I hereby declare that I am a man of faith. I believe that Moses parted the Red Sea. I am throughly determined that the 5,000 were fed from a basket of bread and a few fishes. I even believe that Darren Bent can score 15 goals this season to propel Sunderland clear of a Premier League relegation scrap. But England to rescue the Ashes? Faithless pragmatism rules where that one is concerned.
Here's the way I see it. England needed at least 450 in their first innings to stand any chance of victory. Even then they would have been reliant upon the Aussies suffering some sort of batting collapse.
As it is, Strauss' boys (for boys they appear to be), were bowled out for 332. I reckon the Aussies will match that for the loss of four or five wickets. Flintoff is physically incapable of bowling at any sort of intensity over a prolonged period. Harmison is destined to put in an indifferent and largely ineffective display on the Oval pitch. Swann, meanwhile, would struggle to find bamboozling spin if he was riding the waltzer at the local fairground and Broad's form simply does not inspire confidence.
Expect plenty of galling antipodean gloating before the weekend is out. At least we have York.
Speaking of old Eboracum (that's the Roman name for York if you didn't know), I reckon Forgotten Voice is a ridiculously short-priced favourite at 2/1 in the 2.15pm. He is espcially short when you consider the price available for Dream Lodge. James Given's gelding defeated Forgotten Voice on the same terms over a mile at Doncaster and was a relatively unlucky fourth under top-weight in a 10-furlong handicap here on Tuesday. He is available at 20/1! I know which one I'd be looking at backing.
Mind you, I can't take my eyes off old Lord Admiral. This is not a great Group Three and Charles O'Brien's veteran is one of only two performers proven in Pattern company. The other is Russian Sage. He's a South African Derby winner but I'm always a touch wary of South African Group One form transferring to England. My concern is that there won't be enough pace on up front for Lord Admiral's trademark late rattle to the line but it's worth risking at 12/1.
As value seems to be the order of the day, what about the 9/1 available for last year's winner Borderlescott in the Nunthorpe Stakes at 3.25pm? Maybe I'm letting sentiment get in the way but surely he'll be in the first three. Kingsgate Native is obviously the horse to beat but another to consider is Art Connoisseur. He pulled like a train to the start of the July Cup at Newmarket last time. The race was over for him before he was loaded into the stalls and he can be forgiven that subsequent poor effort. He's a Group One winner and he's 16/1!
As I've said before, I'm not a tipster, so don't berate me for failing to pin my colours to one mast.
Oh, what the hell. Keep the faith - Borderlescott!
Here's the way I see it. England needed at least 450 in their first innings to stand any chance of victory. Even then they would have been reliant upon the Aussies suffering some sort of batting collapse.
As it is, Strauss' boys (for boys they appear to be), were bowled out for 332. I reckon the Aussies will match that for the loss of four or five wickets. Flintoff is physically incapable of bowling at any sort of intensity over a prolonged period. Harmison is destined to put in an indifferent and largely ineffective display on the Oval pitch. Swann, meanwhile, would struggle to find bamboozling spin if he was riding the waltzer at the local fairground and Broad's form simply does not inspire confidence.
Expect plenty of galling antipodean gloating before the weekend is out. At least we have York.
Speaking of old Eboracum (that's the Roman name for York if you didn't know), I reckon Forgotten Voice is a ridiculously short-priced favourite at 2/1 in the 2.15pm. He is espcially short when you consider the price available for Dream Lodge. James Given's gelding defeated Forgotten Voice on the same terms over a mile at Doncaster and was a relatively unlucky fourth under top-weight in a 10-furlong handicap here on Tuesday. He is available at 20/1! I know which one I'd be looking at backing.
Mind you, I can't take my eyes off old Lord Admiral. This is not a great Group Three and Charles O'Brien's veteran is one of only two performers proven in Pattern company. The other is Russian Sage. He's a South African Derby winner but I'm always a touch wary of South African Group One form transferring to England. My concern is that there won't be enough pace on up front for Lord Admiral's trademark late rattle to the line but it's worth risking at 12/1.
As value seems to be the order of the day, what about the 9/1 available for last year's winner Borderlescott in the Nunthorpe Stakes at 3.25pm? Maybe I'm letting sentiment get in the way but surely he'll be in the first three. Kingsgate Native is obviously the horse to beat but another to consider is Art Connoisseur. He pulled like a train to the start of the July Cup at Newmarket last time. The race was over for him before he was loaded into the stalls and he can be forgiven that subsequent poor effort. He's a Group One winner and he's 16/1!
As I've said before, I'm not a tipster, so don't berate me for failing to pin my colours to one mast.
Oh, what the hell. Keep the faith - Borderlescott!
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