Group 1 winner Sepals remains on course for a Queensland raid under trainer Cliff Brown.

Last spring, the gelding secured the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, Brown’s debut Group 1 win since resuming in Australia post his 2021 Singapore spell.

Focus lies on the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm come June 13, with Brown ready to cease activities if the four-year-old isn’t fully fit.

Von Hauke’s Listed Golden Mile (1600m) victory at Bendigo on Saturday positions the stable with a possible second Stradbroke aspirant.

First-up fourth in Flemington’s Newmarket Handicap (1200m), Sepals then travelled to Sydney as favourite for Rosehill’s Doncaster Prelude (1500m) on March 28.

The gelding lacked sharpness then, per Brown, who cited a burdensome weight and a track softened by Sydney Carnival usage, and Sepals stayed off-form in Melbourne.

Plans for Randwick’s Group 1 All-Aged Stakes (1400m) on April 18 were shelved in favour of a short paddock holiday.

“He had 10 days off and he’s come back in tremendous order,” Brown said.

“He just wasn’t himself, but he seems right now.

“I don’t think he appreciated the track up in Sydney, but just afterwards when we got him home, he just wasn’t himself.

“We know him intimately and he wasn’t right.

“I gave him a jump-out, which was OK, without being great, but then he had the 10 days off and I thought, if he’s OK, we’ll be able to continue on and if he’s not, we’ll go to the paddock.

“At this point he seems good and if he’s right, we’ll head up to Queensland, and he can have a run at the end of the month with the aim of hopefully getting him to the Stradbroke.”

Discover leading racing betting markets ahead of the Stradbroke Handicap.

Marc Guehi looked glum as he headed for the Manchester City bus outside Hill Dickinson Stadium. Understandably, too. His ability to pick the right pass had helped him settle smoothly into the City defence. Until he picked the wrong pass, supplied Thierno Barry with a goal and a 3-3 draw altered the title race.

This had seemed a sequel to 2014 and 2023, a night when City chalked up crucial wins at Everton in the run-in. Instead, there were flashbacks to a couple of other games which, indirectly, led to City becoming champions. City conceded three times in 12 minutes on Monday; in 2014, in ‘Crystanbul’, Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool let in three in the last 11 minutes away at Crystal Palace. That also finished 3-3. Go back to 2012, and City’s first league title since 1968 was aided by David Moyes’ Everton, mounting an extraordinary comeback to draw 4-4 with Manchester United. In each case, two points were dropped in dramatic fashion.

It may be of scant consolation to Guehi now but, if Arsenal hold on to their advantage at the Premier League summit, his uncharacteristic error will be far from the only reason. In the last couple of years, there has been the temptation to deem this team the City of old: the relentless, remorseless winning machine. They are not, though. City have finished a league season with 14 straight wins before. They needed to be perfect in this run-in, to win their last eight: but this is an imperfect side.

They have spent the season playing catch-up after losing twice in August. City have reeled in Arsenal before, but it is not a failsafe formula. Especially when Guardiola’s City, who used to be frontrunners in title races, have had issues when in front in games. City are far above Arsenal in one table: for points lost from winning positions. Lost leads could be decisive. Their second defeat of the season, at Brighton, came when they led for half an hour.

They have drawn eight times. There was a stalemate at Sunderland. In each of the other seven, City have lost a lead. Perhaps the most damaging was also the most forgivable: amid considerable pressure, Guardiola’s injury-hit side almost held out for victory at Arsenal in September before Gabriel Martinelli’s injury-time lob.

It made for a three-point swing. Yet City should have more regrets about allowing managerless Chelsea an added-time leveller at the Etihad in January. Or failing to beat relegation-threatened West Ham and Nottingham Forest in back-to-back games in March. Or letting Thomas Frank take his last point as Tottenham manager after City went 2-0 up.

Collectively, it points to a lack of ruthlessness. It also suggests that, defensively, City are not quite good enough. That is in spite of some spectacular saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma: briefly on Monday night, it felt like a block from Iliman Ndiaye could be bracketed alongside a magnificent stop from Alexis Mac Allister at Anfield as a transformative moment in the season.

City’s lost leads came with a host of different defences and centre-back partnerships. A mitigating factor in the draw with Chelsea was the loss of the injured Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol during the second half; when they were held by Brighton three days later, it was with the rookie Max Alleyne starting.

Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov had shown promise as a partnership but, even before Barry’s first goal on Monday, it was notable how isolated they looked. Guardiola’s latest revamp has given his team running machines as full-backs, but Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly’s forward momentum is not always allied with defensive solidity.

For the second successive season, City have had a reminder of the importance of Rodri in his absence. Their best form of the campaign, in the trio of wins over Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea in three different competitions, came with the Ballon d’Or winner partnered with Bernardo Silva in the middle of midfield. Maybe Rodri would have given them the calm and authority they lost at Everton.

There were warning signs in a couple of other games he sat out, even if City ultimately emerged victorious. They lost control in the second half at home to Leeds and away at Fulham, eventually prevailing 3-2 and 5-4 respectively. The latter, in particular, is not a typical Guardiola scoreline.

Neither is 3-3. It was Guardiola’s 376th Premier League game and just a second to end with an equal split of six goals. Everton finished with the third highest open play expected goals of any team against Guardiola’s City in the English top flight. Moyes nonetheless described City as the best team in the division. But, five months ago, his former midfielder Mikel Arteta brought Arsenal to the banks of the Mersey, ground out a forgettable 1-0 win and allowed his old club an xG of just 0.24 and one shot on target.

There has long been a theory Arsenal’s defence could win them the league. And perhaps the difference between the top two will be City’s struggles to hold on to leads.

Manchester City scored a late equaliser against Everton but defender Marc Guehi’s error proved significant with the margins in the title race with Arsenal so small

Manchester City’s stars have rallied around Marc Guehi after the England international’s error cost the Premier League title challengers against Everton. Rayan Cherki, Nathan Ake and Gianluigi Donnarumma all responded after Guehi spoke out.

The January signing produced a disappointing backpass that released Everton forward Thierno Barry to equalise in the 68th minute after Jeremy Doku had given Pep Guardiola’s side the lead. Everton won some momentum to then go 3-1 up, thanks to another striker from Barry and a goal from Jake O’Brien.

City came back to secure a late point thanks to Erling Haaland and a 97th-minute equaliser from Doku. But only sharing the spoils now means City need Arsenal to slip up in their final three matches, with five points separating the teams.

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Following the match, Guehi acknowledged that he needed to do better and was focused on an improved performance against Brentford at the weekend.

“I need to do better,” he said on Instagram. “But we keep going & focused on the next. Thank you for your support as always! Thank you Jesus!”

A wave of support followed his post with team-mate Cherki sending an emphatic reply. “You are STRONG,” he said, accompanied by two fire emojis.

Ake and Donnarumma both responded with hearts to Guehi’s words.

Thierry Henry could not understand the defender’s thought process in playing the ball back inside his own area. The former Arsenal forward believes the ex-Crystal Palace star would have been aware of Barry’s presence.

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“I don’t know why Guehi makes that pass because you know he’s offside,” he said. “It’s tough on the defence because you hold the line so well. You put him offside, you know he’s offside.

“I don’t know why Guehi here, doesn’t keep the ball and step out with it. He knows. He passes the ball. They were nervous as soon as Everton went more direct, long ball, fighting for the second ball.”

Speaking following the match, Guardiola admitted that Premier League success is now out of his team’s control.

“It depends. [The title] is not in our hands. Before that game it was, and Arsenal’s as well. But now, in our hands, no,” Guardiola said.

“We have four games in the Premier League, next is Brentford, and it will be quite similar because the competitors are good, and we will see what happens. “Of course, [we go into those games with belief], like we came here.”

Xavi Hernandez is under consideration by Chelsea to be their next manager, as they lean towards a coaching ideology already set down by the four years of the ownership so far.

The London club are undergoing what is described as a “period of self-reflection” after the debacle of the Liam Rosenior appointment and a generally disappointing season outside the FA Cup, but have naturally had to consider what next as they want everything fully in place for pre-season.

The feeling is that the club have made significant progress in instilling a football identity that is now visible in the academy right down through the age groups, and that one of the values of Enzo Maresca was that his teams typified this approach.

Chelsea consequently want to persevere with a coach of similar principles, which is how Xavi has come into a conversation that also includes Xabi Alonso, Porto’s Franceso Farioli and Cesc Fabregas. Fabregas, however, is not expected to leave Como this summer.

Andoni Iraola is also greatly admired by the football hierarchy but he is seen as of a separate school to the other contenders. Chelsea would have to weigh up whether to commit to a deviation of approach for the first time were they to push for the Basque, although they do have considerable competition for his signature.

Hence, Xavi has become a name more prominently mentioned. He has been out of work since leaving Barcelona in 2024, a three-year period that brought one league title.

While the manner in which that spell ended has brought more debate about his potential and career, there is a belief that Xavi himself has sought to learn from the period, and that part of the issues were because of his emotional attachment to his boyhood club.

The Catalan now wants a “project” that would allow more space than Spanish football usually allows.

Manchester City will host their FA Youth Cup final against Manchester United at their smaller Joie Stadium after turning down an offer to switch it to Old Trafford.

City were drawn at home for the game but are unable to use the main pitch, with Pep Guardiola’s first team still having three home Premier League games to play.

United, who last won the trophy in 2022 – when more than 60,000 were at Old Trafford to watch a team including Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho beat Nottingham Forest – told City they were prepared to host the game.

City said no, so the game will be played at the 7,000-capacity ground, which is used by the club’s Premier League 2 and women’s teams.

The club have used the stadium to host Youth Cup finals previously but since 2000, every other host club has played the game at their main stadium.

Two years ago a crowd of 20,000 watched City beat Leeds United in the final at Etihad Stadium.

It is a repeat of the 1986 final, hosted over two legs at Old Trafford and Maine Road and won by City.

United sources feel it is a mistake and will cost the majority of the players involved an experience in what could turn out to be the biggest game of their lives.

City are yet to confirm a date for the game but it is likely to take place on Thursday, 14 May. The club have been asked for a response.

The Minnesota Vikings probably need an extra WR3 for the 2026 campaign, and Pro Football Focus knows just the guy: veteran Deebo Samuel. The wideout curiously hasn’t signed anywhere through two months of free agency, a drought that could end if PFF’s Bradley Locker gets his way.

Samuel would bring experience, versatility, and another catch-and-run weapon to Minnesota’s offense.

Samuel is 30 years old and should have a few productive seasons left in the tank.

A Veteran Playmaker Could Round Out the Vikings’ WR Room

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PFF: Vikings Should Sign Samuel

Locker sized up the NFL’s 1o best free agents on the open market last week and where they should land. On Samuel, he picked the Vikings and wrote, “The Vikings put an emphasis on retooling their impressive defense in the draft, grabbing Caleb Banks, Jake Golday and Domonique Orange with their first three picks.”

“However, Minnesota could use more at receiver after losing Jalen Nailor to the Raiders. Samuel’s effectiveness has taken a step back over the last two campaigns, but he still finished 2025 with a 70.3 PFF receiving grade and 1.66 yards per route run.”

The Vikings did not draft any receivers last month despite a widespread expectation for them to do so.

Locker added, “Further, Samuel’s 6.5 yards after the catch per reception was fourth among wideouts with 95 or more targets. Next to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, Samuel could help fill Nailor’s void in the slot while infusing more juice after the catch and overall creativity for Kevin O’Connell.”

The Career Output

Samuel certainly has the career numbers for Minnesota’s WR3 job. Here’s his receiving resume since turning pro in 2019:

Samuel, too, is known for his versatility, able to run the football as a tailback better than most wide receivers. In seven seasons, he’s tabulated over 1,200 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. His speed isn’t quite the same these days, but the Vikings could still get creative with him.

Would-Be WR Corps

Suppose Minnesota runs with PFF’s idea, adding Samuel from free agency. Before training camp, the WR depth chart would look like this:

Jefferson-Addison-Samuel would form one of the NFL’s top WR3 trios, and few would debate it. In fact, Samuel’s production from last year in Washington — 72 catches, 727 yards, and 5 TDs — would be just what the doctor ordered in O’Connell’s offense, even dwarfing Nailor’s 2025 campaign, when he banked 444 receiving yards.

Our Janik Eckardt on the prospect of Samuel to Minnesota: “Samuel has been an outstanding after-the-catch player in the NFL, something the Vikings have lacked in recent years. Sure, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison can run with the ball in their hands, but they are far too valuable down the field. Samuel, meanwhile, excels in the short passing game.”

“That could be attractive for the Vikings, especially with Kyler Murray under center, whose short passing rate has been off the charts. His asking price could be a challenge for the Vikings, though. While his athleticism has declined, he might still view himself as a WR2 in the league and the Vikings wouldn’t offer a groundbreaking salary for someone who’d be third in their WR hierarchy. The Jennings sweepstakes might present a comparable problem.”

Keep an Eye on the Other Ex-49ers WRs

Minnesota needs a WR3; that’s not a controversial take, unless it loves Felton, who barely played as a rookie in 2025. It’s a safe bet to assume that interim general manager Rob Brzezinski will end up with a wideout who used to play for the 49ers:

• Brandon Aiyuk
• Jauan Jennings
• Deebo Samuel

San Francisco wants to trade Aiyuk, probably after June 1st, when the financial pain will diminish. He’s arguably the best option of the three. Jennings met with the Vikings’ brass last week, though no contract came together.

And then there’s Samuel, whom PFF has nominated as the wisest fit.

Samuel will turn 31 during the 2026 playoffs. His birth name is Tyshun Raequan.

The 2026 Truist Championship begins this week at Quail Hollow Club in North Carolina. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the PGA Tour tournament, including a full Truist Championship TV schedule, streaming information and complete tee times for the first and second rounds once they are released.

How to watch Truist Championship

Last year, the Truist Championship, formerly known as the Wells Fargo Championship, was played at the Philadelphia Cricket Club. But only for one year. Quail Hollow Club, the longtime home of the event, was busy preparing to host the 2025 PGA Championship.

This year, the Truist heads back to Quail Hollow in North Carolina, and while it’s not a major like last year’s PGA, it is a PGA Tour Signature Event with a $20 million purse. The player who won last year’s PGA at Quail Hollow, Scottie Scheffler, is not in the field this week. But many of the other top Tour stars are.

That includes World No. 2 Rory McIlroy, who returns to action this week for the first time since winning his second-straight Masters title at Augusta National.

Joining McIlroy in the field is last week’s winner and newly minted World No. 3 Cameron Young, as well as the man he took that ranking from, World No. 4 Matt Fitzpatrick.

CBS and Golf Channel will provide TV coverage of the 2026 Truist Championship, while PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ will offer streaming coverage and featured group coverage all week long. Paramount+ will air simulcasts of CBS’s coverage.

You can find complete information about streaming or watching the tournament on TV below.

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Tournament basics

What: 2026 Truist Championship
Where: Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, N.C.
When: Thursday-Sunday, May 7-10
Purse: $20 million ($3.6 million winner’s share)

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How to watch on TV

CBS and Golf Channel will air TV coverage of the 2026 Truist Championship this week. Check out the full TV schedule below.

Thursday, May 7: 2-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)
Friday, May 8: 2-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)
Saturday, May 9: 1-3 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); 3-6 p.m. ET (CBS)
Sunday, May 10: 1-3 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); 3-6 p.m. ET (CBS)

How to watch online, streaming

You can watch the 2026 Truist Championship online via PGA Tour Live on ESPN+, including exclusive early coverage starting at 7:30 a.m. ET all four days of the tournament. ESPN+ will also provide featured hole and featured group coverage for every round. You can stream CBS’s coverage on Paramount+.

2026 Truist Championship tee times: Round 1 (ET)

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2026 Truist Championship tee times: Round 2 (ET)

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