Albertas Run can take another Melling Chase April 7, 2011 TONY McCoy warmed up for his Grand National success last year by taking Friday’s Grade 1 Melling Chase (3.05pm) aboard ALBERTAS RUN and I fully expect them to be in the winner’s enclosure again this afternoon. The key to Jonjo O’Neill’s high class 10-year-old is having genuine good ground and the sun on his back. [...]
Friend in high places April 7, 2011 SOME jockeys riding in the Grand National are very superstitious. Several will walk out of Aintree’s weighing room just before 4pm tomorrow with lucky charms tucked away, others will wear undergarments that have supposedly brought them luck in the past. Not 27-year-old Daryl Jacob, the man chosen to partner the well fancied What A Friend [...]
Rooney and referee give Carlo Blues April 6, 2011 CHELSEA (1) vs MANCHESTER UTD (0) CHELSEA manager Carlo Ancelotti accused the referee of cowardice after being denied a late penalty in a defeat that leaves his side facing an uphill task to keep their Champions League quest alive. A first half strike from in-form striker Wayne Rooney gave Manchester United the lead but the [...]
McDowell relishing Masters spotlight April 6, 2011 RYDER CUP star Graeme McDowell insists he’s far from daunted at the prospect of playing the opening two rounds of his Masters campaign alongside Tiger Woods. McDowell, the US Open champion, played with Woods in the third round two years ago and was outscored 70-73, but he has come a long way since then, while [...]
James buys a stake in Reds April 6, 2011 BASKETBALL superstar LeBron James has taken a stake in Liverpool as part of a partnership with the club’s American owners, in an unprecedented move that aligns two of the world’s biggest sporting brands. James, twice named Most Valuable Player in the NBA, has acquired the minority shareholding in the Anfield team as part of a [...]
Lennon: Don’t make me Tottenham’s scapegoat April 6, 2011 TOTTENHAM winger Aaron Lennon insists his manager Harry Redknapp was aware there was chance he would miss Tuesday’s 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Real Madrid as early as last Sunday and hit back at suggestions the size of the occasion caused his last minute withdrawal. Redknapp claimed the England star was unable to play [...]
BOA back down over cash row April 6, 2011 OLYMPICS: Lord Coe, chair of London 2012 organisers Locog, insists he no longer sees the cash wrangle with the British Olympic Association as a dispute. Coe’s comments came after the BOA backed down in the row by asking Locog for fresh talks and putting on hold their legal action with the Court of Arbitration for [...]
Cueto facing lengthy ban April 6, 2011 RUGBY UNION: England winger Mark Cueto has been cited for eye gouging. The charge carries a minimum ban of 12 weeks, jeopardising his hopes for the World Cup in September. Cueto is alleged to have made contact with the eye area during Saturday’s Premiership clash with Northampton. He’ll appear before an RFU disciplinary panel next [...]
Mickelson’s the Master, but Aussie Aaron appeals April 6, 2011 THE MASTERS 2011 STARTS TODAY – 7PM, SKY SPORTS HANDS up who can spot the difference at the top of the US Masters betting list this year? At first glance it has a highly familiar look about it. PHIL MICKELSON and Tiger Woods again head the field although this time 12/1-shot Tiger – who has [...]
Scotsman Laird can be best of ‘Brits Abroad’ April 6, 2011 WHILE the European Tour has grown in stature and Martin Kaymer and co have established themselves at the top of the world order, across the pond Scotsman Martin Laird has quietly progressed through the ranks to become one of the biggest dangers on the American circuit. He earned his summons to the Masters thanks to [...]