Sport (Page 172)

Tippy Toes is a long time winning but there’s a good chance the Mark Johnston-trained Havana Gold filly will finally ‘nail it’ at the sixth attempt in the Fillies’ Novice Stakes over six furlongs of Chelmsford polytrack today; it’s important for stud purposes ‘winning brackets’ are secured for this consistent, hitherto luckless two-year-old, second on first three starts, once at the Essex track. Ryan Moore has been aboard three times! Last time at Brighton, a switchback course which rode ‘softish’, Tippy Toes missed the break and was always on the back foot under David Probert, replaced on this occasion by Jason Hart, a real ‘favourite’ whose honest endeavour has paid off handsomely these past three years. Two previous winners oppose,Continue Reading

DONNY van de Beek has been having a tough time getting on the pitch for Manchester United this season. But he seems to be going from strength to strength off it, with stunning Wag Estelle Bergkamp announcing that the couple are expecting their first child. 13 Donny van de Beek and girlfriend Estelle are expecting their first childCredit: Instagram @estellebergkamp 13 Estelle Bergkamp is the daughter of Arsenal legend DennisCredit: https://www.instagram.com/estellebergkamp/?hl=en 13 Dennis Bergkamp’s daughter dates Man Utd star Donny van de BeekCredit: https://www.instagram.com/estellebergkamp/?hl=en 13 The Bergkamp family with daughter EstelleCredit: https://www.instagram.com/estellebergkamp/?hl=en The couple met in Amsterdam and a relationship between the pair soon blossomed. She soon joined Donny in Manchester, after he moved to Old Trafford – and theyContinue Reading

RON-BELIEVABLE STUFF Here’s how SunSport rated the Manchester United team against Atalanta. DAVID DE GEA – 4/10 Dropped a clanger for Atalanta’s opener as he let the average low shot slip under his body. AARON WAN-BISSAKA – 6 Once again frustratingly ineffective going forward. If he could only add that to his game he would be world class as he is almost impossible to beat at the back. ERIC BAILLY – 9 Superb goal-saving block to deny Zapata in the 31st minute. Couldn’t tell he has struggled for game time recently as he was United’s best player along with Ronnie. RAPHAEL VARANE (subbed 37 mins) – 6 Was matching Zupata fairly well in the early stages. But pulled up injuredContinue Reading

Testing Faith represents a ‘professional special’ in division one of the Novice Stakes over a mile of Kempton polytrack today, based on an encouraging debut fourth at Pontefract six weeks ago, on a genuinely good surface, ridden by Dougie Costello who, apparently, is delighted and relieved to keep the ride. Doubtless completely unfancied the Ian Williams-trained Test Of Time, a 20/1 chance, travelled superbly, showing no hint of inexperience; Testing Faith tracked the eventual winner Approachability before staying on strongly to be beaten three and a quarter lengths, half a length in front of Themoonsaballoon, a creditable second last weekend and tipped in this column. Computing race-times has long been a labour of love, wonderful when coming across a surpriseContinue Reading

SUN Racing reporter Jack Keene has opened up on his battle with gambling addiction to raise awareness as part of Safer Gambling Week. Our man was interviewed on Sky Sports Racing and spoke candidly about the effects of his addiction and his ongoing recovery. 2 Keene has opened up on his battle with gambling addictionCredit: Getty Images – Getty In July, he wrote a piece detailing his toxic relationship with betting, which spiralled out of control in his mid 20’s. Keene, 30, described how he would chase his losses and would only stop gambling when there was nothing left to bet on – or he ran out of money. He said: “When you are in gambling mode, it consumes youContinue Reading

Firebomb has a new jockey in the nine-runner Nursery Handicap over five furlongs of Newcastle tapeta tonight when trainer Brian Smart plays a ‘trump card’ by booking Gianluca Sanna, an outstanding apprentice find, claiming full allowance of 7lbs! This represents a real departure from the norm because Graham Lee has ridden the consistent hitherto luckless Swiss Spirit gelding in five races on the trot, finishing second four times! Last time, significantly, was a career-best when Firebomb led at a fierce pace and collared in the last strides at Redcar by heavily-backed favourite Le Beau Garcon; the dash was run in less than a minute! Several rivals are bound to be ‘on the premises’ and are fancied but if Gianluca hitsContinue Reading

OVERNIGHT ROUND-UP Nuno Espirito Santo’s fate as Tottenham boss could be decided today. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy held crisis talks with sporting director Fabio Paratici yesterday following Saturday’s 3-0 home humiliation against Manchester United. Nuno’s reign has lasted 124 days – with Jacques Santini the quickest to be axed by Levy so far after 155 days in 2004. Former Chelsea and Inter Milan chief Antonio Conte reportedly tops Spurs’ wishlist – as well as Manchester United’s, should they sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. United’s impressive weekend win eased the pressure on Solskjaer but Champions League defeat at Atalanta tomorrow night would put it all back on. But a spanner in the works for both Tottenham and the Red Devils is that Conte is reportedlyContinue Reading

Firstly let me  congratulate Bryony Frost and her Ditcheat-based ‘super’ trainer/guv’nor, Paul Nicholls, on their Irish triumph with Frodon last Saturday; the initiative and confidence the ‘Champion’ has invested into his jockeys is impressive.  Paul is a businessman through and through, it’s testimony to Bryony and Harry Cobcden they are entrusted with such colossal responsibility; what a team and this column is in awe of the magnificent, consistent achievements down the years. No onto today..  Brilliant Blue is fancied to complete a natural numerical sequence (6/3/2!) in a twelve-runner Maiden Stakes over seven furongs of Kempton polytrack this afternoon, part of an eight-race card around this superb right-hander; not the most popular attendance-wise but ideal for punting given the surfaceContinue Reading

FANS will be out of their seats at Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham in January. And it won’t just be because they’re jumping to their feet to celebrate the first goals of 2022. 1 Manchester United have installed rail seats at Old TraffordCredit: Getty Those clubs are set to host the first matches in which standing is legally allowed in over 25 years. Terraces were abolished in favour of all-seater stadiums back in 1995 but that is set to change from January 1. Manchester City and Cardiff are also reportedly joining the pilot scheme which will test out ‘safe standing’ protocols. The Times reports those five clubs have been selected for trials of ‘rail seats’ – barriers to keep standingContinue Reading

Flat White has any amount in hand of thirteen rivals in a Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle over two and a half miles of ‘good’ ground Huntingdon this afternoon and I’ve combed dozens of races National Hunt races in an attempt to submit three solid selections; the quest is endless despite a disappointing week which, fortunately, wasn’t costly because each-way trixies and daily patents often profit when we hit the frame on a regular basis. With decent prices and a place emphasis I’m not too disappointed with defeat but sometimes hitting the posts is extremely vexing, at the time; I’ve learned to adopt a phlegmatic attitude in the knowledge that most losing selections will pay to follow and often pop up subsequentlyContinue Reading