Lethal Lawrence Shankland popped up with a stoppage-time winner as in-form Hearts defeated Hibernian 1-0 in a tense Edinburgh derby at Easter Road to tighten their grip on third place in the cinch Premiership.
The game looked on course to end goalless after both Shankland and Hibs forward Martin Boyle missed early penalties.
But the talismanic Jambos skipper sparked jubilation among the visiting support in the third minute of stoppage time when he notched his 16th goal of the season to secure a third consecutive clean-sheet victory for the Tynecastle side.
Hibs manager Nick Montgomery made three changes to the side that lost 1-0 at St Johnstone as Paul Hanlon, Jimmy Jeggo, Elie Youan dropped out to make way for Rocky Bushiri, Joe Newell and Josh Campbell.
There were also three alterations to the Hearts team that started Saturday’s 2-0 win over St Mirren as Craig Halkett, Yutaro Oda and Barrie McKay were replaced by Stephen Kingsley, Calem Nieuwenhof and Alan Forrest.
The Jambos were handed the chance to open the scoring in the fifth minute when they were awarded a penalty following a VAR review after Bushiri was deemed to have handled the ball, while trying to head clear Cochrane’s long throw into the box. Shankland saw his low penalty strike the outside of David Marshall’s right-hand post.
Hibs then had the opportunity to punish Hearts’ top scorer for his profligacy from the spot when they won a spot-kick in the 14th minute after Dylan Vente’s goalbound shot was blocked by the flailing hand of Kye Rowles on the edge of the six-yard box. However, Zander Clark did superbly to get down to his right and push Boyle’s effort on to the post.
The hosts enjoyed the bulk of the pressure for the remainder of the first half, but Rowles made a couple of crucial blocks to stop a Vente header and then a Campbell shot, before Jair Tavares saw a ferocious effort deflected over by Aidan Denholm.
Hibs suffered a blow seven minutes after the break when Josh Campbell was carried off the pitch on a stretcher after injuring himself while trying to tackle Beni Baningime. Youan came on in his place.
Hearts substitute Kenneth Vargas was presented with a decent chance in the 68th minute following a loose pass by Lewis Miller, but the Costa Rican fired just over from 20 yards out.
At the other end, Clark had to produce another couple of impressive saves to deny Vente and Tavares.
Hibs keeper Marshall then thwarted Shankland after the Jambos captain got himself away from Bushiri, but the Hearts forward was not to be denied and he kept his cool to curl home a clinical, match-winning finish in stoppage time after finding himself space in the box following a long ball from Clark.
Livingston and St Johnstone battled to a goalless stalemate and a share of the spoils.
It was just a second point from a possible 33 for the home side, who have now failed to win in 11 games and are four points adrift at the foot of the cinch Premiership table.
With just two goals from their last 10 games, it was perhaps no surprise Livi failed to find a breakthrough during a poor 90 minutes.
For St Johnstone, the draw arrested back-to-back defeats and gives them eight points from a possible 18.
Livingston manager David Martindale named an attacking side as the home team attempted to improve their record of only one goal in their last nine games.
In a change of tactics, Bruce Anderson partnered Kurtis Guthrie in up front, while Joel Nouble was deployed as a right wing-back.
Saints boss Craig Levein was forced into four changes as his team looked to bounce back from successive league losses.
Fran Franczak and Ryan McGowan missed out through illness, while Chris Kane and Graham Carey were named on the bench following a demanding run of games.
Saints created the first chance after seven minutes although it was later called back for a foul.
Stevie May took the ball off Ayo Obileye and squared for Nicky Clark, but the striker was on the stretch and fired wide. Clark’s blushes, however, were spared by referee Kevin Clancy deciding May’s challenge on Obileye was illegal.
Livingston goalkeeper Shamal George, reinstated in the team after being dropped for the weekend’s defeat at Celtic, then spilled a simple ball along the deck, but both Clark and May failed to take advantage before the linesman’s flag was raised.
As the worst scorers in the Premiership, it should have come as no surprise that there was a shortage of chances at both ends.
Lions midfielder Scott Pittman at least had a shot from outside the box saved by Saints keeper Dimitar Mitov two minutes before the break.
Visiting manager Levein, who had earlier lost Max Kucheriavyi to injury, reshuffled his defence at the break, with the experienced Andy Considine being introduced in place of Tony Gallacher.
The game was desperately in need of a goal, but Mikey Devlin’s shot at the start of the second half was too straight to trouble Mitov.
Livi were on the attack again shortly after, but once more there was a lack of quality in the finish as Pittman blazed well wide after running onto a lofted pass.
On the hour mark, it was St Johnstone’s turn to pass up an opportunity.
The ball was deflected into the path of Clark 12 yards out, but he directed his half-volley straight at George.
With 18 minutes remaining, Saints thought they had finally broken the deadlock when Luke Robinson netted with a first-time shot from a low Clark cross.
But the assistant referee’s flag went up for offside and, after a delay, VAR agreed with the decision.
With time running out, Bruce Anderson fired wide for Livi before a shot from Saints substitute Sven Sprangler was blocked by Pittman.
Kilmarnock strengthened their grip on fourth place in the cinch Premiership as Marley Watkins’ goal sealed a 1-0 win away to St Mirren.
The first-half strike helped extend Derek McInnes’ side’s recent good run of form to four wins and a draw from their last five games.
In contrast, St Mirren are in the midst of a slump that has seen them win just once in seven games, Stephen Robinson’s men a shadow of the side that started the season in sparkling form.
Robinson made two changes from Saints’ weekend defeat to Hearts. In came James Bolton and Toyosi Olusunya, replacing Thierry Small and Alex Greive.
For Kilmarnock there was just once change following their win over St Johnstone, with Matty Kennedy replacing Liam Polworth.
The hosts had the first real chance of the game as Richard Taylor fizzed in a long-range effort that Will Dennis did well to hold onto.
St Mirren had the ball in the net after 14 minutes when Jonah Ayunga bundled it in after Dennis had saved Olusunya’s effort only for it to be chalked out for offside.
Killie took a while to get going and from one promising attack, Danny Armstrong swept his shot well off target.
It was the visitors, though, who went in front after 25 minutes. Kennedy played in Watkins and he finished well past Zach Hemming.
The home side responded with a low driven effort from Ayunga but it lacked the pace to trouble Dennis.
Kilmarnock were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position when Taylor brought down Armstrong and was booked. But Kennedy’s effort struck the defensive wall and trickled out for a corner.
At the other end, Dennis did well to repel Scott Tanser’s volley from just outside the box as St Mirren tried to get back into the contest.
After all the heavy rain earlier in the day, the surface was unsurprisingly slippery and Alex Gogic picked up a booking after losing his footing and inadvertently brought down Brad Lyons.
Greg Kiltie had the first chance of note in the second half but his looped effort was easily gathered by Dennis.
Robinson turned to his bench to try to gain some fresh impetus, sending on Mika Mandron and Conor McMenamin.
The Northern Ireland international nearly made an instant impact but his flashing effort flew across the face of goal with no takers in the middle.
Dennis then pulled off a brilliant save to tip Bolton’s header over the crossbar as St Mirren belatedly began to exert some pressure.
That was matched at the other end by a stunning Zach Hemming save to push away Rory McKenzie’s goal-bound volley as Killie racked up a precious away win.
A teary Luke Littler is daring to dream after he became the youngest player to reach the fourth round of the World Championship.
The 16-year-old has taken the Alexandra Palace tournament by storm and wowed an adoring crowd with a sensational performance to destroy Matt Campbell 4-1 in the last 32.
Littler, who won the World Youth Championship in November, will pocket a guaranteed £35,000 but will have his sights on lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy in what would be one of the greatest ever sporting stories.
He was emotional when hugging his mum after the game having kept his dream alive.
He said: “I started crying when I saw my mum in the crowd. She was nervous. I said to her, ‘The dream continues’. She said the same thing.”
Littler could meet his hero Raymond van Barneveld in the last 16 if the Dutchman can beat Jim Williams on Friday, but for now the teenager will treat himself to a shopping spree on Thursday.
“I will stay in the hotel, chill out tomorrow, treat myself to more shoes and pants, chill out and see who I play in the next round,” he said.
“It’s an overall good performance, it’s not like the first round. I’ve said I could win with the lowest average of the tournament, I’m just happy to get through.
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“I’ve got nothing to lose for myself, I’ve over-achieved again. Now I can just settle.
“My game is there (to win it) but I can settle even more, Jim or Raymond next, I’m just happy.
“If Raymond does beat Jim it would be unbelievable to play him and then win or lose against either of them I’m still happy to come out of the Worlds at the last 16, but I would love to go a few more games in.”
It is going to take something special to stop Littler as he is producing form which defies his tender age.
He averaged 97.19, threw eight 180s and produced three 100-plus checkouts, including a majestic 164 in the fifth set.
After disposing of Christian Kist and UK Open champion Andrew Gilding, the teenager returned home for Christmas where he sacrificed time on his Xbox after dinner for a practice session on the board.
And that paid dividends as he made an electric start, winning the first six legs to roar into a 2-0 lead.
Campbell, who returned home to Canada over the festive period before arriving back in the UK on Boxing Day, looked to have a foothold in the third set as he took the first two legs, but a relentless Littler reeled off the next three to move 3-0 up.
He had a match dart to seal a 4-0 whitewash but suffered a rare bout of inaccuracy, which allowed Campbell to get on the board.
Littler hit back in the fifth set, though, hitting two 100-plus checkouts on his way to sealing a famous win.
Chelsea needed an 89th-minute penalty from substitute Noni Madueke to edge past Crystal Palace 2-1 at Stamford Bridge and climb back into the top half of the Premier League table.
It had looked like being another frustrating home outing for Mauricio Pochettino’s side for most of the second half, after Michael Olise had cancelled out Mykhailo Mudryk’s early goal with a brilliant finish on the half-volley on the stroke of half-time.
Nicolas Jackson missed a superb chance to win it, slotting the ball wide after being set up by Conor Gallagher.
But with the game drifting towards what would have been a deserved point for Palace, there was a final twist, Eberechi Eze tripped Madueke as he sought to control the ball on the edge of the box, and the England Under-21 international won the match from the spot with his first league goal of the season.
Chelsea opened the scoring after 13 minutes, and it began with Malo Gusto slipping his man in midfield with a smart shimmy and turn.
Driving over halfway, his pass forward was wayward, but interest in Chelsea’s attack was revived by a critical slip by Nathaniel Clyne whose stumble let the ball run on. That allowed it to reach Christopher Nkunku, who fed the galloping Malo Gusto on the overlap and his centre was gratefully turned home first time by Mudryk.
The Ukraine international had made an electric start and would have made it two shortly afterwards but for a smothering block by Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson, closing the angle well after Mudryk had been slipped in by a deft Jackson back heel.
There was a fluency about Chelsea that has rarely been seen in recent weeks. Nkunku on his long-awaited first start was at the heart of things. Fresh from his role in the opening goal, he played a wonderful ball in for Jackson, whose low drive was aimed fractionally wide of Henderson’s far post.
The France international might then have had his first Stamford Bridge goal after 25 minutes had he not kicked the turf when clean through on goal, under pressure from defender Chris Richards.
Chelsea were industrious with the ball, racking up 323 passes during the first half and recording 63 per cent possession and – unlike so often this campaign – they had created gilt-edged chances to go with it.
And yet, in the final seconds of the half, a familiar sinking feeling for home supporters. Richards went in strong on Levi Colwill to win the ball in midfield and it broke out wide to Jordan Ayew.
Palace had men in the box and the one picked out by Ayew’s laser-like aim was Olise, who brought it down confidently on his chest, took a momentary glance at Djordje Petrovic and lashed it inside the Chelsea goalkeeper’s near post to make it 1-1.
Palace were without a win in seven games but the goal, though against the run of play, brought belief.
Eze whistled a free–kick past the post as the visitors registered the first chance of the second half, as Roy Hodgson’s side went toe-to-toe with their hosts.
Pochettino left Thiago Silva on the bench for only the second time in the league this season, but called on the 39-year-old just before the hour mark, alongside Romeo Lavia, who finally made his Chelsea debut.
Armando Broja was also sent on as the spectre of another disappointing home result loomed.
Minutes later, their moment looked to have arrived. Moises Caicedo scooped a pass forward to Gallagher who had found space centrally and the captain showed a keen awareness of space to find Jackson running through, but – with only Anderson to beat – he clipped the ball agonisingly wide.
That was followed by a fine, prodded finish from Axel Disasi’s pass that VAR rightly ruled out for offside.
Broja took one down and well drilled into the side netting, after Olise had drawn a smart near-post stop from Petrovic at the other end.
Chelsea thought two more points had slipped away at home. Then with two minutes to go, Madueke went over Eze’s leg, a VAR review yielded a penalty and the substitute picked himself up knock home the winning goal.
Hwang Hee-chan scored twice as Brentford forgot how to defend and Wolves took full advantage with a 4-1 win in west London.
Hwang took his tally for the season to 11 as Wanderers followed up their Christmas Eve win over Chelsea by collecting another festive three points.
It was a first victory in the capital in 15 attempts for Wolves, their last coming in a 2-0 win at Tottenham in February last year.
But it was gifted to them by a Brentford side who could soon be looking nervously over their shoulders at the relegation battle after a fourth straight defeat and a sixth in seven matches.
The Bees are riddled with injuries and suspensions – they had 10 players unavailable here – but there was still no excuse for some alarming defensive errors.
Nathan Collins arguably had his best game for Wolves; unfortunately the centre-half left Molineux to join Brentford in June.
The Bees’ record signing endured a nightmare against his former club, handing them two goals with terrible passes on an evening to forget.
Wolves were inches from taking the lead when Joao Gomes played Hwang in behind and his low cross was sliced narrowly over his own crossbar by Vitaly Janelt.
But from the corner, in the 13th minute, they did find the net after the ball was cleared as far as Pablo Sarabia, whose cross was met by a header from the totally unmarked Mario Lemina.
What came next was an utter farce from the hosts as they played the ball back from their own kick-off towards goalkeeper Mark Flekken.
Collins’ backpass to the Dutchman was woefully underhit and, barely 10 seconds after the restart, Hwang had rounded him and tapped into an empty net.
The crowd at the Gtech Stadium had barely caught their breath again when the Bees pulled one back, Yoane Wissa latching on to Neal Maupay’s clever flick and firing home.
Unbelievably, it could have gone from goalless to 2-2 in the space of five minutes but Jose Sa kept out a close-range header from Janelt.
Instead Wolves doubled their lead again when Toti’s powerful, clearing header was allowed to float between Collins and Mads Roerslev and straight to Hwang.
The South Korean turned, lifted the ball over the covering Ethan Pinnock and fired the ball past the exposed Flekken into the bottom corner.
Brentford could have pulled another back before half-time but Collins headed a Saman Ghoddos corner over and Maupay fired wide after being fed by Wissa in stoppage time.
Wolves lost Hwang to a back injury moments before the interval, but his replacement Jean-Ricner Bellegarde wrapped up their victory with 11 minutes left.
Collins was again the fall guy when his lazy pass across the face of goal was intercepted by Matheus Cunha, who played in Bellegarde for a simple finish.
Teenage sensation Luke Littler’s incredible rise continues after he became the youngest player to reach the fourth round of the World Championship.
The 16-year-old has taken the Alexandra Palace tournament by storm and wowed an adoring crowd with a sensational performance to destroy Matt Campbell 4-1.
Littler, who won the World Youth Championship in November, will pocket a guaranteed £35,000 but will have his sights on lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy in what would be one of the greatest ever sporting stories.
It is going to take something special to stop him as he is producing form which defies his tender age.
He averaged 97.19, threw eight 180s and produced three 100-plus checkouts, including a majestic 164 in the fifth set.
A dream last-16 tie with his hero Raymond van Barneveld could be waiting for him on Saturday, if the Dutchman can beat Jim Williams on Friday night.
After disposing of Christian Kist and UK Open champion Andrew Gilding, the teenager returned home for Christmas where he sacrificed time on his Xbox after dinner for a practice session on the board.
And that paid dividends as he made an electric start, winning the first six legs to roar into a 2-0 lead.
Campbell, who returned home to Canada over the festive period before arriving back in the UK on Boxing Day, looked to have a foothold in the third set as he took the first two legs, but a relentless Littler reeled off the next three to move 3-0 up.
He had a match dart to seal a 4-0 whitewash but suffered a rare bout of inaccuracy, which allowed Campbell to get on the board.
Littler hit back in the fifth set, though, hitting two 100-plus checkouts on his way to sealing a famous win.
Speaking on stage after the match, Littler said: “It’s unbelievable. I only wanted to win one game and I have won three and I have battled through it. I am so happy.
“I just let my darts do the talking, everyone on social media saying, ‘He’s this age’, but I let my darts do the talking.
“As soon as I won that first game I have just settled.”
West Indies left-arm spinners Gudakesh Motie and Akeal Hosein continued their ascension in the ICC Twenty20 rankings, following strong performances in the decisive contest of their recently-concluded five-match series against England.
The curtains came down on the highly entertaining series at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago last Thursday, where West Indies clinched a 3-2 victory.
This achievement was attributed to the prowess of Motie and Hosein, whose spin and accuracy restricted England to 132, before the batsmen completed the four-wicket win in the final over.
Hosein's two for 20 from his four overs in the match, resulted in his move two spots up to an all-time high of fourth on the list. He surpassed the Sri Lankan pair of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana.
Meanwhile, Motie, with his three for 24, jumped 75 spots and entered the top 100 for the first time at 91st. Pacer Alzarri Joseph, who did not play in the last two matches of the series, is ranked at 19th, and fellow pacer Jason Holder is ranked at 26th, but no other West Indies bowler that featured in the series appeared in the top 100, as out-of-favour seamers Obed McCoy, Sheldon Cottrell, and Odean Smith are ranked 51st, 77th, and 85th respectively.
On the batting side, former West Indies white ball captain Nicholas Pooran and opener Brandon King, who achieved an all-time high placing of sixth during the series, are the highest ranked batsmen at 12th and 13th respectively.
Captain Rovman Powell, who achieved a career-best 23rd ranking during the series, is ranked 30th, while left-handed opener Kyle Mayers is 36th and fellow opener Johnson Charles is 51st. Sherfane Rutherford (71st), Shai Hope (89th), and Shimron Hetmyer (98th), are also in the top 100.
Russell Wilson won't play again this season for the Denver Broncos.
The stunning news that Wilson will be benched was reported by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport on Wednesday.
Jarrett Stidham will start at quarterback for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Broncos paid a hefty price to acquire Wilson last offseason, and the decision to bench the nine-time Pro Bowler is largely a financial one.
If Wilson were to suffer a significant long-term injury in the final two weeks of this season, he potentially could be owed $37million fully guaranteed if he doesn't pass a physical in early March.
In March of 2022, the Broncos sent multiple players and draft picks to the Seahawks in a trade for Wilson, who led Seattle to a Super Bowl championship following the 2013 season. The Broncos then signed him to a five-year extension worth more than $242million.
That deal is looking like one of the worst contracts in NFL history as Denver finished last in the AFC West last season with a 5-12 record and is on the verge of missing the play-offs for an eighth straight season.
The Broncos are coming off a devastating 26-23 loss to the lowly New England Patriots on Christmas Eve, and have now dropped three of four following a five-game winning streak. They are 7-8 and sit in 12th place in the AFC, and NFL.com gives them just a 7 per cent chance of making the play-offs.
Wilson, however, isn't responsible for all of the team's struggles this season, and has rebounded nicely after a disappointing first season in Denver.
After throwing 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions and compiling a career-worst 84.4 QB rating in 2022, Wilson has 26 TDs and eight picks this year for a 98.0 rating - seventh best in the NFL.
His future with the Broncos is murky, however, as the offence has been largely mediocre, ranking 16th in scoring (21.8) and 25th in total yards (298.2).
Stidham has taken just four offensive snaps this season and has yet to attempt a pass. In 14 career games, he's thrown for 926 yards with six touchdowns and seven interceptions for a 73.5 rating.
Scott Williams courted controversy after joking about England winning “two World Wars and one World Cup” following his World Championship third-round win over German Martin Schindler.
Williams won a final-set decider to advance 4-3 before making the heavy-handed remark in his post-match interview on Sky Sports.
The match was played in a raucous atmosphere at Alexandra Palace where Williams had most of the support from a partisan crowd, though there was also a German contingent.
Speaking to Sky Sports after his win, Williams said: “What a game! I’m so happy to get to the other side as the winner as well. Martin brought the fight and I wasn’t expecting to go all the way to sudden death as well. I’m knackered, I’m absolutely knackered.
“I’ve never had the crowd on my side like that. I know we won two World Wars and one World Cup. The German fans here were huge as well.”
He added on Twitter after the match: “Thanks for the messages everyone! A few nasty ones from some German fans, but I understand why! Absolutely nothing personal, just a bit of jeering and jesting with the crowd!
“I’m British and Proud!!!!”
Meanwhile, Rob Cross showed he can be a contender for a second crown after battling into the last 16.
Cross has struggled to hit the heights since his memorable title win on debut in 2018, but has enjoyed his best season in 2023 coming into the Alexandra Palace tournament.
He was made to work hard for a 4-2 victory over Jeffrey de Graaf, with the former electrician sparking into life in the final set with an average of 116.
Dave Chisnall’s victory over Gabriel Clemens was more straightforward, winning 4-1.
Cinch Premiership games at Ibrox and Pittodrie were postponed after extreme weather conditions caused travel problems in the north of Scotland.
Rangers saw their home game against Ross County called off about 1.30pm on Wednesday as snow prevented the visitors travelling down the A9.
Motherwell got to Aberdeen early but many supporters of both clubs were stuck as roads were closed because of flooding in the north east.
A Scottish Professional Football League statement confirmed Rangers’ game was called off “following consultation with Police Scotland regarding today’s weather conditions on the A9”.
A Rangers statement added: “Despite the Ibrox playing surface being in good condition and ready to host the match, adverse weather conditions on the A9 means our visitors have been unable to reach Glasgow.”
The postponement means Rangers will go into Saturday’s derby at Celtic Park five points behind the leaders with two games in hand, and with extra time to prepare after Brendan Rodgers’ side beat Dundee on Boxing Day.
Aberdeen’s clash with Motherwell at Pittodrie was called off after Storm Gerrit caused flooding to many of the main routes into the city and prompted the cancellation of rail services.
Motherwell told fans that the A90 had been closed in both directions and directed supporters to the A92 via Arbroath and Montrose. However, that road was soon closed just north of Dundee and roads via Forfar were also affected by flooding.
Chief executive Alan Burrows told the Dons’ official website: “Whilst much of Pittodrie has been battered by significant rain and gale force winds, the stadium itself and the pitch have coped admirably well.
“However, as roads became flooded and unpassable or damaged due to fallen trees and with rail services being cancelled north of Dundee, it was clear it was going to be a very difficult ask for many supporters of both clubs to safely get to Pittodrie.
“We remained in dialogue with all stakeholders and after putting our case across to the league, it was agreed between the two clubs, the league and the police that it was safest to rearrange the game.”
Motherwell later told supporters the decision was made on the advice of Police Scotland following road closures.
“With the Motherwell team travelling to Aberdeen first thing this morning, we had been in communication with Aberdeen all day and we were advised that the pitch was playable and there were no safety concerns at the stadium,” a statement read.
“We had also been advised that the weather forecast was to improve closer to kick-off.
“Following constant discussions between the two clubs, the SPFL and Police Scotland, the decision was taken to postpone the match for the safety of supporters travelling to the game. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused to anyone travelling to Aberdeen.”
It was a second postponement in a row for both County and Aberdeen, who saw their weekend games fall foul of waterlogged pitches.
Meetingofthewaters provided his owner Paul Byrne with another big payday after scooting to victory in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown.
With a total prize fund of €200,000 up for grabs, the three-mile contest is one of the most valuable handicap chases of the season in Ireland and once again attracted a bumper field of 27 runners.
Meetingofthewaters (6-1) was rated just 112 when snapped up by Patrick Mullins out of Eugene O’Sullivan’s yard earlier in the year – and while he was well beaten in his first two starts over fences in his colours and under the tutelage of his father Willie, he was a well-backed favourite when making it third time lucky in lesser company at Cork last month.
Having since been sold to a close friend of the Mullins family in Byrne, who has previously enjoyed big-race success with the likes of The Shunter, Corbetts Cross and Feronily, the six-year-old travelled smoothly into the straight under Danny Mullins and dug deep from the final fence to see off the rallying Panda Boy by four and a half lengths.
Mullins said: “It’s a fantastic result for Paul Byrne. Patrick has a lot to do with (training) this fellow, but I think he was hoping he’d be a Kim Muir horse and that is gone out the window now!
“It’s great prize-money and a tremendous prize to win with a horse like that.
“Paul is great at seeing gaps in the market when buying horses. He’s able to spot horses rather than paying big money. He has an eye for a horse and is able to put a deal together. He probably looks for horses in places that other people don’t.
“He won nicely in Cork and was a young horse improving all the time. It’s a bit of a lottery when you go into a race like this but when you get in at those weights it’s always worth having a crack.”
Meetingofthewaters was one of three winners on the card for the champion trainer, with Mark Walsh steering Dinoblue (9-4) to Grade One success in the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase and Joystick toughing out victory as the 11-8 favourite in the concluding bumper under Patrick Mullins.
Mullins, who enjoyed an across-the-card seven-timer on the day with four winners at Limerick, said of Joystick, he said: “He was third in a point-to-point and we went down to see him at the Doyles. He’s a nice staying type and a real chaser in the making.
“He’s a real long-striding, old-fashioned chaser and a nice acquisition. He’ll stick with bumpers this season.”
Intellotto made a successful start to his career over obstacles in the Paddy Power I Have No Idea What Day It Is 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.
Placed twice from three starts on the Flat for trainer Joseph O’Brien, the 10-1 shot travelled smoothly on his jumping bow and passed the post with four and a half lengths in hand under Daryl Jacob.
Paddy Power make Intellotto a 25-1 shot for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
O’Brien said: “The ground was softer than we thought it was going to be but it was a lovely debut. Daryl taught him a lot and he jumped pretty well on the whole.
“I think the logical step would be to come back here for the Dublin Racing Festival.”
The Eoin Griffin-trained One Last Tango (4-1) carried the JP McManus colours to victory in the Paddy Power Who Put The Wrappers Back In The Box Handicap Hurdle, completing a double on the card for the leading owner and jockey Mark Walsh following the earlier Grade One success of Dinoblue.
Griffin said: “He had a promising run on his return when finishing fourth at Navan and he’s come on a little bit from it.
“I was a bit concerned about the ground today, but he handled it well and it’s brilliant to get a winner here at Christmas for JP. It’s been a while since we had a Christmas winner and we’re over the moon.”
Rob Cross showed he can be a contender for a second World Championship crown after battling into the last 16.
Cross has struggled to hit the heights since his memorable title win on debut in 2018, but has enjoyed his best season in 2023 coming into the Alexandra Palace tournament.
He was made to work hard for a 4-2 victory over Jeffrey de Graaf, with the former electrician sparking into life in the final set with an average of 116.
Meanwhile, Scott Williams is happy to be showing what he is capable of after a fine comeback win against Martin Schindler.
‘Shaggy’ followed up his win against seventh seed Danny Noppert before Christmas with a 4-3 win over German Schindler.
Williams, who will break into the world’s top 40 with his run to the last 16, was heading home when he trailed 2-0 and 3-2.
But on both occasions he fought hard to battle back and took the final-set decider.
“I’m so drained, I’m so happy to come out as a victor,” he said.
“I’m a confident guy anyway, regardless of what darts I throw in the practice room, it’s what I do on the stage and you have seen what I can do on the stage.”
Dave Chisnall’s victory over Gabriel Clemens was far more straightforward, winning 4-1.
Emmet Mullins will work back from another tilt at the Randox Grand National with Noble Yeats following his pleasing return to action at Limerick.
The eight-year-old won the world’s most famous steeplechase at Aintree in 2022 and finished fourth in both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and when defending his Grand National crown last season.
Making his first appearance since the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris in May, Noble Yeats reverted to the smaller obstacles for the Party Time Hurdle – and while his stable star was beaten by Sa Majeste as a 10-11 favourite, Mullins was satisfied with his performance.
He said: “He took a blow, needed it and hopefully that gets the season going and we can target the spring festivals on better ground.
“He ran his race, was bang there to the second-last hurdle, which he missed, but took a blow after that and needed the run.
“Hopefully there is more to come with him.”
Mullins appears less keen on preparing his charge for the Gold Cup as he looks to get him back to Aintree in April at the top of his game.
He added: “It didn’t work taking in both last season, so I’m thinking about the Grand National more so this year.
“Today’s race was over two and a half miles and on that ground it will leave its mark on him, so we won’t be rushing him back.”
The Simon Torrens-ridden Sa Majeste (11-2) was one of four winners on the card for Mullins’ uncle Willie, with Adrian Heskin aboard Judicieuse Allen and Hauturiere and Jody Townend in the saddle for bumper winner Hens Tooth (4-9).
Judicieuse Allen finished with a wet sail to justify 6-5 favouritism in the Goggin Buckley Mares Maiden Hurdle, while Hauturiere (11-2) took Grade Two honours with a dominant display in the McMahons Builders Providers Irish EBF Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase.
Heskin said: “I am very grateful to Willie for the opportunities today. I knew at the start of the season it wouldn’t be easy to get going (back in Ireland), but I’m getting great support from a lot of smaller trainers.
“That (Judicieuse Allen) was my first ride for Willie. I ride out two days a week there, a day a week in Henry De Bromhead’s and another day in Tony Martin’s and anywhere I can for the other days.
“It is great to be getting the backing of Willie Mullins and after today’s winners, it has been a good year.”
A treble at Leopardstown meant Mullins enjoyed an across-the-card seven-timer in all.
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