Pep Guardiola has revealed Manchester City are affected by travel problems during one of their most hectic periods of the season.
City have four away games in less than a fortnight, with Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup trip to Newcastle followed by a Premier League clash with Wolves, a Champions League outing to Leipzig and then another league game against Arsenal.
Guardiola’s men would normally travel back by train or plane to minimise time on the road but neither is available on Wednesday.
“We cannot come back by plane because we don’t have planes to travel back so we have to take a bus, it’s two, three hours later, we arrive here so, so late,” said the Catalan.
“Then Friday we have to travel to Wolves. We go to Germany to play Champions League, it’s a really, really important game for us because we know what it means to be able to win there for qualification for the next stage. This is what we have to do.”
Guardiola admits he will have to play several players he would rather rest because of injury and suspension issues in midfield, while he does not feel he can call on academy products.
“We cannot take a few of them because we sell a lot of them and still they are not ready to play with us,” he said. “That’s why I have to give time to them to develop. They are still so young to play Newcastle away.”
One player who will start is Kalvin Phillips, who impressed Guardiola after coming on against Nottingham Forest last weekend.
It will be just a fifth start for the midfielder since his move from Leeds last summer, where his performances under Marcelo Bielsa persuaded City to sign him.
“I think Marcelo gave Kalvin the best of Kalvin in his career,” said Guardiola. “I would love to have done with Kalvin what Marcelo has done to him. But it’s where he is.
“We have a specific way to play. Sometimes he struggles with a few things, but the previous game was perfect. He’s open-minded, he always wants to learn, always wants to help and this is what I try to do.”
Guardiola named “exhausted” Kyle Walker as one player he will rest but, whatever team he puts out, he expects a better performance than the one that saw City dumped out of the competition by Southampton in the quarter-finals last season.
“What we don’t want to do is perform not who we are in terms of the principles and who we are as a team, which happened last season against Southampton,” he said.
“That’s the worst game I’ve had as manager of Man City, by far. I didn’t recognise anything about that. You can lose, of course, credit to Southampton in that game, but you have to meet a minimum and this is what I want from my team in every single game, every single competition.
“And tomorrow it’s going to happen, I’m pretty sure of that.”
Mauricio Pochettino believes he is under no greater pressure from the owners at Chelsea than in either of his two previous Premier League appointments.
The Argentinian enjoyed successful spells with Southampton and Tottenham, guiding the latter to the Champions League final in 2019, but has seen his new side struggle for goals and wins since he was appointed in the summer despite a huge transfer outlay.
He famously enjoyed a close relationship with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy prior to being sacked five months after taking the club to within a game of being crowned European champions.
At Southampton there was a similarly jovial working arrangement with executive chairman Nicola Cortese, who appointed Pochettino in order to try and stabilise Saints in the top flight, a task he achieved comfortably during his 18 months in charge.
Yet Chelsea has brought a different level of expectation with over £1billion spent on recruitment by co-owner Todd Boehly’s Clearlake Capital consortium, an investment that is yet to yield results with the club mired in the bottom half of the table.
Pochettino said that far from making the task harder, the work that had gone on prior to his appointment at Stamford Bridge has made his job less complicated.
“It’s less hard than when we were in Southampton and Tottenham, trust me,” he said. “Believe me.
“The only thing we are missing is scoring goals, because the team is playing, if you see our first few months in Southampton and Tottenham, I think we (Chelsea) are playing much better.
“We are doing much better here, but we are missing the most important (thing) in football – to score. But it’s not harder than the previous experience.
“It was different (at Tottenham). The transformation was with us, in the way that we found the squad, with the club, we were working in six months, one year to change and design.
“Here, the plan was already made, and we arrived here and we tried to develop this project. When I arrived here, the plan had started to work. Now I am part of the plan. Of course I am responsible here also like in Tottenham, but I think it was a little bit different.”
Pochettino’s work at Southampton laid the foundation for his reputation in the Premier League, guiding the team to a 14th-place finish after replacing Nigel Adkins midway through their first season back in the top flight.
The decision of Cortese to dispense with Adkins, who had led the club up from League One, and replace him with a coach who was virtually unknown in England was controversial at the time.
However, the pair quickly built a relationship that underscored the manager’s first success in England.
“With Nicola we were really close,” said Pochettino. “He liked to invite me for coffee before a game in his office at St Mary’s.
“One day we were sitting on the sofa in his office and talking and talking, and my phone was like this (face down). We were talking about I don’t know what. Then somebody knocked the door and said, ‘we need to start the game in five minutes’.
“Nicola was like that. Daniel (Levy) sometimes arrived before the game to talk in the manager’s office. At the moment it’s not the case because in these five games at home, (the owners) came after.
“(Co-sporting directors) Paul (Winstanley) and Lawrence (Stewart) always come to say hello before. It’s a similar relationship (to Southampton and Tottenham). No more pressure now than in other places.”
Casemiro scored one and provided another as Manchester United began their defence of the Carabao Cup with a straightforward victory against lifeless Crystal Palace.
A lot has happened in the seven months since securing the first trophy of the Erik ten Hag era – and the Red Devils’ first silverware in six years – against Newcastle at Wembley.
Casemiro opened the scoring under the arch and found the net again in Tuesday’s 3-0 third-round triumph against Palace as United look to put their poor start to the season behind them.
There were a combined 14 changes for an Old Trafford meeting that will be repeated in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, when Eagles boss Roy Hodgson will demand a vastly improved display.
United kept Palace at arm’s length in a one-sided first half that brought a pair of quickfire goals shortly after injury had ended Dean Henderson’s debut against his former club.
First good team play ended with Alejandro Garnacho turning in Diogo Dalot’s cutback, before Casemiro headed home his fourth goal of the campaign from the returning Mason Mount’s corner.
Anthony Martial rifled home from the Brazil international’s cross in the 55th minute as United rubber-stamped their place in Wednesday’s fourth-round draw by following up their much-needed win at Burnley.
The hosts were in control from the outset at an impressively full Old Trafford, where the best Palace could initially muster was a dangerous early cross cut out by Harry Maguire on his first club start of the season.
United patiently passed and probed in the Palace half, although they had not created a clear-cut chance by the time their former goalkeeper Henderson went off injured on his debut.
Sam Johnstone replaced his fellow United academy graduate in the 19th minute and was beaten just two minutes later.
A cross-field pass to the right ended with the underlapping Dalot bursting forwards and cutting back to Garnacho, who battled to stretch and turn home.
United smelt blood and immediately hunted a potentially tie-settling second.
Dalot met a fantastic diagonal ball with a strike on Johnstone’s goal, before a last-gasp Chris Richards challenge on Facundo Pellistri prevented another effort on goal.
Mount sent over the resulting corner from the right and Casemiro all too easily shrugged off Jeffrey Schlupp to powerfully head home in the 27th minute.
The goals took the sting out of a tie that already had an exhibition vibe about it, with Palace offering precious little in terms of threat as the hosts showed flashes of quality.
Full debutant Sofyan Amrabat had impressed as a makeshift left-back and stepped up into midfield at half-time after Victor Lindelof came on for Mount.
Marc Guehi replaced Jesurun Rak-Sakyi as Palace made a change of their own, but the England defender’s introduction could not prevent Palace conceding again.
Casemiro picked up a loose ball and swung a fine right-footed cross to the far post, where Martial got behind Nathaniel Clyne to slam home in front of the Stretford End.
Both sides made changes with an eye on this weekend’s reunion, including United handing teenager Dan Gore his debut.
“We’ve had a shot,” chanted the Palace fans after Clyne lashed over and soon had a shot on target to sing about after Andre Onana stopped Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Jonny Evans’ header from a corner was denied by a point-blank Johnstone save as the match wound down, while Onana stopped Mateta again before 18-year-old introduction David Ozoh dragged wide.
Lindelof and Garnacho stung the palms as Johnstone ensured things did not get any worse for the south Londoners.
Mansfield won a penalty shoot-out for the second round in a row after a 2-2 draw with League One Peterborough United to make the Carabao Cup fourth round for the first time since 1975.
Former Posh goalkeeper Christy Pym was the hero with two penalty saves in the 3-1 shoot-out success against his old club as the League Two high-flyers maintained their record as the only EFL side unbeaten in all competitions.
Mansfield soaked up early pressure and Baily Cargill had to clear a Ricky-Jade Jones finish off the line in the third minute before the home side grabbed a fifth minute lead from the penalty spot.
An Archie Collins foul on Will Swan was spotted and the latter coolly tucked away the spot-kick down the centre of Nicholas Bilokapic’s goal.
Pym had to save well in the 18th minute, diving to his left to deny Ephron Mason-Clark.
However, the visitors were level on the half-hour as Jonson Clarke-Harris drilled a 25-yard free-kick through the Mansfield wall and past a helpless Pym.
A minute after Pym tipped over a Hector Kyprianou header to stop Posh turning the game on its head – but the visitors were ahead two minutes after the break.
Peter Kioso crossed hard and low from the right and although George Williams hooked clear from near the goal line, Clarke-Harris followed up clinically.
Kioso hit the bar with a header from a 51st-minute corner.
But Mansfield went up a gear and were rewarded in the third added minute as Lucas Akins levelled from the spot after Clarke-Harris had brought down substitute Calum Macdonald.
Pym made two great stops in the shoot-out before Davis Keillor-Dunn buried the crucial winner.
Middlesbrough secured safe passage to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 victory over Bradford at the University of Bradford Stadium.
Boro were keen to keep the momentum up from their first league victory, against Southampton at the weekend, and made all of the running in a first half capped by Emmanuel Latte Lath’s strike midway through.
The away side play two divisions higher than their Sky Bet League Two counterparts and made their quality count in the second half through Morgan Rogers as they secured a comfortable away win.
The Championship side came closest to the opener in the third minute after some neat link-up play unlocked the Bantams’ defence, with Tommy Smith sliding it into Lewis O’Brien who blazed over from close range.
The visitors, followed by a 4,000 strong travelling contingent, were on top for the early parts and were inches away from scoring the first but Samuel Silvera’s curling effort from outside the area skimmed the wrong side of a post.
It seemed only a matter of time before Boro got on the scoresheet, and they did just that when Latte-Lath received a ball from Hayden Hackney and squeezed it under Harry Lewis’ legs from inside the area.
Many would argue City’s keeper could have done better for the first but he did well to keep the deficit to one just a couple of minutes later as he remarkably stopped Latte Lath’s header from inside the six-yard box.
Bradford started the second period with more zest and had half an opening after Rayhaan Tulloch danced his way between the Boro defence but curled harmlessly wide of the target.
Boro doubled their lead in the 54th minute after Riley McGree’s square ball found a free Rogers, who easily tapped home to make it two.
Middlesbrough could have made it three just after the hour mark after Hackney flicked the ball into O’Brien, whose goalbound effort was palmed wide by Lewis.
Bradford’s efforts to get back into the encounter seemed tame, which led to large parts of the 15,000 crowd heading for the exit doors early.
The Bantams finally mustered their first shot on target in the 84th minute as Alex Pattison latched onto Tyler Smith’s through ball.
He made Thomas Glover pull off his first save of the night as Middlesbrough advanced in comfortable fashion.
On Saturday, September 23, 2023, the Fit Farm Fitness compound came alive with the power and determination of 45 out of 46 athletes participating in the GraceKennedy Money Services NPAJ National Deadlift Championship.
The platform was set for an intense competition that would determine the nation's strongest Deadlifter.
In a display of remarkable strength and skill, Roxroy Campbell, the reigning NPAJ 2022 male Deadlift Champion, successfully defended his title, solidifying his position as one of Jamaica's top powerlifters.
The female division saw the emergence of a new champion, Latasha Jackson, who was crowned the NPAJ female Deadlift Champion for 2023.
The growth and competitiveness of the NPAJ National Deadlift Championship were evident in the increased number of weight classes. The International Powerlifting Federation's sixteen (16) weight classes, divided equally between males and females, were well-represented, with thirteen (13) NPAJ athletes competing in various divisions.
This marked a significant expansion compared to the previous year when only ten (10) weight classes were contested. Furthermore, the 2023 championship witnessed an exciting development with nine (9) records from the 2022 Deadlift event being shattered, along with the establishment of three (3) new weight class records.
In the female’ s section, Deidre Lewis emerged as the champion in the 57 kg. weight class, lifting an impressive 134 kg. (295 lbs.) and accumulating 32.80 GL Points. It is worth noting that Deidre also set a new class record, further demonstrating her dominance in this category.
In the 63 kg. weight class championship, Dian Palmer emerged as the winner by lifting 100 kg. (220 lbs.) and scoring 22.18 GL Points. Dejanai Beckford, a new participant in NPAJ, secured the second position by lifting 93 kg. (205 lbs.) and scoring 21.54 GL Points. Beckford showed remarkable potential and is a rising star to watch in the future.
In the 69 kg. weight category, Shrona Scott emerged as the champion by lifting an impressive 152.27 kg. (335 lbs.) and earning 32.05 GL Points. Her remarkable performance not only secured her victory but also set a new record for the category, surpassing the previous mark set in 2022. Cheyenne Campbell closely followed in second place, also lifting 152.27 kg. (335 lbs.) with 31.63 GL Points, making it a fierce competition. Noellissa Swaby secured the third position with a lift of 95.45 kg. (210 lbs.) and 19.89 GL Points.
In the 76 kg. weight class, Chevaneese Powell successfully defended her title by lifting an impressive 159.09 kg. (350 lbs.) and earning 32.00 GL points. This remarkable achievement not only secured her title but also set a new record, surpassing her record from the previous year. However, Kishon Green and Nadesha Thompson were disqualified due to weight violations.
The 84 kg. weight class has a new champion in Latasha Jackson, a newcomer who lifted an astonishing 190.91 kg. (420 lbs.) and earned 36.34 GL Points. Latasha not only secured her victory but also set a new record, surpassing the previous mark set in 2022. Ayana Duhaney, the former class weight champion, secured the second position with a lift of 186.36 kg. (410 lbs.) and 35.72 GL Points. Tesi Scott claimed the third position by lifting 184.09 kg. (405 lbs.) and earning 35.16 GL Points.
In the 84 kg.+ weight class, Aiesha Denton successfully defended her title, lifting 188.64 kg. (415 lbs.) and scoring 33.35 GL Points. She also set a new record, surpassing her previous mark from 2022. Kerri-Ann McDonald, a newcomer, secured the second position by lifting 143.18 kg. (315 lbs.) and scoring 26.88 GL Points, while Kai Clarke finished third by lifting 136.36 kg. (300 lbs.) and scoring 24.63 GL Points. Unfortunately, Tashian Wallace was disqualification due to a weight violation.
In the men`s section of the 59 kg. weight class, Corey Taylor lifted an impressive 202.27 kg. (445 lbs.) to become the champion, setting a new class record and earning 31.48 GL points.
Competing in the 74 kg. weight class, Jaheem Forrester put on an impressive display of strength by lifting 247.73 kg. (545 lbs.) and earning 36.31 GL points. With this remarkable feat, Jaheem also set a new record, surpassing the previous mark of 147.4 kg. (325 lbs.) set by Raun Earle in 2022. Robert Williams, a Masters 3 athlete, secured the second spot in this class with a lift of 181.82 kg. (400 lbs.) and 28.13 GL points.
In the 83 kg. weight class, Nathan Dawkins was crowned class champion after lifting an incredible 268.18 kg. (590 lbs.) and earning 37.36 GL points. Nathan's performance set a new record, surpassing Jerome Tucker's previous mark of 249.4 kg. (550 lbs.) from 2022. Gary Adamson secured the second position by lifting 250 kg. (550 lbs.) and earning 34.65 GL points, while Nyib Howitt and Giovanni Land claimed the third and fourth positions, respectively. Unfortunately, Brent Lee and Joshua Ivey were disqualified due to weight violations.
The 93 kg. weight class saw defending champion Roxroy Campbell retaining his title with a powerful lift of 295.45 kg. (650 lbs.) and an impressive 39.35 GL points. Roxroy also established a new class record, surpassing Bruce Wilson's previous mark from the previous year. Stephaun Jarrett secured the second position with 279.55 kg. (615 lbs.) and 36.60 GL points, followed by Xavier McCarty, Mervin Barrett, Rushane Johnson, and Odijah Clarke. Daniel Palmer was disqualified for a weight violation.
In the 105 kg. weight class, the defending champion Staffon Commock maintained his title by lifting an incredible 300 kg. (660 lbs.) and earning 37.79 GL points. Staffon's remarkable performance set a new record for the class, surpassing his previous mark. The second position was secured by newcomer Ronald Oates, who lifted 265.91 kg. (585 lbs.) and earned 34.16 GL points.
Darren Thomas was declared the champion of the 120 kg. weight class after lifting an impressive 245.45 kg. (540 lbs.) and earning 29.02 GL points. This weight class previously had a record of 278.9 kg. (615 lbs.) held by Johnwayne Goulbourne since 2022, which remained unbeaten. The defending champion, Desmond Thompson, set a new record in the 120 kg+ weight class by lifting an impressive 322.73 kg. (710 lbs.) and earning 36.21 GL points. This surpassed his record from the previous year. Bruce Higgins secured second place with a lift of 295.45 kg. (650 lbs.), while Sashane Tomlinson finished third with 256.82 kg. (565 lbs.).
Mr. Michael Blair, the President of NPAJ, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all those who had contributed to making this championship a monumental achievement.
"This event was a culmination of countless hours of dedication and hard work," said Mr. Blair during an exclusive interview with Powerlifting Voice.
"Not only from our remarkable athletes but also from the dedicated NPAJ officials who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Their unwavering commitment and passion for the sport were instrumental in making this championship a reality."
Inter Milan head coach Simone Inzaghi thanked his stalwarts for embracing the slew of new recruits at San Siro as the Nerazzurri blaze a trail at the top of Serie A.
There was some concern that the formula which saw Inter go all the way to an unexpected Champions League final and claim a creditable third place in the league might be addled by the transfer overhaul that took place over the summer.
Although European stars including Benjamin Pavard and Marcus Thuram were thrown into the mix, many clubs have found it is not always easy to create a winning team in the short term based solely on the quality of talent recruited.
Inzaghi told a press conference: “Our squad has undergone a lot of changes, but the players who were already here have been important. They’ve helped the newcomers – however experienced they are – understand how to adapt to the Inter world.
“I see real willingness: everyone has been working excellently and in a really determined fashion since July.”
Inter host Sassuolo on Wednesday having thumped city rivals AC Milan 5-1, drawn away at Real Sociedad and squeezed past Empoli 1-0 on Sunday, with a trip to Salernitana on the schedule for the upcoming weekend.
“It’ll be our fourth match in 10 days, with many players having also been away on international duty and done plenty of travelling,” Inzaghi added.
“However, I’m lucky enough to coach a competitive squad. We still need to train this afternoon and then I’ll make my choices.”
On the threat posed by Sassuolo, the former Lazio striker said: “They come into this game having beaten Juventus thanks to a really good display and they have a excellent coach who has his team really well organised.
“We need to be determined as we look to produce a big performance.”
His opposite number in the Neroverdi dugout, Alessio Dionisi, led his side to a 4-2 triumph over Juve last time out and told reporters: “The victory has given us awareness, and we obtained a great result against a better team.
“We know what we did on Sunday will not be enough against Inter because right now they are superior. They are superior to everyone.
“We must try to be the best possible version of Sassuolo, we made it on Saturday and we must do the same tomorrow against a team that seems unplayable.
“We’ll need courage and personality.”
Sports stars and clubs across the world continue to provide an insight into their lives on social media.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the best examples from September 26.
FootballPhil Jones was learning.
Gary Neville looked ahead.
Everton released a new limited-edition kid.
Happy birthday.
GolfJustin Rose was gearing up for the Ryder Cup.
CricketEngland recalled one of Jonny Bairstow’s best innings on his birthday.
Motor RacingBritain’s Jessica Hawkins became the first female in almost five years to drive a modern Formula One car during a recent test in Budapest.
Mercedes highlighted Lewis Hamilton’s 100th F1 win.
Red Bull saw a bit of Greece.
Happy birthday.
BoxingRicky Hatton had a new challenge.
The stage is set.
France’s coaching staff have “no doubts” injured captain Antoine Dupont will be available to play in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup.
Scrum-half Dupont suffered a facial fracture on Thursday during his country’s 96-0 thrashing of Namibia.
The 26-year-old Toulouse player is due to report for training on Sunday, having undergone successful surgery.
Les Bleus assistant coach William Servat told a press conference on Tuesday: “Antoine is in great order today. The operation went very well, and he is resting.
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“He will return for training on Sunday. Friday and Saturday are our rest days, he will have the time to return in this period of time.
“I have no doubts about his ability to play in the quarter-final. I think it is reasonable to say that.”
France top Pool A following three successive victories and have a free weekend ahead of completing their group-stage fixtures on October 6 against Italy in Lyon.
The hosts are likely to face South Africa, Ireland or Scotland in the last eight of the tournament on the weekend of October 14-15 in Paris.
Derbyshire dominated the first day’s play as umpire Sue Redfern made history in the LV= County Championship fixture at Glamorgan.
Redfern became the first woman to stand as an umpire in a men’s first-class match in England and Wales as she joined Graham Lloyd in the middle for the Division Two clash.
Luis Reece made an unbeaten 139 and it was Lloyd’s finger which went up for the wickets of Harry Came and Brooke Guest as the visitors reached 308 for two.
Guest made 96 and put on 180 for the second wicket with Reece, who had captain Leus du Plooy for company on 22 not out at stumps.
The unbeaten In The Headlines uncorked a huge win in Monday’s Trinidad Derby to become the first filly ever to complete the Triple Crown at Santa Rosa Park.
As the 8-5 second choice, In the Headlines took control down the backstretch and easily repelled a late challenge from stablemate and 1-5 favourite Hello World to score by 1-1/2 lengths in the TT$115,222 (US$17,022) Classic.
It was a fourth-consecutive Derby win for champion trainer John O’Brien, while jockey Rico Hernandez celebrated his first.
In the Headlines, who scored big wins in the earlier Triple Crown legs – the Guineas and the Midsummer Classic – clocked two minutes 10.72 seconds for the 10-furlong trip.
The result also gave O’Brien his third Triple Crown win overall and second in four years after Momentum in 2014 and Wise Guy in 2020.
The journey to next year's ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA continues, with Bermuda set to host the Americas Qualifier from 30 September to 7 October 2023.
Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands and Panama will battle it out in a double round-robin format, over six days to earn a place in the 2024 edition of the Men’s T20 World Cup – the biggest one yet, featuring 20 teams in total.
As host, Bermuda will look to continue their good form from winning the Subregional Qualifier, to return to the biggest stage in men’s T20 cricket, after their historical appearance in 2007.
Canada, arguably the favourites of the event, will look to confirm this and seal their ticket to a new World Cup participation. The Cayman Islands are a regular fixture in the regional final but are yet to go through, and, as such, they will push hard to make it this time. Panama are underdogs, as their participation may come as a surprise to many, but with no real pressure on their backs, this could allow them to play freely and upset the main candidates.
This event promises to be a competitive affair, with the four teams confident of their chances of making it through to the main stage.
Owen Burrows considers Hukum’s light campaign to be a help and not a hindrance ahead of his bid for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
The Shadwell-owned colt has been seen just twice this year, winning the Brigadier Gerard Stakes after almost a year off the track when making his seasonal debut in May.
He defeated Derby hero Desert Crown on that occasion and subsequently side-stepped Royal Ascot as the ground was unsuitably quick.
That left the horse off the track for 65 days when he lined up for a hugely-competitive renewal of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but the absence did nothing to stop him edging out Ralph Beckett’s Westover by a head in thrilling finish.
There will be gap of a similar length between that performance and Sunday’s race and with the bay proven to go well fresh, Burrows has few concerns about his sparse season.
He said: “I’m more than happy to bring him in off the back of his King George win, he’s proven as he won first time in Dubai last year on Super Saturday.
“He won the Brigadier Gerard and then we weren’t able to run at Royal Ascot as the ground was a bit quick, so he went to the King George after a bit of a break.
“He’s obviously a horse who runs well fresh and we’re confident we can get him there in a good spot.”
Burrows has been satisfied with Hukum’s work since he was last seen on track, and is especially pleased with how he seems to be thriving at six after a serious injury robbed him of a year of racing following his 2022 Coronation Cup victory.
“We’ve been very pleased with him, obviously that (the King George) was at the end of July so he’s had a nice easy couple of weeks after that,” the trainer said.
“We’ve had a nice amount of time to slowly bring him up for this very important race now.
“I think it’s pretty obvious to see with his form this year that he is better than ever, it looked last season like he was on the up when he won the Coronation Cup at Epsom.
“Unfortunately he picked up his injury there, which stopped his season, but from an early stage this year when we started working him again, he showed all his old enthusiasm and his work was better than ever.
“For whatever reason he looks as though he’s found a bit from somewhere this year, he was able to win the Brigadier Gerard over a mile and a quarter. He certainly is as as good as ever.”
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