As the curtains close on what was another fantastic Royal Ascot, and our blood pressure has finally settled after that enthralling first Ashes Test, I discuss the biggest talking points looking ahead to the next few weeks in the world of sport.
1. Moment of madness
What a fantastic Royal Ascot. It was a week filled with shocks, fantastic rides and memorable moments. While the images of a jubilant Frankie Dettori holding the Gold Cup aloft will live long in the memory of racing fans.
Despite the end of the royal meeting, the racing continues at Windsor this evening. After his fairytale ride on Desert Hero for HRH King Charles, Tom Marquand is back with six rides tonight. His best chance comes in the 6:05 in which he rides Garden Route for William Haggas looking to pick up where he left off last week and get back into the winners enclosure.
2. Strawberries and cream on the horizon
With one week until we embark to SW19 for another fortnight of tennis with the world’s best, it is hard to look past Novak Djokovic picking up from where he left off at Roland Garros. Having overtaken Rafael Nadals’ tally of Grand Slams, Novak is now out on his own as the most successful men’s player of all time.
His main competitor, the young Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, is looking to do far better than his meagre fourth round exit last year. Last year’s runners up Nick Kyrgios has had a very quiet season plagued with injury, but as is always the case with the temperamental Australian, never count him out. British hopes are firmly with Cameron Norrie after his trip to the last four in 2022, but do we dare to dream with Andy Murray after he enjoyed a fruitful start to the grass court season?
Andy Murray to win Wimbledon @ 40-1
3. Red Bull head home
This weekend the F1 circus heads to Austria and to the Red Bull Ring. To many this weekend can only be seen as a procession, as Red Bull’s domination this season has removed any doubt that they will once again be celebrating a driver’s championship. Will Sergio Perez find some form or will Max Verstappen continue his domination?
Further back, however, the Lewis Hamilton vs Fernando Alonso battle is far more exciting. Last time out they had a race long battle in Canada with the Aston Martin man just pipping the English driver. Whatever happens, this track in Spielberg usually creates a fast and furious race with high-speed overtakes and drama aplenty for fans to enjoy.
Max Verstappen to win the Austrian Grand Prix @ 3/10
Sergio Perez to win the Austrian Grand Prix @ 15/2
4. 151st Open Championship
After a thrilling finale to the US open last weekend, attention now turns the to The 151st Open Championship. Rory Mcllroy’s major drought was extended to 33 tournaments last week as he missed out to the American Wyndham Clark who claimed his first major by one shot.
The Open sees a return to the Royal Liverpool Golf Club which was the scene of Mcllroy’s only Open victory to date. With Mcllroy playing some of the best golf he has played in the past few years, the next few weeks will be critical in what is seen as one of Rory’s best opportunities to claim that 5th major! It won’t come easy though as the likes of Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka will all be on the search to get back on the winning train.
Rory McIlroy to win the Open @ 15/2
5. Expect a fightback
What a test match! Manic, tense, unorthodox, dramatic are just a few words to describe the events at Edgbaston. Joe Root was at his scintillating best while Stuart Broad got up to his old tricks getting David Warner yet again, but Pat Cummins heroics saw the Australians’ home on the fifth evening.
The 2nd test gets under way at The Home of Cricket this Wednesday and England will be looking for an immediate reaction after going 1-0 down. There are some big selection calls for both sides with the drama set to resume at 11am on Wednesday morning.
England to win the second test @ 6/4
