Mucho Macho Man ready to flex his muscles in the Breeders’ Cup Classic November 1, 2012 WITH its monster purses the Breeders’ Cup has never struggled to attract the top horses from around the globe and a strong European challenge has arrived in Santa Anita for the 29th annual championship. Considering Europe’s poor record in the Classic (12.35am), the $5 million (£3.1m) highlight of the two-day meeting on Sunday, it’s no [...]
Weird Al can land Wetherby’s Charlie Hall Chase for second year running November 1, 2012 ALTHOUGH the real big bucks are on offer on the other side of the pond this weekend, back on home soil, tomorrow’s bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby (3.25pm) marks the real start of the jumps season for most punters. Paul Nicholls’ Silviniaco Conti has been the one for money all week after a hugely [...]
Chelsea choose to step up referee race row complaint October 31, 2012 CHELSEA last night stepped up their complaint against referee Mark Clattenburg for allegedly using a racial term towards Nigerian John Obi Mikel by lodging a formal complaint with the Football Association but dropped their claim that the official also spoke inappropriately towards fellow midfielder Juan Mata. The club said they had been unable to collate [...]
Tottenham exit Cup after Lloris can’t halt Holt October 31, 2012 NORWICH CITY 2 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 TOTTENHAM manager Andre Villas-Boas last night refused to criticise the performance of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris after his failure to hold on to Grant Holt’s header allowed Simeon Jackson to secure Norwich City’s late winner. The in-form Gareth Bale had given Tottenham a 66th-minute lead before two goals in three [...]
Di Matteo: United win won’t tire us out October 31, 2012 CHELSEA 5 MANCHESTER UNITED 4 CHELSEA manager Roberto Di Matteo insisted their extra-time victory would help ease his players’ fatigue for the weekend after last night’s comeback set up a grudge quarter-final against Leeds United. Goals from Daniel Sturridge and Ramires finished off Manchester United after Chelsea had drawn level three times in 90 minutes, [...]
Swansea get one over Rodgers October 31, 2012 LIVERPOOL 1 SWANSEA 3 LIVERPOOL were last night eliminated from the Capital One Cup as manager Brendan Rodgers’s former side advanced to a quarter-final at home to Middlesbrough. Chico had given his side a deserved 34th-minute lead when heading in from a corner. The score remained 1-0 for much of the match before Nathan Dyer [...]
Arshavin praises Arsenal’s spirit in Reading comeback October 31, 2012 ARSENAL forward Andrey Arshavin believes that Tuesday night’s staggering 7-5 Capital One Cup victory over Reading shows that they finally possess the spirit that they have so often been accused of lacking. Arsene Wenger’s young side has in recent years displayed a worrying propensity to capitulate under pressure – something encapsulated in important matches against [...]
Ashton ban adds to England’s woes October 31, 2012 ENGLAND wing Chris Ashton has been ruled out of England’s first autumn international against Fiji after being suspended for one week from November 4 for a dangerous tackle on Northampton’s Vasily Artemyev. The Saracens summer signing has this season received three yellow cards – all for foul play – and consequently had to appear before [...]
Patel sets sights on a Test place as Pietersen fizzes on comeback October 31, 2012 ENGLAND all-rounder Samit Patel believes he has boosted his chances of nailing down a Test place after his 82 not out helped the tourists wrest back the initiative in their warm-up match against India A yesterday. Patel’s unbroken partnership of 153 with captain Alastair Cook, who made 112 not out, ensured England will go into [...]
Kauto Star was horse of my lifetime, says Walsh, as heroic chaser is retired October 31, 2012 JOCKEY Ruby Walsh has paid tribute to Kauto Star after the record-breaking steeplechaser’s retirement was confirmed yesterday. The Paul Nicholls-trained 12-year-old became the first horse to regain the Cheltenham Gold Cup and made history last year by winning a fifth King George VI Chase. Walsh, who partnered him on each of those occasions, said: “He’s [...]