Broadcaster Jeff Stelling says being made an MBE in recognition of his work with the Prostate Cancer UK charity is the “icing on the cake” for his incredible career.
Stelling is best known as the highly animated presenter of Sky’s Soccer Saturday programme, which he anchored for 25 years until stepping down at the end of last season, and for lending his first name to his colleague Chris Kamara’s often-used phrase “Unbelievable Jeff”.
But it is his role as an ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK, where he has walked 34 marathons and been the spearhead for raising more than £1.7million since 2016, which he takes most pride in and has now received recognition for in the New Year Honours List.
“I am very proud to have had the opportunity to do it,” he told the PA news agency.
“It’s been great to help raise awareness, but the fundraising has been done by the hundreds and hundreds of people who come and walk with me. All I do is put one foot in front of the next one and lend my name to the marches.
“People think they’re going to be pretty miserable affairs but they’re not, they’re a celebration of life. Every day doing it is a day of joy.
“I’m doing a job that most people would give an arm and a leg for. So whilst I’ve had a wonderful and fortunate career, I’m glad that the MBE is in recognition more than anything of the charity work.”
The charity’s chief executive Laura Kerby said: “We’re thrilled that the ‘unbelievable’ Jeff Stelling has been honoured. For nearly a decade, Jeff has been an incredible ambassador to Prostate Cancer UK, helping us raise crucial awareness of the disease throughout the footballing community.
“During his years in the Sky Sports Soccer Saturday studio, Jeff proudly wore our ‘Man of Men’ badge every week, inspiring football fans to learn more about this cancer which affects one in eight men, and many of them have taken an action which has saved lives.
“On behalf of Prostate Cancer UK, and all the men and families we represent, we are so proud to have Jeff on our team and thankful for his selfless efforts. This honour is richly deserved.”
Stelling himself recalled one such encounter where simply wearing the charity badge had saved a life.
“At the end of the very first day (of the first of 10 marathons from Hartlepool to Wembley in 2016) we ended up at Marske on the north-east coast, blistered, shattered, not knowing what we’d let ourselves in for and thinking we couldn’t possibly do a second day,” he said.
He was introduced to a woman who said she had seen Stelling wearing the badge, discovered what it represented and then read on to find out the symptoms of prostate cancer.
“Lo and behold her husband had all the symptoms. He went and got tested, got treatment,” Stelling said.
“She just wanted to say thank you – that just by wearing the badge you have saved my husband’s life and he will be OK.
“The cancer was so far advanced that had she not Googled it then, he would have been dead. Over the years since then, it’s a story I have had repeated to me time and time again.”
Stelling was renowned as Soccer Saturday’s presenter for the amazing statistics he always had at his fingertips.
Asked how he achieved it, he said: “It was the old ‘painting the Forth Bridge’ job. As soon as one programme finished, you started on the next one.
“I would throw myself into the statistics, probably from the Wednesday I would spend almost exclusively doing statistics and my wife thought I was the saddest man in the world.”
One stat he was particularly pleased to have up his sleeve was the fact that Gareth Jelleyman, then at Mansfield, had never been sent off. At least not until the Stags’ League Two match at Cheltenham on October 29, 2005.
“Then there it was, in the 90th minute,” Stelling recalled.
“I could use the line I’d been waiting about a year to use – ‘Gareth Jelleyman’s been sent off. Let’s hope he hasn’t thrown a wobbly’.
“What I do for a job is not a matter of life and death. I’ve had a lot of fun and my only ambition is to carry on having fun.”
Stelling did recall an instance where the essentially light-hearted programme proved more significant.
“One day I got a staggering letter. It was from a young woman who was in the depths of despair and considering ending her life, she said she was just in a long, dark tunnel and she couldn’t see a way of getting out of it,” he said.
“Her brother was a football fan, she was not at the time. He put on Soccer Saturday. She said she saw this raving buffoon swinging his arms around and shouting at the camera and coming out with all sorts of wild statistics.
“And she said it would be an achievement if next Saturday, when Jeff’s on, I’m still alive. She said the next Saturday she was still alive, and the Saturday after, and it became a sort of bizarre game between her and death, to try and reach the next week.
“She managed to climb out of that tunnel. She has gone on to be a nurse, saving other people’s lives. It was the most inspirational letter. At times (presenting the programme) you thought ‘what are we doing here? It’s fun and it’s frothy but it’s all a bit worthless’.
“But when you get a letter like that it does give extra meaning to the programme.”
The extraordinary charity work of Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow has been recognised in the New Year Honours List alongside three of England’s Women’s World Cup football stars.
Sinfield and Burrow, who were Leeds Rhinos team-mates during trophy-laden rugby league careers, have received CBEs for services to motor neurone disease awareness.
Millie Bright, Mary Earps and Lauren Hemp have also been honoured for their part in helping the Lionesses reach the World Cup final in the summer.
Bright, who captained the team in the absence of fellow defender Leah Williamson, receives an OBE while goalkeeper Earps and forward Hemp are made MBEs. England came up just short, losing 1-0 to Spain in the final in Sydney having won the European Championship in 2022.
Sinfield has raised over £15million since his friend Burrow was diagnosed with MND, an incurable and life-limiting condition, in December 2019.
Earlier this month Sinfield, 43, completed the ‘7 in 7 in 7’ challenge by completing seven ultramarathons in seven cities in as many days.
Sinfield said: “I think it is really special that Rob has been recognised again. The bravery and courage that Rob and his amazing family have shown as he is fighting MND is wonderful; to open the front door and to show the world what it’s like to live with it, he’s been incredible.”
Burrow said: “I am particularly pleased that my good friend Kevin Sinfield is also receiving a CBE. I hope Kevin and I can go to the palace together in the new year to enjoy another special occasion together again.”
Another MND fundraiser from the world of sport, Rob Wainwright, will receive an OBE. Wainwright is the founder of the Doddie Aid event which raises funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
Wainwright’s former Scotland rugby union team-mate Doddie Weir was diagnosed with MND in 2016 and died in November last year.
Wainwright said: “This is a tremendous honour, and it’s one I accept on behalf of the whole Doddie Aid community.
“Doddie was a force of nature, and I was very proud to call him a friend. Like everyone who he knew, who he inspired, I have been galvanised to do whatever I can to end MND.”
Peter Shilton, who holds the England men’s team caps record with 125 appearances between 1970 and 1990, receives a CBE for services to football and gambling harm prevention.
World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont’s knighthood has been upgraded to a Knight Grand Cross, while former England cricketer Stuart Broad receives a CBE.
Broad, 37, announced his retirement from the sport during the final Ashes Test in the summer and he bowed out in stunning fashion by hitting a six off his final ball and taking the match-winning wicket as England levelled the series at the Oval.
Marcus Trescothick, who played 76 Tests for England, will receive an OBE for services to mental ill health. He works as a mental health ambassador for the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA).
Elsewhere in football, Bill Bush, a senior advisor at the Premier League, receives a CBE. Two senior figures at anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out, its chair Sanjay Bhandari and its head of development Troy Townsend, have each been made MBEs.
One of the sport’s best-loved broadcasters, former Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling, was also made an MBE for services to sport, broadcasting and charity. BBC sports presenter Hazel Irvine will receive the same honour.
Howard Wilkinson, who managed Leeds to the First Division title in 1992 and briefly managed England in a caretaker capacity in 1999, has been made an OBE, as has Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham.
Brighton chairman Tony Bloom receives an MBE and former Scotland manager Alex McLeish an OBE for services to charity.
Christian Horner, the team principal and chief executive of Red Bull Racing, receives a CBE in a year when his team won Formula One’s constructors’ championship and Max Verstappen won the drivers’ title.
Ron Dennis, the former McLaren team principal, has been knighted for services to charity.
Goalkeeper Maddie Hinch, an Olympic hockey gold medallist in 2016, becomes an OBE while race-walker Tom Bosworth has been made an MBE.
There were also MBEs for gymnasts Becky and Ellie Downie, Helen Housby, who was part of the England side which won netball gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and former BDO world darts champion Keith Deller.
England’s World Cup captain Millie Bright said she was “gobsmacked” to learn she was being made an OBE in the New Year Honours List, and was initially worried that the letter confirming the accolade was a parking fine.
Bright leads a trio of Lionesses to be recognised after the team’s march to the World Cup final in August, with goalkeeper Mary Earps and forward Lauren Hemp being made MBEs.
The 30-year-old Chelsea defender, who got engaged to her partner Levi Crew on Christmas Day while on holiday in Mauritius, was elated to receive the OBE but feared the worst to begin with.
Asked for her reaction to the news, she told PA: “Gobsmacked. It’s something you never imagined, something that never crossed my mind.
“Levi opened the letter for me because I was at training. He saw what it was straight away and he was like ‘oh my God, I’ve got to tell her’. So he sent me a message saying ‘you’ve got a letter, it’s really important’.
“I thought ‘oh God, what have I done? Am I in trouble again? It’s probably a parking fine or something like that.
“It’s something that you treasure forever and you can tell your kids and grandkids (about). It’s something to be proud of.
“Everyone in my family sacrificed so much for me to be where I am. So whenever I win anything, or get awarded something, it really is for more than just me. That’s why I love playing in a team sport, because without everyone else you wouldn’t be the person or the player you are.”
Bright, from Killamarsh in north Derbyshire, admitted 2023 had featured a lot of ups and downs.
A knee injury suffered in March threatened to rule her out of the World Cup and meant she missed the run-in as her club won a fourth successive Women’s Super League title.
Ultimately she recovered and skippered the Lionesses in the absence of Euro 2022 captain Leah Williamson, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
“It was 50-50 making the World Cup,” she said.
“You never know how rehab is going to go, you never know how your injury is going to react. I actually had a really hard rehab – I couldn’t get rid of the swelling, the knee was taking so long to recover and to be able to stay in that mindset that I was going to make it was really hard.
“Then obviously after (the World Cup) coming back into the league, the knee flaring up again and having to take time out again. Everything comes at a price and I’d do it all again – I’d rush back for another World Cup if I needed to and pay the price later.
“Overall the year has been incredible – winning trophies, leading the girls out in a World Cup final. There are moments that come once in a lifetime and you never know when you’re going to get the next moment. That’s the thing with football, nothing’s granted, but that’s part of the chase. Hopefully 2024 brings the same, if not better.”
Bright’s England team-mate Hemp came within inches of being the hero in the final against Spain, hitting the crossbar in a match England lost 1-0.
The Manchester City star, who scored a vital equaliser in first-half injury time in the quarter-final against Colombia, said she felt “very privileged and honoured” by the MBE.
“It’s a huge achievement not only for me, but my family and everyone who loves our beautiful game. It’s been an incredible few years,” she said in a statement.
“I’d like to dedicate my MBE to everyone that has supported me in my career so far, and everyone behind the scenes for continuing to push boundaries to get women’s football to where it is today.”
Earps enjoyed a stellar year too, saving a penalty in the final to keep England in the game and helping her club Manchester United finish second in the WSL.
She also earned plaudits for calling out sportswear manufacturer Nike over its failure to produce England goalkeeper replica kits, and earlier this month won the public vote to be named the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year.
Following a five-year absence, Kemahl 'The Hitman' Russell returned to the ring three times for a total of eleven rounds in 2023. Despite limited ring time, he claimed the Newcomer-of-the-Year award as a member of the Toronto-based ‘United Boxing Promotions’ stable, further reclaiming his reputation, as he climbs through the middleweight ranks.
As the name of the award suggests, the honour is awarded to the best first-year fighter. To determine the winner, boxers, who have competed during the current year, must first be nominated for the award, then votes are cast by fans, media, and promotional staff. Notwithstanding the other nominees, it was Russell who emerged winner through the 2023 selection process.
The official announcement was made on Thursday, December 28th, by United Boxing Promotion boss Tyler Buxton.
“Kemahl made a big impact in his first year, three fights with three knockouts, the Hitman is a fan favorite," Buxton said.
Russell, 34, has won 16 of 17 fights, scoring 14 knockouts in the process since turning professional in July of 2013. The highly-touted middleweight boxer, has built a reputation as a devastating puncher. For this year, he dominated all three of his fights leaving a succession of opponents on the canvas unable to continue.
The Hitman’s first saw action in 2023 on April 29, against Argentina’s Marcos Jesus Cornejo (4KO), and then Mexico’s Juan Carlos Raygosa (4KO) on September 9. He closed out his year's campaign with a knockout win over former Mexican Champion Rafael Amarillas Ortiz (3KO) on December 2.
“I am pleased but not surprised that I won the award. I also think that I am deserving of it based on my performances throughout the year,” said Russell.
“I mean what I said and said what I mean, I did exactly what I said I was going to do throughout the year," he added.
Russell has been training with Grant’s MMA, under the watchful eye of trainer and owner Ryan ‘RG’ Grant. Grant shared that the award sets the stage for his charge heading into the New Year.
“Onward and upward from here, he had a monster year, he looked really good getting back into the swing of things after being off for a period of time," Grant noted.
And as it relates to his expectation for Russell in the coming year, Grant has set bit targets.
“The middleweight division is open, so a huge move can be made in 2024 to take the division over," he declared.
Buxton echoed Grant’s sentiment.
“I expect Kemahl to be in the top 15 by the end of 2024."
The expectations from trainer and promoter can be overwhelming for some, but a confident Russell embraces the moment while he is on the cusp of ushering in the next chapter of his career.
“The ring rust is gone now so every time out, I feel stronger and faster. I moved through the middleweight rankings, made a mark and gained new fans. Next year, will be even more exciting," Russell said.
The Newcomer-of-the-Year award not only recognizes another achievement in the career of Russell, but also sets the stage for even bigger things in the coming year. With anticipation mounting as he climbs through the rankings, Buxton promised that 2024 fight news would be coming soon.
Anthony Davis lauded the Los Angeles Lakers for "playing the right way" after condemning the Charlotte Hornets to yet another defeat on Thursday.
Davis had 26 points and eight rebounds as the Lakers cruised to a 133-112 victory, moving the 17-time NBA champions up to 17-15 on the season and giving their playoff hopes a much-needed boost.
Davis was thrilled with his team's display on Thursday, telling reporters: "Guys were playing for each other, playing the right way.
"I'm able to bank some minutes, especially going into a tough back-to-back in Minnesota and New Orleans, it helps us as a team."
Two days before he turns 39-years-old, LeBron James had 17 points and 11 assists in helping the Lakers to the win, and Davis hailed the impact the four-time MVP continues to have, saying: "It's always good things that happen when the ball is in his hands.
"He makes great reads. He's a student of the game. He's seen every coverage and made a lot of great reads throughout his career, so every time we can get the ball in his hands, it's good for us."
The Hornets, meanwhile, lost for the ninth consecutive game, their longest losing run since 2014. The defeat dropped Charlotte to 7-22 on the season.
Head coach Steve Clifford lamented injuries to the likes of Gordon Hayward and Mark Williams, as well as the continued absence of LaMelo Ball, that have hampered the team on their six-game road trip.
"Our guys have worked hard, [but] they know we're short-handed," Clifford said. "This is a tough trip. A lot of times in this league, it's not just how many injuries you have, but when they come. Unfortunately for us, we've had more than our share of injuries, and this is not the time to be short-handed.
"But we played 41 good minutes the other night [against the Los Angeles Clippers]. We were right there. We've just got to defend."
Luke Littler and Raymond van Barneveld will clash in the last 16 of the World Darts Championship on Saturday.
Forty years separate 16-year-old Littler, the youngest player to reach this stage of the tournament, and the 56-year-old five-time world champion.
Here the PA news agency underlines the vast differences between the duo as they go head to head for a place in the quarter-finals at Alexandra Palace.
Experience
Van Barneveld won his fifth and most recent world title in on New Year’s Day in 2007, 21 days before Littler was born.
The Dutchman has also won a number of major ranking crowns in both the PDC and BDO organisations.
Littler won his first senior event at the 2021 Irish Open at the age of 14.
He won the World Youth Championship in Minehead last month, averaging 102.16 in the final, to qualify for Ally Pally.
Skill
As of Friday afternoon, Littler was one of only 10 players to average over 100 in a single match in this year’s tournament so far. His statistics of 106.12 in his first round win over Christian Kist ranking second only behind Stephen Bunting’s 107.28 against Ryan Joyce.
Littler also averaged over 90 in his subsequent victories over Andrew Gilding and Matt Campbell, and has lost just two sets in the tournament so far.
Van Barneveld averaged almost 100 in his first win over Radek Szaganski, but less than 90 in his win over Jim Williams.
Fuel
Littler’s penchant for kebabs has provided plenty of food for thought with one London takeaway promising him free meals for life if he wins the world title, while an establishment in his hometown of Warrington is advertising Littler’s ‘favourite kebab’ on its menu.
Van Barneveld is less likely to opt for the takeaway option. His 2022 campaign almost came unstuck after a bout of food poisoning brought on by a dodgy Chinese.
Instead, the Dutchman said he expected to celebrate Christmas with a “gourmet dinner” after his opening win.
What they say
There is no disguising the age discrepancy between the pair as they prepare for one of the most eagerly awaited darts clashes of recent times.
“It would be unbelievable to play Raymond,” said Littler. “I used to imitate him all the time – stood in my nappy, celebrating like Barney.”
Van Barneveld responded: “The guy is amazing. When I was 16 I was playing with Lego and Playmobile, we didn’t have the internet or whatever.”
Raymond van Barneveld set up a mouthwatering clash with teenage sensation Luke Littler after fighting through to the last 16 of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.
Van Barneveld was far from at his best but still beat Jim Williams 4-1 to secure a Saturday clash with 16-year-old Littler, who was born 21 days after the Dutchman won the most recent of his five world titles in 2007.
Van Barneveld told Sky Sports: “I will love to play Luke Littler. When I was 16 I was playing with Lego and Playmobile, we didn’t have the internet or whatever.
“This guy is amazing, and I am looking forward so much to that game. He is a quality player and I can’t wait to meet him tomorrow night.”
Van Barneveld was not required to find top gear against Williams, a former BDO runner-up who finished with a higher average but managed to hit only seven of his 28 doubles.
Having nudged into a 3-1 lead and moved one leg from victory at 2-0, Van Barneveld missed five match darts and allowed the Welshman a glimmer of hope as he pulled back to level in the set.
But backed by the sizeable Ally Pally crowd, Van Barneveld nailed double eight for the match to book his place in the last 16 for the first time since 2018.
He added: “I was lucky to win this afternoon’s game. You have to be clinical and if you’re 2-0 up (in legs) you have to hit that double 16, and I let him back in at 2-2.
“The crowd were helping me but in the end you’re the one who throws the darts. I was in control but I felt a little bit nervous and I’m happy to go through.”
Littler, the world youth champion, is the youngest player to reach the last 16 after reeling off three impressive victories, including averaging over 106 in his first round win over Christian Kist.
Jonny Clayton joined Van Barneveld in the last 16 as he saw off Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski 4-2, while Australia’s Damon Heta edged to a 4-3 win over Dutchman Berry van Peer.
Nico de Boinville will miss key rides aboard highly-touted duo Willmount and Jeriko Du Reponet at Newbury on Saturday following a fall at Doncaster on Friday.
The 34-year-old was riding 13-8 favourite Therapist for his boss Nicky Henderson in the La-Z-Boy At KC Sofa’s Fillies’ Juvenile Maiden Hurdle when coming to grief at the second-last flight, suffering a suspected collarbone injury.
It continues a mixed Christmas period for the rider who tasted success aboard his star mount Constitution Hill and hot Triumph Hurdle prospect Sir Gino at Kempton, but was unseated from Shishkin at the second last when leading Boxing Day’s King George VI Chase.
De Boinville told Sky Sports Racing: “I think it’s a collarbone job. I’ve got to go to the X-Rays and see how we are.
“What can you do, you can’t cry about it.”
Fresh from a first Grade One victory at Aintree on Boxing Day, it is fellow Seven Barrows rider James Bowen who will take De Boinville’s place aboard Willmount in the Coral Challow Hurdle and Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite Jeriko Du Reponet in the Coral Committed To Safer Gambling ‘Introductory’ Hurdle.
Bowen also picks up the ride on Steal A March for the King and Queen on the Newbury card, with David Bass taking Bowen’s place aboard outsider Brave Jen in the Challow.
Guyana’s horse racing calendar for 2024 kicks off with an eight-race card on New Year’s Day Monday at Rising Sun Turf Club (RSTC) racecourse in Berbice.
Racing officials are pursuing continued growth of the sport in the country coming off a robust 2023 campaign.
This was confirmed by Nasrudeen Mohamed Jnr, head of Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee (JJTRC), the country’s leading horse racing promoters.
“This year was a tremendous season for the sport. It generated a renewed confidence in the sport. This was underlined by the record number of horses imported into the country,” Mohamed Jnr said.
“It was the first time horses were imported from Brazil to compete in the country. Over 60 horses were imported from Trinidad and the USA to improve the racing and breeding stock. This demonstrates that horsemen are looking at the future by purchasing horses in-utero (in foal). I wish to thank those horsemen for their foresight, and confidence in the sport’s future," he added.
The feature event on the card is billed as a battle of the sexes rematch between Sunday’s winner Spankhurst (gelding) and runner-up Bossalina (mare), and Derby winners Red Ruby and Firecracker.
Meanwhile, the Guyana-bred two-year-olds will be competing on the card that is written to recognise and promote the Guyana-bred horses, who continue to keep the sport alive.
Nicky Henderson is counting on the experience of Willmount coming to the fore as the exciting novice bids to maintain his unbeaten record in the Coral Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury.
Bought for £340,000 after impressing in the pointing field, Willmount performed as expected in his bumper season, winning twice at Doncaster for former trainer Neil Mulholland and creating a taking impression in the process.
Switched to Seven Barrows in the off-season by his owner Olly Harris, he picked up from where he left off for his new handler, registering a bloodless 13-length victory on his hurdling bow at Newbury in November.
He is now tasked with becoming Henderson’s third winner in the final Grade One of the calendar year and is in fact just the second runner he will saddle in the race since Champ’s success in 2018.
“We’re running him because he has a bit of experience and we wanted to split up him and Jeriko (Du Reponet), which was the main idea,” said Henderson.
“He’s a pretty sensible sort of horse and he behaves like he has been at it a while, which he has been in fairness. He had a point-to-point and then two bumpers and one run over hurdles and he knows what he is doing, I hope.
“I hope he’s a horse with a bright future, but it’s a good race – a very competitive race.”
It will be the first time Willmount will race beyond two miles under rules and although Henderson admits he may end up campaigning over further in the future, the trainer does have slight concerns about the prospect of testing ground at the Berkshire venue.
On the step up in trip, he added: “I don’t think it is imperative, I must admit. He doesn’t scream to you that he wants further, but I hope he will cope with it.
“The ground would be the biggest concern. This will be very hard work, I anticipate.”
Paul Nicholls is the race’s most successful trainer and has dominated the contest in recent years, winning the last three renewals.
Denman, Stage Star, Bravemansgame and Hermes Allen all feature on the roll of honour and the Ditcheat handler has a strong hand once again with both Champion Bumper third Captain Teague and the unbeaten Farnoge attempting to uphold the champion trainer’s fine record in the contest.
“We have two nice chances in a red-hot renewal of this Grade One which we have won for the past three years and the more it rains, the better for both my runners,” Nicholls told Betfair.
“Captain Teague ran well when a close second last time at Cheltenham under a penalty. He is an exciting prospect and will gallop all day.”
On Farnoge, he added: “He is unbeaten for us having won his bumper last season and both starts over hurdles and has earned a shot at the Challow as I don’t think he is far behind Captain Teague.
“He made all the running at Ascot, the form looks useful, he stays well, keeps on winning and soft ground will be ideal for him.”
Another heading to the contest with a lofty reputation is Jonjo O’Neill’s Johnnywho, who is unbeaten both between the flags and under rules and sports the green and gold of owner JP McManus, while Ben Pauling’s The Jukebox Man is yet to put a foot wrong since finishing runner-up to Gidleigh Park in a bumper and runs in the colours of Harry Redknapp.
Masaccio was just touched off by a smart Seven Barrows operator in Jingko Blue over course and distance earlier this month and represents the Alan King team that won this in 2016 with Messire Des Obeaux.
Meanwhile, Neil King has elected to step Lookaway up in trip after his three-race winning run came to an end when a gallant second in the Greatwood Hurdle.
“I thought we had the best handicapped horse in England going into the Greatwood, but Mr Henderson had one better, but he ran a terrific race to finish second,” said King.
“He’s been in very good form since, we just gave him a little break afterwards to get ready for Newbury but we had plenty of time on our hands, so he is raring to go now.
“After the Greatwood, both Jack (Quinlan) and I feel that stepping him up in trip might be the way forward to seek out a bit of improvement in him and as a Grade One we need to improve.
“It looks a competitive renewal, but he deserves his place in the line-up and I’m sure if he was trained by Mr Henderson or Mr Nicholls he would be half the price that he is.”
Course runner-up Brave Jen is a second runner in the race for Henderson, with Ella Pickard’s Bullets Hill completing the line-up.
Jeriko Du Reponet returns to the scene of his impressive debut attempting to enhance his burgeoning reputation in the Coral Committed To Safer Gambling ‘Introductory’ Hurdle on Saturday.
Trained by Nicky Henderson, the point winner became the talk of the town when dazzling at Newbury on the pre-Coral Gold Cup gallops morning and lived up to expectations when taking to the track, with an easy three-and-a-quarter-length victory over course and distance.
Already favourite with most firms for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, he now faces stiffer opposition as he continues to build up his experience ahead of bigger assignments to come.
“He’s a big horse and he’s only had one point-to-point and one hurdle race which didn’t tell us very much,” said Henderson. “But he did what he had to and was learning all the way.
“This is a better-quality field and we will see how we go here.”
Lying in wait for the four-year-old are four rivals, including Alan King’s Lingfield scorer and 94-rated Flat performer Paradias and Hughie Morrison’s Secret Squirrel, who is three from three following a taking success at Kempton on his hurdles debut.
“He’s only four and is very inexperienced. He hasn’t been through the point-to-points and hasn’t ran on the Flat, so is still really green really,” said Morrison.
“I’m not sure it’s the right thing to do and he probably should be running in a softer novice but the ground could be even worse soon and in two weeks’ time it could be rained off, snowed off or even frozen.
“It’s all about experience and the Henderson horse looks like the next Sprinter Sacre, Altior, Shishkin-type heir apparent there and a 95-rated Flat horse can make a pretty decent jumper as I know from Not So Sleepy, so he could run very well and finish third.
“But it isn’t too far from home and so far Newbury has avoided a lot of the rain, well the worst of it. I just want him to have a nice experience.”
Henderson will also hope to taste success with the King and Queen’s Steal A March in the Coral Racing Club Join For Free Handicap Hurdle.
The eight-year-old was well fancied for a Cheltenham Festival handicap last term before injury struck and now returns from 369 days off the track bidding to pick up where he left off, having scored at Wincanton when last seen.
Dan Skelton’s Get A Tonic impressed when bolting up over course and distance earlier this month and is likely to be a warm order for a repeat, while Paul Nicholls’ Irish Hill was well held on that occasion but is now tried in first-time blinkers off a mark 1lb lower than his last successful rating.
Nicholls told Betfair: “I’m putting a pair of blinkers on Irish Hill to try to sharpen him up because I’m not convinced he put everything in last time at this track.
“Hopefully he can go well off a mark of 127.”
A competitive field has also assembled for the Coral Mandarin Handicap Chase, where Surrey Quest is one of the leading contenders.
Formally trained at Seven Barrows, he made a brilliant start to life in the care of ex-Henderson assistant Toby Lawes when a fast-finishing six-and-a-half-length scorer at Huntingdon and now tries to follow up after an 8lb rise.
“He won well on his debut for Toby and will certainly appreciate the extra distance,” said Clive Hadingham, co-founder of Surrey Racing with Steve Grubb.
“He had a minor op after that race and, while he’s in great shape, he would have preferred this race to be a week later. The ground will be perfect – he wouldn’t want any more rain – but we are happy to take a chance.”
Nikola Jokic registered another triple-double as the Denver Nuggets earned their sixth successive win on Thursday, while Tyrese Haliburton joined him in enjoying a big statistical night for the Indiana Pacers.
Jokic had 26 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in less than three quarters as the Nuggets recorded a 142-105 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, who were without the injured Ja Morant.
It was Jokic's 11th triple-double of the season, and he also shot 11-of-11 from the field and made all three of his free throws before exiting the game near the end of the third period.
Jokic now sits fourth in the NBA's all-time charts for triple-doubles with 116, behind Russell Westbrook (198), Oscar Robertson (181) and Magic Johnson (138).
Denver coach Michael Malone, however, says the Serbian is uninterested in individual accolades and was more concerned with ensuring the Nuggets continued their push at the top of the Western Conference.
"I don't know how many MVPs you could say this about, but Nikola doesn't care about how many shots he's getting," Malone told The Denver Post.
"He was 11-for-11 tonight. He doesn't care about that. If Jamal [Murray] has got it going, he's clapping for Jamal.
"He takes more joy in his team-mates' success than his own and that's the true definition of being selfless. He lives it every day."
Jokic himself said: "It's a miss and make game. Of course, sometimes you miss, sometimes you make. Today I made all my shots. There's not going to be a lot of those nights."
He was not the only player to enjoy a memorable outing on Thursday, with Pacers guard Haliburton scoring 21 points and adding a career-high 20 assists in a 120-104 win over the Chicago Bulls.
Having led by as many as 25 points, the Pacers found themselves 93-90 down in the fourth quarter before Haliburton took over, hitting back-to-back three-pointers to put his team ahead.
The 23-year-old then scored or assisted on Indiana's next 16 points as they improved to 16-14 with their second straight win.
Haliburton also avoided committing a single turnover, making him just the second player to record 20 points and 20 assists without a miscue in league history, after Chris Paul in 2016.
However, he insisted his eye-catching figures were only made possible by his team-mates, saying: "I've done a terrible job taking care of the ball lately, so it was good to see zero turnovers again.
"You don't get 20 assists without guys making shots."
Center Myles Turner heaped praise upon Haliburton's performance, saying: "That's what he's been doing pretty much since he's been here.
"It's been phenomenal to watch, phenomenal to be a part of."
State Man confirmed his status as the biggest threat to the mighty Constitution Hill by proving too strong for stablemate Impaire Et Passe in the Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown.
State Man has yet to taste defeat when completing over obstacles in Ireland and last season won the Morgiana Hurdle, the Matheson Hurdle, the Irish Champion Hurdle and the Punchestown Champion Hurdle.
The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old was no match for Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, though, and while he had made a fine start to the new campaign when successfully defending his Morgiana crown last month, in Impaire Et Passe he faced a new and considerable rival from within his own yard.
The latter was four from four as a novice hurdler last season, a tally which included Grade One wins at Cheltenham and Punchestown, and although he was narrowly beaten on his comeback in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse, plenty expected him to give State Man a real run for his money at Leopardstown.
State Man was a 4-7 favourite to secure back-to-back Matheson wins, with Impaire Et Passe a 7-4 shot, and it was clear rounding the home turn that the defending champion was travelling the better of the pair having taken over from long-time leader Fils D’oudairies.
Impaire Et Passe did respond to Daryl Jacob’s urgings to close the gap, but State Man safely negotiated the final flight and did not look like being caught thereafter, with Paul Townend pushing his mount out to to the line to score comfortably by three and a quarter lengths.
Paddy Power reacted to the result by not only cutting State Man’s Champion Hurdle odds to 4-1 from 5-1, but also trimming Constitution Hill’s price to 1-3 from 2-5. Impaire Et Passe is out to 12-1 from 5-1 with the same firm.
Grangeclare West could finally deliver on his huge price tag and early promise judged on a runaway success in the Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown.
The seven-year-old cost Cheveley Park Stud £430,000 after winning his only start in the point-to-point field, and he looked an exciting recruit for champion trainer Willie Mullins after landing a Punchestown bumper and a maiden hurdle at Navan on his first two appearances under rules.
The wheels fell off in the second half of the campaign, though, with Grangeclare West disappointing in successive Grade Ones at Naas and Leopardstown, and while he made the most of having his sights lowered at Punchestown in the spring, he began the current campaign with something to prove.
But having made all the running on his chasing debut at Naas last month, the Presenting gelding proved he does have what it takes to make his mark at the highest level, travelling and jumping with elan in the hands of Paul Townend before easing to the lead rounding the home turn.
As he did aboard Thursday’s scintillating Savills Chase winner Galopin Des Champs, Townend angled Grangeclare West to the stands’ side rail in the home straight and he safely negotiated the final fence to seal a six-length victory over 13-8 favourite Corbetts Cross without being extended.
After adopting his customary pacesetting role for much of the three-mile contest, dual Stayers’ Hurdle hero Flooring Porter faltered in the straight and passed the post well held in third.
Mullins said: “I didn’t expect that now – I thought he would run well, but that was a top race.
“Paul was worried about him pulling too hard and he’d want to be as fit as he is because he just pulled his arms out for the three miles. To do that, on that ground and win like that going away was a huge performance.
“His jumping was excellent. He just came out of Paul’s hands at the first fence and from then on Paul was just trying to settle him back. He got him back jumping normally.
“He’s just a natural chaser.”
Paddy Power make Grangeclare West their 4-1 favourite, cut from 14-1, for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and Mullins confirmed that race as a likely target.
He added: “He might go for the Brown Advisory and Fact To File (won at Leopardstown on Thursday) might go for the Turners. We’ll see, it is a nice problem to have.
“We might come back here to the Dublin Racing Festival first. I’m delighted to win a Grade One at Leopardstown over Christmas with him.”
The Closutton handler also confirmed another high-class staying novice chaser in his yard, Klassical Dream, will miss the rest of the campaign after suffering injury when being prepared for this race.
He said: “Unfortunately, he is out for the season after his last bit of work. We will just let the injury settle down over Christmas, but it is very unfortunate.”
Coach Monty Williams was bullish about the Detroit Pistons' future despite the team matching the longest losing streak in NBA history on Thursday, when an improved performance was not enough to get them over the line against the Boston Celtics.
The Pistons opened a 21-point lead in the first half as they went in search of a first win since October 28, but Jayson Tatum had 31 points for Boston as they turned things around to lead in the fourth quarter.
Bojan Bogdanovic made a putback with 4.6 seconds left to force overtime, but it was not to be for Detroit as Derrick White scored 10 of his 23 points in the extra period, helping the Celtics to a 128-122 success.
Detroit have now lost their last 28 games, matching the Philadelphia 76ers' record losing run across the end of the 2014-15 season and the start of 2015-16.
They could take that unwanted record outright when they face the Toronto Raptors next time out, but an improved showing against the league's best side offered Williams encouragement.
"I'm unbelievably proud of the group, the way they bring it," Williams said after seeing his team slip to 2-29.
"They've heard all the stuff about our team and they just keep bringing it. I know it's going to pay off.
"As bad as they hurt right now, I hurt for them. But I told them; if we bring that kind of toughness and execution — minus the turnovers — we're not just going to win one game.
"We're going to put something together."
Guard Cade Cunningham finished with 31 points, 22 of which came in the first half, though he missed a potential game-winning three-pointer with seven seconds remaining in regulation.
Like his coach, Cunningham said Detroit were not interested in winning purely to stop the rot, but as a platform for a lasting improvement.
"I'm not interested in just winning one more game this year to stop this, you know what I mean? That would be soft in my opinion," Cunningham said.
"Our goals are a lot higher than that. We have what it takes to win a game, that's nothing.
"But to put games together, to find our system, find what's clicking and allow us to sustain winning…. That's all we're looking for.
"We're on the same level as all these teams we're playing against. There's no team that I've ever come across in the NBA where I felt like I was going into a slaughterhouse. I’ve never felt like that in my life, going into a basketball game.
"Every game, we should be able to fight teams and impose our will on them. We did that early on.
"We let go of the rope a little bit in the third quarter. But there's a lot of growth, something we can learn from and definitely take to the next game."
Jetara continued her rise through the ranks with a comprehensive success in the BeattheBank.ie Irish EBF Mares Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Jessica Harrington’s inmate is bred to be pretty smart, with her dam Jelan being a sister to several top-class performers – including Jetson, Jett, Jered and Champion Hurdle hero Jezki.
Listed bumper winner Jetara did not manage to get her head in front during her first season over obstacles but did chase home one-time Classic contender High Definition and smart mare Ashroe Diamond, and her lack of a victory meant she retained her novice status for the new campaign.
The five-year-old was well beaten in a Down Royal Grade Three on her reappearance, but bolted up in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse next time before adding another Listed win to her CV at Punchestown, and she was prominent in the market at 5-2 as she returned to Graded company at Foxrock.
Always travelling strongly in the hands of Jack Kennedy, Jetara was sent to the front jumping the final flight before the home turn and she was not for catching thereafter, galloping up the straight to score by seven and a half lengths from Pink In The Park, with 13-8 favourite Risk Belle back in third.
Harrington said: “She jumped and settled and he (Kennedy) said he couldn’t believe how much she picked up. He thought he had got there plenty soon enough and, when he asked her, she picked up well.
“We are delighted with her. She will be better on better ground – the whole family want better ground. She is the only one of them that is happy on that soft ground.
“She will probably come back here for the novice hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival. We might as well, as she is still a novice. She jumps very slick and they (geldings) will have to give her 7lb.
“Then we will probably wait for Fairyhouse, which is early this year, for the mares’ Grade One. That will be kind of her programme.”
Cameron Norrie began the new season with a timely return to form as Great Britain clinched victory over hosts Australia at the United Cup.
The second edition of the mixed international team competition is a slimmed-down version, with ties comprising two singles matches and one doubles.
Britain only needed the singles contests to seal the win in Perth, with Norrie defeating Alex De Minaur for the second year in a row 6-4 2-6 7-6 (2) before Katie Boulter powered to a 6-2 6-4 win against Ajla Tomljanovic.
Norrie won all three of his matches at the United Cup a year ago, including in straight sets against De Minaur, but struggled during the second half of the 2023 season and ended it by losing nine of his last 11 matches.
The 28-year-old admitted he felt a little burned out after maintaining an intense schedule but the off-season has allowed him to reset and his win over De Minaur is his first against a top-20 player since March.
Norrie took advantage of a slow start by De Minaur, breaking serve in the opening game and keeping his opponent at arm’s length during the first set.
The Australian, ranked six places higher than Norrie at world number 12, raised his level markedly in the second set and looked the better player throughout most of the decider.
But Norrie dug in well, saving a break point in the sixth game, and played a brilliant tie-break, seizing the initiative and drawing a double fault from De Minaur on the first match point.
Speaking on court, Norrie said: “I really had to dig deep and play very brave in that third set. He came out at the end of the second set, he was firing and I couldn’t match his level and I had to really play to win in that tie-break.
“I found good depth on my forehand in the tie-break. It’s always tough playing Alex, he’s a good friend of mine. It was a good match and a great way to start the year.”
View this post on InstagramMuch of the attention ahead of the tie had been on De Minaur being up against his girlfriend Boulter, but the British number one ensured Australia would have no second chances with a strong display.
Tomljanovic is a former top-40 player but she missed most of last season following knee surgery and is currently ranked down at 290.
Boulter, sitting at 56 in the rankings, stormed into a 4-0 lead in the opening set and, although it was closer thereafter, she held her nerve to claim victory.
Britain need to beat reigning champions USA in their final group match on Sunday to ensure they reach the quarter-finals.
Ballyburn is clear favourite for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham with most bookmakers after predictably outclassing his rivals on the fourth and final day of Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival.
Unbeaten in a point-to-point and two outings in bumpers, the Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old suffered an odds-on reverse at the hands of Firefox on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse four weeks ago but was a 2-9 shot to bounce back to winning ways in the Pigsback.com Maiden Hurdle.
The result was never really in any doubt, with Ballyburn taking a lead from Saddle Her Up for much of the two-and-a-half-mile journey before taking over before the home turn.
With the final flight omitted, Paul Townend only had to keep the short-priced favourite up to his work in the straight and he passed the post a full 25 lengths clear of nearest pursuer Cleatus Poolaw.
“He did what we were hoping he might do in Fairyhouse,” Mullins said.
“We were happy – he jumped well and galloped to the line, so he is improving. He has improved hugely from Fairyhouse, where he was probably beaten in a sprint.
“We are hoping there is plenty more improvement to come as well, we think there is anyway.”
BoyleSports were suitably impressed by Ballyburn’s performance, making him their 5-1 market leader (from 7-1) for the Ballymore at the Festival in March.
Mullins added: “He settled well enough – that’s what I was worried about, he would get too keen. He was more in his comfort zone today over two and a half miles.
“I’m not thinking of anything (future plans) – I’m just delighted we got today out of the way. He did it impressively. You’d be thinking he is more of a two-and-a-half-mile horse.
“Paul told me he appears keen, but it is just the way he carries his head low. He said every time he gave him a little feel on the reins, he came back underneath him. I’m very happy that the horse is learning all the time.”
Harry Derham’s promising hurdler Queens Gamble will look to take the next step in her career in the Byerley Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Taunton on Saturday.
The chestnut was previously trained by Oliver Sherwood, who is now Derham’s assistant, and won twice in bumper contests before making a winning start over obstacles in May, ahead of her summer break.
Now trained from Derham’s base, the five-year-old started this season at Kempton in November and was the winner once again, taking a two-mile novice hurdle by two and quarter lengths.
Now Queens Gamble will step up to Listed level at Taunton, taking on five rivals under Jonathan Burke.
“It’s time to step up now, she has won twice and is in good form and we’re looking forward to running her,” Derham said.
“We were thinking of going to Newbury for the handicap and forecasts are hard to predict, but we think the Taunton forecast is slightly better than the Newbury one.
“It was quite soft there last week, so we thought we would go to Taunton instead and she looks to have a leading chance.
“She’s had no problems at all and going along well, she had a school in the week and Johnny was pleased with her and she goes there in good form.
“She won her two novice hurdles now so she’s entitled to take the step up in the grade, she’s second-best on ratings in this race but we think she goes there with a very good chance.”
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