⚽ FOOTBALL RETURNS - PREMIER LEAGUE ACTION WED 17th JUNE ⚽

The Premier League is set to restart on 17th June with fixtures for Aston Villa v Sheffield United and Manchester City v Arsenal, subject to government approval. It's been a 100 days since the last game was played in The Premier League which was suspended on 13th March because of the pandemic after Leicester City's 4-0 win over Aston Villa on 9 March. The Premier League sides have been back in full training for a few weeks now and also getting regular Covid-19 testing. All games will be behind closed doors and with the minimum number of staff and media in attendance. While Liverpool will surely soon be confirmed as Premier League Champions the most important games will feature those at the lower end of the table. It is possible that Liverpool could clinch the title in the Merseyside Derby against Everton on Sunday.

Aston Villa 0 - 0 Sheffield United
kick off 18:00
First game back and all to play for here with the hosts Villa in need of points to retain their Premier League status while Sheffield United have been outstanding all season and look set for a Europa League spot for their hard work. Will be interesting to watch and see if the lack of atmosphere in the stadium has an effect on the playing style, and the result may well depend on who's been the most effective at keeping fit during the last hundred days or so. A win for Villa would take them out of the relegation places for the time being but my call would be a Sheffield United win, though could be good to just see some football back on the screens.

Manchester City 3 - 0 Arsenal
kick off 20:15
Would have been a massive game in most seasons with both sides looking to cement a top four finish and a champions league place, though this season defending champions City will have to settle for cup victories and a likely second place in the league as Liverpool should wrap things up fairly soon in their memorable season. Arsenal are off the pace again this season but a win puts them above North London rivals Tottenham and just outside the top five, but put this years disappointments aside, we should still have an entertaining game here, pull up a chair, grab a beer and watch City tear the Gunners apart?

Yes more games continue with a full program in the Premier League this weekend, and in around ten days time we will also be able to focus on the FA Cup 1/4 finals to try and complete that competition too before we think about when next season can begin. No more games for us in League One and thankfully AFC Wimbledon have survived for another season - whenever that might be and a new stadium on it's way too.

ROYAL ASCOT 2020 [Behind Closed Doors]. DAY TWO WEDNESDAY 17th JUNE

Wednesday Weather update -- It's going to be another cloudy, wet and breezy day on Wednesday with a likely maximum temperature of 19C at the track and hopefully warmer at home wherever you are.
Going -- Good.

Day Two - Wednesday, June 17
Hope you enjoyed yourselves watching day one from the comfort of your home, more top quality races again today which will feature the Group 1 contest Prince of Wales Stakes off at 3:00pm and we will as have the first of the big feature heritage handicaps with the Royal Hunt Cup off at 3:35pm Jockey Jim Crowley took the first day honours with a treble will he have more winners today. 

1.15pm The Silver Royal Hunt Cup (Handicap)
1m  [£35,000  24 runners]
Our opener today is a consolation race for the Royal Hunt Cup which will of course be run later this afternoon. Huge fields for both events, I'm sure Richard Hannon can get a tune out of BRIAN EPSTEIN here and should go well from the low side of the draw, he also saddles OUZO another with a big chance for Ryan Moore. While Jamie Osborne's BRAINS has been busy picking up races from an opening mark of 52 and still winning off marks in the high 80s, will need to keep improving for this but not out of it at 33/1 a good each way shot for a yard that loves a gamble. The more rain that falls the better for ALTERNATIVE FACT with most of his better runs coming where there is "soft" in the going report.


RESULT
1st     Sir Busker 12/1  [O Murphy]
2nd    Salayel 12/1
3rd     Alternative Fact 9/1
4th     Almufti 33/1

1.50pm The Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3)
1m 2f  [£60,000  8 runners]
Next race is for 3yo's only, headed by Andrew Balding's BERLIN TANGO who was successful in a Group 3 at Kempton (Classic Trial) so if he can transfer that to turf might be of interested. Probably safer to stick with the two big yards here Sir Michael Stoute runs FIRST RECEIVER with Frankie in the saddle in the Royal colours while Aiden O'Brien has the pair of NEW WORLD TAPESTRY / RUSSIAN EMPEROR [Won 10/3] the latter the pick of Ryan Moore and was runner up in an Irish Derby trial. KENZAI WARRIOR won the Horris Hill in soft ground as a 2yo so any further rain by Wednesday would improve his chances especially with the 4lb penalty.

RESULT
1st     Russian Emperor 10/3  [R L Moore]
2nd    First Receiver 9/4f
3rd     Berlin Tango 4/1

2.25pm The King George V Stakes (Handicap)
1m 4f  [£60,000  18 runners]
Another of the large field handicaps for 3yo's over the 12f trip and headed by WYCLIF who is going up in trip after a second in a listed event last time, might be too high at this stage of his career. Several moving up in trip now from their 2yo days including CONVICT who should run well for trainer William Haggas, and BODYLINE for Sir Mark Prescott another colt by Australia and the master of Heath House is sure to have improved this one for the longer trip he now faces. Mark Johnston saddle four here which makes it difficult to know what his best would be, maybe GLENTIES as an each way option in a wide open affair.

RESULT
1st     Hukum 12/1  [Jim Crowley]
2nd    Kipps  9/2jf
3rd     Subjectivist 22/1
4th     Group One Power  28/1

Crystal Ocean winning 2019 Prince of Wales Stakes

3.00pm The Prince of Wales's Stakes (Group 1)
1m 2f  [£250,000  7 runners]
Today's feature, won last year by the retired Crystal Ocean pictured above beating Magical in the pouring rain, has a small field but big in quality. Includes JAPAN who was 3rd in the Derby representing the all conquering Coolmore team. Dangers all around though with the Godolphin 6yo BARNEY ROY still potentially up to this class, and Roger Charlton has HEADMAN for Khalid Abdullah. Disappointing that it's only seven runners else we'd have been interesting in the John Gosden runners each way but we'll stick with the two above against the Irish favourite in a decent renewal of this contest.

RESULT
1st.    Lord North 5/1 [James Doyle]
2nd    Addeybb  7/2

3.35pm The Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap)
1m  [£75,000  24 runners]
Time for the feature heritage handicap the Royal Hunt Cup over the mile trip is headed by the progressive 4yo ALRAJAA a winner of his last four handicaps and although has to carry a lot of weight could be capable of more than current mark of 109. Mark Johnston has VALE OF KENT who was placed in listed class off this same mark last time and if getting a good position will be strong in the finish. Another that I've been following is QAYSAR (Richard Hannon / Ryan Moore) has also been placed since the return to racing and is a winner of a variety of going so rain is not an issue if it comes very hopeful that run will have blown any cobwebs away for a huge run today. Last years winner AFAAK races off only 3lb higher and has Cieren Fallon on board to assist might be worth a look at 25/1.

RESULT
1st     Dark Vision 15/2 [W Buick]
2nd    Montatham 8/1
3rd     Pogo 25/1
4th     Vale of Kent 22/1

4.10pm The Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed)
5f  [£40,000  20 runners]
A field of lightly raced 2yo's are our penultimate event on day two, very tricky to finalise the form amongst these, but we must start with the Coolmore owned CHIEF LITTLE HAWK who took his Navan maiden comfortably just the past week so must be well regarded to come straight over here. Wesley Ward has had good winners here over recent years and despite the lock down has sent over SUNSHINE CITY with Frankie taking the ride, should be close with the fillies allowance in her favour too, the yard are also responsible for the un-raced SHERIFF BIANCO. Support for the Yarmouth maiden winner YAZAMAN could be interesting and runs here instead of his Norfolk Stakes entry might be an each way option though all of these should improve for the experience.

RESULT
1st.    Tactical 7/2  [James Doyle]
2nd    Yazaman 20/1
3rd     Muker 40/1

4.40pm The Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap)
1m 6f   [£35,000  16 runners]
Time for the stayers to take to the stage for the finale on day two, sixteen declared so hopefully four places up for grabs. Headed by the Frankel colt COLLIDE who has begun 2020 well with two wins, one at Listed level over in France, has a penalty to shoulder here but could be on the upgrade still and very interesting. Deal a Dollar has been busy with plenty of place form on the all weather tracks, so we'll pass over in this grade, while FUJAIRA PRINCE [Won xx] hasn't been seen since placing at the Royal Meeting last year and is lightly raced so the step up in trip could be to his liking. HEREBY would be a selection having won her last four races and on the upgrade but is a 3rd reserve so seems more likely to miss out also holds an entry for Friday.

RESULT
1st     Fujaira Prince 3/1 [A Atzeni]
2nd    Selino 8/1
3rd     Almania 12/1
4th     Themaxwecan 16/1

Results will be updated in the evening and we will have details for tomorrow's Ascot Gold Cup card posted up as early as possible. Hope you enjoying the week thus far despite the change of format and lack of atmosphere and fashion.

ROYAL ASCOT 2020 [Behind Closed Doors]. DAY ONE TUESDAY 16th JUNE

Tuesday Weather update -- High Temp of 21C Starting dry. Plenty of cloud around too, especially during the morning, and a chance of some wind and showers later.
Going -- Good.

Day One - Tuesday, June 16
This years Royal Ascot meeting will be very different of course, no crowds, no fashion, no Royals either, just high quality races being shown behind closed doors. This will be the first Royal Ascot meeting that Her Majesty The Queen will have missed in her 68 year reign. 

The schedule for the week has been reordered from the usual fayre but we will have seven races to enjoy. The prize money has also been reduced but the important Group Races are maintained and we will also have an earlier than usual starting time of 1:15 with a handicap over 7f getting us off the mark. We will have two Group One contests today the Queen Anne Stakes [1:50] over 1m for older horses, and the King's Stand [3:35] which is a 5f sprint.

1.15pm The Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap)
7f  [£35,000  24 runners]
The opening race for the 2020 meeting is a big tricky handicap with no sign of reduced fields here as 24 starters line up (plus 3 reserves available) Sure to be plenty of Frankie Dettori followers and he certainly had a great time last year, his ride DAARIK is lightly raced but won last week at Newcastle so should be fit enough to run well from a high draw with other speedy types [Documenting, Jacks Point, Cliffs of Capri] giving him a decent tow into the race. HEY JONESY would be an apt winner for my pal Mark, and often runs well here including last years Wokingham Handicap while low drawn GIFTED MASTER would also attract some interest in an open race.

Result:
1st Motakhayyel 14/1  [Jim Crowley]
2nd Jack's Point 66/1
3rd Mutamaasik 7/1
4th Cliffs Of Capri 20/1

1.50pm The Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1)
1m   [£250,000  16 runners]
The first Group 1 of the meeting and we've got Accidental Agent turning up for the third year in this, won it in 2018 but refused to race in 2019 so some reservations again today. Elsewhere in this big field you have to take notice of Aiden O'Brien's CIRCUS MAXIMUS [WON 4/1] a winner here last year then fourth in the Breeders Cup mile will be hard to beat. While in receipt of a weight allowance are BILLESDON BROOK (Richard Hannon) a big price winner of the 1000 Guineas two years ago but is capable of popping up again at a decent price while support for TEREBELLUM (John Godsen) with Frankie on board should be noted and must be in with a big shout today.

Result:
1st -    Circus Maximus 4/1  [R L Moore]
2nd -   Terebellum  5/1
3rd -    Marie's Diamond 40/1

2.25pm The Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2) 3yo's
1m 4f   [£110,000  12 runners]
A Group 2 contest for 3yo fillies over the Derby trip, where FRANKLY DARLING [Won 11/8f] is going to be hard to stop having won her prep race well enough and this daughter of Frankel should be spot on to take this before going onto bigger things. A P O'Brien has two fillies here with ENNISTYMON / PASSION both with chances, but a big price about HOLD FAST, the yard must like this one as quickly stepped up in trip and class from a maiden win and one to watch in the betting market currently showing 20/1.

Result:
1st -    Frankly Darling 11/8f [L Dettori]
2nd -   Ennistymon 11/1
3rd -    Passion 13/2

3.00pm The King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2)
1m 4f  [£110,000  6 runners]
Small field now just the six go to post while Aiden O'Brien has a strong hand with two including favourite MOGUL (also runs Arthur's Kingdom) they could be surprised by the unbeaten 'Australia' colt MOHICAN HEIGHTS trained by David Simcock. A lot might depend on the early pace which with a small field such as this cannot be guaranteed.

Result:
1st -    Pyledriver  18/1 [M Dwyer]
2nd -   Arthur's Kingdom 9/2

3.35pm The King's Stand Stakes (Group 1)
5f  [£250,000  11 runners]
The second Group 1 of the opening day and the sprinters come to the fore, no Blue Point in the field is disappointing so it's the chance for last year's Nunthorpe winner BATTAASH to take a big prize and looks likely to be a short price here today with a rating of 126 putting him some way ahead of these. Best of the rest appears to be GLASS SLIPPERS (K Ryan) and EQUILATERAL (C Hills) while a big price each way shot for me is the filly KURIOUS winner of a Group 3 and lightly raced so could have some improvement.

Result:
1st -     Battaash  5/6f  [Jim Crowley]
2nd -    Equilateral 9/1
3rd -     Liberty Beach 4/1

BLUE POINT WINNER OF THE KING'S STAND LAST YEAR

4.10pm The Duke of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2)
1m  [£100,000  11 runners]
Haven't seen much of Sir Michael Stoute's runners so far but now he saddles two in this Group 2 affair, JUBILOSO the choice of Ryan Moore along with QUEEN POWER (S De Sousa) both seem equally attractive in the betting markets and the trainers runners usually improve for age and experience over this trip and further. Frankie is on the French filly WASMYA instead of his usual place on board John Gosden's runners, but NAZEEF is owned by Sheikh Hamdan and Jim Crowley rides. I'll have a little each way play on the French filly.

Result:
1st -    Nazeef 10/3  [Jim Crowley]
2nd -   Agincourt 28/1
3rd -    Queen Power 3/1

4.40pm The Ascot Stakes (Handicap)
2m 4f  [£35,000  20 runners]
Our finale on day one of this unique Royal Ascot meeting and it's the stayers turn now with a field of twenty to try their luck out over the Gold Cup trip. Top weight is VERDANA BLUE who is very good over hurdles and respected with Ryan Moore in the saddle but too short a price for me and surely should be found out by something slightly better handicapped today. COEUR DE LION [Won 16/1] was 5th in this contest last year and could go well again at a price for trainer Alan King especially if there's more rain by Tuesday, while MOON KING is also one to note having been successful multiple times last season over staying trips, although this extra 4f will test most of them for stamina. Support for Mark Johnston's SUMMER MOON is always worth noting as this trainer excels with his stayers and was 3rd in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket.

Result:
1st -    Coeur de Lion 16/1  [Thore Hammer Hansen]
2nd -   Verdana Blue 4/1
3rd -    Summer Moon 11/2
4th -    Smart Champion 22/1

Results for the first day will be updated in the evening and we will have details for each of the following days of Royal Ascot posted up as early as possible. Hope you enjoy the week.