It could be a big day for Nicky Henderson at Newcastle on Saturday, with his two most high-profile horses, Constitution Hill and Shishkin, entered on the card.
Constitution Hill will face a maximum of five rivals when he makes his seasonal return to action in the BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle while Shishkin, who blotted his copybook by refusing to race at Ascot on Saturday, has been given an entry in the BetMGM Rehearsal Chase.
Not surprisingly, there are not many connections with a smart two-mile hurdler on their hands keen to take on Constitution Hill.
Since his racecourse debut in December 2021, the closest any horse has managed to get to Constitution Hill is three lengths, on his most recent outing at Aintree, where he beat multiple Grade One winner Sharjah.
That followed a nine-lengths stroll in the Champion Hurdle over State Man, another Willie Mullins inmate with a list of successes at the highest level to his name.
There had earlier been wide-margin wins over his stablemate Epatante in both the Christmas Hurdle and this corresponding race last year – and she herself was a previous winner of the Champion Hurdle.
So far, he has not looked like being beaten and he will be a very short price at the weekend to maintain his unblemished record.
There is a previous winner of the Fighting Fifth among his likely opponents in the shape of Hughie Morrison’s veteran Not So Sleepy.
He dead-heated with Epatante in 2021 and was last seen running a good race to be seventh in the Cesarewitch.
There are two classy mares among his potential opponents, both having won the Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Harry Fry’s Love Envoi took the spoils in 2022 and was narrowly beaten by Honeysuckle back at Cheltenham in March, while Jamie Snowden’s You Wear It Well followed in her hoofprints last season.
You Wear It Well reappeared with a good win at Wetherby and is clearly on the up.
Sandy Thomson’s Benson and Iain Jardine’s Voix Du Reve are the only other possibles.
Shishkin is one of 17 entries in the Rehearsal Chase over almost three miles, a contest won 12 months ago by Venetia Williams’ L’Homme Presse.
When asked on Sunday if the race was an option for Shishkin, Henderson replied: “That is under consideration, as you can imagine. We’re going there anyway (with Constitution Hill).”
The trainer deems the Peterborough Chase on December 10 too close to his King George target on Boxing Day.
Shishkin is rated 173 so would be giving lumps of weight away to his rivals should he run, with the next highest rated being Jamie Snowden’s Datsalrightgino on 148.
In a union that transcends borders and court dimensions, Jamaica's Sunshine Girl Shimona Nelson and Australian basketball player Buay Jok exchanged vows in a heartwarming ceremony over the weekend. The couple, who have been together for a significant period, found solace in each other's arms amid the uncertainties surrounding Nelson's netball career in Australia.
Standing at an imposing six-foot-five, Nelson, who is set to celebrate her 25th birthday on December 1, burst onto the Jamaican netball scene in 2017. She swiftly climbed the ranks, representing her country in the Under 21 national squad, the Fast5 team, and eventually securing her place in the coveted Jamaican Sunshine Girls on the international stage. Her prowess on the court earned her a Commonwealth Games silver medal with the Sunshine Girls in 2022.
Nelson's netball journey led her to the Australian Suncorp Super Netball League, where she donned the colors of the Collingwood Magpies since 2019. However, the recent upheaval in the league saw the Magpies' franchise license being returned, leaving Nelson's playing career in Australia in a precarious position.
Amidst these professional uncertainties, Nelson has found support and love in the arms of her long-time boyfriend turned husband, Buay Jok. A towering presence at six-foot-eight, Jok is a forward for the Dandenong Rangers in Australia's NBL1 semi-professional league.
In an interview with Red Boo Sports, Jok shared insights into their dynamic relationship, stating, "She always sets her boundaries. Like clear expectations, and if I don't do those things I'm gonna hear about it. It's great discipline. She's really intense and I'm really calm. We balance each other."
Harry Fry is keen to bolster Gidleigh Park’s experience following his impressive hurdling debut at Exeter.
The five-year-old was an emphatic winner of a Chepstow bumper on his rules introduction back in March, pulling six-lengths clear of Ben Pauling’s The Jukebox Man, who has since franked the form in good style on two separate occasions.
Making his first start over hurdles, Gidleigh Park confirmed the promise of that Chepstow romp with an equally taking display, jumping well and only needing to be pushed out by jockey Johnny Burke for a commanding seven-and-a-half-length triumph.
Although immediately cut by the bookmakers for Graded novice events at the Cheltenham Festival, his handler is in no rush to move into deeper waters and for now plans to seek out another novice event under a penalty.
“We were very happy and he seemed to confirm the promise of his racecourse debut last spring,” said Fry.
“It’s onwards and upwards as they say and we will look forward to getting him out in a month or so under a penalty and if that goes according to plan then we can start thinking about raising his sights.
“I think it’s about experience at the moment more than anything and I think we need to get another run in, in an ordinary novice, before we start thinking about going up in grade.”
An unbeaten century from Joshua Bishop and half centuries from Teddy Bishop, Kevlon Anderson and Johan Layne put the West Indies Academy in control on day two of their four-day match against Emerging Ireland at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua on Sunday.
Resuming from their overnight score of 76-2 in reply to Emerging Ireland’s first-innings score of 213, the West Indies Academy scored 409 off 96.4 overs for a lead of 196 runs. Bishop scored a quick-fire 102 from just 70 balls in a lower-order push in which Layne scored 56 from 50 balls.
At stumps, Emerging Ireland batting a second time were 29-3 after 17 overs, still 167 runs behind with seven second-innings wickets in hand.
Teddy Bishop, who resumed on 48, added a further 42 runs before he was bowled for 90 by Matthew Foster, who on Friday took the wickets of openers Ackeem Auguste and Matthew Nandu for five and one, respectively to finish with 3-81.
It was Mike Frost, who was the best of the bowlers, however, with 4-89 after tearing through the West Indies middle order with the wickets of Anderson, who scored 79 after resuming from his overnight score of 20, Kevin Wickham for 33, Nyeem Young for four and Carlon Bowen-Tuckett for 15.
However, he and the rest of the Irish bowling attack would face stubborn resistance from Joshua Bishop who plundered nine fours and eight sixes in his unbeaten ton.
Layne smashed an addition six fours and three sixes as the West Indies approached 400 runs.
Gavin Hoey grabbed some late wickets to return figures of 3-57.
Nyeem Young made the going tough for the Irish in their second innings taking two of the three wickets to fall with Ashmead Nedd taking the other.
In a heartwarming celebration of athletic excellence and academic dedication, three-time Olympic gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was awarded the Alumni Exemplar Sports Award at the University of the West Indies' 75th-anniversary event on Friday night.
The Jamaican sprinting sensation, a five-time world 100m champion, expressed deep gratitude for the recognition from the university that she attended for just one month several years ago.
In a statement shared on her Instagram page on Sunday, Fraser-Pryce expressed her honour, saying, "I am honoured to receive the 2023 Alumni Exemplar Sports Award from the University of the West Indies at their 75th Anniversary Celebration."
She went on to emphasize the dual pillars of her career, stating, "My career has always been rooted in sports and education, and as I go into another year, I’m committed to continue my work with @sfppocketrocketfoundation to ensure students are ready to rise."
Fraser-Pryce, who had previously been honored with an honorary doctorate of laws degree from the University of the West Indies in 2016, as well as a similar honor from the University of Technology, seized the spotlight once again.
Her remarkable achievements extend beyond the track, as she graduated from the University of Technology in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child and Adolescent Development with honors.
The star sprinter, known for her incredible speed on the track, has also proven to be a force for positive change off the field. As the founder of the Pocket Rocket Foundation, Fraser-Pryce has dedicated herself to providing crucial financial support to deserving student-athletes. Her foundation is a testament to her commitment to the intersection of sports and education.
This recognition comes as Fraser-Pryce sets her sights on another historic milestone – a third Olympic 100m gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
In a spectacular display of talent reminiscent of his father's glory days, central defender Damion Lowe emerged as a key player in Jamaica's recent thrilling come-from-behind victory over Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final match in Toronto.
The Reggae Boyz secured a 3-2 win, setting the stage for an eagerly anticipated showdown with the USA. Coach Heimir Halgrimsson’s move to push Lowe into midfield paid immediate dividends as Reggae Boyz scored two quick goals before Bobby Reid’s penalty sealed the match for the Jamaican team.
Onandi Lowe, a legend of the 1998 World Cup squad, couldn't help but express his pride in his son's performance.
The elder Lowe, who made history as part of Jamaica's 1998 World Cup team, sees a reflection of himself in his son. Having played as a forward throughout his professional career and scoring 27 goals for Jamaica, Onandi is delighted to witness Damion's rise as a formidable central defender.
"That's my son, and they should know that what is in me is in him," beamed a proud Onandi to the Jamaica Gleaner after the game.
"When he was much younger, he used to cry because of the excitement of the National Stadium, but by carrying him over and over, he started to run on the field and kick the ball to goal every chance he got. That's where it all started."
Now, as Damion performs on the global stage, Onandi feels a profound sense of accomplishment and continuity. "My book is complete. I came, I saw, and I achieved, and my son came, saw, and continues the journey," he reflected with gratitude.
Willie Mullins felt Galopin Des Champs lacked his usual spark after suffering defeat in his bid for back-to-back victories in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.
The seven-year-old was a hugely impressive 13-length winner of the two-and-a-half-mile Grade One 12 months ago, after which he went on to lift both the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
He did suffer defeat at the hands of Fastorslow in the Punchestown Gold Cup on his final start of the campaign, but was widely expected to turn the tables on that rival on his seasonal reappearance.
However, the 1-2 favourite lacked fluency in the hands of Paul Townend, particularly in the jumping department, and while he briefly threatened to throw down a major challenge early in the home straight, he ultimately had to make do with minor honours in third as Fastorslow again emerged triumphant.
“Paul said he was very dead in himself today, no spark,” Mullins said afterwards.
“We schooled him during the week, he pinged fences and we were very happy with him.
“It’s disappointing that he didn’t replicate his homework today. For some reason, he was very dead in himself.”
Gordon Elliott continued his fine run of form at Cork thanks to a double with Halka Du Tabert and Tactical Affair.
Halka Du Tabert justified odds of 4-7 in fine style when hacking up by 20 lengths in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase on her first start over fences.
Third in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last term, the Kenny Alexander-owned six-year-old was cut from 25-1 to 12-1 for the Mares’ Chase at this season’s Festival by Betfair.
Winning jockey Jordan Gainford said: “She was a smart mare over hurdles and was very good today.
“We got down to the start and she wanted to get on with the job and is entitled to come on from the run, as she was gassy and fresh.
“She will be better in a better race with a stronger gallop and will come on a lot from today. She is fine and scopey, her jumping was very good and she had a run in a point-to-point for James Doyle so had plenty of schooling done.
“This is a lovely starting point and hopefully she can improve.”
Tactical Affair showed plenty of spirit to edge out Picture Of You by a short head in the Racing TV Black Friday Offer – Join For Just 12 Euros PM For An Entire Year Maiden Hurdle at 5-2.
Gainford said: “He is a lovely horse and hopefully will come on a lot from that.
“He had to lead, so maybe he didn’t learn as much as we wanted to and he had a good look at the last. It was great for him to get his head in front, though.
“His bumper form was good but he is a fine, big horse who is only a baby and is only coming into himself.”
There was also a double for Willie Mullins, as Readin Tommy Wrong and Meetingofthewaters both justified favouritism.
Readin Tommy Wrong was pushed all the way by stablemate Lisnagar Fortune but held on to prevail by a short head in the I.N.H Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.
Owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, the 8-15 chance claimed a bumper double in May with comfortable victories at Ballinrobe and Tipperary and is expected to come on for this debut over timber.
“Some of ours are taking a run at the moment and I think he can build on that,” said jockey Danny Mullins.
“Often, Willie’s biggest problem is he has other horses in the race which can beat them but this was a nice starting point and there is plenty to build on.
“He jumped big over the last two and it was nice to hear his number being called – I was hoping I wasn’t beaten and, in fairness, the other horse has probably improved. Lisnagar Fortune was dropping back in trip, which probably suited.”
Meetingofthewaters survived some sketchy jumps down the home straight to land a gamble in the I.N.H Stallion Owners EBF Beginners Chase, scoring as the evens favourite under Brian Hayes.
The winning rider said: “Patrick (Mullins) owns this fella and told me he really fancied him, so I checked with Philip (Fenton, trainer of unplaced Japers Jack) and he said it was OK to swap.
“Paddy thought he’d win, he had been working well and was confident coming back to a 0-116 beginners, which was a big drop in class. He was confident enough he’d do the business.
“I think he is entered in the (Paddy Power Chase, at Christmas) but this was a 0-116 at the end of the day.”
Union Park has been a progressive chaser this year, prevailing three times over fences in 2023, but connections took advantage of a lenient mark over smaller obstacles in the Cork Welcomes Racing TV Members Handicap Hurdle.
The seven-year-old was rated fully 21lb lower in this sphere and travelled smoothly throughout before finishing strongly to beat Big Debates by half a length at 12-1.
“There wasn’t a suitable chase for him until Christmas but it was always the plan to go back over hurdles,” said trainer Philip Rothwell.
“The horse has built on promise and we let him improve away over fences. That has given him confidence and we are using his hurdle mark at the right time.
“We might even look at going across the water with him at some stage, as I think English racing, where they go a gallop in front, will suit him.”
Henry de Bromhead’s Percy Warner galloped on strongly to oblige at 15-2 in the richest race on the card, the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Handicap Chase.
Fastorslow inflicted a second successive shock defeat on Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs with a comeback victory in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.
Martin Brassil’s Fastorslow was a widely unconsidered 20-1 shot when springing a surprise in the Punchestown Gold Cup in April, beating the Willie Mullins-trained Galopin Des Champs into second and Cheltenham runner-up Bravemansgame into third.
Galopin Des Champs was a 1-2 shot to exact his revenge in a race he won 12 months ago, but Fastorslow proved his spring triumph was no fluke with a rousing success under JJ Slevin.
A field of six runners went to post for the two-and-a-half-mile showpiece, with the hot favourite one of five runners for Mullins along with Appreciate It, Asterion Forlonge, Blue Lord and Stattler.
It was clear from an early stage it might not be totally straightforward for Galopin Des Champs, with Paul Townend’s mount sticky over one or two of his obstacles while his stablemate Appreciate It got into a lovely jumping rhythm out in front.
To his credit Galopin Des Champs stuck to his guns to remain in the fight turning for home, but he was unable to get on terms with Appreciate It, while Fastorslow was delivered with his challenge late on the far side of the track.
Slevin dropped his whip halfway up the run-in, but it made no difference to the result as his mount found plenty for pressure to deny Appreciate It by half a length, with Galopin Des Champs a further length and a quarter behind in third.
Imagine was made to pull out all the stops to maintain his unbeaten record over fences in the BetVictor Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown.
The five-year-old made a smart start to his chasing career at Fairyhouse earlier in the month and was a 30-100 favourite to follow up at Grade Two level just under three weeks later.
Supporters of Gordon Elliott’s charge were made to sweat, though, with Uncle Phil giving a bold sight in front for a long way, while the late challenge of Lucid Dreams provided another scare.
However, Imagine eventually mastered Uncle Phil after the final fence and had just enough in the tank to repel Lucid Dreams by half a length.
Elliott and jockey Jack Kennedy were completing a treble on the card following the earlier victories of 4-1 shots Shannon Royale and Bob Cigar.
Elliott said: “He’s a nice horse and probably wants further. Two and a half miles would probably suit him better.
“The Grade One in Limerick at Christmas could be an option or we might bring him to Kempton on Boxing Day for the Grade One novice (Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, over three miles) and run Gerri Colombe in the King George, but I could change my mind 10 times before then!”
French recruit Hispanic Moon made a successful debut for Henry de Bromhead in the Frontline Security Grabel Mares Hurdle at Punchestown.
A multiple winner in her homeland for David Cottin, the six-year-old was a 20-1 shot to secure Listed honours on her first start on Irish soil in the hands of Darragh O’Keeffe.
With 8-15 favourite Shecouldbeanything disappointingly failing to pick up in the straight, Hispanic Moon moved smoothly to the lead approaching the final flight and found plenty on the run-in to see off the challenge of Saylavee by a length and three-quarters.
De Bromhead said: “She did it really well and had been working nicely at home. She obviously had good form and Kieran (Mariga, owner) spotted her.
“She’s a gorgeous looking mare and I’m delighted with her today. I’d say that’s as short as she’d want and hopefully a step up in trip will suit her.”
There was an even bigger shock in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle, with top-class bumper horse Tullyhill turned over by Shannon Royale.
Tullyhill was a £220,000 purchase last year for owners Cheveley Park Stud after winning his point-to-point. He made a winning bumper debut at Gowran Park in March before finding only A Dream To Share too strong in Grade One company at the Punchestown Festival.
The Willie Mullins-trained gelding was a 1-8 shot for his reappearance and hurdling bow, but the warning signs were out after a mistake before the home bend and in the end Gordon Elliott’s Shannon Royale pulled 24 lengths clear in the hands of Jack Kennedy.
“I was disappointed with him the last day and put cheek pieces on to sharpen him up,” said Elliott.
“He’d fitness on his side, but Jack said he was a different horse altogether today and maybe he just needed the run the last day.
“His jumping was good but he has been disappointing. We’ll probably look for a three-mile handicap somewhere and see what happens.”
Birchdale (5-2 favourite) may have earned himself a trip to Cheltenham next month after providing trainer Enda Bolger with another winner over Punchestown’s cross-country course in the Pigsback.com Risk Of Thunder Chase.
Bolger said: “He was enjoying it anyway, which with those horses is the main thing.
“We might have a look at Cheltenham in December and he’d like a bit of nicer ground in the spring.”
In a not-entirely surprising move, seasoned West Indies middle-order batsman Darren Bravo has decided to step back from the international cricket scene after being left out of the upcoming ODI series against England. The left-handed batter, who last participated in international matches in February 2022, took to social media to announce his decision.
With an international career spanning over 14 years, Bravo has featured in 200 games for West Indies. In Test cricket, he boasts 3538 runs averaging of 36.47, including eight centuries. In ODIs, his record stands at 3109 runs with an average close to 30, featuring four tons.
Despite an outstanding performance in the recent Super50 Cup 2023, a List A domestic competition in the West Indies, where Bravo amassed 416 runs at an average of 83.2 and a strike rate of 92.03, he was overlooked for the England series. The selection panel claimed to have opted to give opportunities to younger players, focusing on building a team for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
Taking to Instagram, Bravo explained his decision, stating that it provided him with the time to reflect on his future in cricket. Expressing his sentiments, he said, "At this point in my career, it takes a lot to find the energy, passion, commitment, and discipline to perform at my best and make a return to international cricket."
Expressing his disappointment with the lack of communication from the selectors, Bravo acknowledged the current scenario, saying, Without any level (of) communication I've been left in a dark place. At the moment, there's three teams representing the region in multiple formats/series. That's approximately 40-45 players and if I can't be in any of these teams after competing in our regional tournaments and scoring runs, therefore, they are basically telling me that the writing is on the wall."
However, Bravo made it clear that this break does not signify his retirement from international cricket. "I'm not giving up, but I believe it's best to step away just for a bit and maybe make some room for young and upcoming talent," he declared, concluding with well-wishes for his fellow players.
Julian Morrison and Mary Mahfood were crowned national champions of Jamaica as the 2023 Jamaica Squash Association Senior Squash Championships came to a conclusion in Kingston on Saturday.
Morrison rallied from a game down to win a four-game thriller against Ashante Smith at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston to win his second national title. Morrison won 6-111, 11-4, 11-8, 11-7.
Meanwhile, Mahfood claimed her second consecutive title after making quick work of Lauren Mahfood, 11-3, 11-5, 11-5, in the encounter that lasted less than 30 minutes.
The top-seed Morrison advanced to the final by defeating number-three seed Bruce Burrowes in a stirring battle 11-7, 11-9, 6-11, 11-4 on Friday night. Smith, meantime, the number-six seed shut out second-seed Tahjia Lumley 11-7, 11-4, 11-7.
Mahfood enjoyed a much easier route to the final steamrolling number-three seed Savannah Thompson 11-2, 11-5, 11-1 in her semi-final.
In contrast, Lauren was forced to dig deep to overcome Sanjana Nallapati, the fourth-seed in a five-game battle royal 11-8, 7-11, 11-8, 11-13, 13-11.
Dan Skelton is keen to get Protektorat back on the racecourse “relatively quickly” following his disappointing defence of the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.
The eight-year-old was a brilliant winner of the Merseyside Grade One 12 months ago, but after travelling well on the front end for a long way in his bid for back-to-back victories, he weakened out of contention before the home turn and trailed home last of four runners behind Royale Pagaille.
Skelton reported his star chaser to have emerged relatively unscathed on Sunday morning and he plans to give him another run before the end of 2023, after which a tilt at the the £165,000 Fleur de Lys Chase at Lingfield on January 21 is on the agenda.
“He’s a bit stiff, but he’s fine. We’ll get him right and go again,” said the Alcester-based trainer.
“Yesterday wasn’t our day and take nothing away from the winner, it was a fabulous performance.
“We were happy with our horse going into it and I’m not making any excuses. Sometimes you get beat and you’ve just got to dust yourself down and go again.
“What I want to do is run him somewhere relatively quickly, between now and the new year, and then look at the Winter Million race for him. It’s worth an awful lot of money and will probably be run on ground that he’ll really enjoy.”
Protektorat’s options over the festive period include the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day and the Savills Chase at Leopardstown two days later, with nothing off the table at this stage.
Skelton added: “I’ve got to talk to connections first, but there’s only a handful of races that he’s eligible for, so we’ll have to consider them all.”
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