The Cheltenham Festival is back and the 2026 edition promises to be action-packed before culminating in Friday’s Gold Cup with Inothewayurthinkin attempting to win the trophy for a second successive year.
St. Patrick’s Thursday looks set to follow in the footsteps of two fabulous days of racing with Willie Mullins’ Irish Gold Cup winner, Fact To File, the odds-on favourite to triumph in the Ryanair Chase (4.00pm). Also of note is another Mullins’ charge at Bambino Fever goes off in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle while Henry de Bromhead’s Slade Steel takes on the Jack Richards Novices’ Chase again but without last year’s winning jockey Rachael Blackmore.
(PA)
Following Lossiemouth’s victory in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday, Mullins continued his form when Il Etait Temps won the Queen Mother Champion Chase. The Irish trainer is now two for two from the champion races this year and looks set for a third victory on Thursday.
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Our racing correspondent Jonathan Doidge will be at Cheltenham all week to share his thoughts, insights and tips. Plus legendary former jockey Ruby Walsh has shared his tips with Paddy Power.
Thursday 12 March – St Patrick’s Thursday
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1.20: Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Bambino Fever
“Bambino Fever has an outstanding chance. She was beaten by Oldschool Outlaw at Naas, but improved markedly to win at Fairyhouse on her second start over hurdles. She was last year’s Champion Bumper winner, and she’s in very good form at home. I couldn’t oppose her.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Oldschool Outlaw (e/w)
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“There’s little to choose between the top two in the market on what they’ve achieved so far but the second favourite, Oldschool Outlaw is a much bigger price than Bambino Fever, whom she’s already beaten when they met at Naas in December. Of the Brits, La Conquiere looks the most interesting.”
2.00: Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2)
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Sixmilebridge
“I really like Simmilebridge, who’s done nothing wrong over fences. He’s won all three starts over the larger obstacles, including the Scilly Isles at Sandown, where he beat Kala Conti impressively.”
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Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Ben Solo (e/w)
“I think there may be some value in Ben Solo. He’s a seven-year-old trained by Rebecca Curtis and is still feeling his way as he tries to establish himself over fences. He’s certainly shown ability, having won one of his four starts over the bigger obstacles, that coming over an extended 2m3f at Chepstow last November.”
2.40: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Wodhooh or Jade De Grugy
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“This looks between Wodhooh and Jade De Grugy, and I’m finding it hard to split them. I can’t see Wodhooh out of the first two, and Jade De Grugy is the only one I can see beating her. The rest will struggle to match that pair for pace, so I’ll be playing them in a reverse forecast.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Wodhooh
“She’s several pounds clear of the field on official ratings and I think last year’s Martin Pipe winner Wodhooh is still a half decent price at a shade of odds-on.”
3.20: Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
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Ruby Walsh’s tip: Honesty Policy
“I can’t see a lot of pace on, and that may suit Honesty Policy, who has plenty of gears. If Gordon Elliott’s string starts firing, I’d be keen on this improving six-year-old. I loved his run at Ascot last time, and he’s a big player.
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Bob Olinger (e/w)
“Surely it’s only the fact that he’s now an 11-year-old that means Bob Olinger is a 15/2 chance for the staying hurdlers’ championship, as I write this. He is 4-4 at Cheltenham, three of those wins coming at the Festival.”
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4.00: Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Fact To File
“Fact To File can avoid back luck, he should win. Impaire Et Passe could be the one to chase him home for a Willie Mullins 1-2, but I can’t see past Fact To File.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Fact To File
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“I’ve been praying that Willie Mullins would send Fact To File to this race and Gaelic Warrior to the Gold Cup and I’ve got my wish in that respect. I’m not saying that Fact To File can’t win a Gold Cup but I do think he is perfectly suited by this trip at a stiff track and on more or less any ground.”
4.40: Pertemps Network Final (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Premier Handicap)
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Yeah Man
“I’m giving a shout to Yeah man for the Gavin Cromwell team. He ran in the Red Mills Hurdle to get his fifth qualifying run in after finishing second in a Pertemps Qualifier at Leopardstown. He’s off a higher mark in the UK, but on a going day, he’s a solid proposition.”
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Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Red Dirt Road (e/w)
“I’m prepared to take a chance here on a lightly raced nine-year-old who I’ve already tipped to no avail this season but I’m happy to hold my nerve and suggest a small each-way play on Red Dirt Road. He was my selection at Sandown in January, where he’d won a Grade 3 decisively last year. On this occasion, he led before going out like the proverbial light on ground described as heavy.”
5.20: Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase (0-145)
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Kim Roque
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“Kim Roque made the trip to Cheltenham on his first two starts for Joseph O’Brien. He then went to Leopardstown and ran well in the handicap chase at the Dublin Racing Festival. If the step up in trip brings about any improvement, he’s got a solid chance under John Gleeson.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Gericault Roque (e/w)
“Only two of the last 10 favourites have won this and I’ll warn you, I’ve not backed the winner in that entire decade. I’m going to go with a sporting selection in Gericault Roque, who was third here in the Ultima in 2022 and went on to be third in Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup later that year.”
Enzo Fernandez’s agent has branded Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior’s decision to drop the midfielder as “completely unfair”.
Fernandez will not play in either of Chelsea’s next two matches after the club sanctioned him for comments made during the international break that cast doubt on his Stamford Bridge future.
The 25-year-old has been linked with Real Madrid and fuelled speculation by telling a podcast he would like to live in the Spanish capital.
Rosenior confirmed he would be axed from the team for Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale and next weekend’s Premier League meeting with Manchester City.
“I spoke with Enzo about an hour ago,” said Rosenior. “As a football club, with me as part of the decision, he won’t be available for tomorrow’s game or Manchester City next Sunday.
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“It’s disappointing for Enzo to speak that way. I have got no bad words to say about him, but a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build.”
However, the issue is not gong to go away quietly after Fernandez’s agent Javier Pastore hit out at the sanction, saying the Argentina international does not understand the decision.
“The punishment is completely unfair,” he told The Athletic. “Banning the player for two matches, which moreover are also absolutely crucial for Chelsea because qualification for the Champions League is at stake and he is one of the team’s most important players.
“Alongside others, of course, but he has proven himself this year to be a leader and a key player, the backbone of this Chelsea side. I think it’s far too harsh given Chelsea’s current situation, and there’s no real reason or justification for why he has been banned.
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“Enzo didn’t understand the situation. When the coach told him, he accepted it because he’s a highly professional guy who’s always fully committed wherever he is and respects decisions, but we don’t understand the punishment because he doesn’t mention any club or say he wants to leave Chelsea, far from it. He only mentions Madrid, the city.”
Rosenior revealed no disciplinary action would be taken against Marc Cucurella after he said in an interview with The Athletic that the dismissal of former boss Enzo Maresca in January had destabilised the team.
The Spain defender also appeared to question the club’s recruitment policy, saying: “I understand this is part of the club’s policy and that they want to take this direction – signing young players and looking to the future.
“But, for all of us who want to win big things, moments like this (the 8-2 aggregate defeat to PSG) make you feel discouraged.”
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Asked about action that might be taken against Cucurella, Rosenior said: “I had a fantastic conversation with Marc yesterday, half-an-hour in my office.
“My disappointment in Marc’s interview was where it went to. I think he should’ve spoken to us first about how he was feeling.
“I want players to know they can speak openly and honestly for the benefit of the football club. As a football club, we know we need to improve.”
Scotland will meet Canada in Friday’s World Men’s Curling Championship semi-final, with the match live on the BBC Sport website & iPlayer (22:00 BST).
Matt Dunstone’s Canada made a three at the 10th end to defeat Italy 9-7 in their play-off. The United States registered the vital extra-end point to beat Switzerland 9-8 to set up a semi-final meeting with Sweden.
The winners will meet in Saturday’s final (21:00) after the third and fourth place play-off (16:00).
Scotland, led by Ross Whyte, reeled off 10 successive wins to seal their semi-final place in Utah. The Swedes, Scots and Canadians all finished the round-robin stage with a record of 10 wins and two defeats.
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Sweden beat the Scots in their opening game, Scotland beat the Canadians and Canada beat the Swedes, ruling out head-to-head records, with the top two spots settled on the “draw-shot challenge”, the most accurate first shot that decides which rink has “hammer” at the start of each match.
In their tournament debut, skip Whyte, along with Robin Brydone, Euan Kyle and Craig Waddell, are looking to retain the title for Scotland after last year’s win by Bruce Mouat’s world number ones. Mouat’s rink elected not to compete following their silver medal at the Olympics in Cortina.
Brad Jacobs’ Olympic champions from Canada, currently ranked two in the world, are also missing this world championship, leaving Dunstone and Whyte’s rinks as the two highest ranked sides in the competition.
A World Cup winner in 2006, Gattuso leaves after less than a year in charge of Italy, a team which has fallen far behind historic rivals like France and Spain in the last two decades.
Defeat on penalties to Bosnia and Hercegovina in Tuesday’s qualification play-off final ended up costing Gattuso his job, as the man who hired him also stepped down as president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).
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Gabriele Gravina had asked Gattuso to stay on immediately after elimination in Zenica but his departure, and that of national team general manager Gianluigi Buffon, paved the way for the 48-year-old to resign.
Gattuso took charge of Italy in June last year following the sacking of Luciano Spalletti, himself a victim of a dismal title defence at Euro 2024 and a 3-0 hammering at the hands of Erling Haaland’s Norway in their first World Cup qualifier.
His record is impressive on paper, with six wins, one defeat and one draw in eight matches with 22 goals scored and 10 conceded.
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But that draw was the 1-1 with Bosnia which preceded a penalty shoot-out in which Italy missed twice, while the loss was another humiliating one to Norway, this time 4-1 at the San Siro.
Gattuso was considered by many a strange choice to replace Spalletti due to his spotty club coaching record, and he was heavily criticised after Tuesday’s elimination.
MCG will play host to Saturday’s
Round 4 AFL game between Richmond Tigers and
Port Adelaide Power. The game kicks off at 4:15 pm with Port Adelaide Power heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Richmond Tigers vs.
Port Adelaide Power
game and give you our free tips and bets.
Richmond will be eager to secure its first win of the season as it returns to familiar territory. The Tigers have shown patches of competitiveness but will need greater cohesion across all lines to challenge a disciplined opponent. Ball movement and forward connection remain areas of focus, while defensive resilience will be tested under sustained pressure. Expect a hard-fought contest, with both sides likely to prioritise territory and contested possession. For Richmond, it’s an opportunity to reset and build confidence, while their opponents will be keen to maintain momentum and assert their early-season credentials.
Bodycam footage obtained by Fox News Digital showed Tiger Woods appearing drowsy, sweaty, and simply out of it when he was arrested on a DUI charge last Friday.
Woods crashed into another vehicle, resulting in his 2025 Range Rover to turn onto its driver’s side. Roughly two hours after escaping through the passenger side door with some assistance, he was placed in the back of a cop car.
It was not the first time Woods was placed in custody for driving under the influence, also doing so in 2017.
Tiger Woods sits in the back of a cop car after getting arrested on March 27, 2026.(Martin County Sheriff’s Office)
Unfortunately for Woods, the back of a cop car was familiar territory, and moments after he was placed in the car, he simply uttered three words.
“This is fun,” he groggily and sarcastically said to himself.
Woods was placed in the vehicle after failing a field sobriety test, taken after he showed “signs of impairment” and was “lethargic.” He blew “triple-zeroes” in a breathalyzer, but after he failed to submit a urine test, he was hit with another charge. Officers found two pills that were later identified as hydrocodone, a prescription opioid used for pain relief.
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Woods previously told law enforcement prior to the field sobriety tests that he underwent seven back surgeries and “over 20 operations on his leg.” He told law enforcement that “I take a few” prescription medications. In 2021, he got into a wreck that resulted in serious leg injuries that kept him off the golf course for the entire year.
Tiger Woods was drowsy after getting arrested.(Martin County Sheriff’s Office)
President Donald Trump said the five-time Masters champion “lives a life of pain.” Woods dates the mother of Trump’s granddaughter Kai, Vanessa. Vanessa is Donald Jr.’s ex-wife.
“He lives a life of pain. He has a lot of pain. He’s an amazing guy. He’s an amazing athlete. He does have pain,” Trump added Tuesday of Woods. “He doesn’t have an alcohol problem, but he does have pain,” Trump said.
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Woods told officers he was “hoping to” play in the Masters, but in a statement earlier this week, Woods said he would pause his quest to get back on the golf course to “seek treatment.”
“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today. I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery,” Woods said in a statement Tuesday posted to social media.
Tiger Woods was handcuffed after a field sobriety test,(Martin County Sheriff’s Office)
“I’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time.”
Jose Mourinho is currently manager of Benfica having previously been in charge of Manchester United between 2016 and 2018
Manchester United legend Nicky Butt has backed the potential return of Jose Mourinho to Old Trafford. The Reds are on the hunt for a permanent manager following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal in January.
Interim boss Michael Carrick has impressed during his temporary stint, suffering just one loss so far – positioning himself as a contender for the permanent role. United currently occupy third place under their former midfielder as they move closer to securing Champions League qualification – a tournament they have been absent from for three years.
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United’s decision-makers have yet to determine who will steer the club into next season. Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique, Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann and Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner have all been mentioned as potential candidates.
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Former Reds midfielder Butt has revealed to Paddy Power why he would welcome Mourinho’s return. The Portuguese was in charge of United from 2016 to 2018, claiming the League Cup and Europa League during his two-and-a-half-year tenure.
He said: “I would have him back. He’s a winner and can carry that football club, but the powers that be would never allow it, as they now prefer a manager who focuses solely on coaching rather than controlling recruitment.
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“No established manager will want to come to Manchester United without guarantees on budget, time, and control. The structure right now makes it difficult, and they may prefer someone like Michael Carrick instead.”
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Carrick’s side require 16 points from their remaining fixtures to secure a place in the Champions League, though that would hinge on their rivals winning all of their remaining league matches.
United return to action on Monday, April 13, with a home clash against Leeds (8pm BST). They then face just six further matches, with their final game coming away at Brighton and Hove Albion on May 24.
……
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And, finally, if you would rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.
Indian-origin chess prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan has become England’s top-rated female player, according to the latest rating list of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
The 11-year-old, whose parents moved from Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu to England in 2007, has 2366 FIDE rating points.
The primary school student based in North London has overtaken four-time British women’s champion, Lan Yao, who is 25, at the top of the FIDE list for England.
With this, she has also broken into the world’s top 100 women for the first time, currently sitting at number 72, stated the English Chess Federation in a press release.
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“It is an extraordinary rise for a Harrow schoolgirl who took up the game during (the 2020 COVID-19) lockdown after finding a chessboard and set in a bag her father wanted to throw out,” the release added.
Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is also of Indian origin, congratulated Sivanandan and recalled the time he played a game with her at his official residence.
“Huge congratulations to Bodhana Sivanandan on becoming England’s top female chess player at just 11 years old. We once played each other in the Downing Street garden. Let’s just say her success has not come as a shock,” he posted on ‘X’.
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Sivanandan became a Woman International Master last year.
She went on to outwit Ukraine’s former world champion, Grandmaster Mariya Muzychuk, at the European Club Cup in Rhodes, Greece.
“She is blazing a trail not just for women and girls in the game, but for all chess players in England. Across all sports, she must be one of the most prodigious talents England has ever produced,” Richard Walsh, CEO of the English Chess Federation, said.
“We cannot wait to see what she can do in her career. Bodhana has worked so hard, her family have worked so hard, and now she is competing at the highest level flying the flag,” he added.
A 70-year-old legend has praised Triple H but also revealed the one big problem with WWE. The Stamford-based promotion is gearing up for its biggest show of the year, WrestleMania, in a few weeks but has faced scrutiny over some of its creative decisions.
Now, Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff has offered his take on the current WWE product. Speaking on D-Von Dudley’s YouTube channel, Bischoff said while the in-ring action is great, the storylines haven’t captured his attention.
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He mentioned the storylines aren’t “rich enough”; however, he backed Triple H, saying he is the best man for the job when it comes to the creative.
“I think Paul Levesque is absolutely the best choice for that role. Paul is a traditional wrestling guy. He probably has much more respect for the old-school psychology, pacing, and match style than probably anybody in that company, other than maybe Shawn Michaels and Undertaker,” he said.
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Bischoff did have one complaint, though, as he pointed out the biggest problem with the current WWE product. He said the product suffers from a “sameness” across characters and storylines.
“I think if there’s a problem with the product, if it feels a little flat right now, I think it’s starting to feel flat for the same reasons it felt flat to me back in 2019 when I complained about there being a sameness. There’s just a level of familiarity in each one of the characters and each one of the storylines and each one of the presentations and each one of the promos,” he added.
Triple H revealed the challenges of backstage role in WWE
Triple H has been heading WWE’s creative as the Chief Content Officer since 2022. During this tenure, he has overseen major creative decisions of the promotion and has also faced criticism for some choices.
He said as a wrestler one has to focus only on onself, but that changes with being an executive. He mentioned that you have to deal with a lot of people and focus on everything.
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