Johns Spirit can go well in effort to make Paddy Power history November 13, 2014 BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS CHELTENHAM’S OPEN MEETING NO HORSE has ever won back-to-back renewals of the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham, but 2013 winner JOHNS SPIRIT (2.30pm) has the right attributes as he goes in search of history tomorrow afternoon. Jonjo O’Neill’s charge loves Cheltenham – three of his four chase wins have been at [...]
Well-handicapped Vaniteux hard to oppose in the Greatwood Hurdle November 13, 2014 REGULAR readers will know I’m not inclined to put up 7/2 shots in a race as competitive as Sunday’s StanJames.com Greatwood Hurdle (3.15pm), but it’s impossible not to side with VANITEUX, even carrying top weight for this big prize. The rumours emanating from Seven Barrows suggest the Supreme Novices’ third could be a dark horse [...]
Rooney to mark century with goal as Three Lions march on to Euro 2016 November 13, 2014 BEN CLEMINSON PREVIEWS ENGLAND V SLOVENIA AND HARRY MADLEY LOOKS AT ENGLAND V SOUTH AFRICA WAYNE Rooney will join a select band of nine England players tomorrow when he wins his 100th cap for the national side against Slovenia at Wembley. The debate will rumble on about what the striker has really achieved in an [...]
England set to capitalise on Springboks’ inconsistency November 13, 2014 THERE is a theme of stability about Stuart Lancaster’s team as England prepare to take on South Africa at Twickenham tomorrow. Serving soldier Semesa Rokoduguni, who is side-lined through a hip injury, is the only starting change from last weekend. The Fijian-born flyer’s Bath colleague, Anthony Watson, wins his second cap and replaces him on [...]
Rugby spread betting with sporting index November 13, 2014 SPORTING Index offers hundreds of markets on the Autumn Internationals so whether you want to get with, or against, a team or player, the spread betting company is the place to head. Traders will price up a huge number of scenarios. For example, the time of England’s first try tomorrow is priced at 36-39. If [...]
IRB Player of the Year 2014 nominations: Jonny Sexton and All Blacks’ Julian Savea and Brodie Retallick in line for rugby accolade November 13, 2014 Jonny Sexton could have an individual award to add to his Six Nations medal, after the Ireland fly-half was nominated for the IRB Player of the Year 2014. Sexton is the only European up for the rugby union accolade, with the four other nominees coming from either South Africa or New Zealand. The [...]
Sponsors ready to ditch Blades over Evans row November 12, 2014 SHEFFIELD United last night came under renewed pressure to cut ties with convicted rapist Ched Evans after two major sponsors warned they would consider withdrawing their support if the club signed the forward. Evans this week moved a step closer to rejoining the League One side, who he played for before being jailed in 2012, [...]
World Cup bid probe set to clear Qatar but take aim at England November 12, 2014 QATAR’S controversial but successful bid to stage the 2022 World Cup is expected to be exonerated of serious wrongdoing today by governing body Fifa’s official investigation. But England are expected to be criticised for their approach to bidding for the 2018 tournament, which was awarded to Russia. German judge Hans-Joachim Eckert is this morning due [...]
Springboks ring the changes for Red Rose clash November 12, 2014 SOUTH Africa coach Heyneke Meyer insists the sweeping changes he has made to his team for Saturday’s Test against England are not a reaction to last week’s defeat to Ireland. Meyer has dropped five players and recalled the likes of World Cup winners JP Pietersen and Schalk Burger for the Test at Twickenham, England’s second [...]
Djokovic turns on style to beat Wawrinka at O2 November 12, 2014 WORLD No1 Novak Djokovic stayed on course for a third successive ATP World Tour Finals title with a blistering annihilation of Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka last night in London. Djokovic, who is seeking his fourth success overall at the lucrative season-ending tournament, won 12 out of 13 games to thrash Wawrinka 6-3, 6-0 at [...]