The Cheltenham Gold Cup celebrates its centenary this year and to mark the occasion, we look at 10 memorable renewals of National Hunt racing’s blue riband event.
Golden Miller (1935)
Golden Miller’s place in jumping legend is secure. He is the only horse ever to have won five Gold Cups, and he also won the Grand National in one of those years, 1934.
His most famous Cheltenham victory came in 1935, when he just got the better of Thomond after a great battle.
Having been denied the chance of a six-timer in 1937 due to flooding, Golden Miller led at the last as a 12-year-old the following season but eventually had to settle for second on that occasion.
Owned by the eccentric Dorothy Paget, Golden Miller’s reputation remains intact despite the passing of the years and the exploits of contemporary heroes, and it is highly unlikely that his Gold Cup record will ever be equalled.
Arkle (1964)
Near-hysteria surrounded the clash of two of the greatest chasers in history, Arkle and Mill House.
Although both horses were Irish-bred and ridden, it was a classic England versus Ireland tussle. Mill House had been brought across to Fulke Walwyn’s stable, while Arkle remained on the Emerald Isle with Tom Dreaper.
‘The big horse’, as Mill House was known, had won the previous year’s event and had beaten Arkle in that season’s Hennessy Gold Cup, although jockey Pat Taaffe reported that his horse had slipped three from home and claimed Mill House would never beat him again.
Snow threatened to ruin the big day, but it cleared in time as Willie Robinson made the running on Mill House until Arkle began to close going down the final hill.
Battle commenced at the second-last, but Robinson had to go for his whip first, and Arkle started to forge ahead before taking the final fence in front and bounding away up the hill to land the spoils by five lengths. A legend was born in that moment and he would go on to win two more Gold Cups.
Bregawn (1983)
This race will always be remembered for Michael Dickinson’s ‘famous five’, as the Yorkshire handler enjoyed total domination.
Market leader Bregawn made all the running under a 22-year-old Graham Bradley and was followed home by his stablemates Captain John, multiple King George winner Wayward Lad, defending champion Silver Buck and Ashley House.
Bradley said: “Michael was brilliant in preparing them and it was a magical moment, the man was an absolute genius.
“You have to remember that he only had 60 boxes, not 200 like some of them today. The quality of horse he assembled was quite amazing really. Bregawn won it out of stamina more than anything – and guts.”
Dawn Run (1986)
Paddy Mullins’ wonder mare became the only horse to complete the Champion Hurdle-Gold Cup double in dramatic fashion.
Everything looked to be against the inexperienced Dawn Run as a couple of early mistakes went against her and Jonjo O’Neill was hard at work to maintain the lead as they rounded the top of the straight.
It looked to be game over as Wayward Lad and Forgive ‘n Forget swept past but Dawn Run found a little bit extra to land after the second-last in front, only for Wayward Lad to put on his own spurt.
He was set for glory just 100 yards out but his questionable stamina began to wane and Dawn Run dug even deeper to claw back the lead and win by three-quarters of a length in a record time.
All set to the soundtrack of a memorable commentary by Sir Peter O’Sullevan, who cried: “The mare’s beginning to get back up… and as they come to the line, she’s made it.”
Desert Orchid (1989)
Possibly the most popular triumph in the whole history of this great race, as the flying grey was an icon who transcended the sport!
Simon Sherwood could not say enough in praise of Desert Orchid’s bravery following his thrilling duel with Yahoo in desperate conditions.
‘Dessie’ was left in front three fences from home but it looked all over bar the shouting as confirmed mud-lover Yahoo kicked on for victory.
However, Desert Orchid gave every ounce of effort on the heavy ground, finally overhauling Yahoo for a length-and-a-half verdict.
It was also another O’Sullevan masterpiece: “He’s beginning to get up, Desert Orchid is beginning to get up… Dessie has done it!”
Norton’s Coin (1990)
Although a better horse than he is given credit for, Norton’s Coin provided one of the biggest upsets in racing when he landed the Gold Cup from Toby Tobias at odds of 100-1.
Desert Orchid was sent off the odds-on favourite and made most of the running, but by the second-last he was weakening, and it was Graham McCourt aboard the nine-year-old who was travelling the best. He just outfought Jenny Pitman’s Toby Tobias in a bitter struggle up the run-in.
Norton’s Coin had won the odd decent race, but did not appear in the best form, finishing only third in an average Newbury handicap the month before.
It was an extraordinary result also for his trainer, Carmarthenshire dairy farmer Sirrell Griffiths, who had been up milking his cows that morning.
Best Mate (2004)
It may not have been the strongest renewal but nothing should be taken away from Best Mate as he became the first horse in 38 years to win three successive Gold Cups.
His two previous wins may well have been more impressive but Henrietta Knight’s charge showed plenty of courage as he outbattled three rivals up the hill.
Sir Rembrandt pushed him every yard to the line but Best Mate’s willpower saw him edge it by just under a length to join the Cheltenham greats.
Denman (2008)
A blockbuster showdown between Denman and stablemate Kauto Star was billed as the most eagerly-awaited Gold Cup battle since Arkle and Mill House – and it lived up to the hype!
‘The Tank’ galloped reigning champion Kauto Star into the ground, powering away up the hill to prevail by seven lengths, with Paul Nicholls also saddling the third-placed Neptune Collonges.
“Denman was awesome,” declared Nicholls. “He jumped and galloped and put Kauto on the back foot really. Kauto didn’t jump as well as he can and the ground may have been a little tacky for him.
“We are not going to make any excuses, as he got beat by a better horse on the day. But Kauto will be back here and will win plenty more races.”
Those words proved correct, as 2007 hero Kauto Star gained his revenge when hammering Denman by 13 lengths a year later, becoming the first horse to regain the trophy.
Coneygree (2015)
The unheralded husband and wife training partnership of Mark and Sara Bradstock pulled off an incredible coup as Coneygree became the first novice to win the Gold Cup for over 40 years.
Sent off as a 7-1 shot, the eight-year-old soon had matters his own way up front and Nico de Boinville settled his mount into a steady rhythm to ensure the race would be a thorough test of stamina.
Attacking each fence with great enthusiasm, the pair maintained a relentless gallop before repelling the late charge of Djakadam by a length and a half.
Sara Bradstock said: “It’s only his fourth run over fences, but he had so much time off and he’s wise in his own way. He is a freak, he has got ridiculously long legs.”
Unfortunately, those legs proved fragile and the horse, who was bred by the late Lord Oaksey, Sara’s father, failed to reach the same dizzy heights in the future.
A Plus Tard (2022)
Rachael Blackmore etched herself further into racing folklore as she added Gold Cup glory to her two Champion Hurdle victories and the previous year’s Grand National triumph in guiding A Plus Tard to a runaway success.
Stuck behind a wall of horses turning in, Blackmore was patient and came between Protektorat and dual winner Al Boum Photo to hunt down defending champion Minella Indo, jumping to the front over the last before drawing clear.
“I’m so lucky to be getting to ride all these kind of horses,” said Blackmore. “I’ve had so many special days. I wouldn’t swap the Grand National for anything, but this is the Gold Cup.”
Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead added: “Rachael was brilliant on him. Rachael was so brave, the way she went about it, it was brilliant.”
Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns has been diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his left knee that could sideline the former NBA Rookie of the Year for the rest of the regular season.
Towns was originally ruled out for Thursday’s game at the Indiana Pacers due to left knee soreness.
The four-time All-Star hasn't put up his usual solid numbers lately, averaging 16.0 points and 7.5 rebounds in his last four games.
Coming into Thursday, Towns had missed just two games all season and was averaging 22.1 points and 8.4 rebounds in 60 contests.
Minnesota (43-19) is tied with Northwest Division foe Oklahoma City for the best record in the Western Conference.
The Timberwolves haven’t advanced past the first round of the playoffs since losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the West finals in 2004.
London Broncos winger Lee Kershaw says the daunting prospect of squaring up to world champions Wigan this weekend pales compared with the challenges of self-sufficiency and spin-cycles.
The 24-year-old winger landed at the newly-promoted Super League club in February following an uncertain period as a free agent, after being released by relegated Wakefield at the end of last season.
It has proved a major culture shock for Kershaw, who still lived at home with his parents in Bradford, and had never previously visited the capital bar a fleeting visit to watch the Bantams in a play-off final.
“It’s been a big step, moving out and becoming self-sufficient, and I’m having to learn quickly,” Kershaw, who is currently living close to the Broncos’ training base at Rosslyn Park, told the PA news agency.
“I haven’t tried to wash my whites yet, and I haven’t got an ironing board, but I’m quite a good cook, and my partner will be down in a couple of weeks so she will help me sort myself out.
“I’d never been to London in my life, except to literally get on and off a coach at Wembley. We always used to go on holiday to Bridlington or Blackpool. So it’s been very different but I’m enjoying it.”
Kershaw’s problems finding a new club in the close season came as a surprise given some stand-out performances in a struggling Wakefield side, not least the swashbuckling, length-of-field tries that have become his trademark.
After leaving Belle Vue, Kershaw briefly revelled in his status as a free agent, working a few bar shifts and training with Leeds Rhinos before it slowly dawned on him that he could be left without a club for the start of the new campaign.
“I properly lost my head one night, when my agent and London were talking,” he added. “I’d been pretty cool up to that point but I knew games were coming and I just didn’t want to miss any of them.
“Ever since I started, I’ve always committed to just playing rugby. It’s all I wanted to be and it’s all I want to be at the moment. What I am is a rugby player.”
Arguably Kershaw’s highlight in 2023 was bursting onto a spilled pass by Bevan French to score a try that helped seal his side’s stunning golden-point win over Wigan in July, allowing them to briefly court hopes of top-flight survival.
London showed encouraging signs in last week’s close loss to Hull, and for all his hesitancy with domestic matters, Kershaw is convinced history can repeat itself when they come up against Matt Peet’s newly-crowned world champions on Saturday in Wimbledon.
“I can’t think of any game that I don’t go into thinking we can win,” added Kershaw. “I could be in any team, playing against anyone. I’d say it’s almost delusional.
“Wigan are one of the best teams in the world but I still feel the same way.
“I’ll watch the videos and listen to the coaches and every game I’ll think we’re going to go out and do this. But then you end up getting a few minutes in and realising how tough it’s going to be.”
Max Verstappen followed up his season-opening victory in Bahrain by posting the fastest time in first practice for this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Despite the continued controversy surrounding Verstappen, Christian Horner and the Red Bull team, the Dutch driver saw off Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso by 0.186 seconds in the opening running at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Sergio Perez finished third in the other Red Bull, with George Russell fourth. His Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton finished ninth.
Verstappen opened up his championship defence with an emphatic victory in Bahrain last weekend.
Following the win, Verstappen’s father, Jos, claimed Red Bull could “explode” if Horner, who was cleared of “inappropriate behaviour” remains in his role.
It emerged here as practice got under way that Horner’s accuser has been suspended on full pay. Horner was exonerated last week and has always denied the claims.
However, Verstappen was able to put Red Bull’s off-track troubles to one side with an impressive display which will see him head into the weekend as the firm favourite to land yet another win.
Mercedes said an engine cooling problem contributed to their underwhelming display in Bahrain with Russell and Hamilton finishing fifth and seventh respectively.
Russell finished 0.280 sec behind Verstappen with Hamilton, 0.577 sec back.
The seven-time world champion’s future team Ferrari took fifth and sixth, with Charles Leclerc heading Carlos Sainz. Lando Norris was seventh for McLaren.
Horner is due to speak in a scheduled FIA press conference at 6:30 pm local time (3:30pm GMT) before the day’s concluding session begins at 8pm (5pm GMT).
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will make his first start for England in Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Ireland at Twickenham.
In an audacious selection by head coach Steve Borthwick, Feyi-Waboso will line-up on the right wing less than a year after playing for National League One side Taunton Titans.
The 21-year-old made his debut off the bench against Italy at the start of the tournament and also came on as a replacement for the round three defeat by Scotland, both appearances totalling 20 minutes.
Apart from scoring a try in his cameo at Murrayfield, the Exeter Chief showed significant promise and is chosen ahead of 67-cap veteran Elliot Daly, who is given the number 23 jersey instead.
Borthwick has made three changes in personnel and one positional switch following the 30-21 mauling in Edinburgh, but there is still no place for Freddie Steward at full-back with George Furbank continuing at 15.
Ireland have recalled “world-class” Hugo Keenan for Saturday’s clash with England but will be without lock James Ryan for the remainder of the Guinness Six Nations.
Fit-again full-back Keenan replaces Ciaran Frawley in the only change to Andy Farrell’s starting XV after overcoming the knee issue which caused him to miss the 31-7 round-three win over Wales.
Lock Ryan, who has been reduced to a peripheral role during the championship, suffered a “freak” bicep injury in training on Wednesday and will sit out the trip to Twickenham, in addition to next week’s finale against Scotland.
“I think it would be a boost for any side in world rugby,” head coach Farrell said of the return of Keenan.
“He’s a world-class full-back.
“It’s testament to him and it’s no shock to us that he’s been able to get himself back to this position to be involved this weekend as he’s been unbelievably diligent over the last few weeks to make that happen.”
Ulster second row Iain Henderson has recovered from a dislocated toe to take Ryan’s place on a bench which once again includes a six-two split of forwards and backs.
Ryan was strong contender to succeed Johnny Sexton as Ireland captain following the World Cup but the emergence of Leinster team-mate Joe McCarthy has limited him to just one start during this year’s tournament.
“He got injured yesterday in training, just a freak accident really, just a reaction, reaching out for a tackle that was non-contact and he’s injured his bicep,” Farrell said of Ryan.
“He won’t be available for the remainder of this Six Nations.”
Prop Finlay Bealham and the versatile Frawley join Henderson among the replacements, with Oli Jager, who has a knee problem, and centre Stuart McCloskey dropping out of the match-day 23.
Garry Ringrose is fit following a shoulder injury but must wait for his first international appearance since the World Cup due to the impressive form of midfield pair Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki.
Reigning champions Ireland, who are chasing successive Grand Slams on the back of bonus-point wins over France, Italy and Wales, could retain their title with a game to spare with victory in south-west London.
Steve Borthwick’s hosts were two minutes away from reaching the World Cup final in October but have attracted criticism for some underwhelming performances.
Englishman Farrell is braced for “one hell of a battle” against “unbelievably dangerous” opponents seeking to respond to Calcutta Cup defeat to Scotland.
“I don’t get involved with the criticism at all,” he said of England.
“I look at the individuals the way that they’re playing, the coaching staff that they got, the plan that they’ve got, a fantastic side that is going to be preparing to give it everything they’ve got at the weekend.
“That makes them unbelievably dangerous, we just prepare for them to be at their best and if that’s the case it’s going to be one hell of a battle.
“If they’re at their best, you expect them to be as hard as anyone in world rugby to beat.”
Ireland team: H Keenan (Leinster); C Nash (Munster), R Henshaw (Leinster), B Aki (Connacht), J Lowe (Leinster); J Crowley (Munster), J Gibson-Park (Leinster); A Porter (Leinster), D Sheehan (Leinster), T Furlong (Leinster), J McCarthy (Leinster), T Beirne (Munster), P O’Mahony (Munster, capt), J van der Flier (Leinster), C Doris (Leinster).
Replacements: R Kelleher (Leinster), C Healy (Leinster), F Bealham (Connacht), I Henderson (Ulster), R Baird (Leinster), J Conan (Leinster), C Murray (Munster), C Frawley (Leinster).
Alan King is keen to let Edwardstone “do the talking” as he prepares to take on old foe Jonbon and red-hot favourite El Fabiolo in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday.
Having saddled the currently sidelined Energumene to claim back-to-back victories in the day two feature, Willie Mullins will have high hopes of making it a hat-trick with El Fabiolo, who won the Arkle at last season’s Festival and is six from six over fences overall.
The horse rated his biggest threat is Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon, who has won four of his five starts since finishing best of the rest behind El Fabiolo 12 months ago, but was turned over at prohibitive odds by Elixir De Nutz in the rescheduled Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham in late January.
Edwardstone, winner of the 2022 Arkle for Alan King, was no match for Jonbon in either the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham or when defending his crown in the Tingle Creek at Sandown earlier in the season, but bounced back to winning ways with a brilliant display in last month’s Game Spirit Chase at Newbury.
While respectful of the opposition, King, who won the 2007 Champion Chase with Voy Por Ustedes, feels his charge is as good as he ever was at the age of 10 and is looking forward to the challenge.
“He’s absolutely fine, he did his last bit of strong work yesterday and schooled this morning, all seems well,” said the Barbury Castle handler.
“Most of the hard work is done, he’ll have a little breeze at the weekend but nothing too strenuous.
“Touch wood we’ve had a beautiful, clear preparation. He’s not been overly raced and he’s certainly working as well as he’s ever done, so we’re happy.
“No disrespect to the horses we beat at Newbury, but this is a different ballgame. I have great respect for the two favourites and we’ll just let Edwardstone do the talking.”
El Fabiolo, Jonbon and Edwardstone are three of eight horses still in contention for the Champion Chase following the confirmation stage.
Mullins is also set to saddle Gentleman De Mee, with Henry de Bromhead’s Captain Guinness – runner-up to Energumene in last year’s renewal – also set to make the trip from Ireland.
Jonbon’s Clarence House conqueror Elixir De Nutz (Joe Tizzard), Boothill (Harry Fry) and Funambule Sivola (Venetia Williams) complete the octet.
Christian Horner’s accuser has been suspended following Red Bull’s investigation into “inappropriate behaviour” against the Formula One team principal, the PA news agency understands.
Horner, 50, was allowed to remain in his role after Red Bull Racing’s parent company GmbH said last Wednesday that the grievance against him had been dismissed.
PA understands the complainant, an employee of the Milton Keynes team, has now been suspended on full pay.
A Red Bull Racing spokesperson said: “We are unable to comment as it is an internal matter.”
Horner, who has always denied the claims made against him, is due to back in the spotlight in an official FIA press conference at 6:30pm local time (3:30pm GMT) in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
Following last weekend’s season-opening race in Bahrain, Horner said he was “absolutely confident” he would stay on as Red Bull boss for the remainder of the season.
It is understood the female member of staff, who is believed to have reported for work on Monday, has been suspended as a direct of result of Red Bull’s inquiry.
The complainant is believed to have received a legal letter at the beginning of this week, and now has five working days to appeal the outcome of the investigation which has cast an enormous shadow over Red Bull and the sport.
A statement from Red Bull GmbH last Wednesday read: “The independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner is complete, and Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed.
“The complainant has a right of appeal.
“Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial.
“The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation, and therefore we will not be commenting further out of respect for all concerned. Red Bull will continue striving to meet the highest workplace standards.”
Christian Horner’s accuser has been suspended following Red Bull’s investigation into “inappropriate behaviour” against the Formula One team principal, the PA news agency understands.
Horner, 50, was allowed to remain in his role after Red Bull Racing’s parent company GmbH said last Wednesday that the grievance against him had been dismissed.
PA understands the complainant, an employee of the Milton Keynes team, has now been suspended on full pay.
A Red Bull Racing spokesperson said: “We are unable to comment as it is an internal matter.”
Horner, who has always denied the claims made against him, is due to back in the spotlight in an official FIA press conference at 6:30pm local time (3:30pm GMT) in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
Following last weekend’s season-opening race in Bahrain, Horner said he was “absolutely confident” he would stay on as Red Bull boss for the remainder of the season.
Christian Horner’s accuser has been suspended following Red Bull’s investigation into “inappropriate behaviour” against the Formula One team principal, the PA news agency understands.
Horner, 50, was allowed to remain in his role after Red Bull Racing’s parent company GmbH said last Wednesday that the grievance against him had been dismissed.
PA understands the complainant, an employee of the Milton Keynes team, has now been suspended on full pay.
A Red Bull Racing spokesperson said: “We are unable to comment as it is an internal matter.”
Horner, who has always denied the claims made against him, is due to back in the spotlight in an official FIA press conference at 6:30pm local time (3:30pm GMT) in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
Following last weekend’s season-opening race in Bahrain, Horner said he was “absolutely confident” he would stay on as Red Bull boss for the remainder of the season.
Gregor Townsend is desperate to see Scotland hit their maximum performance levels over the next two weekends as they bid to secure a first top-two finish in the Six Nations era.
The Scots are second in the championship table – a point ahead of England and three above France – as they prepare for matches away to Italy this Saturday and Grand Slam-chasing Ireland the following week.
Townsend has seen his team defeat Wales and England while going agonisingly close to defeating the French, but he still feels they are yet to hit top gear for any sustained period.
“Happy-ish,” he said, reflecting on the campaign so far. “You’ve obviously got to be delighted for the team to beat England and retain the Calcutta Cup.
“But in terms of performance, we’re a little bit away from what we know we can deliver. The first 45 minutes against Wales is probably still the best we’ve played.
“We had elements of control throughout much of the France game and for the last 60 minutes of the England game. But there’s still a lot more to come from us.
“We’re delighted with how the guys trained yesterday, a real physical session. The non-23 trained really well and really tested us. So the guys are in a good position to deliver their best performances over the next two weeks. That’s all we’re working towards.”
Scotland know that even if they win in Rome on Saturday, it may not be enough to stop Ireland securing the championship against England later in the day. If the Irish slip up at Twickenham, it could pave the way for a last weekend title shootout between Ireland and Scotland in Dublin.
“We can only do what we have to do this weekend which is deliver a winning performance and see where we are after that,” said Townsend.
“We’re the first game so I’m sure we’ll be watching the other game with interest.
“We’re into the last two rounds of the championship still in the mix, although it’s an outside chance for the championship. There’s a lot to play for this weekend and again in Dublin.”
Asked if a second-place finish would represent a good outcome for the Scots, who have never finished higher than third this century, Townsend, said: “I don’t know. Anything to build on what we’ve done in the last few years would be an improvement.
“We’re focused on the performance and we know that at times it’s been better since the World Cup and last year’s Six Nations but still not where we believe this team can be.”
Townsend has made three changes to his team for the match in the Stadio Olimpico.
Regular scrum-half Ben White has been rested following a busy schedule with Toulon, paving the way for Glasgow’s George Horne to make his first start since the 2019 World Cup and the experienced Ali Price – who has played no part in the championship so far – is promoted to the bench.
In-form Saracens back-rower Andy Christie replaces Jamie Ritchie, who drops to the bench, while Bath’s Cam Redpath takes the place of influential Glasgow centre Sione Tuipulotu, who is out for the remainder of the tournament with a knee injury.
“We feel Ben has played a lot of rugby, he’s only missed one game since October,” said Townsend, explaining the changes at scrum-half.
“Going back and forward to Toulon during this period, something’s got to give in terms of a rest at some point, and we feel this week is the best week for him to recharge.
“And also with the form and experience of the two other scrum-halves in our squad who have been training really well. George has been on the bench and Ali has been excellent during this period so we want to give those two an opportunity.”
The prospect of soft underfoot conditions at the Cheltenham Festival has Sophie Leech leaning towards a shot at the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup with her Dublin Racing Festival hero Madara.
The ever-improving five-year-old holds entries for both Wednesday’s two-mile event and the TrustATrader Plate over half a mile further the following day.
However, with Madara’s wins at both Cheltenham itself in December and on his successful raiding mission to Ireland coming over an extended two miles, Leech is inclined to stick to what is known for the gelding’s hat-trick bid.
Madara was partnered by former French champion jockey James Reveley when winning in the Irish capital and Leech is hopeful he will be aboard once again at Prestbury Park, with the progressive performer a best price of 10-1 to taste Grand Annual glory.
Leech said: “We’re definitely leaning towards the Grand Annual and I think the ground will potentially be on the softer side, so I think as long as the ground stays that way – which I think it will – that is the most likely option.
“He seems to be just thriving and really enjoying his racing and gaining confidence all the time which is great.
“Touching all available wood, everything has gone to plan since Ireland and he seems to be in great form, so I’m delighted with him.”
“I’m pretty sure James will ride, I’m pretty sure that is the plan. He’s top-class and we would be very happy to have him”
Former UFC star Dan Hardy has described Cedric Doumbe’s clash with Baysangur ‘Baki’ Chamsoudinov at PFL Paris as the “biggest prospect fight in all of mixed martial arts.”
The Professional Fighters League returns to the French capital where undefeated duo Doumbe and Baki face off in the welterweight division on Thursday evening.
The event between the two Frenchmen at the Accor Arena, for which tickets sold out almost instantly, comes after Doumbe’s impressive first-round victory over Jordan Zebo in September.
Hardy, now the PFL head of fighter operations, talked up the encounter, comparing poster boy Doumbe to the likes of Jon Jones and Conor McGregor.
“We’re very fortunate to have Cedric Doumbe and he makes my life very easy,” Hardy told the PA news agency.
“In terms or marketability and technical ability I don’t think there’s anyone who comes close to Cedric. I have to look at the likes of Jon Jones and Conor McGregor to find someone who has the same impact on the fans.
“The crowd in September was 90 per cent Doumbe but Baki (Chamsoudinov) this time will have a lot of support as well. He’s undefeated, he has Khamzat Chimaev in his corner, you know what to expect from both of these guys.
“To me, this is the biggest prospect fight that can be made in all of mixed martial arts right now.
“We’ve had to reorganise the arena to get more fans in.”
The Chechen-born Baki boasts a strong wrestling background which will test Doumbe’s stand-up style.
Hardy believes the fight could prove to be a risky one for 31-year-old Doumbe.
“Because he’s fighting Baki everyone feels that this is a fight in which he could potentially lose,” he said.
“Baki could take him down, control him against the fence and make him look like a beginner in MMA. We haven’t had those questions answered in Doumbe’s game yet.
“It’s a very risky fight for Doumbe. If I was his management then this is not the fight I would of picked for him. Baki’s taken this fight and is probably thinking ‘Doumbe is crazy, he’s a good fighter but he’s not fought anyone like me before’.
“If I was a cautious matchmaker trying to build Doumbe up then this is not a fight I would make. But I’m a former fighter who is an MMA fan and I want to see this fight.”
Hardy also sees the reasons why Doumbe would take on the 22-year-old Baki’s challenge.
“I can’t underestimate a fighter like Doumbe, he knows himself so well,” Hardy said. “He plays the range and psychological game really well and I just wonder if any of the games he’s playing leading into this fight will have any impact on Baki.
“Cedric has taken this fight because it’s a shortcut to the top. If he gets the win then he can start looking at champions and think ‘I want to fight you’.”
Owner Andrew Megson is excited to see if ante-post favourite Jipcot can continue trainer Ben Pauling’s blistering run of form in Saturday’s Betfair Imperial Cup.
The Naunton Downs handler has enjoyed a stellar campaign with his thriving string and Yorkshireman Megson, as one of Pauling’s biggest benefactors, is one of the owners who has reaped the rewards.
Both Pauling and Megson possess strong chances at next week’s Cheltenham Festival – including Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle hope Tellherthename.
However, before attentions turn to Prestbury Park, the owner and trainer will team up in search of Sandown’s £100,000 feature at the weekend with a French recruit finally beginning to find his feet on UK shores and Jipcot will attempt to rapidly back up an impressive success at Huntingdon last Sunday.
“The minute we got him to the winner’s enclosure at Huntingdon Ben said ‘right, if he’s OK tomorrow we will go for the Imperial Cup’,” said Megson.
“He absolutely bolted up and the way he accelerated on dead ground was astonishing.
“Ben told us he will go up 10lb for that so will be well in under a 7lb penalty, but also it doesn’t matter anyway and he will be well in simply because he is a talented horse.
“He’s bounced out of Huntingdon like he didn’t have a race and we are hopeful of a big run. He goes on any ground and now Ben has managed to calm him down and settle we would hope he runs very well, we’re very excited.
“I don’t want to jinx him and I haven’t backed him because I don’t want to put pressure on him, but we are hopeful of a big run.”
Twice a winner at Pau – including at Listed level – before switching to Pauling, Jipcot has always been held in the highest regard by connections and began life for the Cotswolds-based training team in the Triumph Hurdle at last season’s Cheltenham Festival.
That ultimately proved too stiff an assignment for the precocious import, who after struggling over fences at the beginning of the current season, finally broke his UK duck when reverting to timber last weekend.
Megson is full of praise for Pauling’s perseverance with the talented five-year-old, who now finds himself as short as 7-2 with Sky Bet and 4-1 with sponsors Betfair ahead of his next assignment – where he will bid to send both trainer and owner on to Cheltenham on a high.
“We think he is really smart he has just taken a while to settle in the UK, we bought him out of France,” continued Megson.
“He had an entry in the Triumph when we brought him over and he appeared to settle well, so when we had a chat with Ben we decided we would run him.
“He had won a Listed race at Pau, but as it turned out, 70,000 people on Gold Cup day at Cheltenham was a bit much for him and what happened next was we tried him over fences but he just didn’t settle.
“Ben said why don’t we go back over hurdles, just to settle him down and go back to what he’s used to – lets not force him. He’s a nice horse and lets give him a few months off.
“He did that and rather than train him with the other horses on the gallops at home he was doing things on his own on the round gallop with the intention of just calming everything down.
“We put a tongue-tie and a hood on him and it all just clicked and the horse we thought we had bought was the one that turned up at Huntingdon. There was only five horses in the race, but it was quite hot and he was carrying 12st 2lb – that was 11lb more than the second.”
Steve Kerr pointed to the chemistry within the Golden State Warriors' roster after his team won for a seventh time in 10 games.
Stephen Curry inspired the Warriors on Wednesday, finishing with 29 points, eight rebounds and five assists as Golden State saw off the Milwaukee Bucks in style, winning 125-90.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 23 points on his return to the Bucks' fold, but it was not enough to extend Milwaukee's winning streak to seven.
Kerr has looked to rotate his roster this season, and he believes the competition for places, is helping to drive his team's push for the playoffs, as Golden State moved to a 34-30 record.
"I'm really so impressed with this group, and I have been all year," Kerr told the San Francisco Chronicle.
"Chemistry and commitment to each other, the professionalism, staying with it when it's not their turn."
Draymond Green added: "I can't take plays off, there's no reason.
"I think that's one of the beautiful things about this. Everybody should be flying around, you're not playing a million minutes, so give everything you've got."
Despite losing by 35 points, Bucks coach Doc Rivers pointed fingers at Milwaukee's offense, not their defense.
"I really didn't think this was our defense, I thought it was our offense," coach Doc Rivers said.
"I didn't think we played solid offense all night."
Scrum-half George Horne has been handed a surprise start for Scotland’s Guinness Six Nations showdown with Italy in Rome on Saturday, with Gregor Townsend making three changes to his starting XV.
The 28-year-old Glasgow back has been given the nod to wear the number nine jersey for the first time since the 2019 World Cup. Regular starter Ben White is rested and drops out of the squad altogether, with Ali Price – who has played no part in the tournament – promoted to the bench.
Saracens flanker Andy Christie is handed his first international start in place of Jamie Ritchie, who is among the substitutes.
Bath centre Cam Redpath made a positive impact off the bench in the 30-21 victory over England and replaces Glasgow’s Sione Tuipulotu, who will miss the remainder of the championship with a knee injury.
Back-rower Matt Fagerson, who dropped out of the 23 altogether for the last match, returns to the bench, with Townsend switching from a 5/3 split to a 6/2.
The Scots are currently second in the table and need a win to keep alive their slim championship hopes.
Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown does not want to keep referring to De'Aaron Fox as "amazing", but he has little choice.
Fox tied his career-best points haul on Wednesday, with his haul of 44 helping the Kings to a 130-120 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
The victory saw the Kings move two-and-a-half games ahead of the Lakers in the Western Conference, while it also marked the seventh time this season that Fox has scored over 40 points.
And Brown is running out of ways to describe the Kings' talisman.
"He was amazing. I hate using that word because to me that’s who he is," Brown said.
"It's hard to score 44 points every single night, especially on the percentage that he did it at, but he is more than capable with his ability.
"It was a big game for him in a big-game environment."
Fox stressed how important it is for the Kings to pick up wins against the teams around them.
"Right now where the standings are, if we lose this game, we're half a game in front of them rather than two and a half like it is now," Fox said.
"So right now especially to play teams that are around us in the standings, those games mean a little more."
The frustration from Lakers coach Darvin Ham was evident.
Ham said: "They got a few easy opportunities in transition and they were able to get inside and make some tough shots.
"The sense of urgency we have to be able to maintain that.
"We talk about forcing our will on the game. We obviously initiated it, but we didn’t sustain it and we damn sure didn't finish it."
LeBron James led the Lakers with 31 points, though he exited midway through the fourth quarter due to ankle soreness.
"Some games it's better than others. I didn't feel it during the Oklahoma City Thunder game [on Monday] and I didn't feel it tonight until the fourth quarter," James said. "Some days are better than others."
Stephen Curry scored 29 points with six 3-pointers and the Golden State Warriors dominated the fourth quarter on Wednesday to end the Milwaukee Bucks’ six-game winning streak, 125-90.
Jonathan Kuminga added 20 points and Trayce Jackson-Davis had 15 with seven rebounds off the bench to help the Warriors rebound from Sunday’s 52-point loss at Boston and improve to 12-3 in their last 15 games.
Golden State matched a season low with 15 points in the third quarter but outscored Milwaukee 32-9 in the fourth.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 23 points and Damian Lillard and Bobby Portis each added 20. The Bucks have lost their last four visits to Golden State.
Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins returned from a four-game absence to deal with a family matter and scored three points in 14 minutes.
Fox, Sabonis power Kings past Lakers
De’Aaron Fox matched his career high with 44 points and Domantas Sabonis had a triple-double as the Sacramento Kings topped the Los Angeles Lakers, 130-120.
Fox shot 18 of 31 from the field and reached 40 points for the seventh time this season, fourth-most in the NBA.
Sabonis had 16 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists for his fourth triple-double in seven games. He leads the league with 22 triple-doubles, the sixth player in league history with that many in a season.
LeBron James had 31 points and 13 assists and Rui Hachimura added 29 for the Lakers, who had won three of four.
Magic rally past lowly Wizards
Franz Wagner scored 28 points and the surging Orlando Magic erased a 21-point deficit to send the Washington Wizards to their franchise record-tying 16th straight loss, 119-109.
Paolo Banchero had 25 points, 10 assists and six rebounds and Jalen Suggs added 19 points for Orlando, which has won five straight and eight of nine to move a season-best 11 games over .500.
The Magic’s comeback was their largest of the season and the sixth-largest deficit overcome to win in franchise history.
Jordan Poole scored 26 points for the league-worst Wizards, who haven’t won since Jan. 29 and last won a home game on Dec. 29.
Cale Makar notched his first career hat trick and added an assist as the Colorado Avalanche rolled to a 7-2 rout of the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday.
Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and three assists and Mikko Rantanen tied a career high with four assists as the Avalanche won for the fourth time in five games.
Makar’s first goal of the game at 5:15 of the first period forged a 1-1 tie, and he scored twice late in the second to extend Colorado’s lead to 5-2.
Makar’s hat trick was the fourth by a defenseman in the team’s NHL history and the first since Sandis Ozolinsh against Vancouver on Dec. 6, 1999.
MacKinnon had his second straight four-point game and took over sole possession of the NHL scoring lead with 109 points, four ahead of Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov.
MacKinnon extended his home point streak to 31 games and his overall run to 11 games.
David Perron and Robby Fabbri scored for the Red Wings, who have lost three straight after winning six in a row.
Matthews lifts Leafs over Sabres in OT
Auston Matthews scored his league-leading 54th goal with 40 seconds left in overtime to lift the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 2-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
William Nylander scored in the second period and Ilya Samsonov stopped 23 shots for the Maple Leafs, who have won 10 of their last 12 games and avoided a third straight loss this season to the Sabres.
Victor Olofsson had the lone goal for Buffalo, which has points in six of its past eight contests (5-2-1).
Ducks edge Senators
Alex Killorn snapped a tie early in the third period and Lukas Dostal stopped 29 shots in the Anaheim Ducks’ 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators in a matchup of teams already playing out the string.
Ryan Strome had the other goal as the Ducks won their third in four games despite playing without three of their top four scorers due to injuries and trades.
Mark Kastelic scored for the Senators, who dropped their fifth straight in the opener of a three-game California swing.
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