Shivam Dube, left, captain Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya (AP Photo)
NEW DELHI: The uncertainty surrounding India’s campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has finally cleared. After a dramatic round of Super 8 matches, the defending champions now have a straightforward path to the knockouts.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!South Africa’s commanding nine-wicket win over West Indies in Ahmedabad confirmed the Proteas’ place in the semi-finals from Group 1. Later in the day, India strengthened their position with a resounding 72-run victory over Zimbabwe in Chennai.With Zimbabwe eliminated and South Africa already through, the final Group 1 clash between India and West Indies at Eden Gardens on Sunday has effectively turned into a virtual quarterfinal.
India keep T20 World Cup dream alive, over to Kolkata now
India Semifinal Qualification Scenario
The equation is simple: India must beat the West Indies to qualify for the semi-finals.Both teams currently sit on two points from two matches. The winner of Sunday’s encounter will join South Africa in the last four.There is, however, one small caveat. If the match is washed out due to rain — and there is no reserve day — West Indies would advance on the basis of a superior net run rate, knocking India out of the tournament. At present, though, there is no forecast suggesting weather disruption in Kolkata.In short, the calculators are back in the bag. For India, it is purely a win-and-progress scenario.
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India’s qualification push gathered serious momentum after a batting masterclass against Zimbabwe. Posting 256/4 — the second-highest total in men’s T20 World Cup history — India entertained home fans with a barrage of sixes.Abhishek Sharma returned to form with a blistering half-century, while Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma provided a thunderous finish. Zimbabwe fought back through Brian Bennett’s unbeaten 97, but India’s bowlers ensured a comfortable victory.Earlier, South Africa’s clinical chase of 177 against West Indies reshaped the group. A rapid opening partnership between Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock made light work of the target, underlining why the Proteas remain unbeaten in the tournament.
Professional golfer Andrea Pavan withdrew from the DP World Tour’s Investec South African Open due to injuries he sustained in a freak elevator accident.
Pavan, 36, was hospitalized and “thankful to be alive” after he fell down an elevator shaft in the building he was staying in near Cape Town, South Africa, for the tournament, according to Monday Q Info.
“By all accounts, he’s in good spirits, thankful to be alive and FaceTiming with his kids,” Pavan’s former Texas A&M coach, J.T. Higgins, told the Golf Channel. Higgins hadn’t spoken to Pavan yet, but he was updated on his condition.
Andrea Pavan of Italy tees off on the sixth hole during round one of the Qatar Masters 2026 at the Doha Golf Club in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 5, 2026.(Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto)
Golf Channel learned through sources within Pavan’s inner circle the golfer had called for an elevator within the building where he was staying. However, when the doors to the elevator opened, a cab had not come up.
Pavan didn’t realize that as he stepped through the doors and fell three stories below.
Pavan sustained multiple injuries, including to his back and shoulder. He underwent “extensive surgeries” Wednesday night to repair the damage.
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Andrea Pavan of Italy tees off on the sixth hole during round one of the Qatar Masters 2026 golf tournament at the Doha Golf Club in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 5, 2026.(Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto)
No known recovery timeline for Pavan has been released.
The Italian golfer has eight professional wins in his career, including two on the DP World Tour. His latest was in 2019 when he took home the BMW International Open.
Pavan defeated Matt Fitzpatrick, a fixture on the PGA Tour, in a playoff at the event.
Andrea Pavan of Italy tees off on the 16th hole at the Qatar Masters 2026 at Doha Golf Club Feb. 6, 2026, in Doha, Qatar.(Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
During this season, Pavan has tallied two top 15 finishes, which includes a tie for ninth at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship earlier this month.
Welcome to I Tried It, a GOLF.com series about golf items — apparel, gear, accessories, etc. — that we’ve recently taken out for a spin. We’re here to give our honest, no-frills takes on the latest and greatest golf or golf-adjacent items. So, scroll down to read about what we love about golf’s newest (or new to us) products.
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The recent blizzards slamming into the Northeast have me dreaming of warmer days, which, in reality, aren’t too far away.
But even once the snow melts and the golf courses reopen, there will still be some cold mornings and spring days where bundling up will still be essential.
Fortunately, I — not realizing just how bad Winter Storm Hernando was going to be when I left — slipped away to South Carolina last weekend for some bonus golf. But even destinations South of the Mason-Dixon line aren’t immune to the power of Old Man Winter.
While the first two days of the trip were in the 70s, the last two days, temperatures dropped significantly, barely reaching highs of 50 and sub-freezing in the mornings. My days of reporting the weather on TV are behind me, but I’m venturing to guess the harsh drop had something to do with the storm battering the I-95 corridor some 600 miles to the North.
Shorts quickly gave way to sweaters and rain pants for the third day, which not only saw temperatures in the 40s, but also 20-30 mph winds. That’s when I was really glad I had a G-Tech Sport 4.0 Hand Warmer.
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Now, one thing you need to understand about me is that while I run pretty hot — it’s not uncommon for me to wear shorts and a light pullover in the 50s with no wind — my hands don’t get the same memo. Back in high school, I used to have to do a lap around a driving range before playing a cold-weather tournament to get the blood flowing to my hands.
Even as I shed layers when I start walking and the round gets going, I still have trouble getting and keeping my hands warm. We all know what it’s like to catch a shot thin with cold hands in cold weather, too.
That’s where the G-Tech Sport 4.0 Hand Warmer comes in handy.
What is a G-Tech hand warmer?
Akshay Bhatia used a G-Tech hand warmer at Pebble Beach.
Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
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We’ve all seen the fanny-pack style hand warmers NFL players use to put their hands in between plays, but easily stay out of the way during them. I call them “Quarterback Warmers.”
G-Tech took the concept and added electric heat powered by a battery that’s sealed off from the elements by a waterproof zipper, allowing it to be used in all conditions.
It’s super easy to use and heats up extraordinarily fast to the point where you could turn it on, hit a golf shot and by the time you put your hands back in, it’s already heated up.
The 4.0 version has new batteries that not only support USB-A and USB-C charging, but they can also charge other devices (like your phone) too. They also display the charging level on the front so you always know when you need more juice.
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You also won’t have to worry about running out of charge on the course with a 12-plus hours of battery life, thanks to a new optimized circuit board and software within the pouch. It also has new 3M Insulation.
While you’re wearing it, it’s just like any other waist-strapped hand warmer that you put either in front of or behind you, but you can grab on to the heated bar inside for a nice warm-up.
The heat has three settings, with red being for sub-freezing temperatures, green being the economy mode for long battery life, and orange being in between. I found myself using green the most while it wasn’t THAT cold, all things considered, but all three settings got warm pretty fast.
Playing golf with a G-Tech hand warmer
I like to move my hand warmer around to my back to hit a shot.
Jack Hirsh/GOLF
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When you’re actually on the golf course, you basically have two choices on how to use your G-Tech hand warmer: When it’s time to hit your shot, you can simply unbuckle the adjustable strap and hang it on your bag while you make a swing, or you can flip it around to your backside, out of the way of your arms.
Both options work just fine. During the cold weekend at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am two weeks ago, we saw 54-hole leader Akshay Bhatia taking off his G-Tech hand warmer and hanging it on his bag to hit his shot.
I found that flipping the hand warmer around to my back was enough to get it out of the way and not impede my swing.
I also have one big tip for players who like to walk when you use these hand warmers: carry your bag.
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Over the years, I’ve become a card-carrying member of the push cart mafia, but when it’s cold and I want to use a hand warmer, it’s much better to hoof it and throw a lightweight bag over your shoulder.
It’s easier to use the hand warmer when you walk and carry.
Jack Hirsh/GOLF
Why? Because when you’re carrying a double-strap bag, both of your hands are free to take advantage of the hand warmer. Trying to push a cart with both of your hands in the warmer is a bit awkward.
If you like to ride, then the G-Tech hand warmer will be awesome for keeping you warm in the open air as you zoom down the fairways.
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Bottom Line
Sport 4.0
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This G-Tech hand warmer is going to be the difference between wanting to play and not on some days.
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That said, I could see myself using this in plenty of other places too, such as a football game or even doing work in my garage workshop while it’s still cold out.
But most importantly, this is going to keep my hands warm, which will make playing cold-weather golf significantly more enjoyable for me. No more cold stingers!
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Getting more speed in your swing is a popular goal for lots of recreational golfers. But for many of them, the distance gains they crave are achievable simply by hitting the center of the clubface more frequently.
LPGA pros are a prime example of this. Despite the fact that their swing speeds are not outrageously fast, they can all generate plenty of distance by virtue of the quality of their strikes. For most recreational players, this blueprint is a good one to follow. One of the easiest ways to promote a solid strike on the ball is by swinging with better tempo.
At the GOLF Magazine Top 100 Teacher Summit a couple of years back, instructor EA Tischler explained a great feel that recreational players can use to find this smooth tempo.
“You’re going to go to the top of the backswing,” Tischler said. “And once you get there you’re going to count to three. Then, you’re just going to transition and swing through, feeling like you;re staying on cruise control.”
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Tischler stressed that although it’s important to accelerate through the ball, having that thought in mind when swinging can lead to a poor transition and bad sequencing.
“We don’t want to feel like we are accelerating through the ball too much,” Tischler said. “You always hear that, but that’s mainly so you don’t end up decelerating.”
Instead of feeling like you speed everything up from the top, try taking a quick pause to collect yourself and then start the transition. By doing that a few times when you practice, you’ll get your swing on cruise control early and have much better tempo and ball striking.
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Divot Board
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Instant Feedback for Faster LearningResearch shows that immediate feedback can accelerate learning by 50–70%. The Divot Board provides real-time feedback on your swing so you can make quick adjustments and refine your technique instantly.
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Using a Divot Board consistently will transform your practice routine. It’s the easiest way to gain awareness, develop better ball striking, and see results faster.
The opening day of on-field drills at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis presented defensive linemen, edge rushers and linebackers at Lucas Oil Stadium, the home of the Indianapolis Colts. Some prospects uplifted their stock with standout efforts while others caused teams to go back and look at their college film with a fine tooth comb.
Here are some of the intriguing things from Thursday’s on-field drills for the linebacker position, beginning with the measurements and testing numbers of the top prospects in CBS Sports’ top 50 rankings, courtesy of NFL Draft analyst Mike Renner:
Ohio State first-team All-Big Ten linebacker Sonny Styles entered the combine as a projected top-10 pick, and after displaying jump-out-of-the-gym athleticism with a 43.5-inch vertical, he may be making a case to go in the top five in April, positional value be damned. NFL Media reported fellow linebackers were rooting him on and jumping in unison during his attempt. He blew away his positional peers.
His 11-foot-2 broad jump put an exclamation point on his elite athleticism. Styles recorded the highest vertical jump by a player 6-foot-4 or taller since at least 2003, when NFL Network began collecting combine data.
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His combine performance was so explosive that he tested similarly to Pro Football Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson, the artist formerly known as Megatron.
That helped him generate a nearly perfect Relative Athletic Score, ranking as the No. 4 linebacker in the metric since 1987.
Anthony Hill Jr. is similar to Arvell Reese as a linebacker with edge-rush experience, though he is not quite on the same level as Reese or Styles. Still, he acquitted himself well Thursday. A 4.51-second 40-yard dash at Hill’s size is a strong result, and his 9.93 Relative Athletic Score reflects an excellent day in Indianapolis.
He remains a tier below Styles, who delivered a historic performance, but Hill’s showing was strong enough to earn a B+.
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Grade: B
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Jake Golday measured and jumped well at the combine. He did not get out of the blocks quickly in the 40-yard dash, as reflected in his early split times, but he showcased strong closing speed to finish with a 4.62. Overall, Golday helped himself Thursday.
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Grade: N/A — Josiah Trotter opted out of doing on-field drills on Thursday.
Texas Tech‘s Jacob Rodriguez was the most decorated linebacker in college football in 2025. He earned the Bronko Nagurski Award (nation’s top defensive player), the Chuck Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year), the Dick Butkus Award (top linebacker), the Vince Lombardi Award (top lineman), unanimous All-American honors and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year recognition.
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His tape is outstanding, and he moved smoothly during Thursday’s workouts in Indianapolis, posting a 38.5-inch vertical, a 10-foot-1 broad jump and a 4.57-second 40-yard dash. Rodriguez’s measurables were decent, but the way he moves — combined with his production at Texas Tech — earns him a B grade.
Eric Gentry is a certified freak. He is both the tallest linebacker and owns the largest wingspan recorded at the NFL Scouting Combine since NFL Media began tracking data in 2003. A creative defensive coordinator could have plenty of fun deploying him at the next level.
Brady Tkachuk has found himself in a rather awkward position.
Days after crushing the hearts of Canadians by helping the United States win a gold medal over its northern neighbor, Tkachuk is back with his Senators, who play in Canada’s capital of Ottawa, for a playoff push.
A TikTok posted by the White House probably didn’t help matters because it featured footage of Tkachuk’s conference at a 4 Nations game last year that was doctored by artificial intelligence to make it appear as if he spoke disparagingly of Canada and its citizens.
Brady Tkachuk of the United States celebrates after winning the gold medal during the men’s gold medal game against Canada at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena during the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games Feb. 22, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
“They booed our national anthem, so I had to come out and teach those maple syrup-eating f—- a lesson,” Tkachuk allegedly says in the video. Tkachuk and his brother, Matthew, were part of three fights in nine seconds against Canada last year.
Tkachuk celebrated his gold medal in Washington, D.C., but was not pleased with the video.
“Well, it’s clearly fake, because it’s not my voice, not my lips moving. I’m not in control of any of those accounts. I know that those words would never come out of my mouth. So, I can’t do anything about it,” Tkachuk told reporters Thursday ahead of his NHL return, via ESPN.
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When asked if he enjoyed the video, he repeated his sentiments.
Brady Tkachuk (top) of the U.S. fights Canada’s Sam Bennett (9) during first-period 4 Nations Face-Off hockey action in Montreal Feb. 15, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)
“It’s not my voice. It’s not what I was saying,” he added. “I would never say that. That’s not who I am. So, I guess I don’t like that video because that would never come out of my mouth and never had that thought.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Some have also accused Tkachuk of saying, “Close the northern border” while on the phone with President Donald Trump after the team won gold.
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“I’ve been seeing stuff that people think it’s me. But if you watch the video, it’s not my voice or something that I never say,” Tkachuk said. “I don’t know how that took a storm on its own when I give everything I have here.
“It’s crazy when things go on social media, how fast they go. I would never say anything like that.”
Brady Tkachuk (7) and Matthew Tkachuk (19) of the United States celebrate after their game against Canada during the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena Feb. 22, 2026.(Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)
Tennessee defensive back Colton Hood (8) and the Tennessee defense celebrate after a play stopping the New Mexico State offense in an NCAA college football game on November 15, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn.
We are at the NFL Combine stage of the pre-draft process, where the Vikings brain trust will watch this year’s potential draftees perform physical and mental tests in front of coaches, general managers, and scouts. The chance for players to give their draft stock a boost by showing elite traits or proving fitness if there have been injury issues.
Seven Names That Match Minnesota’s Biggest 2026 Draft Priorities
I have picked out seven prospects who should be high on the Vikings’ agenda and worth extra attention this weekend. Mainly focusing on defense, the area of the team that I think is a priority in this draft, but also a couple of players on offense, too.
Caleb Banks (DT), Florida
Many are focusing on the Vikings’ secondary in this draft, but my early draft crush has been Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks. The Gators DT can be a long-term partner for Jalen Redmond in the center of the Vikings’ defensive line.
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Jul 16, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida State Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks answers questions from the media during the SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
At 6’6″, 325 pounds, with arms over 35″, Caleb Banks has overwhelming size, length, and forklift power, to pair with inhuman burst and quickness at that size. An impressive display at The Combine can confirm his round one status. Given the history of injuries, the medical side will be closely monitored.
Dillon Thieneman (S), Oregon
Dillon Thieneman has been earmarked as the Harrison Smith replacement should Minnesota choose to do that through the draft rather than free agency. Brian Flores’ defense demands safeties who can blitz, drop into coverage, and diagnose plays pre-snap — Thieneman does all of this while reading the field like a veteran at 21 years old.
Thieneman’s draft projection is hovering around the early Day 2 and late first-round range. His Combine performance may dictate where the Vikings have to go to get him, should they want to.
Jermod McCoy (CB), Tennessee
The search for an outside CB ready to shut down WR1s has been a long one for Minnesota. Jermod McCoy can provide that while also being a ball hawk. He’d likely be well out of reach for the Vikings at 18 if it weren’t for the fact that McCoy tore his ACL in a preseason workout and missed the entire 2025 season.
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Interestingly, McCoy won’t work out at The Combine, which leaves more mystery around his recovery. Teams will look closely at his medical reports, which will be one of the big stories of the weekend.
Avieon Terrell (CB), Clemson
A CB in a different mold to McCoy, Avieon Terrell is an undersized but feisty corner who also has a knack for taking the ball away. Terrell – younger brother of Falcons All-Pro A.J. Terrell – has inside/outside versatility but would probably find more success playing in the slot in the NFL.
Nov 1, 2025; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback Avieon Terrell (8) reacts to a pass interference call during the NCAA football game against the Duke Blue Devil at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Alex Martin-Imagn Images
He will hope to impress with his elite quickness and short-area burst, convincing a team like Minnesota he is worth a mid-first-round pick.
Kenyon Sadiq (TE), Oregon
Kenyon Sadiq provided Oregon with a big play whenever it needed one last season. A dependable threat on third down or in the red zone, Sadiq is the top-rated TE in this year’s draft. He caught a team-high 51 passes for 560 yards and eight touchdowns, showing a penchant for getting open at various levels.
Sadiq is big and strong and moves as well as any tight end in this class. A good 40 time will put Sadiq’s draft over the top and start a serious conversation over whether he’s an option to replace the highly paid TJ Hockenson.
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Colton Hood (CB), Tennessee
Another option to be the lockdown CB the Vikings need is McCoy’s teammate at Tennessee, Colton Hood. At 6’0, and 195 lbs, Hood has an enticing blend of explosiveness, corrective twitch, proportional length, and physicality.
He had the opportunity to step up in McCoy’s absence and did just that. An impressive outing at The Combine can secure him first-round status and put him firmly on the Vikings’ radar.
Nick Singleton (RB), Penn State
The Vikings need a young, exciting prospect at RB, but with Jeremiyah Love likely to go in the top 10. The next group of RBs is, at best, Day 2 prospects. One player who can boost his draft stock at The Combine is Penn State’s Nick Singleton.
Penn State has a history of producing freak athletes, and Singleton is the latest at 220 lbs while expected to run in the low 4.4s on top of a massive broad jump. With three Day 2 picks to play with, that sort of performance will put Singleton in the Vikings’ eyeline.
Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.
No. 1-ranked Duke Blue Devils will host No. 11-ranked Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday, Feb. 28. The Blue Devils are looking to extend their winning streak to six, while the Cavaliers are aiming to reach 10.
With the game occurring at Noon, let’s look at the prediction, venue, odds and tips for today’s game.
Duke vs. Virginia Prediction
Here’s a look at the odds and forecasts for the showdown:
KenPom: Duke 75-65
BartTorvik: Duke 74-65
ESPN BPI: Duke +12.5
KenPom and BartTorvik have the Blue Devils winning by ten and nine points, respectively. They’re currently the No. 1-ranked team in the nation and will be a tough team to beat in March Madness.
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Duke vs. Virginia Preview
The Duke Blue Devils are having arguably their best season since Coach K announced his retirement. Cameron Boozer and Co. have lost just two games this season, with both coming against Top 20-ranked opponents. They lost by three points or less.
The Blue Devils are led by freshman phenom Cameron Boozer, the son of former Duke great Carlos Boozer. The younger Boozer is widely projected as a Top 3 pick in the 2026 NBA draft, and he’s been on a tear lately. The Cavaliers will have to contain him in the post and pay attention to a supporting cast stacked with future NBA talent.
The Virginia Cavaliers enter today’s game as one of the in-form teams in college basketball. They’re on a nine-game winning streak with a vast majority of those wins coming by comfortable margins.
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The Cavaliers are filled with experienced collegiate players out for one last national championship hurrah. Their 86-83 win over Miami last weekend featured three freshmen, one junior and four seniors. That’s in contrast to a Duke team that’s become a hub for high-profile freshmen in recent years.
Today’s game has all the markings of a late-season classic with both teams looking to close out February with a statement win. Ultimately, it could come down to the better-coached team and the set of players that want it more.
Where to watch Duke vs. Virginia
Date: Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026
Time: Noon ET
TV Channel: ESPN
Venue: Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina
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Dawn Staley, Geno Auriemma, or Kim Mulkey – who is NCAAW’s highest-paid coach? Find out here
The jockey Thomas Stockdale wants to keep the high of becoming a dad for the first time going by landing a major prize at Flemington.
Partnering Simon Zahra’s Onavuitton in Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m), Stockdale recognizes the difficulty of the three-year-old event, which is known for occasional shocks.
Stockdale, married to Lily (daughter of ex-rider Peter Mertens), had son Ronnie born Sunday, with fatherhood’s energy rush lingering.
“They got home on Tuesday, and I’ve been pretty much running on adrenalin since,” Stockdale said.
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Family joys notwithstanding, the priority is Saturday’s ride for Stockdale’s greatest career success to date.
This year he won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on Unit Five at Gold Coast, though a Group 1 in his newborn’s birth week would top that.
Onavuitton sits at $26 betting against favourites Observer ($2.30), Sixties ($2.90) and Planet Red ($4.80), but past Australian Guineas results feature Lunar Fox ($301, 2021) and Feroce ($14 last year).
Onavuitton’s four outings include third in Flemington’s Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) last March.
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He claimed a Cranbourne maiden recently, then placed fourth behind Observer in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield February 7.
“We were happy with his run,” Stockdale said.
“He was a month between runs, and they never sat up in the race. They ran along at a good clip the whole way and Observer, he’s a class horse.
“I thought he did a good job to keep rolling along on the hot speed like he did, especially off the gap between runs.
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“He would have benefitted off it, and if you take the top three out and it’s a very even race.
“He always puts his best foot forward and his run in the Sires’ at Flemington was good and I think getting back to the bigger track at Flemington is only going to help him, especially stepping up to the mile.
“It’s a race that can throw up a rough result and Simon’s team is flying, they’re getting result after result and I’m confident they will have him in tip-top order on Saturday.”
For the best value, visit betting sites with racing betting markets for the Australian Guineas.
Worn down after four years in charge of Morocco, Walid Regragui is expected to step down with the World Cup now less than four months away. The Moroccan federation, which met on Thursday, is likely to announce Regragui’s successor soon. The leading candidate is Mohamed Ouahbi, currently in charge of the nation’s U20 world champion side.
Manchester United have a busy summer ahead, regardless of whether they clinch qualification for the Champions League
It has been a busy week for several Premier League sides thanks to European responsibilities, but Manchester United have had the luxury of observing from the sidelines. Weekend opponents Crystal Palace faced Zrinjski Mostar in the second leg of their Conference League play-off on Thursday, giving them only a few days’ recovery time ahead of their visit to Old Trafford.
Should Michael Carrick’s side capitalise and claim all three points, it would bring them a little closer to making sure they end the season in the top four. Nearest rivals Chelsea and Liverpool will be looking to ramp up the pressure, though, with Arne Slot’s reigning champions welcoming West Ham to Anfield on Saturday and Liam Rosenior’s Blues taking on league leaders Arsenal in Sunday’s 4.30pm kick-off.
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Carrick’s own position may well depend on his ability to build upon the foundations he has already laid. United have accumulated 16 points from a possible 18 under the interim manager, and appear to have reaped the rewards of a lighter schedule whilst their competitors contend with a more congested calendar.
In today’s round-up, attention shifts to the summer transfer window and the business the club will and won’t be pursuing. Here’s the very latest from around Old Trafford.
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Onana may not get his wish
Manchester United have no plans to reintegrate goalkeeper André Onana next season, according to TeamTalk. The Cameroon international is currently on loan at Trabzonspor but is not anticipated to remain with the Turkish side beyond the conclusion of the current campaign.
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United are reportedly eager to remove Onana’s wages from their payroll, with Senne Lammens now firmly established as the number one keeper at Old Trafford. Reports suggest they will dismiss Onana’s request to prove his worth back at Old Trafford, instead seeking to offload him this summer, whether that’s on another loan or in a permanent deal, which would surely force them to take a hit on the £47m they paid Inter Milan to acquire him in 2023.
Mainoo contract risk
United face the prospect of allowing Kobbie Mainoo to enter the final year of his contract without a new deal in place. The Sun report that neither party has yet resumed negotiations over an extension, with the midfielder currently still on the deal he agreed around the time he made his debut for the club in 2023.
Mainoo turned down an offer from United towards the close of the 2024/25 season and struggled for regular game time under Ruben Amorim in the first half of the current campaign. There was talk of a departure in January amid interest from Napoli but he has re-established himself as a first-team regular under interim manager Carrick.
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United do retain a one-year extension clause on Mainoo’s contract, which currently runs until the summer of 2027. However, the club are said to be planning further discussions over a lengthier deal when the time comes to reopen talks with his representatives.
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Ronaldo’s new investment
Former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has acquired a 25 per cent stake in Spanish side Almeria. The promotion-chasing club was bought by Saudi consortium SMC Group and has now seen Ronaldo invest via CR7 Sports Investments.
“It has been a longtime ambition of mine to contribute to football, beyond the pitch,” Ronaldo said in a statement as the investment was confirmed. “UD Almeria is a Spanish club with strong foundations and clear potential for growth. I look forward to working alongside the leadership team to support the club’s next phase of growth.”
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
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Sky shows at least 215 live Premier League games each season, an increase of up to 100, plus Formula 1, darts, golf and more.
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