There was a collective groan from horseracing fans at the Cheltenham Festival when it became clear that JP McManus and Willie Mullins did not intend to run fan-favourite Fact To File in Thursday’s Ryanair Chase.
The pair had already raised the eyebrows of spectators last week when omitting him from Friday’s Gold Cup with the reaction to that news one of disbelief. But that wasn’t how McManus saw it.
A year ago, Fact To File’s owner had watched him travel strongly and remain in touch with the leaders in the 2025 running of the Ryanair before heading into the lead three jumps from home and going clear by the next fence. He saw the way Fact To File won by nine lengths decided that a repeat performance would be good enough. Until it wasn’t.
There were rumblings that something was up early in the morning, with the ground (Good, Good to Soft in places) believed to be too firm for Fact To File, and that despite a consistent downpour of rain over Prestbury Park.
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JP McManus and Willie Mullins decided not to run Fact To File in the Ryanair Chase (Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
“I left it [the decision to run him] to Willie,” McManus said after the second race of the day. “I have to say I found it too much for him., It was a bit, part of the course, all together, not to my liking.
“I’ve walked the track every day, they’ve done a great job, but I think they could’ve done more, especially at the top of the track, not everyone would agree with me, if there’s significant rain, he’ll run, if there’s not, he won’t.”
He didn’t. And that was to Heart Wood’s gain.
Henry de Bromhead’s gelding finished second in 2025, losing on the stretch to the superior Fact To File but this year was different. JPR One set the pace from the start and was tracked by the favourite, Jonbon, who held off his shoulder and was being ridden forward by Nico de Boinville.
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Darragh O’Keeffe rode Heart Wood and stayed back. Holding him in position around fourth and fifth until the downhill on the second circuit. He drifted to the outside and made his move at the turn, a tactic well used this week. Two jumps from home he took the lead with as JPR One fell away and Banbridge looked to make a late attack.
It wasn’t to be for them as Heart Wood cleared the last with distance to spare and Jonbon had enough left in the tank to take second place.
Heart Wood cleared the last and took the Ryanair title ahead of Jonbon (Adam Davy/PA Wire)
But that wasn’t the end of the tale as Mullins lambasted the ground keeping at the Festival and promised to stop bringing his best horses here if conditions do not improve.
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“It’s jump racing, we want soft in the ground, good ground, we think it’s not good enough for the type of individual we’re buying and trying to race and have the top horses in the best festival, if the ground is like this, we won’t bring them,” he told Racing TV.
“I think [Cheltenham should have done more], we were promised watering, and I’m not sure the watering has been done. I’m a bit annoyed about that… this isn’t good for the type of horses we’re bringing over here, for the majority, we’d like it a bit softer.”
As the preeminent trainer in the industry, Mullins’ words carry weight but how will they impact the Festival going forward?
Elsewhere, Lossiemouth’s triumph in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday meant she would no longer be running in the Mares Hurdle and her absence left the door open for Wodhooh.
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Gordon Elliott’s prize winner entered the race having won in four of her last five runs, with her only defeat coming last April to Lossiemouth at Aintree. She was star, the 5/6 favourite and the one to beat in a small field of just seven runners. With few opponents to compete against Wodhooh was in her element. As was Jack Kennedy sat atop her. He controlled her race, positioning her in third off the start and sitting on the shoulder on Dream on Baby with a gap to the outside.
She made his move down the hill and towards the turn for home, drifting further away from the rail and taking to the front of the pack. There were loud cheers as Wodhooh cleared the last but Jade De Grugy offered a final test with a late charge down the home straight. Wodhooh had reserves though and kept her at bay to bring Elliott is first win of the Festival week.
Kennedy said: “She’s some mare. It has been a frustrating couple of days, but we knew we had a proper shot at getting on the board. I had no winner last year, but thankfully for Gordon and the team they have not had to wait so long.”
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Wodooh held off a late charge from Jade De Grugy to earn Gordon Elliott his first win of the week (Getty Images)
Elliott thought he had a strong chance of a second winner in as many races as with Teahupoo the favourite to win the in the Stayers’ Hurdle for the first time since 2024. Yet is was disappointment again as a thrillingly impressive run from Home By The Lee, at 33/1 no less, earned a JP O’Brien and jockey JJ Slevin the plaudits in the other premium race of the day.
But perhaps the best story came at the start.
In the opening race of the day 31-year-old jockey Tom Bellamy rode 40/1 outsider White Noise to victory and won his first ever race at the Cheltenham Festival. It was a sort of full circle moment for the emotional Bellamy who claimed he had ‘waited for this his whole life’.
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31-year-old jockey Tom Bellamy won his first race at the Cheltenham Festival (PA)
“I’ve waited my whole life for this day. I can’t believe it, I’m speechless,” he told ITV. “”A great performance from a really likeable filly. I’m delighted for the team at home. This tops my whole career, not just this season.”
He added that he used to ‘bunk off school’ to come and see the races at this course saying: “I’m nearly crying here. I bunked off school as a kid to come and watch the Cheltenham Festival, and I can’t believe I’m walking around here after winning.”
Rosanna Pansino has reacted to President Trump endorsing Jake Paul for political office.
In an X post dated March 12, Rosanna Pansino criticized Trump’s endorsement of Jake Paul for political office. She also compared Paul to Mr Beast, Logan Paul, and Keemster, writing:
“Now you know why I wont “shut up” about these losers. Jake & Logan Paul, MrBeast, Keemstar… they’re all in the same group. I’m going to have to become a politician to stop these clowns, aren’t I?”
Now you know why I wont “shut up” about these losers. Jake & Logan Paul, MrBeast, Keemstar… they’re all in the same group. I’m going to have to become a politician to stop these clowns, aren’t I?
Pansino’s comments came after Trump promised to endorse boxer and YouTuber Jake Paul if he ever runs for office. He brought Paul on stage and spoke during a speech delivered at a packing facility in Kentucky. The US President said:
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“I just want to say I predict, I’m going to make a prediction, that you will be in the not too distant future, running for political office, OK. And you have my complete and total endorsement, OK?”
On the same evening, Jake Paul shared a video of himself performing the viral YMCA dance with Trump, featuring Village People’s hit track. During his speech at the facility, the boxer also lavished praise on the US President while comparing him to “God.”
The US President’s appearance at the Kentucky facility came amid the ongoing US-Iran war. The airstrikes have increased geopolitical tensions across the world, with an unstable situation in the Gulf states. Oil prices have been soaring and fluctuating, while there is a shortage of LPG gas.
Jake Paul compares President Trump to “God” while speaking at a Kentucky facility
Paul v Gervonta Davis – Press Conference – Source: Getty
Speaking on stage during the event at the Kentucky facility on March 11, Jake Paul lavished praise on Donald Trump while comparing him to “God.” He said:
“We need more factories like this thriving all over the country. I know he is going to be the one to bring that here to us. I know God is with us. I know he wants us on the right side of history. And everyone here has to do their part. And God’s got us, Trump’s got us.”
Jake Paul was an ardent supporter of the Republican leader during the 2024 Presidential elections. Trump was running against former Vice President Kamala Harris, and his victory marked the beginning of his second term as President after being elected in 2016.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Paul urged his followers to do their “research” and vote for the Republican to “quite literally save America.” He also allegedly took a dig at Taylor Swift, who had openly endorsed Kamala Harris. Paul told his followers not to vote for someone as “your favorite pop star telling you to vote a certain way.”
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Jake Paul also spoke about Trump’s felony charges at that time after he was found guilty of 34 charges. Paul said:
“Trump is labeled a ‘felon,’ but remember, the founders of this country were seen as felons by Britain because they demanded change. History shows that sometimes those who challenge the system are the ones who make a difference.To be frank, I’m not concerned with Donald Trump’s ‘character flaws’ or what he’s done in the past. What I’m concerned with is how good a president is he, because that is his job and that’s what’s going to affect the people of this nation.”
Shortly after the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, Jake Paul also had a disagreement with his brother, Logan Paul, over Bad Bunny’s performance in the event. Paul urged everyone to “turn off” Bunny’s halftime show, calling the Puerto Rican singer “a fake American citizen performing who publicly hates America.” However, Logan Paul claimed Puerto Ricans are “Americans” and endorsed Bad Bunny’s chance to perform at such a big stage.
Sep 10, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) stands in the bench area during the second half of the game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images.
After a couple of weeks of intense anticipation and months of speculation, quarterback Kyler Murray has signed with the Minnesota Vikings, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $1.3 million, the league minimum, as the Arizona Cardinals are the hook for his 2026 salary.
Arizona’s move handed Minnesota a clear choice in the 2026 quarterback market.
Murray figures to win the QB1 job outright later this summer at training camp, although the Vikings’ coaching staff is likely to insist that competition is on the way between Murray and third-year passer J.J. McCarthy.
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What Murray’s New Deal Means for the Vikings
The Murray rumors turned out to be true in the end.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) surveys the field while facing the Los Angeles Rams, operating the offense during the first half at State Farm Stadium on Nov. 26, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona. Murray returned to action late in the 2023 season after injury and resumed duties as Arizona’s starting quarterback. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.
Murray to MIN
The Cardinals never inserted Murray back into the lineup last year when it appeared clear that his foot injury was nearing a full recovery, instead opting to leave Jacoby Brissett under center. Arizona later finished 1-11 (.083) with Brissett in charge, ensuring a better draft pick was on the way.
The writing was on the wall that Murray would be jettisoned during the upcoming offseason, and following previous head coach Jonathan Gannon’s termination, the Cardinals hired Mike LaFleur, who evidently envisioned a fresh start at quarterback.
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Now, according to multiple reports, Murray is a Viking, flying to the Twin Cities on Wednesday night after his official release by the Cardinals and finalizing the deal Thursday.
As the annual offseason quarterback carousel took shape in the last week, the Vikings seemed like the only logical explanation for Murray, especially after the New York Jets traded for Geno Smith, and the Indianapolis Colts signed Daniel Jones to a deal worth up to $100 million over two years. The only team left to possibly nab Murray remained the Pittsburgh Steelers, but Murray did not take the plunge with Mike McCarthy’s team, and Aaron Rodgers may return for a second act.
From the moment J.J. McCarthy’s professional trajectory revealed a flurry of injuries, including a torn meniscus, a high ankle sprain, a concussion, and a broken hand in a two-year span, many assumed Minnesota might pursue a quarterback alternative this offseason, particularly because head coach Kevin O’Connell enters a pivotal Year No. 5 as the Vikings’ skipper. O’Connell may not have the clout to meander through the 2026 campaign, attaching his fate to McCarthy’s performance and injury risks.
Murray is the alternative. Adding a two-time Pro Bowler and former first overall pick is music to O’Connell’s ears, the same guy idenfitied by NFL fans and pundits as a “quarterback whisperer,” who helped Sam Darnold reclaim his career, squeezed the best out of Kirk Cousins in 2022 and 2023, made Joshua Dobbs look like Neil Armstrong for three weeks, and empowered Nick Mullens to produce 400-yard-passing games with with ease.
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The Career Stats
The Vikings are not onboarding an honest-to-goodness reclamation story in Murray; he’s different than the aforementioned Darnold, who had accomplished virtually nothing until he arrived in Minnesota for the 2024 season.
Murray has started 74% of all eligible games in his career, a percentage that would be closer to 80% had the Cardinals not “softly benched” him in 2025. He has the above-listed two Pro Bowls to his name, 4.38 speed coming out of the draft in 2019, can throw the football 65-70 yards, and is the fifth-most accurate quarterback in NFL history.
The 28-year-old also has a 0.090 career EPA+CPOE, ranking better than Baker Mayfield, Trevor Lawrence, Daniel Jones, and C.J. Stroud, to name a few. His career EPA+CPOE closely mirrors Justin Herbert’s from the 2025 campaign.
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Murray averages these statistical totals per 17 starts (or a full season):
3,997 Passing Yards
30 Total Touchdowns
11 INTs
67.1% Completion
623 Rushing Yards
Those are fringe Lamar Jackson numbers, and few debate it. Murray also instantly becomes the fastest quarterback in Vikings history, notching a quicker 40-time in 2019 than current purple playmakers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
The only reasonable knock on Murray? His height. He’s about 5’10. Most quarterbacks are 6’0″ or taller.
A Year to Prove It and a Chance to Become Vikings’ Long-Term Starter
Like Darnold in 2024, Murray has one chance to hit it big in Minnesota. It’s his job to lose, unless he uncharacteristically struggles at training camp and McCarthy takes him to the limit. The Vikings may also add a competent QB3, perhaps last year’s primary backup, Carson Wentz.
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A close-up view highlights the Arizona Cardinals jersey worn by quarterback Kyler Murray (1) while facing the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on Nov. 26, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona. The image focuses on Murray’s uniform details during game action as the Cardinals hosted a division opponent in the NFC West matchup. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.
Murray is still young enough to be classified as the long-term starter. For example, if he marshals the impressive stat line with 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdowns, Murray will be on deck for a payday next offseason, likely in the neighborhood of $50 million annually, not unlike the contract Daniel Jones signed on Wednesday with the Colts.
Or — if Murray flounders and the Vikings hand the baton back to McCarthy in 2026, Murray can hit the road in 2027 free agency and fulfill a budding journeyman’s tale like many before him.
It’s also worth noting that Minnesota’s brass will be cognizant of the Darnold mistake last offseason. The Vikings allowed Darnold to leave the franchise for nothing, and 11 months later, he won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks. Therefore, there’s just no way that Murray would play at an upper-echelon clip in 2026, only for the Vikings to repeat the Darnold mistake.
Murray has a chance to be the dynamic franchise quarterback that Vikings fans have craved for decades.
The Fit and the Surroundings
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When the Murray rumor mill caught fire two months ago, a substantial fan faction questioned the schematic fit between his off-schedule tendencies and O’Connell’s offense. Those concerns are not silly. The kicker? It just doesn’t really matter at Murray’s $1.3 million price point.
If O’Connell is truly an offensive guru and quarterback whisperer, he will cater to Murray’s strengths, rather than bellyaching about his way or the highway. If a pass-happy team owned a time machine and signed prime Adrian Peterson, it wouldn’t rear back and throw the ball 65% of the time. It would adapt. So will O’Connell.
Murray also inherits his best situation ever as a pro with the snap of two fingers. Brian Flores’s defense has finished as a Top 3 unit in back-to-back seasons per EPA/Play and DVOA. The defense is ready to accompany Murray on Sundays. Murray rarely had that perk in Arizona. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, Jordan Mason, and perhaps a rookie running back in April will be next to Murray in the offense as formidable weapons.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) releases a pass against the Atlanta Falcons during second-half action at State Farm Stadium on Nov. 12, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona. Murray directed the Cardinals offense after returning from injury earlier in the season, attempting to spark Arizona’s passing attack in a home matchup versus Atlanta. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports.
And, most of all, Murray has O’Connell. It would be strange for O’Connell to flop with Murray after creating a name for himself with Darnold, Cousins, Dobbs, and Mullens.
Murray has stated multiple times since joining the NFL seven years ago that he rooted for the Vikings as a kid. Picking Minnesota for his second chapter likely wasn’t painstaking. The clues were there; so was the childhood fandom.
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After years of Keenums, Cousinses, Darnolds, and McCarthies, in addition to speculation about Rodgerses, Joneses, and Willises, the Vikings have Murray.
Gary was still a member of the Green Bay Packers on March 6, his football home of seven seasons after being selected 12th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, when the craziness began. He appeared to have posted a goodbye letter graphic to Green Bay and Packers fans on social media, but he was actually hacked. On Tuesday, the Green Bay goodbye became Gary’s reality with the Packers trading him to the Cowboys in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick.
“Yeah, just the whole experience, it was crazy,” Gary said on a conference call on Thursday. “I’m the type of guy that I pride myself on just going to work and keeping my head down, but everybody has social media in the offseason. You don’t find yourself looking for it, but just things [rumors of his Packers departure] pop up. Just the guy that I am to keep my head down, not believing in it.”
What he began to hear after being hacked started to turn the tide in his mind to believe there was a legitimate chance he would be dealt before being traded ended up becoming Gary’s reality.
“Then, that weird thing happened. Got hacked. It kind of made the rumors that people were saying come to light,” Gary said. “Deep down inside, I’m still talking to my teammates, still talking to my coaches, about next season and still believing that I’m playing for the Packers. “All of a sudden I get a call from my agent, and he said a deal was done. … This is a great opportunity that I have in front of me, and I just can’t wait to go to work. … I’m just bringing a dog man. I’m coming in to be myself, lead by example and help the best way I can.”
Maxx Crosby speculation
Gary being hacked didn’t end up being the craziest thing connected to him for long. Once five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby’s trade to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for two first-round picks fell through prior to the start of the new league year because of medical concerns there was some speculation Dallas could jump back into the Crosby market. However, it didn’t seem feasible for the Cowboys to be able to roster both Gary and Crosby and remain salary cap compliant. Once Gary passed his physical with Dallas, it was official that Gary would be a Cowboy and Crosby would remain the fanbase’s pipe dream.
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“To be honest, I didn’t hear nothing about it. I was on my visit handling the things I had to handle. I ended up passing my physical and then end up hearing about what was going on [with Crosby]. The league is crazy man,” Gary said. “It’s a business, and you never really know what’s going on. He’s a hell of a player, and I know regardless of the situation that he’s put in and wherever he may be, he’s going to do his thing.”
Trading places with Micah Parsons
Instead of potentially being sent back to Green Bay thanks to Crosby, Gary ended up actually trading places with All-Pro teammate Micah Parsons. Parsons became a Packers teammate of Gary’s a week before the 2025 NFL season began when Dallas sent Parsons up north to Green Bay in exchange for two first-round picks and three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Now, Gary occupies Parsons’ old role in Dallas as the most established edge rusher on the Cowboys defense. The two have texted but haven’t had a chance to really chat over the past week.
“Everything has been going crazy the past week, the past few days. He was able to reach out to me, and I was able to text him back, but I have yet to be able to really have a conversation with him,” Gary said. “At the end of the day, it’s a business, so I don’t look at it as trading places or things like that. I’m just coming here to be me and be the impact that the Cowboys need.”
Gary’s focus is now turned toward doing something in Dallas that he was accustomed to in Dallas: winning games and playing postseason football. The Packers earned playoff berths in six of his seven seasons in Green Bay including a stretch of three consecutive 13-win seasons from 2019 to 2021 — the only such streak in NFL history.
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“The main thing for me is to come in, play good ball and play good ball to the point that we’re playing meaningful games,” Gary said. “Then, playing for some trophies and playing for some hats and T-shirts [things that come with winning the division, NFC and the Super Bowl]. That’s my goal.”
Gary’s Green Bay reunion in Dallas
Despite joining a new team for the first time in his eighth NFL season, Gary will be welcomed to a new locker room by three familiar faces from his Packers days: defensive tackle Kenny Clark, new Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker and pass rush consultant Brandon “BT” Jordan. Once the deal to come to Dallas was completed, Gary immediately called Clark to let him know it’s “an honor and a privilege” to suit up alongside him once again.
“KC is my dog. I’ve been in Green Bay seven years, and I’ve been with KC all seven [at least through training camp], so he watched me mature as a man, mature as a player and he also gave me key pointers on the way up,” Gary said. “He always told me to stay focused on the process. One thing I love about KC is he’s a guy that loves ball. … So just being able to join back with a player like that… I can’t wait to go out there and do it because it’s going to get infectious throughout the defense and the defensive line.”
Gary only spent two seasons with Parker in Green Bay when the latter was a defensive quality control coach for the Packers from 2019 to 2020. Parker then went on to be the Denver Broncos‘ defensive backs coach from 2021 to 2023 and then the Philadelphia Eagles passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach from 2024 to 2025.
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“Short time with CP in Green Bay. I was the first draft class [he had], so just having him see me come in as a young player and him going and getting more experience as coach to me going into my eighth year and being a proven, elite player in this league, it’s kind of a full circle moment,” Gary said.
Parker told Gary he’ll have him lined up as an outside linebacker in his 3-4 defense with 4-3 spacing that will have multiple front looks along the defensive line.
“When you talk to CP, he knows ball. Coverages, fronts, the in and outs, understanding the weaknesses of offenses, understanding where to put players to succeed,” Gary said. … “He’s hungry. He wants it.”
Getting himself and Dallas’ defense back on track
What Parker, head coach Brian Schottenheimer, Jerry and Stephen Jones and Cowboys fans will all be looking for from Gary is sacks. Without Parsons in 2025, Dallas racked up just 35 sacks as a team, which ranked as tied for the seventh-fewest in the league for what ended up as the NFL’s worst scoring defense. The Cowboys’ 30.1 points per game allowed last season was the second-most in a season in Dallas’ 66-season history, and only the inaugural 1960 team surrendered a higher points per game allowed average at 30.8.
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After teaming up with Parsons in Green Bay last season, Gary raced out to a torrid start with 7.5 sacks in the first eight weeks of the season, which ranked as the fifth-most in the entire NFL in that span. However, he didn’t record a single sack the rest of the 2025 campaign from Week 9 through the Packers’ opening round playoff loss at the Chicago Bears. That’s not something Gary is worried about affecting him in 2026 with the Cowboys as he and Parker hope to affect change into Dallas’ deflated defense.
“Just understanding the player that I am and just understanding through the I guess six or seven games [without a sack] as you said, football is football,” Gary said. “At that time, we were playing meaningful games, so when you’re really playing meaningful games man, it really doesn’t come down to stats. It’s really about how you affect offenses and things like that. So just being able to lock in, being able to be effective and playing how I need to play and being the player that I am, the plays are going to come my way.”
The England and Wales Cricket Board appears ready to reverse plans to stop its Ashes players speaking to the media ahead of the new county season.
The ECB had initially intervened to block England’s Test contingent from appearing at the annual round of county media days, held by all 18 teams ahead of the 2026 campaign which begins on April 3.
Sources confirmed to the Press Association that counties were informed those involved in England’s troubled 4-1 defeat in Australia would not be cleared to take to field questions. In some cases, they had already been offered up for interview on a provisional basis and slots were subsequently cancelled.
It is understood the ECB preferred to put up chief executive Richard Gould and managing director of men’s cricket Rob Key for a media briefing reflecting on the events of the winter in the coming weeks and did not want individual players to front up before the management have had their say.
But that simply fuelled the idea that players were being gagged and there was also frustration from some county camps, who believe the presence of established international stars helps shine a spotlight on the work of the first-class game.
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Several hours after the news emerged, the ECB stance had pivoted again, though a brief statement stopped short of confirming that all subjects would be up for discussion.
A spokesperson for the ECB said: “We want to enable the counties to promote the game ahead of the start of the domestic season, and for England players to take part in these events. We’re in touch with counties to enable this to happen.”
Although Jacob Bethell, Ben Duckett, Jofra Archer, Will Jacks and Brydon Carse will be absent due to involvement in the Indian Premier League, 11 other players are around for the start of the season.
That number includes captain Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Joe Root, Gus Atkinson, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Mark Wood and Shoaib Bashir.
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Those involved in the recently concluded T20 World Cup took part in interviews throughout the tournament, with white-ball captain Brook facing lengthy examinations during the warm-up series in Sri Lanka following revelations about his altercation with a bouncer in New Zealand.
Questions those within the England set-up would expect to face in any media interactions would include the future of head coach Brendon McCullum, who has declared his intention to stay on but may find the role comes with new conditions following a series of mis-steps Down Under.
Pre-series preparations, drinking habits, backroom staffing and the broader methods of the set-up all remain on the agenda, alongside selection issues in a series that saw rising star Bethell held back for the faltering Pope and Bashir frozen out after two years of full-blooded support.
Gould announced a ‘thorough review’ of the Ashes series within hours of the Ashes concluding, presumably seeking many of the same answers over the last couple of months.
When Bud Cauley rolled in his short birdie try on the par-5 16th hole in the opening round of the Players Championship, he was enjoying a solid, if not spectacular, round: four birdies against two bogeys to keep him very much in the mix on a day when no player in the early wave could manage better than Mav McNealy’s five-under 67.
Even the most casual fan knows what follows 16 on Pete Day’s vaunted Stadium Course: the iconic par-3 17th, where players, from approximately 140 yards, are asked to hit to a green surrounded by water. In any other setting, it’d be a nothing shot for the world’s most skilled golfers — but when you ring the green with thousands of fans plus a massive corporate hospitality buildout, mix in wind gusts and club indecision and the pressure of one of the game’s marquee events, the generous 4,000-square-foot target can feel more like 400 square feet. It’s not a shot you want to overthink and yet many players will tell you that from the moment they step foot on the course, 17 occupies real estate in their temporal lobes.
Cauley went off the first hole Thursday so he had 16 holes to ponder his fate at 17. Which turned into 16 and then some.
That’s because moments after Cauley had holed out on 16, a horn sounded, signaling suspension of play on account of a storm cell that was rolling through. To escape the downpour, Cauley and his partners, Vince Whaley and Chandler Phillips, took shelter in the back of a van, with only their thoughts to keep them company.
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“The first thing I thought of was, is the wind going to switch? Because that happens a lot when a storm blows through,” Cauley said after the round. “We kind of had it down off the left before the delay, which wasn’t that bad.”
The stoppage proved to be brief — just 21 minutes — but when Cauley and his partners returned to the tee, they encountered markedly different conditions.
“From down off the left to pumping straight in,” Cauley said of the wind direction. “Probably close to 30 yards.”
As in a 30-yard increase in the effective distance the tee shot was playing.
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Cauley had the honor. “I was the first guy to hit so I was kind of guessing,” he said.
Cauley said before the delay, he would have a hit a wedge but when he came back the shot called for an 8-iron. “Landed just short of middle of the green and spun back in the rough,” he said. “I was just happy to be on land.”
From the front of the green, Cauley played his second shot to the back-left pin to four feet and saved his par.
He made another par on the difficult par-4 closer to finish at two under.
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“It was tough with the delay,” he said. “But I was happy to make two pars coming in.”
US President Donald Trump has said Iran’s national football team would be welcome to travel to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, even as he suggested the players should reconsider the trip because of concerns about their “life and safety” amid rising tensions between the two countries.
Trump made the remarks on his social media platform, Truth Social, after Iranian officials indicated that the national team might not be able to participate in the tournament following recent US airstrikes on Iran.
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Trump says Iran players welcome but warns of risks
In his post, Trump said the Iranian team could take part in the World Cup but questioned whether it would be appropriate for them to travel to the United States given the current geopolitical climate.
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“The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety,” Trump wrote.
His statement came in response to comments from Iranian officials suggesting that the national side “cannot” participate in the competition because of the escalating conflict between Washington and Tehran.
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Conflict escalates after US strikes on Iran
The tensions follow a series of US airstrikes on Iran that began on February 28 in coordination with Israel. According to reports, about 1,200 people have been killed since the hostilities began nearly two weeks ago.
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The US military is also examining a strike that reportedly hit a girls’ school in Iran on March 1. Iranian authorities say the attack killed as many as 175 people.
The conflict has triggered diplomatic friction around the World Cup as well. Iran has urged FIFA to take action against the United States, describing the host nation as a “rogue nation” and asking the global football governing body to respond to the situation.
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Trump meets FIFA president Infantino
Trump’s comments also came shortly after FIFA President Gianni Infantino met him at the White House on Tuesday.
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During the meeting, Trump reportedly told Infantino that Iran’s national team would be permitted to participate in the tournament if it chose to do so.
Trump and Infantino are known to share a cordial relationship. The FIFA president attended Trump’s second inauguration and, during the meeting, presented him with the FIFA Peace Prize, praising his ability to “make peace” and help the world prosper.
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Iran have been drawn in Group G of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they will face Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand during the opening round of the tournament. Most of their group fixtures are set to take place in the United States, with matches scheduled in Los Angeles and Seattle.
Iran – 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage schedule
Date
Match
Stadium
City
Country
June 16, 2026
Iran vs New Zealand
Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium)
Los Angeles, California
United States
June 21, 2026
Belgium vs Iran
Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium)
Los Angeles, California
United States
June 27, 2026
Egypt vs Iran
Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field)
Seattle, Washington
United States
Group G fixtures will be played between June 15 and June 27, 2026.
The group-stage games will be hosted at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and Lumen Field in Seattle.
Under the expanded 48-team format, the top two teams from each group will move into the Round of 32, along with several of the best-performing third-placed sides.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy scans the field and prepares to throw during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn., Nov. 16, 2025. McCarthy steps into the pocket as Minnesota’s offense begins its early drives in the NFC North divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
At the top of the offseason, head coach Kevin O’Connell and former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah told the world that their top priority was to bring the deepest possible quarterback to life. Fast forward two months, and O’Connell — Adofo-Mensah was fired on January 30th — might be days away from assigning Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy, and Carson Wentz jobs on his depth chart.
Minnesota’s QB picture suddenly feels a lot less messy.
Murray feels destined to sign with the Vikings, while Wentz could be re-signed as the QB3.
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Minnesota’s Top 3 Quarterback Paths Are Starting to Surface
It’s the same QB room as 2025, with one huge change to headline the enterprise.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) watches the field after a victory over the Atlanta Falcons at State Farm Stadium on Nov. 12, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona. Murray returned to action late in the season and guided Arizona through the NFC matchup while continuing his comeback from injury earlier in the year. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports.
QB1: Kyler Murray?
The Arizona Cardinals dropped Murray on Wednesday after seven seasons, and on the same night, the 28-year-old was en route to the Twin Cities, scheduled to meet with the Vikings on Thursday, the team he grew up cheering for.
NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero tweeted (and later deleted) Wednesday night, “Just spoke to Kyler Murray’s agent, Erik Burkhardt, who tells me Murray plans to Zoom tonight and tomorrow with executives from 3-5 teams that potentially have a QB need in 2027 — a chance to reintroduce himself to people he hasn’t seen since the 2019 draft and get a jump start on his free agent process a year from now.”
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“In the meantime, Murray and Burkhardt are flying to Minnesota tonight and plan to meet with the Vikings on Thursday. The Cardinals still owe Murray $36.8 million fully guaranteed, which is subject to offsets, so if all goes well, a one-year minimum deal could come together quickly.”
Signing Murray for $1.3 million will instantly become the best-value deal in all of the NFL, perhaps in all of sports. Across a 17-game season, Murray averages nearly 4,000 passing yards, 30 total touchdowns, and over 600 rushing yards. He also has a better career EPA+CPOE than Trevor Lawrence and Baker Mayfield.
From a March standpoint, Murray feels inevitable for the Vikings, and he could be on deck for a complete career reclamation after the Cardinals kicked him out. His numbers don’t need much rejuvenation, but his reputation is at its lowest point.
QB2: J.J. McCarthy
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Murray’s probable relationship with the 2026 Vikings does not bode well for McCarthy. It just doesn’t. There was a world where O’Connell and Co. saw enough from McCarthy in December and January to roll with him once again as the main QB1 solution in 2026, but that didn’t happen. McCarthy’s durability probably played a factor here; since joining the club in the 2024 NFL Draft, McCarthy has sustained a torn meniscus, a high ankle sprain, a concussion, and a broken hand.
The guy has missed 70% of games in the NFL due to injury.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up on the field before facing the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on Jan. 4, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. McCarthy went through pregame routines as Minnesota prepared for the NFC North rivalry matchup during the closing stretch of the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images.
Minnesota’s brass seems like it’s on the verge of telling the world a quarterback competition is on the way between Murray, if signed, and McCarthy this summer. That’s fine. Everyone knows how it will end. Murray will seize the job on the first day of training camp, while fans wonder if McCarthy will sniff any playing time whatsoever in 2026.
The Vikings don’t seem inclined to give up on McCarthy, but adding Murray would severely damage his long-term trajectory as the franchise quarterback. There’s very little precedent for veering away from a 1st-Rounder in favor of somebody else, only to return to the original guy months or years later.
QB3. Carson Wentz?
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Wentz met with the New York Jets this week, and some Jets-themed writers claimed that Wentz as Geno Smith’s backup could come to fruition.
Now, that theory is on life support.
The Athletic‘s Zach Rosenblatt tweeted Wednesday, “On Jets QB2 situation: They’re still exploring their options. They had interest in Carson Wentz but he’s unlikely to be signing with the Jets as of now, according to multiple sources. Things can still change — but that’s where it stands.”
Reporting all offseason has indicated that the Vikings would welcome Wentz back with open arms in 2026. If he doesn’t net a contract from the Jets — Rosenblatt says it’s not happening — he has every reason to re-up with the Vikings and claim the QB3 job.
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) goes through warmups ahead of a matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium on Oct. 19, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Wentz prepared with teammates during pregame drills as Minnesota finalized its offensive approach before kickoff in the home contest. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
In two of the last three seasons, Minnesota has needed the QB3 for extended duty.
O’Connell tapped Wentz on the shoulder last year when McCarthy suffered his high ankle sprain, and Wentz responded by guiding the team to a 2-3 record, showing a knack for moving the offense downfield, even if he lacked top-tier quarterback efficiency.
Wentz also did himself a favor by showing his true grit; he played through a torn labrum for a couple of games last October.
On multiple occasions in recent months, Aaron Rodgers pointed out that he will be a free agent in 2026. Four days into the process, he still is.
Near the end of the 2025 regular season, he expressed confidence that he’ll have options if he decides to play another year.
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“Whenever the season ends, I’ll be a free agent,” Rodgers said at the time. “So that’ll give me a lot of options if I still want to play. [Not] a lot of options, but there’ll be options I would think, maybe one or two, if I decide I still want to play.”
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It’s getting harder to identify those options, as quarterback-needy teams address their needs. The Dolphins signed Malik Willis. The Colts re-signed Daniel Jones. The Falcons reportedly will sign Tua Tagovailoa. The Vikings are focused on Kyler Murray. The Raiders, who weren’t interested in Rodgers last year, seem to be poised to make Fernando Mendoza the No. 1 overall pick.
The only obvious remaining option, other than Pittsburgh, is Arizona. Nathaniel Hackett, one of Rodgers’s trust-tree coaches, is the offensive coordinator. Mike LaFleur, the Rams’ offensive coordinator a year ago when Rodgers was Plan B if Matthew Stafford was traded, is the head coach. But the Cardinals are caught in the basement of one of the best divisions in football; it would be a steep uphill climb for Rodgers to cap his career with a playoff berth.
That leaves Pittsburgh as the only viable option. And Pittsburgh seems to be waiting for him, even if (as Rodgers said last week) there have been no “progressive conversations” about another run.
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As Cam Heyward put it last year, you either want to be a Steeler or you don’t.
Meanwhile, the Steelers’ potential alternatives are landing elsewhere. Of the remaining possibilities, Kirk Cousins would make the most sense for Pittsburgh.
The lack of suitors for Rodgers makes Pittsburgh’s apparent willingness to wait even more confounding for Steelers fans who wonder whether their favorite team is content to watch potentially better options go elsewhere while showing patience for someone who has yet to decide that he’s willing to run it back without Mike Tomlin.
The situation seems to require more urgency from the Steelers. They surely need a veteran, if they decide to let Will Howard show what he can do. Maybe they’ll bring back Justin Fields if/when the Jets cut him. Maybe they’ll sign the best available option (like Joe Flacco) if/when Rodgers tells them he’s not coming back.
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Regardless, Steelers fans who were dismayed by the team’s willingness to wait and wait and wait for Rodgers in 2025 are feeling that same angst all over again. This isn’t Rodgers in his prime. This is a 42-year-old veteran who seems to be trying to recapture a little of the glory of MVP seasons gone by.
Wherever it goes from here, it won’t be easy for the Steelers to end a drought of playoff wins that, as of this year, could hit double digits.
In his third Australian stint, Birdman under Chris Waller’s guidance may soon exhibit the talent his owners envisioned upon acquiring the Irish youngster.
Having won his first two staying races, Birdman was bought by a syndicate featuring Ozzie Kheir and John O’Neill hoping for future Melbourne Cup glory.
Birdman skipped last year’s Melbourne Cup but his pair of runs this preparation hint at readiness for this year’s November showdown.
According to jockey Ben Melham, the gelding’s two most recent efforts confirm his acclimatisation to Australia, with expectations of ongoing progress.
“It took him a little while to settle in and we’re starting to see the best of him now,” Melham said.
“I feel he’s gone to a new level this preparation and can continue that upward trajectory.
“He’s a happy horse and seems to have really fitted in here now.”
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The Peter Young Stakes leads towards the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 28, a target shared with stablemate Buckaroo.
Buckaroo was withdrawn from the All-Star Mile at Flemington last week after a morning scope detected slight mucus, now contesting Saturday’s Peter Young Stakes.
Suspension sees Jye McNeil reclaim the mount on Buckaroo from Mark Zahra.
McNeil guided the gelding to second place in the Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield recently before riding Leica Lucy in the All-Star Mile.
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Buckaroo’s Tuesday gallop at Caulfield satisfied McNeil regarding his stretch out following the small problem.
“He felt amazing,” McNeil said.
“He towed me throughout his work. He was really sharp and he seems in great order.
“He was free in his action and pulled up fine after the gallop, so there’s no indication of there being anything wrong with him.
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“It’s great to get the opportunity on him second-up and the rise is distance to 1800 metres is going to be right up his alley.
“He seems to love it at Caulfield and I’m excited to get the chance to ride him again.”
Find the finest betting sites with betting markets for the race in the Peter Young Stakes.
Sumit Antil in Paris Paralympics 2024. (PTI Photo)
NEW DELHI: India enjoyed a dominant day at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, with Paralympic champion Sumit Antil leading the charge by winning gold in the men’s javelin throw (F43/F44/F64). The double Paralympic gold medallist produced a powerful throw of 69.25 metres to secure the top spot. Fellow Indians Pushpendra Singh and Poonam Ram completed the podium with silver and bronze respectively.Antil admitted that his winning throw was better than he had expected. “This time we have multiple tournaments lined up. I will try to perform well in the upcoming competitions. It is an off-season loading phase for me. I was not expecting such a throw; I expected around 67-68m, but the throw was good today at 69.25m. So I am happy, and my team is happy as well,” he said.The 27-year-old from Sonipat, Haryana, added that he is focusing on improving gradually rather than changing his technique. “I am not changing my technique because we know we are moving in the right direction in our training. Right now, we just need the right conditions where the throw falls perfectly in place. That is why I am participating in tournaments so I can find those conditions somewhere,” he added.Looking ahead, Antil has already set a major target for the season. “I am targeting the Asian Games, and the goal is 75m. I haven’t achieved it yet in practice, and no athlete has done it yet, but I am working on whatever improvements are possible in technique or strength to reach that mark.”India’s success was not limited to javelin, as several athletes delivered medal-winning performances across track and field events. The country dominated multiple races and throwing events, including the 400m races, shot put, long jump, discus throw, and javelin, with Indian athletes frequently sweeping the podium.Overall, it was another impressive outing for India’s para-athletics contingent, showcasing strong depth and momentum ahead of upcoming international competitions.
