TENNIS AGONY FOR KYLE Choked Edmund blows it
we’ve answered those questions today.”
Like Appleby, jockey Will Buick was also savouring Derby glory for the first time after finishing second on Libertarian in 2013 and Jack Hobbs two years later.
“It’s the pinnacle, it’s the holy grail, it’s the be-all and end-all,” said the 29-yearson old (below), who dashed to the front entering the final two furlongs for a length-anda-half supremacy over Dee Ex Bee.
Saxon Warrior could manage no better than fourth after Dee Ex Bee, owned by Sheikh Mohammed’s Hamdan, cannoned into him as the winner made his move. “It’s always tight but I couldn’t use it as an excuse,” said the favourite’s jockey Ryan Moore. “He just didn’t pick up.” FRANKIE DETTORI yesterday dismissed as “rubbish” rumours he is about to announce his shock retirement.
Epsom’s Derby day was awash with speculation that the 47-year-old, by a distance the sport’s most recognisable face, was on the verge of quitting his time in the saddle.
But the Italian, a two-time Derby winner with Authorized (2007) and Golden Horn (2015) and who finished fifth aboard the Dermot Weldtrained Hazapour yesterday, said: “The rumours are rubbish you’re going to have to put up with me for another five years!”
Dettori (above), who had ridden Cracksman to a last-gasp victory for trainer John Gosden in the Group 1 Investec Coronation Cup on Friday, added: “It’s crazy – Jason Weaver rang me to ask if I was retiring and I also got some texts from some lads.
“But I’m not retiring – I’ve still got Cracksman and Enable to ride this season!” KYLE EDMUND will head home to prepare for the pressure of Wimbledon after admitting he blew his chance to reach the French Open fourth round for the first time. The British No.1 lost a five-set slugfest with Fabio Fognini (below) yesterday where both needed medical timeouts – and play was stopped in the first set when a fan fell ill. Edmund went two sets to one up but the world No.17 lacked the killer touch against the world No.18 on a day when all British interest at Roland Garros died. The Australian Open semi-finalist, who had treatment on his hip in the second set, lost 6-3 4-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 in three hours and 34 minutes. But after beating Novak Djokovic and David Goffin in Madrid, it was an anticlimactic end to Edmund’s clay-court season. He said: “He took his chances better than I did and that is something to learn from. “It’s always tough when you put in lots of effort, emotion and stuff. You can’t expect to play Mach 10 all the time and hit the highs.” With Andy Murray’s summer still uncertain, Edmund will be seeded at Wimbledon for the first time and the centre of attention. His SW19 preparations begin with the Fevertree Championships at Queen’s Club from June 18, and he said: “Expectations are through success. This year I’m going in the right direction and people maybe expect me to do better. It will probably be a bit busier and a new experience for me.” Jamie Murray and Heather Watson both lost in the doubles, and when asked about the future of his brother, Jamie said: “No idea, honestly. I don’t know what his plans are.” Rafa Nadal extended his streak of consecutive sets to a personal record of 34 as he won his 16th straight match against Richard Gasquet. The Spaniard triumphed 6-3 6-2 6-2. Returning three-time champion Serena Williams set up a last-16 women’s singles match against longtime rival Maria Sharapova tomorrow by beating Germany’s 11th seed Julia Gorges 6-3 6-4. Sharapova destroyed No.6 seed Karolina Pliskova 6-2 6-1.