearances and, while gaining several plaudits for his industrious performances and fearless approach to matches, he hasn't been faultless in his maiden campaign. The teenager has been sent off twice in 2025, although his red card against Wolverhampton Wanderers was later rescinded. The full-back also received criticism for his display against Paris-Saint Germain in the Champions League semi-final. At his tender age, every mistake can be used as lesson, which Parlour was quick to corroborate. Advertisement 'He did have a tough game in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final, so he must learn from that,' Parlour said. 'He just has to mature well, keep his feet on the ground, listen to Mikel [Arteta] at team level and Tuchel at international level and keep working hard at his game. 'Consistency is key to reaching the next level, but he has made a very bright start,' Parlour added. The defender is the latest success story off the Hale End production line. Bukayo Saka has famously flourished from an Arsenal academy prospect into one of England's most important players in recent years, with the likes of Ethan Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly hoping to follow suit. Advertisement Hale End is widely-regarded as one of the best academies in the country, with Parlour believing it to be the finest. 'You look at the recent talent in Saka, Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly and with Max Dowman coming through a well, Arsenal are showing the investment in the academy is proving it's worth. 'It's so hard to bring through players and give them first-team exposure. The step up from academy and playing in the U18 and U21 leagues is the biggest step a player can make, but these three lads have made it look easy. 'And this is down to the coaches and team at the club, who ensure they adapt well.' Advertisement Read – Parlour names striker Arsenal should sign this summer See more – Parlour: Arsenal have 'done wonders' for women's game Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok
Metro
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Ray Parlour challenges two Arsenal stars to lead fightback against PSG
Ray Parlour believes Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will be key if Arsenal are to turn their fortunes around in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final with PSG. The Gunners trail 1-0 in the tie after Ousmane Dembele scored the only goal of the game in the sides' first meeting at a subdued Emirates. While the French champions were the deserved victors a week ago, Arsenal had chances to draw level, with Martinelli and Leandro Trossard denied by an inspired Gianluigi Donnarumma either side of half-time. Bradley Barcola and Goncalo Ramos both squandered opportunities of their own to increase the deficit in the closing stages, leaving the contest finely poised ahead of tonight's clash in Paris. PSG's match-winner in the first leg, Dembele, had been a doubt after hobbling off the field with a hamstring problem midway through the second half in north London. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. But the forward – PSG's top goalscorer this season – appears to have shaken off the injury and Luis Enrique has confirmed he is available to feature at the Parc des Princes. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be boosted by the return of Thomas Partey, who missed the first leg through suspension after picking up a late booking in the club's quarter-final win at Real Madrid. Previewing this evening's showdown, ex-Arsenal and England midfielder Parlour told EPL Index: 'Arsenal missed Thomas Partey's presence in the centre of midfield. 'They struggled to cope early on with the way PSG pressed and won back possession quickly. 'The closing down throughout the game should have been better. I think they gave PSG too much respect and as mentioned, Partey was a big miss as it meant Declan Rice's game changed and also [Mikel] Merino's game too. 'Merino has been doing a good job as the number 9 which worked well in both Madrid games.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video According to Parlour, Arsenal's recent matches have exposed the club's lack of strength in depth – something he feels must be addressed in the summer transfer window. 'If you look at Arsenal's team, you are missing the spine of the team in Gabriel [Magalhaes], Partey and [Kai] Havertz, but they will have Partey back, who can get Arsenal having more control of the game,' he added. 'Arsenal had a lack of real attacking options off the bench and this is where they will look to add to their squad over the summer with more quality in that area.' Parlour remains optimistic that Arsenal possess the necessary 'tools' in their attack to mount a comeback in the French capital 'Scoring first in Paris is vital for Arsenal and in Saka and Martinelli, they have the tools to do this,' he continued. More Trending 'Merino as number 9 will also help and he can cause PSG problems. It's not over, but it's key that Arsenal don't concede early and can grow into the game in Paris.' A meeting with Inter Milan awaits the winner of PSG's semi-final with Arsenal after the Serie A champions saw off Barcelona in an all-time classic at the San Siro on Tuesday. Barca appeared on course for this year's final as they held a 3-2 lead on the night, with two minutes of added time remaining in Milan. But Francesco Acerbi had other ideas, forcing extra-time with a thunderous strike in the 93rd minute, before Davide Frattesi netted to make it 7-6 on aggregate in the Italians' favour. Who will win this year's Champions League? For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Tottenham can reach Europa League final in sunny Spain despite defeat to Bodo/Glimt in the Arctic Circle MORE: PSG vs Arsenal ref with 'terrible reputation' served six-month ban for match-fixing MORE: Arsenal preparing offer to sign £17m star as Real Madrid line up William Saliba transfer
