Ground conditions will dictate whether Mick Appleby supplements Ascot and Goodwood hero Big Evs for the Nunthorpe Stakes at York.
The two-year-old was a Royal Ascot winner when landing the Windsor Castle Stakes in mid-June, sprinting to three-length victory having started a relative outsider at 20-1.
He was not so overlooked when stepping up to Group Three level in the Molecomb at Goodwood, where he started as the 9-4 joint favourite on ground vastly different to Ascot’s good to firm.
Rain had left the South Downs track soft underfoot, but Big Evs showed a great will to win when prevailing by a neck from Andrew Balding’s Purosangue.
Immediately after the race, connections discussed a supplementary entry for the Group One Nunthorpe on August 25, which would cost £40,000.
The race has not been won by a two-year-old since Kingsgate Native in 2007 and the state of the ground in the lead up to the fixture will determine whether or not Big Evs bids to become the latest juvenile to feature on the roll of honour.
“He’s fine, he’s all good and he’s come out of the race really well,” Appleby said.
“He didn’t really like the ground but he’s obviously quite tough and he toughed it out.
“We’ve got a great attitude, now we’ve got to decide whether we supplement for the Nunthorpe or not.
“We’ve had discussion about it with the owner, a lot will depend on the ground and we will probably not decide until the week before when we have to supplement.
“If it was soft ground we’d probably not go there with him, but we’ve got plenty of time until we have to decide.”
England head coach Steve Borthwick’s World Cup squad announcement has delivered its share of surprises.
Here, the PA news agency looks at selection successes and some big names who have missed out.
HITSJoe Marchant (Stade Francais)
Marchant is among 16 players in the squad with no World Cup experience, but his ability to threaten opposition defences as either a centre or wing cannot be questioned. He was one of the few successes during England’s tame warm-up defeat against Wales on Saturday, and he will relish stepping on to the sport’s biggest stage in France.
Theo Dan (Saracens)
Saracens hooker Dan has enjoyed a rapid rise in terms of England recognition. London-born to Romanian parents, he only made his full Premiership debut 10 months ago and gained a first England cap against Wales on Saturday. He has excelled in the Premiership, and is one of three hookers named in Borthwick’s group alongside Dan’s club colleague Jamie George and Harlequins forward Jack Walker.
David Ribbans (Toulon)
South Africa-born lock Ribbans, who qualifies for England via an English grandmother, established himself among the Premiership’s most consistent performers during his time at Northampton. His international breakthrough came during the Autumn Nations series last year, and he now makes Borthwick’s cut ahead of a player like Sale Sharks’ experienced Test second-forward Jonny Hill.
MISSESHenry Slade (Exeter)
Exeter centre Slade’s absence is undoubtedly the major surprise sprung by Borthwick. He offers vast experience, with 57 caps, and was widely expected to be among England’s midfield options alongside players like Ollie Lawrence and Manu Tuilagi. Selected pair Marchant and Elliot Daly, though, potentially offer more positional versatility, which might have gone against the 30-year-old.
Jonny May (Gloucester)
Only Rory Underwood has scored more tries for England than Gloucester wing May. His 35 touchdowns in 72 Tests underline a finisher of the highest quality, but he had lost ground in the race for a back-three place. Reputation alone might have swayed some coaches in terms of selection, but not Borthwick. At 33, it remains to be seen if May plays Test rugby again.
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins)
After Harlequins number eight Dombrandt played a prominent role during his club’s Premiership title-winning campaign of 2020-21, it appeared that sustained England recognition would follow. But despite having a number of opportunities at Test level, he has never delivered consistency, and Borthwick has gone with just one specialist number eight – Saracens’ Billy Vunipola – for the World Cup.
Marco Botti is eyeing a return to York for Giavellotto following his fifth-placed finish in last week’s Goodwood Cup.
A narrow winner of the Yorkshire Cup on the Knavesmire in May, the four-year-old sidestepped the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot to be saved for the second half of the season.
He made his return to action on the Sussex Downs and while unable to land a blow on the front-running Quickthorn, he was beaten just half a length for second in a blanket finish for minor honours.
While frustrated with how the Group One contest was run as Quickthorn built up a big lead the chasing pack were ultimately unable to bridge, Botti was pleased with his star stayer’s performance.
He said: “It was a funny race to watch, obviously. The winner is a good horse and with that margin of a lead he was never going to be caught.
“I thought our horse ran his race and ran well, it’s just a shame we were beaten a short head, a short head and a neck for second. To finish fifth just leaves a bit of a bitter taste in the mouth.
“How the race was run was a bit disappointing, but credit to the winner. He’s a good horse and he has done that before, which is why I was surprised they let him take a big advantage.
“I think our horse he proved he’s up to that level and probably the ground was a little bit on the slow side for him – he’d definitely prefer better ground.”
Giavellotto is entered for the two-mile Lonsdale Cup at York on August 25 and the Irish St Leger over a mile and three-quarters at the Curragh on September 10.
And while Botti feels the shorter distance may be more suitable for his charge, Botti is leaning towards the Lonsdale due to likelihood of getting his favoured conditions.
“I think we have to say two miles is not an issue, but his optimum trip is probably a mile and six furlongs,” he added.
“He stays (two miles), he relaxes well and he enjoys the track at York, so we’ll see how he comes out and works in the next 10 days, but York has to be considered.
“The worry with the Irish St Leger would be if the ground went quite soft or heavy as that is not what he wants. I’m sure in terms of giving him a bit more time it wouldn’t be against him, but I don’t think I would run him on very testing ground.
“At the moment we’re waiting to see how he is, but we’re planning to go to York.”
Henry Slade has been left out of England’s World Cup squad in an unexpected selection twist from head coach Steve Borthwick.
Slade has been an automatic pick in the midfield for much of the last six years, appearing in 30 of the last 37 Tests since the 2019 tournament, but has been overlooked for the 33-man group.
Instead the versatile Exeter centre has lost out to Joe Marchant, who covers wing as well as 13 and played his way into the squad after emerging from the wreckage of Saturday’s defeat by Wales with his reputation enhanced.
The exclusion of Alex Dombrandt means that Billy Vunipola is the only specialist number eight bound for France next month.
Dombrandt started every match in the Six Nations but was unable to stamp his authority on the jersey and compounded his humdrum form with an unimpressive display in Cardiff.
Vunipola is chosen despite not having played since April because of two knee surgeries and missing the entire Championship after being frozen out by Borthwick on form grounds.
Lewis Ludlam, Ben Earl and Tom Curry cover number eight and are present among a large contingent of versatile back five forwards that includes rookie Leicester duo Ollie Chessum and George Martin.
Other big names to miss out are wings Jonny May and Joe Cokanasiga, both of whom played in the World Cup four years ago.
Dan Evans turned around a difficult season in style by winning the biggest title of his career at the Citi Open in Washington.
The British number two arrived in the US capital on a seven-match losing streak at tour level dating back to April but, after dropping his opening set of the tournament to Gregoire Barrere, he won 10 in a row to lift the trophy.
Evans followed up victories over Frances Tiafoe and Grigor Dimitrov by defeating Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 7-5 6-3, keeping his focus during a lengthy rain delay in the second set.
The 33-year-old hit 26 winners and only eight unforced errors and saved his only break points – four of them – in the final game.
The relief and delight on Evans’ face was evident at the end and, speaking on court, he said: “I wasn’t playing very well and I wasn’t happy with my game.
“To do the work I’ve done and to stick with it and come through is (amazing). The last game sort of summed up my week. I got out of trouble and it was an amazing week.”
It is a second ATP Tour title for Evans, who won his first in Australia at the start of 2021, and lifts him to a career high ranking of 21.
Evans had appeared at something of a loss during the grass-court season, branding his efforts against Sebastian Korda at Queen’s embarrassing and saying he was not looking forward to playing any match.
He parted ways with his Argentinian coach of two years, Sebastian Prieto, but looked full of confidence as he used his all-round skills to counter the power of Griekspoor.
One break in each set proved enough, with Evans piling on the pressure at the end of the first set and then, after rain and the threat of lightning sent players and fans from the court for more than 90 minutes at 2-2 in the second, winning the final three games of the contest.
Reflecting on his change in fortunes, Evans told reporters: “Last week I lost (against Dominik Koepfer in Atlanta), having three match points, served for the match.
“You try not to let emotions get in the way when you’re in the tournament. I was confident after the second round that I was playing well but I had to keep telling myself it was match by match and not so long ago I wasn’t playing great.
“It was really only the grass I didn’t play well. I played well in Barcelona on the clay and then I had some rough matches which I didn’t get the best out of. I lost in three (sets) a few times or tight matches.
“Then I was playing well and I just couldn’t get over the line. That’s where you lean on your team to keep you working hard and training and practising hard.
“It’s especially good to get the outcome I got this week. But I said to myself once I got into the semis that that was a good effort and then I sort of reset and wanted to win the tournament.”
Evans is a tantalising four points short of breaking the top 20 for the first time in his career but will need arguably an even better showing at the National Bank Open in Toronto this week to achieve that having reach the semi-finals of the Masters 1000 event 12 months ago.
Evans faces Canadian wild card Gabriel Diallo in the opening round and could meet British number one Cameron Norrie in round two.
Matchroom are still working on finding an opponent to fight Anthony Joshua at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday.
Joshua (25-3, 22KOs) was set for an eagerly-anticipated rematch with Dillian Whyte, but the bout was cancelled after “adverse analytical findings” were detected in Whyte’s doping test.
It forced Matchroom to call off the fight on Saturday morning after the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association informed the promoters and boxing authorities of the test result.
However, there is a hope former two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua could still step into the ring this weekend with a raft of alternative opponents being lined up by Matchroom, the PA news agency understands.
British veteran Derek Chisora was set to fight American Gerald Washington and Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic was scheduled to do battle with Demsey McKean on the undercard in London on Saturday.
One of those four could now get the opportunity to fight Joshua, while an old rival has thrown his hat in the ring.
Andy Ruiz Jr, who stunned Joshua at Madison Square Gardens in 2019, has sent a number of social-media posts urging Matchroom promotor Eddie Hearn to pick up the phone and arrange a third fight between the duo.
Whyte, meanwhile, has vowed to clear his name again like he did in 2019 when he was cleared of a doping violation after UK Anti-Doping concluded the levels in his sample were “very low” and he was ultimately not to blame.
“I can confirm without a shadow of doubt that I have not taken the reported substance, in this camp or at any point in my life,” Whyte said on Saturday.
“I am completely innocent and ask to be given the time to go through the process of proving this without anybody jumping to conclusions or a trial by media.
“I insisted on 24/7 VADA testing for this fight, as I have done voluntarily and at my own expense for all of my fights for many, many years.
“This is not the first time that I have been reported as having an adverse finding for a substance which I have not taken, and as I did last time I will again prove that I am completely innocent.”
While Matchroom have cancelled Monday’s launch party by London’s West End, the promotion company will hope the other fight week activities can take place if an alternative opponent can be finalised for Joshua.
The British and Irish Lions suffered heartbreak on this day in 2021 as South Africa won a third Test decider 19-16 in Cape Town.
History cruelly repeated itself as far as the Lions were concerned as 37-year-old Springboks replacement Morne Steyn sealed victory with a late penalty.
Steyn had landed the kick that decided the 2009 series in South Africa’s favour and the veteran fly-half broke Lions hearts again two minutes from time.
The Lions led 10-6 at half-time through hooker Ken Owens’ try and some composed kicking from Finn Russell, who had replaced the injured Dan Biggar in the 11th minute.
Cheslin Kolbe’s converted try put the Springboks ahead before Russell levelled matters with a long-range effort.
Steyn and Russell then exchanged penalties before the South African had the final word in dramatic fashion.
Lions boss Warren Gatland, whose side had won the opening game of a three-match series played in empty stadiums because of Covid-19, said: “The boys gave it 100 per cent and from a coaching point of view, you can’t ask for more than that.
“It was never going to be easy travelling away from home to play the world champions and they were really tight contests.
“We’re disappointed but it could have gone any way.”
The Texas Rangers are now riding a six-game winning streak, but may be without All-Star third baseman Josh Jung for a while after he fractured his left thumb in Sunday's 6-0 victory over the Miami Marlins.
Jung was injured after a scorching line drive off the bat of Miami's Jorge Soler hit his glove in the sixth inning, though he was able to pick up the ball and start a double play before being removed from the contest shortly after.
The rookie is the second Texas All-Star infielder to hurt his thumb within the last three weeks. Shortstop Corey Seager missed nine games with a sprained right thumb before returning Aug. 2, but is still dealing with effects from the injury and missed Sunday's contest.
Ezequiel Duran replaced Jung and had one of four Rangers homers to back 5 2/3 scoreless innings from Andrew Heaney. Nathaniel Lowe, Marcus Semien and Adolis Garcia also went deep to help Texas sweep the three-game series and hand the slumping Marlins a fourth straight loss.
Heaney held Miami to four hits and two walks to win his third consecutive start.
2022 National League Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara was dealt his 10th defeat of the season for Miami, which dropped to 5-16 since the All-Star break. The right-hander allowed five runs - four earned - while striking out seven in six innings.
Surging Cubs down MLB-best Braves for sixth straight series win
Ian Happ and Dansby Swanson each drove in two runs as the Chicago Cubs remained hot with a 6-4 victory over the MLB-leading Atlanta Braves.
The Cubs scored three times in the fifth inning to erase a 3-2 deficit en route to their fifth win in six games. Chicago is 15-4 since July 18 and has now won six consecutive series after taking two of three from Atlanta over the weekend.
Sunday's win moved the Cubs within 1 1/2 games of the first-place Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central.
Happ tied the game at 3-3 in the fifth with an RBI single before scoring the go-ahead run on a double from Cody Bellinger, who later crossed the plate on Jeimer Candelario's two-out single for a 5-3 advantage.
The rally helped Cubs starter Justin Steele improve to 13-3 on the season after the All-Star pitcher gave up four runs - three earned - and struck out seven in 5 1/3 innings.
Matt Olson hit his 39th home run - one shy of Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani for the major league lead, and knocked in three runs for the Braves.
Atlanta's Charlie Morton struggled again by surrendering five runs and issuing four walks in 4 1/3 innings. The veteran has now lost four straight starts and has a 7.32 ERA during that stretch.
Rookie Schneider makes history in Blue Jays' rout of Red Sox
Davis Schneider went 4 for 5 with a home run and four RBIs to continue a historic start to his major league career in the Toronto Blue Jays' 13-1 drubbing of the Boston Red Sox.
Schneider is now 9 for 13 with a pair of homers through his first three MLB games. The 24-year-old second baseman is the first player in MLB history to begin a career with nine hits and two home runs over three games.
Matt Chapman added two hits and three RBIs as Toronto completed a three-game sweep of its American League East rivals. The Red Sox are now five games back of the Blue Jays for the AL's final wild card spot.
Toronto also received a strong pitching outing from Chris Bassitt, who scattered seven hits and struck out six while allowing one run in seven innings.
Triston Casas accounted for the Red Sox' lone run with a solo homer off Bassitt in the fourth inning.
British number two Dan Evans claimed the biggest title of his career with a straight sets victory over Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor in the final of the Citi Open in Washington.
The 33-year-old overcame both his high-flying opponent and a rain delay as he secured his first ATP 500 crown – and just his second Tour victory – with a 7-5 6-3 win.
The opening set stayed on serve, with Griekspoor, who was chasing his third title of the season, saving two break points in the fourth game to hold.
World number 30 Evans held to love to lead 5-4, and then had to change his racket during the next game after breaking a string.
A long return from Griekspoor then handed Evans another break chance and set point, which was saved by a booming ace from the Dutchman who then levelled things up at 5-5.
Griekspoor, who had knocked out top seed Taylor Fritz in the semi-final, then found himself 15-40 down on his next serve after a fine passing shot from Evans.
With the pressure on, a wayward return into the net from Griekspoor handed the Briton the opening set in 50 minutes.
With the second set tied at 1-1 and Evans 30-love up in the third game, play was suspended as rain began to fall. It proved, though, only a brief delay and the players did not leave the court before the match resumed.
However, Swedish umpire Mohamed Lahyani was soon again out of his chair as the drizzle continued – with Evans, leading 2-1, looking less than impressed as he sat under an umbrella for another few minutes before play was allowed to continue.
Griekspoor levelled things up on serve, but the players were forced off because of a lightning warning in the area.
Play was suspended again just before 6.30pm local time, this time looking set for a more lengthy delay and with spectators also having to leave the stadium.
The players and spectators finally returned to court more than 90 minutes later, where Evans resumed right where he left off.
He cruised through his remaining service games and dictated play on return, not facing a break point until his final game on serve.
But Evans held his nerve, saving four break point opportunities before claiming victory with a service winner.
Evans entered the event on a seven-match losing streak but won 10 straight sets en route to the title, eclipsing second seed Frances Tiafoe and fifth seed Grigor Dimitrov in the process.
It is Evans’s first ATP title since Melbourne in 2021.
Justin Houston will be lining up for the Carolina Panthers' defence in 2023.
The four-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker signed a one-year contract with the Panthers on Sunday.
Houston spent the past two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and registered 9 1/2 sacks in 2022 to give him 111 1/2 in his career - fourth most among all active players.
Selected in the third round by Kansas City in the 2011 NFL draft, Houston's best season came for the Chiefs in 2014 when he earned All-Pro honours by racking up 22 sacks - just one-half sack shy of the NFL single-season record.
After spending his first eight pro seasons with the Chiefs, Houston spent the next two years with the Indianapolis Colts before signing with Ravens prior to the 2021 season.
Houston will be reunited with first-year Panthers coach Frank Reich and joins Carolina's new 3-4 defensive scheme to play opposite Brain Burns, a Pro Bowl selection in 2022.
The 34-year-old Houston, who has 182 quarterback hurries and 19 forced fumbles in 163 career games, previously played for Reich in Indianapolis.
Bryson DeChambeau hailed “one of the best rounds of golf I have ever played in my life” after he shot a record-breaking 58 to win the LIV Golf Greenbrier title.
The 29-year-old American needed to par the last hole to become the first LIV player to break 60, but finished with a birdie two to claim his first title on the new tour.
DeChambeau later tweeted: “It’s been a long time coming. This is one of the best rounds of golf I have ever played in my life. I can’t thank my team enough and sticking with me through the process.
“Today may have been history, but this is just the beginning. Let’s keep it going.”
DeChambeau carded 13 birdies and a single bogey to finish on 23 under par after 54 holes, six shots clear of Mito Pereira in second place.
It was his first victory since the death of his father Jon at the age of 63 in November last year.
Speaking at the greenside, DeChambeau said in a video tweeted by LIV Golf: “He was with me out there all day today, no doubt.
“It has been a really difficult couple of years, but doing it this way and finishing out with a 58… it’s just amazing what I was able to do. I’m super excited.”
England head coach Jess Thirlby admitted it would take some time to get over defeat by Australia in the Netball World Cup final, but believes her squad can be proud of their performances throughout the tournament.
The Roses were making their maiden World Cup final appearance and knew they had to be at their best to win the trophy against a side they had edged out by just a point in their group-stage match.
But Australia dominated the turnover battle and, after the first-quarter honours were shared, steadily built an unassailable lead to run out comfortable 61-45 winners and secure a 12th World Cup crown.
“We are really grateful for that silver medal and over time I think that will sink in, with that bit of history we made (in reaching the final), but right now it is a measure of the belief we had in ourselves, the route we took to the final… (that we are disappointed),” Thirlby told BBC Sport.
“We are obviously going to be gutted with a losing margin like that in our first final, but such is the difference between a team that has been in 12 of them and a team that has just broken into their first one, it’s a tough lesson.
“Today was always going to be a tough ask, you just can’t throw ball like that against Australia in a final. If we do that, we need to find a way to win it back. Unfortunately both of those things eluded us for long periods during the match.
“We fought very hard in the first half to keep a foothold in it, but you could kind of feel we didn’t quite have the flow and the confidence.”
England – bronze medallists at the last three World Cups and six times overall – had built on their group win over the Diamonds to go on to beat New Zealand as they booked a first World Cup final appearance.
Despite the setback, Thirlby feels the squad can return stronger.
“For us now it’s OK to feel a little bit disappointed just because of the level of belief and the capability of this team,” she said.
“I am incredibly proud despite the final result, we absolutely deserved to be there.
“We had to battle to get there and it’s just proven to us that you’ve got to be able to go again in a big game against the number one, and we just fell short today.”
Australia mid-court Ashleigh Brazill brought the curtain down on her netball career with a World Cup winners’ medal.
The 33-year-old – set to retire after the tournament – felt the Diamonds set the record straight following their defeat to England in the group stage.
“To beat England like that, they beat us in the group and everyone loved what Helen (Housby) said, that they were fitter and more energetic than us, that just fired things up,” Brazill told BBC Sport.
“The fact we have done it the way we wanted to, playing some of the best netball we have played in a long time. I’m just so proud of the girls.
“It has taken all of us to get here, the entire 22, all of us, and the fact we are stood here world champions, I couldn’t have asked for a better ending.”
Kyle Sinckler insists missing out on Lions selection was like being dumped by a girlfriend in an experience that has left him uncertain of his place in England’s World Cup squad.
Sinckler is set to be picked in Steve Borthwick’s 33-man group that is announced on Monday morning with little doubt over his inclusion given he is first choice tighthead prop.
But the 30-year-old refuses to assume he will take part in his second World Cup after he was excluded from Warren Gatland’s British and Irish Lions squad in 2021 despite being considered a certainty to tour South Africa.
Andrew Porter was picked by Gatland, only for the Ireland front row to be ruled out by a toe injury, offering Sinckler a reprieve.
“The Lions experience taught me never to… I can’t really find another word for ‘granted’ because I don’t want to say I took it for granted… but I was like, ‘I’ve got a pretty good shot here’. And I ended up missing out on the squad,” Sinckler said.
“I was absolutely devastated and I was like, ‘I’m never going to have that little voice in my head ever saying ‘You’ll be all right’.
View this post on Instagram“That experience in itself was just crazy. Because obviously I initially didn’t make the squad and then you come to terms with that, you wish the boys the best of luck and you are focused on what you need to do.
“Then unfortunately for Andrew, he picked up an injury and that means I’m in – just as I was getting over it.
“It was like an ex dumping you and just as you’re getting over it all of a sudden she wants you back. You’re messing with my head! So it was a strange one.
“It’s about having that humility and respect for the game because rugby can humble you very quickly.”
Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls gifted their country a bronze on Independence Day on Sunday when they defeated New Zealand 52-45 in the play-off for third place at the Netball World Cup in South Africa.
It was the first time that Jamaica was defeating New Zealand twice in the same global tournament relegating the Silver Ferns to their worst ever World Cup result.
Needing to rebound from the disappointment of losing 57-54 to Australia in the semi-finals, which denied them the chance to play for the gold medal, Jamaica took control of the match against the injury-riddled Ferns, who were among the favourites to win the tournament.
The defending champions had lost star shooter Grace Nweke to injury during the pool games and then were hit with an injury to Gina Crampton who was forced to leave the game with an ankle injury.
Jhaniele Fowler scored 43 goals at 98 per cent accuracy to help lead the Sunshine Girls while Shamera Sterling and Jodi-Ann Ward defended stoutly to ensure that the Sunshine Girls would have some consolation from the competition.
Ward said she is proud of the way her team rebounded from the loss to Australia on Saturday.
“We were very disappointed because obviously we wanted to be in the gold-medal match but we had to shake it off and came out here and we’re proud of the girls how they came out here and performed,” she said.
Ward added that the team simply wanted to play well to end the tournament on a high following Saturday’s let-down.
“We, as a unit, just wanted to execute because we didn’t do that very well yesterday (Saturday) so we just wanted to come out and execute as best as we could. Kudos to New Zealand they really put on a performance; they forced us to change a lot of things that we would normally do but I am extremely proud we came out with the win.”
Maia Wilson was the leading scorer for New Zealand with 19 goals.
Saint Sam starred in final day double for Willie Mullins as the champion trainer ended another excellent week at the Galway Festival with 10 winners.
The Closutton handler has once again proved the dominant force at Ballybrit, with Zarak The Brave’s success in Thursday’s Galway Hurdle the obvious highlight of his double-figure haul.
Saint Sam was the 4-7 favourite to notch a fourth win from seven starts over fences in the the Eileen Kelly Memorial Chase and the result was never really in any doubt – quickly opening up a big lead under Paul Townend and coming home with 13 lengths in hand over Born By The Sea.
“That was a huge performance from him over that trip the way he did it. Paul never got a chance to settle him, he just galloped and jumped the two-mile-and-six,” said Mullins.
“I thought that was way better than anything he has shown. He’s given himself a very hard race, but it’s the way he likes to race.
“I think we’ll be looking at conditions races for him, but the Kerry National is worth a lot of money. We’ll think about it and he may be entered for it.”
Mullins teamed up with son Patrick to complete his brace as 4-9 favourite You Oughta Know followed up his debut bumper success at Kilbeggan with a straightforward win in the Fr. Breen Memorial (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.
Mullins said: “It was a good performance giving the second horse a stone (including rider’s claim).
“Patrick felt the ground was fast enough for him so we might put him by now before going jumping.
“It’s been a great week and the ground here is fantastic.”
The tough-as-teak Teed Up won the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle for the second year in succession on what was his third appearance at this year’s festival.
The Emmet Mullins-trained course favourite won the Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap on Monday night and was only narrowly denied a major double on the Flat by Brazil in Friday’s Guinness Handicap.
Reverting to obstacles, Teed Up was the 4-6 favourite in the hands of Conor Clarke and got the job done with a three-and-a-half-length success.
Mullins said: “He has a serious appetite for racing and is an unbelievable horse to have in the yard.
“He loves it here. It might not have seemed that likely in the dip, but as soon as he meets the rising ground, he grows another leg.
“He’s had a tough week and he could tell you what the traffic has been like coming up here this week! I’d imagine he’s earned a little break now and we can start planning for next year.”
My Design struck of odds of 14-1 in the Kenny Galway Handicap Hurdle for trainer Declan Queally and amateur rider Ray Barron, while Philip Dempsey’s Fighting Fit was a shock 33-1 winner of the Lord Hemphill Memorial Handicap Chase.
“Last year just didn’t go right, he had niggly problems the whole time. He never got a proper run at it last year and it’s great to get him back today,” said Dempsey.
“He could go to Listowel and it looks like he’ll probably get further judged on that. He didn’t travel early and lost his position a bit, but his jumping was very good and kept him in it.”
The Pittsburgh Penguins bolstered their blue line on Sunday by acquiring three-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson from the San Jose Sharks in a trade that also involved the Montreal Canadiens.
The 33-year-old Karlsson heads to Pittsburgh along with forward Rem Pitlick, forward Dillon Hamaliuk and San Jose's 2026 third-round draft pick.
The Sharks acquired forward Mikael Granlund, defenseman Jan Rutta, forward Mike Hoffman and Pittsburgh's 2024 first-round draft pick (top-10 protected).
Montreal landed defenseman Jeff Petry, goaltender Casey DeSmith, forward Nathan Legare and Pittsburgh's 2025 second-round draft pick.
Karlsson was the 15th overall pick in 2008 by Ottawa and spent his first nine seasons with the Senators after making his NHL debut in 2009-10.
He won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman in 2011-12 and 2014-15.
The Senators traded Karlsson to San Jose prior to the 2018-19 campaign, and the seven-time All-Star had a career season in 2022-23.
Karlsson set personal bests with 25 goals and 76 assists to become the first NHL defenseman to record 100 points since Brian Leetch accomplished the feat for the New York Rangers in 1991-92.
In 920 career games, Karlsson has recorded 178 goals and 583 assists. His 761 points rank 21st in the history of the NHL among defensemen.
Dunum delighted favourite-backers with a clear-cut victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF “Ahonoora” Handicap on the final day of the Galway Festival.
A winner at the track last season, Natalia Lupini’s five-year-old was making his second appearance of this year’s meeting after finishing a close-up third in the Colm Quinn BMW Mile on Tuesday.
With Billy Lee in the saddle, Dunum was the 100-30 market leader to go a couple of places better in this €110,000 feature and came home with two lengths in hand over Snapraeterea.
Lee said: “I thought it was going to be a big ask from stall 17 in a competitive handicap, but I got across nicely and he got me into a good position. I never really had any worries from there on.
“I was in front long enough and he was just doing enough in front. For a big handicap like that it was fairly straightforward.
“He gets a mile well and I just thought they didn’t go quick enough for him the other day and he was a bit keen. He’s an uncomplicated horse and just wants a nice gallop in front of him.”
Stromberg landed prohibitive odds in the Kinlay Hostel Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden.
Joseph O’Brien’s colt was a 1-5 shot to build on a promising debut when second at Leopardstown and did so in some style, pulling 10 lengths clear of his rivals under Dylan Browne McMonagle, who was confirmed as the week’s leading Flat rider with five winners.
He said: “It was a very messy race. I jumped a tad slow and the pace was low. Coming down the hill I didn’t know whether to switch in or come around them but I knew my lad would pick up good and I didn’t want to get into any trouble.
“When I did get him out he picked up really good. He’s sharpened up well from his first run and gets through that ground really well. I loved the way he galloped through the line.
“Five winners on a big week like this means a lot.”
Vauban is the star attraction at Naas on Monday, as the top-class hurdler bids to follow up Royal Ascot success in the Ballyroan Stakes and seal his ticket to the Melbourne Cup.
The 2022 Triumph Hurdle hero spent the last season plying his trade in top-class two-mile races over obstacles, chasing home stablemate State Man in three Grade One events as well as finishing fourth behind the mighty Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The Rich Ricci-owned five-year-old successfully reverted to the Flat at the Royal meeting in June, making much of the running and powering seven and a half lengths clear in the hands of Ryan Moore.
Vauban steps up to Group Three level for this latest assignment, in what is an important next step for the ante-post favourite on the road to the ‘race that stops a nation’ in Flemington on November 7.
Mullins said: “He’s in good form after his race at Ascot. Naas is only up the road rather than having to travel him to England and hopefully he’ll run well enough to qualify for the Melbourne Cup (needs to be placed in a Group race).
“It’s a shorter trip and probably different ground to Ascot. It also gives us time if things don’t go right to run again.
“All being well, Melbourne is the plan.”
Vauban’s rivals include Noel Meade’s Group Three and Group Two winner Lafayette and the Joseph O’Brien-trained Valiant King, who was beaten just a head by the King and Queen’s subsequent Gordon Stakes winner Desert Hero in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The most valuable race on the card is the Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes, with a total prize fund of €300,000 unsurprisingly attracting a strong challenge from Britain.
Among the raiding party is Innvincible Friend, who has only won one of his six starts to date but has finished second on three occasions. Trainer Tom Dascombe is hoping the application of cheek pieces will enable him raise his game.
“Innvincible Friend is a very experienced and very genuine horse and I’m sure he will run to his best,” said the Lambourn handler.
“We’ve just put cheekpieces on him for Monday as he can be a little bit lazy and I suppose that is why we’ve been able to run him so often.
“The ground doesn’t bother him at all – you could run him down the M4 motorway or in a bog and it would be all the same to him.
“It is a wonderful race and the owners are keen to go. Owning racehorses is about having fun and if you can pay for it along the way it’s a bonus. I don’t think this horse will be out of the prize-money.”
King Gold lunged late to deny British raiders Spycatcher and Saint Lawrence top-level success in a thrilling renewal of the Arc Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.
A field of 10 sprinters went to post for the Group One contest and the market was dominated by the raiding party, with the Karl Burke-trained Spycatcher the narrow favourite to supplement his course victory of four weeks ago.
Burke had a major second string to his bow in Cold Case, Tim Easterby also sent Art Power from Yorkshire following his latest win at the Curragh a fortnight ago and the Archie Watson-trained Saint Lawrence was out to supplement Royal Ascot success in the Wokingham Stakes.
In the end, though, the prize stayed at home.
Art Power soon adopted his customary pacesetting role in the hands of David Allan, but was a spent force entering the final furlong, at which stage Spycatcher looked likely to oblige in the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing colours after taking over the lead.
But having settled his mount out the back for much of the six-and-a-half-furlong journey, Stephane Pasquier produced Nicolas Caullery-trained grey King Gold with a late challenge and he held on to deny Spycatcher in the shadow of the post by a short head.
Saint Lawrence was just a neck further behind in third and may well have been even closer had he enjoyed a clearer passage.
Highclere’s managing director, Harry Herbert, said of Spycatcher: “Maxime (Guyon) said he was in front just before the line and after the line.
“He’s run an absolutely fantastic race. It’s extraordinary what Karl and his team have done. The vet said last year we should retire him and he’s not only come back but he’s come back to within a fraction of winning a Group One.
“It’s disappointing not to win, but at the same time we’re so thankful he’s doing what he’s doing, and on the right ground and the right conditions he’s pretty special.”
Bookmaker reaction to Spycatcher’s run was positive with the Sprint Cup at Haydock in mind, Coral cutting him to 10-1 from 16-1.
Herbert added: “We’re all pretty competitive so getting beaten in a Group One by a short head is agony right now – but he’s absolutely lethal when ground conditions are as easy as they are here and hopefully next time the nod goes our way.”
Caullery, saddling his first Group One winner, told Sky Sports Racing: “It’s a beautiful moment – it’s unbelievable. The owner is also the breeder and it’s a magic day.
“He started (the year) in Dubai and ran well in Dubai. When he came back to France he won a handicap and a Group Three and now a Group One, it’s fabulous.
“He can do a lot of things, six or seven furlongs. He’s a strong horse with a great mind.
“Life is too short, you have to enjoy every day and we do.”
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