Nell Gwyn winner can overturn Classic form and cause rare reverse for Hannon and Hughes

New managers at the top three Premier League clubs at least promise more intrigue this season

Pre-season never used to be such a sweat. But then football seldom proved this exciting, even on the great days. And if Brown Panther's success here yesterday represented a valid sample of retirement, Michael Owen is hardly going to yearn long for those rainy Tuesdays in Stoke.

The author of a stunning rebuke to insular punters last Saturday is back in Britain to discover whether they been taught due respect for horses from Germany.

Hannon colt strikes late to defeat Guineas winner at third attempt in 'Duel on the Downs'

The celebrated belvedere was nowhere to be seen as racegoers convened here under soggy panamas, and they soon discovered that the favourite for the big race had also disappeared into the clouds. But the imposing young colt who replaced Aljamaaheer at the head of the market conversely found the easing conditions very much to his taste.

O'Brien four-year-old offers solid value against younger rivals Toronado and Dawn Approach

Frankel himself struggled to preserve the dignity of Glorious Goodwood last year, when obliged to compete with the London Olympics. Today the  fixture’s claims as the most charming ritual of the British Turf are threatened with dilution only by the weather forecast, which has rather too equivocal a look for the liking of either punters or aesthetes. The latter most cherish the swaying backdrop of cornfields and woodland when bathed in sunlight; while the former have more practical distaste for rain clouds.

Unlike Falmouth Stakes triumph, John Gosden’s filly enjoys clear-cut  success in filthy weather

The Last Word: Djokovic’s interview was a masterpiece in decorum