I don’t recall, as an 11-year-old, being aware I was watching an exhibition of sport as a thinly disguised substitute for war, writes Liam Mackey.

Ian Williams would rather have been concentrating on his National Hunt string at this time of year but capitalised on the winter shutdown with a 98-1 double on the all-weather at Lingfield.

AMERIGO has to overcome at least two major obstacles when he bids to justify ante-post support in the totesport.com Chester Cup today.

AMERIGO has to overcome at least two major obstacles when he bids to justify ante-post support in the totesport.com Chester Cup today.

HENRIETTA KNIGHT yesterday delivered an upbeat bulletin on Best Mate, who bypasses the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on St Stephen’s Day in favour of a tilt at the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday.