Premier League: Manchester City's tranquil summer proves a successful one

"City’s best business was done in-house, with the contract extensions for Sergio Agüero, Samir Nasri, Vincent Kompany, Edin Dzeko, David Silva and Aleksandar Kolarov."

Andy Brassell tells us why Manchester City's relatively quiet summer in the transfer market looks set to be reap rewards with the club extending the contracts of some of their major stars and the improved form of Stevan Jovetic...

No longer are Manchester City dominating the headlines when it comes to transfer speculation. Now, the fireworks are on the pitch, with Monday night's win over Liverpool continuing what has been an engaging and satisfying beginning to the Premier League champions' title defence. The noisy neighbours, it appears, have piped down at last.

There is always a hint of concern when reigning champions have a quiet summer in the transfer market. With a position of strength the best one from which to strengthen, there is the feeling of laurels being rested upon, of decompression and dropping of intensity, and lack of a clear next objective going forward.

Witnessing the positivity of City's display against last season's runners-up, it is clear that none of these accusations could be levelled at them. Set two distinct and contrasting challenges in their pair of opening games, Manuel Pellegrini's side have responded well. They snuffed out the threat of an ambitious and new Newcastle side, before mastering Liverpool with far greater assurance than they did on The Reds' last visit to the Etihad.

Besides, City's board has hardly been idle between seasons. As Jamie Jackson pointed out in Tuesday's edition of The Guardian, City's best business was done in-house, with the contract extensions for Sergio Agüero, Samir Nasri, Vincent Kompany, Edin Dzeko, David Silva and Aleksandar Kolarov. Their few, select signings - notably Fernando and Eliaquim Mangala - fulfil very specific needs and suggest complementarity with the existing group of players.

This suits the coach. Pellegrini, as was apparent during his best work at Villarreal and Malaga, is infinitely happier having a core of trusted players to work with than having stars thrown at him to subsequently incorporate. Clearly, the quality available to him is far greater than it was at either of those two rather more modest clubs, but the club are happy for the Chilean to create fairly similar working conditions for himself.

It works for the club too, with their initial plan to attract Pep Guardiola involving the presentation of a less sprawling, opulent squad and its replacement with a tight group. Clearly players to supplement and improve the excellent level that exists requires significant investment, which would also put City further at odds with UEFA's Financial Fair Play principles.

The rare signings have been notable, and will continue to be so. Fernando was the only new boy to start, but he showed just how vital he will be as the team's fulcrum. His accurate passing helped City grab a firm hold on midfield, and he was rarely called upon to make any interventions like the one which denied Ayoze Pérez an equaliser at Newcastle last week. Fernando can do containment just as well as destruction.

Mangala will grow into being a dominating presence alongside Kompany, and Willy Caballero - one of the most accomplished goalkeepers in La Liga over the last few seasons - will look a bargain at £6m even if his only function is to keep Joe Hart performing at a high level.

Pellegrini's sanguine nature is also a key attribute in making sure City make the most of everything they have. Plenty of coaches would have ditched Stevan Jovetic after his tough opening year in English football. Instead, Pellegrini persevered, and got his immediate reward against Liverpool. The Montenegrin's regular role with City may end up being a deeper one but for now, his form means no risks need to be taken with Agüero as he attains optimum condition.

City are still second favourites at 3.02/1 to retain their crown, behind Chelsea, 2.427/5. It is hard to choose between the two at the moment but Pellegrini's men make a persuasive case, and are unlikely to go out much longer in the coming weeks.

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Racing News: Our Conor set for summer break

Triumph Hurdle hero Our Conor will head off on his summer break after trainer Dessie Hughes opted to skip an intended run in Saturday's AES Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at Punchestown...

Favourite with some for next season's Champion Hurdle, Our Conor would have faced very testing conditions in the Grade One heat and Hughes was not keen to give his stable star a hard race.

With his stunning Cheltenham display still fresh in the memory, Our Conor, rated 165p by Timeform, will now enjoy a well-deserved holiday.

"It was very deep there yesterday, it's rained again and it will rain some more," said Hughes.

"There's no need to run him, he doesn't need to prove anything so he'll go out to grass now.

"I've no real plan for next year, I imagine he'll have a run on the Flat first somewhere.

"It's no coincidence that his best performance came at Cheltenham, which is the best ground he's raced on. His worst performance came at Listowel when he was well beaten by Inis Mean and that was the worst ground he'd raced on."

Hughes also had a bit of a setback regarding the Bet365 Gold Cup as Deal Done missed the cut for the big race.

The trainer added: "I declared Deal Done because he loves good ground and it will be nice at Sandown. He's gone over there but he didn't get in, it's only 20 runners now and it used to be 25."

Punchestown Race Cards only £2 at timeform.com! 

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Premier League: Uplifting summer so far for Everton

"Steven Naismith isn’t as prolific as former Gers team-mate Nikica Jelavic, however if he enjoys a similar impact will be loved."

David Moyes stayed, Steven Naismith has signed and Steven Pienaar should follow, but will Everton be able to build on that momentum?

One of the Premier League's cruellest traditions is for Everton to endure an uncertain summer which neatly transitions into a diabolical start to the season, so debilitating that it often takes until late December to recover.

To quite what extent the painful transfer windows are responsible for such sluggish starts is unclear, but they certainly can't help, so the lack of trauma accumulated thus far this pre-season has to be viewed as a positive.

Everton fans are well trained to expect star players to be linked with moves away, yet there was a brief threat of the ultimate destabiliser last month as Tottenham sacked Harry Redknapp and David Moyes was named the initial frontrunner.

The lack of glamour surrounding Goodison Park that must at times feel like a curse on this occasion worked in their favour though as Andre Villas-Boas was chosen instead, and there have been further encouraging developments since.

One was the arrival of one of the most well regarded Rangers deserters, Steven Naismith, on a free transfer. The versatile forward isn't as prolific as former Gers team-mate Nikica Jelavic, however if he enjoys a similar impact will be loved.

Steven Pienaar, the other man close to securing a switch, doesn't need to put any work into gaining the affection of supporters having excelled in his first two stints with the Toffees.

There was doubt over whether limited funds and Tottenham's change of boss would ruin Moyes' plans to make his successful loan return permanent, but Sky Sports claim that an agreement on a £5 million deal is imminent. Once a fee is fixed with Spurs, the rest should be a formality, with Pienaar keen on a reunion.

As promising as retaining Moyes and sorting two decent signings is, the big worry for Everton any summer is losing key men, and though that hasn't happened yet, reports suggest that Manchester United will attempt to persuade them to part with Leighton Baines.

But no matter how gruesome the first half of the season proves, Everton always seem to survive the slump, recording six straight top-eight finishes. They haven't quite made it into the top six in their last three campaigns, and are 5.14/1 to do so in 2012/13.

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Arsenal Transfer News: Podolski expected to arrive this summer

Premier League / Michael Lintorn / 08 March 2012 / 2 Comments

Lukas Podolski has grown frustrated by Koln's apparent lack of ambition

"When in a side suited to him, Podolski can be a fairly consistent scorer, as 43 goals in 95 national team appearances and 16 goals in 20 Bundesliga games for struggling Koln this term demonstrate."

It is widely claimed that Arsenal have reached an agreement with Lukas Podolski and current side Koln to bring the German forward to the Emirates...

It was ultimately a meaningless triumph, but Arsenal's defiance in the face of adversity against AC Milan on Tuesday appears to have worked wonders in terms of transforming the mood at the club.

Wojciech Szczesny is adamant that it shows that they can beat anyone, ordering his team-mates to fight to finish above Tottenham (a [2.76] prospect) and even feeling confident enough to talk about Spurs being condemned to another Europa League campaign.

And there is now cause to be optimistic about next season too. After waiting until deadline day to do most of their business last summer, the BBC are reporting that they have effectively finalised what will probably prove their main deal of the next window to sign Lukas Podolski from Koln.

The Germany international is set to arrive in a £10.9 million move and earn £100,000-a-week, a sum which perhaps indicates that the Gunners are no longer willing to let lofty wage demands scupper their transfer plans.

The 26-year-old is adept at playing in a central role and, when in a side suited to him, can be a fairly consistent scorer, as 43 goals in 95 national team appearances and 16 goals in 20 Bundesliga games for struggling Koln this term - rendering him a [15.0] contender to be top scorer - demonstrate.

However, he is equally comfortable out wide and, provided Robin van Persie remains at the Emirates, will likely operate primarily on the left wing in Arsene Wenger's favoured formation.

The worry for Arsenal fans will be Podolski's lack of success the last time he left Koln, where he is very much the star man, for Bayern Munich in 2006, enduring three unprolific and unproductive years at the Allianz Arena.

Both the pressure and competition in north London shouldn't be quite so severe though at a club rated [1.54] to ensure him a return to the Champions League by finishing in the top four this season.

The Special One would be welcomed by Chelsea fans but he's smart enough to know you can't step in the same river twice and might prefer to wait for another Premier League job. Max Liu explains why you should never,...

He can't stop scoring and has admitted his own form is 'insane' and whilst that has helped Arsenal out of many a sticky situation, it has also led to the vultures from Barcelona, Madrid and Manchester circling the Emirates......

Like most Premier League fans Andrew Atherley has been impressed by Pavel Pogrebnyak whose goals are making Fulham an end-of-season danger to all and sundry...

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Serie A Betting: Disjointed Inter surely set for a hectic summer

Italian Football / Michael Lintorn / 27 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Wesley Sneijder is Inter's biggest star, yet they fare better without him

"It will be this summer’s appointment that decides if the rot stops, and only if whoever is hired is allowed a greater input in transfer policy, which has been a shambles post-Mourinho."

Seven defeats in eight have made it clear that Inter are in desperate need of rebuilding both on and off-the-field...

According to popular football parlance, a month is a long time in football, but if that's the case then it has to be considered an absolute eternity at Inter.

In late January, Claudio Ranieri was a hero and a scudetto push was expected. Five weeks on, they are seventh, nine points off the Champions League places, staring at a first silverware-free season since 2003-04 and talk has turned to who will be their fifth coach since Jose Mourinho left in 2010.

It is tough to gauge how much blame should be handed to Ranieri, far from the first to struggle with this squad and the mastermind of their finest winning streak since Mourinho's exit. However, seven losses in eight is difficult to survive at any level, let alone in Italy with Massimo Moratti as your boss.

His failure to find a solution to the problem posed by Wesley Sneijder's return has proven disastrous, and has led to the staggering statistic that Inter have taken only 12 points from 13 games with the playmaker, compared to 24 in the 12 that he missed.

This writer would have been tempted to keep him on the bench, letting Ranieri maintain the 4-4-2 that was working well, then switch to either 4-4-1-1 or 4-3-1-2 mid-match depending on if they were chasing or seeing things out.

Perhaps this idea is unrealistic, as a coach will get far more stick losing while ignoring his star man, but the alternative strategy, constantly altering formations and personnel in search of a winning formula, has gone just as badly. In Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Napoli, they even ended up with the three at the back that saw Gian Piero Gasperini hounded out in September.

Ranieri won't resign and it is unclear whether he will be axed now or given a chance to overturn the 1-0 first-leg deficit in their Champions League round-of-16 tie with Marseille. That's a [3.0] prospect and quite the challenge for a team who have fired seven blanks in their last eight fixtures.

Any change this term will likely be temporary, with a figurehead like Giuseppe Baresi, Luis Figo or Roberto Baggio stepping in. It will be this summer's appointment that decides if the rot stops, and only if whoever is hired is allowed a greater input in transfer policy, which has been a shambles post-Mourinho.

Assuming the endless Pep Guardiola gossip is as fanciful as it appears, Zenit St Petersburg's Luciano Spalletti looks the best candidate. He might not even want it, though it will be the end of the Russian season then too and - if he finishes first again [[1.46]] - it may feel like the right time to head home.

The top two clubs in Serie A go head-to-head on Saturday night and Dave Farrar is surprised to see Juventus so generously priced for the win....

Unsurprisingly, AC Milan's attempt to get Zlatan Ibrahimovic's ban cut so that he could face former club Juventus has failed, enhancing the Old Lady's chances in the fight for first......

Before Real Madrid fans get too excited about the prospect of Jose Mourinho's possible departure, they should look at the current state of the two clubs he managed previously. Inter Milan in particular, are in a whole world of trouble,...

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Timeform Radio Tip: Spring to come good in late summer

Timeform Radio Tip / Terry Norman / 03 September 2011 / Leave a Comment

Two good bets have been discovered for us by today's Timeform Radio pundit Terry Norman.

The Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York this season wasn't the best renewal but there were plenty of unexposed types and the winner, Entifaadha, won it off the back of a maiden victory at Newmarket.

The winner is smart but the one that caught the eye was the performance of seemingly-exposed Caledonian Spring (16.40 Haydock) .

Caught up in trouble turning into the straight, Paul D'Arcy's son of Amadeus Wolf made up a tremendous amount of ground from the back.

Eventually, Caledonian Spring finished fourth, beaten by less than three lengths, suggesting the step up to a mile would be ideal. The anticipated fast ground will not be a problem.

The formbook backs up that the selection has the best form on paper but there are plenty of unexposed types.

Crius took an age to get going in a 1mile nursery at York and the well-bred Stipulate won despite being very green on debut at Leicester.

There is every chance either of the two named above could improve beyond Caledonian Spring, but I'm happy to go with what already is in the manuals.

Modun (2.15 Kempton) can take advantage of an expected pace duel to overcome a deficit in the official ratings of this Group three contest.

Michael Stoute's gelding came to win the Ebor (14f) before his stamina gave way and he faded to finish a respectable fourth. He has been on an upward curve all season and has form on the polytrack.

Harris Tweed, with the highest BHA rating of 115, is also dropping in distance and grade following an abortive attempt in the Lonsdale Cup.

The main problem facing Harris Tweed (well beaten on his only polytrack run) is that he is confronted by another confirmed front-runner in Classic Punch (0-3 polytrack). Both like to dominate and give no quarter. A duel seems possible.

Simon de Montfort has winning form on Tapeta and is slowing regaining form while the mare Brushing makes her debut on an artificial surface.

Back Caledonian Spring (16.40 Haydock) @ [5.7]
Back Modun (14.15 Kempton) @ [4.1]

Two bets from Brighton and one from Haydock to focus on today......

Rory Delargy joins Chris Barnett on Timeform Radio for afternoon action at Newton Abbot, Redcar and Salisbury. Here are his best bets......

Martin Kelly has high hopes for AP McCoy this afternoon so will he put his money where his mouth is?...

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Summer Jumpers: Hard rain falling on the Rasen

David Cleary / David Cleary / 19 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

"Street Entertainer travelled strongly for most of the way and, had the tempo been more even, he might well have won."

David Cleary considers the impact of the wet weather on the week's jumps action and highlights some runners that will be worth keeping an eye on in future.

Market Rasen's feature meeting of the summer jumping season was the obvious highlight of the week. However, plenty of rain on well-watered ground made for conditions which didn't suit all.

The Summer Plate, for example, saw half the field failing to complete and plenty off the bridle from an early stage of a strongly-run race. The time recorded for the race was significantly slower than a small-field novice handicap over the same distance later in the afternoon. That was won by Nez Rouge, which seems to indicate the leaders went too hard in front, with North Island and Invisible Man (for whom the ground wouldn't have been ideal either) shaping significantly better than the final distances. Both will be of interest again, under more suitable circumstances.

The winner Qulinton was flattered by his margin, the runner-up Logans Run tiring markedly from the last, but he travelled smoothly in blinkers first time and, in hindsight, a significantly higher view could be taken of his win at Worcester earlier in the summer. Qulinton is only seven and has promised this sort of smart effort before, so he may well be a factor wherever he goes next. Buck Mulligan was never on terms in finishing fifth but he travelled well for a long way and he's almost certainly better than his last two runs indicate. He might need to come down a pound or two in the weights but needs keeping an eye on.

The Summer Hurdle was also well run but, in contrast to the Plate, was much more closely fought. The pace played into the hands of those produced late, with none brought later than the winner Viva Colonia. He's been threatening to win a race for a while and although this one was set up for him, his style of running means he's got a chance of keeping ahead of the handicapper a little longer. Our old friend Kylenoe Fairy also made her move late and ran a cracker in second; she's probably near her limit in the handicap but will go well at this level again.

However, of even greater interest is the less-exposed third Street Entertainer, who raced much closer to the pace than the first two. He travelled strongly for most of the way and had the tempo been more even he might well have won - he's very much one to note for a similar event. Rajnagan couldn't maintain his winning run in a much tougher race but the ground might well have gone against him and he is worth another chance. Ixora couldn't add to her run of successes either, but she shaped as if she requires further at this competitive level and shouldn't be discounted in a similar event at two-and-a-half miles or perhaps even further.

The two-and-three-quarter mile handicap hurdle on the Market Rasen card also has a strong look to it, with the winner Westlin' Winds right back to his best on his first start over hurdles for Brian Ellison. The proximity of such in-form rivals as The Strawberry One and Red Not Blue give this race plenty of substance and the form should stand up well, with Westlin' Winds in particular of interest again. Life of A Luso could manage no better than seventh, running over hurdles having missed the cut for the Plate. The ground will have gone against him and he shaped better than the distances indicate - he remains one to be interested in.

Much earlier in the week, competitive events were thin on the ground but one race that should stand up is the handicap hurdle won by Diamond MM at Worcester. The winner seemed to benefit from a more patient ride and with his stable in good form he is likely to go well again. After two wretched efforts American Art, with his tongue tied, ran a much more encouraging race but found the longer distance beyond him. He may yet recapture the form he showed at Bangor in the spring, back around two miles.

While most punters' attention was on the action at Newmarket, David Cleary keep a cool eye on proceedings at the summer jumps meetings. He highlights the ones to follow and the ones to forget about....

David Cleary marks your card for the summer jumps fixtures to come following Perth's recent two day festival and other races of note...

David Cleary outlines the best betting opportunities for the current crop of horses on the summer jumping circuit...

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Betting Briefing: Summer comes to Market Rasen

Weekly Betfair Briefing / Timeform / 09 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Saturday is a big day for the Summer Jumpers at Market Rasen

"Saturday is also one of the bigger days of the summer jumping seasons as Market Rasen plays host to the Summer Plate and the Summer Hurdle."

It's a relatively quiet week as we gear up to the Betfair King George and the Goodwood and Galway Festival meetings later in the month, but Market Rasen stages a quality card on Saturday...

Sunday July 10

Sunday is a NH-only day in Britain with fixtures scheduled for Perth, Southwell and Stratford. There are a further two meetings set to take place in Ireland - on the Flat at Fairyhouse and over jumps at Sligo.

Monday July 11

Ayr and Ffos Las are the venues for Monday's afternoon Flat racing, while it's Windsor and Wolverhampton on that front in the evening. In Ireland there is a Flat card in the evening at Killarney.

Tuesday July 12

Tuesday afternoon's British action takes place at Beverley and Brighton, to go with evening cards at Southwell and Yarmouth. There are two cards scheduled to take place in Ireland - one in the afternoon at Dundalk, the other in the evening at Killarney.

Wednesday July 13

Catterick and Lingfield on the Flat and Uttoxeter over jumps are the venues for afternoon racing in Britain on Wednesday. There is also evening action at Sandown and Worcester. In Ireland, they go at Downpatrick in the afternoon and Killarney in the evening.

Thursday July 14

Thursday's British Flat racing will take place at Hamilton and Leicester in the afternoon and at Bath, Doncaster and Epsom in the evening. There is also jumping slated for Cartmel, while in Ireland it's Killarney in the afternoon and Leopardstown in the evening.

Friday July 15

It's an all-Flat day in Britain on Friday with cards at Haydock, Newbury and Nottingham in the afternoon and at Hamilton, Newmarket and Pontefract in the evening. In Ireland there is an evening meeting at Kilbeggan.

Saturday July 16

Newbury plays host to a good Flat card on Saturday afternoon, the arguable highlight of which is the valuable Super Sprint for two-year-olds over five furlongs. There is also Group 3 action on the card in the shape of the six-furlong Hackwood Stakes. There is also racing at Newmarket, where the listed Aphrodite Stakes for fillies and mares over a mile and a half is the best race, Haydock, Ripon and Lingfield. In Ireland, there is Group racing on the card at the Curragh,

Saturday is also one of the bigger days of the summer jumping seasons as Market Rasen plays host to the Summer Plate and the Summer Hurdle.

Download a Free Race Card every day in July at timeform.com. Click HERE to register or see the menu.

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, the highlight of which is Newmarket's July Meeting......

It's Irish Derby day at the Curragh on Sunday, and fast-forward to Saturday and you can see another Derby winner in the shape of Workforce, who goes for the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown......

Timeform look ahead to next week's best racing, which includes the valuable and historic Northumberland Plate handicap at Newcastle......

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Premier League Summer Transfers: When the Board men pick the players

Premier League / Ralph Ellis / 27 June 2011 / Leave a Comment

Fabio Cannavaro is a World Cup winning captain and a class act but can his 37 year-old legs still handle the pace of the Premier League?

"The story from Italy has leaked this morning that Italy’s World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro could be recruited at Loftus Road. The stylish centre back, the most capped player in Italy’s history, is available on a free after turning down a lucrative coaching role at Qatar club Al Ahli, where he’s been since leaving Juventus."

Gone are the days when it was solely the Manager who decided which players his club should sign. Ralph Ellis looks at which Premier League Chairmen and Board Members like to meddle when it comes to raiding the transfer market.

We all think we know about football. We've all got an opinion. And that's fine when it's you and me discussing what to have a bet on, or what went wrong with England's Under 21s. It doesn't really do that much harm either when it's random punters ringing in to the local radio station to air their daft views, however much that might add to the pressure on the guy who's running the team.

When it really causes problems is when football club directors start thinking they can spot a player. All the more so, when they reckon they know more than their manager. Then you've got a recipe for disaster.

The trend in football for chairmen and chief executives to get involved in transfers began when they took responsibility from managers for the task of negotiating fees and contracts. What happened next, in many clubs, was that they tried to take over choosing the players to buy as well. Agents saw the signs, and cosied up to the blokes who signed the cheques.

It's ended up with the ridiculous situation that Birmingham's acting chairman put out a statement over the weekend insisting he didn't meddle in the transfer decisions of former boss Alex McLeish; and he justified the claim by giving a list of players he'd wanted to sign that McLeish wouldn't have. It struck me it actually proved the board did interfere - otherwise why were they spending time finding players in the first place?

There's a similar row brewing, you sense, at Queen's Park Rangers. The story from Italy has leaked this morning that Italy's World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro could be recruited at Loftus Road. The stylish centre back, the most capped player in Italy's history, is available on a free after turning down a lucrative coaching role at Qatar club Al Ahli, where he's been since leaving Juventus.

Now I know that Hoops boss Neil Warnock seemed to have changed his lifetime of pragmatic football philosophy last season by finding a role for maverick Moroccan Adel Taarabt. But I somehow can't see that his idea of how to shore up a defence ready for the Premier League is to sign a 37-year-old, whose legs have gone. The man behind the move is clearly co-owner Flavio Briatore, whose passion to interfere in the running of the team caused so many problems for the ten managers and 47 players who came and went in four years of his control previously.

Ominously, in the last few weeks QPR have also been linked with 37-year-old Marco Matterazzi (who has been freed by Inter Milan) as well as Nicola Legrottaglie, who is 34 and just been let go by AC Milan.

Warnock has hitherto been adept at handling the politics of the QPR boardroom, but the higher profile of a place in the Premier League will re-open the whole can of worms. Briatore is now back in charge of football operations, backed by Bernie Ecclestone's money, since Amit Bhatia and Ishan Saksena, the men behind the recruitment of Warnock, stood aside.

QPR are [1.96] to be the top promoted team in a new Betfair market, and I'm tempted to lay that. Warnock has been telling his local papers how he's "hoping the board will clarify that I can sign" players he's been looking at. It's fair to assume that none of them are ageing Italian World Cup legends.

The toughest task for any newly promoted manager is strengthening his squad. Players are reluctant to sign up to a club that promises them little more than a struggle against relegation, and want to wait to see if they can do better.

Swansea, not surprisingly, are the [4.8] outsiders to be best of the new boys. The play-off winners always start at a disadvantage with less time to prepare, and that was reduced even more as Brendan Rodgers took himself off to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for charity and then took a holiday after Wembley was over.

Of the three that went up it seems Norwich, priced at [3.3], have best got the ball rolling so far, with James Vaughan from Everton, Welsh international striker Steve Morison from Millwall, and Brighton's promising Elliott Bennett all putting pen to paper for Paul Lambert. I'm betting that Delia Smith never said a word about any of them. Well possibly except "Let's be 'avin you". But only after Lambert told her who he wanted.

Manchester United's decision to spend in excess of £15 million on both Phil Jones and Ashley Young was a rather significant show of faith, given that the Red Devils have only spent such sums on four English players in the...

Chelsea could improve offer for midfielder this week while United monitor Bale and Milner contemplates Villa return. Meanwhile, if you've heard a rumour let us know at the bottom of the article....

Thiago Alcantara, the man of the match as Spain overcame Switzerland in the European Under-21 Championship Final, has allegedly attracted the interest of Manchester United....

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Timeform Daily: Sunday, Uttoxeter Summer National, 16:20

Race of the Day / Timeform / 25 June 2011 / Leave a Comment

It's Summer National day at Uttoxeter on Sunday

"Peter Bowen can do little wrong at present, so his Ballyvesey deserves a place on the shortlist, but last-time-out winners Keenan's Future and Dom d'Orgeval are still well treated on old form..."

Timeform look at the contenders for one of the highlights of the summer jumps season....

Ouzbeck was back to best once sent back over fences last year by current trainer, winning this race off 1 lb lower mark. Jumped poorly in Scottish equivalent in April, but can't be ruled out.

Grand Slam Hero's form took off on rejoining this yard last year, winning Summer Plate at Market Rasen and quite valuable event at Ffos Las. Preparation for this not ideal having failed to complete last 2 starts.

The Last Derby won a valuable 3m Ascot handicap chase in 2009 and back to that sort of level when runner-up at Cork last month. Effective at this trip, but career best needed off this mark.

Gonebeyondrecall is a dual chase winner around 2½m last summer and sound efforts completed starts over fences since (fourth in the Topham). Recent spin over hurdles will have put him spot on, but trip a big unknown.

Brooklyn Brownie is usually a sound jumper, but not at his very best in 3 starts this year, fifth at Perth when last seen in April. Done all his winning over shorter, and others more persuasive.

Cornish Sett is a quirky stayer (can race lazily) not the force of old, but regained some spark around the turn of the year, winning at Wincanton. Trip holds no fears, but let down by attitude/jumping since.

Simply Smashing produced a career-best effort when making all in Durham National at Sedgefield in April, and hasn't needed to get near that level to add to that twice since (including over hurdles). This test lot different.

Dom d'Orgeval is a graded winner over hurdles, and snapped a losing sequence lasting over 4 years when last seen at Haydock in April. New mark shouldn't be a problem, so one to take seriously.

Gone To Lunch has always had plenty of stamina, runner-up in 2 Scottish Nationals in his prime. Hard to be too positive about after what he's done this year but handicapper has given him every chance.

Mizen Raven has been round the houses over the years, but rejoined Peter Bowen and back to winning ways at Cartmel last July. Failed to add to that in 2010, and raced too freely on return at Aintree.

Commemoration Day is a temperamental sort who initially turned the corner upon joining Charlie Longsdon, winning twice at Stratford in spring. Quickly back to old ways, and too high in the weights now anyway.

Presentandcorrect was successful twice over fences last summer, and made a promising start to this campaign when runner-up at Aintree last month. Below form at same course 2 weeks ago, and not one to rely on.

Ballyvesey got back to winning ways when making all in 3m Ffos Las novice chase in April. Just a respectable effort 12 days later, but back in handicap on handy mark and yard can do little wrong at present.

Sea Wall is a front runner who was better than ever when landing 2 staying handicaps last summer. Best effort this year when fourth at Stratford last month, which makes him of interest fitted with cheekpieces.

Keenan's Future is a useful chaser at best and, having showed he retains plenty of ability in hunters earlier in year, took advantage of a lenient mark at Aintree 2 weeks ago. Trip is fine, and a lot in his favour.

Knighton Combe won 4 races in 2009 and retained plenty of ability last year. More miss than hit this time round, running poorly in cheekpieces last time, and no surprise that aid is dispensed with.

The King of Angels is a useful handicap chaser on his day, as shown when finishing runner-up in this race in 2009. Left Jonjo O'Neill after, and beaten several times in points this year before winning last month.

Surenaga has never been the most consistent. Right back to best in military events at Sandown this spring, but changed yards since falling 3 out in valuable hunter last month, and this looks too tough.

Timeform 1-2-3
1. Keenan's Future
2. Dom d'Orgeval
3. Ballyvesey

Timeform's View: Peter Bowen can do little wrong at present, so his Ballyvesey deserves a place on the shortlist, but last-time-out winners Keenan's Future and Dom d'Orgeval are still well treated on old form and look the pair to concentrate on.

Epsom Derby second and third Treasure Beach and Carlton House are set to renew rivalry at the Curragh on Sunday, but who will come out on top?......

Timeform run the rule over the Pitmen's Derby......

Timeform go through the runners for the Gosforth Park Cup......

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Timeform Radio Racing Tips: Summer Solstice night special

Timeform Radio Tip / Andrew Sheret / 21 June 2011 / Leave a Comment

Andrew Sheret serves up a pair of promising Tuesday evening bets, including one returning to the track after a lay-off and another looking to end a losing run...

Goat Castle (19:35 Newton Abbot) had some solid handicap form to his name when last seen in the autumn, chasing home the pretty useful Crystal Rock on one occasion, and looks to represent a bit of value against likely market leader Dunowen Point. This seven-year-old has been off the track over seven months but has gone well fresh before and lack of fitness isn't usually an issue with this yard.

Equuleus Pictor (20:50 Newbury) hasn't won for a while but has run well enough of late to suggest he'll be ending his losing sequence before long, not enjoying any luck in running at Leicester last time. This is a lower-class race than John Spearing's gelding usually contests and he's sure to go close if reacting well to first-time cheekpieces.

Recommended Bets
Back Goat Castle @ [3.8] in the 19:35 @ Newton Abbot
Back Equuleus Pictor @ [4.0] in the 20:50 @ Newbury

With British golf fans jubilant and tennis enthusiasts hopeful, it's a quiet day in racing. Terry Norman, however, reckons he's found a promising afternoon bet....

Fresh from a super day's tipping at Royal Ascot yesterday, David Cleary is back for the slightly less glamorous racing on offer today. But don't let that stop you from making some money......

Rain is around for day three of Royal Ascot but that shouldn't dampen enthusiasm for what's been a terrific meeting so far, writes David Cleary....

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Summer Jumpers: Bright futures over fences

David Cleary / David Cleary / 14 June 2011 / Leave a Comment

A number of horses that failed this week can improve in future

"Abnaki was unfortunate, a bad mistake at the last costing him. But he can gain compensation before long."

David Cleary offers valuable insights about what we can learn from the last week's jump racing...

While a few of the week's jumps meetings lacked competitiveness, with rain on watered ground producing some unsatisfactory going as well, the mid-week card at Southwell offered plenty of interest.

The highlight was the handicap hurdle won by Red Not Blue, who was gaining a fourth win in five starts. Good ground seems important to him, his defeat in that time having come on his one recent start on soft, and with that proviso he seems sure to continue to go well.

The Bangor winner King Ozzy, mentioned favourably here before, looked the main danger on form and was threatening two out. But he didn't see the two-and-a-half mile trip out nearly so well as the winner, ending up a bit below form in third. But he's well worth keeping onside back over shorter. Runner-up Castlerock ran easily his best race over hurdles. Provided he stands further training, he should go one better before long. He looks the type to make a better chaser as well, and will be of interest in that sphere in due course.

Castlerock's trainer Jonjo O'Neill had two winners on the Southwell card, continuing his fine recent run with a double later in the week at Market Rasen, but the stable's other beaten runners at Southwell are the other main ones to note for the future.

The promising Abnaki was unfortunate in the three-mile handicap hurdle, a bad mistake at the last costing him all chance when holding still on level terms - he can gain compensation before long. Stamina will be his strong suit and he is another with a future over fences.

Sentimentaljourney appeared weak in the market, despite a promising hurdling debut the previous month, and was beaten a long way when fourth to the useful prospect Smart Freddy in a two-mile novice hurdle but the distances hardly begin to tell the story. Sentimentaljourney got well behind after a mistake at the fifth but wasn't at all knocked about and looked to have running left in him. He's qualified for a handicap mark now, though he'll be of interest in maiden/novices as well, and is certainly one to be with when the market speaks in his favour.

Joker Choker (who had finished fifth in King Ozzy's race at Bangor) won for the second time since back in novices when beating Lava Lamp impressively at Newton Abbot. This wasn't a race with much depth and Lava Lamp raced rather lazily, considering the longer trip ought to have suited him, but both first and second are likely to continue to give a good account, with Joker Choker capable of holding his own in a better grade.

Another to note on that card is Hill Forts Gloria. She has yet to win, but the strong finish she produced in the 19 furlong novice handicap hurdle suggests she has potential to improve over further, with a race of this nature well within her compass.

Aintree's last meeting before the autumn turned out not to be so competitive as expected. Keenan's Future's victory in the staying handicap chase required a McCoy masterclass, not many of the others giving their running. Marleybow was well backed against him but he seemed unsettled by a bad mistake at the first. He may well bounce back on a less demanding track.

Another given the benefit of the doubt is Cotillion, whose stamina gave out after he'd looked all over the winner of the two-and-a-half mile novice hurdle. This, though, wasn't a strong race, with two of his three main rivals on form failing to complete.

Grimmest sight of the week was the bumper at Hexham. Rain had made conditions most testing and Golden View just galloped his rivals into submission, 250 lengths covering the nine runners at the finish, and with most barely walking up the hill. The form at the meeting should be treated with caution, and the conditions provide an obvious excuse for the shock defeat of Ely Brown in the three-mile novice hurdle. Definitely well worth another chance.

David Cleary picks out the highlights of recent races at Worcester, Hexham and Perth...

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Betfair announce new £100,000 summer double bonus

Events / Joe Dyer / 30 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

King George day at Ascot kicks off the Betfair Summer Double

"The breakdown of the bonus prize fund will be 60% to the Owner, 20% to the Trainer, 10% to the Jockey and 10% to the stable staff."

Just land two high-summer 7f handicaps and win £100,000...

Betfair is giving connections the chance to win a £100,000 bonus by successfully completing the new "Betfair Summer Double."

The Betfair Summer Double consists of two valuable £100,000 Betfair-sponsored, 7f handicaps in their own right, at Ascot on July 23 and a new, six-figure contest at Goodwood on August 27.

Win both, and Betfair will give connections an extra £100,000 bonus.

The breakdown of the bonus prize fund will be 60% to the Owner, 20% to the Trainer, 10% to the Jockey and 10% to the stable staff.

Betfair spokesman Tony Calvin commented: "The first of the races take place on Betfair King George day, and we have worked with Goodwood to introduce a new race on August 27 for the final leg.

"These handicaps are obviously highly-competitive, but the winner of the Ascot race will clearly go to Goodwood in peak form and with a leading chance of scooping a very winnable six-figure bonus."

Ascot's Nick Smith commented: "This is a tremendous new Betfair-inspired initiative with the two races perfectly spaced to give the winner of the Ascot leg time to be prepared for Goodwood and a crack at the bonus. The top seven furlong top handicaps have really grown in prominence over recent years and this should enhance their appeal further still."

And Goodwood's Managing Director Adam Waterworth added: "We are pleased to welcome Betfair as sponsors at our August meeting, and are delighted that Goodwood is staging the second leg of their £100,000 bonus programme.

"Such a significant amount of prize money is sure to increase the interest in the race here, and we look forward to welcoming the winner of the Ascot race here on August 27."

In a Royal wedding year, will the crowds at Epsom be cheering home a Derby winner owned by the reigning monarch? Timeform run the rule over the main contenders for the Blue Riband on June 4......

Dan Fitch looks at the Ladies Day hats which turn the attention away from the racing at Royal Ascot....

Jenny Pitman OBE and Charlie Mann will host a fantastic evening at Newbury racecourse on May 21 to raise vital funds for head and neck cancer...

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Summer Jumpers: Horses to watch after a busy week

General / David Cleary / 24 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

David's selected the most promising horses from a crowded field

"Viva Colonia is well worth another chance, particularly at two miles."

David Cleary reflects on another week of summer jump racing and highlights the winners to watch, the losers to avoid and the contenders that could have more to offer in future...

It was another busy week on the jumping front, though competitive races which look worth following were decidedly thin on the ground. As earlier in the month, the handicap hurdles were stronger by and large than other categories, and certainly include the most talked about race of the week, the two-mile event at Wetherby won by Royal Max.

It was a much improved effort by the winner on his second start back from a break, but he was greatly helped by the soft lead he managed to establish after starting several lengths ahead of his rivals. The well-supported Viva Colonia was left with far too much to do and the effort of trying to close such a large gap cost him second. He is well worth another chance, particularly at two miles. Apartman couldn't build on a promising effort at Aintree the time before but this may have come a bit soon, given his profile, and he's dropping a lot in the weights, so shouldn't be written off just yet.

The handicap hurdle at Kelso on Sunday is another to be positive about, with the winner What A Steel, leading home two other unexposed sorts in Cool Baranca and Freddie Brown. What A Steel showed a good attitude and ought to follow up under a penalty before he's reassessed. Cool Baranca travelled strongly but was found out by the stiff finish, compounded by a strong wind - she can win a similar event when speed is more at a premium. Freddie Brown, by contrast, is a chaser in the making, likely to be at his best over further, and he couldn't quicken after jumping clumsily at times.

Another winner to note from Kelso is Badger Foot, who landed the handicap chase in ready fashion on his first start for Lucinda Russell. He's been in good form in points and is clearly a different proposition since leaving Jonjo O'Neill.

Much earlier in the week, at Newton Abbot, Kylenoe Fairy defied a 6-lb rise for her previous course win. Her style of racing - held up and produced late - means the handicapper doesn't find it easy to get her measure when she's in top form; the way she travelled here before picking up well suggests she'll have a solid chance of completing a hat-trick. Kylenoe Fairy wasn't the only one to boost the form of her previous race during the week, which suggests runner-up Tri Nations should be given another chance. He's been set too much to do in two defeats since (never-nearer fifth behind Kylenoe Fairy this time) but can take advantage of a still favourable mark if all falls his way.

Two others to note from the Newton Abbot card are the Grant Cann-trained pair How's My Friend and She's On The Case. How's My Friend caught the eye in the steadily-run novice hurdle, losing his place before keeping on well without being given a hard time; he's one to keep in mind. She's On The Case was well backed for the handicap chase on just her second start over fences but two miles five furlongs is on the short side, particularly on a sharp track, and lack of fluency as the pace quickened left her poorly placed. The best of her has definitely yet to be seen. The winner of that race, Life of A Luso shows a likeable attitude and may well keep ahead of the handicapper, particularly as he'll be at least as effective back at three miles.

Defeat for short-priced favourite Turtlethomas in the three-mile novice hurdle at Worcester, won by the thorough stayer Ely Brown, was a rare reverse for the Lawney Hill yard. However, Turtlethomas was travelling strongly when a blunder four out seemed to unsettle him and he's well worth another chance.

The week's list of negatives could be summed up as just about anything that won at the two Towcester fixtures. However, three will do for now: Leopard Hills (unimpressive in a weak seller), Speedy Directa (fell in, with a race run ideally and the favourites running badly) and Timoca (seemed to show more resolution in cheekpieces but won a weak race for mares and wouldn't be sure to react so well to headgear another time).

The Flat-bred Rio Gael made a fairly unconvincing chasing debut at Fakenham and will need to be well placed to follow up, handicaps not a good option given his hurdling mark. Franklino confirmed his status as a serial underachiever in defeat at Newton Abbot, while Gem Mill surely won't be subject of market support again after a poor display at Sedgefield.

The Flat season is grabbing the headlines but there are still plenty of promising bets to be had over jumps, as David Cleary explains....

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