FRIDAY: WORLD CUP and ROYAL ASCOT preview

[dropcap]S[/dropcap]tar Sports tweeted this morning that England are 8/1 to qualify from the Group D of death.

Rearrange these three words…..

STRAWS – AT – CLUTCHING

There’s still a chance of course. It’s not THAT hard, surely, to envisage a win for Italy against Costa Rica later today and then against Uruguay plus a win for England against Costa Rica. There are probably worse 8/1 shots in a year – but even if they pulled off the Houdini it is hard to see England getting much further on what we have seen to date.

There’s also the problem of tactics. A draw will suit both Italy and Costa Rica today (5pm, BBC) in a match likely to be played in soaring temperatures in Recife and I can’t see many goals (if any) going in.

Plenty of passing no doubt, but both teams may be so pre-occupied with avoiding defeat that they will lack the inclination to score.

So it’s a draw for me at 100/30 with Star Sports.

At Royal Ascot I like My Titania in the Coronation Stakes at 4.25.

John Oxx has always held the filly in the highest regard and she now gets her ground and she has been well backed already with Star Sports this morning.

A Group 3 winner as a two-year-old, she missed the Guineas at Newmarket because of a dirty scope and also the Irish equivalent because of the soft ground which won’t be a problem today and hopefully patience will be rewarded.

A profit yesterday for the column thanks to Leading Light – onwards and upwards!

RECOMMENDED BET (scale of 1-50 points)

10 points My Titania (4.25 Royal Ascot) at around 100/30 with Star Sports

3 points DRAW Italy v Costa Rica at around 100/30 with Star Sports

WORLD CUP RETURNS SO FAR: PROFIT 15.46 POINTS

What’s your view? CALL STAR SPORTS 08000 521 321