EP: 173 Cheltenham & Hong Kong The December Gold Cup and the International Hurdle at Cheltenham headline the weekend jumps racing in the UK, weather permitting. There are four Grade 1 races with an international feel at Sha Tin racecourse this weekend and City AM Racing editor Bill Esdaile joins Wally Pyrah to preview the best of Sunday’s stellar card in Hong [...]
(Over)performing Lions: Can England keep defying data and beat France at World Cup? What the numbers say It is easy to see why bookmakers have anointed France, the reigning champions and home of the best player at this World Cup, Kylian Mbappe, as favourites for Saturday’s quarter-final against England. But should they? Based purely on performances in Qatar over the last fortnight, England can make a strong case of their own. They [...]
Packing Famous to provide Purton with another claim to fame IF ZAC Purton hasn’t broken enough records already this season, the reigning five-time Champion Jockey has a chance of becoming the most successful pilot in the history of the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship by winning his fourth title in the four-race series. Another treble last Sunday saw the Zac-Man climb up to 54 winners for [...]
Bowman and Hayes’ strength to be Forte-fied December 6, 2022 HAPPY Valley will be the centre of attention in Hong Kong on Wednesday, when the inner-city track hosts its flagship event of the year, the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship, worth around £50,000 to the rider who accumulates the most points in the four-race series. With so much money at stake, it’s not surprising that some [...]
The rise, rise and fall of Eddie Jones at the helm of England December 6, 2022 He has the best winning percentage of any coach to have been in charge of England and he took a team from one of their lowest points in recent times to an unlikely World Cup final, but Eddie Jones is down and out – and English rugby is poorer for it. Whether it was his [...]
Freed From Desire: Why did 90s hit become England’s World Cup goal music? December 6, 2022 Lashed home by Harry Kane, dinked by Bukayo Saka or headed by Jude Bellingham, each England goal at this World Cup has had one thing in common. All have been celebrated to the sound of 90s dance hit Freed From Desire, the track that the Three Lions nominated to be played every time they rippled [...]
England head coach runners and riders: Borthwick, Smith and McCall December 6, 2022 With Eddie Jones given the boot by the Rugby Football Union yesterday, attention quickly turned to who could take over one of the biggest coaching jobs in world rugby. While many of the favourites are shackled in coaching jobs with other teams, there’s no doubt England will do all they can to get the man [...]
Ronaldo close to £172m-a-year Al-Nassr contract: Here are the most expensive sports deals ever December 6, 2022 Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly close to agreeing to a contract with Saudi Arabian football club, Al-Nassr, in a deal that could see the striker earn £172.9m a year – the most expensive contract ever offered to a sports player. The 37-year-old footballer mutually agreed to terminate his contract with Manchester United this November, after his relationship with [...]
Eddie Jones sacked: England Rugby coach axed after team’s worst year since 2008 December 6, 2022 England Rugby have sacked head coach Eddie Jones after seven years in charge following a review of the team’s dismal form. The move comes just nine months before he was due to lead England at another Rugby World Cup, having guided them to the final in 2019. England forwards coach Richard Cockerill is to take [...]
World Cup briefing: Why and how to watch Tuesday’s last-16 matches December 6, 2022 Now we’re all hopelessly addicted to daily World Cup action, best to drink in today’s two matches in the round of 16 – the last games before a horrifying two-day break. Here’s a preview of Tuesday’s fixtures. Morocco v Spain, 3pm, ITV Spain will be fancied to beat Morocco, who have never been past this [...]