Quickly dismissed during the Hobart Cup, Asva faced a betting desert ahead of the Launceston Cup with support centred on mainland invaders Ziryab and Taramansour.

Neither of the tipped runners showed at the finish line, leaving Asva to anchor a Tasmanian trifecta over Zulu Angel and Distrustful Award. No Rumours, back in sixth, was the leading out-of-towner.

“I knew I had a fair horse, I put a line through the last run,” winning trainer Glenn Stevenson said.

“If he can get put to sleep in his chance.

“He’s always shown the ability, it’s just been a matter of actually getting mature. It’s a maturity thing that’s been with him, and he’s finally grown into the horse he is.”

Starting from off the pace, Asva swung three-wide through the back straight as Jett Stanley urged the six-year-old forward five deep past rivals to lead with 400m remaining.

Trainer and jockey provided sharply differing takes on the ride immediately afterwards.

“To be honest, you sit, and you go ‘what’s happened here, what’s he doing? Oh my God’ He won though so it’s a great ride,” Stevenson said.

“Once we got into the side straight, there was a three wide moving line which I thought would take me where we needed to be,” winning jockey Jett Stanley said.

“From about the 700m, I was going too well. For 2400m horses, if you don’t know whether they can do it or not, there is only one way to test them – that’s just to let them go when they are travelling that well.

“He went around them so easily and effortlessly. From the 200m I was just trying to think of my salute.”

Supporting races saw Sanniya, owned by Barry Campbell and Star Thoroughbreds, claim the Vamos Stakes (1400m) with ease, pushing her streak to five.

John Keys dominated the 3YO Classic (1200m) quinella via Swift Force from Zambezi Blonde, while Steparty doubled her Tasmanian wins this prep in the Hellova Street Stakes (1600m).

Visit leading online bookmakers for betting options inspired by the Launceston Cup results.

The state of the Randwick track is poised to shape Ciaron Maher’s entries into the Sweet Embrace Stakes, particularly with Pierro Plate winner Ciaron’s Star potentially sidelined by heavy rain impact.

Spicy Miss has her spot secured in the prestigious Golden Slipper pathfinder, as assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord explained the close watch on forecasts concerning Ciaron’s Star.

“We have the option to either go two weeks (into Saturday), and three weeks into the Slipper, or wait an extra week, which will give her three weeks from last start and two weeks into the Slipper,” Gerard-Dubord said.

“She is by I Am Invincible. Usually, they don’t tend to like those wet tracks.

“We’ve got a very open mind. If there was a bit of give, there would be no issue, but if the track was too wet, we’d be waiting an extra week.”

Conditions won’t deter Spicy Miss from participating, notwithstanding her two races having occurred only on firm footing.

After placing second in her debut Golden Gift, the filly followed up solidly, finishing behind Agrarian Girl in the Lonhro Plate at 1000m. Gerard-Dubord anticipates the 1200-metre test of the Sweet Embrace Stakes on Saturday will favour her.

Ranked fifth for the Golden Slipper Order of Entry, the filly’s earnings provide the stable with flexibility in targeting the juvenile feature.

“After the Gift, we knew we were a good chance to qualify for the Slipper, so working back from the Slipper, we have left plenty of improvement to come,” Gerard-Dubord said.

“We’ve still got more to come, but three weeks between runs and stepping up to 1200 will suit her, and a bit of rain around wouldn’t bother her.

“Obviously, we’d love to get a win on the board, and if she did that or ran very well, we’d progress to the Slipper.”

Queensland-based Pembrey tops the initial markets for the Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m), alongside notable quotes for Spicy Miss and Ciaron’s Star.

Visit trusted Australian betting sites to compare odds for the Sweet Embrace Stakes.

Manchester United have been repeatedly linked with a sensational summer transfer swoop for Chelsea star Cole Palmer

Sam Allardyce belives Chelsea will sell Cole Palmer to Manchester United ‘for the right price’ amid ongoing speculation linking the England international with a move to his boyhood club.

The Blues’ playmaker is understood to be a United fan, despite coming through the youth ranks at Manchester City before his move to Stamford Bridge.

Reports earlier this year claimed Palmer would be keen on a return to Manchester, being closer to home in Wythenshawe, though Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has stressed the 23-year-old is happy at the club.

However, that hasn’t stopped speculation linking the Chelsea star with a move to Old Trafford and Allardyce believes the Blues are always looking to make a profit in what would be a huge signing for United.

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Speaking to the No Tippy Tappy podcast, Allardyce said: “Chelsea will always sell at the right price, so it’s whether Manchester United have the money that they’d want for him Cole Palmer.

“It would be a big signing for United. He’s only 23-years-old, so they’d get a good seven or eight years from him, maybe more if he looks after himself.

“He’s a particular talent who shone from day one at Chelsea. There has been a bit of a lull because of his injuries, but he’ll get back to the level he was at sooner rather than later.

“He’s a tremendous talent, but I do think Chelsea are always in a position to make profit off a player.”

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Rosenior attempted to shut down transfer talk linking Palmer with a Chelsea exit, claiming a move to United was unrealistic and said there was nothing in it.

He said: “There’s no reason for assurance. It’s so unrealistic. It’s come from nowhere. There’s nothing in it. There’s no reason to have the conversation. That’s where I’m at.

“Cole is very happy. I’ve had numerous conversations with him. Our thoughts are on how we can make this team better, how he can improve and how I can help him.

“He loves being here and he wants to be a Chelsea player. You can’t stop speculation, but some speculation is so far from the truth. There’s no point in having a discussion about it.”

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Conditions at Randwick are poised to influence Ciaron Maher’s final selections for the Sweet Embrace Stakes, especially with Ciaron’s Star, winner of the Pierro Plate, potentially sidelined by excessive rain.

Spicy Miss, however, is a sure starter in the crucial Golden Slipper pathfinder, as explained by Maher deputy Johann Gerard-Dubord, who said the stable is tracking forecasts diligently for Ciaron’s Star.

“We have the option to either go two weeks (into Saturday), and three weeks into the Slipper, or wait an extra week, which will give her three weeks from last start and two weeks into the Slipper,” Gerard-Dubord said.

“She is by I Am Invincible. Usually, they don’t tend to like those wet tracks.

“We’ve got a very open mind. If there was a bit of give, there would be no issue, but if the track was too wet, we’d be waiting an extra week.”

Conditions won’t deter Spicy Miss, who has only known firm footing in her two races to date.

Runner-up in her debut Golden Gift, she then chased Agrarian Girl home in the Lonhro Plate at 1000 metres. Gerard-Dubord is confident the 1200-metre test of the Sweet Embrace Stakes on Saturday suits the filly perfectly.

Her earnings place her fifth for Golden Slipper entry, bolstering the stable’s strategy toward the juvenile prize.

“After the Gift, we knew we were a good chance to qualify for the Slipper, so working back from the Slipper, we have left plenty of improvement to come,” Gerard-Dubord said.

“We’ve still got more to come, but three weeks between runs and stepping up to 1200 will suit her, and a bit of rain around wouldn’t bother her.

“Obviously, we’d love to get a win on the board, and if she did that or ran very well, we’d progress to the Slipper.”

In opening markets, Pembrey from Queensland is favourite for the Sweet Embrace Stakes at 1200m, alongside strong claims from Spicy Miss and Ciaron’s Star.

Find the top betting sites offering value in the racing betting markets for the Sweet Embrace Stakes.

John Higgins remained on course for a sixth Welsh Open title after brushing aside Zhou Yuelong in the quarter-final.

The Scot clinched three scrappy frames before making breaks of 75 and 67 to win the contest 5-0.

Higgins will meet Jack Lisowski in the semi-final after he defeated 2017 champion Stuart Bingham 5-2.

Lisowski stormed into a 4-0 lead in Llandudno, with breaks of 70 and 118, before Bingham wrestled two frames back.

But Lisowski, who won his first ranking title at the Northern Ireland Open in October, held his composure to seal victory.

Oleksandr Usyk‘s next fight has finally been confirmed.

Usyk was last in action in July when he became undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time with a fifth round knockout victory over Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium.

The Ukrainian vacated his WBO belt later that year, but remains in possession of the WBC, WBA and IBF titles, and had been rumoured for bouts against the likes of Deontay Wilder and Andy Ruiz Jr.

Instead, it has been announced that he will take on the surprise alternative opponent he has also been linked to – kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven. As per the announcement, Usyk will be making a voluntary defence of his WBC belt, which will lead to legitimate questions over how Verhoeven has been sanctioned as a legitimate challenger.

The ‘Prince of Kickboxing’ has fought just once as a professional boxer, back in April 2014. The IBF and WBA belts are noticeably absent at this stage, meaning Usyk could be vacating them before the fight.

The event will take place at a spectacular venue, with the pair squaring off at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt on May 23. The event is to be broadcast live on DAZN.

Legends collide where legends were built 🥊🦂

On May 23rd, under the shadows of the ancient giants, Oleksandr Usyk takes on Rico Verhoeven at the iconic Pyramids of Giza 🔥

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Glory in Giza | May 23rd | LIVE on DAZN 📺 pic.twitter.com/mHnLT625Du

— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) February 27, 2026

Speaking about the announcement, Usyk explained why he is giving Verhoeven the opportunity.

“I respect people who reach the very top in their sport. Rico is one of them — a powerful athlete and a great champion. Being a champion isn’t just about belts. It’s about years of hard work, discipline, and belief.

“I respect his journey — he’s truly the King of Kickboxing. But this is boxing — a different game, with its own rules and its own kings. I’m ready and really looking forward to meeting him in the ring. It’s going to be a unique experience for both of us, and I know the fans are excited too. A big night is coming!”

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The Ukrainian will be a considerable favourite in the fight, and fans will hope for a more legitimate opponent later in the year.

Arne Slot has launched into a defence of Liverpool’s record spending spree by declaring they bought “great” players who will be a “big, big, big success” at Anfield and insisting they did very well with their money.

Liverpool spent £450m last summer, more than any English club had ever paid out in one transfer window, and broke first their own transfer record to sign Florian Wirtz for £100m and then the British record to buy Alexander Isak for £125m.

Liverpool are only sixth in the Premier League, despite their huge outlay, with Isak, who is currently out with a broken leg, scoring just three goals in 17 games for the club.

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But Slot is confident the Swede and Wirtz, plus top scorer Hugo Ekitike, full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, injured centre-back Giovanni Leoni and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili represent a good use of Liverpool’s budget.

“They are great football players which will be a big, big, big success for this club,” he said. “In general I only ever see, ‘£450m spent, 450, 450, 450’. And no one looks at the circumstances, which are that the £450m is very well spent, very, very, very well spent – one more time, very well spent.”

Slot often points out that, over his time in charge, Liverpool have brought in around £300m so it is not a £450m net spend.

And because of injuries he is not able to put all that £450m on the pitch. He believes he will be without £300m of talent against West Ham on Saturday with Leoni out for the season, Isak for another few weeks and Wirtz missing with a back problem, while Mamardashvili will be on the bench, though Frimpong is able to return.

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But he accepts that Liverpool have not always seen the newcomers at their best, adding: “Alex has not been the Alex of Newcastle, [apart from] maybe 20 minutes at Tottenham, I don’t criticise him because we signed him for six years not six months. Giorgi, we needed him because Caoimh [Kelleher] left but we hardly played with two goalkeepers. Jeremie has been many times injured, Giovanni [is] out for the season. Tomorrow, I miss out on Florian. Him and Hugo and Milos needed time to adapt.”

EA Sports has released the EA FC 26 Georges Mikautadze POTM SBC in Ultimate Team, with the Georgian striker winning the LaLiga Player of the Month award due to his amazing performances over the course of February. The Villareal forward has spearheaded his team’s attacking efforts and led them to the third position in the league table, and he is fully deserving of this 87-rated item.

With the meta of the game evolving at a rapid rate, Player of the Month SBCs have also started to receive two PlayStyles+. The EA FC 26 Georges Mikautadze POTM SBC is an excellent example, as the LaLiga striker now has impressive stats in relevant areas after receiving his very first upgraded item of the season in Ultimate Team.

All tasks and cheapest solutions of the EA FC 26 Georges Mikautadze POTM SBC

Similar to the recently released Joey Veerman Fantasy FC SBC, the EA FC 26 Georges Mikautadze POTM SBC also requires two squads to be unlocked. This will keep the overall cost of the item relatively low despite his impressive attributes and traits, making him a tempting proposition for fans on a low budget.

These are the requirements and cheapest solutions of each segment of the POTM SBC:

Task 1: LaLiga

• LaLiga players: Minimum one in your starting eleven
• Team overall rating: Minimum 84

Solutions:

• Romelu Lukaku: 84
• Alexander Sorloth: 84
• Greggi: 84
• Nusken: 84
• Sergej Milinkovic-Savic: 84
• Alex Greenwood: 84
• Damaris Egurrola: 84
• Fox: 84
• Hampton: 84
• van de Donk: 83
• Ilkay Gundogan: 83

Task 2: Top Form

• Team of the Week players: Minimum one in your starting eleven
• Team overall rating: Minimum 85

Solutions:

• Alexandra Popp: 85
• Foord: 85
• Girelli: 85
• Granit Xhaka: 85
• Giugliano: 85
• Svenja Huth: 85
• Vivianne Miedema: 85
• Kim Little: 85
• Caroline Weir: 85
• Damaris Egurrola: 84
• Reed (TOTW): 84

The requirement of a Team of the Week player in the Top Form segment will raise the overall price of this item, as these versions are relatively more expensive to purchase from the transfer market compared to regular gold items.

Is the EA FC 26 Georges Mikautadze POTM SBC worth it?

The overall expected cost of the SBC is around 32,000 coins. This is a decent price for a well-rounded striker from LaLiga who has four-star skill moves, a four-star weak foot, 88 pace, 90 shooting and 90 dribbling. He also has meta PlayStyles like Finesse Shot+, First Touch+, Pinged Pass, Low Driven Shot, Quickstep and Technical.