June 2020
FRANKIE DETTORI’S SPORTING INDEX BLOG
Never write off Stradivarius – a classy horse who does more than just stay
Thursday 4th June 2020 –Thursday 4th June 2020 – Sporting Index ambassador and leading Flat jockey Frankie Dettori looks ahead to his rides on Friday at Newmarket, including Stradivarius in the Group 1 Coronation Cup.
Back racing
It was great to start off with a nice winner at Kempton on Monday.
Having not had racing for so long it’s just a great feeling to be back riding and winning races.
Galsworthy did it really well and should come on for that run too.
Wearing the mask while riding hasn’t been that pleasant, it restricts the airflow a bit, but we just have to get on with it and hopefully it won’t be like this for too long.
As for Hypothetical in the Classic Trial on Tuesday, things didn’t pan out well for us.
He was a bit too keen, we didn’t get a smooth journey and he deserves another chance. He lacked a bit of experience and I’m looking forward to having another go on him.
Friday – Newmarket
The big stuff really kicks off on Friday at Newmarket and I’ve got a nice book of rides.”
The track is very unique and well known for ‘the dip’, where for the last couple of furlongs you travel downhill before hitting the rising ground a furlong from home.”
Some horses handle it, others don’t and it’s a good test.”
If you’re not travelling well it’s easy for a horse to become a bit unbalanced, so you want to try and use your speed coming down the hill and carry that into the final uphill climb.”
I kick things off with Final Offer (1:15pm), who looks a nice filly by Dark Angel but we don’t really know where we are with a lot of these unraced two and three-year-olds at this stage.”
All I can say is that John’s [Gosden] horses have started the season nicely, so hopefully the likes of Jane Marple (4:45pm) and Ricetta (5:20pm) will put up nice performances first time up too.”
Lord Tennyson is a horse I’m really looking forward to getting on in the Listed Paradise Stakes (3:00pm).”
It will be the first time I’ve ridden for Godolphin in seven years and I might have a little smirk on my face under the mask.”
Obviously I’ve been riding a lot for other members of the family over the years, so maybe it’s not such a big thing, but riding for Godolphin formed a huge part of my career and I will have a smile on my face when I pull on those blue silks again.”
As for the horse, he won in good style at Chelmsford on his only start so far and the hope is that he takes a step forward from that into Listed company here.”
The big one of the day is Stradivarius in the Coronation Cup (3:35pm).”
The Ascot Gold Cup is obviously the target with him, but John was just keen to get a run into him before that race and we’ve never thought he lacked pace.”
He’s taking on the likes of Ghaiyyath, Defoe and the Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck, but you should never write off Stradivarius – he’s a classy horse who can do more than just stay.”
He shows plenty of speed at home and I’m really looking forward to giving it a try.”
First and foremost, we want him to have a good race and come out the other end of it well, but he’s certainly got speed and cannot be discounted despite it looking like a high quality field of middle-distance horses.”
Neville Burdock, Head of Trading at Sporting Index, said: “It’s getting harder to ignore swirling rumours of a Harry Kane move away from Tottenham which would likely come with a giant price tag, so we’ve compared his stats to the strikers who have previously broken the world record for transfer fees.
“At 26-years-old, Kane already boasts the second-highest goals and appearance figures of the list of strikers, as well as the third-best goals per game ratio, so it’s not hard to imagine that he could be the next record-breaking transfer.”
WEST HAM & BRIGHTON SURVIVE DROP AHEAD OF VILLA
Sporting Index research reveals previous season-ending form could be a factor in relegation battle
Wednesday 10th June 2020 – As the Premier League gets set to resume one week from today, research from betting firm Sporting Index shows that Aston Villa could be condemned to the drop alongside Watford and Norwich based on points and goals collected by teams on average over the past five seasons.
Sporting Index have totted up the points in the remaining nine and ten games according to how many each top-flight team have left to play this season and predicted the final table based on the results.
Watford have the worst record for collecting points in their final nine matches of the season of all top-flight teams, meaning they are expected to join Norwich in the Championship next season, while Aston Villa’s leaky defence over the last five campaigns could mean they go down to leave West Ham and Brighton avoiding the drop based on goal difference.
At the other end of the table, unsurprisingly Manchester City are the team who have finished the last five seasons strongest, collecting an average of 23 points, followed by Arsenal on 19.
Should Liverpool collect their usual 17 points from the last nine matches, they will finish just shy of breaking the Premier League points record by two points – finishing on 99 for the campaign.
The table would remain relatively similar at the top as things stand, with City finishing on 80 points in second, Leicester in third with 70 points and Chelsea on 63 in the last Champions League spot.
Manchester United could be disappointed with a sixth placed finish, with Sheffield United set to beat them to fifth.
Neville Burdock, Head of Trading at Sporting Index, said: “Football fans up and down the country will be thrilled to see the Premier League return, but some will also start to feel the nerves as we enter the business end of the season, especially those in relegation trouble.
“We analysed how teams finish their season by looking at their results with nine or 10 games to go, with Watford collecting the least amount of points on average. Should that form continue then they’ll find themselves relegated by three points, while Norwich will join them.”
“The final relegation spot could be set to go down to goal difference, as judging by the past five seasons and average points collected in the last nine or 10 matches – depending on how many each team has left – Aston Villa, West Ham and Brighton will all finish on 39 points.”
BIDEN 5/6 FAVOURITE AHEAD OF TRUMP
Joe Biden moves to shortest price since start of election race, as President Trump price drifts
Tuesday 16th June, 2020 – Presidential nominee Joe Biden has overtaken Donald Trump as the favourite to win this year’s election race at 5/6 with betting firm Sporting Index.
Having been the leading candidate since the start of 2020, current President Donald Trump has drifted from 8/13 to a longer price of 23/20.
Support in Trump has waned during the ongoing global health pandemic and US polls show a shift towards the Democrats, which has in turn led the political traders at Sporting Index to make former Vice President Biden the odds-on favourite to win the November election.
With over four months to go, it looks set to be a two-horse race between Trump and Biden, with former First Lady Hillary Clinton next best in the running at 33/1.
Sporting Index believe that there will still be twists and turns in the race and anyone dismissing Trump’s chances should only look back at 2016 as an example of how the unlikely can still happen.
Phill Fairclough, trading spokesperson for Sporting Index, said: “It’s clear that many Americans believe President Donald Trump could have handled the ongoing economic and social issues surrounding the country a lot better in recent weeks, and the latest polls show that support for him has waned as a result.
“We now make Democratic nominee Joe Biden the 5/6 favourite, with Trump’s odds drifting from 8/13 at the start of this year to a longer price of 23/20.”
“That said, anyone ruling out Trump from winning in November should be reminded of the 2016 election results, when most people had written off Trump to win, and the rest is history. There’s still plenty of time for the President to turn things around and win a second term in office.”
SPURS & FRANKIE RIDES 70TH ROYAL ASCOT WINNER
Sporting Index ambassador hits new milestone 30 years on from his first ever success
Friday 19th June, 2020 – Exactly 30 years on from his first win at Royal Ascot, legendary jockey and Sporting Index ambassador Frankie Dettori has notched win number 70 at the Berkshire track’s big event.
Today’s success aboard Fanny Logan in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes came 30 years to the day since his win on Markofdistinction in the 1990 Queen Anne Stakes, with the 68 winners in between helping bring his prize money for winners to almost £7 million.”.
Fanny Logan was also his 15th winner for trainer John Gosden, his second success in the Hardwicke and the 11th win he has ridden on the Friday of Royal Ascot.
LIVERPOOL & CHELSEA FANS PICK HAVERTZ AS PRIORITY SIGNING
Sporting Index poll reveals 55% of Reds fans and 43% of Blues supporters select Bayern Leverkusen attacker as number one target
Wednesday 24th June 2020 – Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz has been picked as the number one transfer target for Liverpool and Chelsea supporters, according to a poll from betting firm Sporting Index, which surveyed over 4,000 fans from both clubs.
The German international has been in fantastic form for Leverkusen this season, and both clubs have been rumoured to make a move to bring to him to the Premier League.
Liverpool fans were asked which player their club should prioritise out of Havertz, Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembele and Adama Traore – all players who have been rumoured with a move to Anfield – and Havertz was picked by 55% of supporters. Coutinho collected 22% of the vote, Traore 13% and Dembele just under 10%.
And Chelsea fans were asked which player they would prioritise from Havertz, Jadon Sancho, Ben Chilwell and Timo Werner – who has since been confirmed as a Chelsea player – with 43% of fans picking Havertz, just under 37% voting for Werner, 16% going for Sancho and 4% saying Chilwell.
Elsewhere, 2,000 fans from each of the other traditional ‘top six’ clubs were also polled, with an overwhelming 70% of Manchester United fans picking Sancho as their number one signing, followed by Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly (11%), Ajax’s Donny van de Beek (10%) and lastly Havertz (9%).
A total of 46% of Manchester City supporters polled picked Koulibaly as their number one target, followed by Borussia Dortmund stars Sancho (29%) and Achraf Hakimi (15%), and Wolves’ Raul Jimenez (11%).
It’s likely to be ‘no Partey, no party’ for Arsenal fans, with 49% of Gunners fans picking Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey as their most wanted player. RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano is close behind with 41% of supporters wishing to seal his signature, followed by Bournemouth’s out of contract winger Ryan Fraser (7%) and PSG full back Layzin Kurzawa (4%).
Coutinho comes out on top for Spurs fans with 42% picking the Brazilian as their most sought after signing, followed by Fraser (25%), Lille’s Victor Osimhen (18%) and Willian (16%).
Neville Burdock, Head of Trading at Sporting Index, said: “Despite there being a while to go until the summer transfer window opens, supporters of Premier League clubs are already getting excited at the prospect of the world’s best talents signing for their clubs, so we decided to put this to the test and ask them which players they would prioritise as their number one targets.
Kai Havertz is a man in demand, with both Liverpool and Chelsea selecting the German as the man they want to boost their frontline. Manchester United fans are keen to see Jadon Sancho sign on the dotted line, while Manchester City identified centre back as an area to strengthen with Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly the player they’d like to see Pep Guardiola sign.
In north London, Arsenal fans are looking to add Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey to their midfield. Rival supporters of Tottenham picked ex-Liverpool attacker Philippe Coutinho as their number one target.
MAN CITY FANS PICK KOULIBALY AS PRIORITY SIGNING
Sporting Index poll reveals 46% of City fans select Senegalese stopper as number one transfer target
Wednesday 24th June, 2020 Napoli centre back Kalidou Koulibaly has been picked as the number one transfer target for Manchester City fans, according to a poll from betting firm Sporting Index, which surveyed over 2,000 fans from the club.
Wednesday 24th June, 2020 Napoli centre back Kalidou Koulibaly has been picked as the number one transfer target for Manchester City fans, according to a poll from betting firm Sporting Index, which surveyed over 2,000 fans from the club.
The 29-year old Senegalese stopper has been a rock at the heart of the Seria A side over the past few seasons, and he’s now been touted for a move to the Premier League, with Pep Guardiola supposedly leading the way for his signature.
And City fans have backed that move, with 46% of supporters saying he is their preferred signing. Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho is next on the list, with 29% voting for him, 15% voted for his team mate Achraf Hakimi (15%), while Wolves talisman Raul Jimenez received 11% of votes.
Neville Burdock, Head of Trading at Sporting Index, said: “Despite there being a while to go until the summer transfer window opens, supporters of Premier League clubs are already getting excited at the prospect of the world’s best talents signing for their clubs, so we decided to put this to the test and ask them which players they would prioritise as their number one targets.
Kalidou Kouliably was picked as the number one transfer target by Manchester City fans in our poll, with 46% saying they’d like Pep Guardiola to sign him up. They might receive some competition from across the city, as Manchester United are also rumoured to be interested alongside Chelsea and Liverpool.
Jadon Sancho was picked by 29% of supporters, while his Borussia Dortmund team mate Achraf Hakimi received 15% of the votes. Raul Jimenez was selected by 11% of fans, as there have been rumours the Mexican could make his move from Wolves to City.”
MAN UTD FANS PICK SANCHO AS PRIORITY SIGNING
Sporting Index poll reveals 70% of United supporters select Borussia Dortmund winger as number one transfer target
Wednesday 24th June, 2020 Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho has been picked as the number one transfer target for Manchester United fans, according to a poll from betting firm Sporting Index, which surveyed over 2,000 fans from the club.
Wednesday 24th June, 2020 Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho has been picked as the number one transfer target for Manchester United fans, according to a poll from betting firm Sporting Index, which surveyed over 2,000 fans from the club.
The England international has been a revelation for the Bundesliga giants since swapping Manchester for Dortmund in 2017, and he’s now been touted for a move back to the north west by signing for his former club’s city rivals, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer supposedly leading the way for his signature.
And Red Devils fans have backed that move, with 70% of supporters saying he is their preferred number one signing. Napoli centre back Kalidou Koulibaly, who has been linked with a move to Manchester City, is next on the list with 11% of votes, while Ajax’s Donny van de Beek has 10% and Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz on 9%.
Neville Burdock, Head of Trading at Sporting Index, said: “Despite there being a while to go until the summer transfer window opens, supporters of Premier League clubs are already getting excited at the prospect of the world’s best talents signing for their clubs, so we decided to put this to the test and ask them which players they would prioritise as their number one targets.
“Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho was picked as the number one transfer target by Manchester United fans in our poll, with 70% saying they’d like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to secure his services. They might receive some competition from across the city, as Manchester City are also rumoured to be interested in taking him back to where he started his career.
NO PARTEY NO PARTY FOR ARSENAL FANS
Sporting Index poll reveals 70% of United supporters select Borussia Dortmund winger as number one transfer target
Wednesday 24th June, 2020 Atletico Madrid defensive midfielder Thomas Partey has been picked as the number one transfer target for Arsenal fans, according to a poll from betting firm Sporting Index, which surveyed nearly 2,000 fans from the club.
Wednesday 24th June, 2020 Atletico Madrid defensive midfielder Thomas Partey has been picked as the number one transfer target for Arsenal fans, according to a poll from betting firm Sporting Index, which surveyed nearly 2,000 fans from the club.
The 27-year old Ghanaian international has been a force to be reckoned with in the La Liga side’s engine room, and he’s now been touted for a move to the Premier League, with Mikel Arteta supposedly leading the way for his signature.
And Gunners fans have backed that move, with 49% of supporters saying he is their preferred signing. RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano is next on the list, with 41% voting for him, while 7% picked out of contract Bournemouth winger and Scotland international Ryan Fraser. PSG left back, who has been linked with Arsenal, received just under 4% of the vote.
Neville Burdock, Head of Trading at Sporting Index, said: “Despite there being a while to go until the summer transfer window opens, supporters of Premier League clubs are already getting excited at the prospect of the world’s best talents signing for their clubs, so we decided to put this to the test and ask them which players they would prioritise as their number one targets.
“It’s clear Arsenal need someone to slot into their midfield to protect the back four, and Gunners fans picked Thomas Partey as the man to fulfil that role as their number one transfer target, with 49% saying they’d like Mikel Arteta to sign him.
“RB Leipzig centre back Dayot Upamecano could make a move to the Premier League this summer, and he was selected by 41% of Gunners fans, as it looks like they are prioritising defence over attack in the transfer window.
DETTORI 11/4 FOR DOUBLE GROUP 1 GLORY
Leading jockey 25/1 for historic Oaks, Derby and Eclipse treble
Tuesday 30th June, 2020 Frankie Dettori is just 11/4 to bag two Group 1 prizes this weekend, with Sporting Index giving punters the chance to predict the correct number of top-level wins the Italian will partner.
Tuesday 30th June, 2020 Frankie Dettori is just 11/4 to bag two Group 1 prizes this weekend, with Sporting Index giving punters the chance to predict the correct number of top-level wins the Italian will partner.
Dettori gets the leg up on 9/4 Oaks second favourite Frankly Darling and 9/4 Derby favourite English King at Epsom Downs on Saturday, before riding 6/5 market leader for the Eclipse, Enable, at Sandown on Sunday.
Sporting Index make it 5/2 that Frankie goes home empty-handed, evens that he rides exactly one Group 1 winner, 11/4 for two and 25/1 he makes it a clean sweep.
Charles Hitchings, Head of Racing at Sporting Index, said: “The high-class racing action is coming thick and fast at the moment and Frankie Dettori is the man getting his hands on all the top rides.
“If anything is to get past Love in the Oaks, then it could be impressive Royal Ascot winner Frankly Darling, while Frankie partners the jolly in both the Derby and the Eclipse.
“As ever, Frankie will have his legions of followers and it’s a juicy 25/1 that he manages a historic Oaks, Derby, Eclipse treble in the space of just two days.