Toulouse minority owner: Prem Rugby franchising ‘very exciting’ March 11, 2026 A ringfenced Prem Rugby should be seen as an exciting prospect that could one day chase down the powerhouse Top 14 league, according to a co-owner of six-time Investec Champions Cup winners Toulouse. The RFU Council voted through measures last month that ended automatic promotion and relegation from Prem Rugby to the second-tier Champ. It [...]
Birmingham City: How Wagner and West Mids Mayor unlocked stadium plan March 11, 2026 Last year, at the end of January, the Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker picked up the phone to Birmingham City owner Tom Wagner to hear a football club shareholder frustrated with the public interest surrounding the construction of a new arena for Manchester United rather than his stadium project in Britain’s second city. [...]
Itoje and Pollock can boost Britain’s soft power on global stage, MP says March 10, 2026 England captain Maro Itoje and teammate Henry Pollock have been backed to become ambassadors for the country. Steve Borthwick’s England side may be on a dire run of three consecutive defeats but Liberal Democrat MP Edward Morello insists the pair, alongside Women’s Rugby World Cup winning Red Roses, can help to project Britain’s soft power [...]
Pour yourself a Koktail Wen Divin goes in March 10, 2026 PUNTERS are treated to another fantastic card on day two of the Cheltenham Festival and the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (2.00pm) is a fascinating renewal. 16 runners go to post and it’s a massively competitive contest, with a whole host of smart horses declared to take their chance. Romeo Coolio heads the betting at 5/2 [...]
A Diplomatic approach is required in the Turners March 10, 2026 A MAXIMUM field of 22 runners go to post for Wednesday’s opener, the Turners Novices’ Hurdle (1.20pm), which is a refreshing sight. It’s an extremely competitive renewal and whilst it’s not an easy puzzle for punters, it looks a brilliant spectacle to open the day. I’ve respect for several at the head of the betting, [...]
Skelton’s Sud could pick up the pieces if Maj falters March 10, 2026 TODAY’s feature race is the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (4.00pm) where many people’s banker of the Festival, Majborough, is a red-hot favourite. Willie Mullins’ six-year-old was a breathtaking winner at last month’s Dublin Racing Festival and since then has been a strong favourite. With last year’s winner of this race, Marine Nationale, not able [...]
Release The Beast with Addragoole in Grand Annual March 10, 2026 CHELTENHAM handicaps are always difficult but the Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup (4.40pm) is about as tough as they come. The Skeltons look to have laid out Be Aware for this, and he has obvious claims after three decent runners-up efforts. He looks well handicapped off a mark of 147, but he’s a [...]
Hayes’ China can Win to gain place in HK Derby March 10, 2026 HONG Kong racing fans can look forward to an exciting and highly competitive nine-race programme at Happy Valley tomorrow which features the Craigengower Cricket Club Challenge Cup (12.40pm) over six furlongs. With half-a-dozen favourites obliging at Sha Tin on Sunday, bettors are guaranteed to be on good terms with themselves and hoping for continued good [...]
Atzeni to keep winning streak going aboard Spirit March 10, 2026 IT IS fair to say 34-year-old Sardinian born jockey Andrea Atzeni is having the time of his life in Hong Kong at present. Notching 10 wins in the past month, including a four-timer at Sha Tin last Sunday, has catapulted Atzeni into third place in the jockeys’ championship table with 35 wins, behind only Zac [...]
£9bn World Cup too big to be derailed by Middle East conflict, says Fifa chief March 10, 2026 Fifa has ruled out the prospect of the escalating conflict in the Middle East posing a threat to this summer’s World Cup and is still hopeful that Iran will take up their place. The US and Israel’s attacks and Iran’s retaliatory strikes have caused huge upheaval in the region just three months out from the [...]