Now, there is a new man in the Madrid dugout, with Alvaro Arbeloa taking over from Xabi Alonso. He locks horns with Guardiola for the first time in his nascent managerial career, with the City boss eyeing a fourth European crown of his career after two with Barcelona and one with City.

WASHINGTON (AP) — House lawmakers were digging into Jeffrey Epstein’s sprawling financial portfolio on Wednesday as a committee deposed his former accountant and tried to understand his connections to some of the world’s wealthiest men.

Richard Kahn, who worked closely with Epstein for years and now serves as an executor of his estate, appeared for the closed-door deposition on Capitol Hill. He told lawmakers that he had not personally seen evidence of Epstein’s sexual abuse, but provided a fuller picture of how Epstein acquired his wealth. The wealthy financier made hundreds of millions of dollars over two decades, during which he struck up friendships with some of the world’s most powerful men.

Kahn “was under the impression that Epstein made his money as a tax advisor and a financial planner,” said Rep. James Comer, the Republican chair of the House Oversight Committee. Lawmakers argued that a fuller picture of Epstein’s finances could help the public understand how, for years, he was able to get away with trafficking and sexually abusing underage girls.

“Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking ring would not have been possible without Richard Kahn, who managed Epstein’s money for years, authorized payments, including payments to victims and survivors,” said Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., who added that Kahn told them he was unable to recall details of some of the transactions and communications that he was asked about.

Kahn has said that he was unaware of Epstein’s sexual abuse and had not seen any of his victims.

Comer, R-Ky., also said that lawmakers confirmed during the deposition that Epstein received significant amounts of money from former retail shopping chain executive Les Wexner, hedge fund manager Glenn Dubin, tech entrepreneur Steven Sinofsky, investor Leon Black and the Rothschilds, a wealthy banking family.

None of those people have been accused of wrongdoing in their relationships with Epstein, but Democrats on the committee argued that anyone with ties to the wealthy financier should be scrutinized. Wexner was deposed by the committee last month, and Comer has also called on Black, among several others, to appear for transcribed interviews.

Kahn also told lawmakers that Epstein had financial ties to Ehud Barak, who was the prime minister of Israel from 1999 to 2001, according to Democratic Rep. Suhas Subramanyam. Barak has not been accused of wrongdoing and has said he regrets his friendship with Epstein.

Comer also said Wednesday that the committee has reviewed over 40,000 documents that it subpoenaed from JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank. Epstein was connected to at least 64 business entities, according to Comer.

Republican President Donald Trump has strongly denied any wrongdoing in his own ties to Epstein, and Comer said that Kahn had never seen any financial transactions between Epstein and Trump. Comer said that Kahn is the latest witness to testify that they had never seen Trump doing anything wrong with Epstein.

“The investigation’s about getting the truth to the American people, trying to figure out how the government failed, answer questions we all have,” Comer said.

The International Energy Agency (IEA), the developed nation body founded in the 1970s to deal with oil crises precisely like the one we’re now facing, has announced something extraordinary.

Its members, which is to say most of the world’s rich nations, will release an unprecedented amount of oil from their national stockpiles into the global market in the coming weeks.

This emergency stockpile release is more than double the last record, a whopping 400 million barrels of oil, to come from the stockpiles of its members around the world. Yet here’s the striking thing: far from falling, oil prices barely budged. After the announcement, Brent crude was still around 25% higher than before the attacks in the Gulf began.

Money blog: Revolut to become a UK bank – here’s what it means

All of which raises the question: why? The short answer is that even after this new infusion of oil, the world is likely to remain short of oil. The long answer comes back to the fundamental nature of the oil market.

The best way to think of the oil market is as an enormous set of pipes through which crude oil and its products are constantly flowing. What matters, far more than how much oil there is in the ground, either in the form of reservoirs or stockpiles, is something more simple: how much oil is pumped through the global system every day.

And in recent years, the amount pumped through the system each day has worked out at about 100 million barrels of oil. Now, these numbers go up and down as the seasons turn and perhaps, in the coming years, might go down as people adopt electric cars and find alternatives to fossil fuels. But the key thing to keep in the back of your mind is that for the time being, much of the world’s living standards – our access to transportation, to power, to consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and the rest – depends on that 100 million barrels of oil pumped through the world’s pipes.

Iran war latest: 32 countries agree biggest-ever release of oil as ships targeted

All of which brings us back to the Persian Gulf, which is responsible for about 30% of the world’s oil, of which around 15 million barrels pass through the Strait of Hormuz each day. The heart of the energy shock the world is getting its head round comes back to the fact that it is running short of 15 million barrels of oil a day. In other words, it’s all about that gap – between the oil we need to keep the world functioning and the oil we actually have.

Just not enough supply

That brings us back to the IEA’s emergency release. While the overall number is certainly high, what matters even more is a number the organisation didn’t release on Tuesday: how much of that oil it expects to come out each day. In other words, how much of the 15 million barrel gap will those emergency supplies fill?

The expectation among analysts is that the number will be 4-5 million barrels, which is not nothing but, as you’ll know if you have elementary mathematics, still leaves the world at least 10 million barrels short of oil each day.

There are other sources of oil. For one thing, Saudi Arabia, and to a lesser extent the United Arab Emirates, could pump more oil through their pipelines to ports that are not inside the Gulf (in other words, meaning tankers do not need to brave the straits). That might, optimistically, mean another 5.7 million barrels of oil.

On top of this, there are a handful of ships still passing through Hormuz. An educated guess suggests this might bring in another half a million or maybe, at the outside, a million barrels.

Tot it all up, though, taking the very best case scenario, and you’re still talking about a shortfall of 4 million barrels of oil for the global economy. This is far less scary than the 15 million shortfall we started off with, but it is nonetheless not enough to satisfy global oil consumption.

Why prices are still high

Which is at least part of the explanation for why oil prices are still so high and why, all around the world, countries are feeling the impacts. We tend to focus, here in Europe, on the stuff we are beginning to see – on higher petrol prices and the implications for bills. But it’s fanning out elsewhere too, especially in Asia. Indian oil refineries are shutting down; provinces are rationing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplies for local households. Workers in Thailand and Vietnam are being urged to work from home to safeguard petrol supplies.

And the longer this goes on, the more of these impacts we will see. The world is facing an energy gap; it’s not clear how it bridges it.

Tanfield Railway was named ‘Railway of the Year’ at the Heritage Railway Association Annual Awards, held in Llandudno on March 7.

The awards recognise heritage railways across the UK, and Tanfield Railway stood out for its boost in passenger numbers and media coverage of its 300th anniversary celebrations last year.

The awards ceremony, which gathered over 300 representatives from heritage railways across the UK, saw Tanfield Railway receive the top accolade of the night.

David Watchman, general manager of Tanfield Railway, praised the work of volunteers in helping the railway achieve this award.

“This is the award everyone in the UK’s 180-plus heritage railways wants to win,” he said.

Volunteers celebrated after taking home the top gong. (Image: TANFIELD RAILWAY)

“So to be bringing the award back to the North East is amazing.

“I hope it can be a real catalyst to go on and achieve even more.”

The railway also celebrated Ben Wilson, its diesel locomotive foreman, as the joint winner of the Lord Faulkner Young Volunteer Award.

Mr Wilson, who started volunteering at 12, has become a key member of the team, using his technical skills to maintain and restore the locomotives, and is also noted for being one of the youngest locomotive drivers.

There was also a win for one of the railway’s volunteers. (Image: TANFIELD RAILWAY)

It is believed to be the first time in the history of the HRA awards that a single organisation has secured the Young Volunteer title two years in succession, with another Tanfield Railway volunteer, Elise Campbell, winning in the same category during 2025.

Heritage Railway Association chairman, Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, praised Tanfield Railway for overcoming challenges to preserve railway heritage and for nurturing young volunteers.

The Heritage Railway Association Awards saw a record-breaking number of entries this year. In addition to the main award, Tanfield Railway was also highly commended for its Tanfield300 events, narrowly beaten by the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway’s Railway Children Theatre Show.

Hollyoaks is set to grant yet another fan wish as a brand new family are all set to rock up in the eponymous village – and it’s safe to say they waste little time in making a splash, with the stars warning viewers to ‘buckle up’.

Meet the Keanes.

Fresh images show the newcomers packing up a removal van as they prepare for a new life in the Chester-based village – and they’re very much giving off good vibes and great dynamics.

The first stars announced as part of this long-awaited new family have already filmed their debut scenes for the Channel 4 soap and they’ve done so on-location, which will surely make them ones to remember.

If you’re a fan of the soaps – and I imagine that you are if you’re reading this – then you might just recognise the actors set to take Hollyoaks by storm, with Emmerdale’s Matthew Wolfenden playing the patriarch of the clan alongside Coronation Street stars Rebecca Ryan and Lewis Walton.

Matthew, who starred as David Metcalfe in the ITV soap for 17 years, said of his casting: ‘I’m so excited to finally share that I’m joining Hollyoaks as part of a brand-new family arriving in the village.

‘It’s an absolute privilege to step into this world and be part of something so iconic. From the moment I read the scripts, I knew this was going to be something special.

‘I can’t wait for the audience to meet them and see how they turn a few heads along the way… it’s going to be a ride, buckle up.’

Rebecca, meanwhile, played Adam Barlow’s ex Lydia Chambers on Coronation Street between 2021 and 2022, as well as Debbie Gallagher in long-running Channel 4 series Shameless.

Discussing her new role, she said: ‘I am so excited to be joining the cast of Hollyoaks.

‘My character is feisty and a bit of a firecracker but fiercely loyal. I am so excited for everyone to meet her. I am having the best time so far and can’t wait for her story to unfold.’

The third cast member set to be introduced is Lewis Walton, who is best known for having played the role of young Mick in a flashback episode of Coronation Street.

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Coincidentally, the one episode of Corrie that Lewis featured in also starred Brook Debio, who recently joined Hollyoaks as Ant Hutchinson.

On his Hollyoaks alter-ego, Lewis said: I’m thrilled to be joining the Hollyoaks cast. My character is charismatic, sporty and someone who’s always been the fun, positive presence in the room.

‘He’s incredibly close to his family and determined to follow in his dad’s footsteps, while chasing big ambitions of his own, especially when it comes to sport.

‘But life doesn’t always go to plan, and an unexpected challenge will force him to dig deeper than ever before…’.

Consider us intrigued.

Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 6am on Channel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.

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MORE: Brenda Blethyn reveals parallels between Woman of Substance role and ‘very poor’ childhood

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A Woman of Substance has been brought to life on Channel 4 thanks to a star-studded cast.

A Woman of Substance is nearly here and fans will be delighted to spot recognisable faces from the likes of The Last Kingdom and Peaky Blinders.

Spanning two separate eras, Channel 4′s A Woman of Substance explores the journey of Emma Harte who begins as a destitute servant before a series of devastating events propel her towards ambition and success.

Jump forward to the 1970s, and Emma Harte now commands her own international business empire, yet she continues to face conflicts within her own family.

A Woman of Substance cast

Emma Harte – Brenda Blethyn

The role of Emma Harte in her late 70s goes to actress Brenda Blethyn, well-versed in successful dramas, best known for her portrayal of DCI Vera Stanhope in ITV’s Vera across 14 years.

READ MORE: A Woman of Substance episode 1 cast including Vera and Outlander iconsREAD MORE: ‘Twisted’ thriller fans have been ‘dreaming about’ is your next obsession

Her credits also include Pride and Prejudice, Saving Grace, Kate and Koji and War and Peace, amongst numerous other productions.

Young Emma Harte – Jessica Reynolds

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Emma Harte didn’t come from privilege, spending her early years in service as a maid whilst harbouring grander aspirations of achieving genuine prosperity.

Outlander enthusiasts will most readily identify Jessica Reynolds from her role as Malva Christie in the MGM+ romantic drama’s sixth series.

She’s also remembered for playing Lady Christine O’Madden in last year’s Netflix sensation House of Guinness.

Adam Fairley – Emmett J Scanlan

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Adam Fairley serves as the head of the affluent Fairley household where Emma is employed during the 1900s.

He remains committed to maintaining order, despite grappling with family troubles behind the scenes.

Actor Emmett J Scanlan gained recognition playing the complex Brendan Brady in Hollyoaks but has subsequently appeared in numerous major dramas.

These include Kin, The Tower, The Teacher, Gangs of London, Unforgotten, Mobland and Peaky Blinders as Billy Grade.

Adele Fairley – Leanne Best

Actress Leanne Best has appeared in acclaimed programmes including Ripper Street, Line of Duty, Home Fires, Cold Feet, Tin Star, Young Wallander and more recently, This City Is Ours.

She portrays Adam’s wife Adele Fairley, who lives with agoraphobia, a fear preventing her from escaping certain situations which confines her to her room much of the time.

Olivia Wainwright – Lydia Leonard

Olivia Wainwright is Adele’s sister, residing at Fairley Hall to assist Adam during public engagements, assuming the lady of the house’s responsibilities whenever required.

She is portrayed by actress Lydia Leonard, whose credits include Last Christmas, The Crown, A Very Royal Scandal and Wolf Hall, amongst others.

Edwin Fairley – Ewan Horrocks

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Actor Ewan Horrocks has featured as Drusus in Domina and Aelfweard of Wessex in the Netflix production The Last Kingdom.

He plays Edwin Fairley, one of Adam and Adele’s sons who has captured the attention of young Emma Harte, despite their markedly different social standings.

Jack Harte – Will Mellor

Jack Harte is Emma Harte’s devoted father who toils relentlessly each day to provide for his family.

Actor Will Mellor is an instantly recognisable presence across memorable television programmes, having previously appeared in Broadchurch, Coronation Street, Casualty, Hollyoaks, Line of Duty, The Teacher and Mr Bates Vs The Post Office.

Other cast members include:

Frank Harte – Lenny Rush

Gerald Fairley – Harry Cadby

Jim Fairley – Toby Regbo

A Woman of Substance continues every Wednesday and Thursday at 9pm on Channel 4.

Royal insiders are suggesting that concerns are mounting over the extent of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie’s connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein

The fallout from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s controversial relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein appears to have little impact on his two daughters. However, recent developments have drawn his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson deeper into the scandal. While Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie seem largely unaffected, reports suggest they may be excluded from four royal engagements last this year.

But according to the Daily Telegraph ‘s executive editor Camilla Tominey, that situation could be about to shift. She noted that several royal insiders have hinted privately that Beatrice and Eugenie may face scrutiny. Reading a text message she received from a ‘royal insider’ on the Daily T podcast, Camilla said: “The York sisters stuff is going to get a lot worse.

“They’ve escaped a lot of the scrutiny, but there’s a lot of information on them and their associations with Epstein along with their parents.” Beatrice and Eugenie are reported to have joined their mother on a trip to visit Epstein in Miami shortly after his release from prison on a sex-related conviction.

At the time of the visit Eugenie was 19 years old, while Beatrice was 21. “They weren’t five-year-old girls when they were taken to see Epstein. They were grown ups,” insists author Andrew Lownie, whose book Entitled sparked a wave of revelations about Andrew. There is currently no evidence of any wrongdoing on the part of either sister, the Express reports.

Reports also suggest that Beatrice and Eugenie were at times asked by Epstein to entertain some of his unidentified associates and even give tours of Buckingham Palace. “There does seem to be this rumbling idea that there is more to discover,” says the Telegraph’s Royal Editor Hannah Furness.

Hannah emphasised that although insider gossip suggest that the York sisters are “up to their necks” in the Epstein scandal, there is no evidence they were aware of the convicted sex trafficker’s activities at his various properties worldwide.

The “mood music” surrounding Beatrice and Eugenie appear to have shifted in recent weeks, Hannah adds. When the King removed his younger brother’s title of prince in October last year, the sisters retained their own titles, with assurances that for them it would remain “business as usual”.

“That seems to have gone a little bit quiet in the last few weeks,” Hannah added. “I’m not sure the girls feel as supported as they did by the Palace.”

With uncertainty over how much support they currently have from King Charles, Hannah states “They’re sort of in this vacuum of suggestions and rumours and questions, but not very many answers for them and that must be frustrating.”

There is considerable uncertainty over whether the sisters will attend Royal Ascot this year, and it seems highly unlikely that they will participate in the traditional carriage procession alongside the senior royals.

In the most recent set of documents linked to the Epstein investigation, both Beatrice and Eugenie’s names appear repeatedly, with Eugenie reportedly mentioned over 300 times. While the presence of a name in the sprawling collection of papers does not constitute evidence of wrongdoing, in the highly scrutinised world of royalty, perception carries immense weight.

A royal insider told The i newspaper that although Beatrice and Eugenie might attend Royal Ascot privately, they are unlikely to take part in the ceremonial processions that precede each day’s racing.

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They said: “They might attend the races among the crowd but they can’t be seen in the royal carriage procession with all this going on.” Additionally, there is currently no expectation that either princess will be present at the Trooping the Colour ceremony in June.

Royal biographer Russell Myers pointed out that although Prince William had previously invited his cousins to help him and his wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales, host a garden party at Buckingham Palace, it now seems almost certain that this summer he will follow his father’s example.

“He can’t be seen to be acting out of turn against the King, and there is no indication that he wants to,” he said.

According to the Mail on Sunday, the Prince and Princess of Wales are now determined to keep Beatrice and Eugenie “at arm’s length,” at least “for the rest of the year.”

Meanwhile, the Sunday Times reports that the couple have been “careful” to avoid being seen alongside the princesses as far back as Christmas Day at Sandringham.

As snippets of information continue to drip-feed from the Epstein investigation, the senior royals will presumably continue to exercise extant caution.

Cop cars and an ambulance were spotted outside of the McDonald’s on Maryhill Road, Glasgow.

A McDonald’s in Glasgow has been taped off by police amid an ongoing emergency incident.

The fast-food restaurant on Maryhill Road has been cordoned off by officers, who have been spotted standing guard inside. In images shared with Glasgow Live, paramedics can also be seen in attendance at around 6.40pm this evening, March 11.

A cordon has been erected around the entrance to the McDonald’s, with at least two police vehicles and one ambulance on scene. According to an eye-witness, the restaurant remains “shut” at this time. The nature of the incident is unclear at this stage.

Police Scotland has been approached for comment.

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For a gelding who has lost as many races as he has won, Fact To File will be a very short-priced favourite for the Ryanair Chase on Thursday, setting Willie Mullins up for a possible clean sweep of Cheltenham’s feature races.

Those who do oppose him will take comfort from the fact he can bounce a bit after a big win. At Christmas he was below par in the King George after a terrific duel with Gaelic Warrior in the John Durkan, and he had a hard race on heavy ground winning the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown six weeks ago. 

But you have to set that against his Cheltenham record which is unblemished since he finished runner-up on his first visit in the bumper. He has won the Brown Advisory, and last year’s nine-length win in this race was, visually at any rate, the most impressive at the meeting. He seems to love the place.

Cheltenham Festival day 3 tips and results

1.20: Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle

• Marlborough’s tip: BAMBINO FEVER
  Last year’s Champion Bumper winner, last seen running out an easy winner of a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse. Fancied to take all the beating
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: OLDSCHOOL OUTLAW
  Already has the scalp of the favourite, Bambino Fever
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: BAMBINO FEVER
  Galloped her rivals into oblivion at Fairyhouse last time

2.00: Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase

• Marlborough’s tip: REGENT’S STROLL
  Grade 1 novice hurdler last season who has his first run in a handicap here. Most unexposed over fences; set to run a big race
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: MEETMEBYTHESEA (Nap)
  Looks well handicapped for a winner of five of last seven starts
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: SIXMILEBRIDGE
  One of the best home chances this season for top local trainer

2.40: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle

• Marlborough’s tip: WODHOOH
  Winning machine over hurdles, having won nine of her 10 starts since switched to Gordon Elliott (two from two at Cheltenham). Very much the one to beat
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: WODHOOH
  With Lossiemouth already tucked up in her stable back in Ireland, it is this prolific winner’s to lose
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: WODHOOH (Nap)
  The only mare that can beat her is Lossiemouth. Banker

3.20: Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle

• Marlborough’s tip: TEAHUPOO
  Top-class staying hurdler who goes particularly well when fresh. Strong record in this race and taken to run another massive race off a 74-day lay-off
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: MA SHANTOU
  Progressive youngster who won at the course in January up against some ageing former stars
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: TEAHUPOO
  Rock solid over course and distance

4.00: Ryanair Chase

• Marlborough’s tip: FACT TO FILE
  Last year’s Ryanair winner who showed his wellbeing with an impressive winning display at Leopardstown last month. Strong fancy
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: FACT TO FILE
  Runaway winner of this last year, could have gone for Gold Cup but this looks easier option
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: FACT TO FILE
  The best horse in Ireland – could win a Gold Cup if owner wanted

4.40: Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle

• Marlborough’s tip: ABSOLUTELY DOYEN
  Novice hurdler who has shot through the ranks this season, winning all five of his starts since switching to Paul Nicholls. Taken to go very well again
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: C’EST DIFFERENT
  Winner of last four starts, all in handicaps, and looks like there’s more to come over this distance
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: MELBOURNE SHAMROCK
  Brilliantly shrewd trainer, you have to stick with him

5.20: Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase

• Marlborough’s tip: KIM ROQUE (Nap)
  On a good mark and fancied to appreciate the step up in trip. This race may well have been the plan all season; looks a major player
• Marcus Armytage’s tip: HERAKLES WESTWOOD
  Course winner last time out with good Irish amateur on board
• Charlie Brooks’ tip: KIM ROQUE
  Feels like Joseph O’Brien has trained him for this

Ryanair Chase runner-by-runner

Owner JP McManus looks to hold a particularly strong hand here and could end up filling the first two places home as his pair of Jonbon and Fact To File both look to hold outstanding claims. Jonbon has long dined at the top table and has been a star for connections. Indeed, a Cheltenham Festival win is one of the few things that has evaded Jonbon so far, having finished runner-up on all three runs at this meeting previously. Conversely, Fact To File has won on two of his three visits to this meeting, including an impressive nine-length win in this race last year. He comes forward off the back of taking a five-length victory in the Irish Gold Cup (denying the likes of Gaelic Warrior and Galopin Des Champs) and, in calmer waters, he is expected to take all the beating here.

Banbridge
Top-class chaser but has seemed to go better right-handed than left in recent seasons. Big chance on his best but not certain to produce it here.

Croke Park
Last seen running down the field in a handicap at Leopardstown last month, form that leaves him a long way short of what will be required here.

Fact To File
Record at the Festival reads 211 and brings forward the best form in the race. Looks especially potent at this distance; takes all the beating here.

Heart Wood
Second in this race last year and had a good season so far, winning two of his three starts. This demands more though; place chance.

Impaire Et Passe
Just the one start so far this season and faces a tough task off just the one run this campaign; each-way player all the same.

Jonbon
Incredible performer who has never finished out of the first two in 27 starts under rules. Unbeaten beyond two miles and looks the clear danger to Fact To File.

JPR One
Been plying his trade in handicaps all season and now steps into Grade 1 company. Tough task; best watched.

Master Chewy
Comes up short repeatedly in Graded company of late and this is likely to be no exception; best watched.

Matata
Good winner on New Year’s Day, the form of which would give him a squeak here; could run into a place.

Big-race trends

Mares Novices Hurdle
A tough race to get a handle on from a trends perspective, due in large part to the fact there have only been 10 runnings. What we do know is that 10 out of 10 winners were aged five or six and seven out of 10 were trained in Ireland.

Stayers’ Hurdle
Key metrics here are pre-race rating and success at the trip. A total of nine of the last 12 winners were sent off with a rating of at least 156 – which is plenty high enough for a staying hurdler. It is also worth noting that nine of the last 12 winners have at least one win at three miles or further. It can be a risky strategy to roll the dice on a horse which has yet to prove himself at the trip. In terms of trials, Cheltenham’s Cleeve Hurdle is a decent yardstick, having produced four winners in the last 12 years. This year’s winner was Ma Shantou, who beat Impose Toi by seven lengths.

Ryanair Chase
An open race so age is a consideration here and all of the last 12 winners have been between the age of seven and nine, with nine of those 12 having at least one win at Cheltenham before winning the Ryanair. Look for quality horses also, with 11 of the last 12 winners having been rated 162 or higher before running and nine of those 12 having at least one win in a Grade 1.

Cheltenham Festival day 3 ground and weather

The latest ground report has the official going as Good to Soft as racing switches to the New Course. However, the forecast on Thursday is for rain to move in during the afternoon, with strong winds, and continue through the night.

Betting on Cheltenham?

There’s a lot of competition between bookmakers for customers during the festival and they will often run their best promotions of the year, especially earlier in the week. Take a look at these Cheltenham betting offers to find free bets to use throughout the week.

How to watch Cheltenham Festival day 3

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the first five races of the day on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 12.45pm GMT every day until 5pm GMT. The races can also be streamed via ITVX. There is a preview show each morning from 9am GMT to 10am GMT which is shown on ITV4 and ITVX.

The final race of each day will not be shown on ITV but will be live on Racing TV. Subscriptions for the channel, which shows every race from the Festival, are available through Sky and Virgin Media and online through its website and app.

Both sides emerge from the tunnel and we are moments away from kick-off. Here is a reminder of how the sides line up tonight:

Bayer Leverkusen: Blaswich, Quansah, Andrich, Terrier, Tapsoba, Poku, Grimaldo, Garcia, Palacios, Maza, Kofane. 
Substitutes: Omlin, Lomb, Fernandez, Hofmann, Tillman, Schick, Oermann, Tape, Culbreath.

Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, Zubimendi, Eze, Saka, Martinelli, Gyokeres.
Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Ranson, Mosquera, White, Jesus, Norgaard, Madueke, Havertz, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman, Salmon.