Stan Hey: 6-5 Against

Summer sizzlers

The weather may not exactly say so but we are at the high point of summer sport, the period when the most stylish racing festivals kick in – Goodwood and Galway – and when there's a proper Test series on the horizon. Make the most of these pleasures because the ball-kickers will be back soon.

Today's King George VI at Ascot looks to have the right cast – Derby winner (Workforce) and Dante winner (Cape Blanco) represent the three-year-olds; Youmzain is "the grizzled veteran"; Harbinger is the "improver", unbeaten this season; while the "distaff dame" is Hong Kong Vase heroine Daryakana. Confront is the pacemaker.

Workforce is favourite but money's coming for stablemate Harbinger, down to 5-2. Daryakana (14-1) could be the danger.

Goodwood's Sussex Stakes on Wednesday can go to Rip Van Winkle (7-2 Ladbrokes) with Five Dream (12-1 VC Bet) landing the Galway Plate.

England's first Test against Pakistan starts at Trent Bridge on Thursday. Pakistan often play as if in a limited-overs game but Shoaib Malik can bat for days and 18-year-old Mohammad Aamer is a truly destructive bowler. England's middle order, especially the underperforming Kevin Pietersen, is under severe scrutiny before the Ashes in November. An entertaining series is on the cards, with England to win 2-1.

* Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood bagged us a small profit with place money at the Open.