SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Cal Quantrill committed to pitching for Canada before he signed a minor-league deal with the Texas Rangers on Feb. 1, and he reported to spring training determined to make a team.
That priority, however, doesn’t need to be mutually exclusive from participating in the World Baseball Classic, which is why the right-hander from Port Hope, Ont., didn’t waver and is set to start Wednesday’s win-and-advance, lose-and-go-home Pool A finale versus Cuba (Sportsnet, 3 p.m. ET).
Watch the World Baseball Classic on Sportsnet
The World Baseball Classic is back for its sixth edition, running from March 5-17 in Miami, Houston, San Juan and Tokyo. Catch all the action on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
“You only have so many opportunities in this sport to represent your country,” Quantrill said ahead of the outing. “I’ve played in the big-leagues for a long time now. They’re well aware of what I’m capable of. Any risk of coming here is outweighed by the joy of getting to wear that Team Canada on my chest. In the end, this is extremely competitive baseball, and in a lot of ways, it’s far more competitive than spring training. It’s not like they’re not able to watch and see. We can talk about how the outing went later on.
“I wasn’t going to miss this opportunity,” he added, “and I think the Rangers were understanding of that when they signed me. There was no problem.”
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The Canadians lined Quantrill up for the Cuba contest after projecting earlier in the tournament that it would end up being the game they needed to win to advance. That’s exactly how it played out, as a 4-3 loss to Panama on Sunday removed any secondary pathways to the quarterfinals.
Both teams are 2-1, behind 3-1 Puerto Rico, which has already clinched.
Quantrill made two starts for the Cleveland Guardians in the 2022 American League Division Series versus the New York Yankees and he said pitching in the Classic “is a little like the playoffs.”
“You really can’t afford to take a game off,” he continued. “That being said, there are all these rules about how much you can pitch, so it’s kind of a blend. In terms of preparation, it doesn’t change much. You have a routine. It’s the same routine as it is for a playoff game, as it is for a spring training game, as it is for the WBC. I’ll go through my regular approach, and I think that’s the best you can do to be prepared for something like this.”
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Quantrill planned to do some game-planning for Cuba prior to Tuesday’s 3-2 win over Puerto Rico and a little more Wednesday morning. He isn’t familiar with many of the Cuban hitters, “so I’ll be relying on some of the data we’re able to provide.”
The Canadians have Minnesota Twins scout Walt Burrows doing advance work while Christian Conforti, the Toronto Blue Jays’ advance information coordinator, is doing both pre-game work and handling video reviews.
Cuba is starting NPB star lefty Livan Moinelo, who is pitching in the round for a second time, benefitting from the four days of rest between outings. Blue Jays reliever Yariel Rodriguez, who’s already logged 4.1 innings in two outings, is expected to follow.
“We’re looking forward to it,” said outfielder Tyler O’Neill. “It’s going to be a dogfight out there. Looking forward to doing my part and playing as hard as we can collectively.”
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Josh Naylor was hit on the back of the right elbow Tuesday and writhed in pain but remained in the game. Manager Ernie Whitt said the impact radiated through the ulnar nerve in the area and “you’d think it knocked your arm off, it’s very painful.”
Whitt checked if Naylor needed to come out, but “he said no and I said, OK,” and he is expected to be in the lineup again Wednesday.
Quantrill pitched for Canada in the last World Baseball Classic, when he couldn’t escape the first inning of an eventual 18-8 win over Britain, allowing three runs on two hits and four walks.
That experience has helped him be “more prepared for this type of tournament this early in the season.”
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“At the time, I was coming off a ton of innings (186.1 innings with Cleveland) and probably wasn’t where I needed to be,” said Quantrill. “I’m ready to rock this time. I got started earlier. I know this is a big opportunity for Baseball Canada and want to put our best foot out there. Ready to go, and it will be a blast.”
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 15: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the second quarter of the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on January 15, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has matched one of the most remarkable scoring records in NBA history, tying the mark set by Wilt Chamberlain by scoring 20 or more points in 126 consecutive games.
The milestone came during the Oklahoma City Thunder victory over the Denver Nuggets, where Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 35 points and hit a decisive three-pointer with 2.7 seconds remaining to secure a 129–126 win.
The reigning MVP reached the historic mark with a three-pointer late in the third quarter, pushing his total beyond 20 points for the night and tying Chamberlain’s legendary streak.
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Chamberlain originally set the record between 1961 and 1963, when he scored at least 20 points in 126 straight games while playing for the Philadelphia Warriors.
Despite the milestone, Gilgeous-Alexander kept the focus on the team’s success.
“It’s still a lot to even wrap my head around it,” he said. “I try not to think about it during the season. So much is going on and so many things have to go right.”
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The Thunder currently hold the best record in the league, and Gilgeous-Alexander’s consistency has been a major factor. During the streak, he has recorded five games with at least 50 points, including a career-high 55-point performance earlier this season.
He now has the chance to break Chamberlain’s record in the Thunder’s next game against the Boston Celtics, which would give him sole possession of one of the NBA’s most iconic scoring achievements.
Iran’s sports minister said Wednesday that Iran would not take part in the 2026 World Cup, citing airstrikes carried out in the country by the tournament co-host, the US, alongside Israel.
“Since this corrupt government assassinated our leader, we have no conditions under which we can participate in the World Cup,” the minister, Ahmad Donyamali, said on state television.
“Our children are not safe,” he added.
Federation chief floats boycott, cites Australia precedent
It is not yet clear whether the decision is final. But Mehdi Taj, the president of the Iranian Football Federation, has raised the prospect of a boycott.
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“What reasonable person would send their national team to the US if the World Cup is going to be as political as it was in Australia?” he told the Isna news agency.
He pointed to the Asian Cup in Australia, where five players from Iran’s women’s football team were granted asylum after refusing to sing the national anthem before their first match, fearing persecution if they returned home.
FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, said on Instagram that US President Donald Trump told him during a meeting on Tuesday that Iran’s team “is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States” despite the war.
Trump had previously said “I really don’t care” whether Iran participates in the World Cup or not.
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Iran’s team is scheduled to play across US cities starting June 15Image: Sebastian Frej/IMAGO
Iran scheduled for matches in US cities
Iran is among the 48 nations qualified for this year’s World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Iran, who dominated the Asian qualifying rounds, was the only nation missing from the FIFA planning summit held last week in Atlanta, US.
The team is scheduled to play on June 15 against New Zealand, then face Belgium and Egypt later in the five-week tournament. All three matches are set to take place in US cities.
According to FIFA rules, any team that withdraws from the tournament “no later than 30 days before the first match” will be fined at least 250,000 Swiss francs ($320,800, €277,049).
Sanctions may also include expelling the federation from future FIFA competitions and replacing the team with another country.
The referee blows the final whistle and it’s level at half-time of this tie!
Not a vintage Arsenal performance but they have the result to take back to London, while Leverkusen put in a spirited display and may well feel hard done by to not come out with a win.
Chris Wilson11 March 2026 19:39
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Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal
It’s a good delivery…but there’s some holding and an Arsenal player is penalised.
Chris Wilson11 March 2026 19:38
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A late corner for Arsenal. Can they steal the win from right under the noses of the hosts?
Chris Wilson11 March 2026 19:36
Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal
A well-taken penalty from Havertz and Arsenal are right back in it. At this stage, you feel like they might just settle for the result.
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We’re into the first of three minutes of added time.
Chris Wilson11 March 2026 19:34
GOAL! Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal
Havertz steps up against his old club – he’s calm and collected as he slides it right into the corner past Blaswich!
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(REUTERS)
Chris Wilson11 March 2026 19:33
PENALTY! Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 Arsenal
It’s given! Perhaps a little soft but Tillman definitely catches Madueke and once it’s given, those can’t be reversed.
Havertz will step up to take it!
Chris Wilson11 March 2026 19:31
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Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 Arsenal
PENALTY! Finally something a little more direct from Arsenal, and they have a penalty for it!
Madueke skips in between the two defenders and he bursts into the box, and he’s clipped by Tillman!
It’ll go to a VAR check but the on-field call was a penalty.
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Chris Wilson11 March 2026 19:30
Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 Arsenal
CLOSE! Arsenal go up the other end and Martinelli hangs up another good cross. Timber is there to meet it just a few yards out but he can only direct his header over the bar!
Chris Wilson11 March 2026 19:28
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Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 Arsenal
Another free-kick in a dangerous area for Leverkusen. Can they make something of another set-piece?
Garcia’s ball in looks like a tempting one but it has a little too much on it and nobody is there at the back post.
Chris Wilson11 March 2026 19:27
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Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 Arsenal
Changes for both sides as Gabriel Jesus replaces Eze for Arsenal.
Leverkusen take off Terrier and Palacios for Fernandez and Hofmann.
With Crawford’s retirement taking a rematch off the table for Canelo, he has announced his return on a September card in Saudi Arabia, a fight that boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh says will come with a world title.
“For me, my goal right now is to fight Canelo because I was [the] long time number one WBC challenger. Number one challenger, number one on WBC for Canelo. Now I have to show that I am the number one of the division.”
Mbilli fought on the Canelo–Crawford undercard, drawing with Crawford stablemate Lester Martinez to retain the belt. The Cameroon-born Frenchman said, in the same interview, that he intends to rematch Martinez down the line.
The fight with Alvarez has little to no obstacles and plenty of weight behind it: Turki Alalshikh, Canelo’s good standing with the WBC and his number one ranking, and it being undoubtedly the most lucrative option for Mbilli. If the Mexican wants to test himself, the opportunity is there.
A PWHL official said Wednesday that there have been constructive conversations in potentially teaming with the NHL’s Ottawa Senators to secure its women’s hockey franchise a long-term future in the Canadian capital.
The discussions centre on the Ottawa Charge playing home games at the Senators’ arena, the Canadian Tire Centre, PWHL senior VP of business operations Amy Scheer told The Associated Press. The Charge’s future is in Ottawa is uncertain beyond this season due to the city going ahead with renovations that will reduce the team’s current home’s capacity by about 2,000 seats.
“We’ve got a long ways to go to figure out where we are for the future of Ottawa, but the relationship with the Senators has blossomed,” Scheer said during a video conference call.
She referred to Senators president and CEO Cyril Leeder as being “a gem to work with.” Scheer and league officials also met with Senators owner Michael Andlauer while attending the women’s tournament at the Milan Cortina Games last month.
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The PWHL has already established a partnership with the Senators, with the Charge scheduled to play Montreal at the Canadian Tire Centre on April 3.
“The game is selling really well, so hopefully that’s the first of a really positive road for us to skate down,” Scheer said.
The Senators did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment.
The Charge were one of the PWHL’s original six franchises, and have spent the first three seasons playing at the city’s centrally located TD Place, which is also home to the Ontario Hockey League’s Ottawa 67s. The aging facility has a capacity of about 8,500 for hockey but the renovation will reduce seating to about 5,700, with an additional 900 standing-only spots.
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The PWHL said the cuts make it financially unfeasible to stay at the arena. The Charge averaged about 7,000 fans per outing over the first two seasons, with that number jumping to 7,225 over the team’s first nine home games this year.
Scheer previously said the league was exploring all options, including the possibility of relocation. “We will not go backwards,” Scheer said in November.
The PWHL expanded to eight teams this season, with plans underway to add 2-4 teams for next season.
The Senators’ home arena is located about a 40-minute drive outside of downtown. The team, however, is in the early planning stages of building a new home closer to downtown.
Il Etait Temps (5/2) landed a third Grade 1 for Willie Mullins on day two of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.
The son of Jukebox Jury, ridden by Lisgoold, Co Cork-born Paul Townend, ran out an emphatic 10-length winner of the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase despite a final-fence error.
A faller on his previous start at Ascot on 17 January, the eight-year-old grey was back to form with this his seventh Grade 1 success.
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The British-trained pair of filled the places: Libberty Hunter was runner-up at 50/1, while L’Eau Du Sud was third at 13/2.
Seven G1s & counting for Il Etait Temps, including:
Majborough the 5/6 favourite, in the colours of J.P. McManus, could only finish in seventh place after some major jumping errors over the two-mile race.
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His defeat continues the poor record of odds-on favourites in the Champion Chase – he is now the 14th odds-on shot to taste defeat in the race this century.
Champion flat jockey Colin Keane gave Ireland a fifth winner on Ladies Day at Cheltenham on Wednesday.
Keane and Noel Meade teamed up to win the Grade 1 Weatherbys Champion Bumper – the final race on a seven-race programme – with The Mourne Rambler (15/2).
Owned by the Pollys, the five-year-old son of Well Chosen, raced to a two-and-three-quarter length success, on Keane’s first Cheltenham Festival ride.
English-trained horses filled the places as Mets Ta Ceinture (14/1) for Dan and Harry Skelton finished in the runner-up spot. Long time race leader, Bass Hunter (8/1), was a short-head further back in third place for Chris and Freddie Gordon.
Keane emulates his fellow Irishman Jamie Spencer as a flat jockey to win the Cheltenham bumper.
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Reacting to his win, the 31-year-old multiple Group 1-winning rider admitted:
“Turning for home I thought, if we got a bit of room [we could win] – the one thing he was going to do was stay, and he had a bit of pace. I though he’d be in the three then.
“The crowds are a different level to what we’re used to. I know Ascot would be busy, but this is some atmosphere here. It was brilliant.
“When Noel [Meade, winning trainer] rang me two weeks ago, it was an easy ‘Yes’ if I could get the licence sorted. I probably didn’t think enough of it, but it worked out well.”
The Baltimore Ravens’ sudden change from Maxx Crosby to Trey Hendrickson raised eyebrows across the NFL. The franchise agreed to acquire the Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher in exchange for two first-round picks on Saturday. However, the deal collapsed after Crosby reportedly failed his physical due to concerns tied to his torn meniscus that was surgically repaired in January.
The Ravens pivoted to the Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Hendrickson, reportdly agreeing to terms on a four-year, $112 million deal on Wednesday.
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Tom Brady’s former Patriots teammate, Ross Tucker, questioned the team’s motives.
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“If the Ravens end up signing Trey Hendrickson, that’s going to invite all kinds of speculation that they actually had buyer’s remorse with Maxx Crosby and that it wasn’t really a failed physical,” Tucker said on Wednesday on the “Ross Tucker Podcast.”
Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!
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“Now, the Ravens could argue, ‘We need an elite edge rusher. It’s critical to our defense. Max failed the physical. We got to get somebody available, but there’s also something to be said for we’re a couple days into free agency.’”
He also analyzed what could have been the franchise’s reason.
“Hendrickson’s market probably not what he thought it would be,” Tucker said.
“Did the Ravens maybe realize they could get a very good player for less money than Crosby and no first round picks and not coming off of a meniscus repair? That’s a distinct possibility. And that’s what we’re going to be screaming about if and only the Ravens sign Trey Hendrickson.”
Baltimore turned to Hendrickson just hours after it backed out of the Crosby trade. The canceled deal would have cost the team two first-round picks, while Hendrickson required only cap space.
Multiple doctors reviewed Maxx Crosby’s medicals before Ravens canceled the trade
The Baltimore Ravens’ decision to cancel their trade for Maxx Crosby was reportedly based on evaluations from several medical experts.
Multiple physicians reviewed the Raiders pass rusher’s MRI scans and conducted examinations before the team decided not to proceed with the deal. One of the doctors involved was Dallas Cowboys team physician Daniel Cooper, who previously performed surgery on Patrick Mahomes and Malik Nabers.
The Ravens were set to give up two first-round picks for Crosby. However, medical projections regarding his recovery from knee surgery led the team to halt the transaction.
The Cheltenham Festival is back and the 2026 edition promises to be action-packed before culminating in Friday’s Gold Cup with Inothewayurthinkin attempting to win the trophy for a second successive year.
St. Patrick’s Thursday looks set to follow in the footsteps of two fabulous days of racing with Willie Mullins’ Irish Gold Cup winner, Fact To File, the odds-on favourite to triumph in the Ryanair Chase (4.00pm). Also of note is another Mullins’ charge at Bambino Fever goes off in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle while Henry de Bromhead’s Slade Steel takes on the Jack Richards Novices’ Chase again but without last year’s winning jockey Rachael Blackmore.
(PA)
Following Lossiemouth’s victory in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday, Mullins continued his form when Il Etait Temps won the Queen Mother Champion Chase. The Irish trainer is now two for two from the champion races this year and looks set for a third victory on Thursday.
Find the latest Cheltenham offers and free bets with Independent Sport ready to provide daily coverage from the festival and get our free betting newsletter for the latest Cheltenham tips. Sign up here.
Our racing correspondent Jonathan Doidge will be at Cheltenham all week to share his thoughts, insights and tips. Plus legendary former jockey Ruby Walsh has shared his tips with Paddy Power.
Thursday 12 March – St Patrick’s Thursday
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1.20: Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Bambino Fever
“Bambino Fever has an outstanding chance. She was beaten by Oldschool Outlaw at Naas, but improved markedly to win at Fairyhouse on her second start over hurdles. She was last year’s Champion Bumper winner, and she’s in very good form at home. I couldn’t oppose her.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Oldschool Outlaw (e/w)
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“There’s little to choose between the top two in the market on what they’ve achieved so far but the second favourite, Oldschool Outlaw is a much bigger price than Bambino Fever, whom she’s already beaten when they met at Naas in December. Of the Brits, La Conquiere looks the most interesting.”
2.00: Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2)
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Sixmilebridge
“I really like Simmilebridge, who’s done nothing wrong over fences. He’s won all three starts over the larger obstacles, including the Scilly Isles at Sandown, where he beat Kala Conti impressively.”
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Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Ben Solo (e/w)
“I think there may be some value in Ben Solo. He’s a seven-year-old trained by Rebecca Curtis and is still feeling his way as he tries to establish himself over fences. He’s certainly shown ability, having won one of his four starts over the bigger obstacles, that coming over an extended 2m3f at Chepstow last November.”
2.40: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Wodhooh or Jade De Grugy
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“This looks between Wodhooh and Jade De Grugy, and I’m finding it hard to split them. I can’t see Wodhooh out of the first two, and Jade De Grugy is the only one I can see beating her. The rest will struggle to match that pair for pace, so I’ll be playing them in a reverse forecast.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Wodhooh
“She’s several pounds clear of the field on official ratings and I think last year’s Martin Pipe winner Wodhooh is still a half decent price at a shade of odds-on.”
3.20: Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
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Ruby Walsh’s tip: Honesty Policy
“I can’t see a lot of pace on, and that may suit Honesty Policy, who has plenty of gears. If Gordon Elliott’s string starts firing, I’d be keen on this improving six-year-old. I loved his run at Ascot last time, and he’s a big player.
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Bob Olinger (e/w)
“Surely it’s only the fact that he’s now an 11-year-old that means Bob Olinger is a 15/2 chance for the staying hurdlers’ championship, as I write this. He is 4-4 at Cheltenham, three of those wins coming at the Festival.”
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4.00: Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Fact To File
“Fact To File can avoid back luck, he should win. Impaire Et Passe could be the one to chase him home for a Willie Mullins 1-2, but I can’t see past Fact To File.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Fact To File
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“I’ve been praying that Willie Mullins would send Fact To File to this race and Gaelic Warrior to the Gold Cup and I’ve got my wish in that respect. I’m not saying that Fact To File can’t win a Gold Cup but I do think he is perfectly suited by this trip at a stiff track and on more or less any ground.”
4.40: Pertemps Network Final (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Premier Handicap)
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Yeah Man
“I’m giving a shout to Yeah man for the Gavin Cromwell team. He ran in the Red Mills Hurdle to get his fifth qualifying run in after finishing second in a Pertemps Qualifier at Leopardstown. He’s off a higher mark in the UK, but on a going day, he’s a solid proposition.”
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Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Red Dirt Road (e/w)
“I’m prepared to take a chance here on a lightly raced nine-year-old who I’ve already tipped to no avail this season but I’m happy to hold my nerve and suggest a small each-way play on Red Dirt Road. He was my selection at Sandown in January, where he’d won a Grade 3 decisively last year. On this occasion, he led before going out like the proverbial light on ground described as heavy.”
5.20: Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase (0-145)
Ruby Walsh’s tip: Kim Roque
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“Kim Roque made the trip to Cheltenham on his first two starts for Joseph O’Brien. He then went to Leopardstown and ran well in the handicap chase at the Dublin Racing Festival. If the step up in trip brings about any improvement, he’s got a solid chance under John Gleeson.”
Jonathan Doidge’s tip: Gericault Roque (e/w)
“Only two of the last 10 favourites have won this and I’ll warn you, I’ve not backed the winner in that entire decade. I’m going to go with a sporting selection in Gericault Roque, who was third here in the Ultima in 2022 and went on to be third in Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup later that year.”
