Samir Carruthers took to social media to apologise to his MK Dons team-mates for his dismissal in the 2-1 Championship defeat to Leeds United on Saturday.

Flintham continued a magical month for the Mark Bradstock stable when returning to winning ways in the Centerplate Banquet Catering Handicap Hurdle at Ffos Las.

 

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.

There’s no need to whisper it — the new Ireland manager is not so badly off for personnel if he picks the right players and integrates some new ones.

Republic of Ireland 0 Germany 4

Republic of Ireland U-21 0 Germany U-21 4

Faroe Islands U21 1 Republic of Ireland U21 4

Aston Villa playmaker Charles N’Zogbia has recovered from the thigh injury suffered during the closing stages against West Ham in time for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League encounter at Arsenal.

Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph has recovered from an ankle injury after a two-game absence and is included in the squad for Sunday’s home Barclays Premier League fixture with West Ham.

Aston Villa mananger Paul Lambert has to decide whether to risk a recall for Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne, who has started training after a lengthy lay-off with a groin problem.

Aston Villa skipper Ron Vlaar is in contention to return to the side after a seven-week absence for the Barclays Premier League derby at West Brom tomorrow.

Aston Villa skipper Ron Vlaar could play some part in tomorrow’s home Barclay’s Premier League clash with Southampton after returning to training following a seven-week absence with a calf injury.

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert’s injury troubles are finally easing ahead of tomorrow’s Capital One Cup semi-final first leg at Bradford.

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given has been handed a rare starting spot for the home FA cup third-round clash with Ipswich.

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert is hoping to have a trio of players - including Darren Bent – back in contention for tomorrow’s FA Cup third-round clash with Ipswich.

Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph will return after suspension for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League encounter with Swansea at the Liberty Stadium.

Paul Nicholls once again dominated proceedings at Cheltenham with a glorious four-timer.

Jockey Barry Geraghty believes Hennessy Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth deserves to be the ante-post favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Illustrations of symptoms may help patients better describe what they feel, says Rachel Borrill.

Tidal Bay heads a final field of 19 runners for tomorrow’s Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.

Trainer Mouse Morris will wait until the middle of the week before deciding whether to let First Lieutenant take his chance in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

Italy Under-21s 2 Republic of Ireland Under-21s 4

Lord John Oaksey, the former amateur jump jockey, journalist, author, broadcaster and founder of the Injured Jockeys Fund passed away at his family home in Wiltshire yesterday following a lengthy period of ill health. He was 83

Raheem Sterling (Liverpool, 17)

The Dublin Dance Festival showcases innovative performances in diverse venues. It’s for everyone, says Jo Kerrigan

Paul Scholes has returned to the Manchester United starting line-up for this afternoon’s Premier League encounter with Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

Follow The Plan stunned punters with a 50-1 shock success in the Betfred Bowl Chase at Aintree.

Forward Andreas Weimann is in contention for a recall for Aston Villa’s match at home to Stoke tomorrow.

Highly-regarded Triumph Hurdle entry Minsk is finally due to make his debut over timber in the Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Saturday.

Planet Of Sound heads the weights following the six-day confirmation stage for the Racing Plus Chase at Kempton on Saturday.

Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Long Run could face up to 10 rivals as he bids to get off the mark for the campaign in the Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury on Saturday.

BIG BUCK’S appears to face a straightforward task as he goes in search of a 15th straight victory in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Le Beau Bai (10-1) showed stamina in abundance to collar Giles Cross in the long home straight and win the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow.

VICTOR DARTNALL is hoping Giles Cross can go one better than last season when he lines-up for the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow today.

Hennessy Gold Cup winner Carruthers is among a field of 33 to stand their ground at the confirmation stage for the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow on Tuesday.

JONJO O’NEILL has raised the possibility of Synchronised running in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown rather than defending his Welsh National title over Christmas.

Mark Bradstock's Carruthers outstayed his rivals to land a famous victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury this afternoon.

TWO lengths was the winning distance, but connections of Grands Crus were in no doubt David Pipe’s grey had made a far greater margin of progress in the GPG Novices’ Chase at Newbury yesterday.

Ante-post favourite Aiteen Thirtythree features among 19 confirmations for the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

JOCKEY Sam Thomas would not swap Nacarat for any other horse in Saturday’s bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.