Clayton Douglas, based in Mornington, is embracing the increased demands of his role after recently taking over the reins at the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable.

The Freedman father-and-son training team were sidelined for 28 days last month following the conclusion of an inquiry into an accidental race-day treatment.

Douglas has stepped into the role of ‘caretaker’ trainer and has seen his stable numbers double, humorously remarking, ‘I was born for this’.

While he manages the Freedman horses, his own have not been neglected. His Everest winner, Giga Kick, is in training and is being prepared for a first-up tilt at the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Sandown in September.

With Giga Kick taking pride of place in the Douglas stable, the focus shifts to Mr Waterville as the jumps season draws to a close.

Douglas, who has previously won the Grand National Hurdle as a jockey, has the prestigious race on the agenda for Mr Waterville at Sandown next month. A part of the jumper’s program includes the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) at Flemington this Saturday.

Mr Waterville, a winner of the Australian Hurdle at Sandown in May, has been a standout performer over the jumps this campaign, and Douglas believes the gelding can perform well on the flat this Saturday.

In his most recent flat race, Mr Waterville finished eighth over 2540m at Flemington on June 20. When previously trained by Chris Waller, who retains a share in the gelding’s ownership, he secured a second-place finish in a 2800m contest on Melbourne Cup Day.

“He’ll have a little tick over run on Saturday before he runs in the National,” Douglas said.

“The 2800 (metres) at Flemington will suit him. He ran really well there over the 2500 (metres) last time and he’s been a good performer over the 2800 at Flemington before.

“He ran second at that distance on Cup Day, so we know the trip will be no problem, and for what we’ve seen on the flat recently, I’m sure he might be one of the chances, especially with no weight on his back.”

With two significant prize money races on offer to conclude the jumps season in Victoria, Douglas is considering his options for Mr Waterville.

The $250,000 Grand National Hurdle (4200m) appears to be a strong target, while the $350,000 Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) at Ballarat on August 16 is also being contemplated.

“He’s had a long preparation, but the jumping has been the trick to getting him going,” Douglas explained.

“He’s been able to get some good prize money in the last eight weeks and hopefully he can keep going towards some of the bigger jump’s races.

“There’s the Grand National Hurdle on August 2 and then we’ll just sum things up, but there is a chance he may switch into the Grand National Steeplechase a fortnight later.

“I am mindful it is his first jumping campaign, and I’d love to get him back down to Warrnambool to win a Brierly or the Grand Annual next year with him.

“I think we took the sting out of him in the Lafferty (over jumps most recently when second) by backing him up seven days after his Flemington run, so he might go into the National Hurdle a little bit fresher.”

Betting markets for the Grand National Hurdle are available at betting sites.

France star Rayan Cherki has refused to blame the officiating for his side’s defeat in the FIFA World Cup semi-final against Spain. Les Bleus failed in their bid to reach a third successive final, losing 2-0 against the Spanish side in Dallas.

Cherki spoke to reporters after the game, turning away from blaming the referee for his side’s disappointing performance. He pointed out that the problem was that his team failed to play to their full potential, while their opponents had no such problems.

“It’s a big disappointment. It’s not about the ref. We didn’t play the football we’re used to play; while Spain did”, he said (via @FabrizioRomano on X).

Rayan Cherki was a second half substitute for France as he made his sixth appearance of the FIFA World Cup, all of which have come off the bench. He replaced Michael Olise after 72 minutes as Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps sought to spark a response from his team.

Cherki was asked about the referee because Deschamps, in his own post-match media engagement, had questioned the qualifications of the referee to officiate a match of this magnitude. The midfielder disagreed with his coach, preferring to admit that the team itself did not perform at the level that was required to win.

France were favourites heading into the clash due to their impressive record in the first six games of the tournament, as they had won all six. They came undone against Spain, who beat them in a third successive semi-final, having done so in Euro 2024 and the UEFA Nations League last summer.

France lose in bid to reach third successive FIFA World Cup final

France have failed in their attempt to reach the final of the FIFA World Cup for a third successive edition. Les Bleus fell to a 2-0 defeat against Spain, who have now extended their unbeaten run to 37 games.

La Roja took the lead after 22 minutes, when Lamine Yamal won a penalty off Lucas Digne. Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up and dispatched the penalty, scoring his fifth goal of the tournament for Spain.

France tried but failed to match the quality on show from Luis de la Fuente’s side, and they doubled their advantage in the 58th minute. A well-worked passing move saw them go from back to front with precision, and Pedro Porro slid a finish beyond Mike Maignan for his second goal of the tournament.

Les Bleus largely failed to trouble their opponents, succumbing to a demoralizing defeat in Dallas.