January 2015 ~ InulPoker Working

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Horse racing on the BBC

This week the Australian Open tennis comes to a conclusion as Andy Murray looks to win the title.

The FA Cup football coverage continues on BBC TV, radio and online, and there is winter sport coverage too.

(All times GMT)

Wednesday 28 January

Australian Open; Day 10, 07:00-14:00 BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Thursday 29 January

Australian Open; Day 11, 08:00-14:00 BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Saturday 31 January

Australian Open; Women's Final, 08:25-11:30 BBC Two, 08:30-12:00 BBC Radio 5 live & BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Sunday 1 February

Australian Open; Men's Final, 08:15-12:00 BBC Two

Monday 26 January

The Monday Night Club, 19:00-19:45 BBC Radio 5 live

FA Cup fourth round; Rochdale v Stoke 19:45-22:00 BBC Radio 5 live

Football Social, 22:00-22:30 BBC Radio 5 live

Tuesday 27 January

League Cup semi-final: Chelsea v Liverpool build-up, 19:00-19:45 BBC Radio 5 live

League Cup semi-final: Chelsea v Liverpool, 19:45-22:30 BBC Radio 5 live

Wednesday 28 January

League Cup semi-final: Sheffield United v Tottenham Hotspur build-up, 19:00-19:45 BBC Radio 5 live

League Cup semi-final: Sheffield United v Tottenham Hotspur, 19:45-22:30 BBC Radio 5 live

The League Cup Show, 23:15-00:00 BBC One, 23:40-00:25 BBC One Scotland, Wales & NI

Thursday 29 January

5 live special; The Problems at Rangers, 20:30-21:30 BBC Radio 5 live

Friday 30 January

Weekend preview, 19:00-22:00 BBC Radio 5 live

Saturday 31 January

Football Focus, 12:10-12:50 BBC One

Premier League: Hull v Newcastle, 12:45-15:00 BBC Radio 5 live

Final Score, 14:30 BBC Red Button & 16:00-17:20 BBC One, 16:00-17:00 BBC One Northern Ireland (Not on in Scotland)

Premier League: Manchester United v Leicester, 15:00-17:00 BBC Radio 5 live

Sportscene, 16:00-17:20 BBC One Scotland

Final Score from NI, 17:00-17:20 BBC One Northern Ireland

606, 18:06-20:00 BBC Radio 5 live

Match Of The Day, 22:30-00:00 BBC One, 23:10-00:40 BBC One Scotland

Sportscene, 22:30-23:10 BBC One Scotland

Sunday 1 February

The Football League Show, 00:00-01:20 BBC One, 00:40-02:00 BBC One Scotland

The Non-League Football Show, 05:00-06:00 BBC Radio 5 live

The Football League Show (repeat), 06:00-07:20 BBC Two

Match Of The Day (repeat), 07:30-09:00 BBC One

MOTD2 Extra, 12:15-13:00 BBC One & BBC Radio 5 live

Scottish League Cup semi-final: Celtic v Rangers build-up, 13:00-13:30 BBC Radio 5 live

Scottish League Cup semi-final: Celtic v Rangers, 13:30-15:30 BBC Radio 5 live

Premier League: Southampton v Swansea, 16:00-18:06 BBC Radio 5 live

606, 18:06-19:30 BBC Radio 5 live

Match Of The Day 2, 22:30-23:30 BBC One, 23:30-00:30 BBC One Scotland

Sportscene, 22:30-23:30 BBC One Scotland

Friday 30 January

ODI Tri-Series; England v India, 03:00-12:00 BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Sunday 1 February

ODI Tri-Series final, 03:00-12:00 BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Sunday 1 February

Super Bowl XLIX; New England Patriots v Seattle Seahawks, 23:00-03:00 BBC Radio 5 live

Saturday 31 January

Burton European Open: Women's Slopestyle, 09:15 BBC Red Button

Burton European Open: Men's Slopestyle, 11:45 BBC Red Button

Sunday 1 February

Burton European Open: Women's Halfpipe, 09:15 BBC Red Button

Burton European Open: Men's Halfpipe, 11:45 BBC Red Button

Ski Sunday, 17:15-18:00 BBC Two

Skeleton Highlights, 18:00 BBC Red Button

Thursday 29 January

Six Nations and World Cup news, 20:00-20:30 BBC Radio 5 live

Saturday 31 January

The Glasgow Games, 20:00-21:00 BBC Radio 5 live

Thursday 29 January

Sports News, 19:00-19:30 BBC Radio 5 live

Friday 30 January

The Friday Sports Panel, 13:00-14:00 BBC Radio 5 live

Saturday 31 January

Fighting Talk, 11:00-12:00, BBC Radio 5 live

Sports build-up, 12:00-12:45 BBC Radio 5 live

Sports Report, 17:00-18:06, BBC Radio 5 live

Sunday 1 February

Sportsweek, 09:00-10:00, BBC Radio 5 live

*NB. Fixtures and event start times are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. For more details of forthcoming coverage, visit the specific sport's page on the desktop website. Also coverage on BBC Red Button can experience late schedule changes, so details may differ from this page.

You can view BBC Sport output as well as listen to our radio sports programming on the BBC iPlayer.

The BBC Sport website is available via desktop, mobile, tablet and app, giving fast and easy access to the live stream, text commentaries, news, reports, schedules, videos, as well as highlights of the day's action. The BBC Sport app is available free for Apple and Android devices.

National and regional variations have been included in this list where possible but please check your local listings for more detailed information.

Aintree fences 'should be bigger'

Trainer Malcolm Jefferson believes bigger fences at the Grand National could have saved his horse According to Pete, who died after Saturday's race.

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Synchronised also had to be put down.

The deaths have led to calls for more modifications to the Aintree course.

But Jefferson said: "They can't carry on making changes. In my eyes the fences should be bigger to slow them down. If they were a foot higher Pete would still have jumped them."

Continue reading the main story

“We fully appreciate that all horse sport carries risks, but there are acceptable risks and unacceptable risks and it doesn't appear as if that balance is right”

Roly Owers World Horse Welfare chief executive An extensive review was carried out following the race 12 months ago when two horses also died.

Changes were made to the course, including reducing the drop on the landing side of Becher's Brook, where According to Pete fell. He was put down after suffering a fractured leg.

Jefferson added: "Now they are trying to please everybody and you can't. People say make the field smaller, but what if next year another two die? Then they'll want 20 runners.

"Watering to ensure softer ground might help. There was a lot of carry-on after last year's race and I just wish they'd stop trying to please everyone because you can't.

"It was just a freak accident. He was loving it, jumping for fun. If he'd just been brought down and got back up again we'd be taking him back next year, but he broke his shoulder unfortunately.

"You can't do anything about it, it's just a freak accident that could have happened anywhere, but because it was the National everyone saw it.

"The National is a great race and the only reason you get such a reaction is because so many people watch it.

"If I have a suitable horse next year, I'll enter him. You've got to support the race, it's our biggest day of the year."

The British Horseracing Authority's chief executive Paul Bittar will meet with animal welfare groups next week to discuss the Grand National.

Charity World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Owers said: "Racing must understand that the public can no longer stomach almost regular deaths in this high-profile race.

"We fully appreciate, as should everyone, that all horse sport carries risks, but there are acceptable risks and unacceptable risks and it doesn't appear as if that balance is right in the Grand National."

Neptune Collonges wins Grand National - race in full

Hughes loses 50-day ban appeal

Top jockey Richard Hughes has failed in his appeal to the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) to overturn a 50-day ban incurred in India.

Hughes was suspended in February for reportedly not riding to instructions in a race in Mumbai, an offence that is not punishable under British rules.

The BHA chose to recognise the ban and upheld that decision at an appeal.

The Irishman will not be able to compete in Britain until 30 April, when the Mumbai season finishes.

It has dented the 39-year-old's hopes of winning a first jockeys' championship.

Hughes missed a big victory at Newmarket on Wednesday when Esentepe won the Nell Gwyn Stakes.

The jockey said on Twitter that he was bemused by the ban, and disappointed not to win the appeal.

"I thought I could have confidence in the UK system on fairness," he said.

"BHA has backed an opinion that I did not let a horse run on its merits without any evidence."

Jamie Stier, the director of raceday operations and regulation for the BHA, said he felt some sympathy for Hughes but believed it was correct to uphold the suspension imposed by the Royal Western India Turf Club.

"We would like to register on record that we recognise the frustration felt by Richard Hughes about this episode," he said.

“Disappointed on losing appeal. Still don't know why I'm banned”

Jockey Richard Hughes on Twitter "The BHA stands behind the principle of reciprocity of penalties among recognised international racing bodies. Without reciprocity, there is a risk of there being no effective measures to deter visiting participants from breaching the rules of the respective authority.

"Similar applications to those lodged by Richard Hughes are, thankfully, few and far between.

"However, we will be looking to see if there are any lessons to learn that may assist the handling of such matters in the future."

Hughes spent winters in India for much of his career and enjoyed success there, winning all four Classics on the filly Jacqueline in 2009 and 2010.

However, he has vowed not to return after a troubled stay earlier in the year. In January he was given a lengthy suspension for "foul riding", which was reduced to a fine on appeal.

Hughes has never won the British title but pushed Paul Hanagan all the way to the last day of the season in 2010.

Synchronised still on course for National

By Frank Keogh BBC Sport at Aintree Neptune Collonges beat Sunnyhillboy in the closest-ever Grand National finish but a dramatic race was marred by two horse deaths.

The grey, a 33-1 chance ridden by Daryl Jacob, got up in the last stride to win after a photo finish and give champion trainer Paul Nicholls his first win in the big race in 53 runners.

Katie Walsh, bidding to become the first female jockey to triumph, was third on Seabass with Cappa Bleu fourth.

Two horses - Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Synchronised and According to Pete - suffered fatal injuries.

Cornelius Lysaght BBC horse racing correspondent

"There is no doubt this is a black day for the Grand National and for horse racing. Nobody should under-estimate it - this is very serious for everyone in the racing industry. A big dark cloud hangs over the Grand National. Its future is in a certain amount of doubt."

Synchronised, a stable-mate of runner-up Sunnyhillboy, had been seeking to become the first horse to complete steeplechasing's big-race double in the same season but got loose on the way to the start after unseating champion jockey AP McCoy.

He was cleared to race but fell at the sixth fence, Becher's Brook, only to continue for five more fences before suffering a fracture at the 11th fence.

According to Pete suffered a fractured leg when he was brought down after jumping the 22nd fence [Becher's Brook second time round], when On His Own fell in front of him.

Seabass travelled well throughout the race and looked at one stage as though he might make history for Walsh, who was riding for the first time in the four-and-a-half-mile marathon.

Her third place was the highest finish for a female jockey but elder brother Ruby was forced to give up his ride on On His Own on the race after he fell from Zakandar earlier in the day and was stood down for the remainder of the day.

Neptune Collonges and Sunnyhillboy (16-1) came to the fore and tussled for the lead up the straight, before the Nicholls-trained horse took victory on the line. Winning owner John Hales said immediately afterwards the horse, the first grey winner since Nicolas Silver in 1961, would retire.

Cappa Bleu finished fourth with In Compliance in fifth. A total of 15 horses out of the 40 starters completed the race.

A clearly overcome Jacob said: "You can't beat this. I was on a tough horse and I said to Paul that one day I would ride you a National winner.

"That was two years ago and now I've done it."

Nicholls was thrilled to see the 11-year-old win.

"He's probably the best horse we've run in the race," he said.

"He's got great form, he's been placed in Gold Cups, he stays, he's genuine and Daryl gave him a fantastic ride when you analyse where he went. It's absolutely brilliant.

"It's blown Nicky Henderson out of the water now [in the trainers' championship].

"Any good race would do, but this is the race we wanted."

Jacob was appointed second jockey to Paul Nicholls last summer He won on Zarkander in the Triumph Hurdle at last year's Cheltenham Festival He also rode The Listener to success in the Lexus Chase (Dec 06) and the Hennessy Gold Cup (Feb 08) He was a close friend of Irish jockey Kieran Kelly who died in a fall in a race in Ireland in 2003 Hales had mixed emotions as One Man, probably the best horse he ever owned, was killed in a fall at the Grand National meeting in 1998.

"When he crossed the line I thought he might have got it," he said. "My first thought was if he has got it Paul has won the trainers' championship. And then I thought thank you Aintree - you know why - many years ago.

"It split the family coming here. My wife was 50-50, my daughter couldn't face it. She has gone show jumping and is overcome with emotion.

"We've nothing against Aintree. We love coming here and this year we've come up trumps."

2012 Grand National

1. Neptune Collonges (D A Jacob) 33-1

2. Sunnyhillboy (R P McLernon) 16-1

3. Seabass (Ms K Walsh) 8-1 Jt Fav

4. Cappa Bleu (Paul Moloney) 16-1

5. In Compliance (N Madden) 100-1

40 ran

Grand National - Where did your horse finish?

Women jockeys to race for title

A championship for female jockeys is to be launched in the new flat racing season.

The overall winner, based on the number of victories and strike rate, will earn a £5,000 prize.

It will run in conjunction with the main jockeys' championship, which carries no financial reward.

Leading female jockey Hayley Turner told BBC Sport: "It's another interest for the followers of the sport and should be good fun."

The race for the new title begins on the opening day of the new turf season at Doncaster on 31 March and is due to conclude at the same course on 10 November.

It is divided into three sections - with the gold award going to jockeys riding over 30 winners, silver to those partnering 10 to 29 winners and bronze to those clocking up nine or less victories.

The prizes will be £5,000, £3,000 and £1,000 for each respective level and the winners will be decided by the best winners-to-rides ratio in each section.

Turner, who rode two Group One winners last year, denied that she was a certainty to win the inaugural prize.

"It's not going to be that easy," she said. "There's lots of girls around at the moment, and more competition than there used to be."

BEST Folkestone -23% strike rate Chepstow - 22% Hamilton - 18% Ayr - 17% Newbury, Yarmouth - 16% WORST Sandown - 5% Ascot, Carlisle, Redcar, York - 4% Thirsk - 0% Turner rode 48 winners last season before she was sidelined for four months with a broken ankle, while main rival Cathy Gannon, whose campaign was cut short in October by a broken leg, won 46 times.

"I think I would have won it last year but me and Cathy both got injured," added Turner. "We are pretty competitive anyway and there's plenty of banter between us.

"If the girls are good enough and have the ambition, there is no reason why they can't get on."

Other leading female riders include Amy Ryan and Sophie Doyle.

Paul Hanagan was champion jockey, for the second time, in 2011 with 165 victories.

He just beat Silvestre de Sousa (161) with both men taking rides across the country as they battled for the title, which carries no financial prize.

Paul Struthers, chief executive of the Professional Jockeys' Association, said a sponsor had yet to be found for the main title.

"This new championship reflects the growing influence of female jockeys in racing," he said.

Sponsors Prolinx released statistics which demonstrate the most profitable lady riders to follow at particular courses, with Swedish jockey Nicole Nordblad showing a £59 profit to a £1 level stake in 20 races at Kempton in 2011.

Meanwhile, Turner is hoping for an injury-free campaign after her 2011 season, where she rode her first two Group One winners on Dream Ahead in the July Cup and Margot Did at York's Ebor Festival, ended prematurely in September.

"My ambition for the year is to stay in one piece," she said.

Turner, who hails from Nottinghamshire, spent some of her time off going to watch other sports, including her beloved Notts County, the Masters snooker final and boxer Carl Froch's defeat by Andre Ward in Atlantic City.

"I had a really good time - it was good mentally to step out of the racing bubble for a while," she said.

Favourite to miss Grand National

Venue: AintreeDate: 12-14 AprilGrand National: 1615 BST, SaturdayLive BBC TV and website (UK users): Thursday 1340-1630, Friday 1345-1630, Saturday 1300-1710BBC Radio: Big-race commentaries. Preview Thursday 2000-2130Bookies' favourite Prince De Beauchene will miss the Grand National on 14 April with a stress fracture to the hip, owner Graham Wylie has revealed.

"He is going to need 12 weeks box rest and that means he's going to have to miss Aintree," Wylie said.

Junior, Synchronised 10-1; Ballabriggs 14-1; Cappa Bleu, Chicago Grey, West End Rocker and Sunnyhillboy 16-1.

The Willie Mullins-trained horse had risen to the head of the betting after a stirring performance in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February.

Scans revealed the season-ending injury after a recent training run-out.

"He went to Fairyhouse a few days ago and Ruby [Walsh] rode him, but he wasn't happy afterwards," Wylie continued.

"It's disappointing, but that's horses for you. It's better we've discovered it now than during the race.

"We'll give him a bit of time and hopefully he'll be back next season."

No hurry on Kauto Star - Nicholls

Talk of retiring double Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star would be "very premature", according to the popular horse's trainer Paul Nicholls.

Kauto Star was pulled up by jockey Ruby Walsh on Friday, attempting a record third Gold Cup win at the Festival.

Afterwards, owner Clive Smith said 12-year-old Kauto Star could be retired.

But Nicholls said: "Clive and I haven't even discussed it, and I daresay we won't in any great detail until Kauto comes back in, in July."

Foaled: 19 March 2000 Breeding: Village Star-Kauto Relka (France) Races: 40 Wins: 23 Key victories: Cheltenham Gold Cup (2007, 2009); King George VI Chase (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011); Betfair Chase (2006, 2007, 2009, 2011) Prize money: £2.4m Trainer: Paul Nicholls Usual jockey: Ruby Walsh Owner: Clive Smith He wrote in his Betfair column: "We just ran out of time with him. But Kauto is 100%.

"We will canter him away and rough him off for the summer and see where we stand when he comes back in. But any talk of retirement is very premature.

"This season told everyone not to be so hasty in writing him off."

Kauto Star had looked set for retirement last summer after being pulled up at Punchestown in May.

But, after a summer's rest, he returned to win at Haydock in November before claiming the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day for a record fifth time.

He was then rated only 50-50 for the Gold Cup after he fell in a schooling session three weeks beforehand, but Nicholls was satisfied that he had returned to full fitness for a race won by champion jockey Tony McCoy on Synchronised.

Kauto Star is the only horse to have regained the Gold Cup title having lost it, winning the race in 2009 two years after his first triumph.

Fanning claims all-weather title

A double at Lingfield helped Joe Fanning win the all-weather jockeys' championship, defeating Luke Morris 89-86 on the final day of the campaign.

Fanning was just one ahead at the start of the day but sealed the honours with a double at the Surrey track.

He struck on Roger Teal's Ostentation before a comfortable victory on Danube River for trainer Mark Johnston.

However, in the process Fanning picked up a two-day ban (13 and 14 April) for careless riding.

Top stallion Montjeu dies aged 16

Montjeu, who sired three Epsom Derby winners, has died at the age of 16.

The winner of six Group One races on the track, he went on to become one of the world's leading stallions for the Coolmore Stud.

A statement from Coolmore said he died on Thursday morning after a short illness "which was due to complications from an overwhelming septicaemia".

The son of Sadler's Wells sired Derby winners Motivator (2005), Authorized (2007) and Pour Moi (2011).

Montjeu retired to stud at the end of 2000 after a racing career that saw him win the 1999 French and Irish Derbies, as well as the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe the same year.

Trained by John Hammond to win 11 of his 16 starts, he was also a brilliant winner of the 2000 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

During his breeding career, Montjeu provided a succession of winners for the Coolmore team of John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor, in whose colours he raced.

Other Group One-winning progeny in Europe include 2005 Irish Derby winner Hurricane Run, Ascot Gold Cup victor Fame And Glory, last year's Breeders' Cup Turf hero St Nicholas Abbey and St Leger winner Masked Marvel.

He also sired the 2011 Champion Hurdle winner Hurricane Fly, along with Camelot, who is ante-post favourite for the 2012 Derby.

Montjeu's stud fee was as high as 125,000 euros (£105,000 today) in 2008

Mick Kinane, who rode Montjeu to five of his victories, said: "He was a really outstanding racehorse - one of the few outstanding racehorses I've ridden.

"That King George win was pretty good all right. He treated them with contempt that day and it was just a privilege to be on board.

"He had an aura about him and a few issues, and the great horses he's sired have all had that as well - that's what's made them great."

Sir Alex in Scottish National bid

Sir Alex Ferguson is poised for a return to Scotland in search of another piece of top sporting silverware - at the Scottish Grand National.

The horse he part owns, Harry The Viking, is a likely runner after the Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old was named among the entries.

Manchester United are in action the following day against Everton.

So the United manager may well be at Ayr to cheer on his horse in the £180,000 race on Saturday, 21 April.

But there will be stiff competition, with some of the country's top chasers featuring among the 62 entries.

Sir Alex could be at Ayr to cheer on his horse

Nicky Henderson has five possible runners, including Burton Port, who was fourth at the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and David Pipe has entered one of the Grand National favourites, Junior, and also The Package, owned by David Johnson.

Cheltenham's JLT Speciality Chase winner, Alfie Sherrin, from Jonjo O'Neill's yard, and Hennessey Gold Cup winner Carruthers are entered, as is the 2010 winner of the race and last year's runner-up, Merigo.

Notable Scottish-trained entries other than Merigo include Lucinda Russell pair Red Harbour and Etxalar, Willie Amos's Lie Forrit, Abbeybraney, from George Bewley's yard and the James Ewart-trained Captain Americo.

The chief supporting race on Scottish Grand National Saturday, the Isle of Skye Blended Whisky Scottish Champion Hurdle, has attracted 34 entries.

They include Tetlami, Petit Robin and Kid Cassidy, all trained by Henderson, Donald McCain's Desert Cry and Red Merlin, Raya Star from Alan King's stable and the Nicholls-trained Prospect Wells and Brampour.

Winter Derby win for Premio Loco

Premio Loco improved his great record on all-weather surfaces by winning the Winter Derby at Lingfield Park.

The 5-1 shot, with George Baker on board, held off 4-1 joint favourite Cai Shen to take victory for a sixth time in 10 starts on an artificial track.

"He's been fantastic for all of us and long may it continue," said Baker. "He's lightly raced, so hopefully he can stay at this level for a while."

Circumvent (16-1) also challenged, but finished a head back in third.

Premio Loco's owner Bernard Westley said: "I am so chuffed because he should have won it three years ago but was taken five wide on the bend and didn't manage it.

"George gave him a peach of a ride. It's absolutely brilliant."

Trainer Chris Wall added: "It depends on the ground, but we could think of the Earl of Sefton at Newmarket over nine furlongs or failing that the Sandown Mile at the end of April.

"He doesn't like slow ground as he has got older, so they are the next two races to bear in mind."

Monterosso wins Dubai World Cup

Monterosso has won the $10m (£6.3m) Dubai World Cup, the world's richest horse race.

The Godolphin-owned horse, ridden by Mickael Barzalona, finished third in 2011 but showed a burst of pace to move away from favourite So You Think, who started strongly alongside Transcend.

Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation enjoyed a one-two as Capponi finished second, albeit a long way behind the five-year-old.

Planteur was third, half a length back.

2011 - Victoire Pisa 2010 - Gloria de Campeao 2009 - Well Armed 2008 - Curlin 2007 - Invasor "I couldn't believe when no one was coming after me," said Barzalona.

"This is a dream. I have no words to describe what I feel right now."

Just as he did on winning the Derby aboard Pour Moi in June, the 20-year-old celebrated by standing upright in the irons.

"I just had to. I had no choice," added Barzalona.

Daddy Long Legs won the $2m (£1.25m) UAE Derby earlier on Saturday, with better-fancied stable companion Wrote third in the Group Two race at Meydan.

Colm O'Donoghue sent the Aidan O'Brien-trained Daddy Long Legs into the lead as the field turned for home after Helmet had set a scorching pace.

Ryan Moore followed him through on Wrote but could not close the gap and had to settle for third, with Yang Tse Kiang filling second spot.

Cirrus Des Aigles held off a late challenge from his main rival St Nicholas Abbey to win the $5m (£3.1m) Dubai Sheema Classic , while Cityscape took the $5m (£3.1m) Dubai Duty Free , setting a course record to beat Mutahadee and City Style by more than four lengths.

£1m offered for Frankel v Caviar

A £1m prize fund is being offered in an attempt to secure a clash between two unbeaten stars of international flat racing - Frankel and Black Caviar.

Goodwood Racecourse and sponsors Qipco are offering to increase the purse for the Sussex Stakes on 1 August from £300,000 should both horses run.

Frankel, trained in Newmarket by Sir Henry Cecil, has triumphed in his nine starts including last year's 2,000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes.

Black Caviar has won all 19 races in her native Australia and could run in Europe during the summer.

Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, who helps run Qatar-based investment firm Qipco, said he hoped the financial incentive would help lure the pair to the one-mile Group One race at Goodwood.

"In their respective home countries, Frankel and Black Caviar have ignited levels of public interest matched only by true champions of the past," he said.

"The sport is blessed to have two such outstanding horses competing at the same time and consequently we felt it would be remiss not to make every effort to try to bring about the race everyone wants to see.

"The Sussex Stakes is arguably the only realistic chance of the two horses meeting, and we are delighted to make the gesture of increasing the prize fund to £1m as an incentive to the connections of both horses to run at Goodwood."

Frankel has won six races over a mile (eight furlongs), whereas Black Caviar has yet to try the distance and has run mainly over five and six furlongs, with one victory at seven.

Black Caviar, trained by Peter Moody, could run in the six-furlong Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and then the July Cup at Newmarket.

"She'd have to come through both those races extremely well to even consider it [Sussex Stakes]," Moody told Sky Sports News.

Frankel is expected to step up in trip from a mile later in the season and Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah, said the Goodwood prize fund would not affect where the horse ran.

"If we were to stay at a mile then running in the Sussex Stakes is a possibility, but I'm afraid the extra prize money is not going to influence any decisions," he told the Guardian.

The Sussex Stakes is part of the Glorious Goodwood meeting and the British Champions Series, which aims to broaden the appeal of flat racing in the UK.

National winner Lee switches to Flat

The 2004 Grand National winner Graham Lee has cited weight issues as his reason for switching to Flat racing.

Lee, who won on Amberleigh House, admitted he struggles to put enough weight on to ride the jumps.

"I've always had to work very hard keeping weight on me with training and it's just fallen off me since the fall at Southwell," he said.

"I can't really face the gym to get a stone back on me, so I'm going to go Flat racing."

The 36-year-old also rode five Cheltenham Festival winners including a treble in 2005 on Inglis Drever, No Refuge and Arcalis. He is currently sidelined after a heavy fall in Southwell in February which has been key to his decision.

"I got home from the hospital and I was 9st 12lb, and I got on the scales this morning and I was 8st 12lb, so I've taken a stone off in just over five weeks," he added.

"I love riding over jumps and I always have done.

"I got a fall at Huntingdon in 2008 and suffered quite a bad head injury. I actually thought about it then, because I had to work so hard at being a stone above my fighting weight."

Brae Hill wins Lincoln Handicap

Brae Hill held off the challenge of Mull of Killough to win the Lincoln Handicap in a thrilling finish at Doncaster.

The 2011 runner-up, ridden by Tony Hamilton, led into the closing stages but was chased right to the line.

Shane Kelly mounted a brave late surge on Mull of Killough but could not quite close the gap.

2011 - Sweet Lightning 2010 - Penitent 2009 - Expresso Star 2008 - Smokey Oakey 2007 - Very Wise Pre-race favourite Eton Forever was beaten into fifth, behind third-placed Fury, with Edinburgh Knight fourth.

After winning the feature race on the first day of the Flat season, Hamilton said: "He stuck his head down and galloped to the line. I did think I had won."

Brae Hill, a 25-1 chance, had never won over the mile trip but was ridden positively by Hamilton, who made his move early on.

And despite Mull of Killough picking up speed late in the race, the Richard Fahey-trained six-year-old held on by a rapidly diminishing short head in a photo finish.

"I've wanted to win this race, but felt I was destined to never do it," said Fahey. "I think I have had three seconds and plenty of others placed.

"It's great for Tony and I am lucky that I have got some very good jockeys. Tony will never let me down."

Former winners Sweet Lightning and Penitent were withdrawn in the week.

Penitent's trainer David O'Meara said the 2010 winner will instead contest the Prix Edmond Blanc at Saint-Cloud in France on Sunday.

World Cup 2014: Why selfish England must learn from selfless Germany

If we do not find a solution to the problem of our young players being denied the opportunity to play a high level of football between the ages of 17 and 21, we can forget about ever replicating Germany’s success.

Those who argue the quality players are not here are ignoring the real problem. We just won the Under-17 European Championship but there will be nowhere for those players to go in two years because – with one or two exceptions when a fully developed teenager bursts onto the scene – English football has not got a clue what to do with its emerging talent.

In Germany, the progress from the youth ranks into the Bundesliga appears to be so much easier.

I once asked my good friend Didi Hamann what he considered the biggest difference between German and English football. He defined it to me as follows. “If an English player is booked in a World Cup semi-final, and it means he can’t play in the final, he starts crying on the pitch,” said Didi. “If it happens to a German, he puts it out of his mind and then scores the winning goal. One player is thinking about himself and the other his team.”

The superiority of German football culture over ours can be summed up as an obligation to always put the greater good over any individual needs, a philosophy that applies not only within the 11 players on the pitch but across every level of their game.

The way Didi put it, whether we like it or not, the perception of English football is selfish needs come first. The leagues are looking after their own interests above those of national team, the biggest clubs want less rather than more international football to protect their talent, and some players are more worried about the impact a performance will have on their own reputation.

You could call it a systematic selfishness that is the complete opposite to German football, where if there is a pyramid it is the national team at the top.

We have always been obsessed by the cult of individual, whether it is heaping praise on those who have performed well and elevating their status, or crucifying those who failed to produce their best to the point where some players have not enjoyed playing for their country and worried about the consequences of a defeat too much.

I have been on an England team bus after an exit in a major tournament when the biggest concern of some players was whether they will only get a five out of 10 in the match reports the next day.

I can’t imagine a German player being concerned by such trivialities. There is a team spirit within the German national set-up that is more akin to club football, something we have often tried to replicate in the England dressing room with minimal success.

When you look at the German and Argentina sides there are modern ‘superstar’ players all over the team sheet, and yet I would argue their progress to the final is based entirely on this team ethic.

Take some of the finest individuals from the German team – Toni Kroos, for example – and place them in the England squad. What would happen? There would be an obsession about ‘building a team’ around him, the same as happens every time we find an outstanding, individual talent. You don’t hear that kind of demand in Germany, the collective force so much more potent.

Is Miroslav Klose one of the 11 best players in German football? I would argue not but he fits the system. If we had a player like that in the England squad, my bet is we’d be saying he was a one trick pony who ‘only’ scored goals but didn’t contribute enough outside the box. It is not always so fashionable in football nowadays, but putting round pegs in round holes works and allowing everyone to get the best of each others different qualities is a winning formula.

Even Argentina, with one of the greatest individual talents in the history of the game, has so much more to it than Lionel Messi. Of course, when you have him you can be sure there will be match-winning contributions and they want to get him on the ball as much as possible, but it was the performance of Javier Mascherano – the ultimate team player – that shone against Holland.

The respective managers Joachim Low and Alex Sabella have designed teams where every player knows exactly what is expected, where everyone complements each other. Of course they have many top class players, but credit should be given for moulding them into a team rather than an assortment of players trying to claim all the glory.

I have two theories as to who will win on Sunday, one based on my head and the other my wallet.

I bet on Argentina before the tournament so I won’t change my mind at this late stage, but when assessing both teams it is evident Germany possess more firepower. Their destruction of Brazil was both beautiful and painful, exposing the incompetence of the hosts with frightening virtuosity.

There is no way Argentina will grant the Germans that kind of space and it will be a much more cagey, tactical game. I’ve also a sneaking feeling that Messi is destined to create that one moment to immortalise him in World Cup history.

Hopefully it will be a final worthy of what has been an outstanding World Cup, where no one side has emerged as ‘great’ in the way we think of Spain in 2010 but the overall standard has made it a much more open and entertaining event.

It is the third time Argentina and Germany have met in a final. Whatever happens in the next four years, you can presume they will be strong contenders to win it again in 2018, 2022 and beyond.

If England ever wants to be in similar contention we need to start recognising this success does not come by accident. We’ve witnessed enough German lessons on the pitch over the years and the time is overdue to start learning from them off it.

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Predictions for World Cup 2014

The must-watch player will be...
Lionel Messi - finally ready to make the World Cup his own.

My big hope for the tournament is...
The world’s top referees finally clamp down on players’ simulation.

My biggest fear is...
Transport chaos for the supporters.

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PAUL HAYWARD

Who will win it?
Argentina. Can exploit the suffocating pressure on Brazil and win on South American turf. Forward line could be devastating.

How will England do?
Better than expected. But Uruguay is a potential slip-up game, especially if Suarez is fit. Chance for youth to shine.

Who will be the top scorer?
Gonzalo Higuain (20-1) is a value alternative to Lionel Messi (7-1 favourite) .

The must-watch game will be ...
Spain v Holland. Defending champions v the team of Louis van Gaal, who inspired parts of tiki-taka.

The must-watch player will be ...
Neymar – if only to help us understand what expectation is.

My big hope for the tournament is ...
That nobody gets hurt if Brazilians express legitimate grievances over public services and World Cup extravagance/waste.

My biggest fear is ...
Logistical chaos.

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MICHAEL OWEN

Who will win it?
Argentina. They have so many match winners in their side and Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero are the potential starts of the tournament. South American conditions will help.

How will England do?
If we can get out a tough group I see us in the quarter-finals. I’m even prepared to think we can go further if the young players find their form, but Italy and Uruguay will be tough.

Dark horses?
Japan. They have some fantastic individuals, like Shinji Kagawa, and are always well organised and as fit as any other nation. They don’t have the toughest group, so could be quarter-finalists.

Who will be the top scorer?
Can’t look beyond Lionel Messi. The greatest players are defined by their performances at World Cups and Messi is yet to shine in the tournament. This could be his year.

The must-watch game will be ...
Spain v Holland stands-out: two highly fancied teams and also the added intrigue of seeing how Louis Van Gaal tries to deal with the World and European Champions. England v Italy should be quite tasty, too!

The must-watch player will be ...
England’s young players settle quickly and produce a moment of brilliance in the group and explode onto the world stage. I’d love the likes of Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling to return as superstars.

My big hope for the tournament is ... England's young players settle quickly. I'd love Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling to return as stars.

My biggest fear is ...
The dreaded penalty shoot-out. We’ve been denied in the most unfortunate of circumstances on so many occasions. Surely we won’t suffer again?

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ALAN HANSEN

Who will win it?
Brazil. No country has done more for the game and it would be the perfect tournament if Brazil emerge as winners.

How will England do?
England are in a hard group, with lots of players making their first appearance at a World Cup. The quarter-finals is as good as they can expect.

Who will be the top scorer?
Neymar. Brazil will score lots of goals, so you would have to fancy Neymar to profit from all of the chances that will be created.

The must-watch game will be ...
The final, especially if Brazil are playing in it. That will be the one everybody wants to see.

The must-watch player will be ...
Lionel Messi. All eyes will be on him to see if he can emulate Pele and Diego Maradona. A South American World Cup offer him his best chance.

My big hope for the tournament is ...
That we all look back on a Brazilian World Cup and say that it was the best ever.

My biggest fear is ...
That it turns out to be boring, with negative tactics suffocating the flair that we all want to see.

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ALAN SMITH

Who will win it?
Brazil. This isn’t their best squad ever but they boast good defenders and a manager in Scolari who knows what it takes.

How will England do?
Not for the first time, reaching the quarter-finals should be considered a success.

Who will be the top scorer?
Gonzalo Higuain. With so many world-class forwards helping, the Argentine should get a few chances.

The must-watch game will be ...
Brazil’s opener against Croatia. The colour, the music, the dancing ... and that’s before a ball has been kicked!

The must-watch player will be ...
Lionel Messi. This is his time. Will light up the tournament with his mesmeric skills.

My big hope for the tournament is ...
That the best players will thrive to put on a show free of cynicism and full of goals.

My biggest fear is ...
That teams will show fear, that too many games turn into boring, tactical stalemates.

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MATT LAW

Who will win it?
Argentina. The South American teams have a big advantage in Brazil and I think Lionel Messi can make this World Cup his own.

How will England do?
Roy Hodgson’s team will struggle to get out of Group D. Unfortunately, I can’t see England being involved in the knockout stages, with Uruguay and Italy progressing.

Dark horses?
Chile. They will not win the World Cup, but Jorge Sampaoli’s team should be hugely entertaining and Alexis Sanchez will be a danger for any team.

Who will be the top scorer?
To avoid making Lionel Messi two of my answers, I'll got for his Argentina team-mate Sergio Aguero or Brazil striker Fred.

The must-watch game will be ...
Greece v Japan. Only joking. Spain against Holland on June 13, which Manchester United fans will watch eagerly for a glimpse of new manager Louis van Gaal.

The must-watch player will be ...
Lionel Messi – The Barcelona star has failed to show his best form at a World Cup, but a tournament in Brazil gives him a wonderful chance to shine.

My big hope for the tournament is ...
That England prove me horribly wrong and cruise through Group D, with Wayne Rooney top-scoring and Raheem Sterling ripping defences apart.

My biggest fear is ...
That England prove me spot on and fail to score a single goal on their way out of the competition and back on the flight home.

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JEREMY WILSON

Who will win it?
Spain. Have not conceded a goal in knockout tournament football since 2006. Their demise has been exaggerated.

How will England do?
Surprisingly well. It’s a difficult group but, should they qualify, the quarter-finals or better are a realistic target.

Who will be the top scorer?
Lionel Messi. A (relatively) quiet season for Barcelona but this is still his best chance to dominate a World Cup.

The must-watch game will be ...
Spain v Chile also stands out but there should be more mistakes – and goals – when Germany face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.

The must-watch player will be ...
Neymar. After a mixed first season with Barcelona, the ultimate stage awaits for the face of Brazilian football.

My big hope for the tournament is ...
That Wayne Rooney finally delivers his very best at a major international tournament for England.

My biggest fear is ...
That the Word Cup will be inaccessible to the locals and feel more like a Fifa than a Brazilian event.

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MARK OGDEN

Who will win it?
Brazil. Fairly predictable, but they haven’t lost a competitive game on home soil since 1975, so it will take something special to beat them.

How will England do?
Better than expected. I can see them reaching the last eight. And with a favourable draw, who knows?

Who will be the top scorer?
Luis Suarez. His injury appears a minor scare, so there is every chance of the Liverpool forward taking his Premier League form on to the World Cup stage.

The must-watch game will be ...
USA v Germany in Recife. The Americans, coached by Jurgen Klinsmann, could make things very difficult for the Germans in the final group game.

The must-watch player will be ...
Marouane Fellaini, on the basis that he is a key cog of the Belgium team and may actually prove he is a £27.5m footballer in Brazil.

My big hope for the tournament is ...
England win a penalty shoot-out. Doesn’t matter who the victims are. Just let’s end this biennial torment.

My biggest fear is ...
Being frogmarched out of a Louis van Gaal press conference for asking 'stupid questions’.

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JIM WHITE

Who will win it?
Spain, who have everything required to win yet another title. The experience of Xavi, Iniesta, Pique and the Madrid contingent suggests such dismissal is premature.

How will England do?
They appear to be relaxed, focused and in good condition. But, they are still a fundamentally mediocre outfit. I suspect the last 16 will be their limit.

Dark horses?
Chile. Admittedly their chances depend substantially on Juventus’ brilliant midfielder Arturo Vidal proving himself fit, but they looked superb at Wembley last year.

Who will be the top scorer?
Diego Costa. It helps to be in the winning team (or at least one that comes close) if you want to win the Golden Boot. And providing he is fit, the Brazilian-turned-Spaniard will be at the front of the most persuasive, creative midfield in the tournament. It always helps to score goals if you have Xavi and Iniesta providing the assists and Costa will relish his return to his home country (albeit that he will be wearing another country’s shirt).

The must-watch game will be ...
Brazil v Mexico. There is a reason the Mexico team shirt is the biggest selling item in Adidas’s portfolio: the team’s supporters are among the most excited in world football.

The must-watch player will be ...
Lionel Messi. If the pressure is on Wayne Rooney finally to produce at a World Cup it is as nothing compared to that heaped on Messi’s sloped shoulders.

My big hope for the tournament is ...
That England don’t stink the place out. No one is expecting them to win it, but an inspiring performance at some point before they come home would be wonderful.

My biggest fear is ...
That Brazil are eliminated early. Such was the widespread negativity in the build-up, success for the home side is crucial.

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JONATHAN LIEW

Who will win it?
Brazil. They’re not the best team, but that doesn’t always matter.

How will England do?
A surprisingly dignified quarter-final exit.

Who will be the top scorer?
Golden Boot winners often come out of left-field, and France’s Antoine Griezmann has been scintillating for Real Sociedad this season.

The must-watch game will be ...
Argentina v Bosnia-Herzegovina. Contrasting styles, contrasting reputations, and a match that could ignite the tournament.

The must-watch player will be ...
Few players will ever experience the pressure currently on Neymar. Whether he succeeds or fails, it’ll be fascinating.

My big hope for the tournament is ...
That the best team, not the luckiest team, ends up winning.

My biggest fear is ...
That with Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 looming, this is remembered as the last great World Cup.

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BEN RUMSBY

Who will win it?
Brazil – if they play like they did at the Confederations Cup.

How will England do?
It’s 50-50 whether they’ll get out of the group and I can’t see them getting past the quarter-finals.

Who will be the top scorer?
Sergio Aguero – if he stays fit.

The must-watch game will be ...
Germany v Portugal. Forget Spain v Holland, neither side will hold back in this Group G opener.

The must-watch player will be ...
Luis Suarez – even more fascinating to see how he does following his knee surgery.

My big hope for the tournament is ...
England’s young players shine on the big stage.

My biggest fear is ...
England’s young players flop on the big stage.

World Cup 2014: England Squad Selector - pick your 23 then compare with our choices

Ever wanted to be Roy Hodgson? It's a common condition. His is a life of easy charm, muted bookishness and lovely warm coats.

But there's one unenviable task looming for the England manager ahead of Fifa World Cup 2014 in Brazil, and that's picking 23 men to make up a squad capable of avoiding humiliation.

With Hodgson confirming his squad on Monday June 2, we've cast the net wide for potential England squad members, from the players who are on the plane barring a late metatarsal injury (Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Joe Hart, Daniel Sturridge), the youngsters who may or may not have done enough to impress (Luke Shaw, Ross Barkley) and the longshots (Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, ideally both at once). There are also a few injury doubts in there.

You can select your 23 using our interactive graphic, share and compare it with your buddies across social media, then see how it stands up in comparison with five of our World Cup experts.

Henry Winter, Michael Owen, Paul Hayward, Alan Hansen and Alan Smith picked their 23 in December ahead of the finals draw. Who knows, perhaps Theo Walcott will still make it to Brazil?

World Cup 2014: England World Cup team selector - pick your starting XI

Having used our England Squad Selector, you've had a glimpse of what it's like to be Roy Hodgson - but now the real fun starts. Time to pick your starting XI.

With England's opening match of the 2014 World Cup on Saturday, against Italy in Manaus, Hodgson is busy pondering who to select to face Balotelli, Pirlo and the rest.

But why should Roy have all the fun? With our interactive Team Selector, you too can be the England manager.

Pick your England team before every match involving the Three Lions. Will your choices match those of Hodgson?

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