Monday has jumping in the day from Worcester while the evening hosts flat racing from Wolverhampton and Windsor including star jockeys like Tom Marquand and Oisin Murphy.
2.55 Worcester – Almanzhar Garde heads field in feature
Impressive Bangor winner Almanzhar Garde headlines in the feature the Get Best Odds Guaranteed At planetsportbet Handicap Chase (2.55).
Charlie Longsdon’s nine-year-old got back to winning ways at Bangor last time out after running consistently prior to it. If he reproduces that form he is going to be hard to beat even with a 7lb rise.
The ultra-consistent Bbold got his head in front last time out comfortably at Stratford. He’s found a new lease of life since the stable switch to Daisy Hitchins and there’s no reason to suggest why he can’t play another major role here.
Yes Indeed ran well after a short break on his most recent run when he wasn’t beaten too far into fourth with a first-time visor. The same headgear is retained today.
5.25 Wolverhampton – Course and distance winner Caelan and Loveable Rogue clash
Caelan and Loveable Rogue clash in the Tips For Every Race At raceday-ready.com Handicap (5.25).
Course and distance winner Caelan made an exciting two-year-old start at Kempton and is two from three on the all-weather. A return to this surface with the application of first time cheekpieces could easily see him get his third career victory.
Stablemate for Marco Botti is Endosser who can’t be underestimated off this mark and is fitted with first time blinkers.
James Owen sends handicap debutant Loveable Rogue who appreciated the step up in trip last time out. He looks dangerous with top apprentice Sean D Bowen in the saddle, off what looks a very lenient mark.
7.15 Windsor – Rohaan takes on hat-trick seeking Haymaker
Dual Royal Ascot winner Rohaan meets hat-trick seeking Haymaker in the Fitzdares Sprint Series Handicap (7.15).
David Evans’ Rohaan is taking a drop in grade which could help him bounce back to winning ways, write him off at your peril.
Haymaker put up a good fight to hold on at Goodwood last time and seeks a hat-trick here but this is a much tougher contest.
Course and distance winner Shagraan was last seen finishing a creditable fifth in the Palace Of Holyrood at Royal Ascot. He arrives here off the same mark and is sure to be well favoured in the betting with Tom Marquand onboard.
Monday’s racecards | Latest Sky Bet odds
Watch every race from Worcester, Wolverhampton and Windsor – live on Sky Sports Racing on Monday July 1.
Euro 2024 has been remarkably free from officiating debate let alone controversy, a flick of Lois Openda’s hand being the chief cause for chatter. That changed on Friday evening and many will be amused that an English officiating team found itself at the centre of it.
The uneasy delays, the frantic glances, the interminable wait, the total lack of clarity. That familiar Premier League feeling returned as Anthony Taylor held his ear piece, awaiting Stuart Attwell’s verdict. It was almost enough to make you feel nostalgic.
Experts on the Laws of the Game may well tell us that the decision to rule out Xavi Simons’ strike into the corner of Mike Maignan’s net was correct on the grounds that the goalkeeper had spotted the presence of Denzel Dumfries in an offside position.
Those more familiar with watching football than reading rules might nevertheless conclude that Maignan would have been unlikely to tag Dumfries let alone the ball that was bound for his goal regardless. Diving for it was a thought barely formed in his brain.
That the decision fell to Taylor and co was a mere unhappy coincidence, in truth – and at least the consequences of the call are likely to be relatively insignificant in the grand scheme of the tournament, unless you happen to be a particularly optimistic Pole.
Let us hope that this little Group D moment was as controversial as the officiating will get at Euro 2024 and the next three weeks continue to play out serenely amid scenes of swift semi-automated bliss. Not convinced? Me neither. Adam Bate
Saliba shines | More to come from France
Two games in for France and, thanks to that highly-debatable offside call against the Netherlands, two clean sheets for the tournament favourites. Arsenal’s William Saliba has been a big factor in that, oozing class in the centre of the France defence.
An ideal foil for the physical Dayot Upamecano, those much-publicised comments by Didier Deschamps alluding to weaknesses in Saliba’s game only become more baffling after each performance. There cannot be many better defenders in European football.
What is striking is how easy he makes it all look, a defender whose contribution does not necessarily always show up in the statistics. For instance, he did not make a single tackle. But he did not need to. He kept the ball with 86 of his 87 passes in the match.
The underlying numbers better reflect France’s control than that Xavi Simons moment. Against Austria, they registered an expected-goals total of 2.13 compared to their opponents’ 0.76. Here, their total was 1.42 compared to their opponents’ paltry 0.33.
At the other end, the goals will surely start flowing soon. Even without Kylian Mbappe, they created chances. Antoine Griezmann should have scored at least one, twice failing to find the finish from close range. One goal from two games does not tell the full story.
Either side of Saliba and Upamecano, the full-backs are rock solid and N’Golo Kante as impressive as ever in midfield. The forward players have not fired yet but the options in attack are plentiful. Expect Mbappe to have his day when the stakes are a little higher.
That might seem a generous appraisal after four points from two games – the same as England. But this side appears happier in its skin. Saliba has won over Deschamps. It would not be a surprise if the rest of France has followed suit by mid-July in Berlin. Adam Bate
Amazing Austria are ones to watch
Austria had a place in many analysts’ Euro 2024 ‘dark horses’ picks. You can definitely see why after their latest display.
Ralf Rangnick’s side picked up their first win against Poland but did so in a very attractive style.
Full-backs Stefan Posch and Philipp Mwene were arguably their best sources of attack. Sitting midfielders Nicolas Seiwald and Konrad Laimer generated some of their best chances of the game. Poland’s defence could not deal with Christoph Baumgartner and Marcel Sabitzer’s running and work in the half spaces.
Now Austria stand on the brink of the knockout rounds and face a big game against the Netherlands to seal their place.
Getting second place could be crucial as it could be England in the first knockout round if they finish third. But looking at how both teams are playing, would that be so bad? Sam Blitz
Emotional Ukraine deserve this moment
After Monday’s shock loss to Romania – a team ranked 23 places below them in the world rankings – Ukraine knew they had to respond against Slovakia to have a realistic chance of reaching the last 16, but they were disappointing in the first half even though they created several chances.
Despite their below-par performance, Rebrov’s decision to drop Real Madrid goalkeeper Lunin was an inspired one, with replacement Trubin making four fine saves which suggested he should have been his country’s No 1 in the first place.
The Benfica stopper kept his side in the match before Mudryk, who initially struggled to make an impact, began to grow in confidence. The Chelsea winger played an instrumental role in Ukraine’s equaliser and was unlucky not to score himself before being substituted with five minutes remaining.
By that time, he had already been involved in wild celebrations after substitute Yaremchuk produced a spectacular touch and finish to get Ukraine’s tournament up and running.
The winner saw Yaremchuk break down in tears and earn a kiss on the head from Zinchenko before the emotional scenes continued when the players applauded their supporters inside the Dusseldorf Arena after the final whistle.
Of course, many more Ukrainians will be watching from around the world and while it won’t change the heartbreaking situation back home, their first comeback win at the Euros since 2012 will hopefully bring some joy to those who need it most. Dan Sansom
Poland lose again to assume unwanted status as first nation out
Robert Lewandowski’s absence due to a thigh injury was felt in Poland’s opening defeat to the Netherlands – and Austria must’ve been licking their lips when team news dropped on Friday night and they saw the talisman was, once again, not spearheading the attack.
It likely provided something of a mental boost for Ralf Rangnick’s men, who started like a house on fire in Berlin and scored the early goal that set the tone for the rest of the evening.
In truth, there wasn’t really a certain point where they were crying out for Lewandowski; for the second game in succession, a player deputising for him scored. It was Adam Buksa in the first game, Krzysztof Piatek in the second.
And when the Barcelona striker did come on, he had just 11 touches in around 34 minutes anyway.
As the case had been against the Dutch, it wasn’t that Poland were bad on the night, it was just that Austria were better. Rangnick has got them looking like a team with real promise; one to keep a very close eye on.
There were signs of Polish promise, certainly, but they mean nothing now. The fact the Netherlands and France played out a goalless draw later on in the evening means Poland are the first nation to exit the tournament. They are by no means a one-man team, but would an earlier introduction for Lewandowski have made the difference? We’ll never know. Dan Long
Saturday’s live action on Sky Sports Racing is from Lingfield, Chepstow and Bangor with some international flair as Auteuil and Saratoga host Group/Graded racing.
6.15 Lingfield – Grey Charger fancied for Haggas
The promising Grey Charger looks to land the Get Raceday Ready Restricted Novice Stakes (6.15).
The Caravaggio colt has made a strong start to his career with a win on his penultimate start and a second behind German 2000 Guineas winner Devil’s Point when last seen at Goodwood. He bids to get back to winning ways for a yard that won this contest last year.
Harry Charlton’s Edna E Mode was fourth on debut at Kempton. He will need to come on from this to be in with a chance in this contest.
Dancing Highlander was well beaten on debut at Southwell. Switching to turf now and the visor reached for may help this William Knight trained three-year-old.
7.00 Chepstow – Able Kane, King Of War and Hat Toss clash
Able Kane, King Of War and Hat Toss clash in the Vickers.Bet Handicap (7.00).
Rod Millman won this race in 2021 and 2022 with Sir Plato. This year he saddles the dangerously handicapped Able Kane. He could be a danger with Gina Mangan onboard claiming 3lb.
Bottom-weight King Of War has been running very consistently of late and he will be looking to go one better to win for his new trainer Michael Wigham. He should go close with Tyler Heard taking off a valuable 3lb.
Hat Toss has been progressing nicely for James Owen placing on his last three runs. Partnering up with the talented Sean D Bowen he should be competitive.
2.15 Bangor-on-Dee – Can’t Beat History bids for hat-trick
Can’t Beat History seeks hat-trick in the Castle Mews Windows Handicap Chase (2.15).
The Henry Oliver-trained gelding was a comfortable winner when last seen at Hereford. He looks to continue progressing and defy an 8lb rise in the weights.
Getaway Glory arrives in good form, winning his penultimate chase start. He could make an impact back on better ground.
Almazahar Garde is looking for the illusive win, finishing second in his last three starts. He is another for the shortlist.
International action
There’s a whole host of familiar names on show at Saratoga with William Buick and Charlie Appleby pairing up for Mysterious Night (6.11), while Frankie Dettori rides Imagination (8.22), and Appleby is represented by Star Of Mystery and Mischief Magic before Dettori takes the mount on No Nay Mets.
The action continues with Irish raider Al Riffa for Joseph O’Brien featuring against Appleby’s Nations Pride and Measured Time, with the former ridden by Dettori in the Manhattan Stakes. The main contest of the evening sees a rematch between Seize The Grey and Mystik Dan in the final leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes.
Sky Bet odds I Today’s races
Watch every race from Lingfield, Bangor, Chepstow, Auteuil and Saratoga live on Sky Sports Racing on Saturday June 8.
Then there are the opportunities. The Ile-de-France area has 1,100 registered football clubs with around 325,000 young players signed up. Some of those clubs are famed for attracting the right talent.
Mbappe and Saliba played together at AS Bondy. Henry and Saha – both from immigrant families who came from Guadeloupe – trained at the infamous Clairefontaine academy after being spotted at Ile-de-France clubs.
Riyad Mahrez, whose family came to the area from Algeria, played for AAS Sarcelles, the fourth biggest club in France, who have also sent players to Serie A, Manchester United and Hoffenheim.
“The level of the Ile-de-France championship for young people is the highest in France. It’s one of the highest in Europe I’d say!” says Sarcelles coach Mohamed Coulibaly to Sky Sports. “We have the best amateur regional teams and are capable to compete with professional clubs from all over the world.
“The secret of the streets of Paris is that everyone wants to assert themselves and everyone wants to impose themselves. It’s like a small jungle!
“At 16, 17, 18 years old, [Mahrez] still had the soul of a nine-year-old child. Even when he was struggling at 14 or 15, and didn’t play much, he always had this fire where he said: ‘I’m going to become a professional’.”
Not all make it though. While the streets contain a haven for football’s young talent, it is not always a safe one. The Ile-de-France region has a poverty weight of 15.5 per cent, while concerning crime levels have caused it to gain an unwanted reputation.
“It’s a town that is a bit tough,” says Saha. “You have to be careful not doing the wrong stuff, or meeting the wrong people.
“I have a few friends more talented than me, and were capable of doing great things, they picked the wrong choices and roads, met the wrong people. Then it’s too late.”
But clubs try to help with those issues. Anthony Martial recalls the help of coaches and “youth educators” who have helped put players on the right path.