Leading Champion Bumper contender Maughreen has been ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival after suffering a minor setback.
The daughter of Walk In The Park is bred to be smart, being out of a half-sister to the brilliant Faugheen, and could not have been more impressive when scoring by 11 lengths on her racecourse debut at Punchestown in January.
The five-year-old was disputing favouritism with some bookmakers to provide trainer Willie Mullins with a 13th Champion Bumper success at Prestbury Park – and while she will not be making the trip across the Irish Sea, connections are hopeful she will make a full recovery.
James Fenton, racing manager for her Closutton Racing Club owners, said: “The team at Willie’s just copped that she wasn’t moving correctly after a piece of work during the week, we’ve done a bit of investigating to see what was going on and we caught something very small.
“She’s by no means in any danger or anything like that, it’s an injury that I would take every day of the week. It’s very minor and the prognosis for it is described as excellent.
“She was going to Cheltenham, that was the plan. I discussed it on Monday night with Willie and a lot of the members had their plane tickets booked and everything, but they’re very understanding as that’s the game we’re in.”
On whether Maughreen could run later in the spring, Fenton added: “It’s up in the air at the moment, but there’s one thing we won’t be doing and that’s putting pressure on her.
“She’ll be well looked after, we’ll get her right and we’ll kick on again. We’ll just have to reassess her after two weeks and I would expect her to make a full recovery.”
Tributes have been paid to Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Mark Bradstock, who has died aged 66.
Along with his wife Sara, Bradstock trained Coneygree to become the first novice since Captain Christy 41 years earlier to land the blue riband at Prestbury Park in 2015.
The Old Manor Stables handler also saddled Carruthers to win the 2011 Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, while Step Back was another big-race victor in the 2018 bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.
Coneygree was ridden at Cheltenham by Nico de Boinville, who is now established as one of the top riders in the sport.
He wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Thinking of the Bradstock family. I owe them all so much, they played an integral part in getting me going. Mark will be hugely missed.”
Bradstock’s final runner Mr Vango won the Devon National at Exeter on February 23 by 60 lengths and could now line up in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival later this month.
Retired jockey Mattie Batchelor, who was on board Carruthers for his Hennessy triumph and also steered Coneygree to two Grade Two victories over hurdles, posted: “Thank you very much for the memories!!!! We had some great times and more importantly some great laughs!!!!! Condolences to Sara, Alfie (son) and Lily (daughter).”
Newbury’s BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup meeting was given the green light following a second morning inspection at the Berkshire circuit.
While Friday’s six-race card took place in its entirety, conditions worsened throughout the day and with further rain forecast, an initial precautionary check was announced for 8am.
The course was found to be waterlogged in places early on Saturday morning, but officials were keen to give the fixture every chance and the track was passed fit to race shortly before a second planned inspection time of 10am.
Saturday’s Navan card, featuring the Grade Three Flyingbolt Novice Chase and the Grade Two BoyleSports Webster Cup, will also go ahead as scheduled after the course passed a a 7.30am inspection.
IHRB clerk of the course Paddy Graffin said: “I’m pleased to say that the track at Navan is fit for racing and has passed our inspection here this morning.
“The team here at Navan have done an outstanding job on the track and there is no longer any standing water. The ground remains heavy, and will be testing, but racing goes ahead.”
Leopardstown’s meeting on Sunday came through an initial Saturday morning inspection, but a further check has been announced for 3pm this afternoon.
“The track at Leopardstown remains unfit for racing at present due to snow still lying in some areas,” said clerk of the course Lorcan Wyer.
“However, there has been improvement since yesterday and further thaw is expected today so will have a further inspection at 3pm this afternoon.”
This afternoon’s BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup meeting at Newbury is subject to a second course inspection at 10am.
While Friday’s six-race card took place in its entirety, conditions worsened throughout the day and with further rain forecast, an initial precautionary check was announced for 8am.
The Berkshire circuit was found to be waterlogged in places early on Saturday morning, but officials are keen to give the fixture every chance and will look again later in the morning.
Saturday’s Navan card, featuring the Grade Three Flyingbolt Novice Chase and the Grade Two BoyleSports Webster Cup, will go ahead as scheduled after the course passed a a 7.30am inspection.
IHRB clerk of the course Paddy Graffin said: “I’m pleased to say that the track at Navan is fit for racing and has passed our inspection here this morning.
“The team here at Navan have done an outstanding job on the track and there is no longer any standing water. The ground remains heavy, and will be testing, but racing goes ahead.”
Leopardstown’s meeting on Sunday has come through an initial Saturday morning inspection, but a further check has been announced for 3pm this afternoon.
“The track at Leopardstown remains unfit for racing at present due to snow still lying in some areas,” said clerk of the course Lorcan Wyer.
“However, there has been improvement since yesterday and further thaw is expected today so will have a further inspection at 3pm this afternoon.”
Jayson Tatum scored 32 points and the Boston Celtics overcame Luka Dončić’s second straight triple-double in a 138-110 victory over the Dallas Mavericks for their 10th consecutive win on Friday.
Jaylen Brown had 25 points and Kristaps Porzingis added 24 as seven Celtics scored in double figures.
Doncic had 37 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists for his 12th triple-double of the season and 68th of his career.
NBA-leading Boston knocked down 21 3-pointers and shot 55.3 percent (52-of-94) from the field to remain unbeaten since a loss to the Lakers on Feb. 1.
The 10-game streak is the longest for the Celtics since a 10-game run during the 2019-20 season.
Kyrie Irving scored 19 points against his former team but shot 9 of 23 as Dallas lost for the third time in four games.
Antetokounmpo powers streaking Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo poured in 46 points and grabbed 16 rebounds as the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Chicago Bulls 113-97 for their fifth consecutive win.
Antetokoumpo shot 16 of 22 from the field, made 2 of 3 from long range and sank 12 of 16 free throws in his eighth 40-plus point game this season.
Patrick Beverley scored 14 points and Brook Lopez added 12 for the Bucks, who improved to 8-7 under Doc Rivers and moved into a virtual tie with Cleveland for first place in the Central Division.
Chicago’s DeMar DeRozan became the 35th player in NBA history to accumulate 23,000 points. He scored 12 points – all but two in the second half – and was 5 of 13 from the field after missing his first six shots.
Coby White led the Bulls with 22 points and Nikola Vucevic added 17 with nine rebounds.
Warriors win again on road
Stephen Curry scored 25 points and Jonathan Kuminga added 24 to lead the Golden State Warriors to their eighth straight road win, 120-105 over the Toronto Raptors, who lost All-Star Scottie Barnes.
Moses Moody had 17 points and Klay Thompson was next with 14 as the Warriors won their third straight and 13th in 15 games.
Barnes broke his left middle finger late in the first half and the Raptors said he would be out indefinitely. He had 10 points and six rebounds in 16 minutes, ending a career-best streak of five consecutive double-doubles.
Golden State overcame some troublesome travel after it had to switch planes following Thursday night’s win over New York. The Warriors endured a long wait on the tarmac, finally arriving at its Toronto hotel shortly after 7 a.m. Friday morning.
Alex Ovechkin ignited a run of five unanswered goals and the Washington Capitals picked up a key 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday.
Ovechkin’s 17th goal of the season and 839th of his career at 4:34 of the second period cut Philadelphia’s lead to 2-1 before Sonny Milano and John Carlson scored later in the period to put Washington ahead for good.
Anthony Mantha and Dylan Strome added third-period goals for the Capitals, who have won five of seven to pull within four points of the third-place Flyers in the Metropolitan Division.
Bobby Brink and Owen Tippett scored for Philadelphia, which has dropped five of seven. The Flyers played their fourth straight game without All-Star forward Travis Konecny, who could return next week.
Coyotes snap 14-game losing streak
Dylan Guenther snapped a tie in the third period and the Arizona Coyotes held on for a 5-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators to end a 14-game losing streak.
Michael Carcone, J.J. Moser, Nick Schmaltz and Matias Maccelli had the other goals to help Arizona stop a 0-12-2 slide with its first win since Jan. 22.
Karel Vejmelka made 34 saves to earn his first win since Dec. 27 after going 0-8-0 in 10 appearances since.
Ottawa lost its third straight game and both meetings this season against Arizona.
Dostal stars in Ducks’ win
Lukas Dostal stopped 52 shots and Jack Hughes’ penalty shot with 2.1 seconds remaining to lift the Anaheim Ducks to a 4-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils.
Frank Vatrano scored twice and Adam Henrique and Max Jones had the other goals as the Ducks won back-to-back games after a three-game skid.
Hughes had a goal and two assists but failed to convert a late penalty shot, awarded when Vatrano deliberately knocked the net off its moorings following a scramble around Dostal.
Jack Draper retired in the third set of his semi-final against Australian Alex de Minaur at the Mexican Open in Acapulco.
Draper left the court 4-0 down in the final set because of an undisclosed illness after he staged a strong comeback from a set down to the defending champion.
The Australian started strongly, taking the first 6-3 and capitalising on four of six break points – the first set Draper had dropped in the tournament.
But the British number three staged a valiant comeback, winning the second set 6-2 with some strong returns.
His illness became an issue towards the end of the second set with the 22-year-old receiving treatment from the physiotherapist and tournament doctor.
Things only got worse in the third set as the Australian won four consecutive games before Draper retired from the match.
De Minaur said after the match that he wishes Draper a “speedy recovery”.
“He’s a hell of a player, a hell of a talent and I hope it’s nothing too serious,” he said.
Rory McIlroy carded a four-under-par 67 for the second successive day to finish three strokes off the pace following round two of the Cognizant Classic in Florida.
Northern Irishman McIlroy is among eight players tied for sixth place, alongside Ireland’s Shane Lowry and England’s David Skinns, after hitting six birdies and two bogeys on Friday.
McIlroy said that while he “didn’t get off to the greatest of starts”, he bounced back to finish strongly.
“I think it is just one of those courses where you have just got to stay super patient, knowing that the scoring is good, but people aren’t going to get away from you here,” he said.
“I think I did a good job of staying patient until the end and that patience was rewarded.”
Lowry has also posted consecutive scores of 67, while world number 278 Skinns, who is without a top-10 finish on the PGA Tour, posted a two-under-par 69 following his opening-day 65.
Bud Cauley leads the way on 11 under par, with fellow American Austin Eckroat and South Africa’s Garrick Higgo each one shot behind.
The last time Cauley was in the top five after any round was at the 2020 PGA Championship.
Belgium’s Thomas Detry is in last position – 11 over par – after he six-putted the 461-yard par-four sixth hole from 57 feet, despite knocking his first effort to eight feet.
The 31-year-old finished with a quadruple bogey and the most putts on one hole on the PGA Tour in four years.
Luke Littler says seeing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp talk about him was just another day in his crazy life.
Klopp compared his young band of players, who helped win the Carabao Cup last week and then earn a quarter-final spot in the FA Cup, to the 17-year-old, who the German described as the “new darts sensation”.
Littler, who advanced to the last 32 of the UK Open on Friday night, burst onto the scene at the World Championship over Christmas.
View this post on Instagram
His historic run to the final saw him transcend the sport and become a global star, so seeing Klopp reference him was nothing out of the ordinary.
Littler, a staunch Manchester United fan, said: “I actually watched the final and the young lads are doing well, but if he wants to compares them to me then he can.
“I actually woke up and someone told me that he compared me to his young lads, so I went online and watched the video.
“I gave it a like and went on to the next video. That was literally another day in my life.”
Littler is gunning for his first major title since joining the main PDC Tour at the start of the year and he looked the part in his opening match at Butlin’s in Minehead.
He averaged over 100 and produced four 100-plus finishes, including a ‘Big Fish’, as he beat James Wade 10-7.
With Michael van Gerwen surprisingly crashing out, Littler is now the favourite to win.
“I have not even thought about it, but I know if my game is there every match then I don’t see why I can’t win it,” he said.
“I don’t mind who I play. It is what I dreamed of, playing in front of thousands every week, I just take it in my stride.”
Three-time champion Van Gerwen was below par as he was dumped out at the first hurdle by Mensur Suljovic.
The Austrian has been in the darting doldrums in recent years, but posted a standout win, outplaying Van Gerwen, who appeared to be nursing an elbow injury.
Suljovic said: “I beat Michael van Gerwen, the best player in the world. I am feeling good, I am practising every day, I am a different person.
“I had a big problem with my family, I came back and practice every day, and hope I can do well in the tournament.”
Andrew Gilding began the defence of his 2023 title with a 10-7 win over Josh Payne and intends to celebrate by eating a Pot Noodle.
‘Goldfinger’ was a surprise winner last year when he beat Van Gerwen in a thrilling final and finished so late he had nothing to eat except the instant snack.
“When I won it last year there were no takeaways open so I had to eat a Pot Noodle to celebrate,” he said. “So I actually brought a couple of Pot Noodles and I’ll eat one tonight out of tradition.
“I have got a chicken and mushroom or beef and tomato. Maybe I’ll have beef and tomato with a little bit of extra ketchup, I bring my own.”
Former world champion Michael Smith said he was unable to celebrate his 10-7 win over Josh Cullen in the same way because he had already eaten one for lunch.
“I had a Pot Noodle for lunch before I came here so that’s out of the window,” he said. “I have a standing order, I get some sent every month.”
Gerwyn Price was beaten 10-9 by Martin Schindler, but there were wins for world number one Luke Humphries, Gary Anderson and Nathan Aspinall.
Katie Boulter is through to a first WTA 500 semi-final after beating Croatia’s Donna Vekic in straight sets at the San Diego Open.
The British number one followed up her win over second seed Beatriz Haddad Maia in the last 16 by knocking out the 2022 runner-up 6-4 6-3.
From trailing 3-1 in the first set, Boulter won nine of the next 10 games in another confident display.
She will climb to a career-high ranking, on the brink of the top 40, following her latest victory.
Vecic, seeded seventh, broke first in the opening set but then allowed Boulter to hit straight back after an error-strewn service game.
Boulter then saved three break points to hold and grabbed a crucial second break for 5-4 before serving out the set.
Two stunning Boulter backhands brought the 27-year-old from Leicester another break at the start of the second, and a subsequent break to love put her in complete control.
Boulter let Vecic claw one break back as she served for the set, but she converted her first match point with a clubbing forehand after the longest rally of the match, wrapping up the victory in an hour and 36 minutes.
“It was an absolute battle in tricky conditions, it was not easy to get any rhythm as we are both big hitters,” Boulter said in her on-court interview.
“I got over the line in the first set and played some good stuff in the second.”
Christian Horner continues to fight for his Formula One career following a string of allegations against the Red Bull team principal.
Here, the PA news agency looks at the key questions surrounding Horner, Red Bull, and the sport.
What were the accusations against Horner?
On February 5, Red Bull Racing’s parent company GmbH confirmed Horner was under investigation following an accusation of “inappropriate behaviour”. The company said it “takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as practically possible”.
Horner denied the claim – made by a female colleague – and remained as team principal and CEO of the Milton Keynes-based team. It is understood the complainant also continued in her role.
How did Red Bull react?
Horner was questioned by a lawyer for eight hours at a secret London location. There was no immediate resolution and Horner subsequently appeared at Red Bull’s car launch on February 15.
He continued to dismiss the allegations. Horner then headed to Bahrain for last week’s three-day test before returning to England, while Red Bull’s Austrian board met to discuss his future.
What was the verdict?
On the eve of this weekend’s curtain raiser – and 23 days after it emerged Horner was under investigation – Red Bull GmBH said the grievance against the 50-year old had been dismissed.
The corporation said it was confident the investigation had been “fair, rigorous and impartial” but added that the report, understood to stretch to 150 pages, is “confidential”. However, a number of senior figures in the sport felt Red Bull’s probe lacked transparency.
So, what happened next?
Twenty-four hours later, a number of messages and images apparently exchanged between Horner and the complainant were sent from an anonymous email account to 149 members of the F1 paddock – including FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem, F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali and the grid’s nine other team principals, as well as members of the media.
What did Horner say?
Horner released a statement saying: “I will not comment on anonymous speculation, but to reiterate I have always denied the allegations.”
He was back in the paddock a day later for qualifying as Max Verstappen took pole position. There was speculation that another damning email leak against Horner would arrive on Friday – but it failed to materialise.
Will the FIA take any action?
It is understood the FIA explored bringing a disrepute charge against Horner – and assessed the legalities of seeking Red Bull to hand over its report – but no action has emerged.
Neither F1, nor its regulator, has commented publicly on the latest allegations. Horner met with both Domenicali and Ben Sulayem on Friday.
And what about Red Bull’s sponsors and partners?
There is thought to be considerable unrest and unease behind the scenes following the latest allegations to hit Horner – but there has been no public comment from Red Bull Racing’s two biggest partners – Ford and Oracle.
Will Horner be on the pit wall for Saturday’s race?
Yes. It is understood Horner remains defiant that he can see out the controversy.
His wife Geri Halliwell flew to Bahrain and could be trackside on Saturday, while Chalerm Yoovidhya, who owns 51 per cent of the Red Bull group, might also be in attendance.
Lewis Hamilton believes Mercedes have delivered a car capable of putting him in the fight at the front – despite qualifying only ninth for Saturday’s opening round of the season in Bahrain.
Max Verstappen saw off Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by two tenths to capture pole position, with Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell next up, a third of a second back.
Hamilton raised hope that he might take the challenge to Verstappen when he finished fastest in practice here on Thursday.
However, the 39-year-old, entering his final campaign for the Silver Arrows before he joins Ferrari, finished half-a-second adrift.
But an optimistic Hamilton said: “It is amazing to see how close everyone is, and George’s position is testament to how amazing a job all those working at the factory have done to give us a car to fight.
“The car is really fantastic, and a big improvement from previous years.
“It is stable and more fun to drive. For George to be three tenths off Max is incredible and it shows what is possible.
“We just have to add performance, but if that is our platform, we can definitely chase for the rest of the season.
“For the first qualifying session to be as poor as that when you put in so much preparation is disappointing, but that is racing.”
Verstappen is expected to romp to his fourth consecutive world championship in his all-conquering Red Bull machine.
But the Dutch driver was made to work for the 33rd pole of his career under the thousands of bulbs that light up the Sakhir Circuit.
Verstappen headed into his final run with less than a tenth in his pocket over Leclerc before extending his margin to the Ferrari driver.
Despite taking top spot, Verstappen apologised for what he perceived to be a scruffy lap.
“Don’t be sorry, Max,” said a weary-sounding Christian Horner – whose Formula One future is again in the spotlight after hundreds of WhatsApp messages appearing to be written by him to a female colleague were leaked. “You finished two tenths clear of Charles and three tenths ahead of George.”
Verstappen added: “It was a lot of fun. I am very happy to be on pole, and it was a little bit unexpected. The car came to us and I felt happier than I did in practice.
“The race is going to be close, too, but we will see tomorrow. I am confident we can have a strong race.”
While Verstappen qualified first, Sergio Perez was fifth in the other Red Bull, one place ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.
British driver Lando Norris will line up in seventh for McLaren, with Williams’ Alex Albon 13th.
Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly will prop up the grid following a miserable qualifying session for the Alpine team.
Red Bull’s superstar driver Max Verstappen stopped short of providing his full support for embattled team principal Christian Horner.
Verstappen temporarily took the spotlight off Horner – whose Formula One future is again in the spotlight after hundreds of WhatsApp messages appearing to be written by him to a female colleague were leaked – when the Dutchman secured pole position for Saturday’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
But moments after capturing top spot, Verstappen was quizzed on how the latest allegations surrounding Red Bull had affected his preparations, and if Horner remains the right person to lead the crisis-hit team.
“From my side, and, from the mechanics and engineers, we’re fully focused on the car, and fully focused on the weekend which is how it should be and that is what we continue to do,” said Verstappen.
Appearing to swerve the question about Horner, he added: “It’s not our business to get involved in that. We are paid to do our job, that is what we are out there doing, and that is what we love doing and that is what I focus on.”
Verstappen was asked again if he still had faith in Horner.
“When I look at how Christian operates within the team he has been an incredible boss so from the performance kind of things you can’t question that,” he added.
“I speak to Christian a lot and he is fully committed to the team.
“He is here for the performance, and of course he is a little bit distracted, but we just focus on performance and that is how we all work together.”
On Wednesday, Horner was cleared to continue as Red Bull team principal following an internal probe into “inappropriate behaviour” by the F1 team’s parent company, Red Bull GmbH. He has always denied the claims.
But just 24 hours later, a number of messages and images apparently exchanged between Horner and the complainant were sent from an anonymous email account to 149 members of the F1 paddock – including FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem, F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali and the grid’s nine other team principals, as well as members of the media.
Domenicali and Ben Sulayem spoke on Friday to discuss the next steps.
Horner’s wife, Geri Halliwell, flew to Bahrain and could be with her husband at Saturday’s race. Chalerm Yoovidhya, who owns 51 per cent of the Red Bull group, might also be in attendance.
Neither F1’s American owners, Liberty Media, nor its regulator, the FIA, have seen Red Bull GmbH’s report into Horner, which is thought to stretch to 150 pages and was said to be “confidential”.
The FIA considered the legalities of asking Red Bull to hand over its report, and examining if Horner might have breached two clauses of its International Sporting Code.
Article 12.2.1.c of the code states that a competitor will have committed an offence if there was “any fraudulent conduct or any act prejudicial to the interests of any Competition or to the interests of motor sport generally”.
Article 12.2.1.f highlights “any words, deeds or writings that have caused moral injury or loss to the FIA, its bodies, its members or its executive officers, and more generally on the interest of motor sport and on the values defended by the FIA”.
Meanwhile, article 12.2.1.g states that “any failure to cooperate in an investigation” would breach the code.
However, the likelihood of any action receded as another extraordinary day – which included speculation that another damning email leak would arrive but never did – wore on.
Horner spoke only once about the latest allegations as he made his way from Red Bull’s hospitality suite to the team’s garage earlier on Friday.
“I am not going to comment on anonymous speculation from unknown sources,” he said. When asked what comes next, Horner replied: “We go racing.
The prospect of further rain has prompted officials at Newbury to announce a precautionary inspection ahead of Saturday’s BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup meeting.
While Friday’s six-race card at the Berkshire track took place in its entirety, conditions worsened throughout the day and a further seven to 12 millimetres of rain is forecast from early Saturday morning into the afternoon.
A precautionary check will be held at 8am to ensure the racing surface remains safe enough for day two of the meeting to go ahead.
Saturday’s Navan card, due to feature the Grade Three Flyingbolt Novice Chase and the Grade Two BoyleSports Webster Cup, is also under threat, with an inspection called for 7.30am, while Sunday’s meeting at Leopardstown is subject to an 8am inspection on Saturday.
Lorcan Wyer, IHRB clerk of the course at Leopardstown said: “Following a further 13mm of precipitation which has fallen as snow since 8am this (Friday) morning, Leopardstown is currently unfit for racing as the track is covered in snow.
“Temperatures are currently rising and the snow is already starting to thaw and is turning to rain with bright spells and temperatures of seven degrees forecast for Saturday.
“With the current situation we feel it is prudent to call an 8am inspection to determine the prospects for the fixture scheduled to take place on Sunday.”
I’d Like To Know overcame a few hairy leaps late in the day to run out a comfortable winner of the Howden Supporting West Berkshire Mencap Handicap Chase at Newbury.
Beaten just a short head into second place by Gary Moore’s Issar d’Airy on his first visit to the Berkshire circuit in January, Chris Gordon’s charge was an 11-10 favourite to go one better in deteriorating conditions.
Sent straight to the lead by Rex Dingle, I’d Like To Know had most of his rivals in serious trouble at the top of the home straight, but his supporters will have had their hearts in their mouths when he stood a long way off the fourth fence from home.
However, he made it to the other side in one piece and while he was far from fluent at the remaining obstacles, the seven-year-old ultimately had plenty in hand as he passed the post five and a half lengths ahead of the runner-up Real Stone.
Gordon said: “He won nicely considering the other horse (Real Stone) came to him three-quarters of the way down the back and took him on. The two of them injected a huge amount of pace into it and they were half going like it was summer ground down to the cross fence.
“They just got racing far too early and I think it just shows you our boy is a gutsy fella to come back and stay on like he did.
“He got very tired on the way back, but it was only his second time over fences, he’s a big horse and fingers crossed he can keep on improving.”
Toss Of A Coin can be expected to go on to bigger and better things after completing a double on the card for champion trainer Paul Nicholls.
A winner between the flags in Ireland last spring, the six-year-old landed cramped odds on his first start for his new connections at Exeter in December and was a 10-11 shot to follow up under a penalty in the Download The BetVictor App “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.
His task was far from straightforward, with Gary Moore’s Ballybentragh also bringing a high level of form to the table after making a successful start to his career under rules at Sandown.
It turned into a straight shootout between the pair from halfway up the home straight and having been sent to the lead from flag-fall, Toss Of A Coin found plenty once challenged to prevail by a length and a half in the hands of title-chasing jockey Harry Cobden.
Nicholls had earlier struck gold with 7-1 shot Kruger Park, who readily extended clear of his rivals in the Howden Supporting West Berkshire Mencap Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle under Freddie Gingell.
“He’s an improving horse who has been very mentally backward and slow. He ran off the course one day at Taunton last year and it just took him a few runs to learn,” Nicholls told Sky Sports Racing.
“He was unlucky not to win at Fontwell the last time, he was a little bit green, but today he was much more professional and Freddie gave him a great ride. I’m delighted with him.”
The father-and-son team of Dominic and Ben Ffrench Davis combined to land the Get Best Odds Guaranteed At BetVictor Juvenile Hurdle as Ithaca’s Arrow upset favourite Le Fauve.
The latter was a 5-6 chance off the back of finishing fifth behind Triumph Hurdle favourite Sir Gino at Cheltenham on his most recent outing, but 7-2 chance Ithaca’s Arrow travelled strongly throughout and pulled clear on the run-in to score by four and a half lengths.
“It’s been a frustrating couple of runs with this lad, we got beaten a short head at Sandown first time out and we really fancied him at Kempton (next time) and the run was too bad to be true. We got him scoped afterwards and he was actually as sick as a dog,” said the winning rider.
“We got him back for Ludlow and he actually went for his girths turning in and got beaten a short head by a horse going for the Fred Winter (Boodles at Cheltenham, Royal Way), so he deserved to win today.”
Following a string of placed efforts, the Venetia Williams-trained Martator (5-2) finally came good over fences in the Focus Novices’ Handicap Chase.
Jockey Charlie Deutsch said: “He takes a bit of knowing and it’s took me a while to find the winning line on him. He’s quite keen, but the more you pull the faster he goes almost, so I was having to use the other horses to slow him up.
“I’ve hit the front soon enough actually, the way he’s travelled past them and then he’s got a little bit lonely in front, but I’m really pleased.”
Williams and Deutsch doubled up in the Play The BetVictor Predictor Handicap Hurdle as 13-2 shot Tanganyika led his rivals a merry dance in the rain-softened ground.
Max Verstappen temporarily took the spotlight off team boss Christian Horner by putting his Red Bull on pole position for the opening round of the new Formula One season in Bahrain.
The build-up to the first race of the campaign has totally been overshadowed by allegations whirling around Horner.
The 50-year-old was exonerated by Red Bull Racing parent’s company, Red Bull GmbH, following an internal probe into “inappropriate behaviour” against a female colleague on Wednesday – before hundreds of WhatsApp messages appearing to be written by him were leaked to the F1 world a day later.
However, Horner, who has always denied any wrongdoing and remains in his role, was on the world champions’ pit wall here in Bahrain to see Verstappen claim his first pole of a season in which he is expected to romp to his fourth consecutive world championship in his all-conquering Red Bull machine.
But the triple world champion was made to work for the 33rd pole of his career under the thousands of bulbs that light up the Sakhir Circuit with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc second, two tenths back.
George Russell finished third for Mercedes, one place ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz. Lewis Hamilton will line up in ninth on the grid.
Nicky Henderson expects a second blood test on Monday to be the “acid test” in Constitution Hill’s race against time to be fit for the Cheltenham Festival.
The unbeaten and defending Champion Hurdle hero worked poorly at Kempton Park on Tuesday, putting his participation at the showpiece meeting in major doubt.
A scope showed mucus in his lungs and despite slightly more positive news in the following days, results of a blood test on Thursday proved to be another blow.
In a statement issued on X on Friday, Henderson revealed the results of a second scope were more encouraging, but admits his stable star is still “unwell” with his intended return to action in the Cotswolds a little over a week away.
Henderson said: “On what was about as foul and filthy morning as you can imagine at Seven Barrows, Constitution Hill had a light exercise and was rescoped afterwards as planned. This showed the Neutrophil percentage, indicative of infection, was back to normal parameters with no mucus evident.
“This is obviously positive news but we cannot hide behind yesterday’s blood test which basically reveals that, in simple terms, our horse is ‘unwell’.
“He will have a quiet weekend and we propose, as originally planned, to take a further blood test on Monday which I believe will be the acid test. Therefore I think we might leave it until then to keep everybody updated on the situation.”
World number five Andrey Rublev was sensationally defaulted after being accused of swearing at a line judge in the deciding set of his semi-final at the Dubai Open.
The combustible Russian was trailing 6-5 in the third against Alexander Bublik when he appeared to say something to the line judge.
ATP supervisor Roland Herfel came down to the court accompanied by a Russian speaker, who claimed Rublev had sworn in his native language.
Rublev protested, insisting he was speaking in English, while Bublik also backed his opponent.
“I didn’t say ‘f******’. I swear to God. This is huge. I swear to God,” said Rublev.
The offence would usually merit a warning in the first instance, but the 26-year-old was defaulted by umpire Miriam Bley amid jeers from the crowd in Dubai.
It was a controversial end to a tight match, with Kazakhstan’s Bublik progressing to the final 6-7 (4) 7-6 (5) 6-5.
JPR Williams’ life as a rugby “revolutionary” and family man was remembered at a memorial service for the former Wales and British Lions full-back.
Williams died in January at the age of 74 and former team-mates from Welsh rugby’s golden 1970s era were among those who gathered at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff to celebrate his life on St David’s Day.
The tough-as-teak Williams gained a worldwide reputation for his fearless defensive play, rock-solid safety under a high ball and attacking prowess.
Williams won seven Five Nations titles, six Triple Crowns and three Grand Slams as Wales dominated the 1970s and starred on two victorious Lions tours, to New Zealand in 1971 – the only time they have won there – and in South Africa, three years later.
“On the field he was a revolutionary,” said John Taylor, a former London Welsh and Wales team-mate and Williams’ best man when he married wife Priscilla.
“JPR ripped up the rule book from the start. Wales went from 1934 to 1967 without a try from a full-back until Keith Jarrett scored there and he was really a centre.
“JPR scored six, five against England. He was the scourge of the men in white and the most competitive animal I’ve ever met.
“Nobody created the extra man better than he did.”
Williams’ love of music, he was a boy soprano – with his young voice played over a loud speaker in the Cathedral – before developing in to a rich baritone, was reflected during the service.
There were five hymns and a piece of reflection from the Bridgend Tabernacle Choir, of which Williams was a member and where he played the organ.
Williams, an orthopaedic surgeon who had studied at St Mary’s Hospital in London, also played the piano and the violin and the service concluded with a stirring rendition of the Welsh National Anthem, ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’.
Williams’ four children – Lauren, Annelise, Francine and Peter – read during a service where their father’s sporting prowess was recalled.
From 55 Wales caps – a world record upon his retirement in 1981 – to Lions tours; from winning a British junior competition at the All England Club, Wimbledon by beating former Great Britain Davis Cup captain David Lloyd to representing Wales’ senior squash team.
With his flowing long hair, sideburns and socks rolled down, Williams was an instantly-recognisable figure on the rugby field and was still playing for village team Tondu well into his 50s.
“I spent so much of my career on the field with JPR,” said Wales and Lions colleague Sir Gareth Edwards.
“He was a tremendous innovator and changed the full-back position virtually overnight.
“He would carry the ball back like a guided missile and had so many ways to beat the challenge of a defender.
“Whenever there were fisticuffs, he would run up and say ‘wait for me’. Phil (Bennett) and I would be running the other way.
“He was fearless, resilient and competitive – the ultimate warrior.”
Welsh Rugby Union president Terry Cobner described his former team-mate as “an icon and role model”, saying he had inspired a generation of youngsters “not only in Wales but throughout the world”.
Former Wales and Lions centre John Devereux recalled the impact Williams had on his local team Bridgend, both as a player and club president in later life.
Paying tribute at the service, journalist Peter Jackson said: “JPR – ‘the three most famous initials in the history of sport – initials that will forever evoke memories of glory days.”
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
