William Buick is keen to get his hands on the Bahrain International Trophy for the first time as his mount Nations Pride bids to give Godolphin further success in the $1million contest.
It was Saeed bin Suroor’s Dubai Future who led home a one-two for Sheikh Mohammed’s racing operation 12 months ago and he is joined in the final field by stablemate Real World this time.
However, it is Charlie Appleby’s Nations Pride that sets the standard following big-race victories at Munich and Woodbine this season and Godolphin number one jockey Buick has elected to partner the four-year-old over fellow Moulton Paddocks candidate Highland Avenue.
Buick said: “Nations Pride is a very good horse. He was a classy three-year-old and went into the 2021 Derby as a genuine contender, but on the day he probably didn’t stay.
“But he has always been held in high regard and he has performed really well since.
“When he won the Group One in Germany, he gave me a really good feel. He beat the German Derby winner in good style. Then, last time out in Canada, the soft ground was not to his liking, but he still won.
“He’s a very straightforward horse to ride. I have not had much luck in the race previously but this fella is different, he’s a mile and quarter specialist and I think he is a real good candidate.
“Nations Pride is the best chance I have had in the Bahrain International Trophy but it is a strong line-up, a really competitive field, and on good, fast ground, you are going to need to have the margins in your favour.”
There is further Godolphin representation provided by Andre Fabre’s Birr Castle, while Andreas Schutz’s French 2000 Guineas hero Marhaba Ya Sanafi also represents France in a race that has a truly international feel.
Aidan O’Brien is poised to saddle Point Lonsdale in a contest that this year carries Group Two status for the first time, with Joseph O’Brien’s Above The Curve and Noel Meade’s Layfayette other Irish challengers.
John and Thady Gosden’s Israr, Daniel and Claire Kubler’s Astro King and Richard Fahey’s Spirit Dancer are also set to line up for the fifth running of the contest at the Sakhir Racecourse.
A bruised foot has scuppered hopes of Tommy’s Oscar lining up in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham on Sunday, with a trip to Ireland over the Christmas period a possibility providing he returns to full fitness in good time.
Ann and Ian Hamilton’s stable star made a brilliant return to action when giving weight and a beating to his rivals at Kelso last month and then wasn’t disgraced when stepping up in trip at Aintree for the Old Roan Chase, where he finished a valiant fourth.
With connections still not convinced he truly stays the two-and-a-half miles and minimal options being available back down in trip, Tommy’s Oscar was poised to take on a cast that could include Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon at Prestbury Park before injury struck.
“He was supposed to go to Cheltenham, but he has a bruised foot,” said owner Ian Hamilton.
“He gets them all the time and it is what curtailed his season last season, so it will be a bit before he runs, but there’s not many races for him anyway. That’s the only race there was for him because he’s a two-miler.”
A lack of suitable races has seen the Hamiltons toying with the idea of a trip to Leopardstown on December 27 for the two-mile Grade One event that Nicky Richards’ Simply Ned claimed in 2017 and 2018.
For that tentative plan to come to fruition, Tommy’s Oscar will need to both overcome his foot injury and have time to squeeze in a tune-up run, which could come in the Peterborough Chase on December 10 if conditions are suitable.
“Ann was thinking of going to Huntingdon but that is two-and-a-half and he doesn’t stay, but we will have to see. If it was fast ground, then fair enough,” continued Hamilton.
“We were thinking about going to Ireland for the one Simply Ned won at Leopardstown, but he needs a run before that if his foot comes right.
“There are no two-mile chases in the north, apart from the odd handicap like the one he won at Kelso. That’s why we ran him at Aintree and at two miles he was playing with them, but he just didn’t get home.”
Kerry Lee is respectful of the opposition as Nemean Lion remains on track for the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham but reports her charge in fine spirits.
The six-year-old is among the favourites and a 6-1 chance with the sponsors for the prestigious handicap, having backed up some smart novice hurdles form with a win in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las on his reappearance.
That victory means Nemean Lion will have to carry top-weight at Prestbury Park but although his handler is not one for bullish predictions, she has been delighted with her charge since his return to action last month.
Lee said: “He’s been amazing, really good. I think he had a harder run than we first thought (at Ffos Las), but he has bounced back well and I’ve been really happy with his work the last week and fingers crossed he can continue to improve and progress.
“I will never say I’m confident and we always go with hope rather than confidence. The Kelso form is there to be respected, but there is lots of other good horses in the race with decent form as well themselves.
“It’s a hot race and there is no way you can go into it with any confidence and expectation, we’ll just go there, give it a crack and hope for the best.”
Nemean Lion is one of 18 confirmed for Sunday’s contest, with Dan Skelton’s recent Ascot winner Knickerbockerglory and stablemate L’Eau Du Sud, as well as Nicky Henderson’s Luccia, among those towards the head of the sponsor’s betting.
Unibet have Irish raider Onlyamatteroftime as their market leader, with the seven-year-old set to make his first start for Willie Mullins, while recent track-and-trip winner Lookaway and last year’s runner-up Gin Coco are other notable names among the list of possibles.
Jonbon is the headline attraction in the supporting Shloer Chase, which has attracted a maximum field of six.
Nicky Henderson’s star chaser stepped out of novice company to win Sandown’s Celebration Chase in the spring but could face a sterner examination here, with former Arkle winner Edwardstone and fellow 2022 Cheltenham Festival scorer Banbridge both joining defending champion Nube Negra among the potential runners.
Gary Moore’s Clarence House Chase winner Editeur Du Gite and Henry de Bromhead’s recent track-and-trip victor Dancing On My Own complete the entries.
Tyrese Maxey said his career-high points total was for his Philadelphia Sixers teammate Kelly Oubre Jr.
Maxey had 50 points, seven rebounds and five assists in Sunday's 137-126 victory over the Indian Pacers, as the Sixers moved to 8-1 for the season.
The Sixers won the game without Oubre Jr, who was struck by a vehicle on Saturday. The 27-year-old suffered a fractured rib, and is set to miss a significant amount of the season.
And Maxey, who has become a regular starter following James Harden's move to the Los Angeles Clippers, paid tribute to his teammate following his game-winning turn against the Pacers.
"This had nothing to do with me," Maxey said. "This is all Kelly Oubre. We're praying for him. Love my dawg [sic]. I just met him, but I love him. I hope he gets well soon."
Maxey added that reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid had been pushing for him to score big.
"Joel wanted me to get 50 more than even I did," Maxey quipped.
"When he gave me the ball, he said, 'You are going to shoot this basketball.' And that's why I appreciate my teammates, my coaches and the fans. It was a great night and we got the win, which is what matters most."
The 76ers have made their best start to a season since 2000-01.
"We are playing together and trusting each other," Embiid said.
"It may look like we didn't play defense tonight, but [Indiana] plays so fast, it's incredible with the pace. So they are going to score a lot, but we just competed. We lowered our guard for a bit, but we had Tyrese to help close it out."
On Oubre Jr, Embiid added: "The game today, I'm sure Tyrese was thinking about it and we were all thinking about it.
"We just want [Oubre] to take his time, recover and know that we have his back. He's needed because he's a big part of us. We missed him tonight, but he should take his time."
Harry Derham will work back from the Cheltenham Festival with Queens Gamble following her successful reappearance at Kempton on Monday.
The five-year-old was hugely impressive in winning twice in the bumper sphere at Cheltenham for Oliver Sherwood, who subsequently retired from the training ranks and became Derham’s assistant.
Queens Gamble disappointed in the Champion Bumper in March but bounced back with a debut win over hurdles at Warwick in May before being given a summer break and switching stables.
Jonathan Burke’s mount was an 8-13 favourite to make a winning return in the Watch Racing TV Novices’ Hurdle and was not hard pressed to score by two and a quarter lengths from Classic King.
Derham said: “That was good and she is obviously a good mare. I’m always nervous when you bring a horse to the races that is not fully wound up that it will catch them out. Johnny (Burke) and I said last night if she is as good as we hope then she won’t need to be fully wound up today.
“Today she was much better jumping. Oliver will tell you himself that before that run at Warwick she hadn’t had the best prep, as she hadn’t been out on the grass as it was a bit quick, but her jumping won’t be an issue.
“She jumped really nicely today and over the last two, when Johnny asked her to lengthen, she jumped very well. She is a high-class mare that is professional and she went about it spot-on.”
Paddy Power trimmed Queens Gamble’s odds for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival to 14-1 from 16-1 and Derham confirmed that Grade Two contest will be her ultimate target.
He added: “A day in March is the time we need to have her right, as the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival will be absolutely made for her. She has won at Cheltenham before, so we just need to plot our way there.
“I wouldn’t want to over-race her beforehand so I will speak to her owners and make a plan.”
Derham doubled up with the Paul O’Brien-ridden 2-1 favourite Dargiannini in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle.
Nicky Henderson’s East India Express impressed in the Racing TV Novices’ Hurdle.
The Milan gelding was a 10-11 shot to supplement a debut success in a bumper at this venue in February and eased five lengths clear of his rivals in the hands of Nico de Boinville.
Henderson said: “I tried to get him ready for the Newbury bumper after he won here, however after that he coughed and coughed for months and I couldn’t get him out again.
“It has taken a bit of work to get him there. He wouldn’t show you anything at home and that is why he was probably the second string here last time.
“He has a lovely temperament and a lovely attitude to it, but he is only a baby as he is only four years old.
“He jumped really well. We have all had to work a little bit hard on his jumping and it wasn’t the most natural thing to him, but he has got the hang of the last few weeks and he was very good out there. I went this trip just to give him a little more time to work it out.
“I think he is too young to go further, and he is not quick enough to come back in trip. So, a good old Henderson tactic is if you don’t know what to do, just stick in the middle!”
Injured Jockeys Fund president Sir Anthony McCoy and vice-president Jack Berry have issued a joint-statement underlining the organisation’s support for Graham Lee, however long his recuperation takes.
McCoy shared the weighing room with Lee during the 47-year-old’s first part of his career, during which he was a Grand National-winning jump jockey.
Lee then turned his attentions the Flat, where he won an Ascot Gold Cup on Trip To Paris and the Nunthorpe on Alpha Delphini.
It emerged on Sunday that the injuries Lee suffered in a fall at Newcastle on Friday were very serious, with an MRI scan showing an unstable cervical fracture which was causing damage to his spinal cord.
The statement read: “Like everyone in racing, we at the Injured Jockeys Fund are all devastated with the news of the injuries Graham Lee sustained from his horrific fall at Newcastle on Friday.
“All our thoughts are with Graham, his wife Becky, and their family.
“As bad as Graham’s injuries are, please do rest assured that our team at the IJF will look after his needs to assist him in his recovery and predicament for as long as it takes.
“Whatever help he and his family needs, we will be there to provide it.”
Julie Harrington, the chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, also sent her best wishes.
She said: “We are shocked to hear the distressing news regarding the injuries suffered by Graham Lee. Our thoughts are with his family and friends and the whole sport is praying for one of its finest ambassadors.
“We are doing everything we can to support Graham and his family, and we ask that everyone respect the privacy of his family at this time.”
Wednesday’s meeting at Bangor has become the latest victim of Storm Debi, with officials left with no option but to call off the course’s most high-profile fixture of the season due to a waterlogged track.
The Wrexham circuit was due to stage a seven-race card featuring the Listed Yorton’s “Postponed” Mares’ Novices’ Chase and a handful of competitive handicaps.
But with Storm Debi bringing significant rainfall, there is now standing water on parts of the course and, with no prospect of sufficient improvement, the meeting has been abandoned.
Carlisle’s Monday fixture and a quality card at Fairyhouse on Tuesday also fell to the wet and wild weather that is sweeping across Britain and Ireland.
Fairyhouse was set to play host to the chasing debut of the top-class Gaelic Warrior, but torrential rain overnight has left the course unraceable.
Uttoxeter, which has been unable to host any racing since October 8, is hoping to stage an all-hurdle card on Saturday after an inspection of its chase track concluded that the two races over fences would be unable to take place.
The news that Auguste Rodin will remain in training as a four-year-old has prompted much excitement, but he will need to buck a worrying trend to justify that brave decision.
Aidan O’Brien’s charge is set to become the sixth straight Derby winner from Epsom to race on the following season – and things have not exactly worked out well for the previous five.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at how those Classic victors fared:
DESERT CROWN
Sir Michael Stoute’s charge was a classy scorer at Epsom last year but failed to reappear that season due to injury setbacks. He made a promising return to action the following May when going down by just half a length to Hukum in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown but then struggled to stay sound again and was sadly put down after fracturing a fetlock on the gallops.
ADAYAR
Godolphin’s son of Frankel stayed on strongly to romp home by four and a half lengths in the 2021 blue riband event at 16-1 and followed up with victory in the King George at Ascot becoming the first since Galileo to do the double. However, he could only land a low-key Doncaster conditions race at four before finishing second in the Champion Stakes. At five, Adayar won the Group Three Gordon Richards Stakes at Newmarket but was then third in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and was beaten at 1-3 in Group Two company at Newmarket on his final start before retirement.
SERPENTINE
Aidan O’Brien’s Galileo colt sprang a 25-1 surprise in the 2020 Derby and his subsequent exploits have certainly suggested that was a flash in the pan. After finishing well beaten in three starts at four, he was gelded and sent to Australia, where he has failed to win in 12 outings. Although placed three times in Group-class company, Serpentine has been tailed off in both of his attempts at Melbourne Cup glory.
ANTHONY VAN DYCK
Another Ballydoyle charge who showed plenty of spirit to prevail at Epsom in 2019 but that proved to be his sole Group One success. His four-year-old campaign began brightly enough with second place behind Ghaiyyath in the Coronation Cup but he was a disappointing favourite in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot. The son of Galileo did do well to edge out Stradivarius in the Group Two Prix Foy at Longchamp and only went down by a head in the 18-runner Caulfield Cup in Australia, but he was then fatally injured during the 2020 Melbourne Cup.
MASAR
Charlie Appleby’s Godolphin colt stayed on strongly to land the 2018 Derby at 16-1 but injury problems then kept him off the track for 385 days. When he returned to action at four, the son of New Approach was a moderate fifth in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot and then finished last of six at Group Two level at Newmarket before being sent to stud.
Trainer Richard Hobson is confident he has his stable star Fugitif “spot-on” for Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
The eight-year-old may have only managed a solitary victory in testing conditions at Chepstow last season, but he did also finish second three times at Prestbury Park, including when chasing home Seddon at the Festival in March.
Fugitif will make his reappearance 22lb higher in the weights than when filling the runner-up spot at this meeting 12 months ago, but Hobson believes he is better than ever and did not feel it necessary to give him a prep run ahead of his latest bid for big-race glory.
He said: “Fugitif is in good shape. He’ll have his final bit of work tomorrow (Tuesday), he’ll have a pop (over fences) on Thursday and as long as that all goes smoothly we’re all set for Saturday.
“We decided we’d go straight there. I was thinking he was going to get there too soon fitness-wise, but actually he’ll just be spot-on.
“He ran lovely over two miles first time out last season and wouldn’t have been as fit as he is this time round, but he’s gone up a few pounds since then.”
On the prospect of potentially encountering testing conditions this weekend, Hobson added: “The wetter the better for him – you saw him at Chepstow last year. I think it’s just going to be nice, soft ground and that will be fine.
“He’s a strong horse and not far off 18 hands. He’s a weight carrier, he’s improved through the summer and he’s got a beautiful weight (11st 5lb) – I could nearly ride him myself!”
Fugitif is one of 17 horses in contention for the Paddy Power Gold Cup following Monday’s confirmation stage, with ante-post favourite Stage Star and top-weight The Real Whacker also still in the mix.
Stage Star won twice at Cheltenham last term, including the Turners Novices’ Chase at the Festival, and he is well fancied to provide champion trainer Paul Nicholls with a third victory in this weekend’s feature handicap following the previous triumphs of Al Ferof (2012) and Caid Du Berlais (2014).
The Real Whacker is also a Festival hero, having edged out Gerri Colombe in a thrilling Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase in March, taking his course record to three from three over fences for Patrick Neville.
The seven-year-old will, though, have to concede upwards of 7lb to each of his rivals on Saturday under the welter burden of 12 stone.
Dan Skelton will have high hopes for Unexpected Party, who unlike many of his major rivals does have the benefit of a recent run, having made an impressive return at Chepstow last month.
Laura Morgan’s pair of Notlongtillmay and Whistleinthedark, the Sam Thomas-trained Angels Breath and Authorized Art from the Willie Mullins yard have also stood their ground.
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has claimed he could be back in action as early as December, according to reports.
Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, has been out since he tore his Achilles tendon while making his Jets debut on Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills.
The 39-year-old has since undergone a surgical procedure known as a "speed bridge", as he looks to quicken up his recovery.
And according to NBC's Melissa Stark, Rodgers could be back in action in time for the playoffs.
"I know it sounds insane but you do a good surgery, you have a good patient, it makes this possible," Rodgers told Stark.
The Jets are 4-5 for the season following a 16-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
Aidan O’Brien is excited by the prospect of training Auguste Rodin as a four-year-old after he confirmed the dual Derby and Breeders’ Cup winner is to stay in training.
Following his exploits at Santa Anita in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, many expected the Deep Impact colt would head off to stud, given how valuable he would be as a son of the great Japanese stallion.
However, the Coolmore triumvirate of John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, along with partner Georg Von Opel’s Westerberg operation, have given O’Brien the go-ahead to think about next year with him and the Ballydoyle handler is understandably delighted.
“It’s a big decision and we’re obviously absolutely delighted,” said O’Brien to the PA news agency.
“The decision has been made to keep him in training and we’re just delighted.
“He covers a lot of bases; he’s a multiple Group One winner over 10 furlongs and a mile and a half, so he’s versatile, so it’s just going to be great to have him again.
“Obviously, the first thing is for him to have a little rest, he had a long season, then we’ll see about where he will start off.”
When asked if a Breeders’ Cup Classic bid would be his ultimate aim next season, O’Brien said: “Obviously, all the races will be open to him and we’ll just see how he gets on.”
Auguste Rodin’s season began in disappointing circumstances, finishing tailed off in the 2000 Guineas, but O’Brien worked his magic to get him back in top form for the Derby at Epsom, beating King Of Steel.
He was then more workmanlike in the Irish Derby at the Curragh before again disappointing at Ascot in the King George, only for him to bounce back once again in the Irish Champion Stakes over 10 furlongs.
Ryan Moore then earned plenty of plaudits for the ride which he gave Auguste Rodin at the Breeders’ Cup, saving every yard on the inside rail before quickening clear.
Harry Bentley has been handed a two-month suspension and fined HK$300,000 by the Hong Kong Jockey Club after pleading guilty to improper conduct.
In a two-day stewards’ inquiry conducted last week, Bentley admitted to breaching rule 155 under the rules of racing in Hong Kong, which relates to misconduct, improper conduct or inappropriate behaviour.
The HKJC found that the 31-year-old did engage in improper conduct due to “inappropriate communications in respect to information about horses he had ridden in trackwork, barrier trials or races with persons who were not the registered owners or nominators of such horses, using a private mobile telephone provided by such persons”.
The governing body also ruled that Bentley agreed to accept a payment from a person who was not the nominator of a horse in relation to a race he had ridden in, as well as providing false or misleading statements at an interview conducted on October 31.
In determining the penalty, the stewards took into consideration Bentley’s guilty plea and the nature and circumstances of the breach, including that the evidence established that he did not receive any payment.
The stewards also recognised Bentley’s personal and professional circumstances at the time of the offence and his unblemished record in relation to similar offences.
The rider’s suspension commences on November 3 and will expire on January 3.
Steve Kerr is not too worried by the Golden State Warriors' form, though conceded his team need to be less reliant on Stephen Curry.
Curry scored 38 points – his sixth 30-point game of the season – though the Warriors lost for the third game running as they went down 116-110 to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
However, on only one other occasion this season has one of his teammates had at least 20 point, with Curry outscoring any other player on the Warriors' roster by at least five points in all 11 games this campaign, which is the longest such streak to start a season since Michael Jordan in 1987-88.
The Warriors lead the Pacific Division but hold a 6-5 record for the season, and while Kerr is not worried by the current rut, he does want to see other players step up to support Curry.
"I'm actually not overly concerned to be honest with you," Kerr said.
"The season is filled with ups and downs and we're in a little bit of a spell right now. But it's not like we were the world's greatest team when we were six and two and we're not the world's worst team losing the last three.
"This is part of the season and I think we just played, back-to-back, two great defensive teams that throttled us and we need to figure out some things offensively and I'm confident that we will.
"No question, we need some scoring and some playmaking elsewhere."
In Curry's mind, there is no reason to panic.
"There's always been a certain approach to guarding us. For years you know where attention is going to be," Curry said.
"Usually try to blitz me in a pick-and-roll, stay body-tight on Klay [Thompson], whatever the case is we have to make adjustments. We can't just keep doing the same thing and expect a different result.
"It's not a panic or anything. It's just a matter of getting a little smarter and a little bit more organised.
"Everything is on the table for us for adjustments. When you've lost three straight, you have to make adjustments. I don't know if it's a rotation thing or whatever the case is, but everything is on the table and everyone has to be ready to step in."
Draymond Green, meanwhile, is expecting more from himself and his other teammates.
"Chris [Paul and I] got to do a better job of making sure we're getting into things," Green said.
"When Steph's got it going, he's got it going. He's just moving. It's on us to realise that and learn how to also use him to get other guys' looks as well.
"We as players have to do better. When we're playing well, players get the credit, when you're playing bad, players have to f****** take the blame as well. We can come up here and point a bunch of fingers, at the end of the day we play basketball and it's our [job] to figure it out and play better."
Envoi Allen is poised for an outing at Leopardstown over Christmas following his narrow defeat at Down Royal on Saturday.
Although not fluent at the last it looked like the three-times Cheltenham Festival winner was going to defend his Ladbrokes Champion Chase title as he held an advantage over Gordon Elliott pair of Gerri Colombe and Conflated.
However, Jack Kennedy conjured up an extra effort aboard Gerri Colombe to hunt down Envoi Allen in the dying strides and inflict an agonising defeat on Henry de Bromhead’s nine-year-old.
The Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding could continue campaigning at three miles for the time being with a run in the Savills Chase over the Christmas period a possibility, although a repeat of his Ryanair Chase heroics appears the aim for Cheltenham in the spring.
“I thought he ran a cracker and Rachael (Blackmore) gave him an amazing ride and but for putting down at the last we may have held on,” said De Bromhead.
“It was a much improved run from Gowran and great to see him back like that. I was as happy as you could be without winning.
“He may go for the Savills and ultimately it’s the Ryanair I think.”
Meanwhile, De Bromhead’s 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo could be set for a new challenge having been well held in fourth at Down Royal, with Cross Country and Grand National options entering the equation.
He added: “We might lower our sights with him now but I’ll need to speak with the Maloneys (owners) before firming up plans.
“We are thinking about going down the Cross Country and Grand National route with him.”
Katie Boulter is so eager to build on her successes of this season that she will forgo a holiday and get straight back in the gym.
The 27-year-old capped a breakthrough year in which she won a first WTA Tour title and reached the top 50 by leading Great Britain to victory over Sweden in the Billie Jean King Cup in London.
Boulter cited her biggest achievement, though, as simply playing a full season having been beset by injuries and illness throughout her career so far.
Top of the Leicestershire player’s objectives is therefore trying to ensure the same is true for 2024, but she also has her sights set on being seeded at grand slams and proving she belongs at the top of the game.
“I’ve got a few different goals in my mind,” she said. “I want to build on this year, I really want to get my feet inside the line, which I already have but now I’ve got to stay there, I’ve got to win these matches week in, week out, beating the top girls.
“You reach your goal and you think you’d be satisfied but you’re not even close. I’m already looking at the next milestone, I want to be seeded in slams, that’s my next stop. I want to be constantly in the top 50, I want to be pushing those boundaries.
“No matter how happy I might be with my year, I actually think it fuels me even more and makes me hungrier going into next year because it’s given me a lot of belief that I belong at this level and I genuinely see and think that I can climb up the rankings but I also know there’s a lot of hard work to be done.
“I’ve got to pace myself but I want to be back in the gym, I want to be bullet-proofing my body as quickly as possible, taking the least amount of days off that I possibly can.”
Her new season will begin before the year is out at the United Cup, a mixed international team competition in Australia that will see Boulter go head-to-head against her Australian boyfriend Alex De Minaur.
She said: “We respect each other as competitors and also off the court as well. I’m sure we’ll talk about it when we get a little closer to it but we’re both going to put our heart on the line for our countries. I know he’s country proud, I know I’m country proud, so we’ll see if we’re still together by the end of it!”
Sweden were among the weakest opposition Britain could have faced, and a nightmare debut for Jodie Burrage, which left them having to come from behind to secure a 3-1 victory, was the obvious negative of the weekend.
Captain Anne Keothavong does have experienced players in her ranks, though, and Harriet Dart proved a solid pair of hands when she replaced Burrage on Sunday to wrap up the tie.
Both Burrage and Boulter have had the best seasons of their careers and sit in the top 100, leaving the national picture looking rosier than a period in the spring when there were no British women in double figures.
Keothavong hopes there will soon be competition, as well, from a crop of highly promising teenagers.
Isabelle Lacy, 17, was at the Copper Box as a hitting partner while there is real excitement around the futures of 14-year-old Hannah Klugman and 16-year-old Mingge Xu, who led Britain’s Junior Billie Jean King Cup team to the semi-finals last week, and another 14-year-old, Mika Stojsavljevic.
“The more of you competing at that highest level, the better,” said Keothavong. “You’re going to push each other, and it’s not just (these players).
“We’ve got Mimi Xu and Hannah Klugman, the girls did really well this week, and they’ve shown lots of promise over the last few weeks, scoring some good wins.
“I know they’re limited (by age) with the number of tournaments they can play but their level is up there and I think that’s really exciting for women’s tennis. We’ve got competition for places on this team and we’ve got players with experience who know how it works, but there’s no guarantee for anyone.”
The chasing debut of the exciting Gaelic Warrior has been put on temporary hold with the meeting at Fairyhouse on Tuesday called off due to waterlogging.
Willie Mullins had chosen the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase CLG Beginners Chase as the starting point for Gaelic Warrior’s new discipline but torrential rain overnight has left the course unraceable.
Brendan Sheridan, clerk of the course at Fairyhouse said: “Following 20mm of rain overnight, which was more rain than was originally forecast for Fairyhouse, the track is now unfit for racing and the fixture scheduled for tomorrow has been cancelled.
“We needed the rainfall to come up short of what was forecast but unfortunately we got slightly more and the track will not be raceable in time for tomorrow due to that volume of rain on ground that was already soft, heavy in places.
“We will liaise with Horse Racing Ireland about the possibility of rescheduling the fixture.”
The meeting at Carlisle on Monday was also abandoned as Storm Debi begins to take its toll on sporting fixtures.
Uttoxeter, which has been unable to stage any racing since October 8, is hoping to stage an all-hurdle card on Saturday after an inspection of its chase track concluded that the two races over fences would be unable to take place.
An inspection will be held at 2pm on Monday to assess the situation at Bangor ahead of Wednesday’s meeting with areas of standing water on the track.
Tyrese Maxey erupted for a career-high 50 points as the red-hot Philadelphia 76ers extended their winning streak to eight games with Sunday's 137-126 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Maxey finished 20 of 32 from the field and 7 of 11 from 3-point range to help Philadelphia remain unbeaten since a season-opening loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 26. The fourth-year guard added five assists and blocked three shots in a superb all-around effort.
Joel Embiid contributed 37 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists, though the reigning NBA MVP yielded the spotlight on this night to teammate Maxey, who scored 16 of his points in the fourth quarter to help the Sixers prevail after Indiana grabbed a 105-104 lead with 10 1/2 minutes left.
The 76ers went ahead for good with a 10-2 run that put them up 114-107 with under seven minutes remaining.
Tyrese Haliburton had 25 points and 17 assists for the Pacers, who entered the contest on a three-game winning streak. Myles Turner recorded 22 points in defeat.
Surging Rockets down champion Nuggets for sixth straight win
Fred VanVleet had 26 points and the Houston Rockets overcame another dominant performance from Nikola Jokić in a 107-104 victory over the Denver Nuggets that extended their winning streak to six games.
Alperen Sengun added 23 points and eight rebounds as the upstart Rockets recorded their longest stretch of consecutive wins since a six-game run from Jan. 22-Feb. 2, 2021. Houston went just 22-60 in 2022-23, tied for the second-lowest win total in the NBA last season.
The Rockets had to withstand Jokic's fourth triple-double of the season, as the two-time league MVP racked up season highs of 36 points and 21 rebounds along with 11 assists.
Reigning NBA champion Denver had cut a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit down to one when Jokic's 3-pointer with 19.5 seconds left brought the Nuggets within 103-102. VanVleet then made two free throws on the ensuing possession, and Denver then turned it over before Jalen Green went 1 of 2 from the foul line to give Houston a four-point advantage with 9.1 seconds remaining.
Michael Porter Jr. had 25 points and 10 rebounds as Denver lost for only the second time in 10 games this season. The Nuggets had won four straight coming in.
Timberwolves get past Warriors to extend winning streak
The Minnesota Timberwolves are also on a six-game winning streak following their 116-110 victory over the Golden State Warriors behind Anthony Edwards' 33 points and seven assists.
Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in 21 points and 14 rebounds to help the Timberwolves improve to 7-2 and deal Golden State a third consecutive defeat.
The Warriors got 38 points from Stephen Curry but had an overall off-shooting night, connecting on just 12 of 43 attempts (27.9 per cent) from 3-point range.
Minnesota, on the other hand, shot 66.7 per cent from the field in the third quarter and outscored the Warriors by a 35-22 margin for the period to build an 89-73 lead into the fourth. The Timberwolves maintained a double-digit advantage into the final minute.
The game was the first of two straight meetings between the teams in San Francisco, where the Warriors will host Minnesota again Tuesday.
Desert Orchid, one of the most successful steeplechasers of all time, died at the age of 27 on this day in 2006.
The dashing grey achieved greatness within the National Hunt arena and was much-loved by racing enthusiasts for his iron will and extreme adaptability.
Affectionately known as ‘Dessie’, he won 34 races in total, including the 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup and seven at his beloved Kempton Park, where four victories in the King George VI Steeple Chase underlined his immense talent.
Following his retirement in 1991, he remained popular with fans, making public appearances at charity events.
In a statement, his former trainer David Elsworth said: “Desert Orchid died peacefully in his stable at 6.05 this morning. There was no stress, he departed from this world with dignity and no fuss.
“He did his dying in the same individual way that he did his living. It was time to go.
“Dessie had not been well for the past week and was losing his co-ordination. He was 27 years old and we had been involved with this wonderful horse for
a quarter of a century both in his racing days and retirement.”
Desert Orchid’s ashes were buried at his stomping ground of Kempton, where a statue was also erected.
Sam Reinhart had two goals and two assists and the Florida Panthers withstood another standout performance by rookie sensation Connor Bedard in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.
Reinhart assisted on Carter Verhaeghe's power-play goal that snapped a 3-3 tie early in the third period, and Sergei Bobrovsky made 13 of his 23 saves in the final frame to help seal Florida's fourth straight win.
Bedard followed up Thursday's two-goal, two-assist effort at Tampa Bay with two more goals, giving the 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick seven in his last six games.
Reinhart's second goal of the night gave Florida a 3-2 lead seven minutes into the second period, but Bedard answered just 1:18 later and the game remained deadlocked at 3-3 into the second intermission.
Verhaeghe put the Panthers up for good 2:44 into the third period, and Bobrovsky made the lead hold up despite the Panthers being outshot by a 13-6 margin in the final 20 minutes.
Reinhart and Oliver Ekman-Larsson had first-period goals for Florida, while Bedard and Jason Dickinson both scored for Chicago in the opening session.
Arvid Soderblom finished with 28 saves for the Blackhawks.
Stars score five power-play goals in 8-3 rout of Wild
Jason Robertson had two of five Dallas power-play goals as the Stars rolled to an 8-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild to complete a perfect three-game road trip.
Wyatt Johnston also scored twice, including a short-handed goal in the final minutes, in Dallas' first meeting with Minnesota since ousting the Wild in six games in the first round of last season's playoffs.
Both Robertson and Johnston added an assist for the Stars, whose five power-play goals tied a franchise single-game record. Dallas also received goals from Joe Pavelski, Radek Faksa, Matt Duchene and Evgenii Dadonov, while Miro Heiskanen finished with three assists to back Jake Oettinger's 23 saves.
Dallas took a 3-2 lead after one period, highlighted by Pavelski's power-play goal just 57 seconds in and a short-handed tally by Faksa, and both Johnston and Dadonov scored on the power play in the second to extend the margin to three.
Robertson's two goals came just 2:07 apart and gave Dallas a 7-3 advantage early in the third.
Brandon Duhaime, Vinni Lettieri and Mats Zuccarello had goals in the Wild's third straight loss. Marc Andre-Fleury surrendered all eight Dallas goals on 37 shots.
Lafreniere stars in Rangers' shootout win over Blue Jackets
Alexis Lafreniere scored twice in regulation before recording the deciding goal in the shootout as the New York Rangers rallied for a 4-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Lafreniere's second goal of the game came with just 11 seconds left in regulation and forged a 3-3 tie. The former No. 1 overall pick then registered the lone goal during the shootout phase to extend the Rangers' point streak to 10 games, a stretch in which they've gone 9-0-1.
Chris Kreider delivered his 10th goal of the season and added an assist for New York, while Jonathan Quick made 25 saves before stopping all three Columbus skaters in the shootout.
Lafreniere's first of the night gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead with 8:43 left in the second period, but Adam Fantilli and Sean Kuraly scored 19 seconds apart later in the period to put the Blue Jackets back ahead.
Justin Danforth put Columbus up 1-0 with 3:34 remaining in the first period before Kreider answered less than 2 1/2 minutes later.
Elvis Merzlikins finished with 37 saves for Columbus, which fell to 0-3-2 over its last five games.
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