Happy 50th to me

Good afternoon racing fans. I hope you all had a good weekend despite the controversy that surrounded Sunday's Irish Derby.

After backing Curtain Call each-way at odds of 16/1, I thought I was quids in until the mental Alessandro Volta took my pick out of the race.

Curtain Call was running well and in the mix but Volta got stage-fright and was lucky to hang onto fourth place. I'm still seething and the sooner we move on the better.

Today is a special occassion as my next pick marks my 50th bet. To celebrate, I'm going to place £30 on Green Lagonda to win (Windsor 7.10pm).

Odds of 7/4 is good value and a great way to start the week. Good luck with your betting and drop me a line if you have anything to say.

All-time record: Bets 49; Winners 14; Losers 34; Non-runners 1; Profit £430.68.

Football transfer rumours - your view

Quench your thirst for transfer rumours right here every morning as we take you through the tabloid tales during the summer. Here's the gossip for Saturday, July 12:

- Manchester United have made an official £20m bid for Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov (Sun, Star & Daily Mail).

- Arsenal have made a last-gasp bid to hijack Liverpool's stalled purchase of Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry (The Sun).

- Martin O'Neill is set to tie up USA No.2 goalkeeper Brad Guzan, 24, from MLS side Chivas after work permit problems were ironed out (The Sun).

- Wigan are the latest club linked with Everton striker Andy Johnson (The Sun).

- QPR have made an audacious bid for 32-year-old Real Madrid defender Michel Salgado (Daily Star).

- Premier League newcomers Stoke are ready to splash £4m on Reading striker Dave Kitson (Daily Star).

- Sunderland are targeting 6ft 5in Steaua Bucharest defender Dorin Golan for £2.5m (Daily Mirror).

Check out all the completed deals deals so far.

Now it's your turn to let us know your rumours. Who will your club will be signing this summer? Any inside gossip to share? Spotted Ronaldinho in your local boozer? Add all your transfer whispers by using the boxes below.

Please note that users who add abusive or libellous comments, or post under multiple identities, will be banned from the site.

Euro 2008 team of the tournament...Your view

After Spain's triumph at the European Championships, we’ve decided to pick out our team of the tournament.

It’s been a tough selection process with some big stars dropped in favour of a few hidden gems who have shone throughout the last three weeks.

But who do you think should make the best XI? Have we missed anyone from our team? Which changes would you make?

Name your team of the tournament and ridicule ours in the boxes below.

Curtain Call the answer

Afternoon everyone, hope you've had a good betting week.

It's been very quiet after Royal Ascot, but we've got two Derby's this weekend - firstly the Pitman's Derby - as a most know it the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle as well as the Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday.

I'm going to stick with Curtain Call in the Irish Derby because I feel Jamie Spencer gave Luca Cumani's three-year-old no kind of ride at Epsom and I reckon he's much better than that.

The 16/1 is a solid each-way price and I'm going to have £10 each-way at that price. If the horse drifts in the market on Sunday I'd also consider backing it again, becuase with Fran Berry in the saddle it should finish in the first three.

Good luck with your betting this weekend.

I'd also like to wish Charlie Mann the best of luck with his annual charity golf day on Monday - if I could remember where it's taking place I'd give it a plug - but I can't. Anyway hope you raise plenty of money and I know some of the proceeds are going to the Robert Alner fund.

All-time record: Bets 48; Winners 14; Losers 33; Non-runners 1; Profit £450.68.

Nelson's Column: A worrying state of affairs

The news that 50% of all the professional cricketers in England would consider ditching international cricket to play in the IPL is confirmation of the fears many of us held when the Indian extravaganza was first announced.

It is truly shocking for the future of the game that the true test of a cricketer's ability should be usurped by the razzmatazz of a 20-over slog.

What is cricket without the supreme Test achievements of men like Sir Don Bradman, Sir Viv Richards, Sir Garfield Sobers, Brian Lara, Shane Warne and the rest? None of these will be remembered for their limited overs or Twenty20 ability. Furthermore, not one of today's players would be real stars without first showing their class in the ultimate form of the game.

Would the luminaries listed above have allowed their heads to be turned by the prospect of mega bucks? Probably, nay certainly. But not at the expense of Test cricket. And that is the crux of the problem here.

The two games have to work alongside each other. Twenty20 has attracted new fans and is often thrilling entertainment, but it cannot take precedence over Test cricket. The authorities must make pronouncements that back up this view, otherwise cricket, led by the cash-hungry Indian Cricket Board, will drown in its own indulgence.

F1 gossip column... Your view

Here's this week's second installment of intriguing gossip and rumours from our resident F1 expert.

His lead rumour this week claims the FIA have found a possible replacement for Max Mosley. To find out who the man is - and to read the rest of this week's rumours - click here.

In the meantime, send in your views on these rumours and any other stories you've picked up on using the boxes below.

Two out of Three Ain't Bad

Morning everyone, a winning end to Royal Ascot with 7/4 favourite Honolulu crowning a fine week for trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Johnny Murtagh and a few of you out there I hope.

Burlington Bertie's weekend fancy (Honolulu) added another £35 (£20 win at starting price advised) to the pot and was my third winner of the meeting.

Elsewhere at Hereford, I advsied Charlie Mann's Red Admiral, which won at 13/8, while Cortinas 100/30 just missed out - finishing second - so as Meatloaf once said 'Two out of three ain't bad'...

Some sad news in the world of horse racing over the weekend following the death of bookmaker Freddie Williams, who passed away aged 65.

Known in the ring at 'Fearless Freddie' he was in his element at the Cheltenham Festival laying six figure bets from legendary punter JP McManus.

After the glitz and glamour of Royal Ascot the racing this week is best described as decidedly average, but it might just pay to follow Defies Logic at Great Leighs on Thursday should it run.

Good luck with your betting, if you have any thoughts on racing or betting drop me an email.   

All-time record: Bets 48; Winners 14; Losers 33; Non-runners 1; Profit £450.68.

A step back for Khan...Your views

Amir Khan may have extended his unbeaten record after a 5th round TKO victory last night over Michael Gomez but the Bolton youngster provided more questions rather than answers with regards to his world title aspirations.

I’m not criticising Khan’s ability. He boasts phenomenal hand-speed, an incredible physique and possesses lethal accuracy with his punches. He is only 21-years-old and is by no means the finished article. However, he was almost beaten in Birmingham by an over-the-hill fighter, who despite having heart and experience, should have been no challenge for Khan.

The Olympic silver medallist looked in great shape after dominating the first round but was soon floored by what I would describe as nothing more than a 'slap'. Gomez’s left hook was hardly lethal yet it still had enough power to put Khan on the deck.

Gomez sensed blood and Khan was again in trouble early in the fourth when he was caught by a crunching body shot before recovering to seal the win when the referee was forced to stop the bout.

Fight won for Khan who proved his resilience but if he is struggling against spoon-fed opponents like Gomez and Willie Limond, he is simply not ready to even consider a world title shot.

This victory was not a step forward for Khan. If anything it was a step back. Khan struggled on the inside and needs at least three more fights before he begins to hunt for a world title. If Khan were to face somebody like Manny Pacquiao at this stage of his career, he would get destroyed.

Luckily for Khan, Frank Warren knows he’s not ready and we won’t see Khan in a ring with fighters such as Pacquiao for a while yet. The kid has great potential but there is still plenty of work to be done. I have no doubts that one day he will be a great fighter. However, that day looks to be further away than Khan and others initially anticipated.

What did you make of Khan’s performance? Do you think he is ready for a world title challenge? Pull no punches an let me know all your thoughts in the boxes below.

Wimbledon...Your views

Grab your strawberries from the fridge, add some cream and get ready to watch non-stop tennis over the next two weeks.

It’s that time when British fans gather on Murray Mount (not quite the same ring as Henman Hill) to cheer on the fiery Scot but will he excel or collapse under the pressure?

One thing guaranteed to fall is the rain. The umbrellas will be up during the tournament which means we’ll be treated to some classic tennis from the past between some of the greatest players to grace the court.

But who do you think is the best Wimbledon champion of all-time? Do you agree with our number one choice of Martina Navratilova? Is there anybody we missed from our list?

Plus, who’s your money on at SW19? Can Federer win a sixth successive title or will Nadal finally triumph on grass? The women’s tournament is less predictable with a string of ladies in with a shout of being crowned champion.

Tell us who you think the greatest Wimbledon champion is of all time, add your volley of thoughts and serve us your predictions for this year’s tournament by filling in the boxes below.

Honolulu set to score?

Afternoon everyone, well I hope you're having more luck than me today.

Jim Bolger has been the man to follow at Royal Ascot with two winners after the first three races.

Neither selection All The Aces nor Modern Look troubled the judge on a disappointing afternoon for me.

Looking ahead to Saturday's final day of the Royal meeting, I going to have £20 win on Honolulu at the starting price in the Queen Alexandra Stakes (5.35pm).

Trained by the genius Aidan O'Brien hopefully I should end the week showing a little profit.

Elsewhere on Sunday keep an eye out for Red Admiral in the opening race at Hereford. The former Godolphin inmate should win for the Charlie Mann stable. It could be a good afternoon for Mann's yard who later saddle Cortinas in the 3.30pm.

Good luck if you're having a bet.

All-time record: Bets 47; Winners 13; Losers 33; Non-runners 1; Profit £415.68.