Recalling Learning To Fly’s barrier-conquering win in the Inglis Millennium three years prior, Chad Schofield seeks an encore performance.
Chad Schofield is well-founded in his view that a broad starting position poses no fatal threat to Screen Idol, prepared by John Thompson, in the $2 million Inglis Millennium at Randwick.
The elite Sydney hoop has claimed the prize twice, lately with Learning To Fly who mirrored Screen Idol’s second-outermost barrier.
“When I won on Learning To Fly, it drew wide (barrier 15 of 16) too,” Schofield said.
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“This is a different type of filly. Learning To Fly sat last and rounded them up. This filly is a bit speedier, so we’ll see.”
A daughter of Nature Strip’s sire Nicconi, Screen Idol exceeded her debut odds to almost defeat Shiki in the Gimcrack Stakes (1000m).
She has undergone a pair of trials for her seasonal reappearance, and Schofield, ever-present with her, affirms her continued development.
“She’s going really well. She was unlucky not to win the Gimcrack. She covered ground that day and just kept finding the line,” he said.
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“John tipped her out and she has come back a more mature, stronger filly. She’s got no favours from the barrier draw but she’ll be tough. She will be there late.”
Schofield connects with debutant Threads from Godolphin in the Listed Lonhro Plate (1000m), optimistic after shared trial work.
Under Ciaron Maher’s guidance, Threads, first to race from Group 3 winner Tailleur, is tipped by Schofield for prominent juvenile targets.
“I think he’s a very talented two-year-old colt and it’s exciting to kick him off on Saturday,” he said.
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“It’s a good start off race for him. He’s drawn well and I think he’s a horse that could race into the two-year-old features.”
Schofield’s Randwick slate features 10 rides, topped by Maher’s premier filly Tempted in the Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m). Fans of the 2026 Inglis Millennium can find competitive prices in the racing betting markets.
Cole Palmer scored a hat‑trick for Chelsea, and Bruno Fernandes has fuelled speculation by sending the midfielder a message following recent links to Manchester United
22:42, 07 Feb 2026Updated 22:45, 07 Feb 2026
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Bruno Fernandes has sent Cole Palmer a message following Chelsea’s 3–1 win over Wolves, in which the forward scored a hat‑trick. Palmer returned to the scoresheet in a season which has been disrupted by injuries so far.
The 23‑year‑old struck all three goals for Chelsea in the first half at Molineux, underlining the impact he can make on a match. During his first season at Stamford Bridge, Palmer netted 27 goals in all competitions, collected multiple individual awards, and established himself as a regular for England.
His performances even sparked transfer speculation during the January window, with reports linking him to Manchester United amid claims he was feeling homesick.
Although Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior dismissed those rumours, it’s clear that figures at United have been keeping a close eye on his progress.
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Fernandes was spotted in the comments section of Palmer’s Instagram post after the match, where the Chelsea star shared several snaps from the game alongside the caption: “Just enjoy.”
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The Portuguese skipper replied: “What a player,” followed by a clapping emoji. His comment quickly gained more than 3,900 likes and hundreds of replies.
Some fans jokingly called him “agent Bruno,” while another wrote: “I see what you’re doing here, mate.”
Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford, currently on loan at Barcelona from United, also liked the post.
Palmer has been candid about the fact that he was a United fan as a child, despite coming through the ranks at rival City’s academy.
He has also disclosed that he looked up to United legend Wayne Rooney when he was younger.
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As Palmer looks to rediscover his best form, Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior was delighted with what he saw, saying: “We know what a world-class player he is.
“He’s played a lot of football over the last year with not much rest. When he’s at his best, he’s unstoppable.
“I’m delighted to be working with him.”
However, following the game Palmer also gave his views on the recent speculation over his future, telling the BBC: “Everyone loves to chat rubbish, don’t they? I don’t pay too much attention to it.
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“You see things. But I feel like I’ve come from a strong place anyway so I don’t pay attention to it.”
Wigan said Glenn Whelan and Graham Barrow will take charge of the first team on an interim basis while the club “will work quickly to identify and appoint” a new head coach.
The club also thanked Lowe for “his efforts and wishes him all the best for the future”.
Lowe previously won promotion from League Two with Bury and Plymouth and finished 13th, 12th and 10th in the Championship with Preston.
Having arrived at the club at the tail end of the 2024-25 season, Lowe guided Wigan to a 15th-placed finish in the table.
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After winning against Northampton on the opening day of this season, Wigan’s form soon tailed off as they secured just three victories from 17 matches in all competitions between late August and late November.
Wigan’s next match is at home in the league against Reading on Tuesday (19:45 GMT) before they travel to face Premier League leaders Arsenal in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday, 15 February (16:30).
Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) kneels in the end zone before the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. will be a restricted free agent next month, meaning the franchise could rather easily re-sign him — or let him explore a new team for 2026 and beyond. If both parties choose the latter, we have the top free-agent landing spots for the 25-year-old.
His size won’t scare the right defenses, but the leaguewide need for speed and blitz-happiness might land Pace Jr. a starting job outside Minnesota.
Teammate Eric Wilson took Pace Jr.’s starting job in 2025, and with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah out as general manager, Pace Jr. could opt for a fresh start elsewhere, believing he still has the juice to start.
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Pace Jr. Landing Spots Ranked from Least to Most Likely
Ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most likely), these are the most likely destinations for Pace Jr. if he leaves the Vikings.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. reacts after a key defensive sequence at State Farm Stadium during an NFC wild card matchup, with January 13, 2025 appearing mid-paragraph as the second half unfolded against the Rams. The emotional moment reflects Pace’s intensity and leadership as Minnesota battled to regain momentum on a postseason stage. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
Behind Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson, the Steelers could use some linebacking depth in 2026, a campaign that will be led by a non-Mike Tomlin coach for the first time in almost 20 years. Pittsburgh general manager Omar Khan has shown no hesitation in employing “short” linebackers as of late, evidenced by roster spots for players like Devin Bush and Elandon Roberts.
Pace Jr. could join Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh on a modest contract.
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5. Dallas Cowboys
There’s not a totally direct link between the two, but Vikings defensive line coach Marcus Dixon just left Minnesota to lead the Cowboys’ defensive linemen in 2026. Dixon knows Pace Jr.
Starting linebaker Kenneth Murray is on tap for free agency, and if he leaves, Pace Jr. could theoretically swoop in and grab his spot. Dallas’ defense ranked 32nd in the NFL in EPA per play in 2025; it needs all the help it can get. Pace Jr. could take off with a fresh start on Jerry Jones’s team.
4. Cincinnati Bengals
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There’s one connection here, and it’s often meaningful: Pace Jr. grew up in Cincinnati and [checks notes] played college ball at Cincinnati. He’s a Bearcat.
Signing with the Bengals would be a homecoming for the free-agent-to-be. Pace Jr. could serve as immediate depth to young LBs Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter in Cincinnati.
The Bengals have about $55 million in cap space at the moment. Because Pace Jr. was benched in 2025, his next contract won’t break the bank.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
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LBs Devin Lloyd and Dennis Gardneck are free agents, leaving IDP fantasy football god Foysade Oluokun as a last man standing of sorts this offseason in the Jaguars’ LB room.
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski stands alongside head coach Liam Coen on the sideline at EverBank Stadium, with January 4, 2026 placed mid-paragraph during second-quarter action versus Tennessee. The snapshot captures in-game collaboration as Jacksonville adjusted offensively, weighing play-calling decisions amid a tightly contested divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
Too, Grant Udinski runs the Jaguars’ offense, and although he won’t directly coach Pace Jr., he could whisper in general manager James Gladstone’s ear that Pace Jr. has the right stuff to play next to Oluokun.
2. New England Patriots
The Patriots will play in the Super Bowl on Sunday, so the last thing on their minds is free-agent linebackers in March.
Still, Robert Spillane battled injuries in 2025, while former Viking Christian Elliss may not be a long-term solution for a New England team that hopes to compete for the Super Bowl indefinitely.
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A man named Mike Smith is the Patriots’ outside linebackers coach. Guess where he came from? The Vikings. Smith served as the outside linebackers/pass-rush specialist in Minnesota from 2023 to 2024, which were also known as the golden years for Pace Jr.
1. Washington Commanders
The logic here is elementary, and it makes the case for Pace Jr. to Washington his top landing spot in free agency.
The Commanders hired Daronte Jones last week as the new defensive coordinator, a promotion for the man who previously worked as the Vikings’ defensive passing game coordinator under Brian Flores. Jones is ultra-familiar with Pace Jr.’s game and might believe he can restore him to 2023 and 2024 form.
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Meanwhile, the Commanders’ linebackers are not young: Bobby Wagner (35) and Frankie Luvu (29). Wagner is also a free agent.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. celebrates after finishing a sack at EverBank Stadium, with November 10, 2024 embedded mid-paragraph during second-quarter action against Jacksonville. The burst of energy highlights Pace’s impact as Minnesota’s defense applied steady pressure, feeding off the moment while teammates and the crowd responded to the stop. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
Don’t be surprised if Jones drags a few Vikings free agents to Washington, perhaps Pace Jr., Eric Wilson, or Fabian Moreau.
No matter how things proceed, Ivan Pace Jr. is a major success for Minnesota. He got scooped up as an undrafted free agent, almost instantly generating optimism. The key thing that makes Mr. Pace unique is that he fully lived up to (surpassed?) the wildest hopes. Since becoming a Viking, Pace has played in 45 NFL games, starting 27.
That’s 45 more games — and, crucially, 27 more starts — than the majority of UDFA adds. He has 236 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions within his career. In all likelihood, the linebacker is going to be too pricey to keep. Minnesota has a pile of cap debt to sort through, so retaining someone who deserves a raise is difficult, especially with the flaws in his game. Getting a Day 3 pick would be a good return.
In 2026, Chip Ganassi Racing boasts a diverse Indy NXT lineup, with all four of its drivers at different experience levels. While Niels Koolen and Bryce Aron return for another season with the team, the two new signings, James Roe and Carson Etter, are on opposite ends of their Indy NXT journey
Roe has been racing in the IndyCar feeder series for four years, and after three seasons with Andretti Global, joins CGR for 2026. Meanwhile, Etter, who grew up watching F1, is the only rookie on the team. As fate would have it, the 23-year-old Californian found his footing at the iconic team his “racing idol”, six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon, races for in IndyCar.
During Indy NXT’s media days earlier this week, Etter spoke about his racing journey and shared aspects of his personal life. He sounded humble during the press conference and even introduced himself as he sat down to face the media.
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In response to a question by Sportskeeda about his dynamic with his teammates and him being the ‘most inexperienced’ driver at Chip Ganassi Racing, Etter replied:
“It’s honestly good for me, and I like that I am around a group of experienced drivers. They obviously know what to expect in terms of where we’re gonna be at, how the car’s gonna play out over the long duration. So being able to learn off guys that are very experienced is something that I value high because of my inexperience. So being able to learn off what they’re doing and apply it to my own racing is something that I’d like a lot.”
Carson Etter continues to pursue his education at Arizona State University despite steadily rising through the American open-wheel racing ladder. He also has experience in short-course off-road racing, and on the open-wheel side, has been steadily rising through the junior ranks since 2023.
The Californian raced in the USF Junior and the US F2000 with DC Autosport in 2023 and 2024 before signing with Exclusive Autosport for 2025. Though Etter scored only one Top 10 finish, a P6 in Portland, something about his race-craft and potential caught Chip Ganassi Racing’s eye.
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Carson Etter sets a clear goal for rookie Indy NXT season with Chip Ganassi Racing
Carson Etter – INDY NXT Sebring Testing | Credit: Penske Entertainment: Matt Fraver
Carson Etter has set a clear goal for his rookie Indy NXT season with Chip Ganassi Racing, and that is to consistently finish in the top 10 in races, which would more or less translate to a Top 10 finish in the championship standings by the end of the season.
For Etter, a Top 10 in the standings might not be a far-fetched goal. Chip Ganassi Racing’s 2025 Indy NXT drivers Niels Koolen and Bryce Aron finished eighth and 11th in the standings, with seven and six Top 10 finishes, respectively.
“The target I’ve set for myself in this rookie season is just to be fighting for that Top 10, anywhere inside the Top 10,” Etter told Sportskeeda. “If I’m to be able to do that, I’m gonna be pretty happy for that.”
In a way, similar to Carson Etter, Chip Ganassi Racing is also inexperienced in Indy NXT. 2025 was its first year in the series since 2007. But for a team that has been dominating IndyCar in the past half a decade, with Alex Palou having won four championships and the 2025 Indy 500, the Indy NXT challenge shouldn’t be as challenging.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe took full responsibility after his players were booed from the pitch following a 3-2 home defeat by Brentford.
Howe, who has now seen his side drop 19 Premier League points from winning positions this term, was not hiding in the wake of another damaging defeat ahead of four successive away games in three different competitions.
He said: “I’ve always said the pressure I put on myself couldn’t be more extreme because I demand really high standards from what I’m doing, how I work, what I ask the players to do and I’m obviously not doing my job well enough at the moment.
“There’s a harsh reality for me. I’ve got to think long and hard – not about my effort because I can’t question that about myself – but I think I’ve got to work better, I’ve got to do more.
“I’ve got to take full responsibility for everything you see on the pitch and I’ve got to work out solutions. I think that’s for me to do.
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“Then, of course, I have to ask the same from the players.”
Sven Botman had headed the hosts in front with his first goal since New Year’s Day 2024, but they went in behind at the break thanks to Vitaly Janelt’s equaliser and an Igor Thiago penalty, his 18th goal of the season.
They dragged themselves back level through Bruno Guimaraes’ 78th-minute spot-kick, but ultimately succumbed to Dango Ouattara’s winner five minutes from time as they slipped to a fourth home defeat of the campaign.
Bees head coach Keith Andrews saluted the “fearlessness” of his players on Tyneside six days after they went to title-chasing Aston Villa and won 1-0.
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Andrews, whose side now have 39 points – just five fewer than fourth-placed Manchester United – said: “We’ve set the bar high amongst the group in terms of what we would like to achieve and the standards that we have day-to-day, week-to-week.
“I feel like there’s a fearlessness around the group when they go up against teams, whoever that team is, that we can win games. We’ve shown that pretty consistently throughout the season.
“Away from home, obviously, in the last week, we’ve gone to two huge football clubs and produced really good performances and got the result.
“To win here, it’s a special night for everybody connected with the club. We had to show a lot this evening, a lot of character.
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“We spoke about it before the game and in the build-up to the game around whatever was thrown at us. Could we deal with that because I now when you come here, a lot gets thrown at you, the way Eddie has the team set up, the crowd, they way they can engage, the individual quality, the momentum in games when it flips, could we deal with that, could we react to setbacks?
“I think it’s fair to say that we reacted to all of that really, really well, so (I’m) pleased, really pleased.”
Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu made history on Saturday night, scoring twice as Trabzonspor claimed a 3-0 win over Samsunspor at the 19 Mayıs Stadium.
Onuachu opened the scoring in the first half with a powerful header from a fine cross by Albanian winger Ernest Muçi. The Nigerian forward struck again late in the game, calmly finishing after a clever pass from midfielder Okay Yokuşlu.
Muçi then added a third goal in stoppage time, converting a penalty to seal a convincing victory for the visitors.
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The brace took Onuachu’s tally to 16 goals in 20 matches in all competitions since he joined Trabzonspor from Southampton in the summer.
The goal also saw him set a new club record, becoming the first foreign player in Trabzonspor history to score in both league games against Samsunspor in a single Süper Lig season. He had earlier scored in the 1-1 draw at Papara Park on August 31, 2025.
Trabzonspor remain third in the Turkish Süper Lig with 45 points from 21 matches. They are now just one point behind Fenerbahçe and four points behind leaders Galatasaray as the title race heats up.
Nigeria striker Tolu Arokodare scored again against London opposition, but his goal was not enough as Wolverhampton Wanderers lost 3-1 to Chelsea in the Premier League at Molineux.
Arokodare scored his second league goal of the season, with both strikes coming against clubs from London. He had earlier scored against Arsenal and also netted against Chelsea in the EFL Cup.
Chelsea dominated the game from the start and scored three goals in the first half. Cole Palmer hit a quick hat-trick inside 25 minutes as Wolves struggled to cope with Chelsea’s speed and movement. The hosts went into the break 3-0 down.
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Wolves improved after half-time and almost pulled one back when Mateus Mane hit the woodwork. Soon after, Arokodare reacted fastest to a flick-on from a corner to score from close range and give Wolves hope.
The Nigerian forward later had another chance when he was sent through on goal, but Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez made a good save. Wolves kept pushing for another goal, but Chelsea stayed calm and saw out the game.
The win was Chelsea’s fourth league victory in a row as they continue their push for a top-four finish. Wolves remain bottom of the table, with Arokodare’s sixth goal in 29 games this season offering a small positive for the struggling side.
Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, left, is congratulated by Fermin Lopez, center, and Lamine Yamal (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona strengthened their grip on the La Liga title race with a commanding 3-0 victory over Mallorca on Saturday, opening up a four-point lead at the top of the table. Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal played a central role, responding to an earlier miss with a stunning long-range finish that underlined his growing influence. Robert Lewandowski set Barça on their way in the first half before 18-year-old academy graduate Marc Bernal wrapped up the points late on with the first goal of his senior career. The result gives Barcelona breathing space at the summit, although second-placed Real Madrid have the chance to cut the deficit to a single point when they travel to Valencia on Sunday. Lewandowski broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, reacting quickest after Marcus Rashford’s initial effort down the left was blocked. The striker calmly brought the ball under control, shifted it away from a defender and finished with precision from close range. Rashford’s growing confidence was evident again just before the interval. His curling free kick in stoppage time forced an excellent save from Mallorca goalkeeper Leo Roman. The rebound dropped invitingly for Jules Koundé inside the area, but his mishit effort fell to Yamal, who surprisingly failed to convert from virtually on the goal line. Lewandowski, one of the game’s most prolific scorers with more than 650 club goals to his name, was quick to encourage the young winger after the miss. Yamal made amends in emphatic fashion in the 61st minute. Skipping past a defender on the edge of the box, he unleashed a fierce, dipping left-footed strike into the bottom corner, leaving Roman rooted to the spot. Both Yamal and Lewandowski were substituted later in the match and watched on approvingly as Bernal added the third in the 83rd minute. Barcelona cut through Mallorca’s midfield with a sharp passing move that released the teenager, who showed impressive composure to glide past a defender and slot the ball neatly inside the post. Elsewhere in La Liga, two fixtures were postponed. Rayo Vallecano’s home clash with Oviedo was called off due to safety concerns over the pitch at Vallecas Stadium, while Sevilla’s match against Girona was also postponed because of adverse weather. Oviedo said it understood the decision but criticised the late notice and confirmed it was considering legal action.
India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
NEW DELHI: India kicked off their T20 World Cup campaign with a win over the USA, but captain Suryakumar Yadav admitted the team had to dig deep after a shaky start. India posted 161/9, thanks largely to SKY’s unbeaten 84 off 49 balls after the top and middle order collapsed. The USA then managed 132/8 in reply, as India’s bowlers kept things under control.
T20 World Cup Groups Explained: Who Can Reach the Super 8
After the match, Suryakumar was honest about India’s batting struggles. He said, “Only I can tell at the position we were in at 77/6, how much pressure we were in… We could’ve batted a little better.” He also spoke about the conditions, noting the pitch and morning light were unusual, but stressed that the team should not make excuses.“It was a little different wicket from what it is always at Wankhede. But at the same time, we knew when we woke up in the morning, we saw outside there wasn’t a lot of sun outside,” he added.Surya, who got the Man of the Match award for his exceptional knock, explained how he approached his innings when India were in trouble, adding, “I always felt that there was a need for a batter to bat till the end. I never felt that it was a 180-190 wicket. I felt it was a 140 wicket.” He revealed that coach Gautam Gambhir also advised him to stay till the end and back himself. “Gauti bhai told me the same thing during the break after the 14 overs. He told me, just try and bat till the end, you can cover it any time,” he continued.Drawing on his experience of playing in Mumbai maidans, he focused on timing his shots and managing the innings under pressure.He also reflected on his personal journey, saying, “I knew definitely someday it was going to come… I was trying to bat in such a way, hold the innings for the team, but it wasn’t happening.”India’s bowlers then stepped up. Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel shared key wickets to keep the USA chase in check. Though Milind Kumar, Shubham Ranjane and Suraj Krishnamurthi fought back with useful knocks, they could not match India’s experience in crunch moments.Earlier, India were rocked at 77/6 after Shadley van Schalkwyk ripped through the batting with four wickets, including a triple strike in one over. But Suryakumar’s calm and aggressive knock rescued India and gave the bowlers enough runs to defend.In the end, India won by 29 runs, an important but hard-earned victory that showed both their resilience and the areas they still need to improve.
