As Man United chased shadows at Old Trafford and Charlie Appleby finally bagged a British Group 1, I discuss the biggest weekend talking points.
1. “Old Trafford is falling down”
Was belted out by a raucous Southeast corner of Old Trafford in the rain on Sunday evening as City did more than humble their once-great rivals.
Those Man United fans that stuck around until the bitter end were rewarded with their 85-million-pound man Antony trying, and failing, to kick lumps out of City’s Jeremy Doku — the latest enterprising addition on the blue side of Manchester, while another of their wing men the 72-million-pound Jadon Sancho (presumably) watched on at home.
The noise off the pitch at Old Trafford is reaching fever pitch. But now the crisis is on the pitch too. The monster is at the door: three goals for City and none for Man United. Two goals for City’s Scandi-star and nothing to show for United’s expensive imitation — apart from a penalty conceded.
This was utter football humiliation. Two teams that might as well have been from different planets. Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof a different footballing species to the otherworldly talents of Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden.
Erik Ten Hag has been in charge for fifteen months and there is no discernible style of play. Man United have lost 5 times already and it seems there have been as many statements regarding off-field matters as there have been victories on it. Who does the buck stop with? Nobody really knows.
But perhaps most importantly, with a roaring trade on yellow and green scarves, the coffers emptied by another profligate summer spree and multi-million-pound players rotting on the side-lines, is Erik Ten Hag failing or is failure endemic at Manchester United?
Man United to finish in the top four @ 5/1
2. Blue moon rising?
It’s been a miserable season at Moulton Paddocks. No Classic winner and empty-hands at Ascot, Goodwood and the Ebor.
But at last on Saturday there was something to shout about. Sauntering through the mud at Doncaster, Ancient Wisdom brought home a first British Group 1 since Modern Games won the Lockinge in May.
It was a lung-busting final sprint, but the son of Dubawi was sure of foot on the heavy ground and powered away from his more feted rivals. This was a performance of real promise for a yard that sorely needs a three-year-old star next season, with that testing finish showing a glimpse of the tools required to win Classics.
Across the pond there is more for Appleby to smile about. His record in the Breeder’s Cup makes for excellent reading — 9 winners from 18 runners. Although his two-horse squad is significantly diminished from recent years — reflecting a poor season — you wouldn’t bet against that excellent record being extended with Master Of The Seas the main hope in the Breeder’s Cup Mile (8:00).
Ancient Wisdom to win the Derby @ 7/1
3. Loving Ange instead
Such is the dreamlike quality of Tottenham’s early season form, the cockerel sitting proudly atop the new White Hart Lane might as well start flapping its golden wings and take to the North London skies.
Spurs are flying; unbeaten so far and Big Ange Postecoglou has now accrued 26 points from the 10 games he has managed in the Premier League — the most a manager has achieved in their first 10 games in the competition’s history.
James Maddison and Heung Min Son are casting a spell of forgetfulness over the Tottenham crowds. Who is Harry Kane again? And while it is true Spurs have benefitted from a relatively winnable run of fixtures — facing (possibly) the three worst promoted teams in Premier League history in their opening ten games. Those matches still needed winning and Tottenham have continually found a way. They have momentum, they have belief and most importantly they have Ange.
With no European distractions and no cup football until January, Tottenham can challenge for the title. Bigger tests lie in wait, Chelsea’s visit is followed by an away day at Molineux which is certainly no picnic (as City found out). Tottenham are in this title race.
Tottenham to win the Premier League @ 9/1
4. Stormy weather
After storm Babette reduced Champions Day to a muddy slugfest, news of another Autumn storm has been greeted with a collective sigh from British racing fans. Redcar, Leicester, Bangor, Worcester, Southwell and Wexford have already cancelled meetings this week and more inspections are expected as the wet-weather hits.
Thankfully there will be the bright lights of Santa Anita to lift the spirits with a parade of superstars on display in the California sunshine. Mick Appleby’s first ever Breeder’s Cup runner Big Evs will go off as favourite to win the Juvenile Turf Sprint (9:00), while Aidan O’Brien’s Coventry winner River Tiber is favourite for the 1m juvenile event (11:40).
On Saturday, Inspiral and Warm Heart are the headline clash in the Fillies and Mares Turf (7:10) as Mostahdaf bids to outrun the Classic generation in the Breeder’s Cup Turf (9:50). The top sprinters go head-to-head in the Turf sprint, with the King’s Stand winner Bradsell lining up against the winner of the Nunthorpe — Live In The Dream. (11:25)
Mostahdaf to win the Breeder’s Cup Turf @ 3/1
Lola Katz Roberts is a Content Executive at Fitzdares.
