Luke Humphries shrugged off a sluggish start to his PDC World Darts Championship campaign despite a 3-0 win over Lee Evans at Alexandra Palace.
Third seed Humphries is seen as one of the strongest contenders for the title after overall wins at the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship Finals in recent months.
But he admitted he had been let off the hook by Evans, who hit a 170 check-out in the second set but hit only five of 24 checkouts.
Humphries told Sky Sports: “I was not at my best but the most important thing is it felt good, and the first game is always the toughest.
“I am through to the next round and I won’t play the same in the next round. I am not disappointed because I won 3-0 which is what I wanted.
“I feel like that is the hardest game in the whole tournament to get through, so I’m happy and in the next game I will be so much better than that.”
There was no repeat performance for Fallon Sherrock four years after she made history by beating Ted Evetts to become the first woman to win a match at the championship.
Sherrock took the first set against opponent Jermaine Wattimena, making his 10th appearance in the tournament, but fell away badly and lost the next three sets.
Sherrock admitted: “Obviously, I’m gutted with the result. I had spells when I played well tonight but I missed chances at key moments and they cost me.
“Full credit to Jermaine, he was the better player on the night and he punished me when I missed chances.”
Jim Williams shrugged off a mathematical blunder to whitewash Guyana’s Norman Madhoo and cruise into the second round.
Williams posted no score in the first leg of the third set when he wrongly checked out on 70 rather than his required 68 but still recovered to win all nine legs in a comfortable 3-0 victory.
The Welshman, who was the runner-up in the final BDO tournament in 2020, will next face former champion Peter Wright in the second round on Wednesday.
Matt Campbell claimed his first win on the Alexandra Palace stage after surviving a gutsy comeback from Lourence Ilagan to clinch a 3-2 win.
Campbell eased through the first two sets but missed double five to seal a 3-0 win and instead Ilagan checked out on 100 to take the set and prolong the match.
Another three-figure check-out saw Ilagan level the match, but Campbell came on strong in the deciding set, winning all three legs in a row, finishing with a flourish as he took the match with a 128 check-out.
Ricky Evans beat Simon Adams 3-0 while in the solitary second-round match played on Sunday afternoon, 14th seed Joe Cullen proved too strong for Darren Penhall as he also racked up a 3-0 win.
Also in Sunday’s late action, Florian Hempel came back from behind to beat young Irishman Dylan Slevin 3-1, while Niels Zonneveld beat Darren Webster by the same score.
Tiger Woods described his weekend as “so special” after finishing tied for fifth alongside son Charlie at the PNC Championship.
The 15-time major winner and his 14-year-old son combined for a round of 61 in Orlando on Sunday to finish on 19 under par, six shots behind winners Bernhard Langer and his son Jason.
Woods, who also had daughter Sam caddying for him, was somewhat overshadowed as Charlie provided their round’s highlight with a chip-in on the ninth.
View this post on Instagram“To have both my kids out there the last two days has been so special,” said Woods, who recently returned to competitive action after ankle surgery.
“I think that a lot of things are aching a lot more than my ankle, which is the way it goes.
“It’s been nice to knock off a lot of the rust and some of the doubt that I’ve had because quite frankly I haven’t hit a shot that counted in a long time.”
Jalen Hurts has been downgraded to questionable for the Philadelphia Eagles' game against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday due to illness.
The 2022 Pro Bowler did not practice with the rest of the team on Saturday and his condition only worsened overnight.
In a statement on their official website on Sunday, the Eagles announced Hurts will still travel to Seattle but separately from the rest of the team.
He has passed for 3,192 yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season, scoring 12 rushing touchdowns – the second-most in the NFL.
Should Hurts not recover from illness in time, Marcus Mariota – who has started 74 career regular-season games – would be in line to take his place.
The Eagles (10-3) have lost successive games, but they can win the NFC East title if they defeat the Seahawks (6-7) and win their final three games.
Seattle's Geno Smith is also doubtful due to a groin injury sustained in practice prior to last weekend's game with the San Francisco 49ers.
Novak Djokovic is still setting "unbelievable" standards and remains the man to beat heading into the 2024 campaign, according to Holger Rune.
Twenty-four time grand slam winner Djokovic added another Australian Open, French Open and US Open crown to his collection this year.
The 36-year-old won a Tour-best seven singles titles in 2023 and finished top of the ATP Rankings for a record-extending eighth year in a row.
"I think it's great to see that Novak can still play at this level. It's unbelievable what he's doing," Rune said.
Only Carlos Alcaraz stopped Djokovic from landing a career first calendar Grand Slam with his triumph in the Wimbledon final.
However, if the next generation are to truly take the mantle from Djokovic, Rune accepts they need to start bloodying the Serbian's nose more regularly.
Alcaraz was closest to Djokovic in 2023 with six tour titles, while Daniil Medvedev won five and Jannik Sinner four.
For all the talk of someone new potentially dominating the male game, though, Rune does not believe Djokovic's era of dominance is over yet.
"Alcaraz won a slam this year. Sinner finished in the top four. I was number four for the first time this year," he said.
"I think the next generation is very interesting. I think we are trying to compete with Novak and to see if we can match him.
"Still, he's winning three out of four grand slams - it's kind of tough. Before we can say that, we need to start winning more regularly against him."
Rafael Nadal's return from injury will be "great for tennis", says world number eight Holger Rune, as the Spaniard builds towards an appearance at next month's Australian Open.
Nadal will return after close to a year on the sidelines at the Brisbane International, which runs from December 31 to January 7, as he targets a bid for a 23rd grand slam title at Melbourne Park later in January.
The 37-year-old has not competed since this year's edition of the Australian Open, having suffered a hip injury during a surprise second-round defeat to Mackenzie McDonald.
Nadal attempted to recover from his injury before the start of the French Open in May, only to be forced to withdraw from that tournament and undergo season-ending surgery.
The 'King of Clay' has said 2024 will likely be his final year on the tour, and while Rune accepts it will be difficult for Nadal to recapture his best form, the Dane is excited to see how he fares.
"It's great for tennis that Rafa is coming back," Rune said. "It brings even more fans to the tournaments and more excitement for the sport. I think this is good.
"We're going to have Novak [Djokovic], Rafa, [Carlos] Alcaraz, [Jannik] Sinner and more guys for the Australian Open. That's going to be super fun and it's exciting to see how it's going to go.
"You see some videos where he's practicing hard, but of course it's always difficult to come back and play after so long. But I'm excited to see it."
Jack Draper was the last player to lose to Nadal, going down in four sets in the first round of the 2023 Australian Open, and he is keen for a chance to avenge that defeat next year.
"I mean, I think it's amazing for tennis. Obviously, he's put in a lot of hard work to be back on tour, I'm seeing lots of videos of him training very intensely," Draper said.
"It's just good for the spectators, the players, that someone of his calibre – one of the greatest of all time – is back playing.
"I hope I get a chance to play him again because I think I was one of the last people to play him. It'll be amazing to have him back on the tour."
World number 32 Alexander Bublik echoed those sentiments, adding he was excited to see who will have the honour of being Nadal's final opponent if – as expected – he retires next year.
"Of course, it's very exciting that Rafa is coming back," Bublik said. "He's a legend of our game.
"But I just discussed it with Holger… I'm more excited to think who is going to play him in his last match, who he's going to finish such a legendary career against.
"So for me, it's an exciting time. We'll see how he comes back but he's going to bring a lot to the game."
Jim Williams shrugged off a mathematical blunder to whitewash Guyana’s Norman Madhoo and cruise into the second round of the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.
Williams posted no score in the first leg of the third set when he wrongly checked out on 70 rather than his required 68 but still recovered to win all nine legs in a comfortable 3-0 victory.
The Welshman, who was the runner-up in the final BDO tournament in 2020, will next face former champion Peter Wright in the second round on Wednesday.
Matt Campbell claimed his first win on the Alexandra Palace stage after surviving a gutsy comeback from Lourence Ilagan to clinch a 3-2 win.
Campbell eased through the first two sets but missed double five to seal a 3-0 win and instead Ilagan checked out on 100 to take the set and prolong the match.
Another three-figure check-out saw Ilagan level the match, but Campbell came on strong in the deciding set, winning all three legs in a row, finishing with a flourish as he took the match with a 128 check-out.
Ricky Adams beat Simon Adams 3-0, while in the solitary second-round match played on Sunday afternoon 14th seed Joe Cullen proved too strong for Darren Penhall as he also racked up a 3-0 win.
Eddie and Patrick Harty’s Harvard Guy continued his progression with success in the Download The BetVictor App Tara Handicap Hurdle at Navan.
The five-year-old was a winner over the same course and distance when making his seasonal debut in November, a run that was also his first success of any kind as he did not get his head in front in five starts last term.
Returning to Navan at Listed level was a significant step forward, especially under a 10lb rise, but the JP McManus-owned gelding ran a pleasing race to take up the lead over the last and strike by two lengths as the 3-1 joint-favourite.
“He’s a nice horse in the making, but he is in the making,” said Harty senior.
“Some of them go up 10lb and it’s a bit like a 16-year-old going from Junior B to Senior in one go, that’s what he’s had to do but he’s won nicely.
“He’ll get further in time and will jump fences in time. He’s going the right way and it’s nice to have one of them again. It’s a while since we’ve had one.
“He’s a fine horse. He grew up big time today from the last time and he grew up big time the last time from last year which is what you want.
“Where we go from here I don’t know. If I’d said at the start of the year that he’d be unbeaten at Christmas having won a Listed hurdle I would have taken my temperature!”
When asked if the Dublin Racing Festival could be a target the trainer added: “I would think so, if it wasn’t too quick for him ground-wise. He’s a big raw horse still.”
The first two contests on the card were won by rider Danny Mullins, who landed the Irish Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle aboard Spread Boss Ted (2-1) and the BetVictor Proud To Support Irish Racing Maiden Hurdle aboard Dancing City (9-4), both for his uncle Willie Mullins.
The latter was a four-and-a-half-length winner and was cut from 50-1 to 33-1 with Coral for the Albert Bartlett as a result.
“Off the bend I was off the bridle, but I was happy that once I met the rising ground I would find more,” said the winning jockey.
“He missed the last and still ran out a good winner so all-in-all it’s probably a good performance.
“For such a big horse he’s getting it together. When we were chatting this morning about them Paul (Townend) said the last day he was a bit raw. Between us we made a plan and it worked.
“This was a maiden, hacking around, and in a more truly-run race we might see a bit more. He has that bit if class that he will stay but we maybe don’t have to go there just yet.”
John Ryan has high hopes for Lucid Dreams after his 22-length success at 5-6 in the two-runner Ryans Cleaning Rated Novice Chase, a win that could now lead to the Guinness Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick later in the month.
The trainer said: “He’ll probably go for the Grade One novice chase at Limerick, he’s entered there. I’d say two and a half (miles) is his trip.
“I was thinking about the 0-140 in Leopardstown but I shouldn’t have come here if I was thinking about that off 140!
“He’ll probably give me a few pounds for that as he hammered him (the runner up), he put 22 lengths between him.
“Liam (Quinlan) said he felt like he was only doing a hack canter everywhere, he said he was a different class horse.
“He’s probably a Grade One horse, he’s a big strong horse to carry weight.”
Gavin Cromwell’s Pour Pavore took the Kevin Brady Car Sales Handicap Chase by 13 lengths at 6-1, after which Gordon Elliott’s The Enabler won the concluding BetVictor Future Champions INH Flat Race as the 5-4 favourite.
The four-year-old is already a bumper winner and made the step up to Listed level neatly with a four-length victory.
“He’s a nice horse. We knew he’d improved, he’s improving the whole time, and I’d say he’s a proper horse,” said Elliott.
“We won’t do too much more this year, maybe go to Naas (on February 25th). We’ve all the options for him, he looks very good. I wouldn’t be thinking of going to Cheltenham.”
Keegan Murray scored a career-high 47 points as the Sacramento Kings continued their good form with a 125-104 win over the Utah Jazz, but the forward's coach Mike Brown thinks he is "barely scratching the surface" of his potential.
The Kings eased to a fourth win in their last five games on Saturday, with the Jazz unable to respond after allowing 44 points in the third quarter.
Murray scored a franchise-best 26 points in the third period, while his 12 three-pointers across the course of the contest were also a record for a Sacramento player.
Murray had Klay Thompson's single-game league record of 14 three-pointers in his sights until he missed with two late attempts, meaning he had to settle for becoming just the seventh player to make a dozen or more threes in one outing.
Brown, however, believes there is still more to come from last year's fourth overall draft pick.
"I thought Keegan was playing the right way," Brown said. "Nothing was really forced. Our guys didn't really force anything to him. They just hit him when he was open.
"He's just barely scratching the surface because he's been asked to do something that he's never been asked to do at the highest level.
"With his work ethic, his determination, his skill set and all that other stuff, he's got a chance to be a high-level player in a lot of different areas.
"Everybody's just seeing a little bit of it now, so there's a ton of room to grow, for sure."
Saturday's win saw Sacramento improve to 15-9 for the season, with Domantas Sabonis adding 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, registering his 20th double-double of the season.
The Jazz, meanwhile, saw their winning streak snapped at two games, and coach Will Hardy accepted there was little they could do to stop Murray in that vein of form.
"Keegan never let us off the hook," he said. "Every time you make a mistake, he makes the shot.
"The percentages will tell you that's not necessarily realistic either, but it was one of those nights. He's obviously a very good young player, so hats off to him."
Birdie Or Bust capitalised on a final-flight blunder from Fun Fun Fun to claim the Billy Harney Memorial Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle at Thurles.
Henry de Bromhead’s five-year-old was sent off the 7-2 second-favourite to Willie Mullins’ Grade Two bumper winner who had made a fine start to her hurdling career here last month.
The 2-5 favourite made most of the running in the hands of Paul Townend and still held a lead of around two lengths when sprawling on landing at the final flight – leaving Rachael Blackmore aboard Birdie Or Bust with the Listed contest at her mercy.
She was ridden out for a three-and-a-quarter-length success, with connections thrilled to get back to winning ways.
“Obviously we got a bit of luck, but she ran really well and we were delighted with her,” said De Bromhead.
“She definitely wasn’t herself in the north the last day, but looked back to herself today with the way she jumped and travelled. She didn’t seem herself in Down Royal.
“We will get her home and see what everyone would like to do. She has options and is lovely mare.”
There was a double on the card for De Bromhead and Blackmore when Easy Fella (4-1) made a winning stable debut in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Rated Novice Hurdle.
The trainer added: “He stays well and is a really nice horse. He jumps well despite making a few little mistakes down the back straight, but we can work on that.
“He really galloped all the way to the line and anything over hurdles is a bonus as with the size and scope of him, he looks like a chaser all over.”
Meanwhile, there was some compensation for Mullins who saw pointing field recruit Femme Magnifique (11-8 favourite) produce a scintillating display on her rules debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares INH Flat Race.
“She did that very well,” said Mullins.
“I am happy she showed her true colours on the track as things haven’t gone right with her in the autumn. I took a chance and ran her and she has done it well.
“I imagine she will stick to bumpers rather than going jumping as she can do that next season.”
The master of Closutton was also on the scoresheet with Asian Master, who landed the Thank You For Supporting Us In 2023 Maiden Hurdle at the expense of stablemate Jimmy Du Seuil.
The 7-1 scorer was ridden by amateur Tom Costello who was tasting success under rules for the first time aboard his mother Marie Costello’s six-year-old.
“It is great for Tom Costello to ride his first winner and I think the winner’s jumping was sharp and all his point-to-pointing experience came into play,” said Mullins.
“With his pedigree I didn’t think he could win over this trip but to be able to win over this trip on a sharp track like this, on this ground, means he must be a nice horse for the future.
“It is a great day for all the Costello family and Mrs Costello is also here. It is a nice alliance to have back.
“Jimmy Du Seuil was just a bit novicey and got out of position a little bit hoping his class might get him through but the first two horses finished well ahead of the pack so he is a nice horse as well.”
Regarding the unfortunate Fun Fun Fun, he added “I didn’t look at the re-run, but it looked to me that she stood way back off it (the final flight) and landed steeply at the back of it. Hopefully she will be all right in the morning.”
Oisin Murphy added another Classic to his roll of honour on Sunday when partnering Jendayi to victory in the Indian 1000 Guineas.
The Irishman has tasted big-race success around the globe and although missing out on the opportunity to showcase his horsemanship over hurdles at Wincanton recently, made the most of a first trip to Mumbai before he jets off for a stint in America later this month.
Murphy follows in the footsteps of Richard Hughes in riding a Classic winner for decorated local handler Pesi Shroff, who famously trained Jacqueline to win both the Indian 1000 and 2000 Guineas in 2009 before claiming the Indian Oaks and Derby a year later.
It was the same connections that offered Murphy his opportunities at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse and having found the scoresheet aboard Chamonix in the R J Kolah Trophy, he then joined forces with the heavy favourite for the feature event to register a double for Jendayi’s trainer Shroff and delight his Indian supporters.
“It was great to come out here,” said Murphy.
“I actually rode for the same connections as Richard Hughes was successful for with Jacqueline a couple of years ago when she won all the Classics.
“Both my rides won and I really enjoyed the experience in Mumbai. The track here is excellent and the people have been incredibly hospitable and made me really welcome.”
Boothill could attempt to continue his stellar campaign in Kempton’s Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Handicap Chase over the Christmas period.
Harry Fry’s progressive performer has climbed to a career-high mark of 158, having begun the season with a pair of handicap victories in competitive Ascot heats, and was poised for a return to Graded company in Sandown’s Tingle Creek before conditions turned unsuitably testing.
The eight-year-old has the option of waiting for Ascot’s Clarence House Chase on January 20, but having thrived over the Desert Lad course and distance when claiming the Wayward Lad 12 months ago, Fry is tempted to seek a third-straight handicap victory at the Sunbury track on December 27.
“We’re mulling over whether we look at the Desert Orchid,” said Fry.
“He’s in good form with himself and we would like to step up into Graded company, but he would have to improve again to match the top horses in that division.
“We’re sort of mulling over which route we go and we do have the Clarence House on our mind, but you may well see him out at Kempton over Christmas.
“It would be lovely if that was still a Grade Two, that would be perfect for him, but it is now a Grade Two limited handicap. Of course he won the Wayward Lad on the card last year.
“We will be having a look at the Desert Orchid and then sort of deciding. He’s won two valuable prizes already this season and if he could win another one that would be great.”
Ben Pauling has the Formby Novices’ Hurdle in mind for the promising Tellherthename.
The four-year-old was a point to point winner who made his debut for the stable at Ascot in November, finishing second by just a nose when defeated by Nicky Henderson’s well-regarded Jango Baie.
His next outing was at Huntingdon for a two-mile maiden hurdle and there he was an impressive 14-length winner under Kielan Woods for owners the Megsons.
A step up in grade is now on the agenda as Pauling is aiming the gelding at the Formby Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree on Boxing Day, a Grade One contest that was formerly known at the Tolworth and run at Sandown.
“It would be very special to win this for the Megsons as they have never had a Grade One winner,” he said.
“It would be wonderful for everyone involved if we could get them their first Grade One winner, but I’m under no illusions and it is not going to be easy.
“There wasn’t really any frustration when he got beat first time out as our horses at the time were needing it so it was good to see him be so competitive against a horse that was highly regarded by Nicky Henderson in Jango Baie.
“We got beaten by a nose, and if we meet again here it would be interesting to see how we get on second time around, but I know how much our lad would have improved from that first run.
“He did what we expected at Huntingdon last time. At the time we thought it was an average enough race, but there was a couple in it with a bit of form.
“We sent him on from the front to try to keep it simple. He did it nicely and won very much with his head in his chest.
“That form has since been franked with the horse that finished second (Lucky Place) winning by 13 lengths up at Doncaster.
“It might not have been as bad a race as we first thought, but it was still good to see him do it in that manner.”
Tellherthename was purchased at the Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Sale and is a horse Pauling has thought highly of ever since he arrived in the yard.
He said: “He is a horse we have liked since we got him. He was a shell of a horse when we got him in March at the sale at the Cheltenham Festival.
“We sent him away and he has come in this season and his work has improved from the start. He looks to be a decent animal on the track.
“Since we really truly saw him work in the autumn he was a horse that took our eye at home and thankfully he has transferred that ability to the track.
“He is an exciting novice going forward and you have just got to hope that he jumps and travels and has a clear round at Aintree.”
Stephen Curry "flipped the switch" as the Golden State Warriors halted their slump with a 124-120 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday, with Steve Kerr admitting the two-time MVP had carried his team.
The Warriors approached their meeting with the Nets having suffered three straight defeats to slide to 10-14, while they also lost Draymond Green to an indefinite suspension this week following his third ejection of the season.
They then found themselves behind with just over nine minutes to play, but Curry scored 12 straight fourth-quarter points as he finished with 37, shooting seven-of-seven in the final period.
Klay Thompson added 24 points including two vital three-pointers in the closing stages, but for head coach Kerr, it was all about Curry's contribution.
"Steph has had to carry this team, let's be honest," Kerr said. "Then with the Draymond news, he was emotionally spent in the last few days.
"It was a slow start tonight. Then, as he's done so often, he flipped the switch. You can kind of see when it happens right away. He was incredible.
"Steph was sublime down the stretch. That was unreal. We've seen him do this over and over again but it never ceases to amaze me, what that guy is capable of."
Looking back on Curry's explosive finish to the game, Kerr added: "That gave us confidence.
"I think that's the biggest issue when you're struggling, maybe you're a little spent. You have to find confidence. So I think Steph just infuses us with confidence."
Curry's performance came after the four-time NBA champion emerged for his warmup around two hours before tipoff, around 45 minutes earlier than his usual warm-up slot.
The 35-year-old said that was to ensure he had time to find his groove, while refusing to take all the credit for the Warriors' much-needed win.
"It was just a call of trying to get some space before the game, a little more time to get right, and it paid off," Curry said.
"It's not just me. I can't go win a game by myself. I can play well, and I have to play well. I know that. But I don't [play] the game by myself.
"There's definitely pressure and I live for those moments, but there are guys getting opportunities to step up. Confidence is starting to build."
Maximilian, one of last season’s leading novice hurdlers, will miss the entirety of the current campaign due to injury.
The seven-year-old has won five of his seven starts to date for trainer Donald McCain and the Owners Group and was last seen finishing second in Grade One company at Aintree.
The form of that race could hardly have worked out better, with the winner Apple Away, third-placed Iroko and fourth home Stay Away Fay all making the mark over fences this term, and Maximilian himself was due to embark on a novice chasing campaign before injury intervened.
Connections had initially he hoped he would return to competitive action early in the new year, but have now had to draw stumps for the season.
“Unfortunately he won’t be back until next autumn,” said the owners’ racing manager Dan Downie.
“It’s obviously frustrating, but the main thing is he’ll be fine and it’s one of those things really.
“It would have been interesting to see how he got on, but hopefully we’ll have a much more positive conversation in a year’s time.”
Cheveley Park Stud director Richard Thompson is anticipating a busy Christmas for the team, with the majority of their formidable National squad set to be in action over the festive period.
Dual Ryanair and Punchestown Gold Cup hero Allaho will fly the Cheveley Park flag in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, while several horses look set to carry the famous red, white and blue colours across the four days of Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival.
A twin assault is being prepared for the Savills Chase on December 28, with stablemates A Plus Tard and Envoi Allen both confirmed as intended runners by trainer Henry de Bromhead earlier this week.
Thompson is particularly intrigued to see how A Plus Tard performs, with the nine-year-old having largely struggled since his sensational victory in the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
“I think Henry feels it’s the right race for both horses,” he said.
“A Plus Tard has run twice in the Savills, winning in 2021 and finishing second the following year, and Envoi is going there in decent form after finishing second at Down Royal.
“It will be fascinating to see how A Plus Tard runs. He seems to be in great form at home, but as everyone knows he has had issues since he won the Gold Cup.
“He hasn’t run since April and we will know a lot after December 28 in terms of what have we got on our hands – have we got the old A Plus Tard back, or are we having to look again at his career going forward?”
Other upcoming entries for Cheveley Park include familiar names like Quilixios, Sir Gerhard, Grangeclare West and Classic Getaway.
The latter pair are poised to have their sights raised after impressing on their seasonal debuts.
Thompson added: “I think the two to look out for are Grangeclare West and Classic Getaway – they’re both very interesting horses based on their last performances and it will be fascinating to see where they run and how they run.
“Quilixios was disappointing last time out and is a little bit in and out, but he did win the time before over fences.
“We’ve only got 14 (National Hunt) horses in training and I think 12 of them are entered over Christmas. It’s an important time of year obviously and there’s a bit of prize-money to picked up to hopefully pay a few bills!”
In a masterful display of skill and resilience, Jamaican-born UFC welterweight champion, Leon Edwards, successfully defended his title at UFC 296 on Saturday night, overcoming a tumultuous past and a barrage of distasteful remarks from his opponent, Colby Covington.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, and later moving to Birmingham, England, Edwards' life was marred by tragedy and involvement in criminal activities. However, the 30-year-old fighter turned his life around at the age of 17 when he joined an MMA club, eventually climbing the ranks to become the welterweight champion.
Facing off against Colby Covington, a fighter notorious for his brash behavior, Edwards encountered a highly charged pre-fight atmosphere, with Covington crossing lines by using the death of Edwards' father as a psychological weapon. Despite the emotional turmoil, Edwards remained focused, delivering a performance that showcased not only his physical prowess but also his mental fortitude.
The grudge match lived up to its billing, with Edwards dominating the cage throughout the 25-minute contest. The judges unanimously scored the fight 49-46 in favor of the Briton, who controlled the pace with bruising leg kicks and superior striking.
In a post-fight interview, Edwards expressed the emotional weight of the bout, stating, “This fight was very emotional for me. This guy used my dad’s death as entertainment, and it took a lot for me to calm down and stay focused. To this day, it breaks my heart.”
Despite Covington's attempts at a comeback in the later rounds, Edwards maintained composure and control, leaving no room for doubt regarding the judges' decision. Edwards acknowledged his disappointment in not securing a stoppage win but commended Covington as a tough competitor while expressing disdain for his character.
The victory not only cements Leon Edwards' status as a dominant force in the welterweight division but also serves as a testament to his ability to rise above personal demons and external provocations. As the Jamaican-born fighter continues his journey, the UFC 296 triumph stands as a defining moment in his career, showcasing the heart of a champion who has overcome adversity to secure his place at the top of the mixed martial arts world.
Paul Nicholls has revealed that talented novice chaser Knappers Hill will miss his big festive target and is probably out for the season having suffered a setback.
The seven-year-old, who was unbeaten as a bumper horse before going on to score seven times as a hurdler, appeared set to take high-rank over fences this season following a thoroughly impressive victory at Wincanton in the “Rising Stars” Novices’ Chase.
He was due to contest the Grade One Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase on Boxing Day, but there is set to be a shuffling of the Ditcheat pack with fellow top novice operator Hermes Allen poised to skip an intended outing in Ascot’s Noel Novices’ Chase on Friday to fill Knappers Hill’s Kempton vacancy.
“I was going to run Knappers Hill in the Kauto Star, but sadly he’s had a little setback and we might end up missing the rest of the season with him,” Nicholls told Racing TV’s Luck On Sunday programme.
“It’s only minor, but I see him possibly as a horse who could run in the King George next season, so I think we need to stop and get him right.
“I’m going to reroute Hermes Allen to the Kauto Star now rather than go to Ascot this week, because I’d love to run him in a Grade One, especially over three miles.
“You play your cards and try to keep them all apart and then something like this happens, so Hermes will almost certainly go to Kempton on Boxing Day.”
Both Fil Dor and Caldwell Potter are due to be upped in trip after pleasing runs for Gordon Elliott and Caldwell Construction last weekend.
Fil Dor looked a good novice chase prospect last season when winning his debut over fences by four lengths from Saint Roi, but when he met the same horse in the Grade One Racing Post App Novice Chase at Leopardstown he made a jumping error and came home third behind him.
The incident seemed to knock his confidence and after finishing fifth to El Fabiolo in the Irish Arkle he reverted to hurdling and won the Grade Three Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park next time out.
This season he was back to give fences another go and in the Barberstown Castle Chase at Naas he looked to have regained his appetite for jumping when finishing second.
At Cork Fil Dor was then set a stiff task when taking on Arkle winner El Fabiolo in the Hilly Way but he was not disgraced when chasing the 1-5 favourite home to finish second by four and three-quarter lengths.
Connections were heartened by the run, especially as they feel their gelding will be better suited by an extended trip in the future.
Joey Logan, racing manager to owners Caldwell Construction, said: “We were very pleased with him, his jumping was very nice and his confidence is coming back.
“We ran him last year in a Grade One at Leopardstown and he landed on a fence and he lost his confidence. We gave him a break and Gordon’s done a great job of getting him back.
“We were very pleased with the run the other day, obviously we are going to step up to two and a half miles as two miles is a bit short for him, but we were delighted with that.
“We’ve done a good bit a schooling with him and we’re very happy with his jumping, we’re going to step him up now – that’s the plan.”
Of the next outing for the horse Logan added: “We’re not too sure yet, we’ll pick and choose.
“We’re not going to rush him as it’s all about confidence and he’s only five, we’ll speak to Gordon and make a plan for where we’re going to go next.”
The same silks were in the winner’s enclosure at Navan last Saturday as Caldwell Potter took a two-mile maiden hurdle by seven lengths on his second start over obstacles.
The five-year-old is a full-brother to Mighty Potter, Caldwell Construction and Elliott’s Grade One-winning novice chaser who looked set for a highly successful career before he was fatally injured in a fall at Fairyhouse in April.
Caldwell Potter has been patiently handled by Elliott, contesting four bumpers before making his hurdles debut when second in a Punchestown maiden last month.
Navan was his next outing and there he was an eyecatching winner, strolling to a wide-margin success on heavy ground under Jack Kennedy.
Like his late brother he is destined for greater tests of stamina and could be seen after the turn of the new year.
Logan said: “We’re very happy with him, he ran a cracker at Navan. He got a lot stronger over the summer and the further he goes, the better.
“The other day he was very good on testing ground at Navan, he’ll probably be a two-and-a-half-mile hurdler and we’re very happy.
“He puts his head down and he keeps going to the line.
“We’ll make a decision, it’s a bit tight but maybe between now and the new year. We might go to the Dublin Festival with him but we’ll see how things go.”
One horse with his place booked at the Leopardstown meeting over the festive period is Mighty Bandit, a three-year-old who made an impression on his racecourse debut when taking a Punchestown maiden hurdle by nine and a half lengths.
The form from that race has been boosted by the third-placed horse, Joseph O’Brien’s Harsh, who has since won a Cork maiden by eight lengths.
The Mercedes-Benz South Dublin Juvenile Hurdle, formerly the Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle, a Grade Two at Leopardstown, is next on the agenda for the gelding.
“He looks to be a very promising horse,” Logan said.
“He won nine lengths on his debut. He was a very raw, big baby – 16.3 (hands high). His form was boosted again by the horse he beat by nearly 10 lengths the other day.
“He looks to be very promising and we’re looking forward to running him in Leopardstown in the Grade Two.”
Keegan Murray poured in a career-high 47 points and made a franchise-record 12 3-pointers Saturday to power the Sacramento Kings to a 125-104 win over the Utah Jazz.
Murray shot 16 of 23 from the field and was 12 of 14 from long range while grabbing eight rebounds. His previous career high was 30 points set at Houston on Feb. 6.
The second-year forward sank 12 of his first 13 3-pointers and had Klay Thompson’s NBA record of 14 in his sights but missed his final two attempts. He became the seventh different player to make 12 or more 13 3s in a game.
Murray surpassed the previous team record of 11 3-pointers, set by Buddy Hield on Nov. 25, 2019, against Boston.
He also set a franchise record with 25 points in the third quarter, eclipsing Mitch Richmond’s record in the fourth quarter against Houston on Dec. 15, 1995.
Sacramento hit 22 of 45 from beyond the arc to win despite the absence of leading scorer De’Aaron Fox, who sat out with right shoulder irritation.
Domantas Sabonis had 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Kings.
Colin Sexton led the Jazz with 28 points.
Embiid shines again as 76ers pound Hornets
Joel Embiid continued his torrid stretch with 42 points and 15 rebounds and the surging Philadelphia 76ers dealt the short-handed Charlotte Hornets the worst loss in franchise history, 135-82 on Saturday.
Tyrese Maxey added 21 points for the 76ers, who have won six straight.
Embiid has averaged 40 points on 61.9 percent shooting and 12.8 rebounds during that six-game run.
Charlotte played without starters LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward and Mark Williams and two key reserves in P.J. Washington and Cody Martin. Top scorer Terry Rozier left in the third quarter after he caught an elbow to the nose.
Brandon Miller led the Hornets with 14 points on 4-of-16 shooting.
Charlotte’s previous largest loss was a 50-point defeat to Milwaukee on Jan. 10, 2000.
Pistons’ losing streak reaches 23
Damian Lillard scored 33 points and Bobby Portis added a season-high 31 as the Milwaukee Bucks had no trouble sending the Detroit Pistons to their 23rd straight loss, 146-114.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 22 points, eight rebounds and six assists in his first game since scoring a franchise-record 64 points Wednesday.
Cade Cunningham scored 25 points for the Pistons, who have matched the NBA’s third-longest single-season losing streak. The 1995-96 Vancouver Grizzlies, 1997-98 Denver Nuggets and 2011-12 Charlotte Bobcats also lost 23 in a row.
The 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers and 2013-14 Philadelphia 76ers share the record for longest single season slide at 26 straight defeats.
Milwaukee never trailed, led by as many as 34 and matched its highest point total of the season despite resting Lillard and Antetokounmpo for the entire fourth quarter.
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