An Afghan soldier shot dead his Australian mentor at a guard tower in Afghanistan, an official said today.

BOOKMAKERS have unanimously inserted Canford Cliffs as favourite in his defining clash with Makfi in Saturday’s Sony-sponsored Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

Bookmakers have unanimously inserted Canford Cliffs as favourite in his defining clash with Makfi in Saturday's Sony-sponsored Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

Britain's military commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan brought the Army close to the point of "seizing up", a former head of the service said today.

RYAN MOORE will get the leg up on Rip Van Winkle when the colt bids for back-to-back successes in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood tomorrow.

MARCUS Tregoning is confident Finjaan can make a bold bid for back-to-back successes in the Betfair Cup at Glorious Goodwood on Tuesday.

Air Chief Marshal confirmed he was back on track with a gutsy victory in the www.thetote.com Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh.

THE four-day Killarney Festival kicks-off tonight, but first things first and it is to Dundalk we go this afternoon for a possible winning nap in the shape of Aladdins Cave in the Connolly Kelly Chartered Accountants’ Handicap.

Steinbeck heads a six-strong team from the Aidan O’Brien stable in the Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday.

RICHARD Hannon has high hopes Canford Cliffs can give him a third Irish 2000 Guineas success at the Curragh on Saturday.

Richard Hannon has high hopes Canford Cliffs can give him a third Irish 2000 Guineas success at the Curragh on Saturday.

Clive Cox believes Xtension will be suited by the course when he goes for Classic glory in the Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday.

LUSKA LAD can make a successful debut over jumps in the Corrib Food Products Maiden Hurdle at Galway this afternoon.

Kieren Fallon expects Coordinated Cut to take some beating in Saturday's Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster after partnering the colt in a recent spin.

Aidan O'Brien fields three of the six contenders for Saturday's ladbrokes.com Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at the Curragh.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown today praised the work of UK troops in Afghanistan, promising more help for them to overcome the threat of roadside bombs planted by the Taliban.

KEVIN Prendergast’s Saajidah gets the nap in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Maiden at Galway tonight.

ANDREW Oliver believes In Some Respect has every chance of making his presence felt as he steps up to Group One company for the Camas Park & Ashtown House Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.

WALK On Bye is all set to put her unbeaten record on the line in the Phoenix Stakes after being supplemented for the Curragh feature on Sunday.

Walk On Bye is all set to put her unbeaten record on the line in the Phoenix Stakes after being supplemented for the Curragh feature on Sunday.

TRUST Mastercraftsman to reverse Newmarket form with Delegator in the Boylesports.com Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh today.

COOLCASHIN gets the nap to make a winning debut over fences in the Newberry Beginners Chase at Cork tonight.

THE down in class Dance Pass can send punters home on the right note by landing the concluding Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Maiden at Naas tonight.

Fame And Glory was roundly slashed for the Epsom Derby after his classy victory in the PW McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown today said it was his intention to reduce British troop numbers in Iraq, but he would not set an “artificial timetable” to bring forces home.

Australia’s army chief said one soldier was killed and another was missing and presumed dead after an army Black Hawk helicopter crashed off Fiji, where the navy was positioned to evacuate Australians in the event of a coup.

India wants to buy 40 second-hand fighter jets from France and Qatar to bolster its air defences.

Scores more foreign soldiers today landed in East Timor to bolster a force struggling to stop mob violence in the capital.

INDEPENDENCE hero and former guerrilla fighter President Xanana Gusmao yesterday urged warring factions to end the violence ripping through East Timor’s capital.

Independence hero and former guerrilla fighter President Xanana Gusmao today urged warring factions to end violence ripping through East Timor’s capital, while ex-soldiers whose rebellion triggered the broad mayhem offered peace talks.

Australian troops won’t be drawn into the conflict in East Timor as they attempt to restore peace and stability to the troubled island nation, the country’s defence chief said today.

Pakistan’s air force is on high alert and on full combat readiness and troops have moved into strategic positions on a war footing, officials said today as tensions with neighbouring India escalated.