FA Cup: Playing without fear key for Wenger as Welbeck returns to haunt Van Gaal March 9, 2015 MANCHESTER UNITED 1 ARSENAL 2 ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger insisted it was imperative his side approached their FA Cup clash against Manchester United without trepidation after the holders booked their semi-final spot with victory at Old Trafford last night. England forward Danny Welbeck, deemed surplus to requirements by his boyhood club last summer, returned to [...]
Golf Comment: Johnson ready to be contender at the Masters March 9, 2015 DUSTIN Johnson played magnificently on Sunday to win the WGC-Cadillac Championship in Miami by a single stroke and it continues an impressive comeback following his sixmonth leave of absence. When players return from long layoffs you just don’t know whether that time away from the game will take its toll in some capacity but that [...]
Injury robs Lancaster of duo for remainder of Six Nations March 9, 2015 ENGLAND centre Brad Barritt and flanker Tom Croft have been ruled out for the remainder of the Six Nations after suffering injuries while on club duty at the weekend. Barritt, who has not played for England since victory over Australia in the autumn, incurred an ankle injury during Saracens’ clash with Wasps on Sunday, while [...]
Alvisio Ville and Seedling to put it up to Douvan March 9, 2015 PUNTERS up and down the land will be waking up this morning and deciding which of the short-priced Willie Mullins horses to put into multiples. The most likely scenario is that the majority will put in all four together: Douvan, Un De Sceaux, Faugheen and Annie Power. But this is Cheltenham, the place where hotpots [...]
Vibrato each-way value against Un De Sceaux March 9, 2015 THE horse that most racegoers will be looking forward to seeing at Cheltenham this afternoon is Willie Mullin’s breathtaking novice chaser Un De Sceaux in the Racing Post Arkle (2.05pm). Not since Sprinter Sacre demolished his rivals in this race three years ago has a more exciting horse been sent over the larger obstacles. Unbeaten [...]
Top tips from: Paddy Power March 9, 2015 The Cheltenham Festival is without doubt our single busiest week of the year. Where casual punters and racing purists alike come together and celebrate all things tweed, with the best jumps racing in the world on show. More so than any other year, the betting landscape for the festival revolves around the Irish Champion trainer, [...]
Faugheen to prove he is the real deal in Champion March 9, 2015 BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS THE CHAMPION HURDLE AND MARES’ HURDLE THERE may only be a field of eight for this afternoon’s Stan James Champion Hurdle (3.20pm), but what we lack in quantity is more than made up for in terms of quality. Red-hot favourite FAUGHEEN may well be the name on everyone’s lips this afternoon, but [...]
Glens Melody likely to chase Annie home in Mares’ Hurdle March 9, 2015 CHELTENHAM without Quevega will seem a little strange this year as Willie Mullins’ wonder mare is not around to record a seventh straight win in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle (4.00pm). However, the all-conquering Mullins yard have nominated an able substitute in the extraordinarily talented Annie Power, whose only ever defeat came in last year’s World [...]
The Job Is Right can keep Irish eyes smiling in the four-miler March 9, 2015 BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS THE REMAINDER OF DAY ONE THE TOBY Balding National Hunt Chase (4.40pm) is run over four miles and only amateur riders can take part. I always keep a close eye out for the jockeys in this contest, as the better ones will have been offered loads of rides. Without doubt the leading [...]
Racing FX March 9, 2015 I’VE got three rides today and I’m on TELL US MORE in the Supreme Novices’ (1.30). He got beat in the Grade One at Naas in early January and we’re stepping back in trip today. I don’t think that will be a problem for him, he’s got a bit of class and he should run [...]