Nick Wright previews this weekend's clash between York City Knights and Hull FC
Alex Reid looks at whether the once ever-present appearance of English clubs in the later stages of the Champions League is set to become a thing of the past
Craig Dobson looks at QPR's decision to sack Neil Warnock and replace him with Mark Hughes
James Tompkinson reviews an excellent pre-season victory for the York City Knights against Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos
Horse Racing's highest classification of race is the Group 1, the Derby is a Group 1, for example. The Group 1 is equivalent to say, Manchester United playing Chelsea in the league - when it happens, everyone pays attention, but admittedly there are 10-12 fixtures of this calibre a year. So it is with Horse Racing.
A Group 1 might happen every other week, the highlight of a prestigious meeting. Today however, there are three. Three. Imagine waking up knowing that after breakfast you have the whole of 'Grand Slam Sunday', followed by the Euro 2008 final. What's more, this is just day one of five.
So here we are, the calm before the storm, the electric silence before the starter shoots his gun, the clammy anticipation as Tiger tees off on the first.
Royal Ascot is an entity in itself, it is both everything that horse racing epitomises and nothing whatsoever to do with the sport. It is both quintessentially British, and the preserve of the foreign impostor. Yes those in the Royal Enclosure will stand and doff their hats as the Royal procession passes the stand, but you can be guaranteed there will be one Aussie with his camera phone out recording the moment.
It's this clash of cultures that makes this occasion so unique, where else do you see prats dressed like penguins for five days?
If you hadn't guessed by now, I will be watching the meeting from the luxury of the Royal Enclosure. I have my top, my tails, neatened my manners and mastered the Queen's English.
That was meant to be marstered, I do beg your pardon.
I'll find the lighter moments, the little ironies that makes crossing the class (clarss) divide so pleasurable, whilst trying to throw in a few winners for good measure.
So join me, exclusively on the Yorker, as I blog - sorry - 'diarise' the most terribly bizarre event that the whole of sport can boast.
Tuesday's Tips
Ascot, from a betting viewpoint, can be surprisingly simple at times. There is nothing in the formbook that has been missed, there is no plot line uncovered or coup unpublicised. So if we're to turn a profit, and we can, then we must rely on the old prejudices that permeate racing at the highest level.
The first race of the card is the Queen Anne, an open age event which is often a reunion of the Lockinge held in May. There Tariq came out narrowly on top of those who are competing today, with Cesare, Arabian Gleam and Haradasun close behind. That day the pace was as if set by a snail, which will not be the case today. This will bring the best out of Tariq and Haradasun, who especially looks well suited to a stronger pace. Finsceal Beo and Darjina will be massive threats if repeating their classic winning form, but Sageburg put the latter to the sword in an event won by Manduro last year. He rates a real danger, and it is between him an Tariq for me.
Tariq has crucial Royal meeting experience, but Sageburg is the selection this time. The lockinge looked slightly circumspect group 1 form with so many finishing within 2 lengths of the winner, and Tariq may well have been flattered that day. I might well be proved very wrong, but until that form has been franked I am preferring to swerve it. Hopefully Sageburg will flourish again for the drop in trip, and his kick at the end could put this all to bed very quickly.
The first Aussie of the meeting worth backing is Magnus in the first sprint of the meeting - the Kings Stand Stakes. Third in this last year he shaped well and left a really good impression, with Dandy man off colour and Miss Andretti absent this could be his for the taking. Fleeting Spirit looks a real danger after an impressive seasonal debut, so take this selection each way.
Henrythenavigator is the class act of the day in the St James's Palace stakes, and the best price of 8/13 (paddy power) looks fair.
The Coventry Stakes: Orizaba captured the imagination with a classy win on debut, but it is worth opposing him with Art Connoisseur, who has the benefit of an extra run and he's had more time off the track to improve than Orizaba has enjoyed. The market does seem to get this race right (5 of last ten winners started favourite) but there have been 7/1 and 8/1 winners in this time and 8/1 about Art Connoiseur is lip smacking value. It might be wise to temper enthusiasm however, as 2 year old races here are notoriously difficult.
Throughout the week the Yorker will be recording a profit/loss figure for George's tips to £10 a point.
I like this article ... really explains the appeal of something like ascot to non-fans. Well written too.
Haradsun wins in the first action of the day, head up George. At least BBC Sport's answer to Kirsty Gallagher, Claire Balding, is also backing Magnus in the King's Stand Stakes.
Cheers for the Art Connoisseur tip! More than covered my losses. Tru here I come!
I got Art Connoisseur at 8s, thank you very much Mr Taylor.
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