“I thought I had no chance jumping the last, but three strides later I was starting to smell the money.”

Nicky Henderson was thrilled with what he saw from Pentland Hills, Fusil Raffles and Verdana Blue as they continued their preparations for next month’s Unibet Champion Hurdle with a racecourse gallop at Kempton.

Nicky Henderson is relieved to have finally got Altior’s season up and running – and “all is going well” for his bid to emulate Badsworth Boy in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

When it came, the explanation made perfect sense. “Altior doesn’t look like Altior,” Nicky Henderson said as he explained his decision to rule his stablestar out of the Grade Two Unibet Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton on Saturday, a race which was set to be his first start since surrendering his 19-race unbeaten record over obstacles when beaten by Cyrname in the Christy 1965 Chase at Ascot in November.

The Irish team for tomorrow’s elite men’s road race at the UCI World Championships in Yorkshire are a tried and tested bunch of riders at the top level - with the exception of Rory Townsend.

I haven’t even finished packing the camper van yet, and the holiday book pile is already looking like that dam in Derbyshire that may have burst under its own weight by the time you read this.

Not at his best, perhaps, but Altior is without defeat in 18 consecutive outings in the national hunt sphere and a world-record 13 times over fences.

Nicky Henderson believes the professionalism of Angels Breath can come to the fore and help him secure a fourth success in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival today.

Buveur D’Air will have to raise his game again if he is to land a record-equalling third consecutive Unibet Champion Hurdle, according to trainer Nicky Henderson.

Couples who suffer a fatal foetal abnormality are treated differently in this country depending on the choice they make, the master of the National Maternity Hospital has said.

Pep Guardiola claims his “extraordinary” and “exceptional” Manchester City side will not give up in their quest to overturn the odds against Liverpool.

Eighteen years. It’s how long Jack Kennedy, who announced himself to the wider world with four wins at this week’s Festival, has been on this planet. But it’s also how long British champion jockey Richard Johnson, a veteran of more than 3,000 victories, has had to wait for a second Timico Gold Cup victory.

The Colin Tizzard-trained victor was involved in a prolonged duel with Might Bite.

A week and a season that was far from ideal for Altior turned around dramatically when he extended his perfect record over obstacles to 14 with a brilliant display in the Betway Champion Chase.

Nicky Henderson has revealed he has a secret plan for Might Bite in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday week.

Pep Guardiola has hailed defender Nicolas Otamendi as Manchester City’s ‘Superman’.

Former ‘Fair City’ actress Lisa Harding has written a novel about human-trafficking in Ireland, says Olivia Kelleher

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Our man inside the game is braced for an onslaught of Premier League spending as clubs compensate for poor coaching by expensively filling the holes in their squads.

Nico Rosberg joked he could help Lewis Hamilton learn to speak German now he has retired, while Hamilton said he hoped to remain a Formula One driver for the next decade as the duo addressed Mercedes fans at the constructor's end of season event in Stuttgart.

Lewis Hamilton has conceded it is now unlikely he will stop Nico Rosberg from winning the Formula One title after claiming his rival is “doing all he has to do” to get over the finish line to seal his maiden championship.

Lewis Hamilton heaped the pressure on championship rival Nico Rosberg by claiming pole position for the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton will not be able to stop Nico Rosberg from winning the championship unless the German hits trouble in the remaining four races of the season, according to Mercedes chairman Niki Lauda.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes Nico Rosberg is in the form of his career after the German usurped a beleaguered Lewis Hamilton to take control of the Formula One World Championship.

Nico Rosberg left a beleaguered Lewis Hamilton trailing in his wake after he secured pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix in emphatic fashion.

Although he did get a bit frustrated with Esteban Gutierrez at one point in the race.

A frustrated Lewis Hamilton lost further ground to Nico Rosberg in the championship race after he finished only fifth on Formula One's inaugural visit to Azerbaijan for Sunday's European Grand Prix.

Sara Bradstock reports it to be “all systems go” for Coneygree’s intended appearance in the Hennessy Gold Cup next Saturday after delighting connections in a crucial gallop yesterday.

Lewis Hamilton rued a “boring” Brazilian Grand Prix after he finished behind Nico Rosberg for the second race in succession.

Volume levels were at a maximum as Sprinter Sacre announced his return to form in emphatic fashion when making a triumphant visit to a winner’s enclosure he has enjoyed many magical moments in during his career after claiming the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham yesterday.

Lewis Hamilton will be in it to win it this weekend as Mexico makes its return to the Formula One calendar after a 23-year absence.

Lewis Hamilton is refusing to get carried away by the prospect of a third Formula One world championship after extending his lead over Nico Rosberg by storming to victory at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Team Sky’s riders and management have staunchly defended the performance of Nicolas Roche following Sunday’s near miss at a stage win on the ninth day of the Tour de France.

World champions BMC won the Stage 9 team time-trial at the Tour de France yesterday, beating Team Sky by a single second as Chris Froome retained custody of the race leader’s yellow jersey.

Check out our guide to the best of tonight's TV.

Lewis Hamilton blamed a poor start to the Austrian Grand Prix for costing him a shot at victory.

President Michael D Higgins has made his first official visit to his nearest neighbours in Dublin’s Phoenix Park— the zoo.

Nico Rosberg finally got the better of Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton as he sealed pole position at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Jenson Button believes Nico Rosberg needs to employ different tactics if he is to topple Lewis Hamilton this season.

Lewis Hamilton has been exonerated of any blame en route to winning his fourth Chinese Grand Prix despite being on the receiving end of Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg’s ire.

Security at the Shanghai International Circuit has been beefed up after a Formula One ’fan’ was arrested following a death-defying dash across the track during yesterday’s practice session.

Thandie Newton's daughters find her fame "irritating".

Lewis Hamilton hailed Mercedes’ first pre-season test ahead of the new Formula One season as "pretty special" after the team sent the lap counter into a frenzy in Jerez this week.

Champion jockey Tony McCoy is in line for the spare ride on Coneygree in next weekend’s Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury as regular partner Nico de Boinville is suspended.