Michael Verney: Four factors that will decide Ireland’s battle with the British at the Cheltenham FestivalHosts are bullish but they need to start actually winning again to reignite Prestbury Cup rivalryWinning jockey Mark Walsh and trainer Willie Mullins after Fact To File won the Ryanair Chase on day three of last year's Cheltenham Festival at Prestbury Park. Photo: Harry Murphy/SportsfileMichael Verney Today at 06:30Odds of 1/6 for the Irish to retain the Prestbury Cup for the sixth year in succession may suggest otherwise, but plenty of those at racing’s coalface are convinced the British are finally ready to bite back.

Patrice Evra reveals Man Utd's 'dream coach' amid Michael Carrick dilemmaManchester United's managerial situation remains unclear with Michael Carrick making a case to land the job long-term as Patrice Evra names his ideal candidateView 2 Images Luis Enrique has enjoyed a trophy-laden managerial career (Image: Getty)Former Manchester United star Patrice Evra believes Luis Enrique would be "a dream coach" for the club as they consider their next managerial steps. ‌The Red Devils axed Ruben Amorim in January, putting Michael Carrick in charge until the end of the season. He told Stake: "I'm not talking to the Man United board or Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but in my honest opinion, with no disrespect to PSG or Nasser Al-Khelaifi, but Luis Enrique would be a dream coach for Man United. Man Utd's unsung hero who has helped Michael Carrick in area he and Ruben Amorim differ on READ MORE :JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Evra admits: "I don't think we should write off Michael Carrick, he's done a great job and we need to give him an opportunity".

Luke Littler targeting trophy clean sweep after retaining UK Open titleBy Phil Blanche, Press AssociationLuke Littler targeted a clean sweep of trophies in 2026 after retaining his UK Open title in Minehead. Littler began 2026 by winning his second world title and, despite making a slow start to the Premier League, is determined to win every major trophy available to him. But that win meant a lot and to come here to the UK Open and pick up the trophy means a lot. In an event known as the ‘FA Cup of darts’, Littler and Wade – who was seeking a fourth UK Open title – were the last two men standing from 160 players. Gerwyn Price’s bid for a first UK Open title was ended by Wade in the last four.

The Champions League has proved to be a welcome break from domestic matters for Tottenham, who have bucked their Premier League form on the European stage. Article continues belowBodo/Glimt have been the story of this season's Champions League and the Norwegian minnows downed Inter Milan to make the last 16. Predicted quarter-finalistsLiverpool, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal, Bodo/Glimt, PSG, Manchester City. Predicted quarter-finalistsArsenal, Manchester City, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, Bodo/Glimt, PSG, Bayern Munich. Predicted quarter-finalistsArticle continues belowGalatasaray, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Chelsea, Bodo/Glimt, Manchester City.

What followed was a four hour wait for an ambulance that never seemed to come. The National Ambulance Service (NAS) has a target of meeting 75 per cent of PURPLE calls within 18 minutes 59 seconds. In November, 111 PURPLE callouts were received, with 66 per cent meeting the target. December saw 97 callouts, with 63 per cent meeting the target. In January, 105 PURPLE callouts were made, with 61 per cent meeting the target.

The Reds have been drawn to face the Turkish side in the last-16 of the Champions League, with the first-leg taking place in Istanbul on Tuesday evening. "They were all talking about the Liverpool match before the derby game against Besiktas, which was a very important match in its own right," Buruk said. "Besiktas had claimed some good results against us so it was too early to think about Liverpool, we had to think about the league match first. All matches in the Champions League are tough. Following the first-leg against Galatasaray, Liverpool will then turn their attention towards Sunday’s clash with struggling Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.

Mojtaba Khamenei (centre) has been chosen to succeed his father as Iranian supreme leader. File photograph: Rouzbeh Fouladi/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty ImagesMojtaba Khamenei, the second son of the late Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been chosen as his successor, according to Iranian state media. Mojtaba Khamenei’s elevation marks the first time since the 1979 Islamic revolution that Iran’s supreme leadership has passed from father to son. Unlike many figures in Iran’s leadership, Mojtaba Khamenei never pursued elected office or a prominent government role. To his supporters, Mojtaba Khamenei represents continuity with the ideological line established by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and maintained by his father.

A movie branded the 'best action film of 2026' has rocketed up the Netflix charts - with fans already demanding a sequel. War Machine follows the final recruits of a punishing special ops bootcamp, who encounter a dangerous force beyond this world. War Machine has been doing well on Rotten Tomatoes, where it currently holds a a 70% rating so far from professional reviewers. The show was an immediate hit with Netflix viewers, logging a whopping 168.71 million viewing hours in its first week, and securing a Season 2 renewal. Taking to the reviews section of Rotten Tomatoes, one viewer penned, according to Metro: 'Best season yet.

“Mighty Park is exciting and the vibe from everyone down there has to give you confidence,” said Geraghty, who was once number one jockey for Mighty Park’s owner JP McManus. “The fact he had an entry in the Turners suggests he will stay and he’s from the point-to-point scene. And the 43-time Festival-winning rider believes Mighty Park “could be something really special” if coming out on top on the back of just one outing under rules. “It will be interesting to see how it plays out, but the vibes on Mighty Park are really strong and are from the right people, being Willie and David Casey. “The New Lion was really good when winning the Turners last year and after his fall at Newcastle looked a good winner here on Trials day.

Alan Shearer fumes 'I'm not having it' and reaches Arsenal agreement with Gary LinekerAlan Shearer has been left fuming by the criticism aimed at Arsenal this season, with the Gunners still on course to challenge in all four competitions this seasonView 3 Images Alan Shearer has taken issue with criticism of ArsenalAlan Shearer has robustly defended Arsenal against criticism of their performance this season. Mikel Arteta guided his team to the FA Cup quarter-final over the weekend, continuing their impressive run across all competitions. Saturday's 2-1 victory over Mansfield Town has propelled Arsenal into the FA Cup quarter-finals. If Arsenal win the league playing like this, who cares? The teenager was impressive in the FA Cup victory over the weekend and Lineker revealed how he was in awe of his performances.

The Podium ClubThe F1 Paddock Club – rebranded as The Podium Club in Melbourne – is the ultimate vantage point to take in every thrill, as it sits on the Main Straight above the team garages. Seated in the Champions Suite, I felt like a fully-fledged F1 insider – dripping with so many lanyards even I started losing track of my own access. This is unbeatable access; the buzz of the Pit Lane sits mere metres away. And that's all before the expert commentary, pit lane walks and guided track tours. Guests are also invited on walks of Pit Lane – the nerve centre of the race where teams are seen preparing for upcoming sessions.

'The president is lying about what happened with Messi,' Xavi said. I spoke to his father (Jorge Messi) and told him I didn't understand anything, and he said, "Talk to the president." Messi didn’t come to Barca because Laporta didn’t want him. Laporta has all the power at the club and he knew that Messi would manage that power for him.' 'When I see what Xavi has said, I think about Hansi Flick,' Laporta told RAC1.

Harry Styles has left fans scratching their heads with his new 'Australian accent'. Following his new interview on Apple Music's The Zane Lowe Show to discuss his upcoming fourth studio album, Kiss All the Time. Following the Zane interview, fans took to X to write: 'Okay, I LOVE Harry Styles…but I cannot, CANNOT stand this transatlantic accent he seems to have adopted! 'Harry Styles accent in the Zane Lowe interview is a mad one... One of my colleagues said Harry Styles sounds like he's got an Australian accent on the Zane Lowe interview and now I'm watching it I can't unhear it...'Is harry Styles now Australian? #ThisMorning what's up with that accent... harry styles accent in the zane lowe interview???

Britain has just two days' worth of natural gas in storage, sparking fears of a shortage crisis as the Middle East conflict shut down the world's largest gas facility and Iran closed a key shipping channel. There is a similar quantity stored as liquefied natural gas (LNG). Meanwhile, oil prices are set to soon hit $100 a barrel and that could rise to $150 if the war drags on, industry experts warned. 'The UK gas hub price is now above the Dutch TTF [the main European gas hub] all the way from now until the end of May. Meanwhile, fears of a significant spike in oil prices are also growing, driven largely by disruption to the flow through the Strait of Hormuz.

Tana Ramsay has reportedly been studying to become a midwife since enrolling in a London university last year. In 2016 Tana had a miscarriage at five months pregnant, delivering her stillborn son Rocky. Despite writing her own cookbook and appearing on TV alongside her husband, Tana's new role has been branded a 'perfect match' for her by family and friends. Tana would need to study for three years to become a qualified midwife if studying full-time, and undertake placements at NHS hospitals. After studying for her Montessori Early Childhood Qualification in London, Tana worked as a Montessori Teacher at a Chiswick nursery.