1. #CHELTENHAM 2012 It’s finally here.
The Olympics of horse racing, hurdling’s answer to the World Cup, Christmas for bookies, call it what you will, the festival begins now.
Starters orders will be at 1.30 with the Supreme Novices hurdle. The day’s two big races are the Arkle chase (2.05) and the Champion Hurdle (3.20). You can follow all of our Cheltenham 2012 coverage by clicking this convenient link. Alternatively, you could just download our office sweepstakes kit and pick a name out of a hat. Good a way as any.
2. #PREMIER LEAGUE Arsenal left it late to claim all three points against Newcastle. The Magpies took the lead at the Emirates through Hatem Ben Arfa, but that man, Robin Van Persie, blasted home an equalising goal barely 45 seconds later.
From there the game looked likely to open up fully, but instead Newcastle hung on and looked on course for a point until the fifht minute of stoppage time when Tomas Vermaelen snatched the winner to keep up the Gunners’ charge for the top four. It is the fourth time in consecutive league games that they have come from a goal down to win. A Premier League record.
The actions continues tonight with as Liverpool host Everton in the Merseyside derby and Kenny Dalglish has been forced to react to speculation linking Luis Suarez with a move away.
3. #CHAMPIONS LEAGUE If Merseyside isn’t your thing, how about Munich? Bayern go into tonights last 16 second leg tie with FC Basel trailng by a solitary goal.
It’s the same story for 2010 champions, Inter Milan. They face Marseille needing a goal at the very least to force extra time. An away goal from either side, of course, will ensure the tie will be settled within 90 minutes.
4. #SIX NATIONS The Irish squad was given the all clear by team management yesterday, though Michael Kearney did say that every one of the players is feeling sore and carrying some minor knock or other.
Meanwhile, Shane Horgan says Stephen Ferris can pick up much of the slack left by the absence of Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell.
5. #GAA The Royal county is still reeling today after Joe Sheridan announce that he would leave Ireland to pursue his career in Boston. The robust skillful forward was employed in ireland and the Meath County Board have suggested that they found him alternative emplyment, but the pull of the dollar and a life after football proved too strong.
6 #CRICKET Ireland are chasing a total of 160 set by Nambia in the opening test of their ICC world Twenty20 qualification. Currently they sit on 137 for six wickets, so require 24 runs with 14 balls remaining.
