Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Jockey Noel Fehily is in confident mood as Silviniaco Conti prepares to defend his crown in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Friday.

Paul Nicholls reports Silviniaco Conti to be bouncing ahead of the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day but is hoping for suitably soft ground at the Sunbury venue over Christmas.

A newlywed couple who lured a stranger to his death through a Craigslist ad have been sentenced to life without parole by a judge who said they must be permanently removed from society.

Ballarina might surprise a few in the Avon Gorge Handicap at Hamilton today.

An armed robber Michael Wheatley, known as the "Skull Cracker", who has been on the run in the UK has been found and two men are in custody in London, Kent police said

Self-confessed Craigslist killer Miranda Barbour reveals all to Matthew Lysiak

It was while gazing through the NFL schedule for 2014, which was revealed earlier this week, and other gridiron-related matters that our eyes happened to stray across a well-worn quote from John Madden, the Hall of Fame ex-coach, broadcasting legend and the face of millions of American football computer games around the world.

A woman arrested in Pennsylvania for murder claims she has killed more than 20 people in several US states.

A Pennsylvania woman charged with murdering a man she and her husband met through Craigslist has admitted the killing in a jail interview and says she has killed more than 20 others.

Long Run could tackle the £100,000 Kempton Park Chase at the Sunbury track on February 22 as a step towards a crack at the Crabbie’s Grand National.

Paul Nicholls has already collected the William Hill King George VI Chase more times than any trainer in history and he believes Silviniaco Conti and Al Ferof hold equally good chances of providing his eighth winner at Kempton on Thursday.

When Johnny Sexton reported for autumn international duty with Ireland last month, new head coach Joe Schmidt was on tenterhooks.

London Irish are set to announce a takeover of the club by a group of Irish businessmen today.

A newlywed couple in Pennsylvania killed a man whom the wife had lured to a rendezvous through an online dating advertisement, strangling him and stabbing him repeatedly, police said.

Owner Barry Connell is looking forward to seeing Our Conor return to the jumping game next month following a satisfactory return to action on the Flat at Naas.

Alex Ferguson’s famous red colours were carried to a ready success at Kempton by the Charlie Hills-trained Sand Boy.

Today’s meeting at Kempton has been abandoned due to “ice crystals” in the track.

This afternoon’s meeting at Kempton is set to go ahead as scheduled after the course passed a second morning inspection.

This afternoon’s National Hunt fixture at Naas goes ahead as scheduled after the track passed an 8am inspection, but this afternoon’s meeting at Lingfield in England has been abandoned due to snow.

A senior member of security personnel at Shannon airport believed a stolen life jacket contained in luggage was an improvised explosive device (IED).

Kauto Star has now been reduced to a ceremonial role in the William Hill King George VI Chase, but his first appearance at Kempton in retirement yesterday coincided with the most gripping finish since the era before the five-timer winner as his old foe Long Run claimed a dramatic second victory.

Kempton clerk of the course Barney Clifford sees no need to call an inspection ahead of the William Hill King George VI Chase meeting on St Stephen's Day.

Last season’s Champion Hurdle hero Rock On Ruby is among field of six possibles for the StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday following the confirmation stage.

Roc De Guye may emerge the luminary on a rather low-key afternoon at Hereford.

By “Faugh-A-Ballagh”

Kieren Fallon will not be riding at Kempton this afternoon due to illness.

THE Giant Bolster can put another dent in the reputation of Time For Rupert in the Betfair Graduation Chase at Newbury today.

HENRIETTA KNIGHT is eyeing a third victory in the King George VI Chase at Kempton after seeing Somersby make a most impressive return to action at the Sunbury track yesterday.

David Arbuthnot already has one eye on next season with Pere Blanc and Shuil Royale after seeing the pair continue their progression with victories at Kempton.

NIGEL Twiston-Davies has scoffed at the concept of Imperial Commander being too old to win another totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Nicky Henderson is trying to bring Long Run “back to the boil” for the rearranged William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton next weekend.

Kauto Star's bid to record a record fifth successive victory in the King George VI Chase could still become a reality

Paul Nicholls is confident Kauto Star is in the form of his life ahead of his bid for a remarkable fifth victory in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton.

Starluck put the finishing touches to his preparations for the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle with a pleasing workout at Kempton Park.

This afternoon‘s fixture at Kempton has passed an early-morning inspection and will go ahead as planned.

The meeting at Kempton this afternoon will go ahead as planned following an inspection.

PROSPECTS of turf racing before Christmas look bleak as the second big freeze of the winter continues to bite.

IRON CONDOR seems to relish the all-weather surfaces and after running a cracker in defeat at Kempton last time, he can regain the winning thread back at the Sunbury venue today.

RICHARD Hughes was forced to endure a highly frustrating day yesterday in his quest to catch Paul Hanagan in the race for the jockeys’ championship.

Irish jockey Richard Hughes moved to within two wins of Paul Hanagan in the jockeys' championship after striking at Nottingham this afternoon.

THE external bruises from his date with the Cardiff Blues were there for all to see, steri-strips acting as a poor camouflage for yet another cut and bloodied right eye.

Brian Ellison admits testing conditions would not favour Ultimate in Saturday’s racingpost.com Adonis Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton.

Saturday’s jumps meeting at Kempton goes ahead after the track passed a 7.30am inspection