Fleur East ruled the X Factor stage in last night’s semi-final with Simon Cowell hailing her feisty performance as one of the top three in the show’s 10-year history.

Confusion reigned yesterday as lifeguards warned swimmers not to bathe at seven beaches in Co Cork, despite test results showing they were within permissible EU levels for the bacteria E.coli.

Ibrahima Sonko will be forced back onto the sidelines for Hull’s trip to his parent club Stoke tomorrow.

Hull are set to make wholesale changes for tomorrow’s FA Cup third-round tie at Wigan.

Hull will again check on the fitness of defender Anthony Gardner ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League clash against Wigan.

Liverpool 6 Hull 1

Liverpool winger Albert Riera returned to the starting line-up to face Hull at Anfield as manager Rafael Benitez made just one change from the side which beat West Ham 3-2 last weekend.

Hull defender Anthony Gardner could be back in contention for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to Liverpool.

Hull are likely to make a number of changes for tomorrow’s Carling Cup third-round tie against Everton at the KC Stadium.

Swansea 2 Hull 1 (after extra-time)

Inglis Drever will bid to establish himself as one the leading candidates for Champion Hurdle next March when having his first start of the season in the Pertemps “Fighting Fifth” Hurdle at Newcastle tomorrow.

Liam Cooper has announced his retirement after admitting: “One more heavy fall and I could have been history.”

Tony McCoy is looking forward to the new challenge as number one jockey to Jonjo O’Neill’s powerful Jackdaws Castle string.

Amberleigh House recorded a famous victory in the £600,000 (€914,000) Martell Cognac Grand National at Aintree today.

CHAMPION Hurdle-winning trainer Dessie Hughes, though, reports Timbera, clear favourite at 9-1 with Cashmans, to be bang on course for Saturday’s Martell Cognac Grand National.

Jonjo O’Neill has confirmed that Paul Carberry has been booked to ride Joss Naylor as he issued an unusually upbeat report on both his intended runners in Saturday’s Martell Cognac Grand National.

Ireland made a great start to Cheltenham Festival week yesterday with a victory for the Dessie Hughes stable plus the legendary name Tom Dreaper in the winner’s enclosure at Stratford.

Trainer Jonjo O’Neill is expecting a great run from Keen Leader when he takes on Best Mate in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup next week.

Henry Daly was pleased with the work of his Cheltenham Festival hopes at Bangor today.

Nicky Henderson’s amazing run of Saturday specials shows no sign of ending after Isio struck under Barry Geraghty to take the inaugural running of the £100,000 (€148,600) Vodafone Gold Cup at Newbury yesterday.

Jonjo O’Neill has put an end to speculation on who will partner Keen Leader in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Security was being stepped up today for the big meeting at Sandown Park following protests by Manchester United supporters which delayed a race at Hereford yesterday.

Sue Smith’s Tipsy Mouse left his connections hoping that one day he can emulate his Grand National-winning full-brother Royal Athlete after he had put up a game performance to win at Haydock Park yesterday.

Tony Dobbin has given up his five booked rides at Musselburgh today after a nasty incident at Wetherby.

Lingo went to the head of the market for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival after winning the feature race at Sandown Park yesterday.

World Wide Web rewarded leading owner JP McManus and trainer Jonjo O’Neill for a change of plans with victory in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown.

World Wide Web rewarded leading owner JP McManus and trainer Jonjo O’Neill for a change of plans with victory in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown this afternoon.

INTERSKY FALCON bounced back into the reckoning for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle when winning the Jobs@Pertemps City Christmas Hurdle for the second time at Kempton yesterday.

Intersky Falcon benefited from a change of tactics to repeat last year’s victory in the Jobs@Pertemps City Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park today.

FRENCH challenger Jair Du Cochet is set to go off a hot favourite for the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on St Stephen’s Day.

Connections of Kingsmark are praying for soft ground to allow the grey to take his chance in the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock Park on Saturday.

LILIUM DE COTTE, fourth in the Triumph Hurdle last term, made an impressive debut for owner JP McManus and trainer Nicky Henderson at Uttoxeter yesterday.

Jonjo O’Neill’s Music To My Ears became the latest horse to come under official scrutiny today after drifting in the betting before running disappointingly at Cheltenham.

TONY McCOY wowed the packed Towcester crowds with a short-priced treble as the racecourse opened its doors for the first time in 18 months yesterday.

Hasty Prince confirmed himself a classy performer when taking the opening Light Infantry Plate Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster today.

WEIGHTS for the Racing Post Chase are set to rise

Seamus Mullins has his string in top form and the Salisbury-based trainer is keeping his fingers crossed that tomorrow’s meeting at Sandown beats the weather after his big-race hopes were given a boost by Kentford Fern’s success at wintry Southwell.

Race goers were treated to a thrilling finish for the first race of the New Year at Cheltenham, as 5-4 chance Joss Naylor edged out odds-on favourite Tarxien.

INTERSKY FALCON was made the joint-favourite for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle in one book after taking the Pertemps Christmas Hurdle at Kempton yesterday.

Intersky Falcon will face a maximum of nine rivals when he bids to continue his winning ways in the Pertemps Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

JONJO O’NEILL has decided not to appeal against the two fines he picked up over the running and riding of Gala Performance (£800) at Haydock and Madalyar (£3,400) at Fakenham on Saturday.

REHEARSALS may be one thing, but even the most experienced performers can suffer first night nerves.