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      in Soccer

      Man Utd legend Sir Alex Ferguson shuts down ITV reporter with brilliant three-word response at Cheltenham Festival

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      SIR ALEX FERGUSON gave a sensational three-word response when asked who he thinks will in the Premier League this season.The legendary Manchester United manager, 81, attended Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday as he lapped up an afternoon of racing.
      Sir Alex Ferguson gave a superb response to being asked about the title raceCredit: itv racing
      But he was inevitably asked his view on footballing matters as ITV attempted to squeeze a title prediction out of him.
      Reporter Matt Chapman put it to him: “Man City or Arsenal, Sir Alex?”
      But the Scot refused to be drawn in one way or the other, simply replying: “I’m not interested”.
      The Gunners lead defending champions Manchester City by five points with 11 games remaining.
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      Ferguson battled both Arsenal and Man City in several title races over the years.
      He is the most successful boss in Premier League history, lifting the title on 13 occasions.
      And his longevity is perhaps the most impressive facet of his managerial career, with his first league triumph coming in 1993 and his final one in 2013.
      But this week he is more focused on the horse racing as he watches three of his stable compete at Cheltenham.
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      Protektorat is his main charge – a 14/1 shot to win the marquee Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday at 3.30pm.
      And he also has 25/1 Hitman for the Ryanair Chase on Thursday at 2.50pm.

      But his first horse of the week – Hermes Allen – failed to compete for the win in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.
      Meanwhile, reporter Chapman reacted hilariously to one fan criticising him for asking Fergie about the title race.
      The ITV presenter received a tweet which read: “What a p**** you are asking Sir Alex ‘Arsenal or Man City’, have some respect you b******”.
      To which he replied: “You have to laugh at Twitter 😂😂😂”. More

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      in Soccer

      Heartbreak as punter loses out on £36k win off incredible accumulator after Man City draw and turning down HUGE cashout

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      ONE punter was left heartbroken as he missed out on a whopping £36,000 thanks to Manchester City’s draw.Pep Guardiola’s side dominated the first half and led at RB Leipzig in their Champions League last-16 first leg thanks to Riyad Mahrez’s finish.
      Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw at RB LeipzigCredit: Getty
      It was heartbreak as this incredible bet fell shortCredit: Twitter
      But Joski Gvardiol headed in a crucial header to earn a 1-1 draw – and no doubt leave the gambler gutted.
      To make matters worse, City were somehow denied a stonewall penalty in injury time despite a blatant handball that VAR didn’t even check.
      The Twitter user and Tottenham fan, Connor, shared his five-fold accumulator an hour before kick-off in Germany.
      He had placed £300 at 120-1 – with returns of £36,057.65.
      READ MORE ON MAN CITY
      The four horses he had backed – 2-1 Patient Dream and 7-4 Seigneur Des As at Ludlow, 2-1 Fleurman at Newcastle and 13-8 The Connector at Punchestown – all came in.
      And that left Connor with a decision to make – bank on City to do the business at Leipzig with odds of 17-20 to get the win.
      Or he could cash out for a cool £17,754.28 before a ball was kicked to save himself the stress of sitting through the European clash.
      According to Footy Accumulators on Twitter, he opted to stick it out, even once he was offered a £28,000 cash out.
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      Fans were divided on his tactics and gave differing advice.
      One said: “Take and run don’t risk it.”
      Another wrote: “Please take the money that already is life-changing – why risk £28k for an extra £8k?”
      But a third added: “Keep going City look good.”
      And a final user replied: “Minerals. Go for it.” More

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      in Motorsport

      Meet Michael Schumacher’s incredible motor racing family dynasty including brother Ralf, son Mick & injured nephew David

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      FEW sporting families have endured and enjoyed more than Michael Schumacher’s incredible motor-racing dynasty.Nine years after the seven-time F1 champion suffered life-changing head injuries skiing, nephew David has fractured his spine in a fireball race crash.
      Michael Schumacher and wife Corinna, seen skiing before his 2013 accident, are in Spain for the winter with children Mick and Gina MariaCredit: AFP
      Michael’s nephew David Schumacher fractured his spine in a frightening crash at Hockenheimring DTM event on Saturday
      Wife Corinna and daughter Gina Maria were on hand when Michael was awarded a North Rhine-Westphalia State Prize in Cologne in JulyCredit: Splash
      Son Michael Schumacher is hoping to emulate just a little of the success of dad Michael, who lifted the F1 crown seven timesCredit: AFP
      Schumacher senior, wife Corinna and their two children Mick and Gina Maria have moved to a £27million mansion in Majorca for the winter.
      It’s thought the sea-view property includes all the medical equipment the 53-year-old needs for rehabilitation.
      Schuey always kept his family life as private as possible.
      And that’s stayed the same since his accident, with little known about his condition.
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      But his family’s love for racing can’t escape the spotlight.
      Brother Ralf notched six F1 wins and now Michael’s son Mick also competes in motorsport’s top championship.
      Michael’s daughter Gina Maria admitted she too was tempted by the fast lane. But after a season of karting she swapped racing for riding – with equestrian.
      Here’s our guide to one of the sport’s greatest families.
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      MICHAEL SCHUMACHER
      The fiercely, famously, fantastically competitive German shares the record for most F1 crowns – after Lewis Hamilton caught him up on seven in 2020.
      After two titles with Benetton in 1994 and 1995, Schuey lifted the crown five times with Ferrari.
      He retired  in 2006 with 91 GP wins but surprisingly returned in 2010 for two mediocre years with Mercedes.
      Many fans and pundits regard Michael Schumacher as F1’s greatest driver everCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Michael Schumacher took the 1994 and 1995 F1 world titles with Benetton before winning five championships for Ferrari, the last in 2004Credit: AFP
      F1 legend Michael Schumacher sustained his serious head injury while skiingCredit: Reuters
      Schumacher’s situation changed forever, though, when he fell and hit his head while skiing off-piste in 2013.
      After being air-lifted to a hospital and having two surgeries he was placed in a medically induced coma for six months to reduce swelling of his brain.
      And via another hospital in Switzerland he finally returned to his home in Lake Geneva in 2015, where it’s understood he has mainly remained.
      CORINNA SCHUMACHER
      Michael’s wife is a keen horsewoman, winning the 2010 European Championship in western style horse riding.
      Wife Corinna Schumacher is a horse-rider, dog-lover and fighter for animal rightsCredit: AFP or licensors
      The animal rights activist, who is also 53, has two children with the racing legend – son Mick and daughter Gina Maria.
      RALF SCHUMACHER
      Michael’s younger brother, 47, won six GPs when competing in F1 from 1997-2007 with Jordan, Williams and Toyota.
      Ralf Schumacher raced in the shadow of older brother Michael but still recorded six victories and 27 podium finishesCredit: AFP
      German actress and model Cora Brinkmann was married to Ralf Schumacher from 2001 to 2015, sandwiching his F1 careerCredit: Reuters
      They are the only siblings to have both triumphed triumph in F1 races.
      Ralf is now a co-commentator for Sky Sport in Germany.
      MICK SCHUMACHER 
      Son Mick’s F1 career could be in the balance after just two years.
      Michael’s son Mick awaits his first F1 podium spot in his second year with HaasCredit: Getty
      Pointless in 2021, he was buoyed by finishing eighth and sixth in the British and Australian GPs respectively this year.
      But Haas team principal Guenther Steiner claims he “lacks consistency”.
      Mick first released his racing bug in karting – in 2008 – before working his way up through F4, F3 and F2.
      Now, 23, Mick reckons playing chess is a major help in his mental build-up to racing – meaning check first, chequered flag second.
      DAVID SCHUMACHER
      As Ralf’s son, Michael’s nephew and Mick’s cousin, David is the youngest of the racing Schumachers.
      Ralf Schumacher is shown trackside with son David, who now faces several weeks out after fracturing his spineCredit: Getty
      But the Mercedes driver, 20, faces at least six weeks out after an horrendous crash on Saturday.
      He fractured his spine in a collison with Thomas Preining in Saturday’s DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) event at Hockenheimring.
       Both cars smashed into the barriers and bounced back onto the circuit.
      And although David was initially given the all-clear, further scans revealed the far more extent of his injuries.
      GINA MARIA
      Michael’s daughter, 25, won gold at the FEI World Reining Championships in Switzerland – after confessing she “preferred the horses” to race cars.
      Michael’s daughter Gina Maria Schumacher prefers riding to racingCredit: Rex Features
      The Western riding star did try karting for a year – but quickly decided it wasn’t her mane interest.
      Showjumper Iain Bethke is her long-term boyfriend. More

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      in Soccer

      I will miss our horse racing loving Queen… I have met Royals over the years including over dinner, says Harry Redknapp

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      THE death of Queen Elizabeth touches us all in many ways.Memories of our own lives go hand-in-hand with hers because her reign was so long.
      The Queen was a keen fan of horse racingCredit: Getty
      Redknapp has had a number of encounters with the Royal Family over the yearsCredit: Louis Wood News Group Newspaper Ltd
      I remember the street parties for the Coronation in 1953. London’s East End was still recovering from the ravages of World War Two.
      Rationing had been a huge part of my childhood. The taste of the jam sandwiches we had that day still lingers. To us kids in Poplar, it felt like we were in heaven.
      My wife Sandra and I shall be watching the funeral on Monday with a heavy touch of sadness. We are royalists and believe in the monarchy.
      Throughout my working life in football, I have been fortunate enough to meet quite a number of our Royal Family.
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      As manager of West Ham, Prince Harry and Prince William came to Upton Park as kids to watch us play Arsenal.
      My memories are fuzzy but I think we tried to stage a late comeback for the boys — but believe we lost. Then again, Arsenal were untouchable in those days.
      It’s an honour to have made the acquaintance of Prince Charles through the Prince’s Trust, Camilla too. I also met Princess Anne as a part of her valuable work with the disabled.
      When you work in top-level football it can lead to occasions like that, rubbing shoulders with royals. And I found them all extremely charming.
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      The Queen will always be remembered for her passion for horse racing. That was her sport.
      It remains mine too. And it led to some surprise consequences when I spent time in the company of Princess Beatrice, Prince Andrew’s elder daughter.
      At the time I was manager of Queens Park Rangers. One night I was staying in London at a hotel and my son Jamie called to ask if I fancied joining him and a few of his pals for dinner.
      I joined the crowd at the table and it was a lovely evening. A young lady was sitting next to me and she struck up a conversation.
      She mentioned my well-known passion for horse racing, so of course I went off on one — like a thoroughbred out of the stalls.
      I told her all about my upbringing, how my nan was a bookie’s runner back in the old days.
      At the time, gambling was illegal other than at a racecourse. But my nan Maggie Brown collected scraps of paper from all the other old ladies on the estate, with their wagers scribbled down. The papers were folded up and my nan would drop them into Cyril the paper boy’s bag.
      I say boy, he was about sixty! He used to walk the streets calling out, ‘Star, News And Standard’ to sell copies.
      Cyril wore a shirt and a tie and always had immaculately polished black shoes. Anyway, I hope you can picture the scene.
      From time to time the police would have to do their duty and my nan would get arrested.
      Every so often she was carted off in a Black Maria — a police van.
      At Poplar nick she would get a slap on the wrist and then be released to come straight back out on the streets and resume her little sideline.
      So I was telling all my shady family secrets to this young girl and she said, ‘Oh, my grandmother loves horse racing too’.
      She added, ‘When she won the Gold Cup a  couple of years ago, she was absolutely delighted’.
      This instantly rang alarm bells in my brain and I traced back through my increasingly suspect memory, thinking, ‘What on Earth had she meant?’
      People win ON the Gold Cup but to win THE Gold Cup is something else entirely. I sifted back through time and remembered a couple of years previously the Queen had won the Gold Cup.
      It was then that it finally dawned on me that I was sitting in a London restaurant telling tales from my murky past to a pretty senior member of our Royal Family.
      If I am honest, I still wasn’t sure what her name was or who she was directly related to, but I knew it was time to up the level of my conversation!
      So we chatted on about racing — and by now I had more of an idea that I was sitting next to a major figure of the British establishment.
      I left the young ones to it a bit later on, left the restaurant and went back to the hotel.
      The next morning Jamie rang me and said, ‘You still have no clue who that was you were talking to last night, do you?’
      Of course I knew she was a relative of the Queen — but it still needed my son to provide me with a name. I was pretty embarrassed, for sure.
      The Queen never missed Ascot, it was a huge part of her life — and it will take horse racing some time to get over her loss.
      Read More on The Sun
      I feel it, like much of the country does.
      But we should maintain our traditions here in Great Britain, we have so much to be proud of. More

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd legend Paul Scholes links up with Liverpool heroes Michael Owen and Steve McManaman at Chester races

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Paul Scholes has been pictured alongside Michael Owen and Steve McManaman at Chester races.Owen, 42, is an avid horse racing fan and owns a number of horses at his Manor House Stables.
      Michael Owen went to Chester Races with some famous friends
      Michael Owen congratulated jockey Cieren Fallon for a “great ride” on Instagram
      The former England striker celebrated horse Box To Box’s win in the Tomahawk Steakhouse Chester Handicap, posting photos on Instagram.
      He posed alongside jockey Cieren Fallon and trainer Hugo Palmer.
      In the snaps were his former team-mates and BT Sport colleagues Scholes, McManaman and Owen Hargreaves.
      Scholes, 47, played alongside Owen for England and during his spell at Man Utd.
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      McManaman and Hargreaves also know Owen from their time in the England setup, and Liverpool and Man Utd respectively.
      Owen is enjoying his summer away from football as last week he was spotted at Royal Ascot.
      Meanwhile his daughter Gemma has risen to fame as one of the contestants on this year’s Love Island.
      Gemma has previously attended horse racing events with her father and she is another member of the family with a love for the races.
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      She has even competed in dressage events claiming to be an international star.
      But The Sun exclusively revealed that she has only won three competitions in the last seven years.
      In the villa Gemma shocked ITV2 viewers recently when she admitted that she would “lick” a horses bum for £2,000 because it was “clean”.
      Gemma Owen is Michael’s eldest child More

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      in Soccer

      Five Liverpool stars could land huge racing prize just hours before Premier League title decider vs Wolves on Sunday

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      FORGET the Premier League title race – Liverpool stars will be focused on a Group 2 in Germany this Sunday.As, a few hours before Jurgen Klopp’s Reds march out at Anfield against Wolves in their season decider, Mr McCann will be running in the German 2,000 Guineas.
      Mr McCann could land five Liverpool stars a big pot just hours before their Premier League decidedCredit: Getty

      The horse, owned by five Liverpool players and former star Adam Lallana, will be running for an £84,000 pot in Germany.
      Mr McCann has already earned Trent Alexander-Arnold, James Milner, Andy Robertson, Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain just shy of £30k.
      And he could have much more to offer in his second run under his new trainer Hugo Palmer, who operates at fellow ex-Red Michael Owen’s Manor House stables.
      His connections will be hopeful of a good run after a pipe-opener at Chester earlier this month, especially with James Doyle on board.
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      And he could give them the perfect boost ahead of their final battle to pip Manchester City to the title on the final day of the season.
      Mr McCann won’t have it easy though as he faces exciting William Haggas two-year-old Maljoom in Cologne.
      Maljoom has looked the real deal in two runs, winning by a combined two-and-three-quarter lengths over seven furlongs at Doncaster and a mile at Kempton.
      He has formed part of an electric start to the season for Haggas.
      .css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      At the time of writing the Somerville Lodge chief had banged in 16 winners from 34 runners over the past fortnight for an impressive 47 per cent strike rate.
      Tom Marquand was in the saddle for Maljoom’s first two wins, coming at the end of March and last month.
      Stevie Donohoe gets the gig this weekend on the Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum-owned runner.
      Connections will net £84,034 with victory and it looks like Maljoom, who won on good going on debut at Donny, should relish similar conditions in Germany.
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      He spearheads a three-pronged Brit attack on the race, along with Mr McCann and Stan Moore’s The Wizard of Eye, who finished 11th of 15 and nine lengths behind Coroebus in the 2000 Guineas.
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      All sporting events in Wales to be played behind closed doors from Boxing Day to help combat growing Covid cases

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      ALL sporting events in Wales will be played behind closed doors from Boxing Day.The continued surge in Covid cases across the country has led the Welsh Government to put in place the blanket ban.
      Cardiff Blues vs Scarlets will be played on Boxing Day with no fans in the stadiumCredit: Getty
      Cardiff fans will not be able to celebrate their team scoring at home for the time beingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The current rate is just under 550 cases per 100,000 people as the Omicron variant causes chaos.
      Economy minister Vaughan Gething said: “Sporting events over the Christmas period are one of the big highlights of the year.
      “Unfortunately, the new Omicron variant is a significant development in the pandemic and could cause a large number of infections.
      “We need to do everything we can to protect people’s health and control the spread of this awful virus.
      “The advice is clear – we need to act now in response to the threat of Omicron. We are giving people as much notice of these decisions as we can.
      “Crowds will come back as soon as possible. We want everyone to be here to enjoy their favourite sports.”
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Sport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      A £3million Spectator Sports Fund is being made available to clubs and venues affected by the latest restrictions, which are being reviewed ‘regularly’.
      The ruling, announced at midnight, will affect various sports including football, rugby union and horse racing.
      Cardiff City were due to host Coventry on Boxing Day but that game has already been called off due to Covid cases in the Bluebirds’ squad.
      Similarly, Newport County vs Forest Green Rovers is also off while Swansea fans can make the trip to South London to watch their side take on Millwall.
      But they will not be permitted entry when they host Luton three days later.
      Both Cardiff and Swansea have home ties in the FA Cup third round which will now be played with empty stands.
      The crunch United Rugby Championship clash between Cardiff Blues and Scarlets on Boxing Day is also affected, while the other Welsh derby between Ospreys and Dragons is already off.
      More than 6,000 tickets had been sold for Monday’s Welsh Grand National at Chepstow – but the turnstiles will not open for that, either.

      In England, however, things are continuing as planned for the time being.
      The Premier League clubs voted against a festive circuit breaker on Monday.
      Teams will have to fulfil a fixture as long as they have 13 outfield players and one goalkeeper available for selection – with Under-23s players drafted in as cover if necessary.
      But reports in The Times suggest the top flight could follow Wales’ lead with matches played behind closed doors again soon.
      The Welsh Grand National will have no spectators when the horses set off on MondayCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Football star swaps racing thoroughbreds like Rooney and Aguero to saddling up for first horse race

      by

      JAY TABB ran alongside thoroughbreds Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero in his footballing heyday.But on Sunday the pint-sized footballer turned stable lad is saddling-up for his first ever race ON a horse.
      Jay Tabb has gone from running with thoroughbreds like Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero in the Premier League being a stable lad
      Jay Tabb, on his horse Mister Miyagi, saddles up for his first horse race on Sunday after swapping goals for foals
      At 5ft 6ins, ex Reading, Brentford, Coventry City and Ipswich Town midfielder Tabb is actually four inches shorter than legendary rider McCoy.
      However, he’s had to spend this week out of the Somerset pubs after work to make the 12 stone weight for Sunday’s charity race at Wincanton.
      The Racing Welfare fundraiser marks the pinnacle of the 37-year-old’s second job in sport – having achieved promotion to the Premier League with Brian McDermott’s Royals in 2012.
      After switching to the sport of kings and landing a job at Phillip Hobbs’ Sandhill Racing Stables, Tabb said: “As soon as I’ve done this race, that’s it!
      “Jockeys are so tough. In football, if we had the tiniest little strain we wouldn’t play.
      “I’ve seen jockeys after falls, limping into work and getting back on the horses. They are tough boys and girls.
      “I might be the height of a jockey – but I’m not the size of one. I was probably 12-and-half-stone playing football and I have had to lose a few pounds this week.
      “If it goes okay, I might do a point-to-point in a few years, but that’s as far as it goes. I’m really happy working in racing and having this job as a stable lad.
      “But I’m definitely not a wannabe jockey – I’m too old, too heavy and definitely not good enough!
      “It has never been about being a jockey, though, it’s about getting the experience.
      Midfielder Tabb was promoted with Reading after winning the Championship in 2012Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney and Reading’s Jay Tabb in action during their playing daysCredit: PA:Press Association
      “So this charity race is a great thing for me to tick off to say I have ridden a race horse, in a race.
      “I get to ride the horses up the gallops every day, but it is nice to have that experience on a race track and ride on a racecourse. I feel very lucky.
      “So I’m excited – but the nerves will be more over the fact I’ll be sitting on a half tonne animal.
      “I just hope we all get to the start okay, jump off and then it’ll be over in the blink of an eye.
      “And I don’t think I’ll be nervous like I would be before a big Premier League or Championship match.
      “Because when I was a footballer you were expected to win and you didn’t want to let people down.”

      Tabb left London for Doncaster in 2019 where he completed a three-month crash-course at the National Horseracing College.
      He then found a job with Cheltenham and Aintree-winning trainer Hobbs in the West Country – and has never looked back having developed a love of horses in his footballing days alongside ex Cov City defender Ben Turner.
      “It’s been two years and counting in Somerset and it’s been an amazing experience,” he told SunSport.
      “I’ve been in every morning at 6am, mucking-out, then riding four or five times a day.
      “Quick break for lunch then back at 3pm until 5pm. It’s a full-on, hard-working day.
      “But I’ve got to go racing too and led up at Cheltenham and Newbury, so I have loved every minute of it.
      “Riding the horses is the high point of the job and I’ve been so lucky to sit on these great horses that Mr Hobbs has.
      “You get on those good horses and wow, they do it all so easily and that is a great feeling.
      “We had a lot of good horses for J. P. McManus, too, so that was a great experience.
      “You have to pinch yourself sometimes, having been racing lots and watching it all the time. To then sit on those horses you see on TV, it is really special.”
      Just like in his football days, Tabb has had to make sacrifices to get his dream ride this weekend.
      He admitted: “There have been a few days when I wish I could have gone to the pub and had a pint!
      “I love it when we have a hard day at work and go to the pub at the end of the day for a few pints and a chat.
      “I have met some amazing people and a lot of friends who will be friends for life.”
      Tabb is now a stable lad at Phillip Hobbs’ Sandhill Racing Stables
      As well as the day job Tabb also looks after his old race horse, Mister Miyagi, who he bought with Turner during their playing days.
      And even though he has been around the sport for almost a decade now in one way or another, becoming the next Willie Mullins or Paul Nicholls isn’t for him either.
      He said: “If you’re a trainer, the hours you work are non stop.
      “You’re like a football manager. I don’t really want to do that, I am happy being a stable lad.
      “You need to know a lot, too. I have come into the industry very late and it’s hard to know everything in your mid 30s.
      “There is horse racing all over the world and when you start off you realise people always know someone somewhere.
      “So, in time, when travel is easier, I wouldn’t mind seeing the world and riding out in different countries.”
      First, Tabb will soon move back towards Ascot and also has plans to play more rugby, having turned to egg-chasing after his football days as a goal-kicking scrum-half.
      The sports-mad star added: “I am missing rugby and my brother is still playing for our old team – I will try and start playing again.
      “I go watch the boys at Old Wimbledonians after riding out on a Saturday morning and I just want to play as I’m rubbish at watching.”
      To support Tabb’s race click here
      Jay Tabb, right, riding out on the gallops
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