Duke of Marmalade ridden by slot online and trained by Aiden O`Brien gave punters a big pay day as he literally galloped away with the Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot yesterday.
The 4 year old who last season suffered from injury proved he is a class horse by storming clear of his rivals to take the 1 mile 2 furlong group 1 event by 4 lengths from Phoenix Tower and Pipedreamer.
The winner gave Murtagh who is now Ballydoyles number one rider replacing Keiran Fallon his third winner of the festival.
Tiger to miss the rest of the season. – Golf
Tiger Woods looks set to miss the rest of the season as a result of surgery to his injured knee.
The World number one was in considerable pain during his dramatic play off victory in the US Open against Rocky Mediate at the weekend and this probably was a contributing factor to his decision.
The operation mans that Woods will now miss the British Open, US Masters and Ryder Cup this year and also that he will have to wait till next year to improve on his 14 major title wins.
The absence of Woods now throughs the 2 remaining majors wide open and also hands Europe an advantage in the Ryder Cup.
Portugal v. Germany Euro 2008 Q.F. – Tip of the Day.
Today sees the start of the quarter final matches at Euro 2008, and pre tournament favourites Germany play Portugal in Basel.
The Portugese were impressive in their first 2 group games seeing of the Czech Republic and Turkey to qualify with a game to spare and ensured themselves of Swiss support in this clash y fielding a mainly reserve side in their final group game against the Swiss which they lost 2-0
Germany on the other hand had their best game in their first match against the Poles which they won 2-0. In it they looked the part of favourites, though they did ride their luck at times.
However they were soundly beaten by a very talented and underrated Croatia side in their second group game and only came through the group with a 1-0 win over a very average Austrian side, thanks to a stunning Michael Ballack free kick.
Portugal look set to field their strongest team tonight after most had a rest for the Swiss game.
Germany on the other hand have doubts over he fitness of Podolski and Frings who have been probably their best players at the tournament and if either fails to make the starting line up it will be a blow for the Germans. The Germans will have back however Schweinsteiger after his one match ban for a sending off against Croatia.
Coach Joachim Low will watch the game from the stands as he serves a one game touch line ban for his part in an incident with Austrian coach Josef Hicklesberger in the previous game.
This is a tough game to call as Germany always seem to do just enough to progress in major competitions, but man for man the Portugese i believe have a better squad and the key will be how the Germans cope with Ronaldo who is in the form of his life.
The German defensive pair of Metzelder and Mertersacker have not inspired me with confidence with their defending during the tournament and i feel if the excellent Phillip Lahm is caught up field on one of his foraging runs the Germans will be susceptible to the counter attack.
My money tonight will be on a Portugal win which is best price 6/4 with Paddy Power at time of writing and i will hedge my bets with a saver on Portugal to QUALIFY at 8/11 generally as it would not surprise me to see this one go to extra time.
