Journalists from Italy‘s RaiSport on Tuesday announced that they would stage a three-day strike after the Winter Olympics, and would no longer be putting their bylines on Olympics coverage, among other measures.
They are protesting an opening ceremony broadcast by their boss last Friday that started with a wobble and soon fell off the rails entirely.
Paolo Petrecca will not commentate on the closing ceremony, Italian public broadcaster Rai has since saidImage: Maria Laura Antonelli/Avalon/Photoshot/picture alliance
What happened at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony?
RaiSport director Paolo Petrecca, formerly the head of RaiNews, began by casting doubt on whether he knew where he was standing, and then continued in roughly the same vein.
He welcomed viewers to the “Stadio Olympico,” a reference to Rome’s renowned Olympic Stadium, while standing in Milan’s equally well known San Siro stadium, home to both the city’s football giants, AC and Inter Milan.
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Mariah Carey was indeed a star on stage at the San Siro, albeit not quite when she was announced on public TV in the host nationImage: Cemal Yurttas/Anadolu/picture alliance
Before long, Petrecca told viewers, “The show continues with Mariah Carey,” as the cameras focused on Matilda de Angelis, a famous Italian actress more than 20 years younger than the US vocalist.
De Angelis has since posted a glamorous shot of herself with almost all her identifying features obscured on Instagram captioned, “PLEASE, CALL ME MARIAH.”
When International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry walked into the stadium with Italian President Sergio Matarella, Petrecca announced “Matarella … and his daughter.”
Petrecca also risked upsetting foreign viewers with observations including how the Spanish athletes were “always very hot,” and how “naturally” many of the Chinese team members “have phones in their hands.”
IOC President Kirsty Coventry is a former swimmer and Zimbabwean Cabinet minister, not the Italian president’s daughterImage: Yves Herman/REUTERS
How did the Rai jouranlists respond?
The channel’s editorial committee Comitato di Redazione, an internal union body representing journalists at the public broadcaster, issued a statement on Monday saying all journalists would withhold bylines during the Games and then strike for three days once the event is completed.
“We have all been embarrassed, no one excluded, and through no fault of our own,” it said. “It is time to make our voices heard because we are facing the worst-ever figure of RaiSport in one of the most eagerly awaited events ever.”
Concerns about shady deals ahead of 2026 Winter Olympics
Opposition politicians in Italy picked up on the gaffes as a sign of the alleged politicization of appointments at Rai in recent years. Petrecca, formerly the head of RaiNews, had been accused of bias toward Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
“The Olympics are a time of utmost responsibility for public service broadcasting. Instead, RAI offered its worst version: the one we know all too well, TeleMeloni,” the opposition Democratic Party said in a statement.
A spokesperson for the parent company Rai told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Petrecca had been removed from the commentary team for the February 22 closing ceremony after a meeting including Rai’s CEO Giamapolo Rossi.
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.”
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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.”
While there are debates to be had about the true value of a good captain, nobody argues against the need for strong leadership in general.
Whether it comes from one person or a group or people doesn’t matter; if you’ve got shining examples of what the coach and team want executed, you can establish a healthy direction for your team.
With that, the debates about who actually wears the coveted letter probably matter less than many think on the outside. Still, the choice does tell us something — mainly, who the organization sees as ‘The Guy,’ and I don’t just mean the coaches, but the offices above that too.
Today’s captains are still supposed to be those “shining examples,” but they’re more commonly franchise players now, the types who are going to be with the organization from start to finish (ideally), the types the team wants to present to their fans and the world as their face of the franchise. That means that some superstars are handed that letter young and meant to grow into it.
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We’re talking about it today because it’s a pivotal time of the season where leadership matters more (post-trade deadline and pre-playoffs), but also because if you look around Canada, the state of the captaincy is … unusual.
32 Thoughts: The Podcast
Hockey fans already know the name, but this is not the blog. From Sportsnet, 32 Thoughts: The Podcast with NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas is a weekly deep dive into the biggest news and interviews from the hockey world.
World events, contract timing, flailing franchises and a few other reasons have taken what’s typically one of the few solid things about a team and put it on shaky ground.
So in the interest of keeping it democratic, let’s talk about all seven Canadian teams, their captaincies and the direction of the capital-C in Canada.
Backlund has one of the most impressive NHL careers that few outside Alberta appreciate. He’s played in parts of 18 seasons for a total of 1,130 games, and he’s about to hit 600 points, all with the Flames. But while he’s had eight head coaches, he’s only played under two captains: Jarome Iginla and Mark Giordano.
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With all due respect (so much!), he’s not on those guys’ level, and Backlund feels like a steward of the ‘C’ now. He turns 37 next week and has one more year under contract, but the Flames would love for their captain to provide more, from on-ice play to the ability to sell jerseys.
I’m sure they’d love to see Backlund carry them through to the better days, quietly and effectively (just like his career), but eventually they’re hoping the next Iginla comes their way in time for the new building, and the turnaround.
McDavid is Canadian hockey at this point, the heir apparent to Team Canada’s captaincy when Sidney Crosby is done. He checks every box of what you want your captain to be.
Some may say “but he hasn’t won” (because pretending the 4 Nations wasn’t a huge deal at the time is convenient for narratives), but that’s the problem, is that he feels that way too. He wants to win, has to win — and wants to do it in Edmonton.
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The problem there — much like another captain we’ll get to below — is that years of “going for it” have stripped the Oilers’ cupboards thin, and so it gets harder to win each year, and it’s tough to imagine him spinning his wheels in his early 30s for a retool, rebuild, re-anything. He has two years under contract after this one, but as has been written other places, he’s not going to leave Edmonton empty-handed were he to bolt, so it’s down to this year and next for the Oilers to figure it out.
The stakes are high in the games, and the Oilers have as good a shot as anyone in the Pacific. I’d never bet against McDavid. But that underlying pressure adds another layer that hasn’t really been there in the past.
This one is fun to write about, because really there’s nothing to see here. The Canadiens have a star-level captain who’s respected, defends and says all the right things.
He’s prime age, the rebuild has them closer to Cup contention than the lottery, and he’s not going anywhere. There’s really nothing to note here aside from “nailed it.”
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This one is different, isn’t it? In the wake of the Olympics and all the U.S. flag-waving and other things that stirred up particularly patriotic feelings in both Canada and the U.S., there was a bit of a weird tension between American captains and their fans.
Tkachuk was one of those guys handed the captaincy young with the expectation that he would grow into it, and you can’t question his commitment to his team between the whistles. These are great things. But no doubt people are aware of a few other things too, like his relationship with his brother in Florida, and of said brother’s recent comments to Brady about how there’s less pressure, taxes and snow down south.
Fans are aware that his contract is timed the same as McDavid’s and Auston Matthews’, which leaves him two seasons after this one. It’s also well established that final one is the “exit” season, as leaving as Mitch Marner did from Toronto is clearly a way to burn any goodwill fans would have for a departing player, and nobody wants to do that.
There’s just sort of an underlying vibe of “you know he lays it all on the line when he plays, but you wouldn’t be shocked if he did what brother Matthew did and asked to leave.” That guy would lay it on the line for whatever jersey he’s wearing.
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But the Sens have team control and want him to be their guy, of course. And he’s saying all the right things. In the end, the Sens want him to stay, their fans do too — the guy is a prime-aged physical star — and so they hope they can be competitive in the years ahead. After all, winning is the best way to hang on to players who want to win.
Toronto Maple Leafs:Auston Matthews (with Morgan Rielly and John Tavares)
I mentioned above that “there was a bit of a weird tension between American captains and their fans,” and, well, there’s only one other American captain: Matthews.
I’d argue that this captaincy situation has been shoved into “dire” pretty quick for the Leafs and their fans. They spent years with Matthews as the face of the franchise before finally giving him the ‘C,’ which he essentially was even when he wasn’t wearing it. Everyone looked to him to pull them through, he bore the brunt of the pressure, he was undeniably Their Guy. Suddenly though, you’ve got:
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• The aforementioned weird tension
• Matthews’ personal numbers in stark decline for the second straight season
• A team much closer to the lottery than playoff contention
• A guy with two more seasons on his contract, knowing the last one is a “move” season if it isn’t working
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With this season a write-off, that means the Leafs basically have one season — and you might say half of next season, not the whole thing — to show Matthews that they’ve got a direction that’s worth sticking around to be a part of. (Unless you think there’s a world in which he sticks around through a multi-year rebuild, which probably isn’t an outcome worth betting on.)
Even in decline, Matthews is a star, and it’s not impossible that with a long summer and a new coach, he’s got a few more elite seasons left. The Leafs badly want to capitalize on that talent, they want him around (for winning and ticket sales alike), and so the question becomes “how do they reposition the Leafs between today and next training camp in a way that allows them to compete again next season?” That’s just six months away.
If the Leafs can’t prove that they’ve got a direction by October, they won’t be any better off by December, which means next trade deadline could involve some big conversations. It’s go time for the front office, or Matthews could follow fellow (former) American captain Quinn Hughes down south.
Ah yes, Quinn Hughes. It would maybe make fans of the above teams feel better if they hadn’t just seen one of the world’s best players say “I like it here captaining a team in Canada, but not enough that if we’re bad I want to stick around and answer questions after losses for multiple years.”
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While the Canucks have not yet doled out the ‘C’ after losing their star captain, give them credit: they’ve only recently embarked very clearly on this rebuild, and it’s too early to say who’s going to be the figurehead of this new direction. They may give it to a proven vet who’s willing to stick around, but it’s possible the next great Canucks captain doesn’t even play on the team yet.
The Jets have gone with Team Dad type of captain, which is always a popular coach’s choice (less so management and those who want to sell jerseys). But Lowry is actually a very Canadian selection for captain: we tend to like a guy who does it the so-called right way, shows up to work every night and leads by example.
Sure, Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor may play more, produce more and matter more — Josh Morrissey too — but you can’t teach their talent and you’re trying to get others to emulate the effort of Lowry.
It’s not the perfect scenario, having your leader play 14:33 a night. Maybe they’ll eventually do what the Leafs did with Tavares and Matthews, and hand it over to Scheifele or Morrissey.
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But for now, you can safely say there’s more stability with the Jets’ captaincy than some of these other situations mentioned above.
Undefeated and unassailable, why Lossiemouth is undoubtedly a Cheltenham legend
The Cheltenham Festival roared back into the public consciousness with a sensational opening day that saw Lossiemouth, and jockey Paul Townend, claim the Champion Hurdle spoils in the latest act of glory for this legendary horse.
The Willie Mullins-trained mare, famed for her grey coat, headlined the first champion race of the four-day festival and was a class above the rest of the field.
And that is saying something, as the race featured previous Cheltenham winners Golden Ace and Poniros, as well as Dan Skelton’s favoured The New Lion, who hoped to threaten but failed to make his move early enough.
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Lossiemouth was only confirmed for the race at the weekend but quickly became the pre-race favourite and set off at 7/5 odds to the full backing of a packed grandstand. However, there remained a question over her quality and whether she could handle a competitive champion race, having only previously won novice and mares hurdles here.
Read Michael Jones’s full day one report from Cheltenham:
Luke Baker11 March 2026 08:47
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Ladies Day returns to Cheltenham as organisers try to win back punters after lowest attendance in 30 years
Ladies Day returns to Cheltenham Festival today after a five-year hiatus, with bosses targeting an upsurge in numbers on the lowest-attended day of the week-long event.
Chief executive Guy Lavender, appointed last year, has not commented on the “woke” jibes that were triggered when the day was later resold as the unisex Style Wednesday in 2024.
But after falling to its lowest attendance last year in 30 years, he conceded it was the day with the “most opportunity for growth”.
So last year, following a review, The Jockey Club, which owns the racecourse, decided revive Ladies Day – and figures released on the eve of the event suggest it was a good move.
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Luke Baker11 March 2026 08:33
Cheltenham Festival 2026 race card, start times and full four-day schedule
The Cheltenham Festival is back as the National Hunt jump racing season gathers pace with the four-day bonanza of horseracing goodness one of the highlights of the sport’s calendar.
The Festival began with Champion Day yesterday before Ladies Day today and then St Patrick’s Thursday, with Gold Cup Day bringing the event to a close on Friday.
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Here’s everything you need to know:
Luke Baker11 March 2026 08:28
Cheltenham Festival 2026
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.
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After a fascinating opening day, it’s time for day two as Ladies Day makes its return to Prestbury Park
Daniel Jones is reportedly returning to the Indianapolis Colts on a historic contract.
Jones, 28, and the Colts agreed to a two-year, $88 million deal that can be worth up to $100 million with incentives, according to multiple reports. It is the largest two-year contract in NFL history.
Jones is reportedly guaranteed $50 million at signing and $60 million for injury.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) runs off the field after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. The game was played in Inglewood, California, on Oct. 19, 2025.(Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)
The former New York Giants quarterback tore his Achilles in a Week 14 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars but is expected to be ready for the start of the season, according to ESPN’s report.
The Colts used the transition tag on Jones prior to the March 3 deadline, not allowing him to hit the open market as a free agent. That tag allowed the Colts to match any offer made to Jones, and the quarterback would have been paid $37.833 million.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones throws before a National Football League game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Oct. 5, 2025.(AJ Mast/AP Photo)
Jones signed with the Colts last season on a one-year deal and beat out Anthony Richardson for the starting job. The Colts, led by Jones and the team’s prolific offense, got out to an 8-2 start.
However, Jones sustained a hairline fibula fracture in his leg, and the team went 0-3 as he tried to play through it. Jones tore his Achilles in his other leg.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones looks on in the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The game was played in Kansas City, Missouri.(Denny Medley/Imagn Images)
Jones was off to a career year before the injury as he completed 68% of his passes for 3,101 yards with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also ran for 164 yards and five touchdowns.
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In his seven-year career, Jones has completed 64.7% of his passes for 17,683 yards with 89 touchdowns and 55 interceptions while running for 2,343 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Robbie Griffiths reveals Enxuto as part of a large group vying for spots in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m).
Not having won above open grade at three years old, the son by Lean Mean Machine tackles for Doncaster access in Saturday’s Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) over Rosehill.
Ajax Stakes success provides the champion with direct entry to the Doncaster, where Enxuto holds 77th position on 50kg.
Four runners have doubled up Ajax to Doncaster, including recent example It’s Somewhat overcoming Happy Clapper in the 2017 edition.
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Facing likely reductions in the ballot, Griffiths – marking 10 years since his unique Group 1 with The Quarterback in the 2016 Newmarket Handicap – affirms the five-year-old’s suitability for the challenge.
“I’d prefer to take Enxuto to the Ajax Stakes in Sydney, and that gives him two weeks into the Doncaster,” Griffiths said on Saturday.
“He’s in the mix. He’s one of many in the mix, but he ran fourth in the Ingham up there and his form around Sabaj, I hope runs really well because that’ll really help frank the form lines.”
That very afternoon, Sabaj substantiated the form by securing fourth, his best career result, in the Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m).
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Enxuto notched placings upon resuming: third behind Cafe Millenium and Sabaj in Listed Elms Handicap (1400m) company, then closing on Birdman in Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) next time out.
With a tight two-week gap before, trainer Griffiths anticipates prime condition for the Ajax at minimum 54kg.
“He worked really well Saturday morning,” Griffiths said.
“I thought it’s hard to run really good two weeks off a blistering first up run, so I reckon his run will be better coming into this.”
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Saturday’s all-in prices see Enxuto firm to $8.50 from $11, behind leader Lord Penman at $2.60 and Globe, a Group 1 winner, at $3.50.
Visit leading betting sites to access racing betting markets for the Ajax Stakes feature race.
The curling landscape traditionally experiences major changes after an Olympic Games.
Once again this year, many are players are switching teams or forming new squads.
Here’s a look the biggest moves and new rosters (which are at the bottom of the page) :
Just two days after South Korean skip Eun-jung Kim announced the team she won a silver medal with in 2018 would be splitting up, she has released her new squad for 2026-27.
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Team Kang picks up Kyeong-ae
It didn’t take long for South Korean third Kyeong-ae Kim to find a new home as Bo-bae Kang has announced she will join the team for the upcoming season, as first reported by Curling1spoon.
South Korea’s Chuncheon City Hall team will have You-been Park join Seo-jin Park, Tae-i Yang and Su-jun Kim while Seung-youn Ha and Hye-rin Kim will be looking elsewhere, as first reported by Curling1spoon.
Scharf team splits upafter decade-long run
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A longtime Northern Ontario force is breaking up. Skip Krista Scharf, lead Sarah Potts and third Ashley Sippala have announced they are stepping back, while second Kendra Lilly said she is looking at other options.
Kim announces shocking break up
South Korea’s Eun-jung Kim, Kyeong-ae Kim, Cho-hi Kim, Yeong-mi Kim and Seon-yeong Kim released they would not be returning together for the 2026-27 season.
Daniels departs from St-Georges
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Dupont lineup will look different
Cameron splits after three years
Manitoba’s Kate Cameron, Taylor McDonald and Mackenzie Elias won’t be returning together for the 2026-27 season after three years spent together. Briane Harris, also a part of the team breaking up, just joined the team this season.
After wearing the Saskatchewan jacket at the 2024 Scotties before stepping away from curling to focus on education, Skylar Ackerman is back and will be skipping Robyn Silvernagle, Rachel Big Eagle and Mary Little in 2026-27.
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‘Philosophical differences’ cause Armstrong split
Campbell calls it a career
After representing Saskatchewan at the 2026 Scotties, skip Jolene Campbell announced she’s retiring. That left Robyn Silvernagle, Rachel Big Eagle and Dayna Demmans looking for a new team.
Purcell will be ‘exploring’ options
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After reaching the Brier playoffs in 2025 and not making the field in 2026, Owen Purcell’s Nova Scotia team with Luke Saunders, Gavin Lydiate and Ryan Abraham will be exploring their options for next season.
Carruthers, Njegovan stepping back
B.J. Neufeld and Catlin Schneider will be searching for new teams next season after Manitoba’s Reid Carruthers announced he would be retiring from curling this year. Connor Njegovan also released he would be stepping back from curling with his family growing from three to five this summer.
Team Epping splits after provincial playdown loss
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On the heels of losing the Northern Ontario playdowns to Sandy MacEwan, John Epping and his team of Jake and Tanner Horgan along with Ian McMillan will not be returning together for next season.
Dunstone roster will have new look
E.J. Harnden, now a four-time Brier champion, announced this would be the last year his professional curling career. This opens up a roster spot on Matt Dunstone’s Brier-winning team with Colton Lott and Ryan Harnden also on the Manitoba squad.
Robyn Silvernagle, Rachel Big Eagle, Mary Little
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Hye-rin Kim, Cho-hi Kim, Seon-yeong Kim
Kyeong-ae Kim, Yu-jeong Shim, Min-seo Kim, Ji-soo Kim
Suh-yeon Kim, Han-byul Park, Yu-jin Bang, Hae-jeong Kim
