MULTIPLE Classic-winning trainer John Oxx has diverted his only jump horse away from the Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown tomorrow.

Nicky Henderson is fearful of the threat posed by ante-post favourite Acambo to his trio of intended runners in totesport Trophy at Newbury on Saturday.

Paul Webber is keeping an eye on the Totesport Trophy for De Soto as long as conditions are suitable at Newbury on February 10.

Philip Hobbs’ Champion Hurdle contender Noble Request has been handed top weight of 11st 12lb in the totesport Trophy at Newbury on February 10.

PERCE ROCK’S team are not worried about the bottomless ground that is set to affect the Anglo Irish Bank Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown today.

De Soto and Silverburn are among a top-notch septet that will go to post for the Anglo Irish Bank Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown tomorrow.

Blythe Knight, second behind the impressive De Soto at Kempton on Boxing Day, is to have a short break until the spring.

SLIPPERS MADDEN, brilliant aboard Jazz Messenger at Kempton on St Stephen's Day, rode another peach of a race when guiding Nickname to a smooth success in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown yesterday.

Paul Webber has his eye on a prize at Kempton over Christmas for former high-class bumper horse De Soto.

A JUDGE yesterday ruled that a Picasso painting can be sold at auction, despite a claim that its former owner was forced to sell it to the Nazis.

A judge has today ruled that a Picasso painting can be sold at auction, despite a claim that its former owner was forced to sell it to the Nazis.

Israel widened its ground war in Lebanon on Saturday, almost tripling the number of troops there as it tried to seize more territory and inflict as much damage as possible on Hezbollah guerrillas before a UN ceasefire deal takes effect.

Day Flight set himself up for what trainer John Gosden hopes will be a productive campaign in top middle-distance races when getting the better of Notable Guest in the Betfred Gordon Richard Stakes at Sandown.

The top UN Mideast envoy said yesterday that the world is witnessing a potentially dangerous deterioration of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with an increase in violence and a growing Palestinian fiscal crisis that could lead to soaring poverty.

Smart bumper horse De Soto could make his eagerly-anticipated hurdling debut next month.

CHELTENHAM Gold Cup hero Kicking King puts his new found status very much on the line in the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown today.

Pat Keane

Buckby Lane could be doubtful for next week’s Cheltenham Festival after returning with sore shins following a disappointing display at Newbury last Saturday.

THE UN and EU were optimistic yesterday that talks this week on Cyprus could bring about an end to the island’s 30-year division in time for the reunited nation to enter the European Union on May 1.

The UN and EU were optimistic today that talks this week on Cyprus could bring about an end to the island’s 30 year division in time for the reunited nation to enter the European Union on May 1.

The United Nations Security Council remained divided today over a resolution backing Secretary General Kofi Annan’s plan to reunify Cyprus and calling on Greek and Turkish Cypriots to use it as a basis for a settlement.

ONE-IN-TWO Greek Cypriots would vote down a UN peace plan for the island in a referendum and 48% think their leaders were wrong to agree even to talk about it, an opinion poll published yesterday suggested.

The UN today handed Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders its long-awaited plan for the reunification of their divided island.