Ascot
Going: good to soft (soft in places)
12.35 (2m 5f 141yd hdle) 1, Earth Lord (Sean
Houlihan, 5-1); 2, Scarpia (22-1); 3, Optimise
Prime (12-1). 12 ran. NR: Broken Quest, Franco
D’aunou. Ol, 3l. P J Hobbs.
1.10 (2m 5f 141yd hdle) 1, Party Business
(C J Todd, 22-1); 2, City Chief (15-8 fav);
3, Complete Unknown (2-1). 7 ran. 3l, Ol. Ian
Williams.
1.45 (2m 167yd ch) 1, Brave Seasca
(G Sheehan, 7-2); 2, Amarillo Sky (15-2); 3, Fast
Buck (33-1). 8 ran. 3l, 8Kl. Miss V Williams.
2.20 (1m 7f 152yd hdle) 1, Jonbon (Aidan
Coleman, Evens fav); 2, Colonel Mustard
(8-1); 3, Knappers Hill (11-4). 5 ran. 2Ol, 2Ol.
N J Henderson.
2.55 (2m 2f 175yd ch) 1, Pic D’Orhy (H Cobden,
5-4 fav); 2, Faivoir (9-4); 3, Up The Straight
(11-1). 5 ran. 9l, 18l. P F Nicholls.
3.30 (1m 7f 152yd Flat) 1, Henri The Second
(H Cobden, 100-30); 2, Authorised Speed
(11-2); 3, Top Dog (9-4 fav). 12 ran. NR: Estacas.
1l, 1Kl. P F Nicholls.
Placepot: £63.90. Quadpot: £4.70.
Southwell
Going: standard/slow
11.50 (4f 214yd) 1, The Bell Conductor
(P Mulrennan, 6-1); 2, Phoenix Star (13-2);
3, Moonraker (11-1). 10 ran. NR: Not Now Zeb.
Ol, 1Kl. P T Midgley.
12.25 (1m 6f 21yd) 1, Prince Abu (T Eaves, 11-4
fav); 2, Party Planner (14-1); 3, Rainbow’s Gift
(4-1). 9 ran. NR: Henry The Fifth, Mr
Carbonator, Scherbobalob. 1Kl, 2Nl. D Shaw.
1.00 (1m 13yd) 1, Libby Ami (Joey Haynes,
3-1); 2, Grangeclare View (9-2); 3,
Straitouttacompton (17-2). 8 ran. Nk, 3Kl.
I Furtado.1.35 (2m 2f 98yd) 1, Author’s Dream
(Marco Ghiani, 16-5); 2, Kitten’s Dream (28-1);
3, Cloud Thunder (9-4 fav). 7 ran. 2Nl, 3Nl.
W J Knight.
2.10 (7f 14yd) 1, Homer Stokes (Connor
Beasley, 15-2); 2, Sir Maxi (5-1); 3, Gypsy
Whisper (7-1). 11 ran. NR: Giorgio Vasari.
Kl, 1Ol. T D Barron.
2.45 (7f 14yd) 1, Masquerading (D Tudhope,
12-1); 2, Mostallim (6-1); 3, Western Music (8-1).
14 ran. Hd, Kl. B Smart.
3.20 (7f 14yd) 1, Tell’em Nowt (Marco Ghiani,
12-1); 2, Shyjack (11-8 fav); 3, Arlo’s Sunshine
(11-2). 12 ran. NR: Shackabooah, Zero Hour.
3 Ol, 3Kl. P S McEntee.
3.50 (2m 102yd) 1, Gustave Aitch (S H James,
2-1 fav); 2, Denable (17-2); 3, Freewheelin (7-2).
10 ran. NR: Metal Man, New Delhi Express.
Kl, nk. Grant Tuer.
Placepot: £583.60. Quadpot: £86.50.Uttoxeter
Going: good to soft
11.40 (2m 6f 45yd hdle) 1,
Letthetruthbeknown (Henry Brooke, 25-1);
2, Don’t Rightly Know (50-1); 3, Eureka Creek
(9-4). 9 ran. NR: Castkitello, Credo. 4l, 1Nl.
O Greenall.
12.15 (2m 3f 207yd hdle) 1, Immortal Fame
(Stan Sheppard, 25-1); 2, Skinflint (40-1);
3, Blended Stealth (25-1); 4, Bardd (16-1).
20 ran. 6Kl, 4l. T Lacey.
12.50 (2m 3f 207yd hdle) 1, Come On Gruff
(J J Burke, 3-1 fav); 2, Bold Soldier (14-1); 3, Tim
Pat (28-1). 14 ran. 2Nl, 3l. T R George.
1.25 (2m 4f ch) 1, Frenchy Du Large (Charlie
Deutsch, 15-8 fav); 2, Keep Rolling (7-1); 3, The
Dubai Way (11-1). 10 ran. 5l, 12l. Miss V Williams.
2.00 (2m 6f 45yd hdle) 1, Kazontherazz
(James Best, 8-1); 2, Oliver’s Island (50-1);
3, Kenyan Cowboy (11-1); 4, Wavering Down(9-2). 17 ran. NR: What A Time. Hd, 3Kl.
M Keighley.
2.35 (3m ch) 1, Bretney (T J O’Brien, 4-1 fav);
2, Isla Di Milano (11-1); 3, Earcomesbob (22-1).
13 ran. NR: Getastar. 6Kl, 4Ol. H D Daly.
3.10 (1m 7f 168yd hdle) 1, Ace Time (B Godfrey,
4-1); 2, Subway Surf (8-1); 3, Cronk Y Knox (16-
1). 9 ran. NR: Greatest Star, King Ferdinand,
Lady De Vega, Zillion. 6Kl, 1Nl. J R Jenkins.
Placepot: £448.20. Quadpot: £24.30.
Kempton Park
Going: standard/slow
4.15 (7f) 1, Puffing (Rob Hornby, 5-1);
2, Ummsuquaim (125-1); 3, Gia Darling (11-4
fav). 9 ran. 2l, 2l. R M Beckett.
4.45 (1m) 1, New Shepard (David Probert, 2-1);
2, Al Azhar (11-1); 3, Buraback (15-8 fav). 12 ran.
NR: Last Roar, Sandie’s Dream. 2Nl, 1Nl.
R Eddery.5.15 (1m) 1, Morgan Fairy (Tom Marquand,
13-8 fav); 2, Kissininthebackrow (66-1); 3,
Follow That Star (9-2). 10 ran. NR: Presently.
2 Kl, Ol. W J Haggas.
5.45 (1m) 1, Mighty Afra (Lewis Edmunds,
40-1); 2, Show Lights (7-4 fav); 3, Attentive
(100-30). 10 ran. 1Kl, 1Nl. W Muir & C Grassick.
6.15 (1m) 1, Animal Instinct (R Kingscote,
4-1); 2, Uzincso (7-4 fav); 3, Eagleway (7-2).
5 ran. 2Nl, Ol. Ian Williams.
6.45 (1m 3f 219yd) 1, Mercian Hymn (David
Probert, 13-8 fav); 2, Torbellino (4-1);
3, Mardoof (33-1). 8 ran. 5l, 1Ol. Sir M Todd.
7.15 (7f) 1, Ring Of Gold (Joanna Mason,
11-10 fav); 2, Lincoln Gamble (10-1); 3,
Magicinthemaking (14-1). 14 ran. 2Ol, 6l.
M & D Easterby.
7.45 (6f) 1, Starter For Ten (Jason Hart, 13-8
fav); 2, Porfin (16-1); 3, Coolagh Magic (3-1).
12 ran. 1l, Ol. I Furtado.
Placepot: £11.10. Quadpot: £4.70.Sport
YESTERDAY’S RACING RESULTS
Haydock Park
Thunderer
11.50 Green Book 2.05 Soul Emotion
12.20 Dreams Of Home 2.40 Remastered (nap)
12.55 Sashenka 3.15 Welsh Saint
1.30 Shakem Up’Arry
Going: hurdle: soft-heavy in places;
chase: heavy-soft in places Racing TV
11.50 Virgin Bet Conditional Jockeys'
Handicap Hurdle (£6,808: 2m) (9)
1 5P66-3CHTI BALKO 35 (CD) D McCain 9-11-12 T Gillard (3) 130
2 1/220-ALTRUISM 332 (D) J Moffatt 11-11-11 Charlotte Jones --
3 2/361-FIRAK 332 (T) D Skelton 6-11-10 J Andrews --
4 6-0364FUSAIN 119 (T,D) Mrs A Duffield 6-11-8 K Brogan --
5102604 NORDIC COMBINED 38 (T,V,D) D Pipe 7-11-6 F Gillard (3) v 135
6 4550-0DESTRIER 13 (T,D) D Skelton 8-11-5 L Williams 67
7 2-2GREEN BOOK 17 (BF) V Williams 4-11-5 Ned Fox (10) 107
8 /0364-CASWELL BAY 296 E Williams 6-10-11 Isabel Williams (3) 94
9312526 BARI BREEZE 29 (W,T) M Harris 6-10-4 K Jones 116
5-2 Chti Balko, 11-4 Green Book, 9-2 Firak, 10-1 Destrier, Bari Breeze, 12-1 Nordic Combined,
Altruism, 16-1 Fusain, Caswell Bay.
12.20 Virgin Bet Novices' Chase
(£7,284: 2m) (4)
1 111-01DREAMS OF HOME 26 (D) D McCain 5-11-6 B Hughes 124
2 6013-1FUGITIF 36 (T,D) R Hobson 6-11-6 N Scholfield v 134
3 11PP-PADRIMEL 15 (B,T) T Lacey 6-11-0 S Sheppard --
4 4452-3DIS DONC 229 (P,BF) M Hammond 8-11-0 H Brooke 133
5-4 Dreams Of Home, 2-1 Fugitif, 3-1 Adrimel, 16-1 Dis Donc.12.55 Virgin Bet Mares' Novices' Hurdle
(Listed) (£11,390: 2m 3f) (7)
1 2-1134CURRENT MOOD 7 E Williams 6-11-3 Isabel Williams^131
2 4-111FNINA THE TERRIER 21 (BF,D) A King 5-11-3 G Sheehan v 133
3 24-314HAUTE ESTIME 28 L Russell 4-11-0 D R Fox 111
4 113-4MAYHEM MYA 35 Chris Honour 4-11-0 T Cannon --
5 3 MISS MILANO 26 N Richards 6-11-0 B Hughes^85
6 1 RUSSIAN RUMOUR 23 (D) J Portman 4-11-0 J J Burke 64
7 3F2-20SASHENKA 36 M Scudamore 5-11-0 T Scudamore 123
5-4 Nina The Terrier, 11-4 Current Mood, 7-1 Sashenka, 10-1 Haute Estime, 12-1 Mayhem Mya,
Russian Rumour, 14-1 Miss Milano.1.30 Virgin Bet Handicap Chase
(£7,624: 2m) (7)
1 4200-USHAKEM UP'ARRY 41 B Pauling 7-11-12 Luca Morgan (5) --
2 /3211-WORD HAS IT 271 D McCain 7-11-11 B Hughes --
3 0U222-DESTINED TO SHINE 304 (W,T,D) Kerry Lee 9-11-9 T Scudamore --
4 /3321-PHIL THE THRILL 397 (T) Jonjo O'Neill 5-11-3 K Brogan (3) --
5 1136-PEST ILLIC 31 (D) S-J Davies 7-11-2 W T Kennedy 98
6 1-4131CASA TALL 27 (T,D) T R George 7-11-2 J J Burke 120
7 1456-4LE COEUR NET 3 (B,T,D) A Honeyball 9-11-0 R Dingle v 123
5-2 Shakem Up'arry, 7-2 Word Has It, 4-1 Destined To Shine, Casa Tall, 8-1 Phil The Thrill, 10-1 Le
Coeur Net, 20-1 Est Illic.2.05 Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle ITV4
(£13,070: 2m 3f) (9)
1 15034/SOUL EMOTION 700 D Skelton 8-11-12 J Andrews (5) --
2 3000-3N'GOLO F69 (P,T) Mrs A Duffield 6-11-10 K Brogan (3) 128
3 1/11P-STELLAR MAGIC 306 (D) P Hobbs 6-11-4 M G Nolan --
4 114/3-BOSS MAN FRED 440 D Skelton 7-11-3 L Williams --
5 311/3-MINELLA CHARMER 302 (C) J Moffatt 10-11-1Charlotte Jones (5) --
6 411-34UP FOR PAROL 41 (BF) J Snowden 5-10-12 G Sheehan 131
7 1412-LITTLE AWKWARD 283 (W) O Sherwood 5-10-12 J J Burke v 133
8 02-U13HART OF STEEL 31 (BF) D McCain 6-10-8 B Hughes 124
9 43-113MACKELDUFF 35 O Murphy 5-10-7 D England 125
3-1 Mackelduff, 100-30 Stellar Magic, 13-2 Boss Man Fred, 7-1 Little Awkward, Soul Emotion, 8-1
Up For Parol, 10-1 Minella Charmer, 12-1 Hart Of Steel, 25-1 N'Golo.
Thunderer’s choice: Soul Emotion has been off almost two years but the
handicapper has given him a chance. Dangers: Stellar Magic, Mackelduff.2.40 Virgin Bet Tommy Whittle ITV4
Handicap Chase (£26,015: 3m 2f) (16)
1 4P1PP-MR HENDRICKS 280 Christian Williams 7-11-13 N Scholfield --
2 115-3FREMASTERED 21 (T) D Pipe 8-11-13 T Scudamore^137
3 531-50VINTAGE CLOUDS 31 (P,CD) Sue Smith 11-11-12 R Mania v^153
4 11PP-PNOTACHANCE 21 A King 7-11-9 T Cannon --
5 U1U-P0SAM'S ADVENTURE 21 (P,CD) B Ellison 9-11-9 H Brooke 151
6 1/615-FADO DES BROSSES 317 E Williams 6-11-2 J J Burke --
7 261-65POTTERS LEGEND 31 (P,CD) L Wadham 11-11-0 J Quinlan 138
8 52F6-0ACEY MILAN 51 (P,T) A Honeyball 7-10-13 R Dingle 133
9 P334-1CALIPSO COLLONGES 42 (P,T) O Murphy 9-10-11 G Sheehan 13510 1123-USHANTY ALLEY 35 (P,D) B Case 7-10-11 J Andrews (5) 137
11 140-21BUZZ DE TURCOING 19 S Drinkwater 7-10-10 J Tudor (3) 137
12 U15P-5ENQARDE 46 Dr R Newland 7-10-9 C Hammond^118
13 1P3-P2JUST YOUR TYPE 35 (B,D) C Longsdon 9-10-8 W T Kennedy^131
14 415-50SILVA ECLIPSE 28 (D) Sue Smith 8-10-6 T Willmott (5)^131
15 1FP6-6CRIXUS'S ESCAPE 32 (T) G Boanas 8-10-6 B Hughes^115
16 2/3P-3FUJI FLIGHT 32 V Williams 6-10-5 Miss L M Turner (7)^130
7-2 Remastered, 5-1 Calipso Collonges, 10-1 Buzz De Turcoing, Vintage Clouds, Sam's Adventure,
12-1 Enqarde, Fuji Flight, 14-1 Potters Legend, Shanty Alley, Mr Hendricks, Acey Milan.
Thunderer’s choice: Remastered was moving with menace when coming down
four out in the Ladbrokes Trophy.Dangers: Buzz De Turcoing, Notachance.3.15 Virgin Bet Fives Handicap Hurdle
(£6,862: 3m) (12)
1 3611-0HEAR NO EVIL 34 N C Kelly (Ire) 9-11-12 Mr O McGill (7) 51
2 4/443-PADLEYOUROWNCANOE 452 D Skelton 7-11-12 Mr T Durrell (7) --
3 P111-PRATFACEMCDOUGALL 39 (W,B,T,D) F O'Brien 8-11-12 M Kendrick 138
4 12F-15BALLYMILLSY 35 (BF) N Twiston-Davies 5-11-11 J Nailor (3) v 139
5 1P20/0MULCAHYS HILL 15 (P) W Greatrex 9-11-9 C Quinn (7) 111
6 U340-5WELSH SAINT 39 (P,CD) S Thomas 7-11-5 J Tudor (3) 122
7 05020-TOKYO GETAWAY 292 (P,D) J Moffatt 7-11-4 Charlotte Jones (5)^74
8 1416-1SULTANS PRIDE 42 (P,D) G Boanas 9-11-2 B Hughes 127
9 234-02POKER PLAY 41 (T) D Pipe 8-11-2 T Scudamore 132
10 /P4P-0FABULOUS SAGA 51 (T,D) T R George 9-11-1 J J Burke 91
11 03-112JESUITIQUE 30 (BF) Dr R Newland 6-10-11 C Leonard (5)^124
12 224-55MR HARP 15 T Gallagher 8-10-11 J Quinlan^107
7-2 Jesuitique, 5-1 Sultans Pride, 11-2 Ballymillsy, 7-1 Padleyourowncanoe, 8-1 Welsh Saint, Poker
Play, 10-1 Mr Harp, 12-1 Ratfacemcdougall.Ascot
Thunderer
12.40 Go Steady 2.25 Thyme Hill
1.15 L’Homme Presse 3.00 Grand Sancy (nb)
1.50 Ornua 3.35 Garry Clermont
Going: good to soft-soft in places Sky Sports Racing
12.40 Foundation Developments Novices'
Handicap Hurdle (£4,520: 2m 7f 118yd) (16)
1 4-31YOUNG BUTLER 29 E Lavelle 5-11-13 T Bellamy 121
2 33-131GO STEADY 16 (T) D Skelton 9-11-12 H Skelton 116
3 /6-115GLENCASSLEY 36 (W) C Longsdon 6-11-12 Paul O'Brien 111
4 0-5P13FATHER JOHN 40 N Henderson 6-11-10 J Bowen 121
5 05/23-ENORMOUSE 272 K Woollacott 8-11-8 B Godfrey (5) 114
6 4420-3HONOR GREY 53 B Pauling 6-11-5 K Woods 106
7 32-3GAULOIS 29 (BF) P Nicholls 5-11-5 H Cobden^122
8 4-232NEXT LEFT 33 G L Moore 5-11-4 Jonjo O'Neill Jr^111
9 2-2305JOHNNY B 16 C Down 7-11-4 Page Fuller^111
10 -41113IMPHAL 23 (BF,D) G L Moore 7-11-3 Jamie Moore v^124
11 /2330-ITSNOTWHATYOUTHINK 303 N Gifford 6-11-1 J M Davies --
12 3-431PASS ME BY 28 R Bandey 5-11-1 H Bannister^113
13 42-421SO SAID I 27 C Tizzard 5-11-1 B J Powell^117
14 3355-5DELGANY MONARCH 31 R Rowe 6-11-0 Tabitha Worsley (5)^104
15 0000-0ARDHILL 110 (B) G Elliott (Ire) 6-10-10 A Wedge^67
16610124 THIRTYFOURSTITCHES 23 Dr R Newland 6-10-9 S Twiston-Davies 109
11-2 Young Butler, 13-2 Imphal, Go Steady, 15-2 So Said I, 8-1 Gaulois, 10-1 Father John, Next Left,
Pass Me By.
Thunderer’s choice: Go Steady won in taking style on his return and, if
staying this longer trip, must go close.Dangers: Gaulois, Young Butler.
1.15 Howden Graduation Chase
(£20,812: 2m 5f) (7)
1 0P54-PDANNY WHIZZBANG 21 (T,V) M Harris 8-11-8 M Bastyan 135
2 344/0-EX PATRIOT 413 Miss Ellmarie Holden (Ire) 8-11-8 Mr D O'Connor --
3 /114P-MESSIRE DES OBEAUX 270 (BF) A King 9-11-8 D Jacob --
4 /1123-PENCILFULLOFLEAD 321 (T,BF) G Elliott (Ire) 7-11-8Jonjo O'Neill Jr --
5 060-F5BLACK OP 55 (P,T,D) T R George 10-11-1 C Gethings v 140
6 2/16-1L'HOMME PRESSE 15 V Williams 6-11-1 C Deutsch 75
7 2P3P-1LEGENDS RYDE 51 (T) J Snowden 6-10-4 Page Fuller^128
7-4 Pencilfulloflead, 3-1 Messire Des Obeaux, 5-1 L'Homme Presse, 11-2 Black Op, 15-2 Ex Patriot,
20-1 Danny Whizzbang, Legends Ryde.
Thunderer’s choice: L’Homme Presse won readily on his chasing debut at
Exeter and looks one to follow. Danger: Messire Des Obeaux.
1.50 Howden Handicap Chase ITV4
(£13,008: 2m 3f) (11)
1 260-00DOLOS 28 (T,CD) P Nicholls 8-11-12 Bryony Frost 125
2 510-05DIEGO DU CHARMIL 28 (T,C) P Nicholls 9-11-10 H Cobden 147
3 2-1536SULLY D'OC AA 21 (CD) A Honeyball 7-11-7 R McLernon^148
4 /20F1-FINANCIER 280 (T) Kerry Lee 8-11-7 R Patrick v 150
5 5-U130ORNUA 14 Georgie Howell 10-11-6 Tabitha Worsley (5) 148
6 112U/5KNIGHT IN DUBAI 42 (T,D) D Skelton 8-10-13 H Skelton 139
7 /400-1PALMERS HILL 35 (D) Jonjo O'Neill 8-10-11 Jonjo O'Neill Jr 136
8 30-000SLATE HOUSE 9 (B,T) C Tizzard 9-10-11 B J Powell^120
9 234-22GUY 29 (BF) N Twiston-Davies 6-10-7 S Twiston-Davies 134
10 P132-6GOLDEN WHISKY 42 (D) E Williams 8-10-7 A Wedge 146
11 210-14ZHIGULI 32 (BF) G L Moore 6-10-2 Jamie Moore 129
7-2 Palmers Hill, 5-1 Guy, 11-2 Knight In Dubai, 13-2 Financier, Diego Du Charmil, 7-1 Sully D'Oc
Aa, 10-1 Zhiguli, 12-1 Dolos.
Thunderer’s choice: Ornua will be sharper for his return over hurdles and, a bold
jumper, is much more effective over fences. Dangers: Guy, Palmers Hill.2.25 Howden Long Walk Hurdle ITV4
(Grade 1) (£59,798: 3m) (9)
1 1252-1BUZZ 28 (C) N Henderson 7-11-7 Doubtful 157
2 F1/2P-CHAMP 274 N Henderson 9-11-7 Jonjo O'Neill Jr --
3 2F0-35LISNAGAR OSCAR 22 (D) R Curtis 8-11-7 A Wedge^148
4 1365-2ON THE BLIND SIDE 22 (P,D) N Henderson 9-11-7 J Bowen 149
5 13P-33PAISLEY PARK 22 (T,BF,CD) E Lavelle 9-11-7 T Bellamy 160
6 F2-352RONALD PUMP 20 (B,T,D) M J Smith (Ire) 8-11-7 K M Donoghue 153
7 5251P-THIRD WIND 252 (D) H Morrison 7-11-7 C Deutsch --
8 303-41THOMAS DARBY 22 (T,C,D) O Murphy 8-11-7 F Gregory^158
9 /121-5THYME HILL 42 (D) P Hobbs 7-11-7 T J O'Brien v 162
13-8 Thyme Hill, 3-1 Ronald Pump, 11-2 Champ, 7-1 Paisley Park, Thomas Darby, 14-1 On The Blind
Side, 25-1 Lisnagar Oscar, 33-1 Third Wind.
Thunderer’s choice: Thyme Hill was below par in France on his return but
should bid to go one better than last year. Dangers: Champ, Paisley Park.
3.00 Howden Silver Cup Handicap ITV4
Chase (Listed) (£39,865: 3m) (13)
1 11P-46CLOTH CAP 21 (P) Jonjo O'Neill 9-11-12 Jonjo O'Neill Jrv 162
2 20-P30REGAL ENCORE 31 (T,CD) A Honeyball 13-11-8 R McLernon 152
3 340P-0CARIBEAN BOY 35 (P) N Henderson 7-11-7 D Jacob^155
4 /5116-STEP BACK 372 (P,D) M Bradstock 11-11-5 N De Boinville --
5 /1P4-0PHOENIX WAY 22 (T) H Fry 8-11-2 L Murtagh (3) 141
6 034-54GRAND SANCY 21 P Nicholls 7-11-0 H Cobden 137
7 /3PP-FJERRYSBACK 49 P Hobbs 9-11-0 T J O'Brien --
8 0U3-23VALTOR 195 (P,CD) M Rowley 12-11-0 Mr B Bromley (7)^137
9 1P50-PSTORM CONTROL 56 (W,P,T,BF) Kerry Lee 8-10-11 R Patrick 137
10 P406/4BELAMI DES PICTONS 38 (D) V Williams 10-10-11 C Deutsch 130
11 21P-43ANNSAM 21 E Williams 6-10-10 A Wedge --
12 10P-23CHECKITOUT 14 (D) N Twiston-Davies 7-10-8 S Twiston-Davies 137
13 /5036-DINONS 406 M Campion 8-10-6 T Bellamy --Andy Murray will face Andrey Rublev
in the final of the Mubadala World
Tennis Championship after he beat
Rafael Nadal in the first match between
the pair for more than five years.
The Abu Dhabi International Tennis
Complex is not one of sport’s great
cathedrals but it was the venue for a
rare victory for Murray, his eighth
against Nadal in the 25th match
between the former world No 1s.
“Both of us have gone through a lot of
injury troubles and issues,” Murray,
who prevailed 6-3, 7-5, said. “It’s great
just to have the opportunity to be on the
court with him again. When I was
younger, I wasn’t appreciating it as
much as I do now.”
An exhibition tournament suggests
Murray cherishes chance to
play Nadal – and beat him
frivolity, but this was not Mansour Bah-
rami fare, with Nadal sporting an in-
tense grimace. This was only his third
match since defeat by Novak Djokovic
at the French Open in June. While
victory would have been sweet, simply
having a run-out for almost two hours
was the aim. The third-place play-off
against Denis Shapovalov before
today’s final will gives Nadal a
second chance to test himself.
Here there were a hand-
ful of brilliant shots, but
the quality was not yet at
his usual standard. Nadal
hit winners but far more er-
rors. He often won the long ral-
lies, but if short and sharp Mur-
ray tended to take the point.
Nadal’s consistency was lack-ing but his fight was not. He saved two
break points in the fifth game of the
second set and looked to be turning the
match around — one brilliantly
whipped forehand winner the highlight
of a purple patch — but at 5-5 Nadal
went long to leave Murray one game
from victory, which he duly secured.
“I’m super happy to see Andy playing at
this great level after all he went
through,” Nadal said.
6 The Battle of the Brits,
due to be held
in Aberdeen
next week,
has been
postponed
because of
rising rates of
Covid infection.
Murray and Jamie Murray,
Cameron Norrie and Dan
Evans were due to take part.9-2 Belami Des Pictons, 6-1 Grand Sancy, 7-1 Cloth Cap, Annsam, Regal Encore, 15-2 Jerrysback,
8-1 Caribean Boy, 10-1 Checkitout.
Thunderer’s choice: Grand Sancy shaped well at Newbury last time and has
slipped to a favourable mark. Dangers: Cloth Cap, Regal Encore.3.35 Betfair Exchange Trophy HandicapITV4
Hurdle (Grade 3) (£59,798: 2m) (14)
1 010-54GOSHEN 28 (CD) G L Moore 5-11-12 Jamie Moore 147
2 B310-0DROP THE ANCHOR F59 (D) P A Fahy (Ire) 7-11-5 S D Torrens (3) 148
3 653-12GARRY CLERMONT 29 (D) Jonjo O'Neill 6-11-1 Jonjo O'Neill Jr 145
4 1110-PMETIER 14 (T,BF,CD) H Fry 5-11-1 L Murtagh (3) 122
5 11-01SAMARRIVE 14 (D) P Nicholls 4-11-0 H Cobden^129
6 2112/1WEST CORK 34 (T,D) D Skelton 7-11-0 H Skelton^144
7 115-25TRITONIC 34 (CD) A King 4-11-0 A P Heskin v 156
8 125P-2LLANDINABO LAD 38 (D) T Symonds 6-10-13 D Noonan 127
9 14-113NO ORDINARY JOE 34 (D) N Henderson 5-10-9 N De Boinville 139
10 PPP-02GLOBAL CITIZEN 21 (P,D) B Pauling 9-10-9 K Woods 142
11 1-4111ONEMOREFORTHEROAD 21 (D) N King 6-10-9 Bryony Frost 141
12 14-122LUTTRELL LAD 38 (BF,D) P Hobbs 5-10-8 T J O'Brien^136
13 114-54BENSON 14 (T,V,D) Dr R Newland 6-10-6 L Edwards^135
14 5103-1MACK THE MAN 38 (D) E Williams 7-10-3 A Wedge^133
7-2 No Ordinary Joe, 5-1 West Cork, 6-1 Samarrive, 8-1 Onemorefortheroad, 12-1 Drop The Anchor,
Benson, Luttrell Lad, Goshen.
Thunderer’s choice: Garry Clermont is 5lb higher than when beaten here last
time but still has more in his locker. Dangers: Luttrell Lad, Samarrive.Blinkered first time: Ascot 12.40 Ardhill. 1.50 Slate House. Haydock
Park 12.20 Adrimel.Heather Knight has promised that her
England team will “meet fire with fire”
when the multiformat Ashes series
starts down under at the end of next
month.
Knight, the captain, thinks that her
squad has an excellent chance of win-
ning back the trophy after suffering a
12-4 points defeat when the sides met in
England two years ago. Maia Bouchier
from the Southern Vipers and the off
spinner Charlie Dean, both of whom
made their debuts in September, have
been named in the main squad of 17.
The senior squad will be backed up by
an England A team that includes the
exciting all-rounder Alice Capsey, 17,
and the fast bowler Issy Wong. Knight
has not ruled out anyone from the A
team forcing their way into the mainside. The format for the series is a one-
off Test that begins on January 27 and is
worth four points, followed by three
T20s and three one-day internationals
each worth two.
Knight is under no illusions about
how tough the assignment will be
against the side ranked No 1 in white-
ball cricket. “We’re going to have to play
out of our skin, we’re going to have be
stand up to the Australians,” she said. “It
does feel like it’s a huge opportunity.
“Any team that has been successful
against them has gone at them. Meet
fire with fire. The Aussies are at their
best when they’re on top of you and are
trying to exploit weakness.”
There are also heightened sensitivi-
ties around Covid because of the new
Omicron variant, but Knight says that
her players are aware of the risks.
“The girls are very responsible, we
tend to be on the more boring side and
we obviously know the consequences if
we are to catch it too late,” she said.England Women’s Ashes squad: Heather
Knight (capt), Tammy Beaumont, Maia
Bouchier, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross,
Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia
Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant,
Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver, Anya
Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Lauren Winfield-
Hill, Danni Wyatt.We’ll take fight
to Australia,
insists Knight
Tennis
Elgan Alderman
Cricket
Elizabeth AmmonCCMurray celebrated his eighth
win over Nadal in 25 matches