Weekend Review: Smiling Scots, a new Frankel and influencer boxing fill Premier League gap

The doldrums on the international break saw the bookies enjoy a slew of low-scoring European ties and a quote, unquote ‘boxing’ event on Saturday evening.

England snuck past Australia 1-0 at Wembley on Friday evening in a dour display thanks to a tap-in from Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.

The lack of goals theme followed; Spain could only beat Norway 1-0 on Sunday evening while Czechia replicated the scoreline against minnows Faroe Islands after Tomas Soucek tucked away a penalty.

A 1-1 draw between Poland and Moldova also made it a stellar Sunday for the layers, while Scots were also smiling after Spain’s win in Oslo meant the Tartan Army will be heading to Euro 2024 next summer.

There was also joy for the other Home Nations as Northern Ireland breezed past San Marino 3-0 while Wales chalked up a famous win, beating Croatia 2-1 in Cardiff.

Kindred Group’s Ali Gill said: “Another international break rolls around, and we have to sit patiently and wait for club football to return.

“The weekend round of qualifiers for the Euros were a relatively layer-friendly affair which kept the traders here happy.

“Norway only shipping one to Spain was actually our best result in the book across the match round, with Czechia only putting one past Faroe Islands in another result of the exact same nature for us. Wales beating Croatia, and Poland only managing a draw with Moldova, were two more great results for us,” he added.

Elsewhere, in horseracing, it was a tough fight between the layers and backers at Newmarket.

The Shunter, a 14/1 shot trained by Emmet Mullins, continued Irish dominance in the Cesarewitch Handicap.

In what was only his sixth run on the Flat, James Doyle rode the 10-year-old to victory despite a late charge from Pied Piper and a strong showing from 25/1 runner Tashkaan under top weight.

Meanwhile, Aidan O’Brien-trained City of Troy earned some remarkable comparisons to Frankel after a sumptuous display in the Dewhurst Stakes.

The favourite, running at 8/15, won by three-and-a-half lengths ahead of 6/1 shot Alyanaabi.

The two-year-old has already had its odds cut to between evens and 5/4 for next year’s 2,000 Guineas after making it three wins from three in his career.

Gill said: “It was Cesarewitch day at Newmarket on Saturday, with the race going the way of 14/1 shot The Shunter. Not unbacked on the day, overall, the race was as close as can be called a draw between backers and layers.

“However, the Dewhurst earlier in the day went the way of City of Troy, who put up a mighty performance that has drawn more than one or two comparisons with the legendary Frankel. Even at short odds, punters had well and truly latched on and that went very much to the punters.”

Betfred’s Alan Firkins confirmed it was a rough week for the bookie on Saturday. He said: “We got thoroughly pasted in general on the racing front on Saturday – 41% of UK and Irish favs did the business, there were trebles for in-form pair Charlie Appleby and Will Buick, and four of Fred’s legendary shop ‘pushes’ obliged including a 9/2 shot that was returned at 2/1. Betfred punters were in clover.”

At the Rugby World Cup, an Owen Farrell drop goal spared English blushes as they made the semi-final stage while France, Ireland and Wales all faltered.

Gill said: “In France at the Rugby World Cup, an England team dominant for much of the match against Fiji, found themselves pegged right back at the business end as Fiji pulled things level, but an Owen Farrell drop goal just about saw them through.

“It was our only losing result across the quarter-final stage, as the Home Nations and hosts France all departed at the last eight stage, leaving us in the black on each occasion.”

In a weekend extravaganza of egg-shaped balls, Wigan won the Betfred Super League Grand Final 10-2 against Catalans Dragons.

Firkins said: “Wigan took the Betfred Super League Grand Final 10-2, justifying favouritism against Catalans Dragons at Old Trafford, and erasing bitter memories of their 8-4 loss to St Helens back in 2020. Meanwhile, in a great week for the Warriors, their versatile back Bevan French has been named the 2023 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel.”

Finally, Saturday night saw Love Island contestant and professional boxer Tommy Fury face off against YouTube star KSI in front of a packed Manchester Arena crowd.

Cross-over boxing events have long drawn ire from professionals and pursuits alike, but the appetite is evidently there for this type of contest.

Fury won on points as the fight went the full six rounds, with KSI receiving plaudits for going toe-to-toe with an unbeaten professional fighter.

While the decision was controversial, with Fury being deducted a point in the second round, KSI will be looking to get back to winning ways after taking his first ever loss.

Kindred Group’s Gill remarked: “The big ‘boxing’ card over the weekend ended up being largely as controversial as was long ago pre-planned, with Tommy Fury’s win over KSI climbing to the number one position for boxing events in the last 12 months. Punters went the other way with that one and we finished nicely ahead.”