Staring down the barrel of a massive payout March 12, 2012 THE first big Cheltenham story of the week could be as much about Paddy Power as the horses after we promised to refund all losing bets on today’s second race, the Arkle, if Sprinter Sacre wins. Jockey Barry Geraghty has been waxing lyrical about this horse and thinks we are stone mad, and we probably [...]
Uncle Junior can add to Ireland’s strong record in the Cross Country March 12, 2012 THERE are many who would rather stay in the Arkle Bar than watch the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, but the 3m7f race has genuinely been good to punters. While the Irish have won all seven renewals, it’s worth noting that five winners have been returned at 4/1 or shorter, while Sizing Australia wasn’t exactly a [...]
Arsenal leave it late to close gap on Spurs March 12, 2012 Last-gasp Vermaelen strike sees Gunners win fifth straight Premier League game and move to within a point of arch rivals ARSENAL 2 vs NEWCASTLE 1 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger lauded a “relentless effort” after unlikely hero Thomas Vermaelen’s 94th-minute winner swept his side to within a point of rivals Tottenham. The centre-back finally made Gunners [...]
Class act Rose deserving of his moment in the sun March 12, 2012 A SPLENDID tournament in America over the weekend produced a fittingly magnificent winner in Justin Rose. Much of the early season focus has rightly fallen on Rory McIlroy’s rise to No1 in the world rankings and a resurgent Tiger Woods, but Rose’s performance in taming Doral Resort’s Blue Monster course at the WGC-Cadillac Championship provided [...]
Lancaster must wait to discover England fate March 12, 2012 ENGLAND’S rousing Six Nations victory over France on Sunday was not enough to guarantee interim head coach Stuart Lancaster the job on a permanent basis but it did go a long way to strengthening his case, according to the Rugby Football Union’s chief executive Ian Ritchie. Lancaster received the unequivocal backing of his players following [...]
Dope ban ruling within a month, says Moynihan March 12, 2012 BRITISH Olympic Association chief Lord Moynihan expects to know within a month whether the body has won its legal battle to prevent drug cheats ever representing Team GB. Moynihan said he was cautiously optimistic after yesterday’s Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing in London, which will determine whether sprinter Dwain Chambers can compete at London [...]
Awesome Kauto Star ready for crack at third Gold Cup March 12, 2012 TWO-TIME champion Kauto Star’s bid for a third Cheltenham Gold Cup has been given the green light, with trainer Paul Nicholls dispelling fears over the 12-year-old’s fitness with a ringing endorsement. Nicholls (inset) described the renowned chaser as “awesome”, “foot perfect” and “magnificent” following a schooling yesterday morning taken by jockey Ruby Walsh, who will [...]
Boardman tips Wiggins for Tour March 12, 2012 CYCLING: Three-time stage winner Chris Boardman is tipping 2012 to be Londoner Bradley Wiggins’ year in the Tour de France. Wiggins won the Paris-Nice on Sunday, and Boardman said: “This is his best ever chance to win it.”
France ring changes for Wales March 12, 2012 RUGBY UNION: Sunday’s defeat to England has prompted France coach Philippe Saint-Andre to make six changes to his squad for Saturday’s trip to Wales. Teenage back Jean-Marcellin Buttin’s inclusion is the biggest surprise.
Talking horses… March 11, 2012 BE selective has always been my motto when it comes to choosing which of the various Cheltenham preview evenings to attend and I always give a wide berth to those panellists who continually sit on the fence. So, when I got a call telling me that four of the best informed judges in the game [...]