‘That’s for Michael’: Marine Nationale leads poignant day at Cheltenham

At the moment of his greatest racing triumph, after a lifetime in the sport as a spectator, an amateur jockey, owner and now a trainer, Barry Connell’s thoughts after Marine Nationale’s victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Wednesday turned, immediately and inevitably, to Michael O’Sullivan, who rode the same horse to victory in the Supreme Novice Hurdle here two years ago and died last month, from injuries ­sustained in a fall.“The obvious thing is how raw and poignant it’s all been over the last four weeks,” Connell said. “Michael and myself went on a journey with this horse, he rode him in all his races in his novice season over hurdles. He started as a 7lb claimer with us and I asked him to turn pro, and he ended up winning three Grade Ones as a claimer and was leading rider [with two wins] on the first day [at ­Cheltenham two years ago].“It’s an absolute tragedy that he’s left us but he’s a record that he can be really proud of, he’s achieved more in a lifetime than a lot of riders who ride a lot longer ever achieve

Cheltenham festival: Marine Nationale lands poignant win on day two – as it happened

We’ll have a full day two report from Greg Wood shortly, but for now the last word belongs to Charlotte Giles. The late Michael O’Sullivan’s girlfriend was here to see two horses he previously led to victory at Cheltenham – Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty –both win again on an emotional, extraordinary afternoon.“Michael loved the horse very much, they started their careers together and went on a journey together,” Giles told PA Media. “The horse has certainly put his heart and soul into today and it means a lot. Michael was certainly with him every step of the way and it was incredible to watch it

Cheltenham festival day three tips: Il Est Francais can score for French

While the Gold Cup on Friday revolves around the odds-on Galopin Des Champs and his bid for a third consecutive success, the Ryanair Chase over two and a half miles on Thursday is much more open, with live contenders from Britain, Ireland and France, and the prospect of seeing the bold front‑runner Il Est Francais tackling Cheltenham for the first time, with top-class opponents including Fact To File and Protektorat in hot pursuit, is one to savour.Il Est Francais (3.20) was a clear leader for much of the way in the King George VI Chase at Kempton at Christmas before Banbridge reeled him in on the run to the last, and his devastating front-running success in the Kauto Star Novices Chase at the same meeting in 2023 was one of the best performances by a novice in recent years.The fact that his best form outside France has come at a flat track is a slight concern, but the drop back on Thursday to an intermediate trip on decent ground should suit and Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm’s seven-year-old has a big chance to become only the second French‑trained winner at the festival meeting since 2005.Cheltenham 1

NFL free agency winners and losers: Bucs’ smarts to questions for Bengals

As the new league year gets underway, we take a look at the best and worst moves heading into the 2025 seasonThe Vikings letting Sam Darnold walk was the headline-grabber, but they had more intel on him than any other franchise and were happy to turn the keys over to JJ McCarthy rather than bring back the former Jets quarterback on what would have been a manageable contract. It’s the team’s work elsewhere that’s most intriguing, though. The Vikings retained starting cornerback Byron Murphy and fortified both sides of the line of scrimmage with tasty, affordable signings. They brought in center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries from the Colts. The duo are one of the most switched-on, savvy interior tandems in the league

‘No way I’ll still be playing at 50’: Rory McIlroy saddened by Tiger Woods injury

As Tiger Woods begins his recovery from yet another injury, Rory McIlroy has firmly dismissed any notion of his own career stretching into his 50s.The 49-year-old Woods ruptured an achilles while training at home on Tuesday morning. McIlroy believes Woods will not feature in any of the 2025 majors. “It sucks,” McIlroy said. “He doesn’t have much luck when it comes to injuries and his body

Ukrainian basketball star Max Shulga: ‘The game is my getaway, my outlet’

The VCU guard’s thoughts are often on the conflict back in his home country but he has been cheered by the support he has received from his team and fansThousands of blue and yellow Ukrainian flags waved proudly inside the Stuart C Siegel Center during Virginia Commonwealth University’s final home game of the regular season, all in honor of Max Shulga.The gesture on senior night meant a great deal to Shulga, making him feel at home in Richmond, Virginia despite being far from his native Ukraine, as the country continues to experience unrest three years following Russia’s invasion.“It’s been all love since I transferred here [from Utah State] two years ago,” Shulga says. “I see it every game, and everywhere out here in Richmond. I really appreciate it and it shows a lot about our fanbase