Former electrician Rob Cross turned off ‘The Power’ for what looked to be the final time as he denied the retiring Phil Taylor a 17th world title with a stunning 7-2 victory at Alexandra Palace on this day in 2018.
The then 57-year-old Taylor had aspirations of ending his illustrious career in fairytale fashion but would not have envisaged the kind of performance Cross was to produce in his maiden World Championship final.
Cross, without a Tour card 12 months previously, averaged a remarkable 107.67, hit 11 maximums and had a checkout percentage of 60 to end his first year as a professional on the PDC circuit in emphatic style.
He said: “I’ve won my first world title, but tonight is all about Phil Taylor. Everything he’s done for the game, I hope he enjoys his retirement.”
Cross went on to win the World Matchplay a year later and claimed the European titles in 2019 and 2021.
Taylor, the 16-time world champion, initially walked away from the sport in 2018 after losing this final but returned to competitive darts in 2022.
In November 2023 he confirmed the World Senior Darts Tour in 2024 would be his last year on the circuit.
He said: “I’ll always love performing to the best of my ability, but time waits for no man and I know now is the right time to step away from the Tour.
“It’s been an unbelievable journey over the past 35 years and I’ve loved every minute of it.
“I’m going to be working just as hard as I always have to make sure I give the fans what they want and go out on top.”
The Green Bay Packers took control of their own playoff destiny as they beat the Minnesota Vikings 33-10.
Jordan Love threw for three touchdowns and ran for another while Aaron Jones rushed for 120 yards as the Packers moved to 8-8 and ahead of the Seattle Seahawks in the race for the final NFC wildcard spot.
Victory over the Chicago Bears in their final game of the regular season will seal a playoff berth.
The Seahawks lost 30-23 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who kept their playoff hopes alive courtesy of two touchdowns and 122 yards rushing from Najee Harris,
The Baltimore Ravens underlined their Super Bowl credentials with a crushing 56-19 victory over closest AFC conference rivals the Miami Dolphins.
The Ravens, Super Bowl winners in 2000 and 2012, secured top seeding from the AFC and will have a bye when the opening playoff matches take place.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was in imperious form as his team scored eight touchdowns, including two for tight end Isaiah Likely.
Top seeding in the NFC was confirmed for the San Francisco 49ers – for the first time since 2019 – following a 27-10 success against the Washington Commanders, but there were also a number of close encounters during the regular season’s penultimate round.
Six field goals from Harrison Butker kicked the Kansas City Chiefs to a 25-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals as they clinched an eighth consecutive AFC West title.
But the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have to wait for a third straight NFC South crown as they went down 23-13 to the New Orleans Saints.
The two teams are tied at the top of the division heading into the final week of the regular season on 8-8. The Buccaneers will take the title with a win over the Carolina Panthers..
James Conner’s touchdown with just 32 seconds remaining saw the Arizona Cardinals shock the stuttering Philadelphia Eagles 35-31 after it looked as though Jake Elliott’s 43-yard field goal would be enough for the hosts, who had led 21-6 at the start of the second half.
The Indianapolis Colts, meanwhile, pipped the Las Vegas Raiders 23-20, and Josh Allen claimed two touchdowns as the Buffalo Bills edged out the New England Patriots 27-21.
It was even closer between the New York Giants and the Los Angeles Rams, with the Rams claiming a 26-25 verdict thanks to Kyren Williams’ trio of touchdowns.
Elsewhere, the Houston Texans defeated the Tennessee Titans 26-3, the Jacksonville Jaguars were 26-0 victors over the Carolina Panthers and the Chicago Bears brushed aside the Atlanta Falcons 37-17 while the Denver Broncos edged out the Los Angeles Chargers 16-9
Jacksonville, Indianapolis and Houston now all have 9-7 records in the AFC South, while Carolina’s loss means Chicago will own the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft for the second successive year.
Jayson Tatum scored 25 points to lead six Boston players in double figures as the Celtics stretched their winning streak to six games with Sunday's 134-101 blowout of the struggling San Antonio Spurs.
Jaylen Brown added 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting in a game the NBA-leading Celtics never trailed, while former Spur Derrick White went 7 of 11 from the field while recording 17 points and five assists against his ex-team.
Tatum had 15 first-half points and White 13 as Boston built a 65-53 lead at the break. Brown then tallied 16 of the Celtics' 40 third-quarter points as Boston increased the margin to 105-76 entering the fourth.
The Celtics led by as many as 37 points in the final period.
San Antonio got 22 points from Devin Vassell and 21 out of heralded rookie Victor Wembanyama, but lost for the seventh time in eight games to fall to 5-27 on the season.
Williamson, Ingram help Pelicans cruise past Lakers
ZIon Williamson and Brandon Ingram each had 26 points to lead a dominant performance by the New Orleans Pelicans, who dealt the Los Angeles Lakers a second straight loss with Sunday's 129-109 rout.
CJ McCollum added 22 points and nine assists for New Orleans, which lead nearly start-to-finish en route to a second straight victory.
Excellent perimeter shooting keyed this win, as the Pelicans shot 50 per cent (17 of 34) from 3-point range. McCollum hit 6 of 11 shots from beyond the arc and Ingram was 4 of 7.
The scuffling Lakers lost for the seventh time in nine games despite 34 points and eight assists from LeBron James and Anthony Davis' 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Los Angeles owned a slight lead just past the midway point of the first quarter, but McCollum made four 3-pointers during a 14-1 run that gave New Orleans a 35-23 lead with three minutes left in the opening period.
The Pelicans didn't let up from there. They built a lead as large as 19 points in the second quarter before going into the half holding a comfortable 74-57 advantage, then maintained a double-digit lead throughout the second half.
Durant, Beal lift surging Suns over Magic
Kevin Durant scored 31 points, Bradley Beal added 25 and the Phoenix Suns fought off a late charge from the Orlando Magic to earn a 112-107 victory for their third straight win.
Beal, playing for just the second time since missing two weeks with a sprained ankle, made 10 of 13 field goal attempts while registering a season-high point total. Durant went 12 of 21 from the field for Phoenix, which also received 21 points from Devin Booker and 19 points and 13 rebounds from Jusuf Nurkic.
Phoenix built a 37-24 lead after one quarter and was up by 11 late in the third, but the Magic fought back with a 13-2 run to tie the game at 87-87 before Beal's jumper to close out the period put the Suns back ahead.
Orlando stayed close and got within 103-102 when Paolo Banchero converted a three-point play with 6:05 remaining, but Durant had five points during a 9-0 run that got the Suns back up by double digits with under two minutes to go.
Banchero compiled 28 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Magic, who had won three of four coming in. Franz Wagner finished with 27 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the loss.
Teenager Luke Littler wants to “beat even more records” as he continues his dream World Darts Championship campaign with a quarter-final against Brendan Dolan on Monday.
The 16-year-old has burst onto the scene at Alexandra Palace and became the youngest player to reach the last eight when he hammered five-time world champion and his hero Raymond van Barneveld in the last 16 on Saturday.
That set up a winnable tie with Northern Irishman Dolan, who has seen off former world champions Gerwyn Price and Gary Anderson in the last two rounds, on New Year’s Day and he is now dreaming of lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy on Wednesday.
If Littler was to win the title it would be one of the greatest sporting stories and he would out-do several famous young achievers.
Pele was 17 when he won the World Cup with Brazil, Boris Becker claimed his first Wimbledon title at 18 while Mike Tyson was 20 when he became heavyweight world champion.
Littler, nicknamed ‘The Nuke’, has not heard of all of those names, including that of 2021 US Open singles champion Emma Raducanu, who his story shares many parallels with, but he believes there is more to come.
“Unbelievable, the names you have just said,” he said. “I know Mike, I only know Pele off FIFA and I don’t know the other ones.
“I have certainly broken the rules and records already but I know if my game is there I can beat even more records.
“My game is there, it is every darting kid’s, man’s, whoever’s dream to win it. I have certainly got the game, it is whatever happens on the day, whatever Luke Littler turns up.”
Littler’s impressive run has seen him hit the headlines around the world and enjoy celebrity status.
Littler and his family received complimentary tickets to watch Arsenal in the Premier League on Thursday night, with Gunners pair Declan Rice and Aaron Ramsdale asking him for a photo, while players from his beloved Manchester United sent him good luck messages before the match with Van Barneveld.
“It was unbelievable,” he added. “I was walking to my room and one of the security guards from Arsenal said to me Declan and Aaron wanted a picture with me and I just went ‘a picture with me’, and they came out for one.
“They said they have a dartboard up in the changing room. It is crazy for them to want a picture with me, it should be the other way around.
“It was incredible to get the messages, obviously United didn’t get the win (at Forest), but Jonny (Evans) and Gary (Neville) are United legends and Jonny is still playing for us, it was just incredible.”
Rob Cross plays Chris Dobey in the opening match of 2024 while Michael van Gerwen should have too much for controversial Scott Williams and Luke Humphries takes on Dave Chisnall in the other quarter-final.
Naomi Osaka made a winning return to tennis as she beat Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch 6-3 7-6 in the first round of the Brisbane International.
The former world number one has not played since withdrawing from the Pan Pacific Trophy with a knee injury in September 2021. She became a mother for the first time in July.
She returned to the court in style, breaking Korpatsch to love in the first game and did not face a break point as she clinched the first set in 39 minutes.
Osaka looked set for a routine victory when she broke for a 5-3 lead in the second set, but Korpatsch fought back to take it into a tie break – Osaka winning 11-9 on her third match point.
“The last couple of years that I played before I had my daughter, I didn’t return as much love as I was given,” Osaka said on court after the match. “I feel like that’s what I want to do in this chapter.
“I just really appreciate people coming out and knowing me and cheering for me because I feel like there was a time I was just a little kid trying to watch my role models play.
“So it feels really surreal sometimes to be playing on these courts.”
The former US Open and Australian Open will meet Karolina Pliskova, another former world number one and a three-time champion in Brisbane, in the second round.
The Baltimore Ravens underlined their Super Bowl credentials with a crushing 56-19 victory over closest AFC conference rivals the Miami Dolphins.
The Ravens, Super Bowl winners in 2000 and 2012, secured top seeding from the AFC and will have a bye when the opening play-off matches take place.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was in imperious form as his team scored eight touchdowns, including two for tight end Isaiah Likely.
Top seeding in the NFC was confirmed for the San Francisco 49ers – the first time since 2019 – following a 27-10 success against the Washington Commanders, but there were also a number of close encounters during the regular season’s penultimate round.
James Conner’s touchdown with just 32 seconds remaining saw the Arizona Cardinals shock the stuttering Philadelphia Eagles 35-31 after it looked as though Jake Elliott’s 43-yard field goal would be enough for the hosts, who had led 21-6 at the start of the second half.
The Indianapolis Colts, meanwhile, pipped the Las Vegas Raiders 23-20, and Josh Allen claimed two touchdowns as the Buffalo Bills edged out the New England Patriots 27-21.
It was even closer between the New York Giants and the Los Angeles Rams, with the Rams claiming a 26-25 verdict thanks to Kyren Williams’ trio of touchdowns.
Elsewhere, the New Orleans Saints saw off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-13 to join the NFC South leaders with 8-8 records, the Houston Texans defeated the Tennessee Titans 26-3, the Jacksonville Jaguars were 26-0 victors over the Carolina Panthers and the Chicago Bears brushed aside the Atlanta Falcons 37-17.
Jacksonville, Indianapolis and Houston now all have 9-7 records in the AFC South, while Carolina’s loss means Chicago will own the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft for the second successive year.
Conor McGregor says his UFC comeback fight will be against American Michael Chandler next summer.
McGregor posted a New Year’s Eve video on X, formerly known as Twitter, in which he says the fight will be in Las Vegas on June 29.
The 35-year-old Irishman last fought in July 2021, when he broke his leg during a defeat against Dustin Poirier.
McGregor said the weight class would be 185lbs, with the contest taking place during International Fight Week.
He described it as “the greatest comeback of all time” during the 42-second video.
Teenager Luke Littler wants to continue ripping up the record books as he targets a place in the World Darts Championship semi-finals.
The 16-year-old has taken Alexandra Palace by storm and became the youngest player to reach the quarter-finals when he emphatically beat five-time world champion and his hero Raymond van Barneveld in the last 16 on Saturday.
That set up a winnable last-eight tie with Northern Irishman Brendan Dolan on New Year’s Day and he is now dreaming of lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy on Wednesday.
If Littler was to win the title it would be one of the greatest sporting stories of all time and he would out-do several famous young achievers.
Pele was 17 when he won the World Cup with Brazil, Boris Becker was 18 as he claimed his first Wimbledon title while Mike Tyson became heavyweight world champion at 20.
Littler, nicknamed ‘The Nuke’, has not heard of all of those names, including that of 2021 US Open singles champion Emma Raducanu, who his story shares many parallels with, but he thinks there is more to come.
“Unbelievable, the names you have just said,” he said. “I know Mike, I only know Pele off FIFA and I don’t know the other ones.
“I have certainly broken the rules and records already but I know if my game is there I can beat even more records.
“My game is there, it is every darting kid’s, man’s, whoever’s dream to win it. I have certainly got the game, it is whatever happens on the day, whatever Luke Littler turns up.”
Littler’s run has already made him a recognisable name and he has enjoyed celebrity status after bursting onto the scene.
Littler and his family received complimentary tickets to watch Arsenal in the Premier League on Thursday night, with Gunners pair Declan Rice and Aaron Ramsdale asking him for a photo, while players from his beloved Manchester United sent him good luck messages before the match with Van Barneveld.
“It was unbelievable,” he added. “I was walking to my room and one of the security guards from Arsenal said to me Declan and Aaron wanted a picture with me and I just went ‘a picture with me’, and they came out for one.
“They said they have a dartboard up in the changing room. It is crazy for them to want a picture with me, it should be the other way around.
“It was incredible to get the messages, obviously United didn’t get the win (at Forest), but Jonny (Evans) and Gary (Neville) are United legends and Jonny is still playing for us, it was just incredible.”
Littler also appeared as a guest in James Maddison’s box at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday afternoon for Spurs’ clash with Bournemouth.
Dolan will be no pushover as he has beaten two former world champions in the last two rounds in Gerwyn Price and Gary Anderson.
Rob Cross faces Chris Dobey in the opening match of 2024 while Michael van Gerwen should have too much for controversial Scott Williams and Luke Humphries takes on Dave Chisnall in the other quarter-final.
Willie Mullins has a trio of chances in the Savills New Year’s Day Chase at Tramore on Monday.
Classic Getaway was a Listed scorer on his seasonal debut at Thurles in November, winning over two miles and six furlongs ahead of Haut En Couleurs and French Dynamite.
He was ridden by Danny Mullins on that occasion and will be once again in the Tramore Grade Three won four times in a row by dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo.
“Danny sticks with Classic Getaway having won with him already this season, he’ll have race fitness on his side,” said the Closutton trainer.
Monkfish is another runner for the all-conquering stable, a nine-year-old who returns to chasing after his successful novice career over fences was cut short due to injury in 2021.
He returned to action at the tail end of last season with two runs over hurdles and will now tackle fences for the first time in several years.
“Monkfish goes there with probably the highest rating over jumps, but it will be his first run this season in very testing ground,” said Mullins.
“Maybe he’ll love the ground, but we’ll see how he is.”
Bronn is the third Mullins runner and looks to return to form after a beaten run at Wexford last time where he met with a minor injury.
Mullins said: “Bronn came back in with an injury after his last run, I’m hoping to put a line through it. He’s another horse that will love these conditions.”
Away from Tramore, Mullins has a pair of good chances at Fairyhouse where Cheltenham Festival runner-up Allegorie De Vassy contests the Grade Three John & Chich Fowler Memorial EBF Mares Chase alongside stablemate Instit.
The Fairyhouse event will be a renewal of a rivalry between the two horses that saw them finish first and second respectively in the T.A. Morris Memorial Mares Chase at Clonmel in early November.
“Allegorie De Vassy shows a liking for Fairyhouse, the conditions should really suit her,” Mullins said.
“Instit is another one who has good Fairyhouse form so she should be a good second string to Allegorie De Vassy.”
Willie Mullins’ Sir Gerhard seemed to relish a return to smaller obstacles when taking the feature Tote Guarantee Available On Course & Tote.ie Hurdle at Punchestown.
The Cheveley Park-owned bay was top class over the smaller obstacles earlier in his career, taking the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2022, having won the Champion Bumper at Prestbury Park 12 months previously.
Though he won on his chasing debut last January and finished a close second in the Grade One Gold Cup at Fairyhouse in April, his jumping did not always fill onlookers with confidence.
He was again tried over fences on his first run of this season but fell in the Barberstown Castle Chase at Naas and was reverted to hurdling this time around.
Under Paul Townend, he was the 10-11 favourite and looked to get his mojo back by winning by two and three-quarter lengths ahead of Thedevilscoachman.
“That was a nice performance and he’s got his confidence back over hurdles anyway,” said Mullins.
“We’ll probably stick to hurdles now this season and he may go down the Stayers’ Hurdle route.
“He jumped well at Naas until he fell and it took him a while to recover from that fall.
“I thought looking at him going down to the start that he looked big and I’d be hoping there is more improvement.”
Irish Injured Jockeys chairman Ruby Walsh has hailed continued support from the Association of Irish Racecourses as a “massive” boost.
The AIR, which represents all 26 Irish racecourses, has pledged a combined total donation of €369,000 to the charity over the next three years – €123,000 per annum.
This donation will go towards IIJ running costs in an effort to ensure that public income raised through donations and fundraisers will go to service users and beneficiaries.
Former champion National Hunt rider Walsh said: “On behalf of the Irish Injured Jockeys, I would like to sincerely thank and acknowledge the 26 racecourses for their support.
“The extension of their financial commitment for another three years is massive for IIJ and testament to the great relationship we have with the racecourses.
“Their support will allow us to continue the important work we do and expand our services to riders. Their support towards IIJ running costs is a noble gesture and a remarkable contribution for which we are most grateful.”
Donations are set on a scaled basis depending on the racecourse grade and each track pays their pledged amount to IIJ direct.
Conor O’Neill, chairman of the AIR and CEO of Punchestown, said: “Jockeys are the cornerstone of racing, providing racegoers with great days out and brilliant racing memories.
“However, we are acutely aware that it is a high-risk sport and the extraordinary physical demands our jockeys face for our sporting pleasure.
“Irish racecourses enjoy superb relationships with jockeys and greatly value the time they give us to promote our wonderful sport each year.
“In recognition of that, the Association of Irish Racecourses is delighted to formally demonstrate our commitment with €123,000 per year for the next three years to support the incredible work the Irish Injured Jockeys do.”
Willie Mullins’ Storm Heart made an impressive Irish debut when running away with the Tote.ie 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown.
The gelding was a Flat winner in France before changing hands to join Mullins for Gigginstown House Stud.
Punchestown was his first run on Irish turf and, under Paul Townend, he was the 2-5 favourite in an 11-runner affair.
He travelled well throughout and was much the best, strolling easily clear to secure an unchallenged 22-length victory.
“It was a very good introduction, I didn’t expect that,” Mullins said.
“I was hoping he was all right, but he’s more than all right looking at that performance.
“Paul thought he was very brave too, as he got blinded at one or two hurdles. He lost his confidence for one or two but got it back. He took them on and he loves jumping.
“I would have said coming here there was huge improvement in him, and I hope there is.
“He’s probably good enough to go wherever we wanted.”
Henry de Bromhead’s Monty’s Star got off the mark over fences when winning the Download The New Tote App Beginners Chase.
The six-year-old was a Grade Three winner over hurdles and graduated to the larger obstacles this season, starting out in a competitive beginners chase at Fairyhouse, where he was third behind Corbetts Cross and Three Card Brag.
The latter horse was also entered at Punchestown and went off the 4-11 favourite, as Monty’s Star was a 9-4 chance under Rachael Blackmore.
Three Card Brag led for much of the race but did not always jump fluently, whereas Monty’s Star gained ground with every fence and eventually came out on top after a tussle in the home straight.
“Jumping is his biggest asset and even though it’s tough ground to jump out of, he did it well,” said Blackmore.
“He stayed on and galloped out well to the line. We didn’t go a mad gallop, but it was a good performance on tough ground. He’s improved from the last day.”
Clonmeen took the Tote, Never Beaten By SP Handicap Chase for rider Simon Torrens and trainer William Murphy.
The 4-1 chance was back in fine spirits after a spell under the weather since scoring at Down Royal seven weeks ago and prevailed by a head in the three-mile event.
Murphy said: “The horses were all sick for about six weeks and it’s great to see them back in form.
“That was tight for comfort, but it was a tough performance, and the main thing is he won.
“We might think about something like the National Trial back here.”
A trip to the Dublin Racing Festival could be on the agenda for Triumph Hurdle favourite Burdett Road after missing out on an intended engagement at Chepstow over the Christmas period.
A Royal Ascot winner on the Flat when trained by Michael Bell, the three-year-old has made a smooth transition to hurdling and followed up a taking jumps debut at Huntingdon with a taking display at Cheltenham in November.
That saw the gelding installed as most bookmakers’ market leader for the juvenile showpiece on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival and he was due to continue his hurdling education in Chepstow’s Finale Juvenile Hurdle.
However, significant rainfall turned conditions severely testing at the South Wales track, with James Owen deciding to save his high-class operator for another day.
A return to Prestbury Park on Cheltenham Trials Day and a trip to Leopardstown’s Grade One Spring Juvenile Hurdle are top of the possible alternatives.
Owen said: “The horse comes first. It would have been nice to run, but there are plenty of other options. He’s in great order and I couldn’t be happier with him.
“He will either go to Cheltenham on Trials Day and he will also have an entry for Leopardstown in early February, the Spring Juvenile Hurdle.
“We will just pick the most suitable option. We would like to run him once more before the Triumph and timing wise these two races are really good.”
On the chance of Burdett Road being a rare Leopardstown raider from the UK, he added: “It’s an option and we’ve talked about it.
“It’s an early closer, it’s very good prize-money and he doesn’t get a penalty in it. It’s an option we want to have and we will decide nearer the time.
“It’s six weeks out from Cheltenham, so would give us plenty of time.”
A run at either Cheltenham or Leopardstown would give Burdett Road the chance to consolidate his position at the top of the Triumph Hurdle market after both Nicky Henderson’s Sir Gino and the Willie Mullins-trained Bunting laid down their claims over Christmas.
Chepstow’s Grade Two was won by Gary Moore’s Salver, who flourished in the gruelling conditions and Owen was more than happy to watch on from the side as Burdett Road skipped that contest.
“We were there and it’s a shame the ground went as it did and we just felt we didn’t need to run him on the testing ground,” said Owen.
“He doesn’t have a lot to prove, we know he’s a good horse and he just needs another run going into the race (Triumph) – and unfortunately that wasn’t the day for it.
“It’s a shame, as looking at the forecast it looked like we would get away with it and they were calling the ground good to soft. But they did get a deluge.”
Connections of Marie’s Rock are anticipating a blockbuster showdown with Bob Olinger when their star mare defends her Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle title at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day
Nicky Henderson’s Cheltenham Festival scorer has always shown a liking to the Prestbury Park undulations and won this contest in real style 12 months ago.
However, the Middleham Park Racing-owned Marie’s Rock will have to pass a stern test if she is to retain her crown, as a strong cast of four have assembled for the Group Two feature of Cheltenham’s opening meeting of 2024.
“It’s a bit of a different race this year and it’s a very good field,” said Middleham Park’s National Hunt racing manager Tom Palin.
“Olly (Murphy) has two in there and it’s a tried-and-tested route for Brewin’upastorm, while his other runner, Strong Leader, is an interesting edition.
“Bob Olinger though, he is a class horse over many years, and he is one I would be extremely respectful and worried about. He sets the standard really and on his going day this is very much is perfect race for him. But then again, Marie’s Rock is the defending queen, if you will.
“It will be a hell of a battle up that hill between ourselves and Bob Olinger. I’m extremely looking forward to watching that unfold – it should be a premier race for the first premier fixture and hopefully we are on the right side of it.”
Marie’s Rock was last seen failing to truly stay three miles for a second time on reappearance at Newbury.
She now returns to the distance her best performances have come at despite her team still harbouring staying ambitions for the future
“There is a bit of discussion about which trip is her optimum,” continued Palin.
“We know she is very good over two and a half at Cheltenham and as I’ve said before, this is very much to make sure she is absolute spot on fitness wise and built up as much fizz and freshness as we can before we go up to three miles with her again next time and that should answer the trip question once and for all.
“That isn’t to say this is some kind of three-mile prep race. She’s very much here with her best foot forward. It is Marie’s Rock playing at home and we would love to get the year off to a flying start the same way as we did last year.
“When you see four runners I was extremely worried about what could be a lack of pace. But I think Strong Leader will be the one that goes forward – they might switch it up and send Brewin’upastorm on – but we will just take a bit of a lead off whoever, get her switched off and into a rhythm.
“When she is relaxed and travelling she is electric over her hurdles. She is in her comfort zone then and a joy to watch.”
There will also be a change of jockey on Marie’s Rock with the sidelined Nico de Boinville replaced by Seven Barrows number two, the in-form James Bowen.
“Myself and Nicky both think James could be a good fit for her with the way he rides,” added Palin.
“He just drops his hands and lets them travel, so I think she could be a good horse for James to ride actually.
“I’m quite excited and it’s unfortunate what has happened to Nico, but it will be interesting to see James ride her and that could be a good fit and hopefully the pace will be strong enough for her to relax, get into a good rhythm, angle off that bend and away we go.”
Marie’s Rock’s Relkeel rival Bob Olinger needs no introduction, especially at Cheltenham, and Henry de Bromhead’s two-time Festival hero appeared back to near his imperious best when snatching the Lismullen Hurdle in November.
De Bromhead has swerved possible outings on home soil to stay at two and a half miles for this raiding mission and his regular pilot Rachael Blackmore foregoes the New Year’s Day meetings at Fairyhouse and Tramore to come over for steering duties.
She told Betfair: “I’m looking forward too to riding Bob Olinger. We were delighted to see him back at Navan the last day, he did really well, he battled on strongly to get the better of Zanahiyr and win the Lismullen Hurdle.
“He came out of the race really well, so hopefully he can build on that now. We know that he goes well at the track, and this extended two and a half miles is a good distance for him.
“It’s only a four-horse race, but it’s a competitive race, and we have to give 7lb to Marie’s Rock, who won the Mares’ Hurdle at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival and who won this race last year. But Bob is in great form, and I hope that he can go well.”
The select quartet is complete by Olly Murphy’s aforementioned duo Brewin’upastorm and Strong Leader, with the former a regular in this race and the latter a good second when upped in distance at Ascot last time.
Of Strong Leader, Murphy said: “He had a good run at Ascot, and I think the outer track at Cheltenham will suit him. He seems in good form, and he is still relatively unexposed. I’m hoping that he has a good each-way chance.
“He was still quite green at Ascot and appeared to appreciate the step up in trip, we thought we would do that after his run in the Welsh Champion Hurdle.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he wants further in time. I’d say we could probably look at going up in trip in the spring, but it would be nice to win a good pot over two and a half miles with him first.
“He was a good novice hurdler, and he was the first of the British-trained horses home in the Supreme last season.
“It was good to see him come out and run so well at Ascot. He is rated in the mid-140s now and hopefully with time he can improve on that mark.”
Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr both admitted the Golden State Warriors are still searching for an identity after they were beaten by a Luka Doncic-inspired Dallas Mavericks team on Saturday.
The Warriors sit a disappointing 11th in the Western Conference with a 15-17 record after losing their third straight game, with Curry's 25-point haul not enough to prevent a 132-122 defeat.
Doncic was the catalyst for Dallas upon his return to the fold after sitting out Thursday's loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves due to injury, finishing with 39 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.
Golden State have seen their last two losses arrive at Chase Center, having also gone down to a Miami Heat team deprived of Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry and Caleb Martin two days earlier.
While injuries and suspensions – most notably for forward Draymond Green – have hampered the Warriors' attempts to find consistency this season, Curry knows they need to do so quickly.
"We've experimented a lot, some for forced reasons, sometimes just us searching for an identity," Curry said. "We haven't found it collectively.
"It's frustrating, for sure, 32 games in. Any team that is a seriously competitive contender, a good team, can usually answer that question. We have to get to that point before it's too late."
Coach Kerr agreed with that assessment, saying: "We haven't found that grit that every good team needs, where you pull together and you just play for the group. We are not there yet, and that's a problem.
"We have great guys, but until every team connects in a way that is solely dedicated to winning each game, then we are going to be stuck in this place."
The Warriors were the latest team to fail to contain Doncic, who has scored at least 39 points in his last four games, only failing to reach 30 once in 13 outings in December – when he managed 28 against the Los Angeles Clippers.
He is just the second player in NBA history to average at least 35 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists per game across a calendar month (minimum 10 games played), after Oscar Robertson did so for the Cincinnati Royals in December 1960.
While Kerr was disappointed with the Warriors' defensive efforts, he acknowledged they had simply failed to live with one of the foremost contenders for MVP honours.
"We tried to mix it up on him," Kerr said. "We single-covered him, we switched, we hit him. We tried a lot of different things, but he is a brilliant player and he had a phenomenal game.
"We weren't communicating. We had some good stretches when we were getting stops, and then our communication broke down."
Stage Star will attempt to continue his Cheltenham love affair when he seeks further Prestbury Park riches in the Paddy Power New Year’s Day Handicap Chase.
Paul Nicholls’ talented chaser has thrived in the Cotswolds since being sent chasing at the beginning of last season.
Having landed a competitive handicap on Festival Trials Day in January, he returned to scoop Grade One honours in the Turners Novices’ Chase at the March showpiece.
He then recorded a third course triumph when surviving a final fence mishap in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, a performance which propelled the Ditcheat star towards the top of the Ryanair Chase market.
Connections had toyed with a trip to Leopardstown for the Savills Chase over the Christmas period, with Lingfield’s Fleur de Lys Chase also mooted as a possible destination for Stage Star’s Festival tune-up.
However, the decision has been made to return to the track he knows best, where he will shoulder the hefty burden of 12st in search of a £56,950 first prize.
“There weren’t too many options to be honest with you, so we thought we would have a look at this,” said Nicholls.
“It is only a small field for a £100,000 handicap, but he has got to go somewhere en route to the Ryanair Chase and this is the perfect race for him.
“I’m glad we didn’t go over to Ireland, as it looked like it was going to be a hell of a hot race. I thought let’s come here instead, as he likes it at Cheltenham and he has won around there before.
“He schooled well on Friday, and he worked yesterday morning (Saturday), but it has been pretty much routine stuff since the Paddy Power Gold Cup.
“He loves it around there. I’ve no idea why, although he does like going left-handed. We have to run somewhere, as he can’t stand in his box until the Cheltenham Festival, and this race works out well for him.”
Although Stage Star will have to give weight away to all of his rivals as he races off a career-high mark of 166, Nicholls believes he has the class to overcome the burden of being at the top of the handicap.
The champion trainer said: “He is possibly going to have to step up again off a mark of 166, but he is the class horse in the race.
“He is improving, and the form of his Paddy Power Gold Cup win has been franked with Fugitif, who was fourth that day, coming out and winning the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham, so I’d like to think he would be hard to beat.
“I do like to run good horses off big weights in handicaps. Phil Smith (former handicapper) used to say more often than not, the top weight in a handicap wins.
“It is something that we’ve done with lots of horses in the past and if it is the right race for them, then you do it.
“I don’t think it is the hottest race in the world, but it is competitive. His sole aim this season is the Ryanair Chase and this would be it for him until then.”
Stage Star will concede over a stone to chief market rival Richmond Lake, with Donald McCain’s charge arriving at Cheltenham on a real upwards curve and having won his last four appearances.
He was impressive in testing ground when a 14-length winner at Aintree on his most recent start and will have the assistance of champion jockey Brian Hughes for a rare assault on Cheltenham from this powerhouse northern team.
Meanwhile, Shakem Up’Arry finished fifth when sent off favourite for this contest 12 months ago before returning to be third over the track and trip at the Cheltenham Festival.
His petrol tank emptied late on when running a creditable race in the Coral Gold Cup on his reappearance and he now drops back in distance in search of a share of the £100,000 prize-fund.
“He ran a lovely race at Newbury in the Coral Gold Cup, he just did a little bit too much early doors,” said trainer Ben Pauling.
“I knew he would have needed that as well, because he had a very bad preparation. Hopefully, a drop back in trip on heavy ground at Cheltenham will suit him down to the ground.
“He seems to enjoy it (at Cheltenham) and if we can just hold on to him a bit longer and challenge a little later, we will see how we get on.”
Frero Banbou is another to bring course-and-distance form to the table, having finished third to Fugitif here in the December Gold Cup, and is representing the on-song Venetia Williams stable.
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Torn And Frayed struck over the track and trip on Trials Day last season and knows his way around Cheltenham, despite failing to sparkle so far this term.
The select field of six is rounded off by Sam Thomas’ Al Dancer, who may turn 11 for this contest but has already shown this term he is not to be underestimated when winning at Chepstow before placing in Aintree’s Old Roan Chase.
LeBron James fumed at the decision to rule his potential game-tying shot a two-pointer after the Los Angeles Lakers were beaten by the Minnesota Timberwolves on his 39th birthday, asking: "What do we have replay for?"
The NBA's all-time leading scorer had no cause to celebrate on Saturday despite finishing with 26 points and six assists as the Lakers slipped to 17-16 with a 108-106 road loss.
James thought he'd levelled things up when he sank a big shot with 3.3 seconds remaining, only for the league's replay centre to rule it a two-pointer rather than a three.
The four-time MVP got another chance with 1.4 seconds on the clock after Anthony Edwards only made one of two free throws at the other end, but he failed to get his shot off before the buzzer.
Speaking to reporters in the locker room after the Lakers' fifth defeat in eight games, Lebron's mind was drawn to his potential leveller.
"It's obviously a three," James said. "My foot is behind the line.
"You can see the space between the front of my foot and the three-point line. You can clearly see white, the wood on the floor is the space between the front of my foot and the three-point line.
"What the hell have we got replay for? What do we have replay for if even the replay gets it wrong?
"It's just like, who is a part of the replay centre? Have we got robots in there making Teslas? What's going on?"
Reflecting on his later missed opportunity, James added: "I kind of misread that.
"I've been in that situation before. I've just got to do a better job of knowing time. I could have caught it and shot right away."
After the game, crew chief Tony Brothers explained a lack of evidence left the replay team unable to overturn the two-point call, saying: "The play was ruled a two-point field goal on the floor during live play.
"After video review, there wasn't clear and conclusive evidence to overturn it from a two to a three, and that's why it stood as a two-point field goal."
Lakers coach Darvin Ham disagreed, saying: "The view I had, I thought it was a clear-cut three. Our guys on the sideline replayed it. We thought it was a good three."
Anthony Davis saw his dominant 33-point, 17-rebound performance proved redundant as the Timberwolves improved to 24-7, with Edwards scoring 31 points for the Western Conference leaders.
Revised whip regulations, anti-Grand National protests and Frankie Dettori’s ‘farewell tour’ dominated the racing year in 2023. We look back on the first half of another campaign filled with its fair share of thrills and a good measure of controversy…
January
New Year’s Day is a busy fixture in the racing calendar and at Cheltenham we saw The Real Whacker land the Dipper Novices’ Chase and assert his place in the division for Paddy Neville. In Ireland, Minella Indo returned to form to take the Savills New Year’s Day Chase. In the following days Jack Kennedy suffered a heavy fall that left him with a leg injury – an incident that inspired Davy Russell to make a U-turn on his retirement and return to the saddle for Gordon Elliot. A cold spell then saw the jumping calendar rather sparse for a few days as both the Clarence House at Ascot and Lingfield’s Winter Million were affected. The former meeting was rescheduled and held at Cheltenham, with Editeur Du Gite a surprise winner for Gary Moore. Ahoy Senor took the Cotswold Chase and around the same time there was a milestone in the career of Willie Mullins, who hit 4,000 career winners. The month closed with news of an unprecedented sanction for trainer Ronan McNally, who was banned for 12 years for various infringements relating to integrity.
February
New whips rules were enforced by the British Horseracing Authority with the disqualification of two horses, Lunar Discovery and Mavis Pike, earning riders Charlotte Jones and James Turner bans of 14 and 20 days respectively. A total of 20 suspensions were handed out in the first week of the regulations. Shishkin proved himself back to his brilliant best with a comprehensive victory in the Ascot Chase. Tom Scudamore announced his immediate retirement from the saddle, while Oisin Murphy made a winning comeback from his 14-month ban for alcohol and Covid breaches. Philip Hobbs trained his 3,000th winner via Zanza in Newbury’s Denman Chase. Panthalassa produced a remarkable front-running performance to strike gold for Japan in the $20million Saudi Cup. Mostahdaf turned the Neom Turf Cup into a procession in Riyadh. At Leopardstown, Galopin Des Champs ran away with the Irish Gold Cup and State Man strode to a decisive victory over Honeysuckle in the Irish Champion Hurdle. Lord North outclassed his rivals in the Winter Derby at Lingfield. Kemboy rolled back the years with a heartwarming victory in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse. Jim Lewis, owner of three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate, died at the age of 88. The Jockey Club scrapped dress codes at its 15 racecourses to make racing more “accessible and inclusive”.
March
Willie Mullins was again the main man at the Cheltenham Festival, with Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs the headline act among his six strikes. He also landed Grade One wins with El Fabiolo (Arkle), Energumene (Champion Chase), Impaire Et Passe (Ballymore) and Lossiemouth (Triumph), all partnered by Paul Townend. However, Mullins had to settle for second best in the Champion Hurdle with State Man, as Nicky Henderson’s Constitution Hill secured a stunning success. JP McManus finished the week as the leading owner, with his highlight being the 33-1 Stayers’ Hurdle victory of Sire Du Berlais. Irish handlers prevailed 18-10 in the Prestbury Cup and there was no more popular raider than Honeysuckle, who brought the curtain down on her phenomenal career with an emotional win in the Mares’ Hurdle. Alan King’s Major Dundee was an impressive winner of the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter in the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings. Japanese ace Ushba Tesoro finished strongly to beat the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Algiers in the Dubai World Cup. Equinox demolished his opposition in the Dubai Sheema Classic, while Lord North completed a Dubai Turf hat-trick under Frankie Dettori. Trainer John Spearing died at the age of 82 and Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning rider Bryan Cooper retired at just 30. Liam Burke rode a Limerick bumper winner at 66, having last tasted victory in the saddle in 1988.
April
Corach Rambler was a superb winner of the Randox Grand National for Lucinda Russell and Derek Fox. He jumped into the lead at the final fence, pulled away when passing the elbow and held off a closing Vanillier. Animal rights activists delayed the start of the Liverpool showpiece, with Merseyside Police arresting over 100 people. Constitution Hill and Shishkin gave Nicky Henderson a Grade One double on day one of the meeting. Kitty’s Light pulled off a spectacular double for Christian Williams, landing the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown just seven days after his Scottish Grand National success. Willie Mullins took top honours in nine of the 12 Grade One contests at the Punchestown Festival. Lossiemouth, Echoes In Rain, State Man, Impaire Et Passe, El Fabiolo, Klassical Dream, Gaelic Warrior, Energumene and Facile Vega all did the business at elite level – although Fastorslow upset Galopin Des Champs in the Punchestown Gold Cup. Mullins also prevailed in the Boylesports Irish Grand National when I Am Maximus lunged late to claim victory at Fairyhouse. Paul Nicholls was crowned champion jumps trainer for the 14th time, with Brian Hughes the top jockey. Chaldean unshipped Frankie Dettori when coming out of the stalls in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury, won by Isaac Shelby. Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy enjoyed an All-Weather Championships Finals Day treble at Newcastle with Berkshire Shadow, Desert Cop and Notre Belle Bete.
May
On the first day of the month, Aidan O’Brien’s Paddington landed the Listed Tetrarch Stakes, a first step up to stakes level for a colt we would here a lot more of. The Guineas meeting arrived at Newmarket, with Mawj claiming a popular 1000 Guineas success for Saeed bin Suroor and Chaldean providing Andrew Balding and Frankie Dettori with victory in the 2000 Guineas. At the same fixture it was Via Sistina who took the Dahlia Stakes and former Derby winner Adayar who returned to action to win the Gordon Richards Stakes. At Chester’s May meeting, Savethelastdance streaked home in the Cheshire Oaks by a stunning 22 lengths, while San Antonio took the Dee Stakes and Arrest the Chester Vase. York was the next port of call, where Azure Blue took the Duke of York Stakes, The Foxes landed the Dante and Giavellotto was the Yorkshire Cup winner. Modern Games landed the Lockinge despite Chindit, the second-placed horse, trying to bite him in the final strides of the race. Desert Crown returned from injury to tackle the Brigadier Gerard, where he was defeated by Owen Burrows’ Hukum after nearly a year off the track. The month reached an end with Paddington taking the Irish 2,000 Guineas and Tahiyra the fillies’ equivalent.
June
The Derby meeting at Epsom ran under the threat of more action from Animal Rising, but nothing could detract from Auguste Rodin’s fine success and the triumph of Frankie Dettori and Soul Sister in the Oaks. Across the Channel the French Derby went the way of Ace Impact for Jean-Claude Rouget – another horse we would come to hear more of later in the campaign. Grand National-winning trainer Oliver Sherwood announced his retirement to take up a role as assistant to Harry Derham. Focus then turned to Royal Ascot, with five days of top-class Flat action in Berkshire as the King made his first appearance since his coronation. On day one, Triple Time was a surprise winner of the Queen Anne, with River Tiber landing the Coventry and Bradsell returning to the track to win the King’s Stand before Paddington’s brilliant performance in the St James’s Palace Stakes. On the Wednesday Crimson Advocate scored for America in the Queen Mary Stakes, with Rogue Millenium a popular winner for Tom Clover in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes before Mostahdaf made light work of the Prince of Wales’s Stakes with a four-length win and Big Evs landed the Windsor Castle. On Thursday the Ascot Gold Cup went the way of Dettori and Courage Mon Ami, a fairytale win in what was expected to be his final year, and on Friday King Of Steel became a Royal Ascot winner for Amo Racing when prevailing in the King Edward VII Stakes. On the same day Shaquille overcame a slow start to land the Commonwealth Cup for Julie Camacho and Tahiyra continued to impress when taking the Coronation Stakes. The ever-popular Pyledriver won the Hardwicke Stakes on the final day of the meeting before Naval Crown was the winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.
We continue our look back at 2023, with City Of Troy advertising his star potential, Frankie Dettori continuing his epic winning run before his surprise about-turn on retirement plans and a Christmas miracle at Kempton courtesy of Hewick…
July
In early July Aidan O’Brien’s City Of Troy made his debut at the Curragh before going on to land the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket by six and a half lengths. Via Sistina’s success continued with a Pretty Polly win at the Curragh before Auguste Rodin added an Irish Derby victory to his Epsom title. In the Coral-Eclipse it was Paddington who prevailed, beating Emily Upjohn in a hard-fought finish at Sandown. On day one of the July meeting, Israr landed the Princess of Wales’s Stakes ahead of Adayar, with Nostrum also impressing in the Sir Henry Cecil Stakes. Nashwa was at her brilliant best to land the Falmouth and the following day it was the turn of the sprinters in the July Cup, which was won by the speed star of the season in Shaquille. Gold Cup winner Subjectivist was retired midway through the month, then at the Curragh, Art Power thrived to land the Sapphire Stakes for Tim Easterby. At the same meeting Savethelastdance took the Irish Oaks and Emily Dickinson the Curragh Cup, whereas on home soil it was Relief Rally who came out on top in the Super Sprint at Newbury. The month ended with a King George victory for Hukum, who defeated Westover by a head in the Group One at Ascot.
August
The month got under way at Goodwood, where Haatem took the Vintage Stakes, Kinross prevailed in the Lennox Stakes and Quickthorn ran away with the Goodwood Cup on the opening day. On day two, Big Evs’ brilliant run continued in the Molecomb Stakes before Paddington landed another Group One when taking the Sussex Stakes. Vandeek then burst onto the scene when taking the Richmond Stakes on only his second start, with Al Husn’s Nassau win another highlight of the day. Highfield Princess stormed home in the King George Qatar Stakes to maintain her status as the sprint queen, but the final day of the meeting was abandoned midway through due to heavy rain. At the Curragh, Bucanero Fuerte won the Phoenix Stakes and over in Deauville Inspiral was the winner of the Prix Jacques le Marois for the second year in a row. Ace Impact won the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville, another significant run on home turf. The Ebor meeting at York was the scene of defeat for Paddington in the Juddmonte International, a race ultimately won by Mostahdaf as Nashwa came home second. Relief Rally took the Lowther, Dragon Leader was a stunning winner of the sales race and Warm Heart landed the Yorkshire Oaks, after which there was a real underdog success in the Nunthorpe when Live In The Dream prevailed at odds of 28-1 for Epsom trainer Adam West. Kinross won the richly-endowed City of York on the last day, when Willie Mullins’ Absurde took the Ebor itself under a particularly inspired Frankie Dettori.
September
Tahiyra struck again at Leopardstown to land the Matron Stakes, as Diego Velazquez impressed in the Juvenile Stakes to get the Ballydoyle team off the mark before Auguste Rodin’s victory in the Irish Champion Stakes. At the Curragh, Henry Longfellow caught the eye when winning the National Stakes and over the sprint trip Moss Tucker took the Flying Five for Ken Condon. Eldar Eldarov then secured an Irish St Leger crown to go with his earlier English St Leger prize for the Roger Varian team. At Haydock, it was Ed Bethell’s Regional who scored in the Sprint Cup, a first Group One for the young trainer and a major milestone for the North Yorkshire yard. Eyes then turned to Doncaster for the St Leger meeting, where Darnation took the May Hill and Sumo Sam claimed the Park Hill on the opening day. Big Evs bounced back from Nunthorpe disappointment to land the Flying Childers and Trueshan took the Doncaster Cup on day two, with the Champagne Stakes going to Iberian on day three and the St Leger won by Continuous for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. Paddy Twomey seemed to unearth some gems at the Curragh as Deepone took the Beresford and One Look ran away with the Goffs Million in a six-length win, after which the Irish Cesarewitch was won by 150-1 outsider Magellan Strait for Joseph O’Brien. Andrew Balding’s Array won the Mill Reef in a poignant success for the stable, after which France came into focus for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting at ParisLongchamp. Trueshan landed the Prix du Cadran to get the British on the board, with Sea Silk Road then taking the Prix de Royallieu for William Haggas and Poker Face winning the Prix Daniel Wildenstein for Simon and Ed Crisford.
October
The big day of the Arc meeting fell on October 1, where Rosallion took the opening Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and Opera Singer won the Prix Marcel Boussac ahead of the main event. Ace Impact was the winner for Jean-Claude Rouget, with Westover a gallant second, beaten a length and three-quarters. Highfield Princess did connections proud once again when taking the Prix de l’Abbaye for John Quinn and his team. Then came the news that Frankie Dettori’s retirement would in fact be postponed as he revealed plans to head off to California instead. He still received a send-off on Champions Day at Ascot, however, where he won the Champion Stakes aboard King Of Steel – potentially his last ever ride in Britain. Other winners on the card included Art Power in the Champion Sprint, Poptronic in the Fillies & Mares Stakes, Big Rock in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Trawlerman in the Long Distance Cup. City Of Troy demonstrated his huge potential once again at Newmarket with a straightforward Dewhurst success, while the Cesarewitch was won by The Shunter. Ancient Wisdom won the final Group One of the season, Doncaster’s Futurity Trophy in the style of a Derby horse. Attentions switched the National Hunt code, with news the Grand National field would be reduced to 34 along with other changes to improve the safety of the race.
November
The Breeders’ Cup took place at Santa Anita and Big Evs struck a huge blow for the raiding party when landing the Juvenile Turf Sprint for Mick Appleby before Adam West’s Live In The Dream was a gallant fourth in the Turf Sprint. Inspiral landed the Filly & Mare Turf and it was Auguste Rodin who took the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Gentlemansgame denied Bravemansgame in the Charlie Hall, a race that signals that the National Hunt term is well under way. Training great Henrietta Knight announced her return to the game as a licence holder. Gordon Elliott started the season in incredible form with a Down Royal six-timer, swiftly followed by a five-timer at the same track. Gerri Colombe was one of the successes, winning the Ladbrokes Champion Chase from Envoi Allen. In Bahrain, Sir Alex Ferguson enjoyed an international Group Two strike as the Richard Fahey-trained Spirit Dancer was a brilliant winner of the Bahrain International Trophy. Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon made light work of the Shloer Chase on his comeback, as Facile Vega kicked off in style over fences at Navan. Hayley Turner hit a significant career milestone of 1,000 winners on a Chelmsford evening, before Equinox swept to a four-length victory in Japan Cup, sealing his status as the world’s best racehorse. Both the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and runner-up were beaten in separate races as Royale Pagaille held Bravemansgame in the Betfair Chase and both Fastorslow and Appreciate It beat Galopin Des Champs in the John Durkan. Shishkin refused to start in the 1965 Chase at Ascot which was won by Pic D’Orhy in his absence. The industry was quick to rally around Graham Lee, who sustained serious injuries in a heavy fall at Newcastle early in the month and remains in hospital. A fundraiser organised by his daughter raised over £170,000 for the Injured Jockeys Fund.
December
Gavin Sheehan and Jamie Snowden teamed up to take the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury with Datsalrightgino, but the Fighting Fifth could not go ahead due to the weather, so Constitution Hill’s return to action was delayed. The rearranged race was held at Sandown and neither Constitution Hill nor stablemate Shishkin ran due to the ground, with Hughie Morrison’s Not So Sleepy the winner as the outsider in a field of four. Jonbon’s fine start to the season continued as he landed the Tingle Creek from Alan King’s Edwardstone, while at Aintree the Becher Chase was won by a female jockey for this first time as Lucy Turner steered Chambard to victory for Venetia Williams. Arkle winner El Fabiolo took the Hilly Way Chase at Cork by a decent margin to underline his Champion Chase claims after Jonbon’s success. Baroness Harding then became the first female senior steward of The Jockey Club. Constitution Hill did finally reappear, at Kempton in the Christmas Hurdle – winning as odds of 1-12 suggested he would. The King George VI Chase was far less predictable, and for much of the way anyone watching Hewick – a horse who cost a mere £800 – could have been forgiven for ripping up their ticket. But in an astonishing finish – which included Shishkin departing when slipping following the second-last, where he was going strongly in front – Shark Hanlon’s charge roared home under Gavin Sheehan. At Leopardstown’s big festive meeting, Galopin Des Champs impressed in the Savills Chase, State Man won the Matheson Hurdle and Marine Nationale oozed class on his fencing debut.
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