‘Banker material' Aidan O'Brien horse banned from Royal Ascot backed off the boards for next race
TAL ORDER 'Banker material' Aidan O'Brien horse banned from Royal Ascot backed off the boards for next race
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
AN Aidan O'Brien horse punters are certain is 'banker material' has been backed off the boards for his next race - after being banned from Royal Ascot.
Two-year-old colt Italy is all the rage for Saturday's Superlative Stakes at Newmarket.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
1
Ryan Moore usually waits until the last minute to decide who he rides - but he has picked an Aidan O'Brien horse out days early, signalling the pair's huge confidence behind him
Credit: PA
Italy was hugely impressive when overcoming inexperience to score at 4-9 on debut at Leopardstown in May.
Those who watched said at the time they were confident the horse 'wins wherever he goes' next time out.
The form has been boosted massively too, with 16-1 runner-up Thesecretadversary finishing second in the Chesham at Royal Ascot.
Italy was blocked from running in that race because it is only for two-year-olds whose sire won over 10f.
Italy, who cost 200,000 guineas and is by Wootton Basset out of a sister to O'Brien's Derby winner Serpentine, hasn't run since his awesome debut.
But he is all set to tear up the Superlative - and follow in the hoofsteps of former O'Brien superstars City Of Troy and Gustav Klimt.
O'Brien said Moore doesn't make his mind up on who he will ride until five minutes before the cut-off time of 1pm.
But in an unusual move, Moore has already been jocked up on Italy for the 7f Group 2.
It is a particularly interesting development because O'Brien also has £350,000 Dorset in the race too - although he is unlikely to run.
Bookies initially went 11-10 Italy but he has been backed off the boards since and is now as short as 8-13.
Italy is already 12-1 favourite for next year's Derby but that price could collapse if he demolishes rivals this weekend.
Godolphin's No1 trainer Charlie Appleby has fired some good ones at the Superlative in recent years as well.
Former champion two-year-old and Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Native Trail and Breeders' Cup Mile winner Master Of The Seas are among the winners.
He is set to run Saba Desert this year - a winner at Sandown on debut last month.
But the son of Dubawi out of a Sea The Stars mare is nowhere near as strong in the market as Italy.
Speaking after his first run, O'Brien was clearly trying to temper expectations but couldn't hide his delight.
He said: "He won his maiden very well at Leopardstown and he is a colt that we always liked at home.
"We have been happy with him since then.
'He was green when he ran at Leopardstown, but we liked him before the race, and he will improve again from that. I was more than happy with the performance.
'The form has been given a boost as the runner-up put in a good solid run to finish second last time out in the Chesham at Ascot."
FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chases their losses
Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
22 minutes ago
- BBC News
England star Lucy Bronze gives Lionesses their grit, her nan says
Lioness star Lucy Bronze provides her teammates with the "grit and determination" they need during tough matches, according to her Stapleton said she was incredibly proud of her granddaughter for helping her team win their Euro 2025 semi-final match, which saw England beat Italy in extra 89-year-old said Bronze, who is from Berwick in Northumberland, was an inspiration for her teammates and helped them to keep going during tough matches."She gives them that extra something that they need," she said, adding: "They see it in her and she passes it on to them somehow." Mrs Stapleton said she was "very tense" while watching the semi-final, which saw England take the match into extra time after scoring in the 96th minute. She said Bronze's determination was a trait she inherited from her family."We've all got that drive and determination that means you can't let things happen, you have to make them happen," she said. Bronze's brother, Jorge Bronze, has flown out to Zurich to watch the Lionesses play but said the tournament had not been an easy watch."Tournament football as a family member is not about enjoying yourself, it's always traumatic," he told BBC Radio Newcastle."I think they [England] have tried to keep that spirit of pure trauma throughout in this one."But he said after the Lionesses' turbulent run, he would not mind the tournament ending with a dramatic final."You know what, let's have penalties," he said. "Let's go through it again." Mrs Stapleton does not quite share her grandson's feelings about the final and admitted she was "terrified" for Sunday's game."But if they have a good game, play well and they play together as a team, that satisfies me," she Mrs Stapleton said she would not mind if her granddaughter's team pulled off another close win."I would like to think, that whatever the score is, England get one more," she said."That would satisfy me absolutely brilliantly."England will face Spain in Sunday's final at 17:00 BST. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Metro
6 hours ago
- Metro
Aitana Bonmati makes England claim and reveals Spain targeted one Germany star
Aitana Bonmati says she had 'studied' Ann-Katrin Berger's questionable positioning before beating the German goalkeeper at the near post to send Spain into the Women's Euro 2025 final. Wednesday night's semi-final between Spain and Germany proved a cagey affair, with the two teams unable to be separated after 90 minutes – 24 hours on from England's dramatic extra-time victory over Italy. But not for the first time, Bonmati stepped up when it mattered with a moment of inspiration to help seal La Roja – the world champions – a spot in their first-ever European Championship final. After picking up possession from Athenea del Castillo on the edge of the box, the two-time Ballon d'Or winner raced through and spotted a sizeable gap between Berger and the German's left upright. With Berger momentarily distracted, Bonmati rifled the ball with some venom into the net from the tightest of angles, sending Spain's support into raptures at Zurich's Stadion Letzigrund. Germany, the 2022 runners-up, had no answer in response to Bonmati's 113th-minute strike, meaning Sunday's showpiece will be a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final. 'I don't believe in destiny. I believe in work, in my mentality,' Bonmati said of Spain's victory over Germany. 'I've had great support, here and at home. I'm always grateful for that 'I'm proud because we deserve it. We had a tremendous championship. 'It was the first time that we have beaten Germany, and on top of that, we reached the final. We work for this every day.' Bonmati 'didn't hesitate for a second' when she realised that Berger had left her a large portion of the goal to aim for – an invitation which she took with both hands. 'We, the analysts and the goalkeeping coach, had studied it and we concluded that sometimes the near post was empty,' the Barcelona midfielder explained. 'It was a pass into the net. I didn't hesitate for a second.' Spain got the better of England on the grandest stage of all two years ago, with Olga Carmona's first-half goal proving decisive Down Under in Sydney. By hook or by crook, the Lionesses have managed to secure their place in a third successive tournament final this summer, twice coming from behind in their last two matches. More Trending But according to Bonmati, England's recent performances in Switzerland are 'meaningless' and Spain will start 'thinking about' Sarina Wiegman's side once the dust has settled on their semi-final win. On Spain's opposition, Bonmati said: 'England? The last few games are meaningless. 'There are different moments, different styles. 'I think this win tonight deserves to be celebrated. Tomorrow we'll think about England.' Who will win the Women's Euro 2025? For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Millie Bright praises England duo and makes Euro 2025 final prediction MORE: DJ dies 'after being beaten by cops' at Ibiza party when police were 'called over noise' MORE: Michelle Agyemang reacts to wild journey from England ball girl to Euro 2025 saviour
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘He's a class act' – Templegate's NAP to strike for daddy-daughter duo at the Racing League
TEMPLEGATE'S TIPS Horse racing tips: 'He's a class act' – Templegate's NAP to strike for daddy-daughter duo at the Racing League Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TEMPLEGATE'S Thursday tips are below - where he fancies a father-daughter duo to strike gold in the Racing League. Back a horse by clicking their odds below. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up DOSMAN (7.10 Yarmouth, nap) Nobody takes the Racing League more seriously than the Osbornes and they can have a winner on opening night with this four-year-old. He returned from nine months off with a mighty second at Newcastle, travelling like a class act before just being run down late. That form is working out and he'll be fitter now with Saffie on board. MILLER SPIRIT (8.10 Yarmouth, nb) Is working up to a win. He ran his best race for a long time when fourth at Ascot last time. He was just two lengths off the pace in that hot contest and has dropped nicely down the weights. WAVE RIDER (8.40 Yarmouth, treble) He is rarely out of the frame and had plenty in hand when scooting in at Sandown last month. He's had a little break since then and has enough to strike again. SECRET BEACH (5.40 Yarmouth) Has come on plenty this season after a wind op. He bolted up at York last time over this trip and looks fairly handicapped on a mark of 77. He goes on any ground and looks good for the Lucky 15. Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
