Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose both started the Honda Classic in Florida today with four under par rounds of 66 – but Ian Poulter pulled out ill before the start.

Rory McIlroy is tied for second in the Honda Classic in Florida after carding a four-under-par first round of 66.

The turbulent career of Joey Barton is at another crossroads this morning, with the outspoken midfielder searching for a new club after being told by Newcastle he can leave on a free transfer.

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton has accused the club's hierarchy of not understanding what it means to wear the shirt after being told he can leave on a free transfer.

NEXT month’s Aon Chase at Newbury is the most likely next port of call for Nicky Henderson’s Punchestowns.

ONE Winter’s Day by M Christina Butler and Tina Macnaughton (Little Tiger; €5.92) is a soft-textured, touchy-feely book about Little Hedgehog as he battles the high wind.

SHEEPWALK Mac maintained his tremendous record around Dundalk’s testing 400 yards course when winning the semi-final of the two-bend classic, the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup on Monday night and he will be bidding for a sixth success on the trot in next Sunday’s final.

CLONMEL manager Eddie Anderson was a very pleased man yesterday when he reported that the Red Mills Produce Stakes had filled with 96 entries and all is now in readiness for the great feature which is the highlight of the racing year at the South Tipperary venue.

PAUL TOWNEND landed a double at Cork yesterday, producing a particularly fine effort to take the featured Kinsale Handicap Chase aboard Keys Pride.

MORE than double the number of required entries was received for the Boylesports.com Champion Stakes which is set to commence at Shelbourne Park on Saturday.

AN ancient stallion has turned out not to be the thoroughbred he was believed to be.

Bobs Pride heads the weights in a maximum 20-strong field for the Guinness Galway Hurdle on Thursday.

TAKE a chance on Keys Pride landing a tricky little eight-runner Tipp Town and District Traders’ Chase at Tipperary tonight.

Manduro’s achievements during 2007 have led to Andre Fabre’s horse being acclaimed an exceptional leader of the World Thoroughbred Rankings.

THE source of the foot and mouth outbreak in England looks likely to have been the Pirbright laboratory facility adjacent to the first farm affected.

TOM Taaffe’S once-raced Alexander Mobile can land the second division of the INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Maiden Hurdle on a moderate six-race programme at Downpatrick, which is subject to a 7.30am inspection.

PRIDE bowed out of racing on a high with victory in a thrilling renewal of the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin yesterday.

A winner at Kempton over a furlong further last time, Evident Pride can make it a hat-trick in the Betbrokers Back Here On The 16th Handicap at the Sunbury venue.

Pride was the market mover in the Hong Kong Cup after jockey Christophe Lemaire gave the mare a glowing appraisal following morning trackwork at Sha Tin.

Stablemates Pride and Mandesha are set to clash in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup at Sa Tin on December 10.

Ouija Board could make history at the 2006 Cartier Racing Awards by becoming the first dual horse of the year.

Jockey Eddie Ahern and trainer Ed Dunlop brightened up a low-key card at Lingfield with two winners apiece today.

BOBS PRIDE, who hasn't scored on the flat since taking the Group Three Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown in April of last year, is napped to win the Ladbrokes.com Race at Navan this afternoon.

Sir Percy is reported to be in good form despite his lacklustre effort in yesterday's Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket.

Pride made amends for finishing second in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with victory in the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket.

Sir Percy will face seven rivals as he makes his long-awaited reappearance in the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket.

CONNECTIONS of Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero Rail Link remain understandably elated following the colt’s thrilling victory at Longchamp on Sunday.

Connections of Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero Rail Link remain understandably elated following the colt’s thrilling victory at Longchamp.

Rail Link was a shock winner of a star-studded Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

Hurricane Run, Shirocco and Japanese superstar Deep Impact all feature among 12 horses to have stood their ground at the latest entry stage for Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Connections of Derby hero Sir Percy have indicated that they are extremely tempted to run their charge in Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Leading Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe contender Shirocco is reported to be fit and well ahead of what promises to be a fascinating Prix Foy at Longchamp on Sunday.

Andre Fabre has reassured Hurricane Run’s army of supporters that the four-year-old will be back to his best in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot next month.

HURRICANE RUN suffered a shock defeat, and only the second of his career, when narrowly beaten by Pride at Saint-Cloud yesterday.

Hurricane Run suffered a shock defeat, and only the second of his career, when narrowly beaten by Pride at Saint-Cloud.

Four horses have been supplemented for the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

FOUR horses have been supplemented for the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

MICK KINANE is hoping St Leger hero Scorpion can sting Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe favourite Hurricane Run at Longchamp tomorrow.

Hurricane Run heads a field of 15 declared for Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, with owner Michael Tabor not wishing to swap his charge for anything else in the end-of-season championship at Longchamp.

Shawanda was the star of the show on Arc trials day at Longchamp and she is now challenging Hurricane Run for favouritism in the betting for the big race on October 2.

SHAWANDA is challenging Hurricane Run for favouritism in the betting for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe after an impressive all-the-way success in the Prix Vermeille Lucien Barriere at Longchamp yesterday.

Alkaased takes what trainer Luca Cumani describes as the next “logical step” when trying his hand at Group One level in the Vodafone Coronation Cup at Epsom tomorrow.

Connections of Papineau today admitted that the Gold Cup hero has not had an ideal preparation in his build-up to tomorrow’s Vodafone Coronation Cup at Epsom.