THE BERNIE THE BOOK COLUMN RAHM TO SUP FROM CLARET JUG -


SINNER TO AVENGE PARIS HEARTBREAK


But first a question: What do sports fans do when there’s no footy? Answer: there is no meaningful length of time without it!! Even the off season is taken up with World Cup qualifiers, international friendlies and the FIFA Club World Cup, when traditionally our underpaid and over massaged superstars should be relaxing on a beach. Now don’t get me wrong, I have no great affection for their murmurings and gripes, but there are bound to be burnouts and season long injuries, and, as a Man City fan, woe betide FIFA if Rodri comes back crocked from this latest money spinning venture in America.


I digress! Football aside, two seminal events happen in July, Wimbledon and the Open. We will visit SW19 later, but first port of call is Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. A course made for McIlroy and Lowry who have both played the course innumerable times. But trusting Rory after his burnout and motivational con- fessions is fraught with danger and as for Lowry, while undoubtedly he has chances, he would need it to be blowing a gale for him to truly challenge.


Notwithstanding the elements, I don’t see an Ameri- can challenge, despite Scottie Scheffler (putting too risky) being the favourite, Xander (just returning to form but still a long way off last year) or any of the other target golf minions, I see the winner coming from Europe or possibly South Africa, they are more used to links conditions.


Chief among them is JOHN RAHM, who is returning to the imperious best of his pre LIV days, and at a universal 14/1, I think he represents decent value. My other three picks at fancy prices are, Robert McIn- tyre (25/1),Tommy Fleetwood (28/1) and Ludwig Aberg at 20/1. Rather than back each way, why not consider a Yankee on the 4 in the Top LIV, Scot, UK and Continental Europe markets, as all layers will be offering prices


WIMBLEDON


Time for some Pimms! And the obligatory straw- berries and cream. What’s that you say? £50!!! for a drink and a bit of fruit?? Better pick the winner then. The French merely confirmed the next decade is


PHTM JULY 2025


going to belong to Alcaraz and Sinner in much the same way as the last decade belonged to Novak and Djokovic!!! The new order is here. Going for a three- peat (as the Yanks would say) is Carlos who is certainly happy on the grass, but on this occasion I think it is time for JANNIK SINNER to confirm his No 1 status on a surface that best suits his game in much the same way as the Djok before him swept all comers away (Fed Express not withstanding)


Fancy prices are available on the field but it is hard to imagine any player coming past the big two to lift the crown although grass court experts such as Berrentini, Fritz and Paul should be backed in Accas


As to the women… the old guard is changing, but more slowly in the Women’s and it must be galling for the Women’s No.1 to have lost the last two Grand Slam finals to Coco and Madison. She makes no appeal on her least favoured surface at 11/4. Neither do Gauff or Keys. Wimbledon has a habit of unearthing a future World Champion and I like the look of MIRRA ANDREEVA at a juicy 12/1. My second against the field is young American AMANDA ANISIMOVA at double carpet..(that’s 33/1 for those not au fait with tic -tac )


AND NOW TO THE FOOTY…


Yey!! The fixtures are out for next (this) season. One thing is apparent and that’s just like the last two seasons, the three promoted clubs are the bookies favourites to go straight back down. It has happened twice running now and merely accentuates the gulf between the big bucks premier league and the rest of the soccer pyramid.


I will give my ante-post predictions for all four divisions next month, but, in the meantime, I think there is fruit to be picked in the shape of the relegation market. And sorry fans of BRENTFORD, but with no Frank at the helm, and no Mbeuno providing the goals, I can see only one outcome and that’s the 11/2 voucher for their relegation in my pocket, especially as Leeds United are serious about consolidating.


More next month Good punting


Bernie the Book 71


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