Rugby: Brian Moore: calm down England it's only the phoney war - real hysteria is coming

It is England's football fans who need to keep their nerve not Fabio Capello and his players. From now until England either win or get knocked out of the World Cup there will be little else in the media.

You may have forgotten, or at least tried to, that the coverage will be all-encompassing and that it has a marked effect on the English psyche.

The mass hysteria that is on the way is not one in which people lose all semblance of will; it is more unusual than that. What is created is a compulsion to comment and most of the multitude of comment will be notable only because of its stupidity. Armchair professionals and would-be/could-have-been international sportsmen will opine sagely on any and all facets of English football.

There will be a divided nation; all wanting England to win and approaching each minute piece of news with solemn consideration yet reacting in different ways.

On the one hand you will have the know-all-know-nothings. Pessimists at heart they will become most expert on the topic on which they are least qualified to comment. Indolent lard-arses will criticise players' fitness levels; some with the tactical nous of a radish will berate Capello for his use of one system over another; with the miracle of hindsight many more will tell you they knew it all along.

On the other side of the national divide will be those who approach their support as a faith. As is the way with zealots they will be less entertaining but messianic in their proclamations for "Ingerland". As a mantra they will urge, if not demand that we "get behind the lads" whatever the results or level of performance. They will laud quite ordinary players as "world-clarse" and display wilful ignorance concerning anything that might suggest England are not the best team in the world – oh, and by the way, anyone not in agreement is a traitor.

For players it is impossible to shake out the knowledge that this is not the real deal and though they may say that 100 per cent attention is given, they will have reserved some part of their thoughts for South Africa. There is nothing wrong with this and nothing Capello can do anyway. The only thing you can hope for is that none of the players gets injured.

So for the media and public let's stamp down the surges of passion and keep it for when it really counts because as certain as all the above is, there will be incidents that rightly provoke our indignation.

It is when this clamour is reaching its height that Capello and his squad need to excuse themselves, at least mentally, from the scene. It is very difficult to enforce a ban on accessing the news, given the number of platforms on which it is available and unless a player is very strong-willed widespread criticism will affect him, even if he believes this not to be the case. Praise is not without its possible pitfalls; self-belief is welcome, indeed necessary, but self-importance is too often the reaction to preternatural adulation.

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Autumn Internationals 2010: Wayne Rooney's energy gives England edge, says Francois Pienaar

Francois Pienaar skippered South Africa’s rugby union side to global glory and he reckons the “infectious enthusiasm” of Wayne Rooney and Lionel Messi could give their countries the edge when football’s World Cup takes place in his homeland.

“I think you have to look at the usual suspects and see what effects the likes of Messi or Wayne Rooney can have,” Pienaar said.

For players it is impossible to shake out the knowledge that this is not the real deal and though they may say that 100 per cent attention is given, they will have reserved some part of their thoughts for South Africa. There is nothing wrong with this and nothing Capello can do anyway. The only thing you can hope for is that none of the players gets injured.

“A successful team needs to have players on the pitch who can sense the moment and feed off one another.

“Individuals like Messi and Rooney just sort of inject enthusiasm. They have that can-do mentality and winning spirit and when you have that in your team it is infectious.

“I think that Brazil are looking very good and playing some very sexy football. But who knows? When France won it no one gave them a chance.

“I think that England will be really strong, the Germans are always there. Then there is Spain, Italy, Argentina – if the rest of the team can back up Lionel Messi.”

Pienaar inspired South Africa to World Cup success as they overcame the odds and that is something his compatriots in the Bafana Bafana team will have to repeat just to maintain their interest in the tournament beyond the group stage.

“We were a very good team, not favourites certainly, but it was a very special team and had the knock-out punch which we delivered when it mattered,” Pienaar added.

“Bafana Bafana have not had the build-up to their tournament that we had but if the team gels, trains hard and has resolve and the obsession to detail that I always say you need then they have a shot.

“If Bafana Bafana reaches the knock-out stage, as we all hope they do it will be just like 1995 or 1996 when I went with the whole team to the stadium in Soweto to see South Africa win the Africa Cup of Nations.”

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Rugby: Scotland scrap southern hemisphere tours

The SRU have confirmed Scotland will no longer hold three-day tests against South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, at least for the next eight years.

Scotland's absence from New Zealand's tour schedule for the next eight years has been explained as a decision taken by the SRU, contrary to reports. It had been suggested the Scots had been snubbed by the All Blacks, when they unveiled their future plans earlier this week.

National coach Andy Robinson and performance director Graham Lowe no longer favour prolonged tours of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. Instead, Scotland will travel for one-off matches against the three for the foreseeable future, while also hosting the trio nine times in six years between 2012 and 2018.

France, England, Ireland and Wales are all booked up to play the three, who are collectively known as SANZAR, on tours scheduled until 2018.

“I am very pleased with the tours schedule,” Robinson told the SRU website. “We have a first-rate programme of autumn Tests incoming to Murrayfield, which are important for our rugby development.

“As far as our overseas tours are concerned I do not believe it would be beneficial for us to play a series of three Tests against the individual SANZAR countries at the end of our season.

“What I believe works for us, from a performance perspective, is a mix between SANZAR and Tier 2 unions as that gives us the opportunity to develop players which is part and parcel of touring."

"More than anything I'm just relieved to be playing again, the Wallabies was just more of a bonus if I made it."Lowe, who left the New Zealand Rugby Union to take up his post with the SRU last October, added: “Like Andy, I firmly believe that the schedule, as outlined, will assist with our rugby development and importantly develops solid relationships with some of world rugby's emerging nations.”

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Rugby: Force back row to provide Wallaby backbone

The Western Force back row will feature prominently in the upcoming test arena with Matt Hodgson, David Pocock and Richard Brown all selected in the Wallabies squad announced today.

The trio was a force to be reckoned with in the later part of the Super 14 season following the return of Pocock and Brown from injury, and could carry the responsibility for Australia against the likes of England, New Zealand and South Africa.

The selection of Hodgson is great reward for his stellar 2010 campaign. The versatile forward was a man mountain in the back row and the only player at the club to start and finish every game.

"It's one of your biggest highs playing for Australia and then getting injured and missing out was hard, it sort of drove me this year to put my hand up again and make selection and get that test cap that I want," Hodgson said.

"Robbie gave me a call yesterday morning, so it was good to pick up that unknown number. It is good to get that call early.

"He just sort of congratulated me on such a good performance in the Super 14 at the start of the year, and said just to continue working and keep aiming for that jersey that I want to get."

For Brown and Pocock the recent Super 14 presented challenges in other forms as injuries to both players in round one forced them to watch from the sidelines for half a season.

But true to form the pair returned ready for action and made a telling contribution to a positive second half of the year for the Western Force and are keen to add to their test caps.

"I'm a little relieved to make the squad after only playing half a season so I'm pretty excited," said Brown.

"I was always hopeful but I was just happy to come back in the second half of the season regardless of whether I made the Wallabies.

Other Western Force players selected for Wallabies duties include prop Pek Cowan, lock Nathan Sharpe, the most experienced player selected in the 30-man Australian squad, and full-back James O'Connor, the youngest member of the 2010 class.

With 79 tests to his name already Sharpe will provide the leadership and experience to a young squad, something he has done with distinction throughout his career and again this season at the Force.

"Sharpie doesn't talk a lot about how his performance is but that probably sums the guy up, he's had probably one of his best seasons in his time in Super Rugby and the way he's led us through the year has been instrumental for a lot of blokes," said Hodgson.

"I know it made me keep going at the start of the year when we were up against a brick wall. He's a good bloke and his form has been great this year.

"He is probably the best Captain I've ever had. The way he leads us on the field is the same as off the field. He's got that good combination with all the blokes from the older guys to the younger guys, everyone respects him."

Tough forward Ben McCalman has been acknowledged for his excellent debut Super Rugby season with inclusion in the 10-man Australian Barbarians squad that will train alongside the Wallabies and play two midweek matches against England next month.

Winger Nick Cummins is also part of that squad and will be hoping to impress after picking-up an injury on the opening day of last year's Wallabies training camp.

"I'm really happy for Ben to get his chance I think it's well deserved, especially in his first year, it's just a huge effort," Brown said.

"For Nick, people know he's a talent and he is a colourful character too, so it should be good to have him along. He has done well to come back from his injuries and I think we all know what it takes to come back after a few setbacks."

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Donald falls short but presses Ryder Cup claims

Luke Donald has attracted an unwanted and probably harsh reputation for being a golfer who has picked up decent cheques without dirtying his hands.

The Englishman's career has been littered with many a lucrative finish without properly challenging for the title. But Donald's second place at the PGA Championship does not fall into that category.

On this occasion he was in the thick of it throughout the tournament and it would take a hard heart not to be impressed with his tenacity throughout his final round on the toughened West Course.

As he stood on the 17th tee Donald knew a birdie at one of the two closing par 5s would be enough for to deny Simon Khan his heart-warming win and it proved a terrible moment to hit his worst drive of the day.

"I just didn't execute when I needed to, and that was disappointing," was Donald's frank assessment after the blocked tee shot that flew wide of the trees to the right of the 17th fairway and settled amid a holly bush.

He has always been a master of understatement and this loss will hurt because he had fought hard for the opportunity to end a four-year winless streak.

There are some courses that are just too long for this relatively short hitter to be a factor, but the West Course does not fall into that category. With the emphasis even more on precision following Ernie Els' latest changes this was a golden opportunity and Donald knew it.

But he must draw strength from the way that he battled with a series of courageous par saves and trademark bunker escapes throughout his final round.

The 37-year-old seized the moment and there seemed to be some help from upstairs when his ball seemed ready to defy the clutches of the 18th hole before finally disappearing at the end of his tournament-winning 66.

The 18th green needs to be lowered, the proximity of the putting surface to the water at the eighth and the difficulty of the now par four 12th are the other main areas of concern. The ditch on the 15th isn't great either.

But the deepened bunkers provide and excellent defence, especially in the fast firm conditions of this week. The greens will become quicker and the overall conditioning was remarkably good considering how recently made the changes have been.

Wentworth owner Richard Caring has promised a post tournament review. Already he can conclude that one important objective has been achieved in the toughening of the course.

Those who played the PGA were subjected to an exacting test that will prepare them well for events like the US Open where there is such a premium on hitting fairways and the correct parts of greens. This is just what Els wanted.

And such demands are now what have to be satisfied to conquer the West Course, just as Donald found to his cost.

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Woods not automatic Ryder Cup pick: U.S. captain Pavin

Tiger Woods is not guaranteed a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team and will have to play his way on like every other player, skipper Corey Pavin said on Sunday.

Woods, who took five months out of the game after his private life unraveled at the end of 2009 and has suffered neck problems since his return, is currently 11th in the U.S. Ryder Cup point’s race.

Only eight players will automatically qualify for the American team's showdown with Europe in October in Wales, while Pavin will have four other picks.

Certainly Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie would have been rooting for him to win and take a giant step towards automatic qualification for Celtic Manor.

That's no offence to the eventual winner Khan, it's just that Donald has a game that makes him the ideal partner in foursomes and fourball play because he is rarely out of a hole. Monty wants an inform Donald in his side.

"I'm not going to treat Tiger any different than any other player," Pavin told Reuters after the final round of the Byron Nelson Championship. "He's certainly not going to be an automatic pick.

"He's just going to be treated like everyone else. I'd love to have him on the team but I want him to be playing well," added Pavin, who said he had not spoken to Woods this year.

Woods has played only three tournaments since returning to golf from his self-imposed exile and just two weeks ago pulled out of the Players Championship during the final round, citing a neck injury.

Pavin does not know when he will speak with the 14-times major winner but indicated there was plenty of time to qualify with the Ryder Cup still more than four months away.

Woods has a relatively poor Ryder record of 10 wins, 13 losses and two halves from five events. He has been on the winning team only once, in 1999, and was absent recovering from knee surgery when the Americans ended a nine-year drought by winning the event in 2008.

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Ryder Cup: ELS SLAMS 'SPOILT' GOLFERS

Ernie Els last night accused "spoilt" golfers of "sticking the knife in" over his controversial re-design of Wentworth's West Course.

The South African is furious his fellow pros have queued to criticise the £6.5million revamp, especially the raised 18th green.

Course owner Richard Caring has admitted the last hole needs tweaking to encourage players to try to reach the green in two.

But Els claimed Caring had been kicked in the teeth by the pros because of their negativity.

The world No.7 said: "If they had criticisms they could have handled it differently.

"That's the sad part of the whole week, a lot of the guys I have known for a very long time came out and basically put the knife in and I don't really appreciate that.

"There is going to be criticism with any new design but I really wasn't expecting the backlash I got.

"I don't think anybody deserved it.

"For all this money we are playing for (a £3.8million prize fund) we could not come in here like a bunch of spoilt golfers."

But Ryder Cup hopeful Rory McIlroy said he will be relieved to return to the United States to play The Memorial and St Jude Classic before the US Open next month.

"I felt handcuffed out there this week," he said after a closing 73 left him on five-over par.

"I will be glad to get back playing on a decent golf course," said the 21-year-old Ulsterman, the world No.9.

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Justin Rose calm on Ryder Cup place ahead of Wentworth

England's Justin Rose says is not going to alter his playing schedule to try to qualify for Europe's Ryder Cup team, despite being a long way off the pace.

The 29-year-old, who plays his first European Tour event of the year in the PGA Championship at Wentworth this week, is 67th in the world rankings.

Rose is far from certain of a place for the clash at Celtic Manor in September.

"I am not going to go chasing around the world to get into the team - I have to back myself to play well," he said.

Rose played in the defeat to the United States at Valhalla two years ago and was one of the better performers, winning three points out of a possible four.

But he failed to qualify for April's Masters and is also in danger of not making next month's US Open or the Open at St Andrews in July, absences which would further hamper his chances of making the European team for the clash in Wales later this year.

"I chased a place in the last team because I was close and it was about giving myself the very best opportunity," he added.

"If I play well enough in America in the summer then it takes a lot of the pressure off me to come back here and catch up."

As things stand, five of the nine players in automatic qualifying positions for Colin Montgomerie's European side are uncapped.

Rory McIlroy, Ross McGowan, Martin Kaymer, Alvaro Quiros and Simon Dyson are all in prime position for a place in the Ryder Cup, and all five are at Wentworth this week for the European Tour's flagship event.

In only his second full season on the circuit, 28-year-old McGowan carded a round of 60 in his Madrid Masters win last October and finished second at the Dubai World Championship.

The Surrey golfer has made a quiet start to 2010, but he did defeat then world number two Steve Stricker at the Accenture Match Play in February.

Kaymer and the big-hitting Quiros have already registered wins this season, the 25-year-old German in Abu Dhabi and Quiros in his home Spanish Open.

Dyson burst into contention for a Ryder Cup place with victory in the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews seven months ago, but has not had a top 10 finish yet this season.

Ian Poulter will be in action at Wentworth if a neck strain allows but has ruled out competing at the Wales Open at Celtic Manor in two weeks - despite Montgomerie urging as many of his potential team to play as possible.

"I would like to be there, but it just doesn't fit into my schedule," Poulter said.

"It's not a course I don't know. Twelve of the holes for the Ryder Cup we played when I won the (2003) Wales Open.

"I've got to learn six holes. For my first two Ryder Cups I'd not seen either course until the week of the match."

Meanwhile, Paul Casey - another man likely to figure for Europe against the US - will return to the famous Surrey course to defend the title when the event gets under way on Thursday.

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Ryder Cup could be hosted in Middle East

Leading business figures in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have told The Sunday Telegraph of their interest in making an offer to host the biggest event in golf.

Qatar is also thought to be considering a bid having made moves to stage both the 2016 Olympics and 2018 Football World Cup.

The region has revolutionised European golf through the multi-million dollar Race to Dubai, a joint venture between the European Tour and Leisurecorp, a company owned by the Dubai government.

Sir Michael Bonallack, the former R&A secretary, sounded a note of caution about the plans: "The Gulf is a major part of the European tour now and I'm sure they'd host it well," he said.

"My concern would be whether they would get the crowds that we see in Europe. It would be great for the fans to experience it as long as it's not too expensive." Leisurecorp's interest is likely to appeal to O'Grady though.

The company and the European Tour already have a joint interest in a global property company to develop golf courses and O'Grady has said: "In future we'll either build courses or own them ourselves." In 2018 we'll own at least part of the venue. Every penny we make goes back into the game, but we have to make as much as we can from the home match."

Leisurecorp are not the only player in the region to express interest. Mubarak Al Muhairi, the director general of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, met with O'Grady in January.

He told The Sunday Telegraph: "The Ryder Cup is something we are interested in. We are open as far as the strategy and direction of golf is concerned and that could embrace any opportunity."

Abu Dhabi has a course designed by Robert Trent Jones, the man responsible for Celtic Manor's Ryder Cup course, in development. Another Trent Jones course will be completed in Oman next year, while the Tiger Woods Dubai venue is under construction.

Madrid, Germany and Sweden, favourites because of their representation on the European team, are in the running to host the 2018 edition.But with four leading Swedish golfers resident in the Gulf, including Tournament Committee member Henrik Stenson, all signs point to the desert.


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Kingsgate Native is in line for Royal Ascot following Temple Stakes victory at Haydock

Royal Ascot Horse racing Festival beckons for Kingsgate Native following his excellent return to action with victory in Saturday’s Group Two betfred.com Temple Stakes at Haydock.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained five-year-old was only back in training after failing as a stallion. But he showed he retains all his old ability on the track when landing Saturday’s high-class Group One contest by a half-a-length from the front-running Equiano. Under champion jockey Ryan Moore, the 3-1 joint-favourite travelled well and quickened superbly to land the spoils.

He is now a best-priced 7-1 second favourite with William Hill and Coral for the King’s Stand Stakes at the Royal meeting, and 12-1 with the former for the Golden Jubilee Stakes – a race Kingsgate Native won in 2008 when trained by John Best.

Owned by Cheveley Park Stud, Kingsgate Native is entered in both races, but may only run in one. The five-furlong King’s Stand, over the same distance as Saturday’s race, is the most likely.

Cheveley Park’s managing director Chris Richardson said: “That was fantastic, we were deflated after his efforts at stud last year. He was still at stud in February/March time and Royal Ascot came too soon, although he finished the season well.”

He added: “I think the difference with him has been Sir Michael Stoute has been able to give him a proper preparation and he has had a winter to do it. He is a talented horse, he always has been, and he has come back and shown what class he has – it was a Group One race in all but name.

“I think he will be off to Royal Ascot now, we will discuss it with Mr and Mrs Thompson and Sir Michael, he is in both races but I don’t suppose he would run twice.”

Another Haydock winner who is set for Royal Ascot is the Andrew Balding-trained Balducci, who landed Saturday’s Betfred Silver Bowl.

Under talented young rider David Probert the three-year-old was sent off the well-backed 4-1 joint favourite. He collared the long-time leader Al Farahidi to score by three-quarters-of-a-length.

He is likely to run in the Brittania Stakes at the Royal meeting, where the progressive Dansili colt is likely to again be popular with punters.

“All being well he’ll go to Royal Ascot for the Brittania Stakes. He’ll go up for this win, which means he should get in to the race.”

Awsaal, winner of the opening Betfred ‘Both Teams Score... Goals Galore!’ Handicap and Novellen Lad, who landed the Betfred ‘Best Bet for the World Cup’ Handicap, are two others who likely to hold big chances at the Royal meeting next month.

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Richard Hughes plotting Palace revenge mission for Canford Cliffs at Royal Ascot

Richard Hughes has backed Canford Cliffs to gain revenge on Makfi in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot next month.

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The son of Tagula ended a 20-year Classic drought for trainer Richard Hannon with his facile three-length defeat of Free Judgement in Saturday’s Irish 2000.

Hughes said: ‘The first morning I rode him last year, I said to the boss this is the best horse you have ever had. I’ve no doubt Makfi is a good horse but we have found the key to our fellow.’

The Hannon-trained pair Dick Turpin subsequently runner-up in the French 2000 and Canford Cliffs were second and third to Makfi in the English Guineas but Canford Cliffs settled better and looked transformed on The Curragh.

Hannon could have a mighty first day of Royal Ascot on June 15.

As well as Canford Cliffs and Dick Turpin, who will clash in the St James’s Palace Stakes according to his son and assistant Richard jnr, the stable has Paco Boy and Strong Suit, the juvenile described as this year’s Canford Cliffs by his trainer, in the Coventry Stakes.

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Royal Ascot Next For Supreme Canford Cliffs

Sometimes a trainer/jockey can end up with egg on their face when going overboard about a horse’s ability, but that was not the case with trainer Richard Hannon and jockey Richard Hughes.

Ever since the Tagula colt won the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot as a two year old connections have always claimed that they have an exceptional animal on their hands.

Since then three defeats at the highest level have failed to dampen their judgement and today that judgement was more than vindicated when the colt slaughtered a top class field in the Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh.

Hughes was able to settle Canford Cliffs much better than was the case at Newmarket, and once he asked the 9/4 favourite to quicken the response was electric.

Free Judgement ran a big race in second and Viscount Nelson faired best of the Aidan O'Brien team to finish third.

While the Hannon camp thinks the world of Canford Cliffs, O'Brien has always held his colt Steinbeck in high regard.Johnny Murtagh's mount, who was having his first run of the season, delighted his trainer in finishing fourth and a rematch with the winner looks very much on the cards , in Royal Ascot's St James's Palace Stakes.

With the stanjames.com 2000 Guineas winner Makfi also likely to head for Ascot, the one mile contest has the hallmark of one of the highlights of the season.

The last word has to rest with Richard Hannon jnr who stated after today's race: "The horse we always thought he was."

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Horse Racing: CANFORD SIZZLES IN CURRAGH CLASSIC

Canford Cliffs showed what all the fuss was about with a jaw-dropping success in the Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh.

The classy colt has been one of the biggest talking horses for the last few years, and emphatically lived up to his billing on Saturday.

Providing Richard Hannon with a third win in the Classic, he is now poised for a rematch with Makfi and stablemate Dick Turpin after the pair beat him in the English equivalent.

All three colts are likely contenders for the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot - a race which may also include Curragh second Free Judgement and fourth Steinbeck.

After failing to conclusively prove he stayed a mile at Newmarket, the 9-4 favourite left his critics gasping for breath as he slayed the Guineas field by three lengths under Richard Hughes.

The winning trainer's son and assistant, Richard Hannon jnr, said: "He did a piece of work last week that was his best since he won the Coventry and Hughesie was able to sit on him like he was a Jet-ski.

Hannon and Hughes were also on the mark with Shamwari Lodge, who will head for the Windsor Forest Stakes at Ascot after obliging as the 8-15 favourite in the Tri Equestrian Stakes.

Also Ascot-bound is Kingsgate Native, who made the perfect start to his campaign in the Group Two betfred.com Temple Stakes at Haydock.

Ryan Moore rode the 3-1 joint-favourite with a measure of confidence and the five-year-old showed a fine turn of foot to collar the long-time leader Equiano with 100 yards to run and go on to score by half a length.

Failed stallion Kingsgate Native carries the colours of Cheveley Park Stud, whose managing director Chris Richardson said: "That was fantastic we were deflated after his efforts at stud last year.

"I think he will be off to Royal Ascot now, we will discuss it with Mr and Mrs Thompson and Sir Michael Stoute, he is in both races but I don't suppose he would run twice."

Bethrah might not have been as visually impressive as Canford Cliffs, but she confirmed herself very much a filly on the up with victory in the Etihad Airways-sponsored fillies' equivalent on Sunday.

Owned by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, the daughter of Marju hit overdrive inside the final furlong for Pat Smullen and sneaked up a tiny gap on the rail.

Godolphin's Anna Salai looked to be going best with two furlongs to run but was narrowly denied by a head in second, with Mick Channon's Music Show, the 3-1 favourite, in third.

Weld said: "You can never be confident but I knew she would represent us very well. She's a very progressive filly and has battled her way forward."

Fame and Glory showed his true colours with a masterclass of a display to provide Aidan O'Brien with a fourth Tattersalls Gold Cup.

And last year's Irish Derby winner is set for a quick reappearance in the Investec Coronation Cup at Epsom on Friday week, with Paddy Power trimming him to 2-1 favouritism from 11-4 for the June 4 event.

Disappointment of the race was Godolphin's French Group One-winning French import, Cutlass Bay, who lost his unbeaten tag when nearly 21 lengths adrift in fifth.

No doubting the star of the show in France as Freddie Head labelled Goldikova a "freak" after the wonder mare notched up her eighth Group One success in the Prix D'Ispahan at Longchamp.

Head used the nine-furlong race as a starting point last year but was left downcast on that occasion when she could only trail home in seventh on soft ground.

However, the five-year-old firmly put memories of that performance to rest with an imperious display that saw her record the fastest winning time the race has ever seen.

Head says all roads now lead to the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot and a mouthwatering clash with Paco Boy.

He said: "I'm really looking forward to Ascot now. The Queen Anne comes at exactly the right time, it is the right distance and I think she will love the straight mile there."

Godolphin's Kite Wood got his four-year-old campaign off to the best possible start with an all-the-way win in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier, and a crack at the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot could now be high on the agenda for last year's St Leger runner-up.

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HORSE POWER: Michael Hills on the fast track to Temple Stakes glory

Successful in the Abernant Stakes before following up in Palace House Stakes at Newmarket this spring, Equiano has rediscovered the fizz that propelled him to victory in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2008 and is starting to fulfil his potential.

Little wonder, then, that Michael Hills – the man who will be entrusted with steering Equiano in the right direction – is rubbing his hands with glee at the prospect of climbing back on board the five-year-old.

“He is really thriving at the moment,” said Hills of the entire, who is trained by his father, Barry.

“He’s at the top of his game, will love this fast ground, the five furlong trip is ideal and he is drawn well in stall six. He will be hard to beat.

“He has taken all his main rivals on before and we know all the form lines. They will come on for their runs but our fellow is still improving.”

Kingsgate Native, Borderlescott and Blue Jack – to name but three – will all fancy their chances but Hills’ demeanour suggests he is expecting something special from Equiano.

As someone who has been associated with plenty of quick sprinters during a distinguished career that has yielded more than 1,800 winners – including the 1996 Derby on Shaamit – Hills knows what makes speedsters tick and he feels Equiano is back in the zone.

“He’s rediscovered his confidence,” said Hills, who won the Temple Stakes when it was staged at Sandown Park in 1988 on his father’s Handsome Sailor. “He ran some nice races last year – he never ran what you describe as badly – but, for some reason, he has found a couple of lengths this year.

“They have got to put it together. Sprinters need to have everything going for them but when they get their confidence, they tend to relax more.

“We haven’t done anything different at home. But when he started him off again in the spring, we immediately noticed that his work was much better.

“He has been doing pieces of work that he wouldn’t have got near to doing last year. He is moving so well now.”

Hills was among the winners at Haydock on Thursday – Acquainted took the concluding maiden with ease – and, aside from Equiano, he has two other live chances of success today.

“A shower would have been in Gunner Lindley’s favour but he will still run a big race (2.30),” said Hills.

“I’ve also got Redden in the last (5.15). William Haggas’ horses are running well and I had a winner for him the other day. Hopefully it will make for a good day.

“I always enjoy my visits to Haydock and it has been very lucky for me down the years. It’s a proper racecourse and I enjoy riding here.”

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Kingsgate Native can prove pace ace in the Temple Stakes

Kingsgate Native can make a winning return in the betfred.com Temple Stakes (3.00) at Haydock Park today, a race which features in a Totescoop6 pool that could reach £2 million.

He looked better than ever when storming clear of Total Gallery at Goodwood last July, with Borderlescott back in fourth, and should be forgiven a below-par display when sixth to the last-named in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York as he returned sore with a swollen joint, which forced him to miss the rest of the season.

Kingsgate Native has disappointed on his seasonal reappearance for the past two years, but there have been mitigating circumstances on each occasion. He raced too keenly in the King's Stand Stakes two years ago - he won the Golden Jubilee just four days later - and understandably needed the run to put his mind back onto racing after an unsuccessful spell at stud last term.

The presence of Equiano, Benbaun and Borderlescott, who like to race prominently, should ensure that Kingsgate Native gets the strong pace that suits him and, with the fast ground also in his favour, he looks sure to go close.

Those drawn low dominated in the Betfred Silver Bowl (2.30) 12 months ago and it could be a similar story this time around with No Hubris fancied to defy top weight. He had just two starts as a juvenile, winning a hot maiden at York, where Beethoven, the subsequent Dewhurst winner, was back in third, before fading into sixth in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, having tried to match strides with Canford Cliffs.

Given plenty of time off after that, he made a pleasing return when just getting the better of Godolphin's Sowaylm at Sandown Park last month. That should have put him spot on and, with Paul Cole, his trainer, having nominated the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot as a possible target for him, he could prove a cut above these rivals.

Hamish McGonagall can take the day's other big betting race, the sportingbet.com Sprint (3.40) at York. He slipped in the weights at the end of last season and was unlucky not to take advantage at Chester last time as he was forced widest of all around the home turn. He has a good record here and can gain a deserved success.

At Goodwood, Parisian Pyramid rates a fair bet to take the totescoop6 Stakes (2.15). He had no chance from a wide draw over the minimum trip at Chester, but had previously run a cracker when fifth to Hawkeyethenoo in a far more competitive sprint over this distance at Newmarket.

The best bet of the day is Dazzling Light in the Crabbies “Wizard” Alcoholic Ginger Beer Handicap (4.35) at Chester. He made good progress last season and has shaped well on all three starts this term, most recently finishing fifth of 15 in stronger company at York. He coped well with this tight track when second over course and distance last September and should be hard to stop in a weak contest.

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Tennis 2010: Murray faces French exam

Andy Murray has been handed a testing first-round match at the French Open after drawing local favourite Richard Gasquet.

The world number four - also the fourth seed at Roland Garros - faces the former world number seven in what looks one of the toughest possible openers.

Gasquet has plummeted down the rankings to 68th but will provide a stern test on the Scot's less-favoured clay.

Gasquet and Murray were involved in an epic five-setter at Wimbledon two years ago, which the Scot won from two sets down.

Should Murray progress, he faces a tough potential second-round clash with Argentina's Juan Ignacio Chela.

Also in Murray's half of the draw is defending men's champion and world number one Roger Federer.

The Swiss ace begins the defence of his title against Australian Peter Luczak.

Four-time winner Rafael Nadal will play French wildcard Gianni Mina.

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Looking ahead to Wimbledon 2010 – Corporate Hospitality Group

Wimbledon is once again on the horizon. This year, the expectations for a British Wimbledon champion will be as strong as ever.

There will be a lot of hype and speculation over Andy Murray's form or on Laura Robson's potential to cause a few upsets.

Whatever the story may be, we all know it's going to be an epic. After all, this is Wimbledon.

The tennis year started with everyone believing it would be Andy Murray's time to win his first Grand Slam.

Unfortunately, he came up against Roger Federer, who overwhelmed Murray with his exemplary shot-making and flawless serving. The tournament ended with Murray in tears and devastated, saying: “I can cry like Roger, it's a shame I can't play like him.”

Since then, Murray has been in stuck a rut, losing in the early rounds of Dubai, Miami, Rome and Indian Wells.

As a result, his form and ability has been put under scrutiny as well as being questioned on whether he has the nerve to win a Grand Slam.

In my opinion Murray's performances in the ATP events are irrelevant, it is at the Grand Slams where it counts.

Murray's recent results reflect how his intensity and motivation for the ATP events have fallen by the wayside, but I'm sure that at the Slams his desire will be turned on, and if he can have a great French Open it will help ignite confidence and boost his chances of winning Wimbledon.

The media will still make it their responsibility to elevate Robson and any players like South who manage to achieve any significant success. In contrast, South will hope to achieve similar heights as Murray and Robson by trying to reach the third round for the first time after failing in the last two years.

All the British tennis players have the opportunity of doing well this year but, realistically, there are a crop of talented players who can also win the much-coveted crown, such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick. Personally, I think if Nadal wins Roland Garros and then the Aegon Championships I wouldn't put it past him to win Wimbledon.

Considering the way Nadal is performing on the red stuff and the way he dismissed Federer clinically in the Madrid Masters, he is looking exceptional.

But this year's championship could feature for the first time in seven years a final without Roger Federer-if this does occur, this year's final will be doubly special.

So it's either going to be Murray, Djokovic or Roddick taking the other spot and whoever does get that place will have to do something out of this world to beat the machine (Rafa) because, at the moment, it looks like no one can find his off switch.

As for this year, Wimbledon have decided to increase this year's prize money to a million pounds for both men and women, While another thing to look out for will be the Queen's arrival to centre court.

The last time she visited was in 1977, when Virginia Wade won her first and only Wimbledon title. Since then 40 years have past, facilities have changed, champions have got stronger.

All in all, the game has changed for the better, and come what may in those two weeks, Wimbledon without a doubt will be a sunny affair.

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Tennis: Murray needs to get an Eiffel lot better

Rafa Nadal will be unstoppable at the French Open over the next fortnight.

But Andy Murray must find the momentum in Paris to bring to Queen's Club and Wimbledon next month.

The Spaniard became the first man to win all three Masters events on clay this season when he triumphed in Monte Carlo, Rome and Madrid while dropping only two sets.

He's the hottest favourite going into Roland Garros since he won his fourth French Open in 2008 without dropping a set. I will be shocked if he doesn't win.

After the knee problems which forced him out of Wimbledon last year, it is great for the sport to see him back to form and fitness. The key to his return this year has been better scheduling of his tournament appearances.

Previously he played far too much and tried to please everyone. He had played at Barcelona to support Spanish tennis, but this year he made the tough choice to rest and it was the right decision.

Roger Federer, who won his first French Open last year, has not played well since Australia but has the ability to step up for the Grand Slams. This is what Murray must do.

He suffered massive disappointment in losing the Melbourne final then fell to his first big opponent in David Ferrer on Madrid's clay last week.

There are still technical problems with his weak second serve. And he needs more depth on his forehand. These are the areas where he needs to improve to win a Major.

Reaching the quarterfinals in Paris like last year would be a good performance and his draw is favourable. Richard Gasquet will be tough in the first round with the home crowd, but I expect Murray to win.

He is then likely to face Marcus Baghdatis and John Isner before another Frenchman, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, in the quarters. Nadal and other dangerous Spaniards like Fernando Verdasco are in the other side of the draw.

The women's singles usually throws up surprise winners with Svetlana Kuznetsova beating Dinara Safina last year. But this year promises to be between the Williams sisters and the Belgians Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters.

I'll be at the LTA's National Talent ID Finals in London this week, the culmination of a nationwide search to find our best young players. Nearly 200 have made it to London and Bolton next week. It ensures the best youngsters go on to be supported by the AEGON FutureStar programme.

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Women Tennis: Russian women left in the shade

PARIS: Twelve months after Russia provided both finalists at the French Open, the country's female tennis players are experiencing a serious collective slump.
Svetlana Kuznetsova defeated compatriot Dinara Safina in straight sets in last year's decider but both have since failed to make any kind of impression at the major tournaments.

Golden girl Maria Sharapova reached the quarter-finals in 2009 following her return from a long-standing shoulder problem but injuries continue to plague her and the former world number one is currently ranked 13th.

Kuznetsova, Safina and Olympic champion Elena Dementieva continue to fly the Russian flag in the world's top 10 but the Williams sisters Serena and Venus are now ranked first and second respectively and arrive at Roland Garros with proven Grand Slam pedigree.

Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki, currently ranked third, is the new rising star in the women's game and Belgian comeback queens Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin have returned from retirement with silverware in their sights.

Safina's fall from grace has been perhaps the most alarming.

Her 6-4, 6-2 defeat to Kuznetsova in Paris last June meant she had lost her first three Grand Slam finals in straight sets and after being thrashed by Venus in the Wimbledon semi-finals she lost in the third round at the US Open.

A painful back injury sustained at the Australian Open forced her out in the fourth round and her subsequent absence has seen her fall to ninth in the rankings, having risen to first last year.

Her return to action saw her reach the last eight at Stuttgart but she fell in the first round in both Rome and Madrid and insists her focus now is on keeping free from injury.

"My back injury is the worst you can get, because if things go wrong again, that might be it for my professional career altogether," said the 24-year-old, who was diagnosed with a double stress fracture and a ruptured muscle in her back in January.

"With a broken arm or leg, you can rest it, but with your back it is almost impossible. It has made me realise how much I love tennis.

Defending champion Kuznetsova, meanwhile, followed up her Roland Garros triumph with a third-round exit at Wimbledon and defeat to Wozniacki in the fourth round at the US Open.

She got no further than the fourth round at the Australian Open and a serious of early exits culminated in a shock first-round loss to Israel's Shahar Peer in Madrid earlier this month.

"It's frustrating, because I know I have the game," said Kuznetsova after a second-round defeat at Indian Wells in March.

"I feel great. I do practice, play unbelievable, and then get to the match and I don't do much."

Sharapova was another first-round casualty in the Spanish capital, losing in straight sets to Lucie Safarova on her comeback from a two-month lay-off with an elbow injury.

Sharapova last tasted success in Memphis in February and her countrywomen Dementieva, Vera Zvonareva, Alisa Kleybanova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova have also won titles in 2010.

The big guns, however, have fallen quiet, and with the Williams sisters on the warpath, Russia's women look uncharacteristically exposed.

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Women Tennis: Andy Murray in French Open to play Richard Gasquet

The first round in the French Open could be a difficult match for Andy Murray when he meets up with   the French player Richard Gasquet.

Andy Murray won his last match against the French player when they met in Wimbledon in 2008 and gave everyone a glorious five set thriller to be entertained by although he had lost their previous two encounters.

Richard Gasquest who is presently ranked at number 68 could give Murray a far harder match than his ranking would suggest as he is a very talented player.

Gasquest who is 23 has had some problems to overcome with injuries and a positive test for cocaine last year which got him banned from the game.

His ban for the drugs test was later dismissed as it was accepted that he had inadvertently consumed the substance when kissing a woman who said she had taken it while she was at a party.

Roger Federer will be in the same half draw as 23 year old Murray and his game will be against Peter Luczak.

Round one for the women will see the number one women’s player, Serena Williams, playing against  Stefanie Voegele.

Presently seeded at number 22 women’s player Belgian Henin has the possibility of facing Maria Sharapova in the third round and then the even more daunting task of playing the quarter finals against Serena Williams.

Three British women players will be in the main draw on ranking which is a first since 1992 however each will have a difficult match in the opening round.

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We take care, women tennis players say

PARIS - Just because you spend hours sweating on tennis courts all year round does not mean you cannot take care of yourself.

Serena Williams and Svetlana Kuznetsova reminded everyone on Friday that tennis players had a life away from the courts.


The world number one has been going to nail school, while the defending French Open champion is into tattoos and diamonds.

Serena got the idea earlier this season when she was sidelined with a knee injury, twiddling her thumbs in boredom.

Well, I was injured, and then I was twiddling my thumbs at home. I had nothing to do. I was just working out and just trying to get better," the American told reporters two days before the French Open starts.

"I was bored, and that's how I got into nail school kind of. First day was fun. It was easy. I'm really advanced, so I've had a lot of experience."

While Serena is seen as somehow coquettish, often wearing skintight outfits, including a leather-looking 'catsuit' she wore as a 17-year-old at the U.S. Open, Kuznetsova does not enjoy the same reputation.

The women's singles usually throws up surprise winners with Svetlana Kuznetsova beating Dinara Safina last year. But this year promises to be between the Williams sisters and the Belgians Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters.

The Russian, however, shares a few hobbies with Frenchman Gael Monfils.

"I think we're alike," she saud.

"We do like similar things, we like similar music. We like tattoos, cars, diamonds."

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