From the Grand National at Aintree to the Masters at Augusta, a feast of live sporting action comes thick and fast this weekend.
The push for the Premier League title continues with Arsenal and Liverpool both playing on Sunday, while Leeds will be looking to maintain their promotion push in the Sky Bet Championship when they kick-off Saturday’s schedule.
There is also a clash between Scotland and England in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations, while the rugby union action continues with the Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals.
So sit back and relax with the remote as the PA news agency provides the essential guide of what to watch and where to catch all of the action.
Saturday
HORSE RACING
Grand National, Aintree – ITV1 1255
All eyes will be on Aintree at 1600BST for the world’s most famous horse race.
Last year’s winner Corach Rambler heads the field of 34, which has seen the limit cut down from 40 horses following a safety review.
Corach Rambler is bidding to follow Tiger Roll and Red Rum as a back-to-back Grand National winner, and looks likely to set off as favourite.
Could, though, Rachael Blackmore – the first female jockey to claim victory in the race three years ago – mount a challenge again on board former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo?
Scottish National winner Kitty’s Light is another expected to be well-fancied, as is last year’s runner-up Vanillier.
I Am Maximus and Meetingofthewaters will boost the Irish challenge along with Mr Incredible, all trained by Willie Mullins.
But, as always at the Grand National, it will be anyone’s race on the day – so pinstickers at the ready!
THE MASTERS
Sky Sports Golf 1500 & Sky Sports Main Event 2000
After a delayed start at Augusta, Bryson DeChambeau delivered a fine first-round display to take the clubhouse lead at seven under.
Amen Corner is sure to throw up plenty more challenges over the closing two rounds this weekend – but who will make the cut?
World number one Scottie Scheffler, the 2022 Masters champion, is expected to be among the contenders or can England’s Danny Willett, winner in 2016, still keep himself in the hunt?
Defending champion Jon Rahm looks to have work to do, as does Rory McIlroy – and how will Tiger Woods cope with the prospect of completing 23 holes in one day just to give himself a chance of making it through to the weekend? Stay tuned to find out!
PREMIER LEAGUE
Newcastle v Tottenham – TNT Sports 1 1100, Bournemouth v Manchester United – Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Premier League 1700
Tottenham begin another full-on weekend of Premier League action in Saturday’s early kick-off at Newcastle.
Ange Postecoglou’s side are eyeing a top-four finish, but will injury-hit Newcastle rise to the challenge in front of their demanding home fans at St James’ Park?
Saturday’s top-flight schedule finishes at Bournemouth where Manchester United will be out to build on their 2-2 draw with title-chasing Liverpool.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Leeds v Blackburn – Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports Main Event 1200
With Championship leaders Leicester in action on Friday night (also available to armchair viewers), Leeds will be out to keep the pressure on promotion rivals Ipswich when they welcome Blackburn to Elland Road for Saturday’s 12.30pm kick-off.
Having dropped points again with a frustrating goalless draw at home to Sunderland on Tuesday night, Leeds boss Daniel Farke knows there is little margin for error.
Rovers, meanwhile, are fighting to stay clear of the relegation battle and manager John Eustace will be expecting a much-improved display from their midweek 5-0 thrashing at Bristol City.
RUGBY UNION
Women’s Six Nations, Scotland v England – BBC One 1400
England have thrashed Italy and Wales as they aim for a sixth straight Women’s Six Nations title.
However, facing Scotland at a sold-out Hive Stadium in Edinburgh is sure to provide the sternest test yet of this season’s tournament for the Red Roses.
England ran out 58-7 in last year’s showdown – but there will be no sense of complacency from John Mitchell’s side, who are set to be captained by Zoe Aldcroft.
Other Highlights
FOOTBALL: National League, Aldershot v Boreham Wood – TNT Sports 1 1700; Serie A, Torino v Juventus – TNT Sports 4 1715, Bologna v Monza – TNT Sports 1 1945; Bundesliga, Stuttgart v Eintract Frankfurt – Sky Sports Football 1920; LaLiga, Atletico Madrid v Girona – Viaplay Sports 1 & LaLiga TV 1300, Real Mallorca v Real Madrid – Viaplay Sports 1 & LaLiga TV 1730, Cadiz v Barcelona – Viaplay Sports 1 & LaLiga TV 2000; Scottish League One, Hamilton v Falkirk – BBC Alba 1730.
RUGBY UNION: Champions Cup quarter-finals, Bordeaux Begles v Harlequins – TNT Sports 3 1500, Leinster v La Rochelle – TNT Sports 3 1730, Northampton v Bulls – TNT Sports 3 2000, European Challenge Cup quarter-final, Clermont Auvergne v Ulster Rugby – TNT Sports 3 1215.
RUGBY LEAGUE: Challenge Cup quarter-final, Hull KR v Leigh – BBC Two England, BBC Two Scotland & BBC Two Wales 1645.
TENNIS: ATP, The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters – Sky Sports Tennis 1000.
MOTOR CYCLING: MotoGP, Grand Prix of The Americas qualifying – TNT Sports 2 1645, Sprint race – TNT Sports 2 2030.
BOXING: Heavyweight, Jared Anderson v Ryad Merhy – Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Action 0200 (Sun).
BASEBALL: MLB, Houston Astros v Texas Rangers – TNT Sports 4 2100, Arizona Diamondbacks v St. Louis Cardinals – TNT Sports 2 0100 (Sun).
Sunday
THE MASTERS
Sky Sports Golf 1500 & Sky Sports Main Event 1900
It is something all golfers dream off but who will be presented with the famous green jacket at Augusta on Sunday?
Can DeChambeau last the distance, flying the flag for LIV golf? And will Scheffler be able to maintain his challenge to deliver an American victory on home soil?
There is sure to be a thrilling finish and plenty more drama as the players head around Amen Corner for the last time – so where better to stay tuned in than from the comfort of your armchair? Just don’t drop the remote!
PREMIER LEAGUE
Premier League, Liverpool v Crystal Palace – Sky Sports Premier League 1300 & Sky Sports Main Event 1400, Arsenal v Aston Villa – Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Premier League 1600
Premier League title challengers Liverpool and Arsenal are both back in domestic action on Sunday after differing fortunes in their midweek European ties.
The Reds are first up when they host Crystal Palace. Jurgen Klopp called Thursday’s 3-0 home defeat to Atalanta a “low point” in Liverpool’s season – and the Kop will need to be in full voice again to avoid another potential body blow.
Arsenal could well have been knocked off top spot when they run out at the Emirates Stadium against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.
Mikel Arteta will be hoping his side can maintain momentum from a late fightback to draw 2-2 against Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday night.
However, former Gunners boss Unai Emery has European ambitions of his own to maintain as Villa chase a top-four finish.
WOMEN’S FA CUP
Semi-finals, Tottenham v Leicester – BBC Two England, BBC Two Scotland & BBC Two Wales 1130, Manchester United v Chelsea – BBC One 1420
Following the international break, the Women’s FA Cup continues on Sunday, when the semi-finals will be live on TV.
Tottenham host Leicester with both teams aiming to reach the FA Cup final at Wembley for the first time.
Manchester United were FA Cup runners-up last season and will be looking to turn the tables on holders Chelsea, who are still chasing silverware on three fronts, when they clash at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday afternoon.
RUGBY UNION
Champions Cup quarter-final, Toulouse v Exeter – ITV 1430 & TNT Sports 1 1430
The weekend’s Champions Cup quarter-final action concludes on Sunday when Exeter head to Toulouse.
The Chiefs, who fought back to beat Bath in their last-16 tie, face the daunting challenge of going up against five-time champions Toulouse at the Stade Ernest-Wallon.
Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter, though, will be hoping his men can produce a repeat performance of when they kicked off their Champions Cup campaign with a thrilling 19-18 away victory over Toulon in the group stages at the start of December.
TENNIS
TENNIS: ATP, The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters – Sky Sports Tennis 1000
The sporting stars have been out in Monte Carlo for this week’s ATP Rolex Masters.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, who won the tournament three years ago, is among those looking to make it to the final on Sunday.
With the world’s top two Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner also hoping to be in the mix, it could prove to be another classic match-up in the Principality.
Other Highlights
FOOTBALL: WSL, Arsenal v Bristol City – Sky Sports Premier League 1930; Cinch Premiership, Ross County v Rangers – Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports Main Event 1100; Serie A, Napoli v Frosinone – TNT Sports 2 1130, Sassuolo v AC Milan – TNT Sports 4 1400, Udinese v Roma – TNT Sports 3 1700, Inter Milan v Cagliari – TNT Sports 1 1930; Ligue 1, Le Havre v Nantes – TNT Sports 4 1200; La Liga, Las Palmas v Sevilla – Viaplay Sports 1 & LaLiga TV 1130, Granada v Alaves – Viaplay Sports 1 & LaLiga TV 1515, Athletic Bilbao v Villarreal – Viaplay Sports 1 & LaLiga TV 1730, Real Sociedad v Almeria – Viaplay Sports 1 & LaLiga TV 2000; Bundesliga, Darmstadt v Freiburg – Sky Sports Mix 1430, Bayer Leverkusen v Werder Bremen – Sky Sports Mix 1630.
RUGBY UNION: European Challenge Cup quarter-final, Benetton Treviso v Connacht – TNT Sports 1 1215.
RUGBY LEAGUE: Challenge Cup quarter-final, St Helens v Warrington – BBC Two 1630
MOTOR CYCLING: MotoGP, Grand Prix of The Americas – TNT Sports 2 1915.
CYCLING: Amstel Gold Race, Women’s race – Eurosport 1 1200, Men’s race – Eurosport 1 1330.
BASEBALL: MLB, Houston Astros v Texas Rangers – TNT Sports 4 1900, Los Angeles Dodgers v San Diego Padres – TNT Sports 1 0000 (Mon).
iPrint joins forces with SVREL as Billboard Advertising Partner for Mouttet Mile 2024
iPrint is the latest corporate entity to signal its support for 2024 Mouttet Mile by coming onboard as the official billboard advertising partner for the event.
The partnership will see iPrint amplifying the event’s visibility with a series of impactful promotional displays on its traditional and electronic billboards across Kingston and St. Catherine.
“We’re proud to welcome iPrint on board as our advertising partner for the Mouttet Mile. Their expertise in outdoor advertising brings significant visibility and will help to raise public awareness and excitement for the event. We know their placements will reach thousands of potential attendees and will increase the anticipation and excitement for Jamaica’s premier racing event across key areas in Kingston and St. Catherine,” Aswanda Stoddart, SVREL AVP Administration, said.
iPrint’s involvement demonstrates its commitment to supporting Jamaica’s vibrant sports and entertainment scene and aligns with the company’s dedication to innovative advertising solutions that engage the community and bring high-profile events to the forefront.
“The efforts of SVREL in organizing and delivering this exceptional event, which not only elevates the profile of sports in Jamaica but also garners global attention through live broadcasts, are truly commendable,” said Mark Haddad, Sales Director at iprint Group of Companies.
“Supporting the Mouttet Mile aligns perfectly with the vision of enhancing and showcasing Brand Jamaica on the world stage. By collaborating with this diverse and prestigious event, we have a unique opportunity to amplify Jamaica’s cultural and sporting legacy. It is only fitting that we pledge our continued support to ensure the sustained success of the Mouttet Mile for many years to come, further solidifying Jamaica’s reputation as a hub of excellence and innovation,” he added.
SVREL and iPrint look forward to a successful collaboration that brings even more excitement to this year’s Mouttet Mile set for December 7 at Caymanas Park.
SVREL chairman calls for urgent reforms in stewarding after Heroes’ Day disruption at Caymanas Park
Following an internal investigation by Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), significant gaps in training have been identified, leading to stewarding practices at Caymanas Park falling short of international standards. As a result, SVREL Executive Chairman Solomon Sharpe has called for urgent intervention from the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service to address these issues and ensure the future integrity of horse racing in Jamaica.
The investigation was prompted after the Heroes’ Day race meet at Caymanas Park was abandoned on Monday, October 21, 2024. A group of punters reacted violently to the stewards’ decision in Race 2, leading to the event’s cancellation for safety reasons. Sharpe stressed that the current state of officiating is not up to par for a racing jurisdiction aspiring to world-class status.
“Our internal investigation has identified significant training gaps that have resulted in local stewarding practices falling short of international standards,” Sharpe said. He explained that while SVREL provides the facilities for racing, the stewards' oversight falls under the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), a government-appointed body. Sharpe believes this disparity between local and international standards must be addressed immediately.
In his statement, Sharpe emphasized that improving stewarding standards is critical for the growth of horse racing in Jamaica. He called for the implementation of mandatory certification programs for stewards, ensuring that they are properly trained to handle the complexities of modern racing. He also advocated for regular assessments and retraining of officials to maintain a high level of competence and consistency in their decision-making.
Sharpe further stressed the need for clear accountability frameworks to be established, so that all decisions made by stewards are transparent and based on consistent, well-defined criteria. This, he believes, would help avoid situations like the one on Heroes’ Day, where the lack of clarity led to confusion and frustration among punters. Moreover, Sharpe called for the introduction of an independent appeals mechanism that would allow for the review of stewarding decisions, ensuring fairness and trust in the system.
Sharpe explained that these reforms are essential to creating a level playing field and restoring confidence in the integrity of horse racing at Caymanas Park. He expressed frustration that despite previous discussions with the JRC about the need for improved officiating, little progress has been made.
The incident on Heroes’ Day, which caused significant financial losses estimated at over JMD$70 million, underscored the importance of addressing these issues urgently. While Sharpe acknowledged the passion of racing fans, he firmly condemned the violent behaviour that followed the stewards' decision, stating that it endangered lives and tarnished the reputation of the sport. "While we value our patrons' enthusiasm, any expression of discontent must remain within acceptable bounds of sporting behaviour,” he asserted.
Sharpe also expressed disappointment with the lack of response from industry stakeholders following the incident. He pointed out that many who are typically vocal about SVREL’s operations have remained silent on this serious breach of sporting conduct. He called on all stakeholders to take equal responsibility for the sport’s integrity and to advocate for improvements in officiating and the overall management of races.
“The growth and sustainability of horse racing in Jamaica require more than just infrastructure investment and promotional efforts,” Sharpe said. “It demands the consistent application of international best practices across all aspects of racing.”
SVREL remains committed to modernizing Caymanas Park and advancing Jamaican horse racing. However, Sharpe made it clear that this vision can only be achieved through collective responsibility, with all stakeholders playing an active role in improving the industry’s standards and holding each other accountable.
“The time has come for all stakeholders to demonstrate their commitment to the industry's growth not merely through words, but through actions, consistent engagement, and a willingness to address difficult issues head-on,” Sharpe concluded.
SVREL apologizes for disruption and cancellation of Heroes' Day Race Meet at Caymanas Park
Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) has issued an apology to its customers and stakeholders following the cancellation of Monday’s Heroes' Day race meet at Caymanas Park. The cancellation came after a series of disruptions stemming from the disqualification of the first-place finisher in Race 2, which caused unrest among some punters at the track.
In a statement, SVREL explained the incident: "On Monday, October 21, 2024, a series of unfortunate events led to the disruption and subsequent cancellation of races at Caymanas Park by the Jamaica Racing Commission Stewards."
The unrest began when the stewards' decision in Race 2 led to the disqualification of the initial winner. Displeased with the result, some punters expressed their dissatisfaction by throwing debris, creating an unsafe environment for patrons, participants, and horses.
"After the announcement of the race results, some punters became agitated and expressed their dissatisfaction in a manner that compromised the safety and security of all present. This included the throwing of debris across the Park, creating an unsafe environment for patrons, participants, and horses alike," the statement continued.
As the situation grew more volatile, trainers began voicing concerns for their safety, leading to the cancellation of subsequent races.
"In light of this development and prioritizing the safety of the horses, horsemen, punters, and all attendees, the stewards made the decision to abandon race 4 and subsequently, the entire race meet for the day," SVREL said.
The company further emphasized that security personnel, supported by the police, were working to manage the situation and prevent any further escalation.
SVREL concluded by offering a formal apology for the inconvenience caused: "Supreme Ventures Racing & Entertainment Limited, the operator of Caymanas Park, extends our sincerest apologies to our valued customers and stakeholders for the inconvenience caused by the abandonment of the race meet."
The company reiterated its commitment to the safety of all involved in the sport, while promising to address the issues that led to the disruption.
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