Today on Sky Sports Racing: Worcester, Wolverhampton and Ripon feature on Monday | Racing News

Today on Sky Sports Racing: Worcester, Wolverhampton and Ripon feature on Monday | Racing News



The Sky Sports Racing cameras head to Worcester’s jumps meeting and the Flat fixtures at Ripon and Wolverhampton on Monday, with 21 live races across the three tracks.

3.45 Worcester – Lallygag, Mr Freedom and Bethpage clash

Lallygag, Mr Freedom and Bethpage clash in the AK Bets Meet Celebrant Dave On-Course Handicap Hurdle (3.45).

Sheena West saddles Mr Freedom, who was once fifth in the Fred Winter. He won last time out on the Flat but has been less than consistent before this. He needs to return to that Cheltenham Festival performance level to be in with a chance.

Lallygag’s form looked somewhat consistent before he ran out last time at Newton Abbot and, in an attempt to refocus the seven-year-old, Paul Nicholls reaches for the cheekpieces and re-instates champion jockey Harry Cobden for a steady set of hands.

The danger horse here is the four-timer seeking Bethpage. Joe Anderson takes off a valuable 3lb but this appears to be a deeper contest for him.

7.25 Ripon – Last-time-out winners Havana Prince and Makalu feature

In-form duo Havana Prince and Makalu feature in the Bishopton Equine Handicap (7.25).

Front-running Havana Prince is seeking a hat-trick of wins at Ripon following two consecutive course and distance victories. There could be more improvement at a track that clearly suits him.

Ruth Carr’s Makalu managed to defy a poor start last time out to notch a win at Beverley. He is only off 4lb higher and can be competitive.

Garden Oasis is also somewhat of a course specialist with five wins at Ripon to his name, he won off 85 back in 2021 and has a big chance.

8.00 Ripon – High Opinion bids for hat-trick

High Opinion bids for three on the bounce in the Download The At The Races App Handicap (8.00).

Bryan Smart’s five-year-old was always doing enough to win at Catterick last time out and that form has taken a boost as the second has won since. Despite being raised 5lb in the weights, Andrew Breslin on board will try to counteract this by taking off a handy 3lb.

Vadamiah seems to enjoy the trip around Ripon and could enter calculations in the hands of Luke Morris.

Paddy’s Day was only beaten a neck last time out at Newcastle but he did not seem fully comfortable over this course and distance earlier this season. He needs to bring his best here.

Monday’s racecards | Latest Sky Bet odds

Watch every race from Worcester, Wolverhampton and Ripon – live on Sky Sports Racing on Monday July 8.

Andy Murray: Two-time Wimbledon champion to make decision as to whether he will play on Monday evening | Tennis News

Andy Murray: Two-time Wimbledon champion to make decision as to whether he will play on Monday evening | Tennis News


Andy Murray expects to decide on Monday evening whether or not he will make a
final singles appearance at Wimbledon.

The two-time former champion has been in a race against time since struggling with a back problem at Queen’s Club that led to weakness in his right leg, resulting in him undergoing surgery last weekend to remove a spinal cyst.

On Thursday, Murray rated it unlikely that he would be able to play singles, with an appearance in doubles alongside his brother Jamie more probable, but he gave a more upbeat assessment at a press conference on Sunday.

Murray is scheduled to play in the first-round of singles at the All England Club on Tuesday against Czech Tomas Machac.

Image:
Murray is a two-time Wimbledon champion

“It’s been obviously a tough 10 days or so since Queen’s,” he said. “Obviously I had the operation on the back, which wasn’t insignificant. I’ve just been trying to do everything that I can to try and get ready to start the tournament here.

“I don’t know if that’s going to be enough. I’ve been practising for the last few days. I played a set today. It went pretty well, but I still don’t have 100 per cent feeling and sensation in my leg yet.

“It’s getting better every single day. Like I said a few days ago, I want to give it every single chance that I can to get there.

“I’m going to play another set again tomorrow. I’m doing some physical testing in the morning to see how far off I am from a physical perspective. Then I will probably make a decision tomorrow evening after that.”

Speaking to Sky News’ Jacquie Beltrao, Murray said: “It’s been really good, considering where I was eight days ago.

“I’ve been practicing on the grass, played a set today and went pretty well – feeling better every single day – hope it continues in the next 48 hours – just will see if it’s enough.”

The last time they met! Highlights of an epic encounter between Murray and Tomas Machac at the Miami Open

Murray could play on if he is not fit for Wimbledon or Olympics

Murray, who won Olympic gold at Wimbledon in 2012 and in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, was named in Great Britain’s squad for the 2024 Games.

He is hoping to play singles as well as in the men’s doubles with Dan Evans at Roland Garros from Saturday July 27.

“I can’t say for sure that if I wasn’t able to play at Wimbledon and I didn’t recover in time to play at the Olympics that I wouldn’t consider trying to play another tournament somewhere.

“But if I’m able to play at Wimbledon and if I’m able to play at the Olympics, that’s most likely going to be it.”

Olympic entries will be confirmed next week but there is an injury doubt around Evans, who suffered a knee injury after slipping and falling at Queen’s.

Murray said he has a family holiday scheduled after the Olympics and is not planning on travelling over to New York for the US Open, which is live on Sky Sports between Monday August 26 and Sunday September 8.

Murray got a feeling of what it’s like to chat with himself as he was interviewed by comedian and impressionist Josh Berry

‘Special sportsman Murray deserves to go out with a bang’

Sky News’ Jacquie Beltrao:

“Murray does want to say goodbye so it is the worst possible timing for him when he is planning his retirement.

“He wants that to go perfectly considering how much work he has put into this sport, into his multiple rehabs.

“He deserves to go out with a bang on a tennis court and not limping off the way he did at Queen’s. I think he feels that.

“Having won at Wimbledon twice, ending the 77-year wait for a British men’s singles champion, having won the Davis Cup, having won the ATP finals, having won the US Open… all of those things in the golden era of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

“He really is a special sportsman and deserves [a fitting send-off].”

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Today on Sky Sports Racing: Windsor and Chepstow feature on Monday | Racing News

Today on Sky Sports Racing: Windsor and Chepstow feature on Monday | Racing News



The live action on Sky Sports Racing on Monday features an afternoon Flat meeting from Chepstow followed the the traditional Windsor evening meeting.

7.00 Windsor – Many A Star and Amazonian Dream lock horns again

Many A Star and Amazonian Dream rematch in the Fitzdares Sprint Series Qualifier Handicap (7.00) over six furlongs.

Rod Millman’s Amazonian Dream is a course and distance winner following his victory last time out. He could enter the frame again if he can handle the 6lb rise.

Saffie Osborne takes the mount on Many A Star who finished second to Amazonian Dream last month. He may still be too high in the weights to reverse the form, though.

Another course and distance winner is Bishop’s Crown. With his last run having excuses, the switch back to this distance could see this Eve Johnson Houghton gelding bounce back.

7.30 Windsor – Queen’s Guard seeks another victory

Recent winner Queen’s Guard features in the Fitzdares Windsor Handicap (7.30).

The progressive three-year-old was a ready winner last time out at Lingfield after going close on her last two starts. With Daniel Tudhope on board she looks to defy a 7lb rise in the weights.

Beyond Borders ran a lovely fourth on his penultimate start at Chester behind some smart rivals. He could pose a threat from 2lb lower.

Aramram is taking a step down in class following a credible fifth in a competitive novice at Doncaster. On his handicap debut he could go close.

3.18 Chepstow – Feeraas and Waking Dream feature in maiden

Feeraas and Waking Dream clash in the vickers.bet EBF Maiden Stakes (3.18).

Archie Watson’s colt, Feeraas, finished third behind Symbol Of Honour on his debut at Lingfield and showed some promise in that contest with the form being franked by the runner-up winning since. It would not be a surprise if he progresses here.

Waking Dream is an expensive purchase for King Power Racing, costing 270,000gns, but she fell flat on debut at Windsor and should improve for this.

Hofburg is the most experienced horse coming into this race with two runs for Richard Hannon, including on his debut when he finished behind Feeraas. He will need to have come on to reverse the form.

Monday racecards | Latest Sky Bet odds

Watch every race from Chepstow and Windsor all live on Sky Sports Racing on Monday June 17.

Monday Tips! Five to follow at Windsor’s evening meeting including a Saeed bin Suroor-trained runner | Racing News

Monday Tips! Five to follow at Windsor’s evening meeting including a Saeed bin Suroor-trained runner | Racing News


Elliot David has five to follow at Windsor this Monday evening and his tips take a close look at where the stalls are positioned and prominent runners across the seven races – watch live on Sky Sports Racing.

I’ll begin with a word of warning for punters. Viewers of last week’s evening meeting at Windsor will have seen the clear advantage for those racing on the pace and hugging the stands’-side rail. For this week’s fixture, the stalls remain in the centre and, with quick ground forecast, I’d be favouring prominent racers and certainly those drawn low over the sprint distances.

SAFARI DREAM

5.40 Windsor

We’ve got a quartet of prominent racers drawn low in stalls one to four here and I’d fancy the opening sprint contest will be fought out between them. Tony Carroll’s Recon Mission narrowly lost out to the re-opposing Inspired Knowhow here on May 13 and, given his more favourable draw, I’d back that form to be overturned. A key takeaway that day was the early pace from both horses allowing them to negate their wide draws and tack across to the near-side rail, something that ought to be difficult this time given the low-drawn pace and would be a concern for backers of the Marco Botti-trained four-year-old.

Robert Cowell’s Agostino is yet to prove he can transfer all-weather form to turf and Level Up looks well out of form with his regular headgear missing here. My preference will be for Rod Millman’s course-and-distance winner Safari Dream who is now 12lb below the mark of 82 off which he was victorious here in September 2022.

I think he paid the price for an elevated mark after that victory, drawing a blank in 2023, but looks to be returning to form of late. He can make the most of a return to class five company with his run here in April behind course lover Antiphon looking standout form.

ADRESTIA

6.10 Windsor

With the standard set by those with experience not a daunting one, I’d see this fillies’ novice stakes as ripe pickings for an above average debutant. We may see that in the Crisfords’ pricey breeze-up purchase Adrestia for notable owners KHK Racing.

The ownership stable has enjoyed a great deal of success since bursting onto the British racing scene in 2020 and in particular with purchases from the breeze-ups;

2020 – Bahrain Pride – 300,000gns at Tattersalls Craven – Won on debut at Windsor

2021 – Eldar Eldarov – £480,000 at Arqana Doncaster – Won on debut at Nottingham

2022 – Sakheer – €550,000 at Arqana May – Second on debut at Windsor, won second start by six lengths

2023 – Vandeek – 625,000gns at Tattersalls Craven – Won on debut at Nottingham

2023 – True Cyan – £150,000 at Goffs Breeze-Up – Won on debut at Newmarket

2024 – Not Real – €550,000 at Arqana May – Second on debut at Kempton, won second start by four lengths

Having enjoyed great success from a total of 14 breeze-up purchases to hit the track to date, any KHK-owned breezer is worth noting. This daughter of Havana Grey is closely related to a debut winner for Kevin Ryan in True Promise and wouldn’t have to be setting the world alight to go close here.

MIDAIR

6.40 Windsor

With his two-year-old form nicely franked and a shade of hard luck surrounding his two runs this year, I’d expect Juddmonte’s Midair to be tough to beat in this novice stakes contest.

His key rivals look to be the penalised Daarkom and Savvy Exchange, who are tasked with conceding 7lb to the 84-rated son of Frankel. As mentioned, his form this season looks extremely solid, splitting the useful Into Battle and Involvement at Epsom prior to a luckless run at Ascot on May 11.

I’m hoping James Doyle keeps it simple and takes his mount to the front to dictate proceedings, a position from which he ought to be tough to pass. Should he break his maiden here, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him at Royal Ascot with a favourable looking handicap mark. A race like the Britannia Handicap over the straight mile could be right up his street given a strongly run affair and his profile bears some resemblance to that of the yard’s 2022 winner Thesis.

Image:
Saeed bin Suroor runs Hazem

HAZEM

7.10 Windsor

Saeed bin Suroor’s Shamardal gelding was green and clearly in need of the experience on debut at Chelmsford last month. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a considerably better showing here with top rider Oisin Murphy taking over in the saddle.

The gelding was camped in rear under Royston Ffrench and given an educational debut in a race largely dominated by the front runners. It’s a bit of a punt, but with the stable hitting some winners in the last fortnight and the three-time champion jockey taking over, it seems likely we’ll see a better showing in what is an open race.

ANTIPHON

7.40 Windsor

Following a fantastic run from 8lb out of the handicap in the Epsom Dash, Mike Murphy and Michael Keady’s Antiphon looks potentially well treated back off a mark of 78, with useful 7lb claimer Jack Doughty once again enlisted.

Everything seems to point to a big run, not least his clear liking for the track with form of 9: 3-4-1, finishing out of the top three just once. With a suitably low draw in stall five he ought to be able to once again make a bold bid from the front.

It must be said, there looks to be plenty of challengers for that lead with the likes of Isle Of Lismore (1), Rocking Ends (3) and Good Earth (4) all likely to show early speed. Should they go too fast, this could set up nicely for those sat in behind with Woolhampton the chief candidate to benefit from a pace collapse.

Watch the action from Windsor live on Sky Sports Racing with the first race at 5.40pm…