Before the 2.30 at Kempton on Boxing Day, the focus will be on the 1.35 at less-exalted Thurles this afternoon. The Horse And Jockey Hotel Hurdle at the Co Tipperary track is the race in which Ruby Walsh, due to partner the red-hot favourite, Kauto Star, in the King George VI Chase, makes his comeback after dislocating his left shoulderin a crunching fall at Cheltenham five weeks ago.
RICKY Ponting remains unsure what attack he will have in the first Test against India but believes Australia still pack their punch post Warne and McGrath.
Australia won’t name their final XI until the morning of the Test because the captain and selectors wanted extra time to analyse an MCG wicket which has had its preparation hampered by rain the past week.
Ponting said the wicket still looked damp, but forecast good weather over the next few days will help it dry for the series opener.
Tottenham have confirmed Cardiff and Wales full-back Chris Gunter will join them in the January transfer window.
The two clubs have agreed a fee thought to be worth 3m for the 18-year-old made up of an up-front sum with add-ons for appearances and a sell-on clause.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Defensive standouts Jonal Saint-Dic and SirDarean Adams are among five Michigan State players who will sit out the Champs Sports Bowl on Friday against No. 14 Boston College because of academic or other violations.
The Spartans said Monday that Saint-Dic, a senior defensive end, and three other players are academically ineligible for the bowl game. Adams, a senior linebacker, violated unspecified team rules.
Fred Smoot
MINNEAPOLIS – Be it insult, injury or even the death of one of their own, the Washington Redskins have faced just about every hardship imaginable this season.
Yet after an inspired 32-21 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night, here they stand – on the cusp of the playoffs. And Clinton Portis knows why.
The top novice Hobbs Hill maintained his unbeaten run over fences at Ascot yesterday with a poignant success in the Grade Two Noel Novices’ Chase. The eight-year-old, whose owner Peter Orton died last month, brought his record to four from four as he drew away under Tony McCoy to beat Battlecry by an eased-down eight lengths.
Though team tactics are forbidden on the racecourse, there is nothing in the rules about collaboration behind the scenes. And should Jack The Giant, favourite for this afternoon’s Ladbroke hurdle at Ascot, take the £84,000 first prize and oblige his punting supporters, thanks will be due not only to Nicky Henderson and Mick Fitzgerald but to Lynn Wilson.
AUSTRALIAN midfielder Tim Cahill is in doubt for Everton’s English Premier League match with Bolton on Boxing Day.
Cahill, who scored in Everton’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United yesterday, left the field late in the second half.
Everton manager David Moyes told the club’s website: "Tim took a knock and we had to take him off and we will have to see how he is for the next game."
I rarely stray off topic, but since it’s Christmas Eve I thought I would offer some advice that could come in handy, especially tonight.
Following are some tips on how to fend off a charging reindeer: