Tuesday Preview

The crushing way that Barcelona won the Champions League final on Saturday will have sent a shiver down the spines of every coach and football director of all the major clubs in Europe, about the task at hand to try to overhaul the newly-crowned champs next year. Starting with the knocked-out Red Devils, who must still be wondering what hit them at Wembley.

For, it is really a case of having not just been beaten, but badly stream-rolled twice in the space of three years by the Blaugrana; committing the same mistakes twice is a very rare occurrence for Sir Alex and his team. Even if today Evra aired his wishes to meet Barcelona again in next year's final, you do feel that they look to have a huge mental block to overcome against the mighty European champions. But things can easily change in a year's time, who knows?

But the real difference on Saturday was Lionel Messi. He's the one that puts them on a level that no other club can hope reaching. Without him, maybe Man Utd could have played a bit like their usual selves on Saturday. But with him being omni present on the other side, they were running scared every time he touched the ball. The Spaniards could easily have put 5 against a defence touted as the best in Europe. I hope the hunger for more trophies remains for Messi and co because the threads of a Dynasty could be sewn at this moment.

So long football and back to racing where the countdown to the Derby has started. Ballydoyle has announced its jockey assignments and it is interesting to see that Kieren Fallon is riding again for his former employers. He in fact rejected the ride on Native Khan in favour of Recital. I am a little miffed by the jockey arrangements going on at Ballydoyle at the present. Since Johnny Murtagh left the permanent post, there has been a rotation of jockeys on the top horses in the yard, and champion jockey Ryan Moore has played a major role in filling the vacant spot. I'm questioning the rationale in having him riding So You Think, arguably their flag bearer, when he's mainly attached to ride Michael's Stoute premier performers such as Workforce etc. Would he have the luxury to choose if those 2 superstars were to clash? I would have thought that Stoute would have the first call on Moore, but who knows? Obviously, a few years ago, Ballydoyle got Dettori to ride (and win) on Scorpion in the St Leger, and Godolphin was clearly not too pleased. Frankie had to make it clear that it would never happen again! Anyway, I'm still keeping tabs on Pour Moi for the Epsom Classic.

Tomorrow Tuesday, I like Right To Dream in the 16:15 race at Leicester. The Oasis Dream colt stayed on for 3rd on his debut ten days ago at 6 furlongs. That run should have brought him on and I see him being in the first 3. Probably another contender is Universal from Godolphin who was an eye-catching 4th on his debut a fortnight ago. I recommend Right To Dream as a Place, and Universal seems a good value for a Place if at odds-against.

Place: Right To Dream