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SOPHIA’S STARLIGHT (3.45 Pontefract, nap)

There was a lot to like about the way she ploughed through the mud to win a slightly stronger race than this at Newmarket last time. She went from the front at HQ and battled right to the line when fighting off the challengers. A 2lb rise in the weights for that looks more than fair and we know she likes this trip and relishes the conditions.

PLATINUM PRINCE (5.15 Bath, nb)

Loved the mud when landing a hotter handicap at Goodwood last week. The second home has since won in a much higher grade and he can strike under a 4lb penalty.

JUST TEN HIGH (4.35 Southwell, treble)

He has won both starts since going handicapping and had plenty left in the tank here last time. He tackles an extra furlong today but staying should be no problem and there’s more to come.

PROFITEER (5.20 Pontefract)

He rarely runs a bad race and was right at home when scoring on deep going here 14 days ago. This trip suits and a 3lb rise looks fair for Tim Easterby’s hope. He looks good for the Lucky 15.

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Fight week wasn’t smooth for Francis Ngannou, nor was the fight camp for his return to MMA.

The former UFC champion has experienced a ton personally and professionally since leaving the promotion early in 2022.

Some things were great. Ngannou (18-3) landed a lucrative contract with PFL that allowed him the freedom to compete in boxing, and he did that twice against a pair of champion-level heavyweights. Even though he lost both fights, an event that occurred between the bouts against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua nearly broke him.

Ngannou endured an unthinkable tragedy when his 15-month-old son Kobe died unexpectedly.

For a while, Ngannou struggled to process everything. He didn’t know which direction he wanted to go in life. As the days passed and the healing process began, he found a purpose in competition. Now, he was doing it for Kobe.

While Ngannou found a purpose, the days before his return to MMA to face Renan Ferreira at PFL: Battle of the Giants were not without mental hurdles. He admits there were days in camp when he was overcome with emotions and even questioned whether he wanted to compete during fight week, yet that purpose kept him pushing forward.

“Sometimes, it’s good to just take it one at a time,” Ngannou said in his dressing room after the fight. “Some days are tougher than others, and you just have to tell yourself, deal with this day, and tomorrow you will find out. Even when I came here in Riyadh, I landed on Thursday night. On Friday morning, I had a second thought about this fight because my rib was hurting so bad. We checked at the hospital and it was nothing, it was just a pain, but it was painful.

“Overall, during the camp, there was days that you break down, and get very emotional. You don’t want to keep going and you just give it a shot. It’s all about one foot at a time, let me see how it goes.”

Ngannou’s process worked. He made it to the PFL’s cage 1,000 days after his previous MMA fight, when he defeated Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 to defend the heavyweight title. His return didn’t last long. Just three and a half minutes was all it took to put Ferreira (13-4) out with punches.

“The Predator” is back, and now has a win in Saudi Arabia, where he lost both boxing bouts. However, the location of his emotional return wasn’t on his mind. It was all about Kobe, which he says meant more than his UFC title wins.

“I wasn’t thinking about it like having a win here in Riyadh, I was thinking about it just like a fight for my son,” Ngannou said. “Keeping my son in memory feels more better than everything. Make people remember him.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL: Battle of the Giants.

Chelsea’s Johanna Rytting Kaneryd impresses with two goal-of-the-season contenders in a convincing 5-2 victory over Tottenham as the Blues maintained their perfect start to the Women’s Super League season.

MATCH REPORT: Chelsea 5-2 Tottenham Hotspur

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MANCHESTER UNITED produced a rousing comeback to beat Brentford at Old Trafford.

Goals by Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund cancelled out Ethan Pinnock’s first-half opener.

The Red Devils’ win will ease pressure on beleaguered boss Erik ten Hag, who this week defiantly blasted reports that he is on the verge of the sack.

On a crucial afternoon for Ten Hag and Co, here’s how SunSport rated each United performer.

ANDRE ONANA – 6
Did not have much to do for a lot of the game but pulled out a good first-half save to deny Christian Norgaard.

DIOGO DALOT – 6
Good display from right-back and almost capped it with a goal when he stormed forward only to have his effort beaten away by Mark Flekken.

MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 6
At the centre of the controversy in first-half injury time as he had to leave the field with a bleeding head wound when Brentford scored from a corner. He was already looking suspect, as was the bandage that was put on his head early in the game in the first place.

JONNY EVANS – 7
Continuing an amazing end to his career at Old Trafford. Man of the Match last time out in the goalless draw at Aston Villa and looked solid again. Great ovation when he came off towards the end.

LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 7
Shifted to an unaccustomed left-back spot but without problems and was particularly good getting forward down the flank.

CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 6
Chosen alongside Casemiro instead of new buy Manuel Ugarte who was on the bench again, but struggled to get into this game although he was involved for Hojlund’s goal. Thankful for the referee’s whistle in the first period calling play back for a foul after missing a sitter.

CASEMIRO – 5
Looked like he was off in the summer but back in the team although looking to be missing a yard and often beaten to the ball.

MARCUS RASHFORD – 7
Does not operate as well on the right but Garnacho was so good down the left. Highlight of his first half was an incredible crossfield ball from right to left to set up Garnacho. Then in the second he provided the assist for Garnacho’s leveller.

BRUNO FERNANDES – 7
Tried to orchestrate something from midfield but looked a frustrated figure in the first period. Then he showed his class after the break with that great little flick to set up Hojlund for his goal.

ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 8
Had an all action first half after switching from the right to the left but wasted too many chances. Made up for it in the second with a fine finish from Rashford’s cross in a Man of the Match performance.

RASMUS HOJLUND – 7
After getting one in Porto to open his season’s account he is now off and running with his first league goal of the campaign. A cool, clever chipped little finish it was too. The hope will be that starts a much needed run of goals but he needs to see more of the ball.

SUBSTITUTES

Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 74) – 5
Strange change to make after Hojlund had just scored. His replacement fluffed the one half chance he had.

Victor Lindelof (for Evans, 89) – 6
A change that largely gave the fans a chance to acclaim Evans’ performance.

Manuel Ugarte (for Casemiro, 88) – 6
A change that probably should have come earlier.