Micky Hammond was grateful for Aiden Brookes’ claim after landing round one of the Pontefract Stayers’ Championship with Justus at the opening meeting of the season at the West Yorkshire track.
Justus looked beaten down the stretch of the two-and-a-quarter mile Jamaican Flight Handicap under 5lb claimer Brookes, with Maxident and Robert Johnson apparently fighting out the finish.
But Justus (9-2) responded to Brookes’ urgings and got up close home to land victory by three-quarters of a length.
Hammond felt Brookes’ claim proved vital on ground the horse loves as he took advantage of carrying nearly a stone less than all four of his rivals.
Hammond told Racing TV: “The horse has had a good winter with us. Obviously Aiden has been with us now for a good few years now since leaving school and he’s well worth his claim.
“(The ground is) very important for the horse. Lightest-weighted in the race which has suited. When they quickened up a little bit they actually left us a bit flat footed.
“All we’ve done is just stay which has won the day for us really. Absolutely delighted.”
Hammond has a smaller army of runners on the Flat but is hoping for a drying up of the ground for his jumpers.
He added: “Surely it’s going to dry up very soon. Maybe for the winter jumpers this festival weekend we have in the north might be the last time that we get the soft or heavy ground.
“And then hopefully we might get some sort of a spring, although having said that it’s actually quite spring like here today.
“Hopefully the racing will go ahead through the rest of the week because the forecast isn’t too promising.
“We haven’t got a lot of Flat horses, we’re not going to have a lot of summer jumpers but the jumpers we’ve got we’ll keep them going until Cartmel at the end of May. The winter jumpers have done really well.”
The Bell Conductor (10-1) made all to land the feature William Hill Extra Place Races Every Day Handicap for Craig Lidster and William Pyle.
The seven-year-old was pressured in the final furlong but held off Glorious Angel to triumph by one and a quarter lengths.
Favourite Wen Moon was a further length and a half back in third.
Spirit Dancer is set for a well-earned break after finishing lame in his bid for further international honours in Saturday’s Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan.
Richard Fahey’s charge has enjoyed a hugely productive winter on foreign soil, carrying the red and white silks of part-owner and breeder Sir Alex Ferguson to victory in the Bahrain International Trophy before claiming an even more lucrative success in the Neom Turf Cup in Riyadh.
The seven-year-old was unable to land a blow when stepped up in class on Dubai World Cup night, finishing 11th of 12 runners, but was subsequently found to have sustained an injury.
“He has a chip in his joint I’m afraid, so he did pull up lame,” Fahey said on Tuesday.
“It (injury) won’t have helped. It was a messy sort of race as he sort of dropped in and never got back into it, but that can’t have helped.
“He was due for a holiday anyway and he’ll get it now. He’s fit enough to travel and we’ll sort him out when we get him home.
“It’s been a fantastic winter with him and he’s got the money in the bank to prove it!”
While Fahey is keen to get his charge back to his North Yorkshire base before committing to future targets, there is every chance Spirit Dancer will be stamping his passport again later in the year.
The trainer added: “I’d be keen to go back there (Dubai) again next year, so all roads and plans will lead to go there.
“I’ve got Hong Kong in my mind as well, so we’ll see. He could have a couple of runs over here and then head back over there.”
The Bahamas ended day three of the 2024 Carifta Aquatics Championships at the Betty Kelly-Kenning Aquatic Centre in Nassau on Monday with a massive 309.50-point lead over their rivals in the battle for the team title.
The Bahamians currently have 804.50 points after 98 events. The top five is rounded out by the Cayman Islands (495 points), Trinidad & Tobago (466 points), Jamaica (405 points) and Barbados (362.5 points).
In terms of medals, the hosts have, so far, amassed an impressive 73 medals over three days of competition including 26 gold, 26 silver and 21 bronze.
Trinidad & Tobago are next with 17 gold, 10 silver and 14 bronze for 41 medals in total.
Cayman Islands are third with 14 gold, 10 silver and 15 bronze for 39 in total.
Barbados are fourth with 11 gold, 11 silver and six bronze for 28 in total with Jamaica fifth with 11 gold, eight silver and 12 bronze for 31 in total. Barbados are ahead of Jamaica because they have more silver medals.
Clive Cox can justifiably target all the major sprints on home soil this summer with Diligent Harry following a fine effort in defeat on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan on Saturday.
Following successive Listed wins on the all-weather in February, the six-year-old faced a step up to Group One level for the Al Quoz Sprint and emerged with plenty of credit after passing the post in third place behind Hong Kong speedster California Spangle and Charlie Appleby’s Star Of Mystery.
An appearance at Royal Ascot looks likely to be on Diligent Harry’s agenda, with next month’s 1895 Duke of York Stakes at the Dante meeting a potential port of call along the way.
“I was thrilled with how he ran on Saturday – very, very pleased,” said Cox.
“He’d always promised at home that we had a big performance in him and to justify that with that run, on the back of two Listed wins this year, was absolutely wonderful. I’m really proud that he’d produced what we always hoped and believed was there.
“He appears to have come out of the race well and travels back home later in the week. He’s effective at five and six (furlongs), which is great, and ground is more suitable drier than wetter for him.
“We’ll see how he comes back. He has got an entry in the Duke of York, but we’ll see how he comes home first and gather our thoughts.”
Oisin Murphy has announced he will miss the Craven Meeting after breaking the whip rules at Newcastle on Good Friday.
The rider said he was found to have used his whip once more than the permitted six strikes when beaten just over five lengths in fifth aboard Vaguely Royal in the BetUK All-Weather Championships Marathon Handicap.
Murphy’s initial penalty was four days, but the value of the race means it is doubled to eight days, although he had two days deducted in recognition of his previous good conduct.
In a post on X, Murphy said: “I’ve picked up a six-day suspension for one strike too many on Vaguely Royal on Good Friday when finishing fifth in the Marathon.
“This was a genuine mistake and I didn’t purposely use my whip once more than permitted. As the race was worth £150k total prize money, my suspension should’ve been eight days but the fact I’ve not been suspended for a whip breach in over 200 rides, it’s been reduced by two days.
“Had I committed the same breach in the Listed Burradon Stakes on the card when finishing a narrowly-beaten second, I would be facing a two-day ban. I will miss April 12,13,15,16,17,18. The entire Craven meeting.
“I will endeavour not to fall foul of these whip rules as the penalties are costly.”
The three-day fixture at Newmarket features the first Classic trials of the season in the Nell Gwyn and Craven Stakes.
Wathnan Racing have extended their British presence further with the appointment of champion-elect Qatari trainer Hamad Al-Jehani in Newmarket.
Al-Jehani will be based in the lower yard of Tom Clover’s Kremlin House Stable and will initially train a small string owned by Wathnan, the racing operation of Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The 35-year-old began training in 2013 and now oversees a stable of 80 horses in Doha, where he will remain for the winter having already trained 53 winners during their season.
He said: “I am excited to have the chance to train in Newmarket. It’s an amazing opportunity for me to work in this historic training centre.
“I have been attending the sales in Newmarket for many years and have long been an admirer of the world-class facilities. I’m really looking forward to getting started.”
Olly Tait, Wathnan Racing adviser, said: “Hamad’s had a brilliant first season training Wathnan horses in Qatar and we are delighted to be giving him this experience.
“Alban de Mieulle, who also trains for Wathnan in Qatar, takes a number of horses to France in the summer and had great success with Bolthole last year. It would be wonderful if Hamad can do something similar in Newmarket.’
Al-Jehani has secured the services of Tommy Allen as his assistant trainer and he leaves the stable of George Boughey to take up the post.
Boughey said: “I am obviously very sorry to lose Tommy after what has been a hugely successful three years together but he is leaving very
much with our blessing.
“It’s a great chance for him and I’ve no doubt he will be an enormous asset to Hamad Al-Jehani. Henry Morshead has worked with me and Tommy for the past season and will take over his place.”
England’s Vickii Cornborough has announced her retirement from international rugby, saying she does not feel mentally ready to return after giving birth to twins last summer.
The 34-year-old Harlequins prop made her England debut in 2015 and went on to win 75 caps, six Six nations titles and reached two World Cup finals.
In her role as vice-chair of the Rugby Players’ Association she was instrumental in the creation of the Rugby Football Union’s updated maternity policy, which was introduced last year.
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Cornborough told BBC Sport: “I’m probably the strongest I’ve ever been but I’m just not there yet mentally because having twins is really hard.
“Living off a couple of hours of sleep a night is not conducive to a high-performance pressure environment.
“Stepping away from the Red Roses and announcing my retirement is the right thing for me to do.”
She added: “It’s a big weight off my shoulders to finally admit it to myself and say I’m ready (to retire).
“It’s a life-changing decision. It’s something I’m excited but nervous about because England has been my life for the last 10 years.”
Ted Walsh admitted to having mixed emotions after his stable stalwart Any Second Now roared back to form to fill the runner-up spot in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
It is five years since the JP McManus-owned veteran claimed Cheltenham Festival glory in the Kim Muir and he was a leading contender for that season’s Irish National when falling at the eighth fence.
As well as winning twice at Grade Two and Grade Three level, Any Second Now has since placed twice in the Grand National at Aintree, finishing third behind the Rachael Blackmore-ridden Minella Times on his first attempt in 2021 before picking up the silver medal behind Noble Yeats 12 months later.
The 12-year-old was pulled up when bidding to make it third time lucky on Merseyside last April and has largely struggled since, but showed his true colours when finishing best of the rest behind the six years younger Intense Raffles on Easter Monday, leaving his trainer delighted but disappointed.
Walsh said: “He’s come out of the race 100 per cent, I’m delighted with the way he ran but gutted that he got beat!
“We have no plans at the moment, Punchestown is only a month away and he won’t be going there. He’ll go to Martinstown (McManus’ stud), we’ll have a look at him and see what happens after that.
“I’m proud of how he ran, but at the same time we were beaten. We played a great game but the other team won!”
Auston Matthews scored two more goals to push his league-leading total to 62, and the Toronto Maple Leafs withstood a third-period rally from the Florida Panthers to hold on for a 6-4 win in a potential first-round play-off matchup on Monday.
Matthews added an assist to help Toronto to its third consecutive victory, which moved the Maple Leafs within four points of Florida for second place in the Atlantic Division. The two teams are currently on course to meet in the Eastern Conference quarter-finals.
Nicholas Robertson and Matthew Knies each contributed a goal and an assist for Toronto, which built a 5-1 lead after two periods before the Panthers scored three straight goals in the third.
Robertson and Matthews both lit the lamp in the opening period to stake the Leafs to a 2-0 advantage before Florida trimmed the deficit on Brandon Montour's goal 47 seconds into the second.
Toronto responded quickly as Tyler Bertuzzi scored off a Matthews feed just 39 seconds later, and goals by David Kampf and Knies before the end of the period increased the Maple Leafs' cushion to 5-1.
The Panthers pulled goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky at the second intermission after the veteran stopped just 11 of 16 shots.
Florida's offence came to life in the third, as Vladimir Tarasenko redirected Niko Mikkola's shot past Toronto netminder Ilya Samsonov just 2:12 into the period and Sam Reinhart cut the lead to 5-3 with 8:02 left to play on his 52nd goal of the season.
With replacement goaltender Anthony Stolarz pulled for an extra attacker, Sam Bennett brought Florida within one when his wrist shot beat Samsonov with 1:50 remaining.
The Panthers couldn't come up with the equaliser, though, and Matthews sealed the outcome with an empty-netter with 46 seconds left.
Tarasenko ended with a goal and two assists for Florida, which has lost three of four. Stolarz stopped all six shots he faced in relief.
Samsonov finished with 26 saves.
Crosby, Penguins halt Rangers' win streak
Sidney Crosby led the way with two goals and an assist as the Pittsburgh Penguins put an end to the New York Rangers' five-game winning streak with a 5-2 victory.
Bryan Rust also scored twice to back 28 saves from Alex Nedeljkovic as the Penguins extended their point streak to five games (3-0-2). Pittsburgh currently sits five points out of a play-off spot in the Eastern Conference.
Nedeljkovic made 10 first-period saves and Rust quickly put Pittsburgh ahead by knocking in a rebound of Crosby's shot just 18 seconds into the contest.
Crosby made it a 2-0 lead midway through the opening period and after a scoreless second, Emil Bernstrom converted a breakaway chance 9:51 into the third to increase the Penguins' margin.
The Rangers regrouped to cut their deficit to 3-2 on goals by Kaapo Kakko and Jack Roslovic, the last coming with 3:07 left to play. New York pulled goaltender Igor Shesterkin in the closing stages, but fell further behind as both Rust and Crosby scored into an empty net inside the final 2 1/2 minutes.
Shesterkin turned aside just 15 of 18 shots to have a three-start winning streak snapped.
Blues continue post-season push with overtime win over Oilers
Brandon Saad scored 2:09 into overtime as the St. Louis Blues continued their late-season push for a play-off spot with a 3-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers.
Brayden Schenn accounted for both St. Louis goals in regulation to help the Blues improve to 8-2-1 over their last 11 games. The surge has brought St. Louis within three points of the Los Angeles Kings, who were dealt a 4-3 loss by the Winnipeg Jets on Monday, for the Western Conference's final wild-card berth.
The Blues trailed 1-0 after one period, but Jordan Binnington stopped all 13 Edmonton shots in the second and Schenn tied the game with a power-play goal 8:15 into the middle stanza.
Schenn struck again 1:44 into the third before the Oilers drew back even when Leon Draisaitl stuffed a feed from Connor McDavid past Binnington with 5:25 remaining in regulation.
Edmonton committed a costly giveaway in the neutral zone during overtime, though, which led to Saad scoring on a breakaway for his fifth goal in six games.
Mattias Ekholm recorded the Oilers' first goal and added an assist on Draisaitl's 39th tally of the season.
Binnington ended with 36 saves and Stuart Skinner stopped 26 shots for Edmonton.
AP McCoy broke Sir Gordon Richards’ 55-year record for winners in a season when he got his 270th win at Warwick on this day in 2002.
After earlier equalling the record of 269 winners on Shepherds Rest, McCoy followed up by taking the Leek Wooton Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.
McCoy displayed the tenacity that earned him record after record during his career with a typically strong ride on his boss Martin Pipe’s Valfonic.
The four-year-old looked to be struggling but McCoy conjured a run out of Pipe’s horse to seal his place in racing history.
And McCoy said: “Obviously it’s brilliant to get there in the end. It’s taken a while as I keep saying I can’t make the horses go any faster as much as I’d like to be able to but I can’t.
“I actually thought I would struggle today as I thought Shampooed, Shepherds Rest and this one just had chances and I’m obviously really pleased that all three have won.”
Pipe was quick to praise his stable jockey, with whom he enjoyed so much success.
He said: “Brilliant wasn’t it? It’s absolutely brilliant that he should beat Sir Gordon Richards’ record and I’m thrilled to bits for him.
“I’m highly delighted he was on one of my horses. He deserves it, he’s a dedicated, brilliant jockey.
“Only this morning he was down schooling my team of horses for the National over National fences that we built.
“Not only did he school his own ride but other people’s too. He’s a fabulous, generous team player.”
McCoy retired in April 2015 with 4,358 winners to his name.
Devin Booker racked up 52 points with a prolific shooting display that carried the Phoenix Suns to a 124-111 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday to tighten the Western Conference play-off race.
The win moved Phoenix within one game of New Orleans in the battle for the important No. 6 seed in the West. The top six teams in each conference are guaranteed a spot in the quarter-final round of the post-season, while teams seven through 10 will be forced to compete in the play-in tournament.
Phoenix was able to narrow the gap primarily behind Booker, who finished 19 of 28 from the field and 8 of 16 from 3-point range while adding nine assists.
The Suns also received 19 points and 19 rebounds from Jusuf Nurkic, while Kevin Durant had 20 points to help send the Pelicans to a second straight loss.
Both Booker and the Suns got off to sizzling starts, as the All-Star guard tallied 24 first-quarter points on 8-of-10 shooting during a dominant opening quarter. Seventeen of those points came during a 30-7 run that staked Phoenix to a 44-20 lead with under two minutes to go in the period.
Phoenix ended the first quarter up 46-28 and carried a 74-54 advantage into half-time with Booker amassing 37 points on 14-of-18 shooting over the first two quarters.
The Pelicans trailed by as many as 27 points in the second half but did make a belated push to get back in it, as Zion Williamson sparked an 8-0 run that CJ McCollum capped with a 3-pointer to pull New Orleans within 115-108 with 2:46 left.
That was as close as the Pelicans would get, however, as Booker scored his final two points on a layup with 1:34 to go that gave Phoenix a 119-110 lead.
Williamson paced New Orleans with 30 points and Trey Murphy recorded 21 in the loss.
Krejci's perfect shooting night helps Hawks down Bulls
Vit Krejci went 6 of 6 from 3-point range for a career-high 18 points to help the surging Atlanta Hawks to a 113-101 win over the Chicago Bulls in a matchup of potential Eastern Conference play-in teams.
Krejci's flawless shooting, along with 20 points and six assists from Bogdan Bogdanović, powered the Hawks to a fifth win in six games and moved them within a half-game of ninth-place Chicago in the East standings. Dejounte Murray added 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists for Atlanta.
The Bulls got 31 points from DeMar DeRozan but failed to match Atlanta's accuracy from the perimeter, as they shot just 25 per cent (7 of 28) from 3-point range compared to 47.5 per cent (19 of 40) for the Hawks.
Krejci scored 15 points in the first half as Atlanta took a 61-53 lead into the break before extending the margin in the third quarter.
A DeAndre Hunter 3-pointer followed by Clint Capela's alley-oop dunk increased the Hawks' advantage to 75-62 five minutes into the third quarter, and Atlanta built a 90-74 lead entering the fourth after Garrison Mathews knocked down a triple in the final seconds of the third.
Coby White added 22 points for Chicago, which lost for the fifth time in seven games, while Andre Drummond accumulated 13 points and 18 rebounds off the bench.
Tatum, Hauser key Celtics' win over Hornets
Jayson Tatum and Sam Hauser had 25 points each as the East-leading Boston Celtics stayed hot with a 118-104 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.
Tatum added 10 rebounds and Hauser went 7 of 11 on 3-point attempts as the Celtics posted their 11th win in their last 13 games. Boston, which has already clinched the East's No. 1 play-off seed, also received 20 points from Kristaps Porzingis and 19 from Derrick White.
Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges each had 14 first-half points to keep the underdog Hornets close for much of the first two quarters. The teams were tied at 53-53 with under two minutes to go until half-time before the Celtics closed out the second quarter with six straight points to forge ahead.
Boston then got further separation by outscoring Charlotte by a 36-26 margin in the third quarter, which Hauser capped with a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 95-79. Porzingis recorded 11 of his points during the period.
Bridges ended with 26 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in Charlotte's eighth loss in its past nine games. Miller finished with 19 points and Grant Williams had 23 along with seven rebounds for the Hornets.
Vontae Davis, the former Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts cornerback, has died suddenly at the age of 35.
His former teams and team-mates came together to play tribute to Davis, a two-time Pro Bowl player in 2014 and 2015, after he was found unresponsive in a Fort Lauderdale residence.
No cause of death has been announced, with the investigating Davie Police Department reportedly suggesting no foul play is suspected.
The Colts, where Davis played between 2012-17, said on X: “We are devastated to hear of Vontae Davis’s passing. He will be deeply missed, and we send our prayers to his family and loved ones.
“He was a standout player in his six seasons with the Horseshoe, but he was an even better team-mate who carried a smile and positive energy every day.”
The Dolphins, who gave him his NFL break after his college football success with Illinois, posted: “We are heartbroken by the sudden passing of former Dolphins CB Vontae Davis and extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Those who shared the field with Davis also took to social media with their own marks of respect, with Kenny Moore II declaring: “It hurts to see the news OG. You a legend VD.”
Reggie Wayne, the retired wide receiver and former colleague at Indianapolis, wrote: “Sad Day. It was a pleasure wearing the horseshoe with you homie. Rest easy Champ.”
Davis, brother of Super Bowl winner Vernon, ended his professional career in 2018 by retiring midway through a game for the Bulls.
After a five-timer at Fairyhouse on Sunday, it was a slightly quieter afternoon for the all-conquering Willie Mullins on the final day of the track’s Easter meeting.
While hopes were high for his runners in the feature BoyleSports Irish Grand National, the Closutton representatives were out of luck, with 20-1 chance Minella Cocooner faring best in third under Danny Mullins.
That said, it was still a hat-trick of winners for the champion trainer, after Implicit got him off the mark in the opener before he finished with a double in the two races that brought the curtain down on the card.
It was Minella Cocooner’s rider who got Macdermott (5-1) home in front in the first of those, the Envirogreen Building Services Handicap Chase over three miles and half a furlong.
Mullins said: “He’s been running over trips that were too short, but we couldn’t find races for him.
“Today was the first time he got his ground and trip. He’s a horse that I’d be really looking forward to going over extended trips in the future, in some of the those bigger handicaps.
“He could be an Irish National horse or one for Aintree, any of those extended races.
“I think he’s only coming to himself. He’s a very gross horse and it’s taken me a long time to get him fit.”
Jody Townend – who rode a Grade Two winner over hurdles for the stable on Sunday – then took the Leinster Reinforcements & Brazil Piling (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race with Redemption Day (2-1 joint-favourite).
Mullins said: “He’s had his problems but he’s coming right now, even on ground he didn’t like there.
“Jody got him lovely and settled and was able to use his bit of class.
“I think now we’ll head to Punchestown for the Champion Bumper.
“He has a little bit of class and hopefully he’ll go novice hurdling after that.”
In sixth place for Mullins in the National was We’llhavewan, who in turn was one place in front of his stablemate and 4-1 favourite Nick Rockett.
Mullins said: “I was really pleased with Minella Cocooner, he ran a cracker.
“Nick Rockett ran well as well, but just had too much weight.
“We’llhavewan just didn’t get home today but we do know he stays that trip.”
Tom Clover is looking forward to seeing how Al Barez progresses after landing the victory he had been threatening in the Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Handicap at Kempton.
The five-year-old has been knocking on the door in two starts since returning on the all-weather earlier this year and was sent off the 5-2 favourite in the hands of Jack Mitchell over six furlongs at the Sunbury track.
Positioned towards the rear, he made good headway as David Evans’ Radio Goo Goo began to tire on the front-end and stuck his head down gamely in the closing stages to seal a neck verdict over Holy Fire.
“Jack did well to get a nice pitch from a wide draw and he’s been threatening to win, he’s been perhaps a touch unlucky on his last few starts,” said Clover.
“He’s a lovely little horse with a nice pedigree and he deserves to get his head in front. He only won by a neck but he knuckled down well which was lovely to see and I hope for the owners he can be a really fun horse for the season. Hopefully he can go and progress.”
It has been an interrupted couple of years for Al Barez who racked up three victories in succession in 2022 but failed to build on that during a 2023 campaign compromising of just the two appearances.
Having rediscovered his best form in the early stages of 2024, Newmarket-based Clover is now eager to see how far the son of Dark Angel can climb during the turf season as he tries to make up for lost time.
“As a result of being off he’s got pretty low mileage and is pretty unexposed so I’m hoping he can find his way,” continued Clover.
“He likes a strong pace and something to aim at and hopefully we can look forward to the turf season and have a smooth run really.”
Eve Johnson Houghton’s Pont Neuf (11-4) may have unseated his rider in the parade ring and subsequently walked to post, but he had no problems making his way home fastest of all when claiming the opening Virgin Bet/EBF Restricted Novice Stakes, while Richard Hughes’ rich vein of form continued when Palace Green (7-4 favourite) made all in the Virgin Bet Fives/EBF Novice Stakes to register an impressive five-length success.
Liseo (11-4) shaded a close finish to the Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap for Simon and Ed Crisford, with Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole’s Farasi Lane (12-1) surviving a stewards’ inquiry to win the Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Handicap.
There was a shock in the concluding Virgin Bet Handicap with Keiran Burke’s Whitcombe Rockstar landing the spoils at odds of 25-1.
Intense Raffles continued his Fairyhouse love affair to hold off the fast-finishing Any Second Now in a thrilling renewal of the BoyleSports Irish Grand National.
Twelve years on from winning the race with Lion Na Bearnai, Thomas Gibney struck gold again courtesy of the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned French import, who has excelled at Fairyhouse in two starts since his transfer from the continent.
Those victories came in the hands of the currently-injured Daryl Jacob, and Jacob’s misfortune was J J Slevin’s gain as he stepped in to also register his second victory in the Easter Monday showpiece aboard the gutsy grey, who showed his star quality with a brilliant round of jumping.
Always travelling powerfully in the hands of Slevin as he tracked the pace set by Frontal Assault, not even a mistake at four out could halt Intense Raffles’ momentum as the six-year-old eased effortlessly to the head of proceedings.
Keen to hold on as long as possible, Slevin waited until after two out to edge the 13-2 scorer’s nose in front and after jumping the last with a narrow advantage he plugged on gamely to the line as Ted Walsh’s veteran and Willie Mullins’ Minella Cocooner were bearing down with every stride.
Brewin’upastorm rolled back the years to give trainer Olly Murphy a Grade Two strike to remember in the Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
Now an 11-year-old, Brewin’upastorm has mixed it with some of the best during his lengthy career with the trainer, triumphing in bumper, hurdles and chase company.
Grade One-placed as a novice hurdler at Aintree back in 2019, he subsequently embarked on a spell over fences that yielded two wins but saw him unseat his rider in the 2020 Arkle and trail home last in the Tingle Creek the following season.
Murphy has kept him to hurdles subsequently, twice winning the National Spirit at Fontwell, and this was a first trip to Ireland.
Partnered by Jack Kennedy, Brewin’upastorm was one of just four runners and with Maxxum crashing out and Thedevilscoachman failing to sparkle, it was a duel with Willie Mullins’ 5-6 favourite Zarak The Brave from the penultimate flight.
Brewin’upastorm jumped the last in front but Zarak The Brave was rallying on the run to the line, with Murphy’s raider digging deep to edge a three-quarter-length success.
Murphy was assistant to Gordon Elliott before striking out on his own in Britain and he was thrilled to secure a winner in Ireland.
He said: “I enjoyed that! He’s a very good horse on his day and he’s only good once a year, if that makes sense.
“He really turned up today and I thought he just outstayed Willie’s horse from the back of the last.
“Ireland has been a brilliant place for me, I spent five fantastic years here. I learned an awful lot off Gordon (Elliott) and watched Jack grow up to be the man he is today, I watched him ride his first winner.
“Coming over and taking on the best of the Irish, the way National Hunt racing is at the moment on both side of the Irish Sea, it was something I always wanted to do – train a winner over here.
“I really enjoyed that, Ireland has been a very good place for me and to come back and have a big winner here is magic.
“I probably came over due to the lack of opportunities on our side of the sea. It’s hard to win anywhere, it’s hard to win in England let alone here.
“I enjoyed that as much as any winner I’ve trained.”
Bottler’secret graduated to Grade Two company in style with victory in the O’Driscoll’s Irish Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle.
The four-year-old was a dual winner on the Flat for Ciaran Murphy before changing hands and moving to Gavin Cromwell, for whom he made an impressive hurdles bow at Naas in February.
Bottler’secret strolled to an 11-length success in a Grade Three contest on that occasion – a result which saw him sent off the 4-1 second-favourite for this two-mile event.
British raider Givemefive raced prominently but began to feel the pressure turning for home, with Bottler’secret travelling sweetly for Keith Donoghue having also been to the fore.
He was well in control jumping the penultimate flight and stretched clear after the last, coming home three and three-quarter lengths clear of market leader Miss Manzor.
Cromwell said: “He’s a lovely straightforward horse. He races lazily which you’d love in a horse coming off the Flat. He jumped really well there today.
“The cheekpieces just helped him travel a little bit better. He was behind the bridle a lot the last day. He went to the line really well and hopefully there is more to come.
“I wouldn’t say he has to have it this soft, I’d say on the Flat is was important because he probably just lacked a gear.”
The Punchestown Festival later is now likely to be on the agenda.
Cromwell added: “Yeah, I’d say definitely. Sure why wouldn’t you at this stage. The timing is nice as well with the early Easter.”
Implicit (9-2) could head to the Punchestown Festival after a narrow victory in a dramatic Farmhouse Foods Novice Handicap Hurdle.
Boher Road was clear in front coming to the third-last flight, but he ducked out at the obstacle, smashing through the wing and the inside rail.
That left Implicit and Ossie’s Lodge to battle it out to the line, with the Paul Townend-ridden winner prevailing by just a nose.
David Casey, assistant to winning trainer Willie Mullins, said: “The pilot was very good again, as he usually is. It looked like they went very hard, Paul dropped her in got her relaxed and came with one run.
“Obviously he just got there and I thought it was a brilliant ride. I don’t know what way it would have gone if the horse didn’t run out, but she’s improving.
“I’d imagine she’ll go to Punchestown and you’ll probably see her through the summer as well, she should go on better ground.”
Whatcouldhavebeen (14-1) gave Boher Road’s trainer Jarlath Fahey some compensation as she proved too strong for her rivals in the Fairyhouse Steel Handicap Hurdle.
She finished second as a 66-1 shot in the Grade One Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle at this fixture last year but had struggled to make her mark in six subsequent runs both over hurdles and on the Flat.
However, she roared back to form with a nine-and-a-half-length victory in the hands of Aidan Kelly.
Fahey said: “It’s great as we haven’t had a great run over the winter, a lot of our horses were under a cloud and just weren’t performing.
“We thought she worked nicely the other morning, herself and Boher Road together. He was giving us a nice run until he decided to exit! That gave us a little bit of confidence that she was back somewhere near her best again.
“She was second in a Grade One at this meeting last year. Since she got her summer break she hasn’t been firing and she’s just coming back to herself now.
“We’ll probably stick to handicap company for Punchestown. It’s great to get her back in front again and back running the way she can run.
“She is game and genuine and stayed at it well. It was a brilliant ride by Aidan, very similar to what he did in the Grade One last year. We didn’t have Ashroe Diamond catching us down the straight today.”
Dubai Honour booked a return to Hong Kong in pleasing William Haggas with a successful reappearance in the Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Magnolia Stakes at Kempton.
Last seen running at Ascot on British Champions Day, the globetrotting six-year-old has remained at Somerville Lodge this winter rather than venturing to Australia and was by far the best horse in the race on both career achievements and official ratings ahead of his return in the 10-furlong Listed event.
The 4-6 favourite duly obliged in good style, defying early-season freshness under Ryan Moore to hand his trainer a fourth success in race, scoring by an impressive three lengths.
He will now return to overseas action with Dubai Honour set to be tasked with going two places better than his 2023 QEII Cup third at Sha Tin later this month.
Haggas said: “I was very pleased with him and he looked a bit fresh having not run for a bit. But I thought he was always looking comfortable in a race that had the potential to be messy – and probably was – despite the nice gallop.
“I haven’t spoken to Ryan yet, but I’m not sure he was where he wanted to be early on. Still, the horse picked up well and he did it nicely, as he should do at the weights. But I was very happy with him and it was exactly what I hoped for.
“He’s going to Hong Kong all being well – he’s been invited and we’ve accepted. Providing he’s fit and well he will go over there on April 28 for the QEII Cup, the mile-and-a-quarter race he was third in last year.
“He’s won over £3million in prize-money now and he’s a thoroughly nice horse who has been great fun, we think the world of him. He’s a kind horse, too.”
Reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid is expected to return to the Philadelphia 76ers’ lineup this week for the first time since sustaining a left knee injury that required surgery in early February, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Monday.
Embiid last played on Jan. 30 and underwent surgery on Feb. 6. He averaged 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.76 blocks in 34 games before getting injured.
Embiid’s return will be a welcome sight for the 76ers, who currently sit in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia is 26-8 this season with Embiid in the lineup and 14-27 when playing without the seven-time All-Star.
The 76ers are in action four times this week. They host the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday before a three-game road trip that features matchups with the Miami Heat on Thursday, the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday and the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.
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