Conor Benn will make his comeback in Orlando on Saturday in his first bout since failing two voluntary drug tests and promoter Eddie Hearn says a clash with Chris Eubank Jr could happen in December.
Benn, who has not fought since April 2022 when he knocked out Chris van Heerden, has been cleared to fight Mexico’s Rodolfo Orozco this weekend.
The 26-year-old saw his proposed bout with Eubank Jr last October fall through following two positive tests for the banned drug clomifene, which resulted in him being hit with a provisional suspension.
Benn promised to prove his innocence and, while he was formally charged by UK Anti-Doping in April, it was announced in July he had been cleared by an independent National Anti-Doping Panel.
Hearn, in Florida for Saturday’s bout against Orozco at Caribe Royale, said: “We want the Eubank fight. It’s the biggest fight in British boxing, outside AJ v Fury and right up there with it.
“We want to fight in the UK. Conor won his case. He was cleared, his suspension was lifted and I keep hearing this ‘he was not cleared’.
“If he wasn’t cleared he wouldn’t be allowed to fight on Saturday.
“The Association of Boxing Commissions would not lift their suspension of Benn until it was confirmed to them by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) that he was no longer suspended and therefore he was cleared to fight.
“So our plan, ideally, is to fight Chris Eubank Jr in the UK in December. We’ve already had offers from a number of international venues to stage that fight, but I would like to try and make that fight in the UK.”
UKAD and the BBBofC appealed against the decision to lift Benn’s provisional suspension last month, which prevented the son of former two-weight world champion Nigel Benn being able to resume his boxing career in his home country.
Benn and promotion company Matchroom have now decided to try and get his career back on track with a bout in the United States.
Mexican veteran Orozco has been drafted in as a last-minute opponent for Benn, whose fight will be the co-main event of a show also involving super-lightweights Richardson Hitchins and Jose Zepeda.
Hearn said: “We were made aware a few weeks ago or a month ago that there would be an appeal – we’ve heard nothing more, no dates for that appeal.
“We’re not sure if that will take place or when it will take place, but this man’s free to go back to work and that’s what we’ve decided to do.”
Benn said: “I am undefeated in the ring, and in spirit. A return on Saturday is a step closer to redemption.
“After that, I’m putting the 147-160 divisions on notice. You are looking at a determined man with a deep desire to beat them all.”
Even though Greenwich-born Benn (21-0, 14KOs) will fight for the first time in 17 months on Saturday, his fight to clear his name is not over yet.
Benn relinquished his BBBC licence after his bout against Eubank was scrapped and criticised the governing body’s handling of his case.
Benn’s positive tests were conducted by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association for the WBC, which cleared the boxer of any wrongdoing in February, pointing to an “elevated consumption of eggs” for the findings.
Londoner Benn himself insisted eggs were never blamed in a 270-page report he sent the WBC, but he has repeatedly stressed his innocence, having faced a two-year ban.
Emma Raducanu has revealed she will be sidelined for the remainder of the year.
The 20-year-old Briton was forced to miss the recent US Open, as well as the French Open and Wimbledon earlier this year, after undergoing operations on both wrists and one ankle at the beginning of May.
Raducanu, who fell out of the world’s top 200 this week, had hoped of an autumn comeback after she returned to the practice court last month.
But she told BBC Sport: “Next season I’ll be back. This season all the slams were finished so it was difficult to watch them go by but I was trying to stay in my lane as much as possible and keep focused on my recovery.”
Raducanu has been dogged by injuries since her 2021 US Open victory.
She has played only 10 matches this year and has failed to make it beyond the second round of any grand slam since her superb Flushing Meadows triumph.
The New York Giants have ruled out Saquon Barkley for Thursday's game against the San Francisco 49ers due to a sprained right ankle the star running back sustained Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
ESPN reported Monday that Barkley was expected to miss around three weeks after injuring his ankle in the latter stages of New York's 31-28 Week 2 win, though Giants coach Brian Daboll told reporters Tuesday the 2022 Pro Bowl selection was feeling better and the team had yet to make a determination on Barkley's status.
With Barkley unavailable, the Giants will have former 49er Matt Breida and Gary Brightwell as their top two running backs for Thursday's matchup.
Breida has spent the majority of his seven-year career as a backup, but did rush for 814 yards in 14 games with San Francisco in 2018. Brightwell's most extensive action came in the 2022 regular-season finale, in which he rushed for 60 yards on 11 carries against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Neither has the credentials of Barkley, who finished fourth in the NFL with a career-high 1,312 rushing yards and scored 10 touchdowns in 2022 to help the Giants to their first playoff appearance in six years. The 26-year-old accounted for 27.7 per cent of New York's total yards from scrimmage last season, the sixth-highest rate of any player for his respective team.
Barkley also played a major role in Sunday's win, in which the Giants overcame a 21-point third-quarter deficit. The 2018 No. 2 overall pick had both a rushing and receiving touchdown in the second half and ended the game with 63 rushing yards on 17 carries along with six receptions for 29 yards.
The two-time Pro Bowler has been slowed by ankle problems in the past, however. Barkley missed three games in 2019 with a high ankle sprain and four in 2021 with an injury to his left ankle.
The Giants will also be without starting left tackle Andrew Thomas for a second straight game due to a hamstring injury he suffered in the team's season-opening 40-0 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Sports stars and clubs across the world continue to provide an insight into their lives on social media.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the best examples from September 20.
FootballVirgil van Dunk.
Love was in the air at Tottenham.
Zlatan as modest as ever.
Casemiro was ready for Europe.
Jurrien Timber’s recovery continued.
Split allegiances for Schweinsteiger.
CricketBen Stokes left Alastair Cook stunned with his golfing prowess.
Hampshire cursed the weather.
BoxingConor Benn returned.
Rugby unionEngland kept themselves busy at the World Cup.
TennisOns Jabeur thanked Billie Jean King.
Serena struggled.
Sapphire Seas played a starring role in a Yarmouth four-timer for Charlie Appleby and William Buick, securing a dominant victory in the EBF Stallions John Musker Fillies’ Stakes.
The Moulton Paddocks team appears to be hitting form with a vengeance ahead of the crucial final weeks of the season, highlighted by Grade One success in Canada last weekend courtesy of Master Of The Seas.
Having already struck gold with a pair of promising juveniles on the undercard in Romantic Style (6-4) and Edge Of Blue (7-2), Sapphire Seas was a 9-2 shot to complete her four-timer in the Listed feature after following up successive all-weather wins with a successful turf debut at Haydock.
The daughter of Frankel took the step up in class in her stride, travelling strongly throughout under a confident Buick before extending two and a half lengths clear of Mukaddamah.
Infinite Cosmos emerged with credit in third on her first start since occupying the same position in the Musidora Stakes at York in May, but 10-11 favourite Al Asifah was disappointing in her bid to bounce back from a similarly underwhelming performance at Royal Ascot.
Of the winner, Buick told Sky Sports Racing: “It was a very smart performance. She won nicely last time at Haydock in a fillies’ handicap and she’s certainly stepped up on that.
“She’s going to keep improving hopefully. I would say the team will be delighted with what they saw there and hopefully she’ll be around for next year.
“This is a nice race, a lovely race for fillies. Let’s hope she can go on to better things.”
Appleby and Buick’s fourth winner of the day was provided by First Sight (11-2) in the nine-furlong handicap.
Class came to the fore in the Chasemore Farm Fortune Stakes at Sandown, as Chindit held off Knight.
Richard Hannon’s stalwart had got back to winning ways last time out in a Group Three at Haydock, although that meant he was carrying a 5lb penalty in this Listed contest.
With the rain turning the ground testing, Chindit’s task was made harder, but Pat Dobbs could be spotted sitting motionless with two furlongs to run.
Also going well was the three-year-old Knight, sporting first-time cheekpieces, and it was those two who came through to take up the running from Raadobarg.
Chindit (7-2) gained a length and while Knight pushed him all the way to the line, there was a head between them at the line. Raadobarg held on for third with Breege, owned by the sponsors, in fourth. Eydon, off since finishing fourth in last year’s 2000 Guineas, was a non runner.
Hannon said: “I’m delighted with that. It is nice for Pat, as he has ridden him in every race apart from two. He doesn’t love that ground and he had a 5lb penalty today.
“He is one of the biggest allies our yard has had for years. He has run in all these good races and turns up on every occasion. He never runs a bad race. He is a pleasure to have.
“Michael Pescod, his old owner, is always the first man to ring me as he is delighted. He has been such a star for us over the years. Dr Poonawalla (owner) has purchased him to service his own mares. A Group One is not massively on the agenda, and he wants to enjoy the horse for what he is.
“He (Poonawalla) has come over from India for today and he said ‘Richard the horse will run come what may’ and I like a man like that who says what he wants. He has enjoyed the horse and he has got a huge amount of pleasure from him.
“A special mention also has to go to Sean Fox and Callum Richards. Sean has done wonders with the horse, but the two of them have done a fair bit of work with him.”
He added: “He is in the Joel Stakes and I’ve put him in the Challenge Stakes. I’d like to take him to America or Australia and run him on fast ground, but there is also the Hong Kong option as well. There are all kind of options for him.”
Poonawalla then plans to stand Chindit at stud in India.
Chasemore Farm did have better luck in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes which they won with the Andrew Balding-trained newcomer Dambuster (17-2).
Balding said: “I’d hope he will stay a mile and a quarter in time, but not a huge amount further. I’d like to give him another run this year, but I don’t know where or when. He is a fine big horse and fingers crossed he will do well next year.”
Desertmore House ran out a convincing winner of the Guinness Kerry National Handicap Chase at Listowel.
With rain causing the ground to deteriorate there were several withdrawals, which allowed Martin Brassil’s eight-year-old into the valuable prize as second reserve off bottom-weight.
Sporting the colours of Irish and Aintree Grand National hero Numbersixvalverde, connections no doubt have similar prizes on their minds for the 11-1 winner.
Desertmore House came in for late support in a race which was dominated by the major yards numerically, and it looked sure to go to either Gordon Elliott or Willie Mullins as 11-2 favourite Salvador Ziggy (Elliott) and top-weight Authorized Art (Mullins) loomed into contention alongside the pace-setting Foxy Jacks.
But Ricky Doyle, who rode 150-1 Irish National winner Freewheelin Dylan in 2021, smuggled his mount into contention and he fairly sprinted up the home straight, coming home three and three-quarter lengths in front of Salvador Ziggy, with Foxy Jacks battling back for third.
The winner was introduced into Paddy Power’s National betting at 50-1.
“It was a late plan after he won in Kilbeggan and we saw he had gone to 135. He’s a novice that jumps like a handicapper and we just wanted to get more experience into him, whatever the ground was like,” said Brassil.
“There are plenty of races coming up like this – the Munster National, the Troytown at Navan and the Paddy Power – so there are lots of options for a horse that jumps like that.
“He got in as a reserve. Gordon rang me this morning and said ‘you should put your horse in the box as I have one out and we will walk the track and if we’re not happy we’ll take a second one out’.
“It was a real sporting gesture. He’s finished second, but he’s won plenty of these races!
“We’ve had some lovely winners with these colours and Numbersixvalverde is the one that sticks out. This fellow might start us dreaming again. He’s eight and has had a good time to mature.
“They went a bit steady and I said to Ricky if you are still travelling jumping the third-last they are not after going fast enough. I said make sure you are in the van as they will quicken up from there, but they are going to have to stay as well.
“He said it rode a bit slower than they were expecting, but he handled it well.”
After losing four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb for the remainder of the season, the Cleveland Browns decided to bring in a familiar face Wednesday by signing free-agent Kareem Hunt.
Chubb sustained a gruesome knee injury in Monday’s 26-22 loss at the Pittsburgh Steelers after getting off to a solid start to the 2023 season with 28 carries for 170 yards.
Chubb was third in the NFL in 2022 with 1,525 rushing yards and tied for fifth in the league with 12 touchdowns on the ground.
Jerome Ford took over as the No. 1 back at Pittsburgh and will remain in that role, with Hunt serving as his backup.
Ford, a fifth-round pick by Cleveland in the 2022 NFL Draft, ran the ball 16 times for 106 yards against the Steelers and added three receptions for 25 yards and a TD.
The Browns signed Hunt, an Ohio native, in February 2019 after he was released by the Kansas City Chiefs in November 2018 amid an NFL investigation of a video that showed him pushing a woman in the hallway of a hotel.
He was suspended for the first eight games of the 2019 season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Hunt, who led the NFL with 1,327 rushing yards as a rookie in 2017 while with the Chiefs, ran for 1,874 yards and 16 TDs in 49 games over the last four seasons with Cleveland while totaling 132 receptions for 973 yards and seven scores.
The Browns (1-1) host the Tennessee Titans (1-1) on Sunday.
Captain Suzann Pettersen believes Europe have assembled their strongest team ever as they bid to win an unprecedented third straight Solheim Cup.
Nine of Pettersen’s 12-strong side are ranked inside the world’s top 50, including Evian Championship winner Celine Boutier (fifth) and Charley Hull (eighth), who finished runner-up in both the US Women’s Open and AIG Women’s Open this year.
Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh is ranked just outside the top 50, although Pettersen raised a few eyebrows when she selected world numbers 121 and 122 Caroline Hedwall and Emily Pedersen as two of her four captain’s picks.
“I think we’re all very ready to go,” Pettersen told a pre-event press conference at Finca Cortesin in Spain.
“I don’t think there’s any reason to hide that, if you look on paper, we have the strongest team that I’ve ever been a part of, and that’s based on great performances over the last few years from all the players.
“With good results there’s also expectations, but these girls are so up for it, so we can’t wait.”
Pettersen’s sentiments were echoed by several of her players on Wednesday, with Hull, who has been plagued by a neck injury, adding: “I think this is a very, very strong team.
“It’s got a lot of depth to the team as well. Before we had a lot of strong players, but then sometimes the back end of the team wasn’t as strong, but I feel like we’re pretty strong all the way through.
“I think we’ve got a good chance this year. I’m looking forward to it.”
Pettersen and Hull were involved in one of the Solheim Cup’s most controversial moments in 2015 when the Norwegian claimed a vital hole after Alison Lee had picked up her ball thinking a short putt had been conceded.
Hull gave that impression as she was already walking across the front of the green towards the 18th tee, but Pettersen said they had not conceded the putt and therefore won the hole.
A par on the 18th was enough for the European pair to win the match, but among those to strongly criticise Pettersen was her former team-mate and current assistant captain Dame Laura Davies, who said on Sky Sports she was “disgusted”.
He said: “How Suzann can justify that I will never, ever know. We are all fierce competitors, but ultimately it’s unfair. We have to play week in, week out together and you do not do something like that to a fellow pro.”
Asked on Wednesday how Pettersen compares to previous captains she had played under, Davies said: “Well, she’s a lot calmer than I thought she was going to be.
“I’ll be honest with you. I’ve played with her and against her in normal tournaments and she’s always been the same. She’s just friendly, a little bit fearsome now and again, but brings everyone together.”
United States captain Stacy Lewis agreed with the bookmakers that Europe are favourites to retain the trophy as she lamented a “massive missed opportunity” for the Solheim Cup to be more closely linked with next week’s Ryder Cup.
“I thought this could have been marketed together as two weeks in Europe, two Cups for play,” Lewis said.
“I think it was a massive missed opportunity for the sport of golf. We tried to do a little bit with the guys and just weren’t really able to move things along the way I would have liked.
“I tried really hard, actually. I probably spent more time on it than I should have. But whether it was timing or it was too late in the process, I don’t know. To really market it correctly, this probably had to happen two years ago.
“It’s something that, going forward, I think the game of golf needs to get on the same page and do better with. I just would like to see it for the good of the game.
“It’s not to further women’s golf. Let’s further the game of golf in general.”
Connections of Dragon Leader were left feeling proud of his valiant second in the Weatherbys Scientific £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes at Doncaster last week.
Trained by Clive Cox, the son of El Kabeir headed to the St Leger meeting with an unbeaten record and lofty reputation to maintain having scooped a valuable prize at York’s Ebor meeting last month.
Encountering soft ground for the first time, Dragon Leader failed to pick up with his usual zest and had to battle for a place on the podium as Kevin Ryan’s Room Service took home the spoils.
However, despite tasting defeat for the first time, he added just over £59,000 to the £147,540 he collected on the Knavesmire and Sam Hoskins, racing manager for owner Kennett Valley Thoroughbreds, is confident there are more big days to come.
He said: “We were really proud of him. The ground was all wrong but we kind of had to run off that weight.
“It wasn’t for him and he didn’t enjoy it, but he was so game at the end getting up for second, which meant a lot for the syndicate because the prize-money is huge. He earnt more there than the Mill Reef winner will win on Saturday.
“He’s really game and he does want the quicker ground and he just couldn’t quicken off that ground at Doncaster. However, it was still a really good run and there’s plenty to look forward to in the future.”
The future could include another venture north for Redcar’s William Hill Two Year Old Trophy on October 7.
The Listed event, where Dragon Leader would again carry a featherweight, appears the preferred option. But with the potential for soft appearing in the going description, connections will bide their time before confirming their next move.
“We’ll have to see how he is and Clive says he’s fine, but he had his first hard race last week,” continued Hoskins.
“The Redcar race would make a lot of sense for him because he would have a low weight in that as well, but again the ground would be a major question mark potentially. If it came up soft, I’m not sure we will go again in the ground.
“There is also a very valuable race up at York (British EBF £100,000 Final, October 13) and other Pattern races, but the horse will tell Clive if he’s ready and then Clive will tell us!
“If he doesn’t run again this season he owes us nothing, but if the ground came up dry at Redcar, that race would make a lot of sense.”
Relief Rally is set to head to Newmarket for the Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes on Saturday week, rather than travelling to France for the Prix de l’Abbaye the following afternoon.
The William Haggas-trained filly has won four of her five starts to date, her only defeat coming at Royal Ascot where she was beaten a nose by American raider Crimson Advocate in the Queen Mary.
She subsequently dominated her rivals in the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury before successfully stepping up to the Cheveley Park distance of six furlongs in the Group Two Lowther at York.
https://x.com/RacingTV/status/1694695552598884538?s=20
In the immediate aftermath Haggas raised the possibility of his youngster taking on her elders at ParisLongchamp, but connections are favouring keeping her against her own sex and age group on the Rowley Mile.
“The plan is very much to go to the Cheveley Park at this moment in time,” said Anthony Bromley, racing manager for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.
“It’s pretty much decision made, obviously other variables can happen between now and then, but at the moment all roads lead to Newmarket.
“It just seems she deserves a go at a Group One and the Cheveley Park is fillies’ only and six furlongs, which seemed to suit well in the Lowther.
“William seems happy with her and there’s no reason not to go to Newmarket really.”
Ireland must be adaptable and prepared to grind out an “ugly” win against reigning world champions South Africa, according to defence coach Simon Easterby.
Andy Farrell’s men head to Paris for the standout fixture in Pool B seeking to secure a spot in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with a fixture to spare.
Ireland have won 27 of their last 29 Tests after beginning the tournament with thumping bonus-point victories over Romania and Tonga and have often entertained during that remarkable run of results.
The world’s top-ranked nation will once again look to deliver their easy-on-the-eye style on Saturday evening at Stade de France.
Yet Easterby accepts that may not be possible for the full 80 minutes against a physical Springboks side sporting an intimidating seven-one split of forwards and backs among their replacements.
“We know that when we play well and we play a certain way that we’re going to be difficult to play against and difficult to beat,” he said.
“We’ll be looking to implement a lot of the stuff that you’ll have seen over the last couple of years in what we do on Saturday as we have tried to do in the Tonga and Romania games.
“We haven’t had to win ugly maybe too many times.
“It would be great if we could throw the ball around and score plenty of tries, but we know that we have to do things in the moment and make sure we’re adaptable and that might mean playing certain ways in certain parts of the game.”
Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber made a statement of intent on Tuesday afternoon when announcing a stacked bench containing just one back, scrum-half Cobus Reinach.
Easterby admits the bold selection is a talking point, but does not change Ireland’s approach.
“Every team has a particular strategy and it’s up to them to believe that that strategy is the right thing for each game,” he said.
“Obviously, they believe that’s the way they need to set themselves to beat us on Saturday, just like we’ll be playing the way we want to beat South Africa.
“Listen, it’s a talking point. I don’t think it changes anything for us, to be honest.
“What will determine it in the end is hindsight, which will allow everyone to say it was the right or wrong thing to do. It’s their strategy and not something that we can control.”
Every member of Ireland’s 33-man squad has trained this week at their base in Tours.
Hooker Dan Sheehan (foot) and prop Finlay Bealham (head injury assessment) are in contention to feature against the Springboks.
But number eight Jack Conan (foot) may have to wait until the Scotland game on October 7 for his first outing since August 5.
“Everyone trained really well today,” said Easterby. “Probably Jack’s the only one that’s slightly behind in terms of being able to get himself right for this weekend.
“He’s done incredibly well, as have the medics, conditioners to get him up to speed.
“He’s actually probably on track from where we thought he’d be, so he’s done really well, happy with his progress.
“Finlay and Dan both trained really well today, so they’re back in the mix.”
Connections of Dragon Leader were left feeling proud of his valiant second in the Weatherbys Scientific £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes at Doncaster last week.
Trained by Clive Cox, the son of El Kabeir headed to the St Leger meeting with an unbeaten record and lofty reputation to maintain having scooped a valuable prize at York’s Ebor meeting last month.
Encountering soft ground for the first time, Dragon Leader failed to pick up with his usual zest and had to battle for a place on the podium as Kevin Ryan’s Room Service took home the spoils.
However, despite tasting defeat for the first time, he added just over £59,000 to the £147,540 he collected on the Knavesmire and Sam Hoskins, racing manager for owner Kennett Valley Thoroughbreds, is confident there are more big days to come.
He said: “We were really proud of him. The ground was all wrong but we kind of had to run off that weight.
“It wasn’t for him and he didn’t enjoy it, but he was so game at the end getting up for second, which meant a lot for the syndicate because the prize-money is huge. He earnt more there than the Mill Reef winner will win on Saturday.
“He’s really game and he does want the quicker ground and he just couldn’t quicken off that ground at Doncaster. However, it was still a really good run and there’s plenty to look forward to in the future.”
The future could include another venture north for Redcar’s William Hill Two Year Old Trophy on October 7.
The Listed event, where Dragon Leader would again carry a featherweight, appears the preferred option. But with the potential for soft appearing in the going description, connections will bide their time before confirming their next move.
“We’ll have to see how he is and Clive says he’s fine, but he had his first hard race last week,” continued Hoskins.
“The Redcar race would make a lot of sense for him because he would have a low weight in that as well, but again the ground would be a major question mark potentially. If it came up soft, I’m not sure we will go again in the ground.
“There is also a very valuable race up at York (British EBF £100,000 Final, October 13) and other Pattern races, but the horse will tell Clive if he’s ready and then Clive will tell us!
“If he doesn’t run again this season he owes us nothing, but if the ground came up dry at Redcar, that race would make a lot of sense.”
Conor Benn will make his boxing comeback in Orlando on Saturday in his first bout since his two failed drugs tests.
Benn has not stepped into the ring since he knocked out Chris van Heerden in April last year. His proposed October bout with Chris Eubank Jr fell through following two positive tests for the banned drug clomifene, which resulted in him being hit with a provision suspension.
Benn promised to prove his innocence and, while he was formally charged by UK Anti-Doping in April, it was announced in July he had been cleared by an independent National Anti-Doping Panel.
UKAD and the British Boxing Board of Control appealed against the decision to lift Benn’s provisional suspension last month, which prevented the son of former two-weight world champion Nigel Benn being able to resume his boxing career in his home country.
Benn and promotion company Matchroom have now decided to try and get his career back on track with a bout in the United States.
Mexican veteran Rodolfo Orozco has been drafted in as a last-minute opponent for Benn, whose fight will be the co-main event of the show also involving super-lightweights Richardson Hitchins and Jose Zepeda at Caribe Royale.
Benn said: “I am undefeated in the ring, and in spirit. A return on Saturday is a step closer to redemption.
“After that, I’m putting the 147-160 divisions on notice. You are looking at a determined man with a deep desire to beat them all.”
Connections of Impaire Et Passe insist a potential clash with Constitution Hill was not a factor in their decision to keep last season’s star novice hurdler over the smaller obstacles this term.
There were differing views on Tuesday after Nicky Henderson confirmed his Champion Hurdle hero Constitution Hill would not be embarking on a chasing career in the immediate future, with some bemoaning the decision due to the perceived lack of depth in the two-mile hurdling division.
In Impaire Et Passe, though, he could face a new and significant rival, with the five-year-old having won each of four starts since joining Willie Mullins, including a dominant success in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Given the irresistible force that stands in their way, many expected Impaire Et Passe’s owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede to elect to send their charge over fences in the autumn – but he will indeed head down the Champion Hurdle route, regardless of the opposition.
The owners’ racing manager, Anthony Bromley, said: “Basically it was always the thinking all summer that Impaire Et Passe was pretty inexperienced and another season hurdling would be good for the horse.
“We weren’t making the decision based on what other horses were around us, we were making the decision based on what was the best decision for the horse and his long-term career.
“You never know what will happen to all these horses, so you make the decision based on what’s best for the actual animal rather than what’s around you, that was the thinking really.”
While the chances of Constitution Hill going chasing in the future appear slim, Impaire Et Passe is expected to switch disciplines next term.
Bromley added: “He’s so lightly raced that another season hurdling will hopefully toughen him up and then we can go chasing next season.
“He is the stamp of a chaser so he is exciting for that job, but we’ll see how high he can go over hurdles first.”
The regular Betfred Super League season comes to a close on Friday night with both the League Leaders’ Shield and the sixth and final play-off slot still up for grabs.
Ahead of the announcement of the official 2023 ‘Dream Team’ this weekend, the PA news agency selects its own all-star line-up from the campaign so far.
Jack Welsby (St Helens)
The flashy 22-year-old full-back remains a cut above most of his rivals and has played an integral part in helping Paul Wellens’ men shake off their sluggish early season and re-emerge as a threat at the business end.
Abbas Miski (Wigan)
Just a year after being loaned out to Championship side Newcastle Thunder, the Lebanese winger has evolved into a try-scoring machine for the Warriors, his 27 taking him into the final week of the regular season joint-top of the standings.
Adam Keighran (Catalans)
Brilliant with the boot and equally at home at centre, hooker or in the halves, Keighran – who will move to Wigan at the end of the current campaign – has been a crucial element of another successful season in the south of France.
Jake Wardle (Wigan)
Wardle’s move to Wigan last October raised few eyebrows but the 24-year-old has exceeded expectations at centre, underlined by a superb first career hat-trick in the 50-0 win over Leeds earlier this month.
Tom Johnstone (Catalans)
Johnstone, equalled only by Miski in the season’s try count, has been a revelation in his first season in Perpignan, his trademark surges down the left flank suggesting his previous injury issues are now a thing of the past.
Bevan French (Wigan)
Having migrated to the halves in mid-season to help solve a minor injury crisis, French appears to found his true home under head coach Matt Peet, seamlessly transferring his speed and invention on the wing to a much more pivotal role.
Lachlan Lam (Leigh)
A model of consistency in Leigh’s spine, Lam has been one of the biggest reasons for their phenomenal success, and fittingly kicked the golden-point winner after a man-of-the-match performance in the Challenge Cup final.
Paul Vaughan (Warrington)
His season may be set to end in ignominy after a four-match ban for unnecessary contact, but few will dispute the juddering impact the Australian prop made in the early part of the season, when Wire were intent on sweeping all before them.
Edwin Ipape (Leigh)
Tirelessly influential, constantly probing, only Saints veteran James Roby came close to matching Ipape’s impact at number nine this season, as the Papua New Guinea international adapted superbly to life in the top flight.
Tom Amone (Leigh)
Only Vaughan has made more metres from the front row this season, and the Tongan’s gritty consistency has been a major factor in the success of his team-mates in the Leopards’ all-action spine.
James Bell (St Helens)
Bell has been a revelation in Saints’ second row this season, adding strong defence to a more consistent attacking threat to make himself an indispensable part of head coach Wellens’ late-season revival.
Matt Whitley (Catalans)
Whitley has been a model of consistency in his five seasons with Catalans and saved his best for the current campaign. His impending addition to a congested Saints back row for 2024 is a coup for Wellens.
Elliot Minchella (Hull KR)
That KR’s injury-hit campaign did not buckle after their Challenge Cup final loss to Leigh is largely down to Minchella, whose increasing influence steadied the Robins’ ship and marked him out as the stand-out number 13 in the competition.
Kyle Steyn has warned Scotland they must be ready to match Tonga’s physicality and passion if they are to secure the bonus-point win they require in the Rugby World Cup this weekend.
The Scots go into their second match at the tournament in Nice on Sunday knowing they have no margin for error remaining after losing their opening game to South Africa.
Gregor Townsend’s side will be hot favourites to get the result they need, but wing Steyn insisted it would be a mistake to underestimate the patriotic Tongans, who are ranked 15th in the world and looking to bounce back from a 59-16 defeat by Ireland.
“It will be a physical test, especially at a World Cup,” he said. “Tonga has a really passionate culture, they’re big on family and they really play for each other.
https://x.com/Scotlandteam/status/1704389932188324225?s=20
“We know they’re going to be out to represent their country and their families, and that’s going to bring a lot of physicality. It’s about dealing with that and matching it.”
Having been idle last weekend, Scotland have had plenty time to reflect and regroup since their demoralising 18-3 defeat by South Africa.
Glasgow back Steyn views the Tonga match as a big opportunity for the Scots to get their World Cup up and running and restore the sense of optimism that had been building among their supporters prior to the setback against the Springboks.
“We pride ourselves on the connection we’ve managed to build with the fans and the people back home,” said the 29-year-old. “We didn’t give our best showing against South Africa so it’s important we go out there and right some of those wrongs.
“Every game is must-win for us now. We can’t look too far ahead but this weekend is big because it is the one that gives us the chance to get back on track and get the momentum rolling.”
Scotland, who have reported no fresh injuries since the South Africa game, are on course to have a full-strength squad available for Sunday’s match, with hooker Ewan Ashman and scrum-half George Horne back in contention after concussion and back-rower Luke Crosbie having overcome a rib problem.
Horne declared that, after stewing over the Springboks defeat, the players are eager to get back into action as they bid to revive their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals.
“Coming off the back of a disappointing loss last week, everyone just wants to get back out there,” said the Glasgow scrum-half. “We’ve had the week to lick our wounds and everyone’s raring to get back out there and get involved in another World Cup game.”
Scotland have been staying near Nice and training at Stade Nicois’ rugby ground – less than two miles from Stade de Nice – since arriving in France at the start of September.
After their opening match took place in Marseille, they are looking forward to playing in their base city for the first time this weekend.
“We’ve got our base here in Nice and everyone’s at home now,” said Horne. “The stadium looks amazing, the atmosphere has been unbelievable in the games that have been played there already so everyone’s buzzing to get out there and play.”
Bucanero Fuerte is finished for the season and will be trained in the early part of next with with a Guineas in mind.
Trainer Adrian Murray felt his lacklustre display in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes behind Henry Longfellow was a result of having one race too many.
He had earlier proved his class with a striking four-length victory in the Group One Phoenix Stakes over six furlongs, but Murray believes he was beaten too far out at the Curragh for stamina to have been the issue on his first attempt over seven.
“Nothing came to light, it just looked to me like it was a race too many for him,” said Murray.
“He’s on a break now, he won’t run again until next year. I’ve given him an entry in the Irish Guineas and he’ll also get entered in the English Guineas.
“Hopefully he’ll have a prep run before going for one of those.
“He was beaten way too far out for it to be the trip, he was beaten before halfway, he never really travelled in the race.
“In all his other races he’d travelled so strongly but it was always going to probably happen because he’s a big colt, immature, and it was just a race too many really.
“He’s had five races now so he’s got plenty of experience at two if we’re thinking of a Guineas. That’s the plan anyway.”
Stablemate Valiant Force was a 150-1 winner of the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and has only been seen once since, when fifth of nine in the Prix Morny behind Vandeek.
“Valiant Force is going to go straight to the Breeders’ Cup,” said Murray.
“The plan for him is for him to then stay in America after that.
“We had him in at Doncaster last week but we had to take him out because of the ground, it’s frustrating because we just can’t get the ground to suit him. That wouldn’t have suited at all last week.
“I’m not sure yet which race he’ll run in over there, I’ll have to talk to Kia (Joorabchian, owner), he’ll have a few options.”
Wales assistant coach Jonathan Thomas has described Australia as “a wounded animal” ahead of Sunday’s Rugby World Cup clash that could see the Wallabies make unwanted history.
Eddie Jones’ team are teetering on the edge of a World Cup pool stage exit for the first time.
If Wales beat them in Lyon, then their quarter-final hopes will be over and head coach Eddie Jones left to face the music.
“It is a cliche, and I apologise, but you just have to focus on yourselves,” Thomas said.
“When you start thinking about permutations or selection of the opposition, you go down a rabbit hole, in my opinion.
“Confidence, for me, comes from the work you do during the week. That is where we get our focus from.
“We respect Australia as a rugby nation. They are a wounded animal, they can be dangerous.”
Australia hold a 5-2 lead across the countries’ seven previous World Cup meetings, but Wales will start as favourites this time around.
They have collected a maximum 10 points from their first two Pool C games – a record that only Ireland of any other team in the competition can match.
Wales’ pool stage win against Australia in Japan four years ago set them on a course to the semi-finals, where they were knocked out by South Africa in Yokohama.
Wales centre George North added: “I’ve been to quite a few World Cups now, and to get early results is good.
“I think if you had said to us we would have 10 points after the first two games, I think everyone would have bitten your hand off. It is a massive game that we have to go and win on Sunday.
“The quality we have got now is really showing. Each day everyone is trying to get better to fight for that jersey and that’s what drives you on.
“It (qualifying on Sunday) would certainly be a little weight off the shoulders, wouldn’t it? What has stood us in good stead is just focusing on every game as it comes.
“We will have had an eight-day turnaround, which helps, from the Portugal game. We’ve had that rotation and allowed everyone to have a game.
“The families have been out and we’ve seen them. Every week, we have a day off, and that ability to switch off is key. I think it has really showed.
“This week, boys are really chomping at the bit. Yesterday was what we would call a recovery day, but it was far from recovery. It was very much on full gas.
“I think if we can keep pushing that today and the rest of the week, it will put us in a great position come Sunday.”
Wales head coach Warren Gatland’s team selection looks unlikely to deviate far, if it all, from the one that defeated Fiji in Bordeaux 10 days ago.
He could, though, decide on naming two specialist openside flankers in the back row, with Jac Morgan and Tommy Reffell starting alongside number eight Taulupe Faletau.
Reffell was due to feature against Portugal, but a tight calf muscle saw him withdrawn from the starting line-up just before kick-off.
Thomas said: “It was a prudent move not to play him. He is being assessed every day. He is the only one we will weigh up – everyone else is fit.
“The good thing we’ve got with our back-rowers is that they are versatile. All of them can play in different positions, pretty much, so those options are always there. We will see.”
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