TAXI FOR MESSI!
Argentina...0 Croatia...3
When the bleak indignity of it all had ended, Lionel Messi was the first man off the pitch.
he walked with his head down, casting just the briefest look behind him to be sure that others were following, because it was nothing less than an embarrassment — a display of tactical and technical ineptitude which leaves Argentina’s presence here in extreme peril and could mark the end of a generation.
Their tournament will be all but over if Iceland defeat nigeria today, which would leave Argentina needing a monumental win against the Africans next Tuesday.
But the inquisition into Jorge Sampaoli and his tactics will run for years. not since a 6-1 defeat by Czechoslovakia in 1958 have Argentina lost so heavily in the group stage of a World
2.30 ALBANY STAKES GROUP THREE — 6 FURLONGS
the Ballydoyle bandwagon has cranked up a couple of gears in the last couple of days and the formidable Irish operation looks to have a stranglehold on this event with JUST
WONDERFUL and Fairyland. Preference is for the former given she won on her debut at the Curragh — the exception rather than the norm for an aidan o’Brien juvenile.
She displayed plenty of speed in covering the final three furlongs in a similar time to high- class sprinter Merchant navy, who won later on the card and is a leading fancy for the Diamond Jubilee tomorrow.
the form has been boosted since by runner-up lethal Promise, while third home Gossamer Wings was just beaten in the Queen Mary at 25-1. SELECTION: JUST WONDERFUL DANGER: MAIN EDITION
3.05 KING EDWARD VII GROUP TWO — 1 MILE 3 FURLONGS
Stall one may make life a little awkward for RAA ATOLL, but if any rider can overcome that, it is Frankie Dettori and the Italian is fancied to steer home another Royal winner.
taking on the might of aidan o’Brien in a middle distance Group contest may not be the cleverest strategy, but I have been impressed with John Gosden’s Sea the Stars colt and he looked to win with plenty in hand at leicester last time.
Cape liberty, well beaten in fifth that day, has already won since and the step up to 12 furlongs appeared to really suit the selection. Delano Roosevelt represents the Derby form and, with epsom also-ran Kew Gardens bolting up in the Queen’s Vase, he is a huge threat. SELECTION: RAA ATOLL DANGER: DELANO ROOSEVELT
3.40 COMMONWEALTH CUP GROUP ONE — 6 FURLONGS
INVINCIBLE ARMY may have tasted defeat at the hands of Sands of Mali at haydock last time, but he can take revenge on today’s stiffer track.
a speed test was always likely to suit Sands of Mali a little more than the selection and it could be a different story with the testing climb to the line likely to play to the strengths of James tate’s likeable speedster.
he began his campaign with a wonderful display on ground arguably too soft back in May and a strong gallop and faster conditions should ensure he posts a major show.
Sioux nation, winner of last year’s norfolk Stakes, is an explosive sprinter at his best and he could prove a formidable rival if his naas comeback is anything to go by. SELECTION: INVINCIBLE ARMY DANGER: SIOUX NATION
4.20 CORONATION STAKES GROUP ONE — 7 FURLONGS
DISMISSED in the betting prior to the 1,000 Guineas, BILLESDON BROOK treated her rivals with similar contempt at newmarket, quickening well to score in style from laurens.
her chief victim on that first weekend in May has paid a handsome compliment to the form with two French wins, the second of which was in last Sunday’s French oaks.
the round course at ascot asks a different set of questions of a rider compared to the straight mile and Sean levey will be grateful he partners a filly with a necessary change of gear. Jessie harrington has yet to win a Royal ascot race but alpha Centauri, second in last year’s albany Stakes, should also be on the scene. SELECTION: BILLESDON BROOK DANGER: ALPHA CENTAURI
5.00 SANDRINGHAM STAKES HANDICAP — 1 MILE
THIS race looks one of the hardest to unravel this week which is some attribute in itself.
In the hope she is ridden with some patience by Richard Kingscote,
DI FEDE gains a tentative nod as the handicapper may not have punished her too severely for a narrow victory in a minor leicester event last time.
that looked a smart piece of placing by trainer Ralph Beckett as the assessor was unlikely to be too punitive given the strength of that contest. her latest run over today’s course and distance, when too free in the early stages and aggressively ridden, took a boost earlier in the week when winner, urban Fox, and runner-up tribute act both ran well in Group two company. SELECTION: DI FEDE DANGER: AGROTERA
5.35 DUKE OF EDINBURGH HANDICAP — 1 MILE 3 FURLONGS
SILVESTRE De sousa has already proved what a magnificent judge of pace he is with a bold, front-running ride aboard yesterday’s Britannia Stakes hero ostilio.
the Brazilian could well employ the same tactics aboard epsom scorer Dash of Spice and the duo will be a huge threat to all if afforded a cheap lead.
hopefully, the presence of fellow pacesetter Crowned eagle will keep De Sousa honest, ensuring a genuine gallop, conditions which could play to the strengths of MANJAAM.
the selection, beaten nine lengths in this last year when poorly drawn, produced a smart turn of foot to score at York last time so could outrun his morning odds. SELECTION: MANJAAM DANGER: DASH OF SPICE