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Irish racing moves to a wet and drizzly Punchestown today with the first of seven races due off to post at 2 o clock. The current going is soft to heavy, soft in places.

Five go to post in the opening Festival Free Upgrade Offer Ends Today Hurdle and no doubt the 2008 Cheltenham Champion Bumper Cousin Vinny will be the warm favourite. Despite an absence of 672 days Cousin Vinny will take all the beating under Ruby Walsh but Dessie Hughes Tofino Bay shouldn’t be ruled out having finished second behind Stephanie Kate last week at Clonmel. Sabrina Harty’s Won In The Dark shouldn’t be ignored whilst See U Bob and Major Finnegan make

With breaking news that Tevez has apologised to Manchester City, they will look to finish off Porto in Wednesday afternoon’s UEFA Europa League second-leg tie. Manchester City will take a 2-1 lead into the Etihad after recovering from a 1-0 deficit to win the first leg 2-1 in Portugal (Manchester City 8/13 to beat Porto). They will be relatively fresh having had no FA Cup

The teams are setting up in Barcelona for the second pre-season test, where this year’s Mercedes will break cover, leaving only perennial traffic jams Marussia and Hispania to show a new car.

So what was learnt from the first test at Jerez? Not much, to be honest. With the ban on track testing during the season, these tests are no longer about testing the cars but about verifying results from each team’s simulator rigs, since this is where the real testing will happen throughout the year. And as the teams are still manufacturing chassis and parts, they are running only one car per day, so we still haven’t seen all the top drivers go head-to-head.

Having said that, there are a few things you can see. Firstly - with the exception of the McLaren - these are the most hideous cars for years. The FIA have forced the teams to lower the cars’ noses, creating an ungainly step-up around the front

I woke up on Sunday morning expecting to read about a comprehensive Vitali Klitschko win over Dereck Chisora, instead I found not one, but two pieces of surprising news.

The first was that Chisora had actually given a good account of himself inside the ring, taken the champ the distance, and lost on points.

However all that was overshadowed by the second piece of news, namely that Chisora and David Haye had been involved in a serious clash at the post fight press conference.

Chisora's actions in the ring have now, quite rightly been long forgotten, as he has disgraced himself, British boxing and boxing in general. Haye is no better, and questions must be asked as to why he was allowed in the press conference in the first place, when clearly his only motive was to cause trouble.

The only question to have come out of this is who is the bigger idiot between Haye and Chisora. Other than that, everything is crystal

Irish racing heads to Meath on Sunday with three Grade Two’s taking place at Navan racecourse. The first of seven races goes to post at 1:50 at the Proudstown track.

The opening Follow Navan On Facebook Maiden Hurdle could see the Willie Mullins trained Tennis Cap finally break his duck over hurdles however slight preference is for Hawk Flight who was third over the course and distance to Terminal and second to Burn And Turn at Leopardstown last time out. David Casey is booked to ride.

The Boyne Hurdle has attracted eight runners and yet again the betting will be dominated by the Willie Mullins pair of

Dundalk hosts it usual Friday night all weather card with the first of seven races due of to post at 6:25 at the county Louth venue.

The opening This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Fillies Maiden could see Tommy Carmody get back into winning ways after renewing his licence after a seven year break. He is represented by Miss Mediator but slight preference is for the Edward Lynam trained Atmospheric High who was third last time out and looks set to run another good race. Willie Lee takes the ride.

The Group Discounts At Dundalk Handicap could see Jim Bolger’s Heir To The Mint follow up his win at the venue in January. Rory Cleary is booked to ride and the

As barometers of performance go, this was a hurricane of an evening. Four years ago, at this very stage of Europe's greatest club competition, Arsenal travelled to Milan for a second leg tie balanced at 0-0, and produced one of the greatest performances of Wenger's era to knock the then-holders out, and reach the quarter finals. The contrasts between that night and Wednesday's humiliation are utterly horrifying for Gunners fans.

Contrast too manager Arsene Wenger's post-game comments, from what is routinely said after every chastening defeat over the past 15 years. Where was the condemnation of the pitch, which was suspiciously only cut-up in the wide areas that Arsenal so frequently dance on? Where was the abhorring of the match officials, who failed to spot Zlatan Ibrahimovic's foray into offside

The Grand National weights were announced yesterday with the Jonjo O’Neill trained Synchronised receiving top weight of 11stone 10pounds. Synchronised is owned by JP McManus and was a very impressive winner of the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas and even bypassed the Welsh National at Chepstow to take his chance at the Lexus Chase.

Last year’s winner Ballabriggs who defeated Oscar Time has been allotted a further nine pounds than his weight last year and he will now carry 11st 9lb should he take his chance in the world’s richest steeplechase race.

David Pipe’s Junior is certain to get into the race this year after just failing last year. The nine year old gelding who won the Kim Muir Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival last year has been given a weight of 11st 2lb. Junior is currently best priced at

Irish Racing moves to Fairyhouse today with the first of six races due off to post at 2:05. It looks like a card that winners can be got from but that is easier said than done.

The opening Bobbyjo Bistro At Fairyhouse Maiden Hurdle looks a wide open contest apart from the Willie Mullins trained Primroseandblue who is likely to go off favourite for his son Patrick. Valleymount shouldn’t be ignored following a close third to Caolaneoin last time out and interesting outsider could be Budwiser if he jumps correctly today.

Only five runners go to post for the Easter Festival Novice Hurdle and it looks to be a battle between Dermot Weld’s Galileo’s

Stories coming from France that they want to play the postponed Six Nations game with Ireland in June, or even September, are laughable.
French clubs are seemingly protesting because they don't want their games clashing with Top 14 clashes, which are scheduled for all the available weekends between now and the end of the tournament.
In short, tough luck lads. The game needs to be played before the end of the championship, simple as that. A situation where the Six Nations drags on until the summer without a winner is farcical, and with other commitments from both

Mick McCarthy has become the latest Premier League manager to leave his post this season. He was sacked by Wolves following Sunday's 5-1 home thrashing by Midlands rivals West Brom. McCarthy has been in charge at Molineux since July 2006 but Wolves (3/1 to Finish Bottom) have won only one of their last 13 matches and picked up just 14 points in their last 22 Premier League matches.

They began the season brightly by taking seven points from their opening three

A sad, sorry saga has, hopefully, been put to bed once and for all, with both Kenny Dalglish and Luis Suarez apologising for their conduct at Anfield on Sunday, no doubt with a little prodding from Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool's owners.

Dalglish's post-match interview with Sky Sports' Geoff Shreeves was embarrassing, but unsurprising. Many times lately, when the microphone has been pointed in Dalglish's face, and the issue of Suarez is brought up, or Liverpool struggling to another draw

Leopardstown host an eight race card with four feature Grade Ones on the card including the Hennessy Gold Cup in which Willie Mullins will be bidding to win his eight Hennessy.

The opening Grade One Spring Juvenile Hurdle looks a tricky contest with all twelve runners having won previous races. Gowran Park winner Burrenbridge Lodge looks a lively outsider for trainer Kieran Purcell and the main challenges look to be from Sportsmaster, Hisaabaat, His Excellency and Ut De Sivola. The race also sees three English challengers take their chance.

The Mares Handicap Hurdle looks a wide open contest with the Willie Mullins trained Catleen likely to

Racing at Naas begins at 1:15 with the return of Tony Martin’s Bog Warrior who was last seen falling at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival. In other news Barry Geraghty hurt his elbow whist schooling this morning and he now misses his rides at Naas today and will have to pass the doctor ahead of Leopardstown tomorrow.

Naas Selections

1:15 Midnight Oil

1:50 Bog Warrior

2:25 Bridgets Pet

Dundalk hosts it usual all weather card with the first of eight races due off to post at the county Louth venue at 5:50. Unlike the United Kingdom, Ireland has no problems with the weather and racing is expected to go ahead at Naas on Saturday and Leopardstown on Sunday without any problems.

The opening Group Discounts At Dundalk Handicap looks a wide open contest and an interesting runner is the Murdeach Kelly trained Forbidden City who finished a close second last week at the venue. Mark Monaghan claims a valuable seven pounds off and he should be able to cope with the draw from stall five. Bank On Black and Almadaa look the main dangers.

Roman General looks the horse to beat in the Dundalk Maiden for trainer Edward Lynam after finishing second

With the latest revelations that former Tour de France winners Alberto Contador and Jan Ullrich both tested positive for performance enhancing drugs while competing in professional cycling, it's high time that somewhere along the chain, the testing process must become better and more stringent in order to catch out all cyclists that knowingly ingest substances that can improve their chances of success.

The Tour was once upon a time about stamina, discipline and a battle as much with your mind as with your legs, and while all these notions are still relevant, the playing field has a huge question mark hanging over it with the sheer volume of allegations and convictions handed down by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Indeed even Lance Armstrong, the greatest of them all, has been accused time and time

The National Football League continues again this weekend with matches taking place on Saturday and Sunday.

Mayo V Dublin

Saturday night sees Dublin travel west to take on Mayo at Mc Hale Park in Castlebar. Mayo will be full of confidence after their six-point win over Laois in O’Moore Park, where the fit-again Conor Mortimer had to vie for the man-of-the-match award with Alan Freeman. Mortimer’s return after a full season out with a cruciate knee injury has been a major bonus for Horan and Mayo.

Dublin will be without Eamon Fennell for the trip west after his red card minutes after he came on in Croke Park, while Michael Fitzsimons is ruled out through injury and is replaced by Darren Daly. Dublin fans will be hoping that the Brogan brothers, Alan and

Funnily enough, despite the hilarity in England's football team having neither a manager nor a captain a mere four months before the start of a major championship, I think Fabio Capello's decision to resign yesterday will come as a blessing in disguise for the national team.
Capello's heart hasn't been in it since the debacle of South Africa 2010. The British media - never shy of jumping down the throat of a manager after a couple of bad results - have wanted him out ever since, and it's seemed he's happy to pick up his £6 million a year cheque without

Thurles host a seven race card on Thursday with the first race due off at 1:30 at the county Tipperary venue.

The opening Tote Placepot Races 1 to 6 Steeplechase looks a wide open contest with the Willie Mullins trained Raptor likely to head the betting. Dessie Hughes Rivage D’Or won’t be too far away either but a horse that may be worth a second look is Margaret O Sullivan’s Indifference Curve who was last seen pulling up in Welsh National at Chepstow but if he comes back to his previous form he will be in the frame again. Barry Geraghty is booked to ride.

Gagewell Flyer looks to go off favourite as he makes his chasing debut in the Beginners Steeplechase. But a horse that could run a big race is Celtic Wish despite having to carry top weight. The Gerard Mullins nine year old has chasing experience and

The opening weekend of the RBS Six Nations provided a few surprises, one cracking game, and results that both Wales and England will be delighted with.

Ireland and Scotland, however, will rue making the same mistakes that have cost them dear in the past.

Issues for Ireland include how to get a balanced and functional unit from the pool of exceptionally talented players we have.

This season's Heineken Cup (and seasons gone by) prove that Ireland have a playing pool able to match it with anyone in Europe, yet the attack looks stagnant, in sharp contrast to the 10-15 yard gains Wales made most times they kept ball in hand.

Debate will rage over the Sexton / O'Gara selection but the issues for Ireland run far deeper, and we must find answers, and fast.

Scotland, too, were left to rue what might have been after pinning back a rather ordinary

Punchestown host another exciting day of horse racing with the feature Tied Cottage Chase seeing only 3 runners go to post. Big Zeb will take on Sizing Europe in a battle that is currently 1-1. Oliver O’Brady’s Imperial Shabra makes up the field the feature race.
Willie Mullins had a five timer at this meeting last year and he holds some strong chances of winners today at the county Kildare track. Scotsirish can make amends for his unlucky 4th in the Cheltenham cross country.

Punchestown Selections
1:20 Allure Of Allusion – Can improve from his second behind Joxer.
1:50 Caolaneoin each way – Did it nicely at Fairyhouse last time out.
2:20 Really Unique each way
2:55 Sizing Europe
3:25 Hidden Crack each way
3:55 Scotsirish – Looks another winner for Patrick Mullins.
4:25 Mister Hotelier
Happy Punting – Giddy Up

Dundalk hosts its usual Friday night all weather with the first of eight races due off to post at 5:50 at the county Louth track.

The opening www.dundalkstadium.com Handicap looks a tricky contest. The James Nash trained Tsar Paul finished second at the venue last time out and is set to run another big race but the Tom McCourt trained Copper Dock may run a big race with Joseph O’Brien booked to ride.

Conor Hoban and Mick Halford team up to saddle Danick OF Time in the Horseware.com Apprentice Maiden and look the ones to beat.

Six runners go to post for the Leucillin.com Horseware Ireland

Chelsea v Man Utd Sun 5 Feb 16:00 live on Sky Sports
It was not too long ago this fixture would have been a title showdown but with Chelsea falling behind and in the middle of a rebuild at The Bridge they find themselves 12 points behind Utd in 4th place. A top 4 finish is a must this season for AVB and they were lucky to get a last minute draw away to Swansea midweek. The Blues spent the most money in the January transfer window and we could see new boy Gary Cahill make his first start. A lot of the focus on this game will be between John Terry & Rio Ferdinand to see if the 2 centre half’s shake hands before the game. If the media is to be believed, Anton Ferdinand & the rest of the QPR Team had all agreed to ignore John Terry’s hand in the FA Cup game last weekend prompting The FA to cancel the usual pre-match handshake. Man Utd will be buzzing in this game after old boy Darron Gibson did his former club a massive favour when Everton beat City on Tuesday. Utd should have

Despite the cold frost that hit most of Ireland last night Clonmel avoided the worst with the first race due off to post at Powerstown Park at 1:40. The going is currently heavy.

The opening Clonmel Festival Week Maiden Hurdle looks a wide open contest and a chance is taken with the John “Shark” Hanlon trained Coolking who has failed to impress over hurdles but was third in a decent bumper that was won by Ipsos Du Berlais at Galway in October. Brian Hayes is booked to ride.

The Mares Novice Hurdle has only attracted five runners and it looks to be a shake up between Is Herself About and Noras Fancy with slight preference for Noras Fancy who can put her stinking run at Fairyhouse behind her.

Knockgraffon King is worth giving a chance in the Listed Surehaul Mercedes Benz Novice Hurdle for trainer Noel Meade and jockey Davy Condon. Folsom Blue and Daring Article look the dangers.

Despite a long layoff, the Willie Mullins Immediate Response looks the one to beat in the Handicap Hurdle with Patrick Mullins taking the ride.

Willie Mullins saddles two of the five runners in the

Declan Kidney's selection to face Wales contains few surprises, as the manager looks set to go all out to win the tournament, rather than blood new talent.

And that is hardly a surprise, given Eddie O'Sullivan's claims earlier this week that the IRFU make it crystal clear to Irish coaches that they expect a strong performance in the Six Nations, as it's their annual revenue spinner.

Debates will mainly centre around Keith Earls' and Johnny Sexton's respective selections.

Earls has been performing well in the centre for Munster, but in international rugby, with the size and power of most modern-day centres, that's an area we may get found out in.

Particularly with the French clash on the horizon, and you'd expect to have to make a huge number of tackles in Paris, this could be a problem.

The debate at 10 rages on, and particularly with the selection of Conor Murray at 9, many feel an in-form