Barcelona will aim to close the gap to the top two in LaLiga when they take on neighbours Girona on Sunday.
Barca are not just four points behind big rivals Real Madrid but also their fellow Catalans, who have been the surprise package of the season so far under head coach Michel.
But Xavi’s men go into the clash boosted by last weekend’s 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid, with Joao Felix scoring the only goal against his parent club.
Xavi told reporters: “It will be a great match. Michel is a great coach and has a philosophy similar to ours. They want the ball and are very dynamic.
“We are looking at the game through several different scenarios because it can play out in different ways. I don’t know which Girona we’ll see, but we’re looking for the win.”
Barca have some injury problems, with Gavi out for the season and now joined on the sidelines by goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and defender Inigo Martinez.
Ter Stegen has sat out the last three games with a lower back problem and has now undergone surgery to correct the issue while Martinez suffered a hamstring injury in the warm-up ahead of the Atletico game.
Fellow defender Ronald Araujo is set to play in a mask after suffering a fractured jaw in an accidental clash with the boot of Atletico’s Marcos Llorente.
“It’s a part of competing,” said Xavi. “Every year we talk about injuries but, yes, we are having bad luck. It’s because of the schedule and the demand it puts on the players.”
Girona have won all but three of their LaLiga matches so far, with their only defeat coming against Real Madrid, and defender Daley Blind insisted all the pressure is on Barcelona.
The former Manchester United and Ajax player told ESPN: “We don’t want to put pressure on ourselves to aim at something. Of course you talk in the dressing room to be as high as possible, that is what you want.
“I think if we continue like this, this already is a special season, but it can be something special as well at the end of the season.
“I think Girona is still a small club which is building, we are in a good build-up now. We take it game by game and the pressure is not on us.
“Barca are a great team, they have some great individual players. It will be a very difficult game, but these are the games you want to play as a kid against those teams.”
Blind’s sentiments were echoed by boss Michel, who said: “We’re going to enjoy our game. Our league is not Madrid, Barca and Atletico. We just want to keep this successful run going as long as possible.”
Lionel Messi has been consulted by Lionel Scaloni as the Argentina head coach ponders his future in charge of the national team.
Scaloni led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar last year, and in February, signed a contract keeping him at the helm through to the 2026 World Cup.
That tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, where next year's Copa America takes place.
Reigning Copa champions Argentina were placed in Group A in Thursday's draw. They will take on Peru, Chile, and either Canada or Trinidad and Tobago.
However, there is doubt over Scaloni's future, with the 45-year-old unsure as to how long he will continue in his role, and he confirmed in the wake of the draw that he has held talks with Argentina captain and talisman Messi.
"I spoke with Leo, we are going to talk again in a few days and from there we are going to make a decision, the best decision for the Argentina national team which is the most important thing," Scaloni told beIN SPORTS.
"There's nothing wrong with the AFA leadership. My doubts are not in that area, but from something football-related, thinking about what's coming and feeling good and about being ready for it.
"The bar is high and we need a lot of energy and for everyone to understand what's coming. It is a personal decision and that of the coaching staff."
In an interview with TyC, Scaloni explained: "In principle, I am here because I am the coach. I said it after the match against Brazil that it is a personal moment to think. It is important after everything that we have achieved. We have to think about everything that is coming and see what we can do.
"The players are very good, the team is very good, they need a coach who is good, with all the energy. I said it and I repeat it, they need a coach who is at their level. It is time to think. I still think the same.
"It is necessary to do things well, with someone who is 100 per cent focused, who knows what is coming. Important things are coming, very demanding."
Argentina will take on either Canada or Trinidad and Tobago on June 20 in Atlanta, before heading to New Jersey to face Chile. Their final group match, against Peru, will take place in Miami, where Messi now plays, on June 29.
A match against Uruguay could be crucial for the United States, but head coach Gregg Berhalter urged his side not to look too far ahead after the Copa America draw was made in Miami.
Uruguay and USA are the two favourites to progress from Group C after the draw. It should be an intriguing battle to top the group with just one place separating the teams in the FIFA rankings - the South American side are 11th and Berhalter's tournament hosts sit 12th.
But USMNT will face matches against Bolivia and Panama before they take on Marcelo Bielsa's men for a potentially decisive clash in Kansas City on July 1.
And Berhalter urged his team to focus on collecting maximum points from those initial two clashes, even with the Uruguay game looming on the horizon.
Securing first place could be even more important on this occasion than in other tournaments. The team who finishes as runners-up in Group D are likely to face Brazil, who will be expected to top Group D, in the quarter-finals.
"It could be huge [against Uruguay] but I think there is danger in skipping past the first two games and thinking, 'It's the Uruguay game'," said Berhalter.
"Every game is going to be meaningful. Our goal is to get as many points as possible in the group stage and then continue on."
Berhalter knows his team will be expected to progress from the group, even though he does not feel it will be an easy assignment.
"That [high expectations] is the reality. For us, it’s about going on the field now and competing.
"We know that you can be favourites and not win the game.
"For us, it’s about being focused, trying to get momentum with the fans, and then trying to go as far as we can in this tournament and setting up the group in a way that we can continue on after the group stage."
Berhalter is excited about the 16-team tournament – which starts on June 20 – taking place on home soil and feels the USA supporters understand how significant hosting the event is.
He added: "I think they do. We have so many different cultures in the United States that I think there is going to be a huge appreciation for what is happening.
"This is a mini-World Cup. The fans want to get a taste of what it’s going to be like in 2026. Now is time to check it out.
"I think you are going to see some great stadiums, great soccer, competitive soccer, and some really great support.
"The whole idea with this and the World Cup is to try and really captivate the public and grow the game. That’s what we’re trying to do as a group.
"The two sides of it are the public really getting to know our players as people because it’s a special group of guys, and then the second thing is performing well so that everyone wants to turn on the TV and watch us."
USA open their campaign against Bolivia in Dallas on June 23, before taking on Panama in Atlanta four days later.
It is world champions Argentina, who also won the last Copa America, who will open the tournament with a match against either Canada or Trinidad and Tobago, with the final qualification spots yet to be finalised.
Brazil, meanwhile, will start their Group D campaign against either Costa Rica or Honduras on June 24.
Booster Bob could have an exciting future having stayed on strongly in testing ground to claim the Betfair Claremont Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown.
Sent off the 5-6 favourite for the Listed event, Olly Murphy’s five-year-old had previously relished testing conditions when claiming a Uttoxeter novice event by 18-lengths.
However, even he struggled to get into a rhythm in the deep ground at the Esher track and relied on his class to overhaul Helnwein once strenuously ridden after the last by Sean Bowen.
“I was never happy,” said Murphy. “I don’t think he jumped great for him and he loves that ground, but they went very steady and turned it into a sprint which wouldn’t have suited.
“He’s got a lot of ability and I don’t think he did a lot right today. I don’t think the hood suits him now, he wants that off.
“They went very steady and when you go steady in a tactical race, sat last of three isn’t the best place to be. He was very free as a bumper horse and he’s come a long way in a short period of time.”
Despite seeing Booster Bob as both a horse for further and fences, it is Haydock’s Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle (January 20) up next. However, a trip to the Cheltenham Festival appears off the cards for this season.
“Do I think he is a horse for the Supreme? No is the answer,” added Murphy.
“I think he’s an out and out chaser and he will probably go to Haydock now for the Supreme trial at the end of January – bad ground, two miles. He’s crying out for two and a half, but he can race with the choke out and I would be just worried about going two-and-a-half just yet.
“I wont blow his mind now this season. If there was a bit of slow ground at Aintree or something like that, then maybe. But going round Cheltenham in a 16-runner Grade One isn’t for this lad at the moment.”
El Fabiolo begins on a well-trodden path to the Queen Mother Champion Chase when kicking off his season in the Bar One Racing Hilly Way Chase at Cork on Sunday.
His trainer Willie Mullins has won the race a record 14 times, with Douvan, Un De Sceaux, Chacun Pour Soi and Energumene amongst the Closutton alumni to claim this prize en route to the Cheltenham Festival.
Energumene used this as his starting point in both of his Champion Chase-winning seasons, but with his injury setback putting respective hat-trick bids on hold, the door has been opened for El Fabiolo to fill the void.
Unbeaten as a chaser, the six-year-old registered a brilliant Grade One treble last season, winning at the Dublin, Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals in supreme fashion – and he is already dominating the ante-post betting for the Champion Chase in March.
“He was unbeaten over fences last season and this looks a nice starting point for the new campaign,” said Anthony Bromley, racing manager to El Fabiolo’s owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.
“It’s been Willie’s plan from quite a long way out really, to go for this race, and we’re excited to see him back out.
“It’s really good prize-money for a Grade Two. He has got the entry in the Grade One at Christmas and we’ll get the Hilly Way out of the way first, but it could be coming a bit close.
“We’ll just see how he comes out of the race, but it’s all systems go for Sunday. It’s a tried and tested route for Willie – he tries to run his best two-miler in it, and hopefully El Fabiolo might be that now with Energumene on the sidelines.”
El Fabiolo’s opposition includes a former Closutton stablemate in Jungle Boogie, who is one of two in the race for new handler Henry de Bromhead, alongside convincing Grand Annual victor Maskada.
Barberstown Castle Chase runner-up Fil Dor represents the flying Gordon Elliott team, with Gavin Cromwell’s Grand National runner-up Vanillier and Patrick Foley’s Rebel Gold also taking part.
“We were delighted with Fil Dor at Naas and he’s in good form ahead of Sunday,” said Elliott.
“Naas was his first run of the season and his first run back over fences, so there was a lot of positives but obviously we are taking on a very good horse in El Fabiolo.
“Our lad is in good form, has a run under his belt and there is no point in shying away from one horse. Hopefully he’ll run well.”
Elsewhere on the card, there could be success for Mullins when Grade One-winning hurdler Zenta makes her chasing bow in the Grade Two O’Flynn Group Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase.
The four-year-old hardly put a foot wrong last term, winning at Fairyhouse on her stable debut before finishing third to Lossiemouth in the Triumph Hurdle and then achieving her own big-race victory at Aintree.
“It’s a nice race to start off with and Willie is happy with her, so let’s hope she jumps a good round and goes well,” said owner JP McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry.
“She’s been very consistent and it was great to get the Grade One with her in the spring. We’re hoping for a good round and for her to run well.”
Zenta faces stern opposition from within her own stable, with Paul Townend partnering wide-margin Killarney winner Hauturiere and the Kenny Alexander-owned Heia also engaged.
Harmonya Maker made a blistering start to her chasing career at Gowran Park and represents Elliott, with Con O’Keeffe’s Silent Approach completing the line-up.
“We couldn’t have asked for more from Harmonya Maker at Gowran and she’s in good form,” Elliott said. “This was the next obvious race for her and we’ll see where we go from here for the rest of the season with her.”
In the Grade Three Singletons Supervalu Stayers Novice Hurdle, big-money buy Mahon’s Way will look to build on an impressive debut over timber at Naas for De Bromhead.
Janidil bids to escape the clutches of some of Ireland’s best chasers when he pays a visit to Huntingdon for the TrustATrader Peterborough Chase.
Willie Mullins’ raider is a regular in Grade One events on home soil and was handed the formidable task of facing Allaho on his seasonal return in the Clonmel Oil Chase.
However, connections now hope to have found the nine-year-old the perfect opportunity to register a seventh victory of his highly-respectable career when he crosses the Irish Sea for this Grade Two contest.
“It looked a nice race for him and there wasn’t going to be too many runners,” said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus.
“He’s in good form and this looked the ideal race for him. He’s ran into a few good horses in the last few seasons, but Willie is happy with him and we’re looking for a good run.”
With Edwardstone headed to the Tingle Creek, with this race only an emergency option in case of weather woes, Janidil’s chief threat could be provided by First Flow, who won the 2021 renewal before finishing third 12 months ago.
Kim Bailey’s 11-year-old chased home the high-class Boothill at Ascot on his return and his handler feels conditions are ideal for a bold bid.
He said: “I’m very happy with him and David (Bass, jockey) has schooled him this week and was happy. He will get his ground, which will be a big difference for him this time and hopefully he will run a big race.
“I would have to say it was probably as good a run as he’s ever done (behind Boothill at Ascot). It might sound stupid at the age of 11, but I thought it was a phenomenal run.”
Paul Nicholls won this with Pic D’Orhy in 2022 and attempts to repeat the dose with Solo, another likeable contender in the same colours of Johnny de la Hey.
The seven-year-old went some way to justifying his lofty reputation when downing Coral Gold Cup winner Datsalrightgino in the Pendil Novices’ Chase last term and was runner-up in the Haldon Gold Cup on his return to action.
Aintree’s Old Roan Chase form will be put to the test with Ryan Potter’s Jetoile attempting to confirm his victory over Sam Thomas’ Al Dancer, who was four and a half lengths back in third.
Jetoile has won his last three chasing starts but now faces the acid test which will inform connections whether they have a performer of real top-quality on their hands.
Potter said: “He’s won his last three and obviously the Old Roan was a massive step forward that has put him in with the class of horse we know he is.
“There’s only a small field but it’s a hot race, for sure. He’ll have to improve again from the Old Roan, but there’s no reason why he won’t.
“He’s not the best work horse in the world, so I thought it was very impressive the way he got stuck in up the home straight at Aintree, because that wouldn’t normally be his asset.
“Usually, it’s his jumping and travelling, but the fact that the race probably didn’t suit, I thought he was really good.
“We’ll know where we will stand after Sunday and it will be unbelievable if he went and won on Sunday, then you know you have a Grade One horse.
“We’re realistic, we had him tuned up for the Old Roan and that was our target, so anything after that is a bonus this season.”
United States head coach Gregg Berhalter feels his side have been handed a tough draw in the 2024 Copa America, but he knew that was always likely to be the case.
Tournament hosts USA will take on Uruguay, Panama and Bolivia in Group C after the draw was made in Miami.
USMNT and Uruguay will be the initial favourites to progress from the pool and reach the quarter-finals.
But securing first place could be even more important on this occasion than in other tournaments, because the runners-up are likely to face Brazil, who will be expected to top Group D, in the last eight.
"It is a tough group," said Berhalter.
"I think any group that was going to be drawn was going to be difficult - the Copa America is a very difficult tournament.
"For us, we’re excited to finally know our competitors. Now it’s about planning our game plans and getting ready to compete."
Berhalter is aware that getting the fans on side will be crucial to USA's chances of success at the tournament, which starts on June 20 and features 16 teams.
What was clear from the coach's reaction to the draw is that USA are thinking beyond just progressing from the group.
He added: "The important thing is we want to capture the fans. We want to get the country behind us and go on a run.
"We know you have to get through your group first. After you get through your group, then it’s about a knockout tournament.
"We’re trying to compete in that stage of the tournament and hopefully be competing for a trophy.
"It's really a dream come true for us that we’re hosting the tournament and we get to play at home. The guys are really excited about it and it’s really something to look forward to for us.
"There are no disadvantages [to hosting]. We are really looking forward to trying to get the home supporters behind us and really creating great momentum."
USA's first game will be against Bolivia in Dallas on June 23.
Ange Postecoglou admits he owes Newcastle boss Eddie Howe a thank you for his unintended role in his journey to Tottenham.
Sunday will see Postecoglou and Howe go head-to-head for the first time, but back in the summer of 2021 they were the talk of Glasgow.
Howe was widely expected to take the vacant Celtic role only to turn it down following prolonged negotiations, which resulted in Postecoglou getting the nod.
The Australian never looked back and after he won five trophies during his two-year stay in Scotland, it convinced Spurs to give the 58-year-old his first opportunity to be a Premier League manager.
“Oh absolutely, sliding doors moment,” Postecoglou acknowledged.
“There’s probably been no bigger decision in me being here today than Eddie knocking back the Celtic job.
“I haven’t thanked him, I probably should.”
Postecoglou quickly took the Premier League by storm upon his arrival and guided Tottenham to the top flight summit in October, but the past six weeks has produced a five-match winless run and a growing list of absentees.
But the experienced coach is not in the mood to panic, he insisted: “The pressure is the pressure, you know.
“It’s always there, it’s how you kind of treat it and I’ve never let it sort of guide my path or my way forward.
“For me, I don’t have a three or five year plan up my sleeve that’s guaranteed for success. What I do have is a plan that I think will get us to where we need to be.
“How long that takes? I don’t know. It depends on how we keep disciplined in staying and sticking (to) the path.
“It’s how focused you are and how committed you are to go on the path you’ve started. I’m unwavering with that, I just will not budge. I just think that’s what I believe is the best way forward.”
Injuries to Micky van de Ven and James Maddison have proved costly and while Spurs recently welcomed back Pape Sarr and Richarlison, they remain without eight first-teamers for Sunday’s match.
Newcastle boast an equally large number of players on the treatment table, which has opened the door for 17-year-old Lewis Miley, who has impressed over the past month.
Postecoglou has several of his own academy graduates involved in the squad right now and admitted he could turn to Tottenham Under-21 playmaker Jamie Donley, 18, if they continue to struggle for goals.
“It’s fair to say Newcastle are probably the only other club who have gone through anything like we have from an injury perspective. That’s going to affect every club, but I think they’ve battled through it reasonable well, very well in fact,” Postecoglou added.
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“Players have an opportunity every day to show what they can do and give me food for thought in terms of selection.
“If I’m not doing it, there’s a reason why I’m not doing it, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t change for next week or the week after.
“Certainly Jamie, I think he’s developing. It’s benefitted him training with us regularly now.
“He’s a permanent fixture in here and within that context I think our next few games, if he keeps developing the way he is, he’ll get an opportunity in a game as well.”
Pep Guardiola believes his Manchester City side face a challenge to get back to winning ways at Luton this weekend.
The champions have gone four games without a Premier League win for the first time since 2017 after successive draws against Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham were followed by defeat at Aston Villa on Wednesday.
They will be expected to put that behind them at Kenilworth Road on Sunday but the promoted Hatters have produced some battling performances on their top-flight return and Guardiola expects another.
The City manager said: “They are doing really well for the way they play. Top clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal have struggled to win against them and it will be no different for us.
“But at the same time we’re ready for the challenge. We’ll keep working. That’s what we have to do.
“We’ll go to Luton, adapt for the pitch, the team, the style they play. They’ve done really good things but we will try impose our game and break their dynamic.”
City’s form has raised eyebrows with some observers questioning their hunger or whether they have become complacent after all their recent successes.
Yet none of this is a concern to Guardiola, who has guided City to five Premier League titles as well as Champions League glory.
The Spaniard said: “When you are winning a lot of games you are the best team in the world, when you are not winning it’s a crisis. We know it. It’s always exaggerated one way or another.
“What is important is to face the reality. We’re not used to playing four games without winning but we played against top teams. They’re always difficult.
“It is not the first time we have been in this position. In these eight years we’ve always had periods where we don’t get results.
“We have to try to end them as soon as possible but it happens, so we face it, challenge it. That is the situation, let’s do it, let’s go for it.”
City have Rodri and Jack Grealish available again after suspension and Jeremy Doku will be assessed after missing the Villa game through injury.
Pep Guardiola believes his Manchester City side face a challenge to get back to winning ways at Luton this weekend.
The champions have gone four games without a Premier League win for the first time since 2017 after successive draws against Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham were followed by defeat at Aston Villa on Wednesday.
They will be expected to put that behind them at Kenilworth Road on Sunday but the promoted Hatters have produced some battling performances on their top-flight return and Guardiola expects another.
The City manager said: “They are doing really well for the way they play. Top clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal have struggled to win against them and it will be no different for us.
“But at the same time we’re ready for the challenge. We’ll keep working. That’s what we have to do.
“We’ll go to Luton, adapt for the pitch, the team, the style they play. They’ve done really good things but we will try impose our game and break their dynamic.”
City’s form has raised eyebrows with some observers questioning their hunger or whether they have become complacent after all their recent successes.
Yet none of this is a concern to Guardiola, who has guided City to five Premier League titles as well as Champions League glory.
The Spaniard said: “When you are winning a lot of games you are the best team in the world, when you are not winning it’s a crisis. We know it. It’s always exaggerated one way or another.
“What is important is to face the reality. We’re not used to playing four games without winning but we played against top teams. They’re always difficult.
“It is not the first time we have been in this position. In these eight years we’ve always had periods where we don’t get results.
“We have to try to end them as soon as possible but it happens, so we face it, challenge it. That is the situation, let’s do it, let’s go for it.”
City have Rodri and Jack Grealish available again after suspension and Jeremy Doku will be assessed after missing the Villa game through injury.
Mauricio Pochettino admits midfield duo Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo need to improve after Chelsea’s poor start to the Premier League campaign.
The Blues’ recent 2-1 defeat at Manchester United kept them in 10th place, five points behind West Ham in ninth.
And Pochettino believes big-money signings Fernandez and Caicedo need to up their levels but acknowledged the two 22-year-olds’ development is a “process”.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Everton on Sunday, he said: “The relationship between them needs to improve of course, between them and individually also.
“They are young, the expectation is massive when you arrive.
“Caicedo had one season in Brighton and Enzo after three months in Europe, he was in Benfica before arriving to the Premier League. Arriving not in the best place to perform quick because they need to be part of the solution.
“They are not the cherry of the cake. When you arrive in a team that is in a building process and you’re young with not too much experience, even if you have good quality and people can see the club paid big money and only for that you need to perform, it is not like this in football.
“Some people think in this way because they don’t know about football. It’s a process.
“It’s going to be a process for different reasons. Chelsea are in a completely different reality in the last years and we need to attack this. We can’t live only thinking in the past.
“We need to keep the culture and understand we are in Chelsea and always it’s about winning, but the reality is completely different.”
Sunday’s opponents Everton are on a high after Wednesday’s 3-0 victory over Newcastle at Goodison Park.
And Pochettino identified Everton’s physical presence from set-pieces and called for his Chelsea players to play more cleverly.
He added: “It can be a problem, yes. But we need to be more aggressive and try to avoid conceding chances like corners or wide free-kicks.
“We need to be clever in the way we are going to work and try to stop them.
“Yes, it can be a problem but maybe no. In football, it’s the way you approach the game, the attitude and then being clever, trying to avoid giving the possibility to the opponents to use their strengths.”
Pochettino highlighted the challenges of keeping his players motivated after their inconsistent start to the campaign.
He said: “When you win it is easy, you jump to train.
“But when you have ups and downs it is really difficult to keep your balance because to translate the capacity to a player to keep pushing and assimilate and to keep the good mood around the training ground is the most difficult thing.
“Because the frustration, disappointment, sometimes in the way we concede, you become upset, angry. “
Chris Evert has announced her cancer has returned and she will undergo another round of chemotherapy.
The 18-time grand slam champion revealed in January 2022 she had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer following a preventive hysterectomy.
Evert had learned she had a significantly increased risk of developing cancer after her sister, Jeanne, died of the same disease in 2020.
Evert, 68, was given the all-clear in January and was told there was a 90 per cent chance the cancer would not return, but that has not proved to be the case.
In a statement released through ESPN, for whom she works as a pundit, Evert said: “Since I was first diagnosed with cancer two years ago, I’ve been very open about my experience.
“I wanted to give all of you an update. My cancer is back. While this is a diagnosis I never wanted to hear, I once again feel fortunate that it was caught early.
“Based on a PET CT scan, I underwent another robotic surgery this past week. Doctors found cancer cells in the same pelvic region. All cells were removed, and I have begun another round of chemotherapy.”
Evert will not be working at the Australian Open while she undergoes treatment but said she would be “ready for the rest of the grand slam season”.
“I encourage everyone to know your family history and advocate for yourself,” she added. “Early detection saves lives. Be thankful for your health this holiday season.”
Nicky Henderson has withdrawn Constitution Hill and Shishkin from the rearranged Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Sandown.
While the meeting passed a 7.30am inspection, rain was still falling throughout the morning at the Esher track on already heavy ground on the hurdles track and conditions are being monitored.
Champion Hurdle winner Constitution Hill was supposed to make his seasonal reappearance at Newcastle last weekend but the meeting was abandoned with the Fighting Fifth moved to Sandown.
Shishkin was an intended runner at Newcastle also, in the Rehearsal Chase, but in an attempt to get a prep run into him before the King George, Henderson had declared him alongside his stablemate.
However, neither will run at Sandown, nor will promising novice hurdler Willmount in an earlier race but Jonbon is still an intended starter in the Tingle Creek.
Henderson said on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Due to the extremely testing going, we have decided that Constitution Hill will not run in today’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Sandown because it would simply not be fair to race him under such extreme conditions on his first run of the season.
“It is too close to Boxing Day, and he can’t do both, so, all being well, he’ll go straight to Kempton for the Christmas Hurdle.
“Shishkin has also been withdrawn, along with Willmount from his intended engagement in the Listed Novices’ Hurdle.”
As for Jonbon he added: “He has had a run so is fit and well, and the ground is much more suitable on the chase course. It is very unfortunate, and we are all sorry they won’t be turning up, but we have to put the horses first — it’s as simple as that.”
Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from the Australian Open for the second year in a row.
The 28-year-old has played only one match in 2023, on grass in Stuttgart in June, and his withdrawal appeared inevitable when his name was absent from the entry list for next month’s tournament.
“This is a very disappointing time for me but I won’t be able to compete at the 2024 Australian Open,” Kyrgios said on social media.
“Obviously, heartbreaking. I’ve had so many amazing memories there and I just want to really get back to playing at the top of my game and doing it right, and I need a little more time.”
Kyrgios pulled out on the eve of his first-round match at Melbourne Park in January and revealed he needed knee surgery.
At the time he was optimistic the lay-off would not be too long but it was June when he finally returned, and that proved a false dawn.
Kyrgios, who reached the Wimbledon final in 2022, then withdrew just before the Championships, this time citing a wrist injury, and he has not been seen on a match court since.
Kyrgios, who is currently unranked because of the length of his absence, announced he will be in Melbourne to do media work.
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