The postponement of Saturday’s Chautauqua Stakes, which some thought might have been a missed opportunity for Persian Spirit, was not necessarily seen that way by his trainer Symon Wilde.

The Cable Bay gelding had been backed into $2.40 after the skies opened before the 1300-metre Group 3 race, which was eventually called off due to lightning and heavy rain forcing an early end to the day’s racing.

While Persian Spirit has a prior win on a Heavy track and was considered to benefit from Saturday’s downpour, Wilde’s confidence was not as significantly boosted as the punters.

“I actually prefer him on dry ground because he’s more dynamic,” Wilde commented.

“You’d never scratch him on a wet track, but I actually think he’s at his absolute best on a (Soft) 5 or a 6.”

The Chautauqua Stakes will now be contested this Wednesday at Sandown, alongside the 1600m benchmark 84 race that was also lost on Saturday.

Persian Spirit is once again the favourite for the rescheduled running, priced at $3.20, with Tennessee Bound at $4.20 and Warnie on the third line at $5.

Sandown was rated a Heavy 8 on Monday morning, but sunny conditions are predicted for Melbourne on Monday afternoon and Tuesday, with a chance of showers on Wednesday.

The race rescheduling means two trips to Sandown from Warrnambool in five days for Persian Spirit, but Wilde indicated the first trip did not appear to have impacted him.

“We gave him a little bit of evens on the grass this morning at Warrnambool and he’s all set to go,” Wilde said on Monday morning.

“He was out in his paddock yesterday, he’ll go the beach tomorrow and he’s eating up well.

“It doesn’t look like it’s knocked him around at all.”

Wilde’s initial intention was to aim for the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) the following Saturday after the Chautauqua Stakes. He mentioned that while the new timing is not ideal, he would likely proceed with the Group 1 opportunity if the horse performs well on Wednesday.

Persian Spirit commenced his campaign with a narrow second placing to Shadhavar in the Listed Regal Roller (1200m) at Caulfield on August 15.

“That was always the aim, to be third up in the Rupert Clarke,” Wilde stated.

“We planned to be first-up then three weeks then two weeks into the 1400 metres.

“It’s definitely not ideal but if he happened to win on Wednesday we’ll probably stick to that plan.”

With the Chautauqua Stakes rescheduled for Wednesday, punters can assess the racing odds at various Australian betting sites.

Tyson Fury’s claim that he has turned his attention to a third fight with Oleksandr Usyk has been rubbished by the Ukrainian’s managers.

Negotiations are still ongoing for a heavyweight clash between Fury and Anthony Joshua in November, but Fury insists his fellow Briton is seeking ways to back out of the deal.

Fury has issued a series of messages on social media to Usyk, who beat him in May and December 2024, proposing the unbeaten 39-year-old steps in to turn their rivalry into a trilogy.

But in a statement to Sky Sports News, Usyk’s manager Sergey Lapin said: “Usyk is not Tyson’s back-up plan.

“If Fury needs an opponent, he should visit the Ready to Fight platform. They can help him find a worthy opponent there.

“Oleksandr is always open to big challenges. But serious intentions are backed by a concrete offer, not statements in the press.”

Usyk vacated his three heavyweight belts in June, shortly after beating former kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in Cairo. But he has made no indication of retirement.

Fury insisted on Sunday that he had given up on facing Joshua, who “would never fight the Gypsy King”, and announced that he was looking for a new opponent.

Fury and Joshua have already signed individual contracts for the fight but negotiations have stalled over the venue, with Joshua reportedly insisting it takes place in London, while other options including New York’s Madison Square Garden are also being considered.

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines returns a shot against Iva Jovic of the United States during their Women’s Singles Third Round match on Day Seven of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 05, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP

Filipino sensation Alex Eala said she can’t wait to experience the “really fun environment” of the Asian Games after a battling defeat in the third round of the US Open.

The rising 21-year-old will be the favorite to win women’s singles gold when the Games begin in Japan on September 19.

At the previous edition of the Games, in 2023 in China, Eala went home with bronze medals in singles and mixed doubles.

READ: Alex Eala on upcoming Asian Games stint: ‘I love being with PH team’

Much has changed for Eala since, last month becoming the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA singles crown and now ranked 18 in the world.

Her ground-breaking exploits have made her a superstar back home.

“I love playing and competing with the Philippines team,” Eala said after her agonizing three-set loss to United States teenager Iva Jovic in New York on Saturday.

Proud Filipino Eala has been a regular at the Southeast Asian Games, winning singles gold last year, and she added: “I think it’s a really fun environment, and I love being with the team, especially this last SEA Games in December, I had such a great time.

“I think they are really memories that stick with me.”

China’s Zheng Qinwen won Asian Games singles gold three years ago on home turf.

She will not defend her title in Aichi-Nagoya.

Also not involved will be Japan’s four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who will be in action at the China Open in Beijing.

Eala will miss Beijing knowing that gold at the Asian Games will seal an automatic berth at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Eala is set to play at the Singapore Open on September 21-27, with the Asian Games women’s singles starting the same day that Singapore ends.

Nxled is headed to the PVL Finals for the first time in franchise history. —MARLO CUETO

The wait, for Nxled, was almost as nerve-wracking as its own survival match.

In fact, for setter Gel Cayuna, it was more tense.

“Personally, I was more nervous watching the other teams play than during our own game,” she said.

Cayuna and the Chameleons secured at least a battle for bronze berth after beating the Farm Fresh Foxies, 25-20, 25-21, 18-25, 25-22, in the first game of Sunday’s triple header.

“After our game against Farm Fresh, there was nothing else we could do but wait and hope the results [of the other games] would go our way,” the new Nxled setter told the Inquirer in Filipino.

To book their breakthrough PVL finals appearance, they needed a losing result from either EST Cola of Thailand or Creamline, which was led by the 6-foot-5 Jaja Santiago-Minowa.

The Thais made short work of Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City in straight sets to dash that Nxled path and reach their own route to their first-ever PVL finals.

That EST win, the guest team’s fourth straight, also dethroned PLDT even before its match against Creamline, which put the Chameleons last hope hanging by a thread.

However, despite being relegated to the battle for third, Savi Davison played her heart out and set a new career-high 37 points, as PLDT clipped Creamline, and forged a 25-17, 23-25, 21-25, 25-23, 15-12 victory on Sunday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum despite Santiago-Minowa’s nine blocks and 25 points.

That also gave Nxled its first PVL Finals appearance as it battles EST Cola in a winner-take-all duel on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

“It was really exciting and fulfilling to get the result we needed, especially since making the Finals was no longer in our control,” said Cayuna, as all three teams finished at 3-2 (win-loss).

Nxled advanced through the FIVB point-system tiebreak with 10 points, ahead of Creamline’s nine and PLDT’s eight.

In just her second tournament as a Chameleon, the two-time Season Best Setter has adapted to the system of Nxled under Italian coach Ettore Guidetti and the core composed of champion players from the defunct Petro Gazz.

“It’s very fulfilling, especially considering how little time we had together to prepare and build our connection as a team. I’m grateful that we’re finally seeing the results of all our hard work,” Cayuna said on the heels of the milestone achieved despite missing three-time MVP Brooke Van Sickle due to a shoulder injury.

“And knowing that this is Nxled’s first time reaching the Finals makes it even more special for all of us.”

Cayuna has been maximizing the talent around her, with MJ Phillips and her fellow ex-Cignal Jackie Acuña manning the middle, while Jonah Sabete-Escamillan, EJ Laure-Cariño and Myla Pablo led the offense.

It will be Cayuna’s fourth PVL finals—settling for bridesmaid finishes in her first three with Cignal, including the All-Filipino Conference last May just days before her previous team filed for leave of absence.

As one of the most experienced players for first-time finalist Nxled, the Far Eastern University product gets another shot at an elusive PVL title against an international club.

“There’s really nothing new with my mindset. For me, every game is important, so you always have to prepare mentally and physically. Every game, you have to give your best,” said Cayuna. INQ

The AFC South is shaping up to be one of the NFL’s most unpredictable divisions this season. The Houston Texans have held the crown for years, but can they reclaim the division with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ young core not going away any time soon?

With a healthy Daniel Jones back for the Indianapolis Colts and veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen now in the fold, the Colts could make some real noise. Over in Tennessee, the arrival of Robert Saleh puts a rebuilding Titans team in a prime position to play spoiler down the stretch.

If you want to know how the AFC South will unfold, the “First Things First” group of co-hosts were all over it. On Thursday’s show, Nick Wright, Danny Parkins, and Chris Broussard broke down the AFC South. They didn’t stop at general commentary, either. The trio made their definitive predictions for how the division will shake out.

Nick Wright’s AFC South Prediction

The Titans are entering a full rebuild under head coach Robert Saleh, but Nick Wright still sees potential for growth. With offensive additions like Carnell Tate and Wan’Dale Robinson, Wright believes a six-win season is well within reach.

“I do have them getting six wins … here’s the case for them,” Wright said. “Carnell Tate, Cam Ward take a year or two jump, and maybe Robert Saleh is actually a good head coach.”

When it comes to the expectations for the Colts, all eyes shift towards Jones and his recovery from the season-ending Achilles injury. Wright’s concerns aren’t about Jones specifically, but they’re focused squarely on head coach Shane Steichen. 

After failing to meet expectations, Wright believes Steichen should be firmly on the hot seat.

“Daniel Jones [is] quickly coming back from the Achilles injury, but how mobile is he actually going to be,” Wright said. Also, I worry about Shane Steichen, and I worry about the instant hot seat.”

When it comes to the Jaguars, they’re not so easy to predict. After winning 13 games last season and winning the division, they could be a team that’s not just on the rise, but could be competitive for years to come.

Wright made sure to highlight the Jaguars’ young core in quarterback Trevor Lawrence and two-way standout Travis Hunter.

“13 wins like last year,” Wright said. “There’s no way they don’t get at least a little more out of Travis Hunter this year. They’re not going to get less. Year two of Trevor Lawrence and [Liam] Coen…I like that. They have, far away, the best quarterback in that division.”

The Houston Texans topped Wright’s predictions. He highlighted that the performance of quarterback C.J. Stroud will be a large factor in Houston’s success this season.

“I think they will be fighting for the No. 1 seed all year,” Wright said. “I think they go 12-5. If CJ Stroud is average, they can win 11 games. If he’s above average, they can win 12 games. If he’s good, you can argue they’re the best team in the league.”

Chris Broussard’s AFC South Prediction

Broussard followed Wright’s lead in his AFC South predictions, with the Texans standing at No. 1 and the Titans at the bottom. With new head coach Robert Saleh, Broussard is hoping for good things to come out of Saleh’s first year and Ward’s second starting season.

“I hope I’m wrong. I like Cam Ward. I would really like to see him do something this year,” Broussard said. “I’d like to see Saleh get a real chance … We’ll see, I’m pulling for him.”

For the Colts’ third-place prediction, Broussard has a hard time believing that Indianapolis won’t follow the same pattern this season as it did last season. 

“We all remember the 8-2 start, and then one of the worst collapses in NFL history. They lost their last seven. They lost their last three when Jones was healthy. Why? Because they started playing good teams,” Broussard said.

For the Jaguars at second, their run to the playoffs was impressive, but Broussard does not see back-to-back appearances. 

“At No. 2, the Jags, but missing the playoffs,” Broussard said. “He was very good last year. Is that who he finally is? Or is he going to go back down the roller coaster? I’m not betting on a bad year, but I’m not expecting a good year.”

As the Texans top Broussard’s list, the talented defense is a large factor in its success. However, the talent that Stroud brings to the offense will be another point of focus for Broussard. 

“The Houston Texans [are] winning this division. Contrary to popular opinion, C.J. was average last year … obviously he was banged up for a few games. I expect a bounce back,” Broussard said. “I don’t know if I’m ever expecting him to be that great top-five quarterback that we thought he was going to be.”

Danny Parkins’ AFC South Prediction

Like Wright and Broussard, Danny Parkins placed the Titans in last. Parkins did not hold back when it came to what the Titans season could look like under quarterback Cam Ward.

“I’d be really worried if I was a Titans fan. I love Carnell Tate, I loved it leading up to the NFL Draft,” Parkins said. “I didn’t see much of anything to believe in Cam Ward. I think they are in contention, with the Dolphins, for the worst team in the NFL.”

Parkins switched things up and placed the Jaguars third. While Lawrence has been through ups and downs in his NFL career, Parkins is not expecting Lawrence to hold the same standard he did in last year’s 13-4 season. 

“A huge regression for the Jacksonville Jaguars,” Parkins said. “I think Trevor Lawrence cannot be trusted. Is it possible that Liam Coen unlocked it? Absolutely. … He did it with Baker, he did it with Trevor. But his whole career has been a roller-coaster. Seems like we might be ready for a big dip.”

As for Parkins’ second-place team, the Texans, the defense should not be an issue for Houston. However, the concern lies within Stroud at the helm of the offense.

“You have the best defense in the NFL, but defensive production year over year does fluctuate,” Parkins said. They had remarkable defensive health last year … I don’t have evidence that C.J. Stroud is good.”

And sitting atop his AFC South predictions, Parkins believes the Colts will take home the AFC South title. Parkins emphasized the Colts could be a dangerous team in the division if Jones is back in full force.

“They return four of five starters on their offensive line. … I really like their offense this year … they need to win by scoring,” Parkins said. “So if you see the best version of Daniel Jones for a full year, I think the Colts can win the AFC South.”

Ishan Kishan was in his elements for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone in Chennai on Monday. Batting at No. 5, Kishan played a true captain’s knock and scored 270 off 334 balls (30x4s, 7x6s) to help East Zone post 708 in the first innings. With his monumental knock, Kishan became only the third batter from East Zone to score a double century in the Duleep Trophy, joining Arun Lal and Saba Karim. Lal holds the highest score among the trio, having smashed 287 against West Zone in 1986, besides scoring 214 against Central Zone in the same year. Saba Karim, meanwhile, remained unbeaten on 200 against West Zone in 1995.

Ishan Kishan also became the first East Zone captain-wicketkeeper to score a double century in a Duleep Trophy final, according to an Instagram post by Star Sports India. Overall, Kishan became the seventh batter to score a double century in a Duleep Trophy final.

East Zone’s innings was opened by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who scored 44 off 37 balls. During the match, former India player Vivek Razdan had a message for Sooryavanshi.

“Sooryavanshi sahab, now you have to learn from players like Ishan Kishan. Once you are set, you have to learn how to play a long innings,” Razdan said on commentary.

“Every person who is present here at this time stood up and applauded this innings. Because this is not just technique, this is not just temperament, this is also match fitness. To stay out there for so long in such heat and play an innings like this. What an innings by Ishan Kishan.”

Coming to Day 2 of the Duleep Trophy final, despite losing wickets in the final session, East Zone eventually posted a mammoth 708 all out in 163 overs.

Earlier, Kishan and Kushagra continued from where they had left off on the opening day. The duo added 230 runs for the fifth wicket, giving East Zone complete control after they had ended Day 1 at 385/4.

Kushagra completed his maiden Duleep Trophy century off 128 balls, hitting eight fours and five sixes. He was dismissed soon after reaching three figures, caught in the deep off Vijay after scoring 101 from 132 deliveries.

The fifth-wicket partnership between Kishan and Kushagra was the defining stand of the day, with the pair taking East Zone past 450 before Kushagra’s dismissal.

Kishan then continued to dominate alongside Anukul Roy, with East Zone reaching 500 and then 550. The left-hander brought up his double century before eventually retiring hurt on 250, with East Zone on 611/5.

Anukul Roy contributed a useful 45 before being trapped leg before wicket following a review by South Zone. Mohammed Shami then added 28 before being dismissed by Shreyas Gopal.

Despite losing wickets in the final session, East Zone continued to pile up runs and moved past 700, leaving South Zone’s bowlers with a difficult task.

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The 2026 NFL regular season gets underway in roughly 48 hours, but many Fantasy football drafts are still to come as many league managers like to wait until close to kickoff to get as much information as possible. Avoiding 2026 Fantasy football busts is one of the best ways to win a league as players such as Jayden Daniels, Brian Thomas, Mike Evans and Mark Andrews left gaping holes in Fantasy lineups last season due to injury and/or a lack of production. 

Who should you target in your fantasy football draft strategy, and which players should fall on your list of potential 2026 Fantasy football busts and riskiest picks? Before finalizing your 2026 Fantasy football draft strategy, be sure to check out the 2026 Fantasy football rankings and cheat sheets from the proven computer model at SportsLine.

Last year, the model accurately predicted that Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin would fall well short of his top-50 ADP. The result: A season after piling up nearly 1,100 receiving yards and a career-high 13 touchdown catches, McLaurin had career lows in receiving yards (582) and receiving touchdowns (3). Injuries were a factor, but his per-game averages were down across the board as well, so anybody who avoided him in Fantasy drafts dodged a major headache. 

The same model has a proven track record providing Fantasy football tips, identifying A.J. Brown as a sleeper in 2020, nailing Jonathan Taylor’s monstrous season in 2021 and correctly predicting C.J. Stroud would take a step back in 2024. Additionally, it’s called past Fantasy football sleepers like Derrick Henry in 2019, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara in 2018, and Davante Adams in 2017. 

Now, SportsLine has simulated the entire NFL season 10,000 times and released its latest Fantasy football rankings 2026, along with plenty of sleepers, breakouts and busts. Head to SportsLine now to see them. 

Top 2026 Fantasy football busts

One of the 2026 Fantasy football busts the model is predicting: Houston Texans running back David Montgomery. The 29-year-old was a high-volume touchdown scorer in Detroit, but now he heads to a less explosive offense. Some Fantasy players are bullish on his upside since he’s not sharing a backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs, but he’s still expected to split snaps with Woody Marks, who had more than 900 yards from scrimmage as a rookie. 

The latest ADP data shows Montgomery going off the board around pick No. 52. SportsLine’s model, however, has him in the same tier as later-round picks like Jaylen Warren and even 10th-rounder Kenneth Gainwell, making Montgomery a risky pick in the fourth or fifth round. See more busts at SportsLine.

Another bust that SportsLine’s Fantasy football rankings 2026 have identified: Bills running back James Cook. Cook is going off the board with an ADP around No. 9 overall and is the fifth running back being taken on average. SportsLine’s model, however, ranks him as RB No. 10, behind players such as Derrick Henry and Chase Brown, saying that he should be more of a late-second or even third round pick.

Cook has stacked two impressive seasons and was the RB6 a year ago, so it’s understandable why he’s getting first-round consideration in many drafts. He did fumble at a higher rate last season, however, and he’s not an elite target out of the backfield. Also, Josh Allen always looms as a touchdown vulture for Buffalo, as these factors are why the model is leaning to other high-end backs early. See which other Fantasy football busts 2026 to pick here.

How to find proven 2026 Fantasy football rankings

SportsLine is also fading one of the first six receivers off the board in early 2026 Fantasy football drafts. The model ranks this player barely inside the top 10 and is calling for him to be one of the biggest busts in the league this year. You can only see who it is, and the 2026 Fantasy football rankings for every player, at SportsLine.

So which 2026 Fantasy Football busts should you be steering clear of, and which high-end WR should you completely fade? Visit SportsLine now to get 2026 Fantasy Football cheat sheets for every single position, all from the model that helped managers avoid a disastrous Terry McLaurin season in 2025.

2026 Fantasy football ADP

(PPR, via CBS)
Get Fantasy football cheat sheets at SportsLine.

1. Jahmyr Gibbs (1.09)
2. Bijan Robinson (2.09)
3. Ja’Marr Chase (4.02)
4. Puka Nacua (5.18)
5. Jonathan Taylor (5.37)
6. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (6.37)
7. Christian McCaffrey (7.76)
8. Amon-Ra St. Brown (8.27)
9. James Cook (9.06)
10. Chase Brown (11.93)
11. De’Von Achane (12.47)
12. CeeDee Lamb (13.76)

Philippines’ Alexandra Eala hits a return to Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova during their women’s singles second round tennis match on day five of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 3, 2026. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

Alex Eala is taking a positive outlook after getting the ax at the US Open following her defeat to good friend Iva Jovic in the third round at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

As she has always done this year, particularly during a successful summer run in the North American hardcourt swing, the Filipino tennis sensation is looking forward to things that she needs to do instead of wallowing in defeat.

And why not? She has the Asian Games coming and she gets to fight for the country in a way that’s different from her battles on the WTA Tour.

“I love playing and competing with the Philippines team,” Eala said after her agonizing three-set loss to American teenager Jovic in New York on Sunday (Manila time).

“That felt like a marathon and I felt like I lost my sanity five times over to win that match,” Jovic said of the three-hour match. “But it’s really worth it for this feeling. I’m usually not one that shows that many emotions, but this one really meant a lot to me. It’s everything to have another match here at the US Open.”

In a way, Eala has been competing for the Philippines on the women’s tour. Wherever she goes, a wall of passionate supporters follows her, waving Filipino flags.

“It’s indescribable to sum up the support and how it makes me feel in just a few words. It’s a real privilege to experience this in a lifetime,” Eala said. “[P]laying on Arthur Ashe and feeling the support and being in those environments and learning these lessons and fighting and doing what I love … I’m really happy. I’m really lucky to have these opportunities, to have these people support me, and to be working hard, to be able to work hard, and to be able to live this life how I am living it.”

The difference is that in the Asian Games, her opponents will have the same kind of flag-waving support as well. It’s going to be a pure battle for the country, with no individual prize money at stake.

The rising 21-year-old will be the favorite to win women’s singles gold when the Games begin in Japan on Sept. 19, with so many of the top guns not competing.

China’s Zheng Qinwen won Asian Games singles gold three years ago on home turf but will not defend her title in Aichi-Nagoya. Japan’s four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who will be in action at the China Open in Beijing, will also not be involved.

At the previous edition of the Games, in 2023 in China, Eala went home with bronze medals in singles and mixed doubles.

Much has changed for Eala since, last month becoming the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA singles crown and now ranked 18 in the world.

Her groundbreaking exploits have made her a superstar back home.

And defending national pride at the continental Olympics will amplify her popularity.

Eala has been a regular at the Southeast Asian Games, winning singles gold last year, and she said: “I think it’s a really fun environment, and I love being with the team, especially this last SEA Games in December, I had such a great time.”

“I think they are really memories that stick with me.”

Eala will miss Beijing knowing that gold at the Asian Games will seal an automatic berth at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Eala is set to play at the Singapore Open on Sept. 21 to 27, with the Asian Games women’s singles starting the same day that Singapore ends.

“The Asian Games happens once every four years and I find myself drawn to competing in that,” the world No. 18 said.—WITH A REPORT FROM AFP INQ