Mark Cavendish hung his head in disappointment after watching Jasper Philipsen blast by him at the last to deny the Manxman a record-breaking Tour de France victory on the line in Bordeaux.
The script seemed perfect for Cavendish to take a 35th career Tour stage win and move clear of Eddy Merckx – 16 years to the day after he made his Tour debut in London in 2007, and in Bordeaux, scene of his 14th win the last time the Tour visited in 2010 and for so long the race’s home of sprinting.
And when he burst down the right-hand side, hugging the barriers, to power into the lead with 200 metres to go it looked like it was going to happen for the 38-year-old, his head down, teeth gritted and legs pumping.
But, with the line in sight, Cavendish’s gears jumped twice and he had to drop back into the saddle, the moment’s pause enough to allow Philipsen to come by and claim a third win from as many sprint stages in this year’s Tour – five from five dating back to last year.
“I was in quite a good position, I looked far back but I was OK in where I wanted to be,” Cavendish said of the twisty run to the long finishing straight. “It was a long straight finish and Cees (Bol) had moved me up with good speed in the last K. I was on the right wheels.
“I kicked a little earlier than I would have liked but still about the same as I did in 2010. But once I kicked, started, the gears jumped from 11 to 12 and I had to sit down, the cadence just whacked up, then it goes back to 11.
“I tried to stand up and it went back to the 12 so I had to sit down, there’s nothing you can do except kind of hope.
“I’m bitterly disappointed, majorly disappointed but we keep on trying. Again we saw an improvement out of the boys so we can be positive.”
Cavendish had stopped for a rear wheel change with around 57km of the stage remaining, a precursor to the mechanical problems that followed. But asked if he could challenge Philipsen on a fully-functioning machine, he said: “I think so.”
The sprint finish to the 170km stage from Mont-de-Marsan meant no major changes at the top of the general classification, in which defending champion Jonas Vingegaard leads from Tadej Pogacar by 25 seconds.
But all eyes had been on the quick men as the race returned to the city which, prior to the Champs-Elysees, was the king of sprinting in the Tour.
And Philipsen is, so far at least, the king of sprinting in this edition, with his Alpecin-Deceuninck lead-out train once again delivering him to the perfect position, navigating what was a very technical final four kilometres disrupted by construction work before the long boulevard finish.
“I think we can’t be proud enough of our team achievement,” the Belgian said. “Without them it would never be possible to get the third stage win already. I’m just really proud of them and how we worked together, how we found each other in the final.
“That leads to success and I’m super happy and proud… I never had to do a big effort before I could launch my sprint and that’s how we win.
“If you told me (three stage wins) one week ago I’d think you were crazy. So far it’s a dream Tour for us and hopefully we can add another one.
“(Cavendish) was really strong. I would also have loved to see him win, I think everybody would, but I’m sure he will keep on trying. He’s up there, in good condition, and it will be hard.”
Anne Keothavong has backed Katie Boulter to give “vulnerable” defending champion Elena Rybakina a run for her money at Wimbledon.
The British number one is through to the third round for the second year in a row and has been rewarded with a plum tie against the third seed.
Rybakina has built impressively on her first grand slam title, reaching the final of the Australian Open and winning the big events in Indian Wells and Rome, but she came into the event under-cooked after illness and has looked shaky at times in her opening two matches.
Keothavong, the captain of Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup team, said of Boulter, who won her first WTA Tour event in Nottingham last month: “She’s been playing some fantastic tennis.
“It’s not just this tournament but over the last few weeks. It’s taken time for all of that to come together. And the biggest thing is she’s been able to remain fit and healthy for a long period of time, which for Katie has always been a challenge.
“It doesn’t get any easier again but Rybakina hasn’t really come into this year’s champs playing lots of tennis. I think this is a good time for Katie to play against her, or for anyone really to play against her, she has looked vulnerable at times.
“And, if you were to be in Rybakina’s shoes, you’re up against a British number one who is popular, who the British public are now familiar with, who will have the majority of that crowd supporting her, which is a situation I don’t think Rybakina has found herself in really anywhere around the world too often.
“Katie, she’s a big-match player, she will absolutely love it. It won’t be a daunting experience for her, which I think is a big thing. It’s not the first time for her going out on Centre Court. Having had that previous experience, that will help carry her.
“It’s a great opportunity. And it’s one where she can swing with freedom and go out there and play.”
Boulter claimed the biggest victory of her career so far in the second round last year against former finalist Karolina Pliskova on Centre Court.
“I think I’ve got the whole entire thing in my memory,” she said. “It was an incredible match. I still think about the time that I served it out. That’s something that I draw on.
“I’m already excited to play against a top player and have a go. I think they’re the moments I get excited for because ultimately it’s a time for me to test myself.”
Boulter will hit a career-high ranking around 70 even if she loses on Saturday and Keothavong highlighted the greater variety she has added to her game under coach Biljana Veselinovic as a key factor in her progress.
“You can see she’s trying to use the drop shot more often, she is trying to look to use width more often,” said Keothavong. “So it’s not just straight flat-ball hitting through the court.
“And that’s the work she has been doing and focusing on with Biljana. And I do think Biljana has been fantastic for her. The team she has around her, they’re all good people. And she’s had some consistency there in that area.”
Boulter is also very settled in her personal life and was out on Court 18 on Friday watching long-term boyfriend Alex De Minaur in his second-round loss to Matteo Berrettini.
Boulter has spoken about how much she has learned from the Australian’s grounded nature, and Keothavong believes they are a good influence on each other.
“Alex is so down to earth and so lovely,” said the former British number one. “They are sickly in a very cute kind of way.
“You can tell how much they care for each other and how much they support each other and it was great to see him court-side supporting her after his match and you see it within their families as well.
“It’s hard enough being a tennis player, the emotional highs and lows. You need people around you who are going to stay level-headed and not look too far ahead or get too excited but help you keep your feet on the ground.”
Rybakina does not expect the partisan atmosphere to be too much of a challenge, saying: “For sure the atmosphere is going to be a bit different. The crowd won’t be supporting me that much.
“I’m sure it’s going to be good. Just hopefully I’m going to win this match. I’ll try my best. She’s a tough player. Her game is aggressive. Also she has a good serve. It’s going to be tough one.”
Tom Marquand guided Savvy Victory from last to first to land a decisive blow in the Davies Insurance Solutions Gala Stakes at Sandown.
The Sean Woods-trained four-year-old for this Listed contest seeking compensation for a luckless run at Royal Ascot when badly hampered at a vital stage in the Wolferton Stakes.
Sent off the 17-2 outsider, Marquand was in no rush aboard the son of New Bay as Ryan Moore aboard the King and Queen’s Saga led the select quartet in the opening stages.
Marquand was still anchored in rear when 6-4 favourite Poker Face cruised into contention in the home straight and appeared the most likely winner when moving alongside Saga.
But with his challenge petering out and Saga’s petrol tank also emptying in the closing stages, it was left to Savvy Victory to surge his way to victory and register a going-away two-and-three-quarter-length success.
It was Woods’ second Listed success since returning to the UK training ranks from Hong Kong. But while Savvy Victory was cut to 16-1 from 33s by Paddy Power for the John Smith’s Cup at York later this month, he is unlikely to be seen on the Knavesmire.
Woods said: “It was a race that was made for us, as he could sit out the back and with four runners, he could come at the race in his own time.
“It is not the ground he likes, but we’ve got away with it today. It is drying all the time. We walked it after the Marathon and if there had been eight or nine runners he wouldn’t have been running today.
“I’m happy that we did and happy that we won, and delighted as the horse really deserves it.
“I think it is perfect ground. I wouldn’t be frightened of galloping anything on it. They made a good print. But he’s a horse that showed us he wants soft ground, he has had a couple of unlucky stories, but he’s grown up so much from three to four.
“I can’t thank the owners enough for leaving him here, because he could be in Hong Kong, but they understood he wants soft ground and they are big supporters. He means a lot to me, this horse.”
He added: “He’s in the John Smith’s and he would have had a very good chance if the ground came, but we chose to come here instead and we’re glad it has worked out. We definitely won’t go to York.
“We’ll be ruled by the weather, because he is a big colt. It is just a pleasure to have him this year, because he has just grown up.
“I’m sure there is a good one in him and it needs to be heavy and run where we don’t get any hard luck stories. It is just patience.”
Jasper Philipsen denied Mark Cavendish a record-breaking Tour de France victory on the line as the Belgian won stage seven on the line in Bordeaux.
Philipsen made it three wins from three sprint stages in a row in this Tour as he came around Cavendish in the final few metres, leaving the Manxman to curse as he rolled in second, still tied with Eddy Merckx on 34 career Tour wins.
The 38-year-old had come from well down in the pack to power his way down the right hand side and up to the front of the race, but Philipsen got onto his wheel and powered by, with Biniam Girmay in third.
The sprint finish to the 170km stage from Mont-de-Marsan meant no major changes at the top of the general classification, in which defending champion Jonas Vingegaard leads from Tadej Pogacar.
But all eyes had been on the sprinters, with Cavendish hoping to make more Tour history 16 years to the day since he made his debut in the race in London on 2007.
The Astana-Qazaqstan rider was several places down in the pack as they negotiated a tight and twisty approach to the long finishing straight but moved up well and looked to have the speed he needed as he found a path down the right hand side to reach the front, only to see Philipsen come past at the last.
Philipsen said: “I think we can’t be proud enough on our team achievement. Without them it would never be possible to get the third stage win already. I’m just really proud of them and how we worked together, how we found each other in the final.
“That leads to success and I’m super happy and proud…I never had to do a big effort before I could launch my sprint and that’s how we win.
“If you told me (three stage wins) one week ago I’d think you were crazy. So far it’s a dream Tour for us and hopefully we can add another one.
“(Cavendish) was really strong. I would also have loved to see him win, I think everybody would, but I’m sure he will keep on trying. He’s up there, in good condition, and it will be hard.”
Sri Lanka geared up for their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 final against the Netherlands with a comfortable eight-wicket victory over West Indies.
Opening batters Pathum Nissanka (104) and Dimuth Karunaratne (83) did the bulk of the damage to chase down 243 after Keacy Carty (87) had dragged Windies to a respectable target.
Victory means Sri Lanka remain unbeaten in Zimbabwe, and now face one final hurdle in Netherlands to be crowned Qualifier champions.
Openers fire Sri Lanka to victory
Pathum Nissanka hit the third ODI century of his career as Sri Lanka cruised to an eight-wicket victory over West Indies.
Nissanka hit 104 runs off 113 balls as part of a 190-run opening stand with Dimuth Karunaratne that took the game away from West Indies.
Kusal Mendis (34) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (17) did the rest to easily reach their target of 244, for which Windies had Keacy Carty (87) to thank after Maheesh Theekshana (4/34) had ripped through much of their top order.
West Indies had started strongly, racing to 31 from their first four overs before Theekshana conceded just two from his first over and cleaned up Brandon King (10) in his second.
The spinner struck again in his third, Shamarh Brooks (2) nicking behind before captain Shai Hope (2) became his third victim from his fourth over, pinned leg before.
Opener Johnson Charles (39) was next back to the hutch an over later, trapped leg before by Matheesha Pathirana to leave Windies floundering on 62 for four.
But Carty and Nicholas Pooran (14) led the fightback, as the pair stopped the flurry of wickets until Dushan Hemantha accounted for Pooran to further drag West Indies into the mire at 81 for five.
Carty, having survived a dropped catch on nine, kept the scoreboard ticking over and dragged his side to 123 for seven by the time Sahan Arachchige bowled Kyle Mayers (18) and Hemantha trapped Roston Chase (1) leg before.
Late contributions from Romario Shepherd (26) and Kevin Sinclair (25) then pulled Windies towards 250 before Carty fell 12 balls from the end to leave his side 243 all out.
Having perhaps been disappointed to let West Indies reach almost 250, Sri Lanka began their chase quickly, bringing up 50 inside nine overs before Nissanka reached his 10th ODI half century in as many balls in the 16th over.
Opening partner Karunaratne soon followed, bringing up his 50 with four as Sri Lanka cantered towards their total.
Windies tried mightily to break the partnership, rotating through six bowlers in search of a way through, but the pair proved impenetrable as they brought up the 150 stand in the 28th over.
Nissanka then brought up his century with just under 20 overs remaining before eventually holing out to mid-wicket off the bowling of Kevin Sinclair.
But the fall of the first wicket failed to stem the flow of runs, as Mendis picked up the scoring baton, bringing up the 200 with a four before Karunaratne was trapped leg before by Akeal Hosein.
It left Mendis and Samarawickrama to bring the chase home, doing so in style with 34 balls remaining to send Sri Lanka into Sunday's final with their unbeaten record intact.
Sri Lanka and Netherlands face off in final
After almost a month of absorbing action, the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 comes to a close on Sunday, as Sri Lanka and the Netherlands fight it out for the right to be crowned champions.
Both sides have already claimed their main prize, a place in India next October for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 but neither will want to end their time in Zimbabwe with defeat.
Sri Lanka were comfortable victors when the two sides met in the Super Six just over a week ago, but Netherlands are fresh from their thrilling victory over Scotland and will hope their momentum can help them to victory.
Scores in brief
Sri Lanka beat West Indies by eight wickets at Harare Sports Club, Harare
West Indies 243 all out in 48.1 overs (Keacy Carty 87, Johnson Charles 39; Maheesh Theekshana 4/34, Dushan Hemantha 2/49)
Sri Lanka 244/2 in 44.2 overs (Pathum Nissanka 104, Dimuth Karunaratne 83; Kevin Sinclair 1/52, Akeal Hosein 1/54)
Sunday 9 July – Fixtures
Final
Sri Lanka v Netherlands at Harare Sports Club
World number one Carlos Alcaraz had to work hard on his second Centre Court appearance at Wimbledon to earn a straight-sets victory over Alexandre Muller in round two.
Alcaraz was given a stern examination by France’s Muller during a contest that lasted two hours and 33 minutes, but ultimately progressed 6-4 7-6 (2) 6-3.
It made it seven consecutive wins on grass for the top seed, who is viewed by many as the most likely candidate to stop defending champion Novak Djokovic in his pursuit of a record-equalling eighth title at the All England Club.
Alcaraz quickly dismantled Jeremy Chardy in round one, making it 13 sets in a row for the Spaniard on grass after he won at Queen’s last month.
Nerves appeared to be present for the world number one on only his second appearance on Wimbledon’s main stage having lost there to Jannik Sinner last summer.
Despite a classy forehand winner on the run from the second point of the contest, Alcaraz struggled early on and had to save three break points during his second service game.
First seed Alcaraz sprayed 10 unforced errors in the opening half an hour, but a 135mph ace seemed to ease his tension and he clinched a break in the next game as he edged a tight opener.
Muller, ranked 84 in the world, continued to take the match to Alcaraz, who saw four break points come and go at the start of the second set.
Alcaraz eventually had to go to a tie-break and he reserved his best tennis for the crunch moment. A volley at the net got him off the mark and he followed up with a succession of drops shots that helped him claim the second set.
It had been a hard-fought set for Alcaraz but after nearly two hours on court with the roof open and temperatures hitting 29 degrees, the US Open champion showed his extraordinary athleticism during the opening exchanges of set three.
More break point opportunities were squandered by the 20-year-old, but he eventually did break for only the second time in the match at 4-3 up in the third.
Alcaraz brought up match point with a 116mph ace and, although Muller briefly stole the show with a stunning backhand return, another big forehand winner from Alcaraz confirmed his 42nd win of the season.
During his on-court interview, Alcaraz said: “I am really, really happy. My second match on Centre, my first one I lost last year.
“Really happy to play here again and this time with a win. It is a beautiful court. I wanted to enjoy every single second and I think I did.
“I am playing well, gaining more experience and getting better with every match I play.
“Playing here in Wimbledon, it is something special. It feels different compared to other tournaments so it is very special to play here.
“It is an amazing energy I receive and I hope to keep going like this.”
All options remain open for King Of Steel following his impressive victory at Royal Ascot.
The Roger Varian-trained colt proved his brave second to Auguste Rodin in the Derby was no flash in the pan when romping to King Edward VII Stakes glory at the Royal meeting, marking himself out as one of the season’s leading middle-distance colts.
Connections have been eyeing a trip to ParisLongchamp on July 14 for the Grand Prix de Paris, but the son of Wootton Bassett also holds an entry for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes, with Amo Racing supremo Kia Joorabchian suggesting it could be tempting to have a rematch with his Epsom conqueror at Ascot on July 29.
However, a final call is still to be made as connections ponder which route will benefit their talented operator most as the season progresses.
“He’s still got his entry for both France and Ascot and no decisions have been made yet,” said Tom Pennington, Amo’s racing and operations manager.
“He’s come out of Ascot in good shape, everyone is really happy with him and all options are on the table, we just need to make sure we pick the right one.
“We have to take into consideration it’s a long old season and we want to look after him. He’s clearly a talented horse with the rest of the season ahead of him and hopefully he will come back again next year.”
Amo Racing also have Olivia Maralda in training with Varian at Carlburg Stables and the Surrey Stakes scorer is poised to return to racing among her own sex following her fifth-placed effort in the Jersey Stakes last month.
The Group Three Whispering Angel Oak Tree Stakes on August 2 during the Qatar Goodwood Festival has been identified as a next port of call, which could lead to taking on her elders in the Sky Bet City of York Stakes later that month.
“She ran a great race against the colts in the Jersey and we were really pleased with that. The draw probably didn’t help in hindsight,” continued Pennington.
“We gave her an entry in the City of York earlier this week and she is probably going to head to the Oak Tree next at Goodwood.
“We might take on the colts again later in the season and obviously we could do that at York. But we thought let’s try to get another win under her belt and she won at Listed Level at Epsom, so now we’ll try to get a Group-level success and go from there.”
Paddington’s well-being is what prompted trainer Aidan O’Brien to divert from the original plan and target the dual Group One-winning colt at the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday.
The Siyouni colt has carried all before him so far this season, winning each of his four starts without being seriously troubled.
He proved his mettle at the top level when winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas and comprehensively overpowered Newmarket Guineas winner Chaldean in the St James’s Palace at Royal Ascot.
O’Brien originally hinted he might keep his powder dry for Goodwood’s Sussex Stakes, but Paddington instead steps up to 10 furlongs and takes on his elders for the first time this weekend.
“Everything has gone well since Ascot, he hasn’t done much but everybody seems very happy with him,” said the Ballydoyle handler.
“There was always a chance that he would run (at Sandown). Obviously we were trying to give him as much time as we could and he’s nice and fresh and well, that’s why we’re giving him the chance.
“The plan was to go to Goodwood, but because he came out of the race at Ascot so well we think, we felt he could take this in on the way.
“He looks to be progressing from race to race.”
O’Brien does not expect the trip to be a problem for Paddington and is similarly unconcerned about the potential of the four-horse contest developing into a tactical affair.
“John (Magnier) always thought that a mile and a quarter was well within his compass pedigree-wise and Ryan (Moore) was always happy that he would get it as well,” O’Brien added.
“He’s a very straightforward horse and Ryan can go forward on him – he’s very happy to do anything really.
“I think all the horses in it are very good horses and I don’t think it (small field) makes a big difference, it should be fine.
“It’s going to be interesting taking on the older horses, we think he’ll handle it but you don’t know how it will go until you do it.”
Paddington is joined at the head of the market by Emily Upjohn, who steps back in distance after securing her second Group One victory over a mile and a half in the Coronation Cup at Epsom.
Of more concern than the shorter trip for connections of the John and Thady Gosden-trained filly, though, will be the fact she must concede 7lb to the O’Brien runner, who is rated 3lb superior.
William Haggas is looking forward to seeing the globetrotting Dubai Honour return to home turf following a profitable winter campaign abroad.
The five-year-old won back-to-back Group Ones in Australia in the year and was far from disgraced when third in the QEII Cup in Hong Kong. But Haggas acknowledges he has more on his plate in the Esher showpiece.
“He’s in good form, but obviously it is going to be tough to beat the front two. One is one of the best three-year-olds around and the other is one of the best four-year-old fillies around,” he said.
“They are going to be very hard to beat, but he is such a marvellous horse and has done so well.
“He has probably won twice as much money as all of them put together, which is extraordinary, and I have nothing but admiration for him.”
The small but select field is completed by Simon and Ed Crisford’s West Wind Blows.
The four-year-old is no slouch as a dual Group Three winner and finished best of the rest behind Hukum in the Hardwicke Stakes, but he will nevertheless be a big outsider.
“I don’t think West Wind Blows will look out of place on Saturday. It is a championship race and there are some of the best horses in training in it, but funny things can happen in these small field races,” said Ed Crisford.
“It is going to be a challenging test, but the horse is in great order and deserves to take his chance.
“Jamie Spencer will ride him and they are a very good match. It does come soon enough after Ascot, but he has bounced out of Ascot and come out of it very well.
“Hopefully he will keep improving. If he can run a good race we will be happy.”
Ben Stokes’ power-hitting and Stuart Broad’s dominance over David Warner kept England in with a shout on the second afternoon of the third Ashes Test at Headingley.
Just five days after from taking his side close at Lord’s with a brilliant 155, the captain once again carried the innings with a muscular 80, clubbing five sixes and six fours as wickets tumbled around him.
He was last man out as England made 237 all out, just 26 behind despite a flimsy showing from the top five. Broad then nicked off Warner for the second time in the match and the 17th time overall, as the tourists reached 29 for one in their second innings.
Australia captain Pat Cummins had earlier banked six for 91, standing tall despite the boos that have followed him to Leeds following last week’s stumping controversy. England’s bowling, meanwhile, was hampered by the absence of Ollie Robinson due to back spasms.
There was a sense of expectation in the air at the start of the day, with local heroes Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow unbeaten overnight with a fragile score of 68 for three.
Both men have two Test hundreds at their home ground and conspired to drop four catches between them on Thursday. Add in Bairstow’s much-discussed grievance over his stumping at Lord’s and the scene seemed set for the pair.
Instead, they barely left a dent. Root nicked the second ball of the morning to slip, too eager to play as Cummins left him no width to work with, and Bairstow was not far behind. Tempted to drive away from his body as Mitchell Starc slanted it towards the cordon, he was unable to exact any kind of revenge.
Stokes was fighting through the pain barrier to keep the contest alive, moving awkwardly as fresh niggles apparently added to his existing left knee problem.
At 87 for five, Stokes set himself for a rescue mission just five days after nailing 155 in a losing cause at Lord’s. He admitted at the pre-match press conference that the innings had taken “quite a bit out of me” and the evidence was there for all to see.
His movements were stiff and uncomfortable, with his longstanding left-knee issues apparently compounded by further problems, and he required treatment midway through the session.
But he stuck to the task, putting on a careful 44 with Moeen Ali before Cummins finally drew the latter into a careless hook. Chris Woakes was also undone by the short ball in the last over before lunch, leaving England with a sorely underpowered 142 for seven.
A 40-minute break allowed them to reassess and they came out with all guns blazing. In just 10.2 overs they piled on 95 runs and lost their last three wickets as the game romped along at speed.
Mark Wood got the show on the road, launching Starc for six over midwicket off the first ball of the session. The second was slashed for four, the third for six more and when he top-edged Cummins over fine-leg he had 24 off just six deliveries.
That was where his fun stopped, chipping straight up in the air looking for more of the same, but the tone was set. Starc dropped Stokes on 45, unable to hold on low after making good ground, and it was Starc himself who paid the price as Stokes guided him for three successive boundaries to pass 50.
An outstanding boundary catch from Steve Smith saw Broad become Cummins’ sixth victim, but the emergence of Robinson at number 11 merely raised Stokes’ temperature.
He blitzed Australia’s second-choice spinner Todd Murphy for five sixes in 14 balls – three back down the ground, one swept behind square and another picked up from outside off into the leg-side. He holed out going for another big hit, Murphy going flatter and wider.
Broad ensured England got a quick breakthrough in response, plowing a familiar furrow against the left-handed Warner and earning an equally familiar edge to slip.
Usman Khawaja and David Warner ensured no further losses, stretching the lead to 55 by tea.
Former Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Yibir showed he still has plenty of class when cosily taking the Listed Coral Marathon in the hands of William Buick at Sandown.
The Godolphin-owned five-year-old stepped up beyond a mile and a half for the first time when finishing sixth in the Ascot Gold Cup last time out, and dropped back to two miles here he took time to find his true rhythm.
With long-time leader Sleeping Lion beginning to fade, Buick tracked Aaddeey and made his move, switching around Hollie Doyle’s before drawing clear for a three-and-a-half-length success.
With trainer Charlie Appleby absent, assistant Alex Merriam said: “If you watch him in his races, he can come off the bridle early.
“He still showed a bit of class and there is still an engine there.
“I think if you went straight to Goodwood, you would not know whether he stayed or not. I think he’s seen it out well enough there, but whether we go two (miles) or a mile and six (furlongs), we’ll get him home and see how he is.
“There are a few options for him. Charlie mentioned maybe we will go back to a mile and six. Two miles is an option. He’s got his head in front and there are no big plans.
“He could go aboard. He’s been to America, but I only spoke briefly to Charlie.
“He is a proper horse and owes no one anything. It is just nice for the horse to get his head in front again.”
After unsaddling from the winner, who was sent off the 1-3 favourite, Buick said: “One I got him back in, I got into a lovely rhythm and he was taking me the whole way.
“The pace was even the whole way, so he could have come from anywhere in the race.
“I thought he built into the race lovely and when I asked him, he picked up well.
“I would say two miles is the absolute maximum of how far he’d want to go and we could easily come back to a mile and six.
“He warms into his races and sometimes it looks great and sometimes it just doesn’t work. Today we just got the balance right and he was entitled to win in that company.”
William Saliba has become the latest big-name Arsenal star to commit his future to the club after signing a new long-term contract.
The France defender played a pivotal role as the Gunners ultimately came up short in their Premier League title tilt last season and has now agreed fresh terms at the Emirates Stadium.
Saliba, 22, was an ever-present in the league until he suffered a back injury during the Europa League defeat to Sporting in mid-March – an issue that would ultimately rule him out for the remainder of the campaign.
Without him, Mikel Arteta’s side saw their lead at the top of the table cut by Manchester City, who eventually powered past Arsenal to retain their title.
Now, though, an agreement has finally been reached that ties Saliba to the club on a four-year deal, the PA new agency understands.
“I was born in north Paris, but became a man in north London,” Saliba said in a video message for Arsenal fans on the club’s Twitter account.
“I know it must have been strange for you. I show up, a kid you have never heard of and then keep going away to different clubs (on loan) before you get to see me play.
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“But I know now this was the best plan for me, and last summer when I came back to the club and became a pivotal part of the team words cannot describe how I feel here. how you (fans) make me feel.
“Having the confidence of the boss and the staff, and then having your love and support made me feel 10 feet tall… so thank you Gooners, this if for you. We are together and let’s keep moving.”
Saliba, who will move to the number two shirt next season, did not make his competitive Arsenal debut until the start of last season, despite joining from St Etienne in 2019 for a reported £27million.
Instead, the centre-back was loaned back to his former club before also spending time at Nice and Marseille – being named Ligue 1 young player of the year after a fine 2021/22 season with the latter.
Saliba’s performances for Arsenal attracted interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, with Arteta happy to see Saliba extend his stay in north London
“To have William extend his contract with us was something we have wanted to do for a long time. William proved last season just how good and how important he is to our squad,” Arteta said on the club website.
“The ability he has at his young age of just 22 is exciting, and there is of course so much more room for development with any player at this stage of their career. We’re looking forward to continuing to work with William in the years to come.”
Arsenal sporting director Edu added: “William is part of our vision to keep our talented young players, who will hopefully be successful with us for many years to come, so that we can grow and progress together.”
The defender becomes the latest of Arteta’s key men to sign a new contract with Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale having already done so earlier this year and Saliba’s centre-back partner Gabriel Magalhaes signing on last October.
Reiss Nelson, too, agreed a fresh deal on Thursday as Arteta aims to maintain the nucleus of the squad that almost ended a 19-year wait for a Premier League title.
One player who played a key role last season who will not be part of Arteta’s ranks moving forward is Granit Xhaka – the midfielder having joined Bayer Leverkusen for £21.4million on Thursday.
However, Declan Rice is set to undergo a medical with the West Ham captain to become the most expensive British player in Premier League history when his £105million move across the capital goes through.
Rice will join Kai Havertz in signing for Arsenal this summer while Ajax defender Jurrien Timber is also close to completing a switch to the Emirates.
Charlie Appleby is responsible for four of the six confirmations for the Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket on Thursday.
The Group Two contest is the feature event on day one of the July Festival and Appleby appears intent on securing back-to-back victories following the success of Yibir 12 months ago.
Adayar, the Derby and King George hero of 2021, has the option of returning to a mile and a half after finishing third in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, while Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Rebel’s Romance could make his first appearance since disappointing in the Dubai Sheema Classic in March.
Recent Fred Archer Stakes scorer Kemari and Meydan Group Two winner Global Storm, last seen finishing second to stablemate Hurricane Lane in the Jockey Club Stakes, complete the Moulton Paddocks quartet.
John and Thady Gosden’s Israr and the Charlie Fellowes-trained Grand Alliance are the other contenders.
Royal Ascot runner-up Malc is one of 14 juveniles entered for the other Group Two on the card, the Bahrain Turf Club July Stakes.
Richard Fahey’s youngster found only Valiant Force too strong when a 66-1 shot for last month’s Norfolk Stakes and looks set for a step up from five to six furlongs next week.
His Majesty is one of three possibles for Aidan O’Brien along with Edwardian and Mountain Bear.
Arrest heads 13 horses in the mix for the Bahrain Trophy, a recognised trial for the St Leger.
The Juddmonte-owned colt disappointed when favourite to provide Frankie Dettori with a dream success in his final Derby, and was again well held at the Royal meeting. Connections will be hoping for an easier surface on the July course.
Saint George is an obvious contender for Andrew Balding after finishing second in the Queen’s Vase. Circle Of Fire (Sir Michael Stoute) was fourth in the same race for the King and Queen and could also run at Newmarket.
The Edmondson Hall Solicitors Sir Henry Cecil Stakes looks an interesting contest, with the long-absent Nostrum the potential headline act.
The Kingman colt has not been seen in competitive action since finishing third in last season’s Dewhurst, with a spring setback ruling him out of the Classics.
This Listed contest appears an ideal comeback target for the Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt, but he might not have things all his own way, with James Ferguson’s Jersey runner-up Zoology and Appleby’s unbeaten course and distance winner Imperial Emperor among his potential rivals.
Karl Burke is blessed with an abundance of juvenile talent this season and Kylian could well prove to be among the best of them, judging by his demolition of six rivals in the Listed Dragon Stakes at Sandown.
Settled in by Ryan Moore early in the five-furlong contest, the strapping son of Invincible Spirit, sent off the 9-4 second-favourite, floated over the fast ground and picked up the leaders with ease, drawing clear inside the final furlong to win by six lengths from Hackman, with Nazalan third.
Former jockey Philip Robinson, now assistant racing manager to owner Sheikh Hamed Dalmook Al Maktoum, said: “He’s nice, isn’t he? Ryan just thinks he’s a very nice horse, but thinks he’s been quite a slow learner.
“He’s now learning what it’s all about and said he had a good look around when he got in front, but he didn’t look around too much, did he?
“Karl has always thought he was a good horse and was very surprised when he got beaten (on debut) at York.
“He’s just probably a slow learner, who is just learning through his racing. Hopefully, he will go on to better things.
“Ryan thinks he can possibly get six furlongs, so that’s another avenue.
“He had been working with his other good ones before he ran at York, so he was quite surprised (when he was beaten). Some horses take a little while to develop on track.”
Kylian is now likely step up in grade at Goodwood, according to Robinson.
“He might go to the Molecomb, possibly,” he said. “We will sit sown and talk to the owner and Karl.
“As long as he comes out of the race OK. I don’t think it was too hard a race.”
He added: “Ryan was able to fill him up and he was going well within himself. I don’t think they went crazy. It takes some getting up the hill, but you don’t see many winning like that over five furlongs.”
The favourite, Born To Rock, who looked a good prospect when making a winning start by 12 lengths at Yarmouth on his debut a month ago, failed to fire.
His trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam said beforehand he had been laid low and had been on a course of antibiotics after his victory.
“This did not appear to be his running – he is better than that,” she said.
Nat Sciver-Brunt says England are expecting to face a fired-up Australia when they attempt to stay in the hunt for the Ashes at Lord’s on Saturday.
Heather Knight’s side trail 6-2 in the multi-format series but have been lifted by clinching Wednesday’s second T20 match at The Oval by three runs.
Although England remain in must-win territory if they are to have any hope of claiming the Ashes for the first time since 2014, Sciver-Brunt insists they are convinced they are on the right path.
“It makes the game more simple – there’s no choice, you just have to go for it. We’re trying to focus on ourselves,” the all-rounder said.
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“Both teams would say they haven’t played their best so there should be some tuned-in performances from both sides.
“But we know that Australia will definitely come back hard at us and hopefully we can combat that.
“The win on Wednesday helps with the belief in our group. If anything it will spur us on to keep playing in the way we have been playing. It validates that a bit.
“We’ve believed in ourselves quite a lot more than we have in the past over the last nine to 12 months but not quite got the results, so we’re really happy to have got over the line.”
A crowd of around 20,000 is expected at Lord’s for the last of the three T20 matches before the Ashes concludes with a trio of one-day internationals, each of which has sold out.
It comes after 20,328 gathered at The Oval to see England claw their way back into contention. The last time the series was played on these shores in 2019 it produced a total combined attendance of 30,000.
“The crowds have been really special and show where we are at the minute, but also what happens when you market it as well as you can,” Sciver-Brunt said.
“You’ve got two top teams going head to head and it’s the Ashes and this proves it is as popular as we think it is.
“Playing in front of that many people and riding that energy you get from the crowd is something really, really special. Hopefully it will be replicated at Lord’s.”
Sciver-Brunt has confirmed that she will be able to bowl after completing two overs at The Oval in her first spell since suffering from knee inflammation during the Test between the rivals.
“I’m feeling good. My knee’s recovered pretty well from the injection after the Test match so I’m really happy with how it’s going,” she said.
“I’ve played pretty much my whole career as an all-rounder and I thrive off being able to contribute to everything in the game.
“I felt like I was letting people down when I couldn’t do that and I’m in a good place for it now.”
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