Exeter Chiefs showed their 11-try thrashing of defending Premiership champions Saracens on the opening day of the campaign was no fluke as they managed an equally emphatic 43-0 victory over last season’s beaten finalists Sale.
Despite losing a host of internationals during the summer, Exeter’s new young guard once again showed they are going to be a force to be reckoned with.
Sale went into the game having won their first two matches of the season, but they were strangely off colour as an error-strewn display saw them suffer their biggest ever defeat to the Devon side.
Exeter got off to a dream start with a try inside the first two minutes. An initial surge by hooker Dan Frost earned a penalty, which was quickly taken, and England Under-20 number eight Greg Fisilau finished off on the blindside, with captain for the day Henry Slade slotting a superb conversion.
The England centre added a penalty soon after to put the Chiefs into double figures.
Sale had the wind behind their backs in the first half, but it was the Chiefs who continued to dominate territory, and they notched a second try just before the midway point of the half, with a catch-and-drive effort from Frost, after Chiefs did well to splinter Sale’s maul defence, and it was improved by Slade.
Young full-back Tom Wyatt was proving rock solid under the high ball for Exeter, while their scrum was having much the better of the Sale eight.
The Sharks thought they had got a foothold in the game when Cobus Wiese drove over in the 27th minute, but he was adjudged by excellent debutant referee Joe James to have been held up, while Tom O’Flaherty knocked on soon after when trying to ground the ball after a handling mistake close to his own line by Fisilau.
Exeter made the most of that double reprieve by securing the try-scoring bonus point before half-time.
Tight-head prop Josh Iosefa-Scott finished off another driving maul in the corner, and then Slade latched on to a wayward Sale pass to send former Wasps winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso racing over beneath the posts, with Slade adding the conversion for an incredible 29-0 interval advantage.
Both sides struggled to string passages of play together in the wet conditions in the second half.
When Sale did threaten the home line, the Chiefs defence proved more than a match.
The Chiefs put the icing on the cake when an excellent run by impressive second row Lewis Pearson saw him offload to replacement scrum-half Niall Armstrong to run in try number five, with Slade adding the kick for a personal 11-point haul, and their dominant scrum rounded it off with a penalty try as Exeter completed their first Premiership shutout since 2014.
Dual Stayers’ Hurdle winner Flooring Porter made the perfect start to his new career when making nearly all the running in the William Hill Lengthen Your Odds Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.
Turning his hand to chasing relatively late in life as an eight-year-old, connections felt now was the time for the switch given he failed to win a race last season.
Ridden by new partner Keith Donoghue in place of Danny Mullins, he set out to make all but was soon hassled for the lead by Broadway Boy, one of two runners for Nigel Twiston-Davies.
Despite lacking the size and scope of his rivals, Flooring Porter (6-4 favourite) was foot perfect on the first circuit, although when the pace quickened on the second time around, there were a couple of blips.
He left his hind legs in one fence down the back straight and then took off too early at the open ditch, but he never looked like falling.
Donoghue seemed keen to hold on to his head for as long as possible as Broadway Boy and his stablemate Weveallbeencaught loomed up behind him, but good jumps at the last two enabled his class to come to the fore and he skipped clear to win by two and a half lengths.
“I know he was ahead of the others on his rating and that he’s still a high-profile horse, although not as much as he was,” said Cromwell.
“But he’s not very big, which made the way he jumped so pleasing.
“I thought he could do that, and it’s always great to see that the engine is still there.”
Matty Ashton scored two tries as England sealed a Test series victory over Tonga with a 14-4 victory at the John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield.
Fresh from their opening victory at St Helens, England looked intent on putting the series to bed from the outset and had a two-try lead thanks to a pair of Ashton tries without reply in the first period.
Harry Smith’s two penalties extended the score to 14 before Toluta’u Koula scored Tonga’s solitary try of the afternoon, which was not enough to stop England from gaining an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
England picked up where they left off last weekend and opened the scoring in the sixth minute after the ball was spread from left to right, Ashton waiting in the corner to collect the ball and rush over the whitewash – Smith’s conversion followed by a penalty made it 8-0 to the hosts.
Tonga came close to a try as the ball went through the hands and Moses Suli unleashed Koula down the left but he was ushered into touch, which sparked a brawl between the two sets of players.
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles winger Koula looked the main danger for the visitors and for a moment it looked like he had unlocked the English defence with a superb turn of foot before spilling the ball in touch.
Moments after Tonga were denied a reply on the try line, England went up the other end and scored their second try of the afternoon when Mikey Lewis’ neatly threaded grubber fell beautifully for the onrushing Ashton who touched down for the second time.
England ran onto the field in the second half with the same intensity and could have had a third try when Mike McMeeken’s kick found Tom Johnstone in acres of space but he dropped the ball with the try line at his mercy and had to settle for Smith’s penalty to make it 14-0.
The away side were still looking for their first points of the game and almost had them when Isaiya Katoa’s dummy freed Dion Teaupa up for the try line but Johnstone and Lewis brought him down to prevent a first try.
Tonga did most of the attacking in the second period and they looked to break away once again when Tyson Frizell latched onto a long kick and set Tui Lolohea free with his sights on the whitewash, but Johnstone was on hand once again to bring those efforts to a halt.
A few seconds later, Tonga were awarded a penalty and finally had their first score of the game as the ball went through the hands and Koula was waiting on on the byline to storm over in the corner and reduce the deficit to 10 points.
But that was all they could muster as they suffered a second straight defeat with one Test match to play at Headingley.
Blueking D’Oroux may have booked his ticket for the Greatwood Hurdle back at Cheltenham next month following a straightforward success in the Masterson Holdings Hurdle.
Trained by Paul Nicholls, the four-year-old arrived from France with a fairly tall reputation but took a while to adapt to his new surroundings.
He ended last season in good form, though, by winning a decent handicap at Ascot at 50-1 and finishing second at Aintree’s Grand National meeting.
Harry Cobden always looked in control on this occasion and the 5-2 chance came up the hill on his own to win by two lengths.
Nicholls said: “I’m thrilled with that. On ratings, he was entitled to win and we had him ready for today. He has improved so much for last season’s wind operation, as he was a disaster at the start.
“He’s always been quite a nice horse, but he was struggling with his breathing and never showed anything at home.
“But after his summer out he’s worked beautifully. He’s improved from last year and is an improving horse. Some of ours are needing their runs and I’ve not been in such a hurry with them. It’s all about their futures.
“This horse is in the Greatwood and at Ascot and we’ll look at races like the Betfair Hurdle later in the season. He’ll go novice chasing next year. He’s got to take on older horses in handicaps.”
Coral cut the winner from 16-1 into 12s for the Greatwood Hurdle next month.
Nicky Henderson’s Hyland (9-1) was given a patient ride by Nico de Boinville to win the Pertemps Network Qualifier.
Top weight Flight Deck made a very bold bid from the front on his first outing for Deborah Cole but Hyland joined him at the last and went on to win by two lengths. Judicial passed Flight Deck up the hill to claim second.
David Sumpter, spokesman for the winning Ten From Seven syndicate said: “We’ve had lots of winners, that is number 99, but it’s the first one here at Cheltenham for myself and I’m overwhelmed.
“The ground was getting too soft for him but Nico decided to stick to the inner and he handled it superbly. Ten From Seven have been going for 20 years and originally was made up for people from Seven Barrows.”
Hyland was given a 25-1 quote for the Pertemps Final by Paddy Power.
The Olly Murphy-trained Butch (3-1) made almost all the running in the William Hill Epic Weekend Free Bet Novices’ Hurdle.
Sean Bowen set off to make it a proper gallop but Keith Donoghue had bided his time on Antrim Coast and seemed to have delivered him perfectly after the last to hit the front deep inside the final furlong.
To Butch’s credit, however, he battled back and got back up to win by a neck.
Bowen said: “He was the only runner that had run over three miles and so I wanted to make the best of it.
“The horse gave everything and really stuck his head out. It’s not often they come back like that after being headed.”
Winning owner Max McNeil said: “The horse has proved he’s an out and out stayer, that’s why we wanted to make it a test, and Sean read the script well.
“This is a very good prospect but I’m also very excited about Inthewaterside at Aintree tomorrow.”
High School basketball powerhouse Herbert Morrison secured a pair of dominant wins over Holland High in the ISSA Rural Area Under-16 and Under-19 Basketball tournaments on Friday.
The Under-16 team first hammered their opponents 63-16 before their Under-19 counterparts took home a 67-36 victory.
In other Under-16 games on the day, Belair High produced a narrow 36-32 win over Manchester while Glenmuir beat Denbigh 37-25.
In Under-19 play, Manchester turned the tables on Belair with a 62-39 win while Glenmuir beat Denbigh 63-36 and St. James High beat Cornwall College 68-35.
In an Urban Area Under-16 contest, Meadowbrook defeated Old Harbour 26-18. Excelsior hammered Bridgeport 71-23 in an Under-19 encounter.
Ballymount Boy secured a deserved big-race victory with a determined display in the William Hill Prospect Stakes at Doncaster.
Adrian Keatley’s star juvenile pushed subsequent Middle Park hero Vandeek to a length in the Group Two Richmond Stakes at Goodwood in August and filled the runner-up spot again in the Group Three Acomb Stakes at York three weeks later.
A tilt at Group One glory in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at ParisLongchamp on Arc weekend did not work out, but he made the most of having his sights lowered to Listed company on Town Moor.
James Doyle’s mount was a 5-2 joint-favourite dropping back from seven to six furlongs and appeared at pains to play his cards as late as possible.
Alaskan Gold looked the likely winner after grabbing the lead inside the final furlong, but Ballymount Boy eventually reeled him in and was half a length to the good at the line.
Doyle said: “Adrian told me to try and get there fairly late, probably not quite that late but it worked out well in the end.
“We didn’t want him to fly the lid as he overraced in France the last day, so I tried to get him to break a bit steadier and we overdid it slightly, so it put us on the back foot.
“It gave us plenty of targets and there was a point I was going to come out and try and close, but then we would have had daylight for a good two and a half furlongs so I just thought I’d try and be brave and on this ground it can open up. It worked out nicely.
“What he’s doing this year is purely on ability. Even before I hit the front there, he pricked his ears and had a look about. I don’t think he’s fully wised up to what it’s all about, so hopefully when that comes next year, they’ll have a bit of fun with him.”
Keatley said: “We’re relieved more than pleased, just to get a win into him. It’s good to finish the year like that. He’s had a couple of hard races and it’s nice for the horse.
“He’s been on the go since the breeze-ups and he’s going to get a deserved break. Things didn’t work out running downhill into the bend in France but he’s a good horse.
“Hopefully we’ll have another good summer with him next year. We’ll start off at six furlongs, I hope he can start on a winning note in the spring and go on from there.”
Henry de Bromhead enjoyed a birthday double at Cheltenham when Dancing On My Own and Whacker Clan powered up the famous hill in front
De Bromhead, who was celebrating his 51st birthday, got the day off to the best possible start with the Rachael Blackmore-ridden Dancing On My Own in the Epic Value At William Hill Handicap Chase.
The race was still in the balance on the approach to the last as Gary Moore’s Haddex Des Obeaux, who had made every yard of the running, was still holding a slender lead when coming down at the final fence.
Having set a searching gallop, Haddex Des Obeaux had seen them all off bar the eventual winner and Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Guy, who were the only three in contention for the final half mile.
As Guy began to weaken up the hill and Haddex Des Obeaux came down, Dancing On My Own (14-1), the winner of Aintree’s Red Rum Chase in April, was left to come home alone. He had two lengths to spare over Triple Trade, with In Excelsis Deo and Notlongtillmay both making good progress for minor honours.
De Bromhead said: “Rachael gave him a super ride, she was brilliant on him.
“I was worried about his big weight and he was up 7lb for Aintree but I’m delighted with him, he jumped super.
“He’s funny, he just loves to go a good decent gallop the whole way, so the other horse going on suited him, and Rachael knows him better than anyone.
“Let’s see what the handicapper thinks, but he could come back for the Schloer maybe, we might need to look at conditions chases as he’s boxing up there.
“We haven’t managed to win the two-mile division (Queen Mother) but even with Energumene out, there are plenty of good horses in it.”
De Bromhead ran two in the Epic Jumps Season At William Hill Handicap Chase, with Blackmore on Amirite but it was the Darragh O’Keeffe-ridden Whacker Clan (12-1) who jumped his rivals into submission from the front.
He looked a sitting duck as Twig challenged over the last but pulled out more to win by three lengths.
“He’s a hardy fella and has just been progressing. A lot of plans were hatched for him in the Strand hotel at Dunmore East. It’s one of those pubs, and the syndicate members are very enthusiastic,” said De Bromhead.
“He might be a horse that could get into the Kim Muir but we need to back off him.”
Louise Foyle, one of the winning owners, said: “Henry’s our local trainer and we have three in syndicates with him. The Strand is our family business and we love a party. We’ve been coming for years, and it’s amazing to see our own horse win.”
Ancient Wisdom showed an abundance of spirit and stamina to land the Kameko Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster.
Charlie Appleby’s charge made the running early on but was headed by Devil’s Point and Dancing Gemini when the pace quickened three furlongs out.
However, Ancient Wisdom got a second wind in the latter stages and galloped on strongly to outstay Devil’s Point by a length and three-quarters.
William Buick’s mount was sent off the 5-4 favourite, while God’s Window stayed on to finish a head behind Devil’s Point in third. Aidan O’Brien’s Diego Velazquez faded out of contention.
Ancient Wisdom, supplemented for the race on Monday, was cut to as short as 6-1 with Betfair and Paddy Power for next year’s Derby, while Coral offered 8-1 for him to win the Epsom Classic.
The start of the race was delayed by a nasty incident when Battle Cry reared up in the stalls and fell backwards, unseating jockey Ben Curtis in the process.
That forced the O’Brien-trained outsider to be withdrawn but both horse and jockey were thankfully able to walk away.
Trinidadian cyclist Nicholas Paul followed up his Men’s Sprint gold medal at the 2023 Pan Am Games in Santiago, Chile with a silver medal in the Men’s Keirin final on Friday.
The 25-year-old, who won gold in the men's sprint event at the Velodromo Penalolen on Thursday, used his electric sprint speed in the final lap to power himself to second place, after falling behind the pack with a couple of laps remaining in the six-lap event.
The keirin final was won by Colombia's Kevin Quintero, the reigning world champion in the event, while Mexico's Juan Ruiz Teran finished in third spot.
Paul also took Keirin gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Grand National hero Corach Rambler kicked off his campaign by finishing fifth behind Elvis Mail in the Edinburgh Gin Chase at Kelso.
The nine-year-old, who was giving a stone and more away to all of his rivals, has tended to need the outing when making his seasonal reappearance and a slow pace did not suit the out-and-out stayer.
Derek Fox was content to bide his time at the back of the six-runner field in the early stages, as Empire Steel and Highland Hunter dictated the pace at the head of affairs.
Lucinda Russell’s charge jumped fluently for much of the contest but was caught flat-footed when those ahead of him quickened up from the third-last fence.
Corach Rambler was untidy at the penultimate obstacle and was then left to coast home, while 11-4 chance Elvis Mail kept on strongly to get the better of Highland Hunter by two lengths.
Corach Rambler remains the 16-1 favourite with Coral to defend his Grand National crown at Aintree next April.
Henry de Bromhead enjoyed a birthday winner at Cheltenham when Dancing On My Own was driven home by Rachael Blackmore in the Epic Value At William Hill Handicap Chase.
De Bromhead was celebrating his 51st birthday but the race was still in the balance on the approach to the last as Gary Moore’s Haddex Des Obeaux, who had made every yard of the running, was still holding a slender lead when coming down at the final fence.
Having set a searching gallop, Haddex Des Obeaux had seen them all off bar the eventual winner and Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Guy, who were the only three in contention for the final half mile.
As Guy began to weaken up the hill and Haddex Des Obeaux came down, Dancing On My Own (14-1), the winner of Aintree’s Red Rum Chase in April, was left to come home alone. He had two lengths to spare over Triple Trade, with In Excelsis Deo and Notlongtillmay both making good progress for minor honours.
De Bromhead said: “Rachael gave him a super ride, she was brilliant on him.
“I was worried about his big weight and he was up 7lb for Aintree but I’m delighted with him, he jumped super.
“He’s funny, he just loves to go a good decent gallop the whole way, so the other horse going on suited him, and Rachael knows him better than anyone.
“Let’s see what the handicapper thinks, but he could come back for the Schloer maybe, we might need to look at conditions chases as he’s boxing up there.
“We haven’t managed to win the two-mile division (Queen Mother) but even with Energumene out, there are plenty of good horses in it.”
Steve Borthwick has made increasing depth in certain positions his priority having begun planning for the Six Nations even before the World Cup bronze medals had been presented to his England players.
After the heartbreak of falling to a late penalty in their 16-15 semi-final defeat by South Africa six days earlier, England dug deep to edge Argentina 26-23 in front of a hostile crowd at the Stade de France on Friday.
It was a sign of the team’s growing resilience that they were able to climb off the canvas to deal with motivated opponents playing to restore reputations battered by their capitulation to New Zealand.
Borthwick now has a solid platform off which to build for the Six Nations and the most pressing duty post-World Cup is to compile his review of the tournament before discussing his finding with his coaching staff in a fortnight’s time.
England’s head coach has indicated that part of the review will focus on the lack of options in some areas of the team – primarily front row and inside centre.
“I’ve already started looking forward to the Six Nations. The planning is in the early stages and already started in my mind,” Borthwick said.
“Naturally at the end of World Cups there are always some players that decide their time as a current England player will come to an end, but the age profile of the squad is strong.
“If you look at the semi-finals last week we had seven players who were 25 or under – more than any other team in the semi-finals.
“And there are a number of exciting young players that didn’t make the 33-man squad but who were part of the preparations over the summer.
“We know that the distribution positionally of those players isn’t necessarily even. We know there are some areas where we’re a bit thinner than others.
“I need to make sure we’re doing some work and finding some depth in those keys positions.
“That’s going to be part of my project over the next period of time along with my coaches.”
Theo Dan performed well against Argentina but the knockout games against Fiji and South Africa were deemed too big a stage for the rookie hooker, forcing Jamie George to start and finish both games.
The Springboks loss revealed that England do not have the scrummaging props to equal veterans Dan Cole and Joe Marler, while inside centre has long been a position of scarcity beyond Manu Tuilagi.
What the team will not lack in the Six Nations, however, is an an identity with second row Ollie Chessum revealing strong bonds have been formed over the last two months.
“We spoke about finishing this tournament and making sure England was in a better spot than it was when we came in,” Chessum said.
“We had a very up and down summer series and there was a lot of umming and aahing and we really felt we needed to find ourselves and that is exactly what this team has done.
“We have found our identity, we have found what we are about as a team. We have got a great group of players and a great group of people in this squad.
“We showed everyone that we can compete with the best up there. We fell short last weekend but we have come away with a medal.
“The boys are looking forward to a well-earned rest, but everyone has loved every minute and it is a shame the tournament has come to an end
“It is going to be weird waking up in my own bed on Monday and not in a hotel with the lads!”
Romantic Warrior created history at Moonee Valley when the Hong Kong star won Australia’s most prestigious race, the Ladbrokes Cox Plate.
A multiple Group One winner in his homeland, the five-year-old was facing a completely different test on Saturday.
Trained by Danny Shum, the Irish-bred son of Acclamation was ridden by home jockey James McDonald and his local knowledge proved crucial.
Caught wide on the turn into the short home straight, Romantic Warrior looked to have a mountain to climb as seven-time Group One winner Alligator Blood hit the front before being challenged by Mr Brightside.
However, McDonald got Romantic Warrior rolling and managed to get home by a short head.
Since Able Friend’s eclipse at Royal Ascot in 2015, the majority of Hong Kong’s best horses have stayed closer to home with such big prize money on offer, but Shum’s and owner Peter Lau’s adventurousness was rewarded.
“It has big meaning for me as a trainer. It makes me happy. I’m more happy than I can tell you,” Shum told www.racing.com.
“I don’t know how to tell you how happy I am. I am really happy.
“I want to thank Peter the owner for giving permission to come here. James McDonald, all the team, all the Hong Kong fans, my wife Christine, my son Aaron. I love you! I love you!”
McDonald said: “I showed belief. This horse is pretty special to me. I mentioned if he came to a Cox Plate he’d be a suitable horse.
“I meant what I said and credit to Peter and Danny, it takes a hell of a lot of balls to come out of Hong Kong with all the prize money. It is one of the best racing jurisdictions in the world and they come here and showcase their boy.
“I was comfortable. I knew I was on the right horse; I kept going ‘he’s the best horse, he’s the best horse’ so I’d ride him like it.
“I took a gamble about the 1000 (metres) or 1200. We elected to come back a spot and to the minute right now I believe that was the winning move. Giving my horse an extra length to come back.
“I let Alligator Blood near him knowing I think I can still beat him letting him out and having last crack.”
Aidan O’Brien’s Victoria Road finished back in ninth under jockey Blake Shinn.
Brian Ellison believes if Tashkhan can reproduce his brave Cesarewitch run he will win Sunday’s Prix Royal-Oak at ParisLongchamp.
Carrying top-weight, the five-year-old hit the front inside the final quarter-mile, but his welter burden told inside the last furlong and he was passed by The Shunter and eventually Pied Piper.
Ellison rated it as a career-best effort, despite it coming in a handicap, but does harbour some doubts about whether those exertions may have taken the edge off his stable star.
“He ran a blinder in the Cesarewitch. You wonder if he had too hard a race there but you don’t know until you run them, that’s the danger,” he said.
“To be fair to the horse, he is tough, he seems well at home, I’m quite happy with him even though he’s just been ticking over and it’s his last run of the year, so we’ll see.
“If he performs like he did in the Cesarewitch, he’ll win, won’t he. I think it was just about his best-ever run when you take into account the weight he was carrying. All the ratings people tend to agree, too. It was some run.
“He was only beaten by two proper horses, giving them a stone. The winner has proven his class by winning at Cheltenham and Pied Piper was running against Champion Hurdle horses most of last season.
“I don’t think there’s anything like those two in this race, but the danger is we’ve got to travel all the way to France. But he is tough and if he can repeat his Newmarket run he won’t be far away.”
Fellow British raiders in what is the French version of the St Leger include Chester Cup winner Metier and James Fanshawe’s Novel Legend, while the home team is headed by the three-year-old Double Major.
Victor Wembanyama said winning is "what I love most in life" as he celebrated his first victory as an NBA player.
Wembanyama, who measures seven feet and four inches, joined the Spurs as the first overall pick of this year's NBA Draft.
The 19-year-old had been unable to inspire San Antonio to victory against the Dallas Mavericks in the Spurs' first game of the campaign, but he played a key role as they beat the Houston Rockets 126-122 in overtime on Friday.
Wembanyama finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds and one assist, tying the scores to take the game to OT before then giving the Spurs a lead they would not relinquish.
Keldon Johnson's dunk rounded out the win, leaving a delighted Wembanyama to tell the media: "I really, really love winning.
"It's what I love most in life, so of course it feels great."
Wembanyama is the second Spurs player in the history of the franchise to have a 20-point, 10-rebound game within his first two career games.
The rookie played 31 minutes, but it was when he came off the bench in the fourth quarter that he really swung the game in San Antonio's favour.
"At some point, they were making shots and were being successful on every play," Wembanyama said.
"We didn't put our head down, but our energy and hype weren't as persistent enough. I think the rotations by the end of the fourth quarter, bringing fresh energy on the court and managed to keep us in the game and get to overtime."
"I said this after the first preseason game or scrimmage, but he's going to make some amazing plays at least once a game, and tonight he probably had three or four." Wembanyama's team-mate Devin Vassell said of the youngster.
"But that's just a testament to him, and like I keep preaching, he makes the game easier for us and we've got to make it easier for him."
Sam Thomas has made a superb start to the season and will be looking for Al Dancer to continue his fine run of form in Sunday’s Jewson Fast Set Finish Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase at Aintree.
Al Dancer was one of the stable’s three high-profile winners at Chepstow’s big two-day meeting earlier this month, when scoring by seven and a half lengths from fellow joint-favourite Nocte Volatus.
“We were really happy with his first run at Chepstow, which has put him up to a career-high mark,” said the Glamorgan handler.
“So, with him being a 10-year-old now, we thought it was worth having another go at a good race with him.
“It’s a tough ask because it looks a very hot race, but he’s very well in himself and that’s always a big plus.
“We didn’t manage to get much out of him last season, so it’s great to get him back enjoying himself.
“Touch wood, a lot of our horses have been firing on all cylinders so far, so long may that continue.”
Tommy’s Oscar is another who will have fitness on his side after a smooth Kelso success on his seasonal reappearance for Ann Hamilton, who won here with Nuts Well in 2020.
Hitman was second in this race last year for Paul Nicholls, going down by just a head to Riders Onthe Storm.
He went on to finish third in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and the champion trainer said: “He loves to be fresh and I am sure he will win a nice race. He is still only a young horse.”
Do Your Job was sent off favourite 12 months ago, finishing sixth, and has since switched from Michael Scudamore to the in-form Lucinda Russell.
The Scottish handler said: “I always admired him when Michael had him in training and he seems to be well suited to our gallop.
“He’s a big, strong horse who takes a little bit of getting to know. We’ve done a lot of schooling, Derek (Fox) rides him and I’d love him to do well this season for the owner and all the connections.
“We’ll see how we get on with him, but I think the Old Roan Chase is a good starting point.”
Datsalrightgino signed off last season with a spirited win in the Grade Two Future Champion Novices’ Chase at Ayr and is reported in fine spirits by Jamie Snowden.
The trainer said: “He was very progressive last season as a novice and finished up almost 20lb higher than he started.
“He definitely improved for stepping up to two and a half miles and we think he’s improved again ahead of this season, although he’ll need to, as this is a tough race.
“His only real blip last term was at the Cheltenham Festival, but that was on testing ground and he bounced back with a very good win at Ayr on a nice surface.
“We’ve sidestepped a couple of possible engagements this year at Chepstow and Market Rasen because of the ground, but hopefully it should be nice, fresh ground up at Aintree.”
Dan Skelton’s My Drogo looked a horse with huge potential when scoring in the Grade One Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at this venue in April 2021, with the reopposing Minella Drama nine and a half lengths back in second.
He was last seen landing a novice chase at Cheltenham 687 days ago but has been the subject of encouraging comments by connections.
Courtland enjoyed four wins from five outings during a successful summer spell for Peter Bowen, while Emma Lavelle’s Hang In there is chasing a hat-trick after victories at Stratford and Worcester.
Jetoile ended last term with a Chepstow double, while Erne River has always been held in high regard by Nick Kent and completes a quality field.
Ollie Bearman was barely three months old when Fernando Alonso won his first world championship in 2005 – but on his Formula One debut in Mexico City, the Essex 18-year-old finished ahead of the double world champion.
“That was an added bonus,” he said with a broad smile.
On Friday, Bearman made history by becoming the youngest British driver to step foot in an F1 machine at a Grand Prix weekend. And he quietly impressed, too.
Competing for American outfit Haas, Bearman finished 15th in first practice, only 1.6 seconds slower than triple world champion Max Verstappen, and three tenths adrift of Nico Hulkenberg – a veteran of 200 grands prix – in the other Haas. He was also speedier than Alonso.
Five rookies were fielded at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, and Bearman was quickest of them all.
Raised in Chelmsford, and schooled at King Edward VI Grammar, Bearman joined Ferrari’s driver academy, aged only 16.
Bearman had just won both the German and Italian Formula Four championships, and his performances made those at Maranello sit up and take note.
He quit school – despite initial resistance from his mother, Terri – left the family home in Chelmsford, and moved to Modena, a dozen miles north of Ferrari’s headquarters in northern Italy. Two years on, and his Italian twang is noticeable.
“Maybe I got a bit lucky not to get the Essex accent,” he joked, in an interview with the PA news agency.
“A lot of people have told me my accent has changed even if I don’t notice it. I spend a lot of time with Italians and to communicate with people where English is not their first language is not easy, so I have changed my word order and ended up with this everywhere accent.
“When I moved to Modena it happened pretty quickly. It was like going to university two years early, but I have loved every moment so far. My mum was very pro-school and very pro-education, but we managed to convince her in the end.
“I miss my family, my two dogs – I have an English Bull Terrier and a Boston Terrier and they are very cute – and that is the negative side. But the food in Italy is a big chunk above the English stuff, and the weather is better, too.”
Following four victories in his rookie Formula Two season – the feeder series to F1 – Bearman was thrust into the spotlight in Mexico City, eclipsing Lando Norris as the sport’s youngest Brit.
Norris, now in his fifth season, was three months shy of his 19th birthday when he took part in practice for McLaren in Belgium in 2018. Bearman turned 18 in May.
When Lewis Hamilton made his F1 bow, Bearman was only 18 months old. Yet on Friday, he shared the same asphalt as the seven-time world champion.
“When I heard Hamilton was coming up behind me on a push lap I was like ‘wow, I will get out of the way’,” he added.
However, it was Hamilton’s former McLaren team-mate, the 2009 world champion Jenson Button, who was Bearman’s childhood hero.
“I heard Jenson was praising me on Sky, and that was amazing for me to hear,” he adds.
“I don’t know why, but he was always the guy I loved and really looked up to. It is cool that he recognised my performance in practice, and I will try to speak to him here – that is my goal.”
Bearman will remain in F2 next season and he will be back in an F1 machine in practice for Haas – effectively Ferrari’s B team – next month in Abu Dhabi.
“It is really cool that I have been given this opportunity,” he said. “My whole career has been a pinch-yourself moment, and this is another one.
“Ferrari is such an elusive team. They are an iconic brand, they have an iconic colour and they have the best-looking car on the grid. They are putting a lot of trust in me, and loyalty is an important part of this paddock.
“Of course my goal is to become a Ferrari driver, and I need to do that with my performances on track. Today was an amazing moment, and one I will savour for years to come.
“It is a shame it was only practice, but it is all part and parcel of the work we have been doing to get to the top.”
Steve Borthwick signed off an encouraging World Cup after England edged Argentina 26-23 at the Stade de France to claim third place.
The Pumas paid the price for allowing England to build a 13-0 lead and while they fought back to control the second half, Borthwick’s men held their nerve to send scrum-half Ben Youngs into Test retirement with a bronze medal.
Their only defeat at France 2023 was the agonising 16-15 loss to South Africa in the semi-final.
“I’m delighted for the players to get the win after they have worked so hard,” Borthwick said.
“We won six games out of seven and lost one game by one point to the current world champions and current world number one, which shows the progress of the team. It shows how the team has built during the tournament.
“Playing finals games at World Cups is important. In the last two World Cups this group of players have played six finals games and won four of them.
“Clearly we want to be in the final and winning the gold medal. That wasn’t to be, but having finals experience has been important for this squad.
“The players should be very proud of their efforts and the challenges they have overcome. While things haven’t been perfect, they find a way to win games.
“Now we didn’t last weekend – we lost by a point, which will hurt for a long time. But when the players have found themselves in tough circumstances they have found a way to win.”
With all neutrals at the Stade de France supporting Argentina and with Red Rose fans making the trip across The Channel in small numbers only, England played in the most hostile atmosphere they have encountered at this World Cup.
Captain Owen Farrell was booed throughout and most noisily when he was lining up penalties and conversions.
“I wasn’t surprised. It’s usually like that here. When you play against France in Six Nations here, they don’t cheer you when you’re having a shot at goal!” Farrell said.
“It’s a bit different here in France to how it is over in England when a kicker’s taking a shot. But that’s what it is – just different. That’s no problem.”
Argentina head coach Michael Cheika felt that his Pumas did not get the rub of the green with referee Nic Berry, especially at the scrum.
“The game could have ended differently especially when you look at the final 15 minutes,” Cheika said.
“We did everything we could and we deserved more, both in terms of result and refereeing.
“Three or four scrums we were dominating and despite that we got no reward for it. For me that was very surprising.
“To be here on October 27 is very positive for the fans and for us. What is missing for us is excellence. It’s hard to accept losing this game and draw any positives from it.
“I believe that our trajectory over this World Cup will make Argentinians proud. We will come back stronger.”
Doncaster’s Kameko Futurity Trophy meeting will go ahead as planned this afternoon.
While day one of the weekend fixture on Friday fell foul of waterlogging in places, hopes were reasonably high the card featuring the final Group One of the domestic season would survive after the movement of rails to avoid troublesome areas.
A precautionary inspection confirmed that view after a dry but misty night, meaning an intriguing main event will see a highly-anticipated clash between Charlie Appleby’s Arabian Crown and the Aidan O’Brien-trained Diego Velazquez.
No problems are reported over jumps at Cheltenham and Kelso, where Grand National winner Corach Rambler returns to action in the Edinburgh Gin Chase. At Cheltenham, the star attraction could be Flooring Porter, as the dual Stayers’ Hurdle hero goes over fences for the first time in the William Hill Lengthen Your Odds Novices’ Chase.
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