Punters lose £3m on Saint Nick June 1, 2010 RACING: Bookmakers estimate that punters may have lost up to £3m in early wagers after long-time favourite St Nicholas Abbey pulled out of the Epsom Derby with a “slight muscle injury”. The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt failed to impress jockey Johnny Murtagh in a workout on Friday where it was found he was suffering from a [...]
Widdop gets shock England call June 1, 2010 RUGBY LEAGUE: Melbourne Storm full-back Gareth Widdop is the surprise inclusion in England’s 19-man squad for the international against France on 12 June. Widdop, 21, was born in Halifax but emigrated to Australia when he was 16. He is one of three uncapped players in Steve McNamara’s squad and is preferred to Hull KR’s Shaun [...]
Williams out for Wales Tests June 1, 2010 RUGBY UNION: Shane Williams has been ruled out of Wales’ Tests against South Africa and New Zealand with a shoulder injury. The absence of the Ospreys winger, who is Wales’ record try-scorer with 51 to his name, gives Leigh Halfpenny his chance in Saturday’s clash with the Springboks at the Millennium Stadium. James Hook has [...]
Red Bull pair look to move on June 1, 2010 FORMULA ONE: Mark Webber is set to hold clear-the-air talks with Red Bull team-mate Sebastian Vettel following their collision at the Turkish Grand Prix on Sunday. A feud between the pair erupted after Vettel spun out attempting to pass race leader Webber in Istanbul, allowing rivals McLaren to claim a one-two. “We’re both adults and [...]
It’s a tense time for Fabio’s fringes May 31, 2010 WATCHING the anguish on the faces of those players unsure of their place in the World Cup squad, brings back daunting memories. It wasn’t quite so bad for me in 1986 as I had played a lot of the build-up and was pretty sure I would be included, but 1990 was quite different. Basically, it [...]
Capello buoyed by “very positive” talks as FA chiefs look to secure his future May 31, 2010 FABIO CAPELLO was said to have held “very positive” talks with Club England chairman Sir Dave Richards last night to iron out his future. The Italian is said to want assurances from Richards before agreeing to write off a release clause in his contract and commit his future until 2012. The clause states that either [...]
I’ll bring Euro joy to Real in two years, vows Mourinho May 31, 2010 JOSE MOURINHO has targeted Champions League success with Real Madrid within two years after officially being unveiled as the Spanish giants’ new coach yesterday. The Portuguese coach joined Real on a four-year deal after leading Inter Milan to an unprecedented Italian treble, including a first European Cup success in 45 years. And the ex-Chelsea boss [...]
Steve’s showing some-Finn rather special for England May 31, 2010 CAPTAIN Andrew Strauss hailed new strike bowling sensation Steven Finn after his man-of-the-match display set up a comfortable victory over Bangladesh in the first Test at Lord’s. The 6ft 7in Middlesex pace man completed a nine-wicket haul in only his third Test match as England wrapped up an eight-wicket victory in the first game of [...]
200-up Nadal on course to reclaim title May 31, 2010 RAFAEL NADAL buried his French Open demons to chalk up his 200th victory on clay and waltz into the quarter-finals at Roland Garros. The four-time champion suffered a shock defeat to Robin Soderling at this stage last year, but never looked in any danger of repeating the feat, comfortably beating young Brazilian Thomasz Bellucci in [...]
Sarries step up revenge bid with double signing May 31, 2010 BEATEN Premiership finalists Saracens have completed their recruitment for next season by clinching the signings of Nils Mordt and Matt Parr. Zimbabwean-born centre Mordt is an England Saxons and Sevens international who has had spells at London Irish, Northampton and Harlequins. Also on board is loosehead prop Parr, who returns to the top-flight from Nottingham [...]