United looking good without Rooney

Although

Manchester United

fans may have initially feared the worst when they heard that Wayne Rooney was likely to be missing for up to three weeks, they have already seen their side prove that they are a unit containing plenty of firepower in front of goal this season, with Berbatov, Owen and Hernandez showing that they are capable of producing the goods in attack.

They clearly miss Rooney as a natural presence and leader on the pitch, bur United have proved in seasons past that they are rarely vulnerable to turning into a one man team, coping with the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, for example, admirably. However, with Owen still injury prone and Hernandez unlikely to be able to take on the role of number one or two striker just yet, it appears that this season is going to be the one in which Berbatov steals the limelight consistently.

If Berbatov fails to produce his best, particularly in the big games, then United are likely to struggle both in Europe and in the

Premier League

, especially considering that Rio Ferdinand, by far and away their best defender when fit, is showing worrying signs that injury problems could be about to end his career. The latest Champions League odds suggest the side are in for a tough time.
However, if Berbatov reacts well to a greater sense of responsibility and starts to repay the £30 million sum that Sir Alex paid to see the Bulgarian join the Red Devils, it could be a very different story.

Although this hefty fee has not been justified so far, the forward is beginning to show the kind of scintillating form that can fully justify the faith that the Old Trafford manager has placed in him. Those who bet on football games should not back against him being top scorer this season.

If he does repay this faith throughout a long, tiring domestic and European campaign, then United may well see this season turn out to be the one during which they finally overtake bitter rivals Liverpool and win that elusive 19th league title.

Green bounces back

Rob Green showed everyone he is still one of the best English keepers around with a stunning display in West Ham’s 1-0 win over Tottenham last weekend. The keeper showed his delight at silencing his critics with a gesture aimed at the press box after the game. Fortunately for Green, the FA have said the keeper won't face any disciplinary action over the gesture. It was clear from Green's reaction to the final whistle how much the clean sheet meant to him after a horrendous few months and the best football predictions suggest he could now go on a good run.

It all started going wrong for Green during the summer. After a good season for West Ham, Green started the tournament as England's first choice stopper. Then Green produced one of the all time World Cup blunders and was dropped from the first team. Following England's early exit from South Africa, Green found himself dropped from the England squad entirely, even when Joe Hart was the only fit goalie and Capello was forced to call up two Under-21 keepers to train with the full squad.

As well as his international troubles, Green and West Ham have had a dreadful start to the new season under their new manager, Avram Grant. Green has looked to be suffering from a major confidence issue and has been at fault more than once already this season and the Premier League betting tips suggest they are in for a hard season.

The Spurs victory was The Hammer's first win of the campaign and took them off the bottom of the table. Green will be hoping he can continue his good form and that his team can get clear and stay clear of the relegation places.

Takeover on target for shock racecourse return

In the week that it was confirmed that the skeleton of legendary Australian racehorse Phar Lap will be on display for racegoers at Flemington to view as part of the celebration for the 150th anniversary running of the Emirates Melbourne Cup, it has been announced that a living icon of modern Australian racing looks set to make a surprise return to action having been retired last year, writes Elliot Slater.

Joe Janiak’s tremendous sprinter Takeover Target, retired after sustaining what appeared to be a career-ending injury after finishing down the field in the 2009 renewal of the July Cup at Newmarket, is reportedly back in three-quarter work and the gelding’s hugely popular trainer reports that tests and x-rays on the cracked cannon bone that forced his retirement reveal that the horse is now fully recovered and could race again.

At the age of 11, it is asking an awful lot of the son of the recently deceased French Derby winner Celtic Swing to come back and race at the highest level that he graced for so long, but Janiak believes that his beloved horse, the animal that took him from being a jobbing taxi driver to international sports celebrity, really wants to race again and is no back number.

A winner of 21 of his 41 career starts, Takeover Target came to international prominence when brilliantly winning the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2006, before finishing a brave third only four days later in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at the same fixture. A winner the same year of Japan’s top sprint as well as other major victories, including in Grade 1 company in Singapore, Takeover Target (the horse who cost less than many bicycles today) is a genuine Australian celebrity and has recently returned from a tour of his native land, where he has been warmly received across the continent.

If all continues to be well with the gelding, he could go back into battle early in the New Year. Meanwhile, the Melbourne Cup betting is hotting up, so make sure you check out the latest tips.

Chelsea suffer without Lampard

It looks like Chelsea will be without the service of Frank Lampard for at least another two weeks. The midfielder went under the knife at the end of August, but has had complications with his recovery and will miss the Champions League tie with Marseille, Arsenal in the Premier League, and England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti said: "We need to have more time than we expected for his rest".

Ramires is favourite to hold his position, although many Blues fans have been unimpressed with the Brazilian, who was easily robbed of possession leading up to Tevez's winning goal as Manchester City nicked the win at Eastlands. Ramires is clearly a very decent player but will need time to adjust to life in the Premier League.

Marseille shouldn’t give Chelsea too many problems, but with a patched up squad it will be a far from cushy match and the Champions League betting tips reflect this. It is the clash with Arsenal which will be the biggest test to Ancelotti's men. The Gunners are in form this season, and will be looking to bounce back from the shock defeat at West Brom last weekend, if Chelsea don't perform, then Wenger's men have the ability to turn the Blues over.

As the international football predictions suggest the England qualifier against Montenegro won't be a problem, Capello could play Chris Moyles in midfield and still expect to leave with five or six goals, but having already missed the first two qualifiers Lampard will have to impress in training to reclaim his position.

EPL 2010-11 : Mancity - Chelsea goals

Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea

1-0 - Tevez

Everton star calls for character from colleagues

Everton's stars need to improve their decision-making if they want to climb the table and get back into the Premier League top six, according to one of their own.

The Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta's side sit second-bottom of the Premier League with only two points. Many Toffees fans expected a turnaround in fortunes after they came back from two goals behind to draw with Manchester United earlier in the month.

That has not happened however, and one week later Everton were beaten at home by newly-promoted Newcastle before getting knocked out of the Carling Cup by League One side Brentford, a real football betting upset.

Everton travel to the capital to face Fulham at the weekend and Arteta has told EvertonTV that he is confident the club will find their winning ways soon.

The talismanic midfielder claims the club are making too many mistakes, which are leading to goals, while not scoring the chances they are getting. He added Everton are on the "wrong side" of a "fine line between success and failure."

"We need to stand up and we need to show our character now. I know it's tough and we've got some tough games coming up. It is not going to be easy but we have to start winning now," he stated.

"I think scoring the first goal is going to be really important so let's see if we can get it. We need to play with the same confidence we have been but this time make the right choices in both boxes."

Everton boss David Moyes has said something very similar to Arteta, by putting the blame for their struggling fortunes on the club's strikers. The Premier League relegation betting suggests they could go down.

The Scottish manager is desperate to lead the Goodison Park club back into the Premier League top six, but has admitted he is "worried" by the current results and needs his misfiring strikers to start finding the back of the net soon.

Frankel to face maximum nine rivals in Royal Lodge

Henry Cecil’s highly promising Frankel, ante-post favourite for next year’s 2000 Guineas and Epsom Derby, will put his unbeaten record on the line on Saturday when he is one of a maximum 10 possible runners in the Group 2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes over a mile at Ascot, writes Elliot Slater.

Frankel, winner of a Newmarket maiden on debut at Newmarket in August, impressed many observers when slaughtering two rivals in a conditions race at Doncaster earlier in the month in the manner of a potentially high class colt. That said, the race had lost much of its interest when his main market rival was withdrawn at the start, so Saturday’s race will be the first real test of his mettle. The half-brother to this year’s Lingfield Derby Trial winner Bullet Train will have to be on guard with Chesham Stakes winner Zaidan and the promising Titus Mills amongst the opposition, the last named (like Frankel) unbeaten in both starts so far, including when showing a good attitude to win a Goodwood listed race last time out.

For his part, Zaidan is on something of a recovery mission having looked a potential star when winning at Royal Ascot before running no sort of race and finishing last of four in listed company at Newbury on his only subsequent outing. He ran free at Newbury and apparently was unsuited by the easy ground, so if settling and returning to his old form would be a very good yardstick as to just how good Frankel really is.

Samuel Morse looks the best of a weaker than usual Ballydolye challenge for the race, but again will be a good point from which horse racing betting fans can judge the form, having chased home Pathfork, another leading candidate for next year’s 2000 Guineas, at a respectable distance on both of his last two outings at the Curragh.

Can Alan bring shear class to a Premier league side?

It seemed Alan Shearer was only ever going to be tempted to manage Newcastle United, but he has also shown that he is a man who is prepared to adapt and make difficult decisions if he is going to succeed. This is a characteristic that appears to have forced his hand when it comes to looking for his next project, which seems to be securing a job as manager of a Premier League side.

Having endured a torrid spell in charge of Newcastle, picking up one win and two draws from eight games, which eventually ended in the club he supported as a boy falling to the depths of the Championship, he is a man who is almost in desperate need of rebuilding his managerial career before it has even begun. Despite his awful spell in charge of Newcastle, the Premier League betting tips suggest they should stay up this season.

However, with Shearer suggesting that he was not supported by the board, and in light of the fact that he is clearly an individual with a thorough understanding of the beautiful game, despite what can only be described as the dreadful analysis that he provides on Match of the Day on a weekly basis, it would perhaps be fair to argue that he is capable of stepping in and doing a job for a club looking to improve the performances of their side.

Despite this, clubs and their owners are increasingly looking to appoint experienced managers due to the potential damage that a poor spell during the domestic season can inflict, especially if it is a side who fear that they may well be one of the unfortunate teams that fall down the trapdoor to the Championship. You can bet on Premier League games being Shearer's main interest, and he's unlikely to want to drop down and try his hand in the lower leagues.

With this in mind, Shearer may have to wait for the current regime at St James' Park to depart before he gets a crack at the big time again.

Valencia void will be tricky to fill

Although fans of any team in English football will have been disappointed to see another player suffer a severe injury that will probably keep him out of action for the rest of the season, Manchester United fans will know all too well that the loss of Antonio Valencia is something they could be left to rue come the end of the season.

Valencia was, of course, initially signed to replace superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, so United now need Nani and other wingers in the squad to step up and replace a player who performed fairly well last season, despite not making the sort of headlines created by his predecessor. Although he did not chip in with a huge number of goals, he was able to provide a high number of assists for the likes of Berbatov and Rooney up front, and these assists will obviously now need to come from elsewhere. Those who bet on Champions League games should bear this in mind.

With Chelsea already having shown that they are going to be a tricky side to beat in the race for the domestic title this season, and United fans worried about the state of their central midfield after the poor performances shown by players like Darren Gibson, United will need Sir Alex to be at his best if they are to plot a way to overtake Liverpool’s record title haul of 18. The best football predictions suggest they will struggle to keep up with their London rivals.

Should they fail to do so, Sir Alex will need to take a long hard look at the strength in depth of his midfield and his squad in general. However, with the season only in its very early days, United have enough talent in his squad to put up a very strong challenge for both the Champions League and Premier League, something that is the very least expected of the side these days.

Diva on song again in France

David Elsworth seems to have found the key to his four-year-old filly Swiss Diva, who completed a hattrick of victories on the other side of the Channel when hacking up against decent opposition in the Group 3 Qatar Prix du Petit Couvert at Longchamp on Sunday, writes Elliot Slater.

Not surprisingly, given her pedigree, those looking at irish racing tips note that the daughter of Pivotal has really come into her own over the last month on easy ground in France, and after winning a five furlong listed contest at Deauville in early-August, she returned to the elegant coastal track to step up in grade and distance to land the Group 3 Prix du Mautry Lucienne Barriere over six furlongs a fortnight ago.

The manner of Sunday’s win back over the minimum trip impressed seasoned race watchers, with leading local jockey Ioritz Mendizabal coasting into the leading at the two furlong marker and then just nudging his mount out to win with any amount in hand over the decent Bluster. Elsworth, the man who has trained great horses such as In The Groove, Persian Punch and Desert Orchid, has seen it all before and isn’t one to get easily carried away these days, but he was quick to suggest that Swiss Diva, (who is owned by the Lordship Stud), is now good enough to take her chance at Group 1 level and have a crack at the Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp on ‘Arc’ day, October 3rd.

A decent handicapper last term, those looking at betting tips note that Swiss Diva has clearly blossomed from three to four years, and should the ground come up soft in Paris there is every chance that she will give a very good account of herself in what looks an open renewal of the race.

Six go for glory in Champagne Stakes

The Group 2 Neptune Investment Management Champagne Stakes, the opening race on Doncaster’s Ladbrokes St Leger day card on Saturday, has attracted a field of just six runners but promises to be a fascinating affair with Gimcrack Stakes hero Approve bidding to give weight and a beating to his five rivals, writes Elliot Slater.

Winner of the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, William Haggas’ Oasis Dream colt was subsequently found wanting in both the July Stakes and the Prix Robert Papin, before bouncing back to form on the Knavesmire with a brave performance to defy Crown Prosecutor by three–quarters-of a length. Set to concede 3lbs to all his rivals, the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned juvenile might have most to fear from the unexposed Godolphin representative Saamidd, winner of his one and only start in a Newbury maiden where he slaughtered his rivals, finishing seven lengths clear of runner-up Yair Hill.

A beautifully bred son of Street Cry, from a good female line, Frankie Dettori’s mount is very much the dark horse of the race and it looks significant that Godolphin have decided to step him up in grade on only the second outing of his life.
Those looking at irish horse racing tips note that Brian Meehan’s juveniles are in a rich vein of form and his Waiter’s Dream is another with claims having comfortably accounted for a possibly below-par field in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York last month.

Well regarded by connections, Meehan’s charge will have the assistance of Keiren Fallon in the saddle. Richard Fahey’s Waltz Darling appears to have at least 10lbs to find with the principals, Karam Albaari only scraped home in an all-weather maiden, and Castlemorris King is in the field to give his owners a nice day out but has no chance of making any impression.

The race looks to rest though between Approve and Saamidd, with the latter taken to cause a minor surprise and get the better of William Haggas’ expected irish racing market leader.

Markab triumph a sweet moment for Candy

Kingston Warren-based trainer Henry Candy has been preparing high-class thoroughbreds for more than three decades and hit the big time once again with Markab, impressive winner of the Group 1 Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday, writes Elliot Slater.

The man who trained the tremendous middle-distance mare Time Charter back in the early-1980's, has become better known in recent times as a handler of sprinters and has enjoyed some top-notch successes with speed merchants such as Airwave, Caesar Beware and Kyllachy. In Markab, he has another horse now capable of performing at the very highest level over sprint trips.

All eyes were on favourite Starspangledbanner who had proven hard to beat this term with victories in both the Golden Jubilee Stakes and the July Cup, before running a cracker at York to finish second in the Nunthorpe Stakes behind Sole Power, and was expected to resume winning ways. Aidan O'Brien's ex-Australian colt was never able to dominate though and faded at the furlong pole as Pat Cosgrave produced the seven-year-old gelding Markab (12/1), with a withering run down the centre of the track.

As racing tips at the time predicted, he then stayed on strongly to beat the classy filly Lady Of The Desert by a length-and-a-quarter, with Genki back in third.

Markab had already shown himself to those at horse racing Ireland that he can be progressive this term, winning the Group 3 Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh before finishing a fine second to Equiano in the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. Candy suggested that his charge's subsequent below-par effort at Newbury came as a result of running the horse too quickly after his Ascot effort.

Markab, a 33,000 guineas purchase from Shadwell stud as a four-year-old, may next go for the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp on 'Arc' day, and would have a serious chance being able to cope with all underfoot conditions.

Kitz Melbourne Cup bid in doubt

Leading Emirates Melbourne Cup 2010 hope Meiner Kitz is now an uncertain contender for Australia's most prestigious race in early November after suffering an unspecified setback during training, writes Elliot Slater.

The tremendously popular Japanese stayer has amassed total career prize money of a stunning £2,700,000 and had been expected to be amongst the leading contenders for this year's renewal of the Flemington two-mile spectacular for which he was generally available at odds of around 25/1.

The seven-year-old son of Chief Braveheart pulled up lame after a training session on Thursday and it remains to be seen whether or not he will be fit enough to be shipped to Australia on the intended date of September 20. Winner of Japan's leading stayers' event, the Grade 1 Tenno Sho at Kyoto last year, Meiner Kitz finished runner-up in this year's renewal and had been expected to be well suited to the track and likely conditions for the Melbourne Cup.

Japanese raiders for the Australian showpiece are taken very seriously these days since the tremendous 1-2 finish for the nation when their Delta Blues beat countryman Pop Rock by a short-head to win the 2005 Melbourne Cup at odds of 17/1.

Ireland's Ascot Gold Cup winner Rite of Passage, trained by Dermot Weld remains a general 14/1 favourite with most European firms, with stable companion Profound Beauty (16/1), next in the list.

Luca Cumani, who has gone so close to winning the race in recent runnings with Bauer and Purple Moon, was clearly delighted with the brave success of his Drunken Sailor who got the better of Bergo by a short-head in the listed March Stakes at Goodwood.

Local betting firms reacted coolly however to the performance with the Tendulkar gelding remaining on general offer at 33/1 in the Melbourne Cup odds.

Popular Alcopop building up to repeat Melbourne Cup bid

Talented local stayer Alcopop is to begin his build-up to another crack at the two-mile Emirates Melbourne Cup with a race over just seven furlongs as he prepares to improve on last year's sixth place finish went sent off favourite for Australia's biggest sporting occassion, writes Elliot Slater.

The six-year-old son of 1994 Melbourne Cup winner Jeune proved one of the revelations of last season as he rapidly progressed through the ranks, winning the Balaklava Cup over a mile, the JRA Cup over a mile-and-a-quarter, and the Herbert Power Stakes over a mile-and-a-half. His burgeoning popularity saw punters plunge on the Jake Stephens-trained gelding who was eventually sent off the 15/4 favourite and held every chance 100yards out before being unable to quicken in the closing stages, in the race won by 9/1 shot Shocking.

Alcopop had been expected to make his seasonal bow earlier this month in the Spring Stakes but was found to have a mild infection and is now set to return to thee fray at Morphetville in the seven furlong Penny Stakes. The Sydney-based charge is then expected to move across to Melbourne where his training will be geared to take in the Caulfield Cup as well as the Melbourne Cup.

Running smart staying handicappers over seven furlongs might appear a curious tactic to those familiar with British racing, but the policy has been tried and tested over the years as local trainers endeavour to inject a finishing kick into their horses knowing that even at the end of the two-mile feature event horses must be able to quicken to land the spoils.

Alcopop, a 40/1 chance with most Melbourne Cup betting firms, is available at a tempting 47 on Betfair to improve on last season's fine effort.

Chelsea boss welcomes back key duo

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti hopes to have John Terry and Frank Lampard back in his line-up to help keep up their Premier League title charge against West Ham on Saturday.
The England stars missed the two international games in the last week, but have showed signs of recovering from injuries in time to be back in contention to play at Upton Park.

The two teams could not have had more different starts to the season. Chelsea have got maximum points, scored 14 goals and conceded none and are the early pace-setters in the Premier League, while the Hammers are rooted to the bottom with no points. The Premier League betting makes the away side strong favourites for the game.

Ancelotti knows a continuation of this strong start will be incredibly vital if Chelsea want to reclaim their Premier League title, and the return of Lampard and Terry would be a huge boost to the West London club.

With regards to Lampard, the Italian manager said the midfielder had surgery earlier this week and he has started training but "a decision" will have to be made about whether he plays.

"Terry didn't have surgery, but he used the last week to improve his hamstring. He will start to train with the squad this week and I think he will be able to play against West Ham," Ancelotti said.

Lampard recently sprung to the defence of Chelsea as many people have questioned whether their squad is too old to compete for the Premier League title.

There are a number of senior players among the first team squad but the 32-year-old midfielder said it was a "load of rubbish" hearing people claim they are past it and he was confident the players are more than capable of winning the Premier League title again.

Evans gets due reward for sheer graft

Monmouthshire trainer David Evans (P D Evans) has been plying his trade for a good while and is amongst the hardest working racehorse trainers in Britain, sending often moderate horses to all points of the compass in the quest for winners. However, the Bank Holiday weekend saw Evans' fortunes take a massive turn for the better with two pattern race winners on either side of the Irish Sea.

Dingle View's 22/1 success in the Group 3 Go And Go Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday was the biggest winner of Evans' career, the juvenile running on bravely under a fine ride from in-form Cathy Gannon to beat Jim Bolger's classy odds-on shot Glor Na Mara by a head, the pair pulling away from the useful Big Issue from the Richard Hannon team. Who knows what he might do in horse racing Ireland in future?

Dingle View, a relatively cheap purchase at 20,000 guineas as a yearling was landing her fourth win from seven starts and seemed to show significantly improved form for the step up to six furlongs. The daughter of Mujadil is a typical Evans type, hardy and willing and has raced frequently without any obvious dip in form. Having already received some tempting offers for the filly, Evans expects her to be sold on in the near future. Who knows, she could become one of the leading Irish racing tips of the future.

As if to prove his breakthrough at the Curragh no fluke, Evans struck again at Ripon on Monday, his Bathwick Bear (16/1) booking himself a crack at the valuable Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy with a brave victory over the favourite Mayson. Racing for the ninth time in his juvenile campaign, the gelded son of Kodiak once again showed how adept his handler is at keeping his horses sweet and getting the best out of them over the course of a long season.

Evans might not be a fashionable trainer at the moment, but with results like these there is every reason to believe that owners will give home more than a second glance, now that he has proved he can win races at a higher level with inexpensive horses.

Ryder Cup coverage threatened by BBC pensions strike

Normally, very few people would discuss the Ryder Cup in relation to pensions. However, millions of viewers may miss out on an opportunity to watch the drama unfold at the 2010 Ryder Cup because of BBC staff taking industrial action that will affect the channel's ability to broadcast golf's most high-profile event.

With the BBC suggesting that it needs to reduce its £1.5 billion deficit, and members of the National Union of Journalists and Bectu unhappy with the way they are choosing to go about doing so, one of the losers in the battle is likely to be fans of golf. The BBC was planning to show TV highlights and offer live radio commentary, but this is now in doubt.

Sky holds the UK rights to screen this year's event at Celtic Manor live and will be using it to promote their new 3D offering. In light of this, the real winners of this dispute are likely to be the satellite broadcaster, with fans who are keen to see the action but are unable to get a ticket to view the action unfold at Celtic Manor sure to consider the upgrade.

With the Ryder Cup odds suggesting the European side are likely to triumph, and with the 2012 event scheduled to take place back in the States, European audiences are aware that this year represents their best opportunity to watch their team take back the trophy from the US in real time.

Despite the BBC getting themselves into a bit of a pickle, Sky have also managed to pull off a bit of a blunder. Although Ryder Cup betting experts will no doubt keep their eyes glued to the action, fans of football and golf will have to choose between the Ryder Cup and the Premier League tie between Championship contenders Chelsea and Arsenal, which is scheduled to be broadcast on Sky during what could be the climatic moments of the 2010 Ryder Cup.

Cosmos set to illuminate Leger scene

Master trainer John Gosden knows just what is needed to win the final Classic of the British racing season, the St Leger, having already won the race twice with Shantou in 1996 and in 2007 with Lucarno. The vibe emanating from the Gosden team is that their Arctic Cosmos is a horse to be taken very seriously indeed at Doncaster, writes Elliot Slater.

Gosden has been enjoying another good season, but the amazing last-gasp success of the yard's Debussy in last weekend's Arlington Million in Chicago, must have put a further spring in the step of all the team at the Newmarket handler's stables. Gosden spoke candidly to At The Races about Arctic Cosmos' chance of upsetting likely hot favourite Rewilding at Town Moor, and whilst respecting the chance of the Godolphin-trained winner of the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York's Ebor meeting, he rightly pointed out that you should "never be afraid of one horse".

Arctic Cosmos has been tremendously progressive this term and has improved out of all recognition since landing his maiden on the Polytrack at Wolverhampton in April. After winning a handicap (also on Polytrack) at Kempton in June, he then ran out of his skin to step up markedly in class and vindicate his trainer's judgement by finishing a tremendous second to Monterosso in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Despite appearing ill-at-ease at Goodwood in the Gordon Stakes on his most recent outing, there was no doubting the purpose with which the son of North Light finished to be a staying-on third to Rebel Soldier, his performance suggesting that the extra quarter mile at Doncaster on a conventional track should suit him down to the ground.

At a best priced 8/1 with some horse racing tips, Arctic Cosmos represents a very solid each-way investment in a race that is building up to be one of the best renewals for some years.

2011 Guineas favourite Memory faces Moyglare test

With the British summer trying desperately to stage a late rally (!) it seems a long time in the future to next year's 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, but that is exactly the race that will be at the forefront of the minds of punters and betting firms when Richard Hannon's unbeaten filly Memory bids to land the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday, writes Elliot Slater.

The Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned daughter of Danehill Dancer has been the outstanding juvenile filly of this season, following up her win on debut at Goodwood with a head defeat of classy Margot Did in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, before landing the Group 2 Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket's July meeting, quickening readily to defeat the smart Soraaya by three-quarters-of-a-length.

A seven week break should have done Memory the world of good and connections are more than optimistic that she will justify her expected odds-on position in the market for the Irish event and further enhance her credentials ahead of next year's first fillies' Classic on the Rowley Mile. Currently offered at just 6/1 favourite to win the 2011 1000 Guineas, any slip from Hannon's filly will doubtless result in a major shake-up of the ante-post market for the race.

At the five-day declaration stage there was a significant supplemented runner in the shape of the Jessica Harrington-trained Laughing Lashes, winner of the Group 2 Debutante Stales over course and distance earlier in the month, and stable companion of recent impressive Futurity Stakes winner Pathfork. Her addition to the field at a cost of over 23,000 euros suggests that connections expect her to give Memory plenty to think about as Hannon's filly races over seven furlongs for the first time.

Of Aidan O'Brien's six entries, his Misty For Me, runner-up to Laughing Lashes last time out, appears the most likely danger amongst irish horse racing tips to the anticipated market leaders.