Paul Townend is still savouring a “massive performance” from Galopin Des Champs in last week’s Savills Chase at Leopardstown.
The reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup hero lined up in the Grade One feature with something to prove following successive defeats at the hands of Fastorslow at Punchestown, but bounced back to his very best with a hugely impressive 23-length victory.
Townend admits Fastorslow’s withdrawal on the morning of the race undoubtedly made his task easier, but feels the Willie Mullins-trained Galopin Des Champs would have proved a tough nut to crack in any case.
“Galopin Des Champs had a lot of questions to answer after his defeats at the Punchestown Festival and in the John Durkan, but he put in a huge performance at Leopardstown,” he said in his Ladbrokes blog.
“I rode him differently, he seemed to be very sweet, and he jumped brilliantly. Fastorslow was a non-runner on the day, and it’s impossible to know what would have happened if he turned up. However, Galopin Des Champs put up an absolutely massive performance and he would have been very hard to beat.
“I can’t wait to get back on him. Willie will probably bring him to the Dublin Racing Festival (Irish Gold Cup) and then onto to Cheltenham for the Gold Cup.
“It is disappointing when big names get beaten but it makes it all the sweeter and more enjoyable when they do come back and perform at the level they are capable of.”
Galopin Des Champs was one of five winners across two days at Leopardstown for the champion jockey, with the other major highlight being the victory of State Man in the Matheson Hurdle.
Many viewed his stablemate Impaire Et Passe as a major threat in the two-mile Grade One, but State Man swatted him aside with relative ease, ensuring the only horse to have beaten him when he has completed since joining the Mullins team is the mighty Constitution Hill in last year’s Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Townend added: “State Man just turns up and wins. He is a joy to ride.
“He is one of my favourite horses. He had a big task on his hands with Impaire Et Passe, but actually beat him snug enough come the line.
“Without Constitution Hill, he would be a real champion. He is probably not getting the credit he deserves because of that horse.”
Perhaps the most notable reverse for Townend over the festive period came aboard hot favourite Allaho in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
While far from disgraced in being beaten just under two lengths into third place, the rider admits he left the Sunbury circuit a shade disappointed.
He said: “I had a great spin around in the King George on Allaho. I really enjoyed it. It was my first time at Kempton and it was a really good experience.
“Shishkin departing at the second last felt like I was gifted a present, but by the time we landed at the back of the last, it was short lived.
“Hewick flew home and pushed Bravemansgame past me for second to take more money from us. It was a big run from Allaho. Did he stay? It is hard to know. He was outstayed by two really good horses.
“I couldn’t have had a better race, it all worked out perfectly, so I was disappointed to have been given a present and then have it taken away from me.
“It was a brilliant race to be a part of. The atmosphere was massive and they are the days you want to be involved with.”
Llori Sharpe has signed a one -year contract with a UCI Continental Cycling Team- L39ion of Los Angeles (L39ion pronounced Legion).
L39ion was founded in 2019 by brothers Justin and Cory Williams with the goal of increasing diversity and representation in cycling.
The “39” represents 39th Street in Los Angeles where the Williams brothers grew up. The duo are the masterminds behind the formation of the Miami Blazers in 2021 and the Austin Aviators in 2023 - based in Miami & Texas respectively.
The team includes both a women’s and men’s squad with riders from North and Latin America. The 2024 calendar of events commence in March through to December.
Sharpe previously competed for European club CANYON/SRAM.
With the change of teams, Sharpe will switch gears from longer more endurance-based races typical of the European peloton to shorter and faster-paced criterium racing.
Nonetheless Sharpe is excited about the transition and has been doing some base training during her off-season since October in preparation for the transition.
Ile Atlantique appears the first string of five runners for Willie Mullins as the champion trainer goes in search of a record-extending ninth victory in the Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle on Sunday.
It is 19 years since the Closutton handler first landed the now Grade One contest with Homer Wells and he has since added to his tally with the likes of Mikael D’haguenet (2009), Gagewell Flyer (2011), Bellshill (2016) and Champ Kiely (2023).
Ile Atlantique, the choice of stable jockey Paul Townend in this year’s renewal, bolted up by 19 lengths on his hurdling debut at Gowran Park – but does have ground to make up on the Gordon Elliott-trained Firefox, who beat him by three-quarters of a length in a Fairyhouse bumper last spring.
Mullins said: “Paul has picked Ile Atlantique, who must have impressed him the most of our five entries, but all five horses appear in good form at the moment and have been working well over the Christmas period waiting for this race.”
Record-breaking amateur Patrick Mullins is aboard Chapeau De Soleil, who he steered to a comprehensive success at Clonmel on his first start over hurdles.
The Mullins quintet is completed by Annie Power’s unbeaten son Mystical Power (Mark Walsh), Lecky Watson (Danny Mullins) and Readin Tommy Wrong (Daryl Jacob).
“They are each owned by five different owners and they have all shown ability to be good enough to tackle what I think will be one of the best Graded novice races run over the Christmas period in Ireland or England,” the trainer added.
“The five horses have all shown that they have speed and stamina, which will be required for a contest of this nature, and how they run in this race is sure to be a great pointer to the season ahead.”
Firefox is the likely favourite for Elliott, who has previously landed this top-level prize with Death Duty (2017), Battleoverdoyen (2019), Envoi Allen (2020) and Ginto (2022).
Since proving too strong for Ile Atlantique, Firefox has registered a third bumper win at Down Royal and claimed another notable scalp on his hurdling bow at Fairyhouse in the Mullins-trained Ballyburn.
The master of Cullentra has a second string to his bow in the form of Croke Park, who arguably sets the standard on hurdling form, having landed the Grade Three Monksfield at Navan last time out.
“There’s eight good horses in it, we’re looking forward to both of our horses and we hope they’ll run well,” said Elliott.
“Firefox was good the last day and I don’t think stepping up in trip will be a problem to him.
“Croke Park is a good horse as well and hasn’t done much wrong.”
The only runner not trained by Mullins or Elliott is Henry de Bromhead’s An Tobar, who steps up in trip after finishing third in the Grade One Royal Bond at Fairyhouse.
De Bromhead’s race planner Robbie Power said: “He ran very well in the Royal Bond on what was only his second ever start over hurdles. With that experience and the step up to two and a half miles, this looked a good race to go for.
“The Fairyhouse race looked a strong Grade One, as the winner, Farren Glory, looked like he was going to win another Grade One at Aintree over Christmas (before falling) and the runner-up, King Of Kingsfield, was very impressive winning at Leopardstown over Christmas, so it is strong form.”
Caoilin Quinn is chasing a second National in the space of a few days when he lines up at Plumpton on Sunday on David Bridgwater’s Dom Of Mary.
Conditional jockey Quinn partnered Gary Moore’s Nassalam to a brilliant victory in the Welsh version at Chepstow and now has his sights set on the BetGoodwin Sussex National Handicap Chase.
Quinn knows Dom Of Mary well, having ridden him in his last six races, winning once at Stratford in heavy ground.
He arrives having not been disgraced behind Gavin Cromwell’s Malina Girl at Cheltenham in November and Bridgwater says everything is now in the hands of the in-form jockey.
“He stayed the trip well enough at Cheltenham last time out I felt – and that was a good race,” said Bridgwater.
“He’s been running well really, he’s coming into this on the back of a good run last time, so I’m just hoping for a bit of luck.
“I’ve got a good jockey on board and I’m hoping he’s the National king! I’ve already told him I’ve set him up for a National double and now it’s up to him.
“Brendan Powell is my jockey really, but Caoilin has won on this horse before and I think he’s ridden him in his last half a dozen races, so he knows him very well and he obviously knows the track. I’m hoping for a good run.
“I haven’t gone through the race in detail but I think you’d have to probably watch out for Venetia’s (Williams, Eceparti) at the bottom.”
Seamus Mullins has been fourth and sixth for the last two years with I See You Well and this season fields top-weight Tommie Beau.
He is coming off wins at Sedgefield and Fontwell over marathon trips, so his stamina is certainly not in doubt.
“He’s very well, he’s had an easy time since his last win, he’s had two strong bits of work this week and he’s fresh and well, I’m really looking forward to it,” Mullins told Sky Sports Racing.
“We’ve got a lot of weight but theoretically we are the best horse in the race.
“There’s a fair bit of strength in depth down the bottom of the weights in Andy Irvine’s horse (Gold Clermont) and Venetia’s, they had a battle at Fakenham recently, it’s a good renewal.
“I’ve tried to win this race a few times with a good old horse called I See You Well. We’ve decided he doesn’t quite stay this trip but we go there with a live chance with Tommie Beau.
“He came home very well last time and I haven’t put him under too much pressure since, I think the main thing with these staying chasers is to have them fresh and well.”
LeBron James delivered an honest assessment of the Los Angeles Lakers' play after the team's slump continued with another loss, this time against the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Lakers suffered a 127-113 home loss on Friday despite 32 points from LeBron, 31 from Anthony Davis and 19 from Austin Reaves, who added a career-high 12 assists.
Los Angeles has lost four straight games and been beaten in 10 of their last 13, struggling badly since lifting the NBA Cup in Las Vegas.
Coach Darvin Ham had insisted ahead of the game that he continues to have the support of the franchise despite speculation over his job status with his team sitting below .500.
With their record now at 17-19 and the Lakers now 11th in the Western Conference, LeBron did not hold back.
"I mean, we just suck right now," James said after the game.
James felt too much weight has been given to the Lakers' triumph in the in-season tournament.
"That was just two games," James said. "It's a small sample.
"Everyone is getting so cracked up about Vegas and keep bringing up Vegas. It was two games. We took care of that business.
"It was the in-season tournament, we played it, we won it. But that was literally just two games."
Memphis was last in the league for 3-point shooting percentage going into the game, but the Lakers gave up a season-high 23 from deep.
"They're NBA players," added LeBron. "They work on their craft, too.
"It seems to happen a lot versus us, where the percentages go the other way. We had our game plan and how we wanted to execute that, and I thought we did that as well as we could. They made us pay."
Ham is growing frustrated about the huge focus placed on every Lakers result.
"I'm tired of people living and dying with every single game we play," Ham said. "It's ludicrous, actually. It's like, come on, man, this is a marathon. And we hit a tough stretch.
"It's the same team. We played some high-level games a little while ago, and we just got to get back to that.
"We got to keep the fight going. We cannot lose our fight. This is the NBA. This is a marathon and you have to look at the totality of the picture."
Davis, meanwhile, understood the scrutiny that would come with their current losses.
"Wearing this uniform, you get a lot of flack, and guys are watching you under a microscope as a team," he said.
"You have a couple of bad games, lose a couple in a row, you can't lose your confidence. Can't be on social media, listening to whatever people are saying.
"We've got to stay together in this locker room and find our way out of it. There's no help coming. There's no cavalry. We've got to do it with the guys we've got and remain together.
"We still have a lot of basketball left. But we're trending in the wrong direction right now. And the last thing we need, especially when guys are out, is to separate and fall apart.
"So we got to stay together, for sure, and figure it out. We can't be in our feelings. We can't be complaining or whatever. We can't take anything personal.
"We have to look individually, myself, everyone in the locker room, the coaching staff, look at ourselves in the mirror and figure out what we can do individually better to help the team be better. And I think then we can come out and flip things around."
The Grizzlies improved to 12-23 after Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 31 points and Marcus Smart added 29 points with a season-high eight 3-pointers.
"It was good, because obviously we haven't won here in a while, said Ja Morant," who had 21 points for Memphis.
"It's the team that knocked us out of the playoffs. Obviously, we're not where we want to be right now during the season, so this was a big-time win for us. We can carry the momentum from this game."
The Grizzlies are on the road against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, while pressure is on the Lakers as they take on city rivals the Los Angeles Clippers.
Tyrese Haliburton handed out 18 of the Pacers’ franchise-record 50 assists as Indiana rolled to its sixth straight win, 150-116 over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.
Haliburton also had 10 points and eight rebounds in just over 25 minutes, while Myles Turner scored 27 and Bennedict Mathurin added 18.
Indiana shot 71 percent in the first half and lead 78-54 at the break before finishing at 63.8 percent, including 48.7 percent (19 for 39) from 3-point range.
The Pacers reached 150 points against Atlanta for the second time this season after setting an NBA season high in a 157-152 win on Nov. 21.
Dejounte Murray scored 30 points for the Hawks and Trae Young was held to a season low-tying 13 on 4-of-18 shooting, going 1 for 11 from long range.
Clippers stay hot, cool Pelicans
Paul George scored 24 points with six 3-pointers and Kawhi Leonard added 19 points and nine rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 111-95 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
James Harden had eight points and 13 assists in 29 minutes to help the Clippers win their fifth in a row and 14th in 16 games.
Jonas Valanciunas tallied 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Pelicans, who had a four-game winning streak snapped.
New Orleans’ top two scorers – Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram – were each held to 12 points on 3-of-9 shooting. Williamson left in the third quarter with a right leg contusion.
Banchero stars as Magic rally
Paolo Banchero recorded his first career triple-double and sank a pair of go-ahead free throws with 9.7 seconds left as the short-handed Orlando Magic rallied past the Denver Nuggets, 122-120.
Banchero had 32 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists and hit four free throws in the final 34.6 seconds in a game the Magic trailed by as many as 18 points in the third quarter.
Jalen Suggs scored a career-high 27 points and Cole Anthony added 23 for Orlando, which avoided a winless four-game road trip despite playing without Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris, Wendell Carter Jr., Joe Ingles, Jonathan Isaac, Goga Bitadze and Franz Wagner.
Denver’s Jamal Murray had a chance to tie the game, but his 10-foot shot rimmed out at the buzzer.
Chicago Blackhawks star rookie Connor Bedard left after a hard hit in the first period and the New Jersey Devils rallied for a 4-2 victory on Friday.
Bedard, the rookie leader with 15 goals and 33 points, was levelled by Devils defenseman Brendan Smith as he carried the puck into the offensive zone. Bedard then skated to the bench holding his face.
Chicago coach Luke Richardson had no update on Bedard after the team’s 14th straight road loss.
Simon Nemec and Alexander Holtz each had a goal and an assist and Michael McLeod snapped a tie in the third period as the Devils won their fifth in six games.
Jason Dickinson and Boris Katchouk had goals for the Blackhawks, who have been outscored 19-4 during a four-game losing streak.
Jets win fifth straight, extend point streak
Laurent Brossoit made 37 saves and Nate Schmidt and Cole Perfetti scored third-period goals as the Winnipeg Jets defeated the Anaheim Ducks 3-1 to run their point streak to 11 games.
Nikolaj Ehlers had the other goal to help the Jets win their season high-tying fifth straight and improve to 9-1-1 since a 2-1 loss at San Jose on Dec. 12.
Winnipeg moved atop the league standings with 54 points, one ahead of the Rangers and Avalanche.
Anaheim’s lone goal came from Mason McTavish in its fourth consecutive loss (0-3-1).
Streaking Hurricanes defeat Capitals
Brent Burns scored two of Carolina’s six unanswered goals and red-hot Andre Svechnikov had a goal and two assists in the Hurricanes’ fifth straight win, 6-2 over the Washington Capitals.
Seth Jarvis and Dmitry Orlov also scored, Vasily Ponomarev tallied in his NHL debut and Sebastian Aho had three assists for Carolina, which is 8-1-3 in its last 12 games.
Svechnikov has six straight multipoint games with seven goals and seven assists during that span.
Nic Dowd and Dylan Strome had goals as the Capitals dropped to 1-4-2 in their last seven games.
Tyrell Hatton hit 10 birdies and an eagle as he shot a 62 to move into second place on day two of The Sentry in Hawaii.
Hatton had the best round of the day 62, moving to 15-under-par alongside Brendon Todd and Sungjae Im, one stroke behind Scottie Scheffler.
Collin Morikawa and Norway’s Viktor Hovland are among a bunch of players on 14-under-par after they both shot 67.
Hatton said: “Maybe a surprise to do it in the second round back to start the year, after how long I’ve had off.”
“I wouldn’t say I looked after myself in the December period — maybe that played a small part. Yeah, so the body hasn’t been moving well.
“I’m sure if you had seen some of the flight tracers of some of my tee shots, you would be disgusted.”
Fellow Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick moved to within three of the lead with a 64.
World number one Scheffler also shot 64 with eight birdies and an eagle.
Anthony Joshua will fight former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.
The former heavyweight champion, who beat Otto Wallin before Christmas, will return to Riyadh to face Ngannou on a date which is yet to be announced.
It will be a 10-round bout, according to reports, and could take place in March.
The 37-year-old Cameroonian was the heavyweight champion in UFC but has only boxed one professionally, coming close to a sensational shock when he floored Tyson Fury in October before eventually losing on a split decision.
He will return to Saudi Arabia to take on Joshua, whose plans to fight Deontay Wilder were scuppered by the American’s loss to Joseph Parker.
Joshua, who has been without a belt since his loss to Oleksandr Usyk in October last year, was targeting a fight against hard-hitting Croatian Filip Hrgovic but will now take on Ngannou.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Tonight we confirm it’s a Done Deal! @anthonyjoshua v @francis_ngannou collide on a huge night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – press conference Jan 15 in London with full details dropping soon!”
The status of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence remains up in the air for the team's important regular-season finale against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
Lawrence is recovering from a sprained right shoulder he sustained in Jacksonville's 30-12 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Dec. 24. The injury caused the former No. 1 overall draft pick to miss last Sunday's win over the Carolina Panthers and has limited him in practice this week.
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson told reporters prior to Friday's practice that Lawrence could be a game-day decision for Sunday's contest, which if Jacksonville wins would give the Jags a second straight AFC South title and a No 4 seed for the conference playoffs.
A loss to the Titans, however, could knock Jacksonville out of the postseason depending on the outcome of other games.
"It's day by day," Pederson said of Lawrence's status. "[Friday] will be a big day for him, tomorrow [as well]. He's progressing well.
"He's been plugged in and engaged all week mentally. Now is just the physical part."
C.J. Beathard would start at quarterback if Lawrence is not medically cleared. Beathard completed 17 of 24 passes for 178 yards without a turnover in last week's 26-0 victory over Carolina.
"If he's good to go, he's good to go," Pederson said of Lawrence. "He'll try to do everything he can to protect himself, but at the same time, if he's out there, he's rolling and we'll go play."
Pederson added that the team has yet to decide whether to activate wide receiver Christian Kirk from injured reserve for Sunday's game.
Kirk, who set career and team highs with 84 receptions, 1,108 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches in 2022, has missed the last four games with a groin injury he sustained against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 4. Like Lawrence, he was a limited practice participant throughout the week.
Jacksonville enters the regular season's final weekend in a three-way tie with the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans for first place in the AFC South. The Jaguars would win any tie-breaking scenarios if the division's top two teams finish with identical records.
The Texans and Colts will meet in Indianapolis on Saturday, with the winner guaranteed at least a wild-card playoff berth.
Jamaica's karting sensation Alex Powell is gearing up to write a new chapter in his racing career, as he recently inked a deal with Prema Racing to compete in its 2024 Formula 4 programme.
Powell, who displayed immense potential on the karting circuit where he secured numerous top three finishes in some of Europe's top-class championships, is now aiming to add to his karting successes, though he is well aware that Formula 4 presents much more formidable opponents.
“I’m happy to continue my journey with Prema Racing, since I started with them earlier in karting. We finished off to a great karting career and I look forward to continuing developing as a single seater driver with this incredible team. I’m grateful for this opportunity and I will continue to do my best with the amazing support of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team Junior Programme," Powell declared.
Powell, a Mercedes-AMG F1 protege, whetted his appetite for Formula 4 competition late last year, and will on this occasion, enjoy his first full season in European and Italian Formula 4 championships.
Prema Racing's Team Principal Angelo Rosin welcomed Jamaican Powell to Prema’s Formula 4 team for 2024, noting that the 16-year-old is the first drive to transition from Prema’s karting team to its F4 team.
“Alex is a really promising driver. We followed him during his early years, and we were delighted to welcome him to our new karting team for 2023. When he made the step up to cars, he was impressive despite the steep learning curve and made solid improvements every time he went on track…we are looking forward to seeing what’s ahead for us," Rosin said.
Conor Benn admits he fell out of love with boxing following his failed drugs tests but is willing to “spend every last penny” to prove his innocence in the appeal.
Benn’s career was thrown into turmoil in October 2022 after he twice tested positive for the banned drug clomifene in the lead-up to a bout against Chris Eubank Jr that was subsequently shelved in fight week.
His provisional suspension was lifted by the independent National Anti-Doping Panel, although the British Boxing Board of Control and UK Anti-Doping have lodged an appeal against that decision.
The 27-year-old was hoping to face Eubank Jr in a rearranged clash following the collapse of the initial fight until talks fell through and is now instead preparing for his second fight since returning to the ring, against Peter Dobson on February 3 in Las Vegas.
Benn emotionally explained his struggles to stay motivated in the aftermath of the failed tests.
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He said: “I’m willing to spend every last penny I have to fight my innocence, that’s how much this means to me.
“I know how hard it is to drag myself to the gym, fall out of love with boxing and still have to stay disciplined.
“I’ve been so demotivated for the past year-and-a-half. It wasn’t motivation that got me through, it was discipline and determination to do what’s right.
“I will continue to shout it from the rooftops for my innocence because I am.”
Benn made a first high-profile public appearance since the episode when Anthony Joshua fought Jermaine Franklin in April 2023 at the O2 Arena and was overwhelmed with the attention he received.
The son of former two-division world champion Nigel Benn felt his family’s name had been tarnished and has spoken about how the news of the failed tests left him feeling suicidal.
“That (affecting family reputation) was the worst thing to deal with, the shame. You get so emotional talking about it. My dad still loves me, I still love him,” he said.
“I went to AJ v Franklin in April. When I talk about anxiety, I thought I’m not ready to front this and had security with me and I thought I’d have it there for different reasons. I got mobbed, I couldn’t walk.
“I didn’t leave the house – when I walked to Sainsbury’s, I had to walk back and forget the shop because I couldn’t handle it. I’m one hell of a fighter, I’m bold, fearless, but I’m still human. I care about my name.
“It has been taxing, testing, like I’ve been through hell and back. Some days I’ve not been motivated and down in the dumps, some days I have been suicidal. I’ve learned a lot in the process and it’s made me a better man.”
Benn now switches his attention to the fight with American Dobson, his second consecutive fight outside the UK.
Benn is looking forward to coming back and fighting in the UK in the future but knows he has a job to do before he starts thinking about bigger fights.
He added: “I treat him (Dobson) as the world title fight, the big fight because without him there is no big fight.
“Fighting in Orlando and now Vegas is not under the best conditions, but it’s a big chapter and I like the way my book’s coming along.
“I just can’t wait for the homecoming. I’m excited to fight in America because that’s where all the world titles are. It’s every fighter’s dream to show in America, let alone Vegas, the home of boxing over there.”
:: Conor Benn and Peter Dobson will put their unbeaten records on the line live on DAZN
Racing 92 have denied England captain Owen Farrell is close to joining the Top 14 club.
The Saracens fly-half, who is missing the Six Nations to look after his mental heath, is reportedly poised for a move to France.
Racing 92 are coached by former England chief Stuart Lancaster, who gave Farrell his international debut in 2012.
A Racing statement said: “Racing 92 is regularly under the aegis of numerous speculations concerning movements within its workforce.
“We are delighted with the appeal of our club Racing 92. However, we deny any agreement concerning the English player Owen Farrell.”
Farrell became England’s leading points scorer at the World Cup and is reportedly out of contract at Saracens at the end of the season.
The 32-year-old has spent all of his career at the club but could now make a surprise move to France.
He has also given England coach Steve Borthwick no indication he plans to return. Farrell is also likely to be unavailable for the summer tour to Japan and New Zealand.
“We are all hopeful Owen will return to the England team at some point soon, but that’s going to be a decision Owen makes,” Borthwick said.
“Owen and I spoke right at the end of the World Cup. We were actually in Paris. We took a walk and he shared some of his thoughts and what he was thinking at that point in time.
“Then he took a period of reflecting and we met a couple of weeks later and he told me of his decision to step away. He expressed some of his feelings, which is clearly a confidential conversation.
“The first thing I’ll say there is I’m full of admiration for this guy – as a man, a player and a leader. It takes a lot of courage to do what he’s done.”
Saracens have been approached for comment.
Pat Dobbs produced a masterful ride on San Donato to claim Group Two glory in the Zabeel Mile at Meydan.
Doug Watson’s eight-year-old was travelling sweetly at the back of the field entering the home straight and Dobbs held his nerve by staying inside.
When the gaps appeared, San Donato slipped through them with ease and the 3-1 chance quickened clear to oblige by a length and a half from Marbaan.
“When he’s on song, he’s very good – he carries you into the race very well,” declared Dobbs. “I knew going down he was on fire today, he went down keen, which is good to see him like that.
“He’s obviously one that needs gaps to open for him, but when he is on song, he can take those gaps so quickly, he’s just very professional and a very good horse. I was very impressed.”
San Donato was a Listed winner at Doncaster as a juvenile for Roger Varian but switched to Watson to be campaigned in Dubai and Abu Dhabi after a lengthy absence.
Tuz absolutely romped home by eight and a half lengths at 7-1 in the Group Three Dubawi Stakes over six furlongs for trainer Bhupat Seemar and jockey Tadhg O’Shea.
The seven-year-old started out from stall 13 but soon made his way to the front and then simply ran his rivals ragged.
“When he’s good, he’s very good,” said O’Shea. “He’s got a lot of speed and he’s an exciting sprinter – he’ll give his roommate Switzerland something to think about in the coming weeks.”
Legend Of Time was the highlight of a William Buick treble when overcoming a wide draw in the Jumeirah Guineas Trial over seven furlongs, with Charlie Appleby’s three-year-old keeping on strongly to see off Shamrock Glitter by a length.
“I was very happy with him,” said Buick of the 5-4 scorer. “We did expect him to win, but he wasn’t done any favours when he got drawn in stall 14. The pace wasn’t overly strong, but he jumped pretty well and covered the ground.
“He’s a horse who is going to want further in time, I liked the way he did it, he’s a very progressive horse. That’s only his third start tonight, so he will only improve and I think you’ll see him improve when he steps up to a mile as well.
“I wouldn’t want to set a cap on him just yet, I think there’s improvement left in him, so hopefully he’ll progress and he can go through the ranks.”
Appleby’s Local Dynasty, a Pontefract Listed-class winner who was sixth in the November Handicap last time out, quickened up well late on to land the Zabeel Turf over 10 furlongs at 11-8, prevailing by three and a quarter lengths.
“He was very straightforward,” commented Buick. “The pace wasn’t overly strong and it was just about getting him not to do too much in the early stages.
“He finished off real good; when you go through his form, he’s never really run a bad race, so it’s nice to get his head back in front.
“When he ran in the November Handicap at Newcastle, it probably just stretched him a little bit, so I would say this is his optimum trip, for sure.”
Walbank, last seen running down the field at Royal Ascot, made a successful debut for new trainer George Boughey when staying on strongly to land the 16-runner AZIZI Venice handicap as a 6-4 favourite.
Buick said: “He had a long time off but he’s been here a while and they were very happy with him. He travelled beautifully throughout the race and saw it out really well, so I thought it was a decent performance.”
The Michael Costa-trained Ma Yetal proved his wide-margin debut win at Jebel Ali was no fluke when following up in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial on dirt.
New world champion Luke Humphries was “privileged” to be invited to meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Downing Street.
Humphries is still basking in the glory of his World Championship victory over teenager Luke Littler at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday night and continued an almost 48-hour media tour.
Sunak watched the thrilling match and met the 28-year-old at his residence on Friday afternoon.
Humphries told the PA news agency: “It is a privilege of course, these are not things you get to do every day, it was a privilege to be invited, this is massive for our sport.
“I have got a duty as the flagbearer of darts at the moment.
“We just talked about sport, nothing else really. He wanted to congratulate me on the success, he enjoyed the game and it really is important for figures to be coming in and enjoying our sport.”
Although Humphries lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy to celebrate his rise to world number one in style, it was Littler’s achievements that really made the world sit up and take notice.
The 16-year-old defied his tender years to steamroller his way to the final on debut, gaining an army of support along the way.
He gained celebrity status and transcended the world of darts, while also bringing in record viewing figures for broadcaster Sky Sports.
Humphries wants the new fans to stick around for the whole year, not just the Ally Pally bonanza.
“A lot of people see darts and the World Championship at Christmas and they don’t support afterwards, whereas darts isn’t just for Christmas, it’s forever,” he said.
“Hopefully they stay on board, darts isn’t just exciting in the worlds, it is exciting all year, there is great drama all year. The sport has grown to incredible heights and I hope everyone can stay tuned.”
England captain Owen Farrell is close to joining Top 14 club Racing 92, according to reports.
The Saracens fly-half, who is missing the Six Nations to look after his mental heath, is reportedly poised for a move to France.
Racing 92 are coached by former England chief Stuart Lancaster, who gave Farrell his international debut in 2012.
Farrell became England’s leading points scorer at the World Cup and is reportedly out of contract at Saracens at the end of the season.
The 32-year-old has spent all of his career at the club but could now make a surprise move to France.
He has also given England coach Steve Borthwick no indication he plans to return.
Farrell is also likely to be unavailable for the summer tour to Japan and New Zealand.
“We are all hopeful Owen will return to the England team at some point soon, but that’s going to be a decision Owen makes,” Borthwick said.
“Owen and I spoke right at the end of the World Cup. We were actually in Paris. We took a walk and he shared some of his thoughts and what he was thinking at that point in time.
“Then he took a period of reflecting and we met a couple of weeks later and he told me of his decision to step away. He expressed some of his feelings, which is clearly a confidential conversation.
“The first thing I’ll say there is I’m full of admiration for this guy – as a man, a player and a leader. It takes a lot of courage to do what he’s done.”
Saracens have been approached for comment.
It was an eventful start to the weekend for champion trainer Paul Nicholls but he is targeting more glory at his local track Wincanton on Saturday.
Nicholls’ Ditcheat yard was caught in a flash flood on Thursday evening, forcing staff to evacuate half a dozen horses from their stables.
However, as soon as the water levels rose they dissipated again, allowing Nicholls to resume his well-oiled routine.
So it will be business as usual for Nicholls, whose first runner Paddy De Pole in the Virgin Bet Novices’ Hurdle might be his least favoured of the four
“He won an Irish point-to-point in February at the sixth attempt and ran all right on his debut for us when keeping on to finish a distant third at Chepstow late last month. He will be suited by stepping up in trip here, but this looks quite a competitive race and he probably needs more experience before going handicapping,” said Nicholls.
Old favourite Magic Saint carries top-weight in the Virgin Bet Extra Places Handicap Chase and might just need the run.
“While he runs well fresh and handles soft ground he’s had a load of problems, is not easy to train and always improves for a run,” Nicholls told Betfair.
“He might be suited by starting at two miles. But I can’t be confident even though he has dropped a long way to a mark of 125 from a career-high rating of 159.
In the feature Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Handicap Chase Huelgoat is another top-weight for the yard
“He loves Wincanton, will not mind the ground and Freddie (Gingell) won on him at this track in November so he should have a nice chance,” said Nicholls.
“I think you can put a line through his last run at Sandown where he didn’t stay the three miles. Harry Cobden blamed himself for being too positive on Huelgoat that day.”
Individualiste is another with strong claims in the Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap Hurdle.
“He is turning out again quickly after hacking up at Taunton a week ago. It wasn’t the greatest race but he is only 4lb higher now and relishes heavy ground so must have a solid chance of following up with Freddie claiming 5lb.”
Rafael Nadal is keeping his fingers crossed he will be able to play in the Australian Open after needing medical treatment during a gruelling loss to Jordan Thompson at his comeback tournament.
Nadal looked poised to claim another straight-sets win at the Brisbane International when he brought up a first match point in the 10th game of the second set but missed a backhand overhead.
Two more chances followed in the tie-break but Nadal was unable to take either and Australian Thompson fought back to claim a 5-7 7-6 (6) 6-3 victory after three hours and 25 minutes.
More concerning was the off-court medical time-out Nadal took at 1-4 in the deciding set, although he was able to continue without too much apparent discomfort.
The 37-year-old had surgery on the psoas tendon in his left hip in June after being sidelined since suffering an injury at last January’s Australian Open and revealed the latest problem is in the same area.
“I feel the muscle tired,” he told reporters in Brisbane.
“I mean, for sure it’s not the same like last year at all because when it happened I felt something drastic immediately. Today I didn’t feel anything. The only problem is because the place is the same, you are a little bit more scared than usual.
“I need to see how I wake up tomorrow morning. We have been talking these last days, talking about the positive things. That’s why I am not over-positive when I have been talking.
“I have been talking with a lot of precaution because I know after a year is difficult for the body to be playing tournaments at the highest level. When the things are becoming more difficult, you don’t know how your body is going to react.
“I hope it is not important and I hope to have the chance to be practising next week and to play Melbourne. Honestly, I am not 100 per cent sure of anything now.”
Thompson will take on second seed Grigor Dimitrov in the semi-finals, while top seed Holger Rune faces Russian Roman Safiullin.
In the women’s event, top seed Aryna Sabalenka continued to look sharp in a 6-1 6-4 victory over Daria Kasatkina, her 14th straight win in Australia, while second seed Elena Rybakina was a set up on Anastasia Potapova when the Russian retired.
Sabalenka will take on fellow Belarusian Victoria Azarenka in the last four after she battled past Jelena Ostapenko, while Czech Linda Noskova won the battle of the teenagers against 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva.
At the ASB Classic in Auckland, defending champion Coco Gauff and second seed Elina Svitolina both eased into the semi-finals, while Alexander Zverev defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas to help Germany defeat Greece in the United Cup quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Harriet Dart reached the biggest final of her career at the WTA 125 event in Canberra, battling to a 7-5 3-6 7-5 victory over American Katie Volynets, and Heather Watson is through to the doubles final in Brisbane with Belgian Greet Minnen.
Grand National winner Corach Rambler will head straight for the Gold Cup at Cheltenham before aiming to repeat his Aintree heroics in April.
Last seen running an encouraging race to be third in the Betfair Chase, Lucinda Russell feels he would have too much weight to carry in the Ultima at Cheltenham, the race he won prior to success in the National, so therefore the Gold Cup represents a better route.
“Corach Rambler is in flying form and seems very well in himself. He’ll go straight to the Gold Cup and we’ll look to get a racecourse gallop into him before that like we did last year,” she told William Hill.
“Everyone knows how much I love him and it would be very special if he could be competitive in another Grand National. Over Christmas we watched back the race last year and it was amazing how much he loved it and how well he jumped. That is the main target and, while I don’t like to call the Gold Cup a prep, that’s sort of what we’re treating it as.
“He’ll have to carry so much weight in the Ultima and we just feel the Gold Cup will be a better race for him. It would be amazing if he could run well in that which would set him up perfectly for Aintree.”
She may have two runners in the blue riband with Ahoy Senor possibly lining up. He is likely to have another run first, however.
“Ahoy Senor is in great form and has fully recovered from his sore heel after Newbury. We’ve sorted that out and he’s been doing really well at home since,” said Russell.
“The aim looks the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham and, if we don’t go there, we’ll look at the Denman Chase at Newbury – a track we know he goes well at. The race at Lingfield (Fleur De Lys Chase) could have been an option, but I’m not keen on running him on very heavy ground.
“Providing one of those races goes well, it will most likely be the Gold Cup next. He has got an entry in the Ryanair and we could look at that, but I’d be leaning towards the Gold Cup at this stage.”
Russell, who feels she possibly ran Giovinco back too quickly in the Kauto Star Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day and may go to Sandown or Cheltenham next, also passed on a good word for the mare, Apple Away.
“She’s a bit of a dark horse and I’m quietly confident she might run quite well in the Brown Advisory. She’ll head to Warwick next weekend and I’ve been really happy with her at home since her last run,” she said.
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