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Category: Sports

  • Has West Indies’ Pooran perfected T20 batting?

    Has West Indies’ Pooran perfected T20 batting?

    A West Indies left-hander dominating T20 cricket while striking sixes at will? You’d be forgiven for thinking we have been here before.

    But, with another devastating innings in the Indian Premier League on Tuesday, Nicholas Pooran continued his remarkable run of form in the shortest format – a run that is threatening to rewrite the rulebooks.

    Since the start of last year he has scored 738 more T20 runs than anyone else, is averaging 42.31, and is doing so while batting with a strike-rate of 162.49.

    Batters generally have a high strike-rate or average in T20s. Pooran is managing to achieve both.

    Is Pooran best in the world and better than Gayle?

    Condense the timeframe further and Pooran’s statistics are even more remarkable.

    In his last 10 innings he is averaging 57.7 while striking at 199, suggesting he has found the cheat code.

    He has hit 211 sixes since the start of 2024. The next batter on the list is South African Heinrich Klaasen on 124.

    Pooran, 29, broke former West Indies team-mate Chris Gayle’s record for the most sixes in a calendar year last year – he hit 139 to Gayle’s 135 in 2015 – and after scores of 70, 75, 44, 12 and 87 not out in this year’s IPL is averaging 4.8 sixes per match this season.

    No-one can better that in the IPL’s history with Gayle’s average of 3.9 per match during his peak years in 2012 the next best record.

    “I don’t plan to hit sixes,” Pooran said earlier in the season.

    “I just try my best to get in good positions and if it’s there, just time the ball nicely.”

    What makes Pooran so good?

    Pooran is regarded as one of the world’s best hitters of spin.

    Over the past two IPL seasons, playing for Lucknow Super Giants, he has scored 448 runs at an average of 89.6 and strike-rate of 184.4 against slow bowlers – again suggesting he can bat with severe aggression while not getting out.

    He stands with a classical-looking, slightly-open stance, taps the ground once as the spinner enters his delivery stride and then thrashes the ball with his fast hands.

    “I’ve never worked on my bat speed, I’m just blessed with incredible talent,” Pooran said.

    The Trinidadian is not afraid to dispatch pace either. His strike-rate is 173.5 against left-arm quicks and 163.5 against right-armers.

    According to analysts CricViz, there is not one line of pace bowling Pooran does not strike at more than 200 against at the death.

    He strikes at more than 200 against every length except for yorkers, against which he takes down bowlers at a still-remarkable 166.

    “He is a hard worker. No one ever sees that,” former England all-rounder Samit Patel, who has played with Pooran at Trinbago Knight Riders and MI Emirates, told the BBC.

    “The amount of training he does to try and hit sixes is phenomenal.

    “His mindset is absolutely second to none and he is fully committed. There are no half-hearted swings.

    “Having seen him train, if the ball lands in a certain area, he has trained and trained so it is natural to him [to hit sixes].”

    Since the start of 2023, Pooran strikes at 344.7 runs per hundred balls when playing the slog sweep, 266.7 when playing a hook shot and 234.7 on the pull.

    What can the bowlers do?

    Having previously batted in the middle order, Lucknow Super Giants and West Indies now use Pooran as a number three.

    The result has been him succeeding in each phase of the game – the powerplay, middle overs and the death.

    Analysts CricViz measure a batter’s performance with their ‘batting impact’ model and Pooran is the only player the world to have an average impact above four in all three phases since 2023.

    The only obvious chink in Pooran’s armour is against left-arm wrist-spin, against which he averages 31.5 and strikes at 108.6.

    He does have a weakness against bouncers, but only when they are bowled in the channel just outside off stump.

    Stray too wide and he averages 55.5. Get too straight with a line above the stumps and that number jumps to 126.

    “Because he hits 360 degrees he is very difficult to bowl at,” Patel says.

    “From a spinners point of view, we try and make him cut the ball. We try and make him hit behind the wicket.

    “If he hits fours it’s OK. When he hits sixes we know he is dangerous.”

  • Ronaldo pays tribute after death of former coach

    Ronaldo pays tribute after death of former coach

    Cristiano Ronaldo has paid tribute following the death on Tuesday of the coach who discovered him and several other elite Portuguese players.

    Aurelio da Silva Pereira, who died aged 77, created Sporting Lisbon’s recruitment and training department in 1988 and went on to be responsible for the development of some of Portugal’s finest players.

    The list of players he discovered and nurtured includes Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Nani and Ricardo Quaresma.

    “One of the greatest symbols of world training has left us, but his legacy will live on forever,” Ronaldo posted, external on social media.

    “I will never stop being grateful for everything he did for me and for so many other players. Until forever, Mr. Aurelio, thank you for everything. Rest in peace.”

    Aurelio Pereira was partly responsible for Portugal’s greatest football achievement, as the Euro 2016-winning squad featured 10 players he helped to discover. That team was nicknamed the ‘Aurelios’.

    In 2017, he received the Medal of Sporting Merit from the City of Lisbon and, in 2018, Uefa distinguished him with the Order of Merit for his contribution to the development of Portuguese and European football.

    “The death of Aurelio Pereira represents an irreparable loss for Portuguese Football,” the Portuguese Football Federation said in a statement.

    “For history, in addition to the enormous legacy built by the man who discovered some of the best players in our history, there will be a kind person, of fine treatment and who always defended our talent.”

    Sporting – for whom Aurelio Pereira played and later coached after returning from Lisbon rivals Benfica – named their academy’s main pitch after him.

    “He was a master in his field and a person everyone agreed upon,” Sporting said in a statement.

    “He will forever be remembered as one of the greatest names in the history of national football and, above all, in the history of Sporting Clube de Portugal.”

    Nani wrote, external on social media: “Thank you for everything. You were a great friend, an excellent human being, who gave me good and important advice. I’ll never forget everything I learned from you, my friend.”

  • Why Emery seeks redemption on PSG return

    Why Emery seeks redemption on PSG return

    Unai Emery returns to Paris St-Germain to exorcise the personal demons of the so-called “La Remontada” while providing the X-factor in Aston Villa’s attempt to reach a Champions League semi-final.

    When the key elements of Villa’s strategy to outflank this outstanding, emerging PSG side – who have already beaten Manchester City in the group stage and sent Liverpool out in the last 16 – are studied, eyes will turn as much to the master European strategist in their technical area as to those carrying out his instructions on the pitch.

    And the narrative of what promises to be a thunderous night at Parc des Princes is held together by a selection of sub-plots, with Emery the central figure.

    The Spaniard won seven trophies in two-year spell at PSG between 2016 and 2018 – including Ligue 1 in his second and final season – but his work here is still viewed through the prism of a nightmare night that will forever be known as “Le Remontada” (The Comeback).

    It was the last-16 tie in the Champions League in 2017 when PSG thrashed the vintage Barcelona side boasting feared forwards Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez 4-0 in the first leg in Paris.

    But in dramatic, unforgettable fashion, the French side were beaten 6-1 in a controversial return at the Camp Nou – a shattering loss that included conceding three goals in seven staggering minutes.

    Emery was the first coach in Champions League history to lose a first-leg lead of such a margin, an aberration that cast a shadow over his successes in Paris.

    An added twist in the tale is that Luis Enrique, who will stand a few yards away in the PSG technical area on Wednesday, was Barcelona’s coach on the night even he described as “a horror movie not a drama”.

    Emery returns to Paris in a contest that gives the 53-year-old a shot at redemption rather than a quest for revenge.

    And Villa’s quiet confidence as they arrived here is largely based on Emery’s European expertise.

    A Villa insider told BBC Sport: “He is a genius. No stone will be left unturned. The key is attention to detail. No team will be more prepared than Aston Villa. He is incredibly meticulous and will have been forming a strategy in his head as soon as this draw was made.

    “It’s not about revenge, although of course he will love to beat PSG. This is about finding a way to win a Champions League quarter-final against an incredibly good side.”

    The belief of Villa’s players and supporters is backed up by compelling evidence that this is the arena where Emery operates best, having guided Sevilla to three successive Europa League triumphs in 2014, 2015 and 2016 – the latter against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool – before repeating the feat with Villarreal against Manchester United in 2021.

    Emery also took Arsenal to the 2019 Europa League final in what was regarded as disappointing spell in north London, and led Villarreal to a Champions League semi-final in 2022, losing to Liverpool.

    The unique demands of European football are Emery’s playground – which is why Villa believe in, and why PSG and Enrique will be wary of, such a wily operator.

    Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans said in his pre-match media briefing: “We take confidence from him. He knows what it is like to be at this stage of the Champions League.

    “He has a plan in place and we are ready to play this game.”

    European football is Emery’s scene – and he will enjoy trying to plot PSG’s downfall.

    Villa arrived in Paris high on confidence having secured an FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace at Wembley, before moving into strong contention for a place in the Premier League’s top four with Saturday’s victory over in-form Nottingham Forest.

    Emery has led Villa to seven consecutive victories in all competitions for the first time since a 10-game winning run between March and April 2019, while in the Championship. It was the first time as a top-tier team since March 1981, when they won seven matches in succession on their way to lifting the title.

    Emery is relishing another tactical battle with old adversary Luis Enrique as he said: “It is my first time back and it will be a special moment. I am very proud to bring Aston Villa back here in the Champions League.

    “PSG are dominating in their league. They have just won the title and they have played some amazing matches, beating Liverpool, who were probably the favourites, in the last round.”

    Villa’s hopes will also rest on the ability, and perhaps inside information, from forward Marco Asensio, who is on loan from PSG but can play against his parent club.

    The 29-year-old Spain international won La Liga and the Champions League on three occasions each with Real Madrid. He added Ligue 1 and Coupe de France trophies with PSG, before falling out of favour under Enrique after seven goals in 47 appearances.

    Having arrived in January, Asensio showed his quality with three goals over two legs as Villa beat Club Brugge 6-1 on aggregate in the last 16.

    The tactical duel between the two bosses will also play a key role in the destiny of the tie, with Villa’s manager a huge admirer of his PSG counterpart.

    Emery said: “Luis Enrique is one of the best coaches in the world. He showed it with Barcelona, the Spain national team, Celta Vigo and now here.

    “I have faced him a lot of times. It is difficult tactically against him to impose what we want but we must try.

    “He is very demanding with how he creates his teams. They are very good in how they press and keeping ball possession. They are very aggressive and intense.

    “I can learn from other coaches and he always does something astute tactically, but we must have a plan ourselves. Hopefully this will be a good match and we do our best for Aston Villa.”

    And this is Villa’s big hope. That the man who always has a European plan can plot another landmark result in their history – and help put a painful reminder of his past behind him.

  • I’ve never been in better form before Masters – McIlroy

    I’ve never been in better form before Masters – McIlroy

    Rory McIlroy believes he has never “been in better form” coming into the Masters as he looks to finally land the only major title that has eluded him.

    The 35-year-old Northern Irishman returns to Augusta as one of the favourites to win the Green Jacket this weekend.

    McIlroy, who has earned seven top-10 finishes in his previous 16 Masters appearances, has already claimed two tournament wins in 2025.

    A dominant final round led to a two-shot victory at Pebble Beach in February, before he mentally reset to win The Players Championship at Sawgrass in a play-off showdown on the Monday.

    It is the first time he has won two PGA Tour events before heading to Augusta National.

    “I played great at Pebble Beach. Had to do it the hard way at Sawgrass, coming back on the Monday and playing in tough conditions,” McIlroy told BBC Sport NI.

    “Those are great confidence builders, they are validations of the stuff I worked on at the end of last year and it shows me my game is on the right track.”

    The high level of McIlroy’s game is shown in a number of the key statistics used by the PGA Tour to assess its players.

    As well as the obvious measure of the two titles, McIlroy has the lowest scoring average among the 186 players with 69.281.

    Scottie Scheffler, the standout dominant player and reigning Masters champion, is second behind McIlroy with 69.499, while the tour average is 71.45.

    McIlroy has been solid off the tee and, with getting the better of the devilish Augusta greens crucial, also ranks in the top 10 of the putting stats.

    However, he lags down the list in terms of greens in regulation, which is another vital component for Masters champions.

    “Every year I come back with the goal of winning this tournament and after the start I’ve had this year I don’t feel like I’ve ever been in better form coming into this week,” McIlroy said.

    “I’m happy to be here and I’m excited to get going.”

    A sports psychologist & watching Bridgerton – inside McIlroy’s latest history bid

    Ever since McIlroy claimed the fourth major of his career – almost 11 years ago – there has been fervent discussion about his chances of winning the Masters to secure a rare ‘career Grand Slam’.

    Only five men have completed the full collection of Masters, US PGA Championship, the Open Championship and US Open titles – Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

    Going into the 2015 Masters, McIlroy was the overwhelming favourite to win the Green Jacket.

    He had won back-to-back majors in 2014 at the Open and US PGA – having previously won the 2011 US Open and 2012 PGA.

    McIlroy has made six top-10 finishes at Augusta in the past 10 years but has not won another major since a gripping triumph at Valhalla.

    Before his 11th attempt at golfing immortality, McIlroy insists the “excitement outweighs the burden”.

    “I understand the narrative and the noise,” he said.

    “There is a lot of anticipation and build-up coming into this tournament each and every year, but I just have to keep my head down and focus on my job.”

    McIlroy has been working with sports psychologist Bob Rotella in the build-up to his 17th career appearance at the Masters.

    The pair are talking, he says, about “trying to chase a feeling” on the course, rather than “getting too much into results and outcomes”.

    McIlroy has tried a number of different approach strategies in his bid for the Green Jacket.

    This year he decided to play the Houston Open – where he finished fifth – to bridge the three-week gap after Sawgrass.

    Before that he made a trip to Georgia for a reconnaissance of Augusta National, which has a slightly different look this year after being damaged by Hurricane Helene.

    “Mentally it’s one of the most demanding venues we play all year,” McIlroy told BBC Sport NI.

    “Here and the US Open are probably the two you have to take an extra second or two to think about what you’re doing, make sure you’re making the right decision, playing the right shot.

    “You have to be on the whole time from first tee shot to last putt on Sunday, and I feel like I’ve got better at doing that over the years.”

    Away from the course, McIlroy is hoping some lighter activities can take his mind off his latest tilt.

    That includes binge-watching television series Bridgerton – which he claimed he was talked into by wife Erica – and reading a fictional novel “for the first time in a long time” after picking up John Grisham’s The Reckoning.

    McIlroy is joined in Augusta by Erica and four-year-old daughter Poppy, who has recently shared his triumphant moments on the course.

    The family will take part in the Masters traditional par-three contest on Wednesday alongside McIlroy’s close friends Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood, and their wives and children.

    “It’s a nice way to go into the week, a bit of fun on the par three on Wednesday and the real stuff gets started on the Thursday,” McIlroy added.

  • Which Lionesses helped their Euro 2025 case – and who didn’t?

    Which Lionesses helped their Euro 2025 case – and who didn’t?

    The success of Agyemang and Beever-Jones, as well as further demonstration of Beth Mead’s blossoming partnership with Russo in Bristol, will not have helped Naz’s case.

    The 24-year-old forward has struggled for form at Tottenham this season and was left out of the squad originally by Wiegman.

    With Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly, James and Russo all still to return, Naz has a big job to win a Euro 2025 place.

    She is not the only one as Brighton’s Nikita Parris, who earned a recall to the squad after two years in February, did not capitalise on her opportunity to impress.

    Parris earned praise from Wiegman for her hold-up play and her game management skills in slowing playing down during February’s 1-0 win over Spain and was trusted to fill Russo’s shoes in the number nine position against Belgium as a result.

    But Parris came off after an hour, having struggled to implement England’s press and having barely had a sniff at goal.

    While Parris was given an opportunity and did not take it, Manchester United captain Maya Le Tissier was again overlooked.

    Despite consistently impressing for United, who have the best defensive record in the WSL this season, it was not Le Tissier who Wiegman turned to when England were being carved open in Belgium.

    Instead, Esme Morgan and Jess Carter came on as half-time substitutes.

    There are still opportunities to impress Wiegman but time is running out – and following this topsy-turvy double header with Belgium, the England manager has plenty to think about.

    The success of Agyemang and Beever-Jones, as well as further demonstration of Beth Mead’s blossoming partnership with Russo in Bristol, will not have helped Naz’s case.

    The 24-year-old forward has struggled for form at Tottenham this season and was left out of the squad originally by Wiegman.

    With Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly, James and Russo all still to return, Naz has a big job to win a Euro 2025 place.

    She is not the only one as Brighton’s Nikita Parris, who earned a recall to the squad after two years in February, did not capitalise on her opportunity to impress.

    Parris earned praise from Wiegman for her hold-up play and her game management skills in slowing playing down during February’s 1-0 win over Spain and was trusted to fill Russo’s shoes in the number nine position against Belgium as a result.

    But Parris came off after an hour, having struggled to implement England’s press and having barely had a sniff at goal.

    While Parris was given an opportunity and did not take it, Manchester United captain Maya Le Tissier was again overlooked.

    Despite consistently impressing for United, who have the best defensive record in the WSL this season, it was not Le Tissier who Wiegman turned to when England were being carved open in Belgium.

    Instead, Esme Morgan and Jess Carter came on as half-time substitutes.

    There are still opportunities to impress Wiegman but time is running out – and following this topsy-turvy double header with Belgium, the England manager has plenty to think about.

    The success of Agyemang and Beever-Jones, as well as further demonstration of Beth Mead’s blossoming partnership with Russo in Bristol, will not have helped Naz’s case.

    The 24-year-old forward has struggled for form at Tottenham this season and was left out of the squad originally by Wiegman.

    With Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly, James and Russo all still to return, Naz has a big job to win a Euro 2025 place.

    She is not the only one as Brighton’s Nikita Parris, who earned a recall to the squad after two years in February, did not capitalise on her opportunity to impress.

    Parris earned praise from Wiegman for her hold-up play and her game management skills in slowing playing down during February’s 1-0 win over Spain and was trusted to fill Russo’s shoes in the number nine position against Belgium as a result.

    But Parris came off after an hour, having struggled to implement England’s press and having barely had a sniff at goal.

    While Parris was given an opportunity and did not take it, Manchester United captain Maya Le Tissier was again overlooked.

    Despite consistently impressing for United, who have the best defensive record in the WSL this season, it was not Le Tissier who Wiegman turned to when England were being carved open in Belgium.

    Instead, Esme Morgan and Jess Carter came on as half-time substitutes.

    There are still opportunities to impress Wiegman but time is running out – and following this topsy-turvy double header with Belgium, the England manager has plenty to think about.

  • Grand National horse that collapsed after final fence dies

    Grand National horse that collapsed after final fence dies

    Grand National runner Celebre d’Allen has died following Saturday’s race at Aintree.

    The 13-year-old horse, the oldest of the 34 runners, was pulled up after the final fence and collapsed on the track.

    Following treatment on the course, the gelding was walked into the horse ambulance and taken to the racecourse stables for further assessment.

    But after initially showing signs of recovery, his condition “deteriorated significantly” and he died on Tuesday.

    Jockey Micheal Nolan, Celebre d’Allen’s rider, was handed a 10-day suspension on Saturday after Aintree stewards ruled he had “continued in the race when the horse appeared to have no more to give and was clearly losing ground after the second-last fence”.

    BBC Sport has been told Nolan will not face any further punishment from the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).

    “To place blame entirely on the jockey is speculative and subjective in terms of being able to prove that,” said BHA chief executive Brant Dunshea.

    Celebre d’Allen was a 125-1 shot at the National, which was won by jockey Patrick Mullins on Nick Rockett.

    On Tuesday, it was also announced that Mullins has been given an eight-day ban after his ride was referred to the Whip Review Committee.

    The amateur jockey, 35, breached the whip rules during the race, using his whip eight times after the final fence when the limit in jump racing is seven.

    He will be suspended for eight separate days including 23 and 25 April.

    What happened to the horse and was he fit to race?

    The BHA said it would analyse the “race and incident in detail” and send the horse for a post-mortem investigation.

    The horse had remained at Aintree on Saturday night before he was taken to a nearby stud farm connected to trainers Philip Hobbs and Johnson White Racing on Sunday “having shown improvement”.

    In a statement, the trainers said: “He received the very best treatment by the veterinary teams and was improving. However, he deteriorated significantly last night and could not be saved. He was a wonderful horse and we will all miss him greatly.”

    The BHA said Celebre d’Allen passed the necessary checks to race at Aintree.

    “As with all runners in the Grand National, Celebre d’Allen was provided with a thorough check by vets at the racecourse,” a BHA statement read.

    “This health check includes a trot up, physical examination of limbs to check for any heat, pain or swelling, and listening to the heart to check for any murmur or rhythm disturbance.

    “This marks the final step in an extensive process of checks to ensure a horse’s suitability to race in the National, which also includes a review of veterinary records and assessment by a panel of experts to consider a horse’s race record and suitability to race.”

    Animal welfare charity the RSPCA posted on X: “We await the British Horseracing Authority’s investigation into these deaths.”

    What will happen to the jockey?

    The BHA said the suspension given to Nolan was in line with the sport’s penalty framework and it would not be revisited.

    The steward’s report said they interviewed Nolan and veterinary officer, and recordings of the incident were viewed before the ban was decided upon.

    Nolan has received a significant volume of abuse since the incident and it now appears he has deleted his social media.

    “It’s important to note that it’s also not possible to attribute the outcome of this incident to the jockey,” said Dunshea.

    “As with humans a collapse and sometimes death can occur in fit and healthy horses of all breeds.”

    He added: “Yes the horse should have been pulled up. The stewards took a dim view of that which is reflected in the penalty applied.

    “Nobody can say for certainty the jockey’s actions have directly led to the outcome.”

    How common is a fatality?

    Celebre d’Allen was the second fatality at the Grand National festival after the Willie Mullins-trained Willy De Houelle sustained a fatal injury when falling in Thursday’s Juvenile Hurdle.

    Broadway Boy, who led the National before suffering a heavy fall, has now returned home.

    The BHA said that prior to Saturday’s race there had been no fatal injuries in the previous nine races run over the Grand National course since the 2023 event.

    The number of runners in the showpiece race was cut from 40 to 34 after the 2023 race, where one horse died, to improve safety.

    At 13, Celebre d’Allen was by far the oldest runner this year, but the BHA said that while there is not a set age limit, it is one of the factors considered by the Grand National Review Panel when determining whether a horse is suitable to race.

    The BHA said there had been 24 13-year-olds since 2000 who have competed in the Grand National, with no fatalities.

    The body cites exercise-associated sudden death, where a horse collapses and dies during or immediately after exercise, happens at an overall rate of 0.04% of runners.

    Although it is not yet clear why the horse died, the BHA stressed what happened to Celebre d’Allen is “even rarer”.

    What has been the reaction?

    Celebre d’Allen’s death prompted criticism from animal rights groups.

    “The blame for his death lies not with any individual, but with the ‘sport’ of horse racing itself,” said Animal Rising spokesperson Ben Newman.

    “Again and again, we see horses pushed far beyond their limits, to the point of injury, collapse and death.”

    Animal Aid campaigns manager Nina Copleston-Hawkens said: “To allow a horse of this age to be ridden to death in the most gruelling race in the country is disgraceful – and the blame for his end lies fairly and squarely with the British Horseracing Authority.”

    World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Owers said: “We are deeply saddened to hear about the death of Celebre d’Allen after last Saturday’s Grand National and our heart goes out to all those who cared for him. Every effort must be made to learn lessons from this very sad outcome.”

    ‘He pulled up as soon as he felt something’

    Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey Andrew Thornton, who was a BBC Radio 5 Live pundit for Saturday’s race, said he felt Nolan did “everything in his power to look after horse” and said his 10-day ban is a “severe penalty”.

    “You can lose sight of the fact the horse jumped to the front of the race jumping three fences out, he was enjoying the race, running an absolute belter,” he said.

    “There were three fallers and not one of them was Celebre d’Allen.

    “From the jockey’s perspective he pulled up after the last fence as he felt something went amiss. The horse didn’t collapse immediately. He unsaddled him and was immediately concerned about the horse’s welfare.

    “You can not see what’s going on inside the horse, as soon as he felt it, he has pulled it up. The BHA felt he should have pulled up earlier, in hindsight, it’s easy to say, would that have made a difference? Categorically no. What happened had already happened. If the horse was so bad it would not jumped the last fence. This was a split-second decision.

    “Nolan is a stable jockey, riding for trainers who have over 3,000 winners, he knows horses inside and out. If something were amiss he would have pulled him up earlier. He is one of the kindest men you could come across, wanted to be in and around horses all his life.”

    He added: “It is a fairly major ban, he is self-employed. He will lose rides he would have got and not necessarily get them back.”

  • Cavaliers beat Bulls seal top spot in East

    Cavaliers beat Bulls seal top spot in East

    The Cleveland Cavaliers secured top spot in the Eastern Conference with a 135-113 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

    Victory means Kenny Atkinson’s side will have home advantage in next week’s play-offs following the completion of the regular season on Sunday.

    Darius Garland top-scored with 38 points as the Cavaliers improved to 63-16 with three regular-season games remaining.

    “You celebrate these moments,” said Atkinson. “I think the guys are super happy in that locker room. We’ve had some ups and downs this past month, but I’m really proud of the guys.

    “It’s hard to win 63 games in this league, and it’s hard to be the first seed. So, great accomplishment. We’re hungry for more.”

    Basketball scores and fixtures

    Elsewhere, Luka Doncic was ejected in the fourth quarter as the Los Angeles Lakers lost 136-120 to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

    Doncic was dismissed for a second technical foul after an official said he was verbally abused by the Slovenian.

    The 26-year-old insisted that he was responding to a courtside fan, but the decision stood.

    “It was nothing to do with the ref, so I didn’t really understand it,” said Doncic. “It was tough, but you know that’s on me too. I can’t let my team down like that.”

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander top-scored with 42 points for the Thunder, who have already secured top spot in the Western Conference.

    The Lakers need two wins from their remaining three regular-season games to guarantee third place.

    Just behind the Lakers in fourth are the LA Clippers, who earned a fifth successive win by beating the San Antonio Spurs 122-117.

    The Clippers have the same 47-32 record as the Denver Nuggets, the Golden State Warriors and the Memphis Grizzlies, but are ahead courtesy of NBA tiebreaker rules.

    The Warriors occupy the final play-off position in sixth after beating the Phoenix Suns 133-95. The Grizzlies are seventh after winning 124-100 at the Charlotte Hornets.A

  • Inter Milan struck late to put themselves in a strong position to advance into the Champions League semi-finals after winning the first leg of their last-eight tie at Bayern Munich.

    Inter Milan struck late to put themselves in a strong position to advance into the Champions League semi-finals after winning the first leg of their last-eight tie at Bayern Munich.

    Inter Milan struck late to put themselves in a strong position to advance into the Champions League semi-finals after winning the first leg of their last-eight tie at Bayern Munich.

    The German hosts dominated the opening half hour with England captain Harry Kane curling an effort against the right-hand post, but they fell behind to Inter’s first shot on target.

    The Serie A leaders scored a fine goal at the end of an excellent team move in the 38th minute.

    Marcus Thuram showed great skill to jump and flick the ball into Lautaro Martinez’s path with the Argentine striker firing his effort with the outside of the boot into the roof of the net.

    However, substitute Thomas Muller levelled in the 85th minute with a goal that looked to have saved Bayern from defeat.

    The 35-year-old announced last week he would be leaving in the summer, ending a 25-year association with the club, and he finished from close range after Konrad Laimer’s low cross.

    But there was to be another twist with just two minutes left.

    Inter quickly broke up field and Carlos Augusto’s cross was converted by substitute Davide Frattesi to ensure the Italians would leave Germany with a crucial advantage.

    Defeat also ended Bayern’s 22-match unbeaten home run in the Champions League, dating back to 2021.

    The second leg at the San Siro takes place on Wednesday, 16 April with the overall winners going on to play either Barcelona or Borussia Dortmund in the two-legged semi-final.

    Bayern’s Allianz Arena will stage the final on 31 May.

    ‘We still feel belief’ – Kompany

    Bayern, who are six points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, will now have to get an excellent result in Italy in eight days’ time to turn the tie around if they are to keep alive their hopes of appearing in that home final.

    And boss Vincent Kompany was confident as he said: “At the end I saw a lot of celebrations [from Inter Milan] but from our side it’s half-time, it’s 2-1 and we’re motivated for the next game.

    “The result is what it is, but it’s still an opportunity for us to win in Milan. It’s great to play at home, but also great to play away and we’re looking forward to the game.

    “We still feel belief we can win there and have no reason to think any different than we can do it – and we will do everything we can.”

    Kompany’s side included two England internationals, Kane and centre-half Eric Dier, in their injury-affected starting line-up and will rue a host of missed chances.

    Having cut inside on his left foot, former Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise had a low shot deflected just wide, while also having a 20-yard effort saved later on.

    Kane looped a header at goal, sent a second headed opportunity wide and was free in the penalty area from Olise’s pass, only to curl a finish against the post.

    That miss proved costly as Inter got back into the match with Carlos Augusto firing into the side-netting, before the well-worked opener as Inter captain Martinez netted his seventh Champions League goal this season.

    Raphael Guerreiro shot over and Kane drilled an effort wide, before Muller, who had come on as a 74th-minute substitute for Leroy Sane, pounced for his 57th goal in the competition for the six-time European champions.

    But a memorable moment for the veteran forward was ruined as Inter, beaten in the 2023 final by Manchester City, rallied again to retake the lead in dramatic fashion and gain a crucial advantage.

  • ‘Sniffles aren’t going to stop me,’ says Scheffler

    ‘Sniffles aren’t going to stop me,’ says Scheffler

    Scottie Scheffler has been in a relaxed and jovial mood throughout the start of a Masters week that could see him win a third title in four years.

    The defending champion played a practice round with his mum on Sunday, then on Tuesday joked about trying to take out the competition with a cookery lesson.

    The 28-year-old American was serving, among other things, ‘Papa Scheff’s’ meatball and ravioli bites as part of his traditional Champions Dinner menu on Tuesday evening and laughed when it was suggested he might ask the players to “make your own ravioli”.

    It was while preparing homemade ravioli, using a wine glass to stamp out the dough, that Scheffler cut his hand on Christmas Day. It was an injury that required stitches and disrupted the start of his year.

    “If I was trying to take out the competition, I would definitely do a demonstration, something along those lines, but yeah, hopefully avoid the injuries,” Scheffler joked.

    “Maybe they’ll cut up my steak for me, I won’t have to use a knife or anything like that. We’ll see.”

    Scheffler has also been dealing with a touch of hayfever, saying the pollen count is “a little worse than normal years”, adding, “but I feel good and ready to roll, sniffles aren’t going to stop me”.

    The world number one is, unsurprisingly, favourite to don the Green Jacket again on Sunday. If he does, he will become just the fourth player after Jack Nicklaus (1965-66), Sir Nick Faldo (1989-1990) and Tiger Woods (2001-2002) to win successive titles.

    He would also equal record six-time champion Nicklaus’ feat of winning three in four years, after claiming his first title in 2022. Not that Scheffler seems too bothered by creating his own bit of history.

    “I really don’t focus a lot on that stuff,” he said.

    “I focus a lot on the preparation and getting ready to play. I try to have a good attitude and approach the shots the right way. And that’s what I define success as.

    “When I step on the first tee on Thursday, I’m going to remind myself that I’ve done what I needed to do to play well, and it’s all about going out and competing.

    “I really try not to look too much into the past. I try not to look too far into the future. I just like to stay in the present and just go one week at a time.”

    And after a slow start to the year, Scheffler feels like he’s hitting form at just the right moment, with one major a month coming up for the next four months.

    He finished joint runner-up in Houston two weeks ago after climbing the leaderboard with a seven-under-par 63 in the final round.

    “This year, coming off an injury, was definitely a different feeling than I’ve had in the past few years,” he said.

    “But this is definitely as prepared as I’ve felt going into any event this year and I’m excited to get the tournament going.”

  • ‘I don’t think it’s going to hit me’ – Rice revels in free-kick magic

    ‘I don’t think it’s going to hit me’ – Rice revels in free-kick magic

    After 338 games in his professional career Declan Rice had never scored a free-kick.

    After 339 he’d scored two.

    He’d only taken 12 free-kicks across his entire career prior to Tuesday’s sensational 3-0 win for Arsenal over Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Emirates.

    With the Gunners on top but level at 0-0, the England midfielder stood up and curled round the Madrid wall and past Thibaut Courtois to put his side deservedly ahead after 58 minutes.

    Then 12 minutes later the 26-year-old stepped up and did it again, making him the first player to score two free-kicks in a Champions League knockout match.

    The sensational curling strike into the top corner was that good it left Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and boss Mikel Arteta with their hands on their heads in disbelief.

    Former Real Madrid and Brazil left-back Roberto Carlos – himself a master from a set-piece during his career – was seen looking glum-faced in the stands.

    “I don’t know whether it will ever sink in,” Rice told Amazon Prime after the game.

    “I’ve gone back to my phone then and it’s gone crazy. To score my first free-kick in a game is a special one. And then when I got the second one… I just had the confidence. I’m speechless really.

    “I don’t think it’s going to hit me, what I’ve done tonight. It’s a historic night.”

    Arsenal are a team that have become renowned for their threat at set-pieces, but direct free-kicks are something different.

    Arteta said after the game they hadn’t scored one since September 2021, so to score two in 13 minutes against Real Madrid “showed the beauty of whoever invented this sport”.

    Arsenal’s free-kicks are usually taken by Bukayo Saka or Odegaard, but Rice said that he saw the space around the Madrid wall for the first goal and told Saka he was confident.

    The England winger responded “if you feel it, go for it” – and he’ll be glad he did.

    “It didn’t make sense from that angle to cross the ball [which Arsenal’s set-piece coach Nicolas Jover was signalling to do on the touchline]. It would have to be a delicate pass,” Rice added.

    “I’m happy I took it because it was magic.”

    It didn’t stop Jover wheeling off in celebration and Rice said afterwards the coach was “claiming it”.

    Arteta added: “He can claim it if he wants, it doesn’t matter. It’s incredible.”

    The opener was the goal that Arsenal deserved for their dominance, but the best was yet to come.

    Alan Shearer said it was “absolutely incredible” and former Real Madrid midfielder Clarence Seedorf said “not even Superman would get it”.

    “It looks far out, you don’t even realise. We were going to touch and set it – me and Martin [Odegaard], but Mbappe was kind of stood too close.

    “But then I thought, I’ve got the keeper’s side, I practice this so much – I was going to go for it. I had the confidence from the first one. If it went over the bar it wouldn’t matter.

    “It’s not going to hit me now because there’s another leg to go. I’m excited, I’m happy, I’m over the moon.

    “It’s been in the locker, but I’ve hit the wall too many times or it’s gone over the bar.

    “But in a few years time this will really hit me that what I’ve done tonight was really special.”

    For Rice this was his biggest moment so far in an Arsenal shirt, but Arteta and midfielder Mikel Merino – who scored the third goal – were not surprised by how the former West Ham man stood up.

    “If there’s a player who can do it, how clean he strikes it, it’s Declan,” said Arteta.

    “But you have to execute it at the highest level. And against one of the best keeper’s in the world as well. It’s amazing.

    “He’s been very determined because we have been talking the last few months. He has done it tonight.”

    Merino added: “He has one of the best shooting abilities that I’ve seen in my career. I’m not surprised, maybe you are. Hopefully more will come in the future.”

    Former Arsenal defender Matthew Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live it was “a night to remember” for Rice and he had “single-handedly made the difference”.

    ‘At the Bernabeu, special things happen for them.’

    The 3-0 win puts Arsenal in a dominant position for the return leg at the Bernabeu on 16 April.

    There are plenty of good omens, too.

    Their first-leg win is the 12th time an English side has won by three-plus goals in the first leg of a Champions League knockout stage tie, with each of the 11 previous instances seeing that team progress.

    However, Real Madrid is a different beast at the Bernabeu and will only need to look back to 2022 when they overturned a 5-3 aggregate score in the final minutes against Manchester City.

    “To beat Real Madrid in this competition – it’s a big night for us,” said Rice.

    “But even if we’re 3-0 up, the individual quality they have is scary.

    “At the Bernabeu, special things happen for them.

    “We want to win this competition, but we have to take it one game at a time.”