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‘No way he should be riding’ say punters after seeing Cheltenham jockey’s horrific black eye and stitches

FANS have been left shocked after jockey Harry Skelton was seen with a horror eye injury ahead of his races today.

Skelton rides L’Eau du Sud in the Arkle Challenge and Take No Chances in the Mares’ Hurdle this afternoon.

Jockey Harry Skelton with a black eye and stitches.
PA
Harry Skelton showed off a horror eye injury before his race[/caption]
Jockey Harry Skelton in a bright yellow jacket.
Rex
Skelton rides L’Eau du Sud and Take No Chances on the opening day at Cheltenham[/caption]

But ahead of the opening race of the festival, the highly-rated jockey was seen with a painful-looking swollen eye.

There was also a nasty cut along the side of his brow that was held together by stitches.

Skelton is said to have sustained the injury after being kicked by a foul.

But punters are unsure whether it is safe for him to be out on the turf, with one saying: “There is no way he should be riding today!”

Another added: “Surely he shouldn’t be allowed to ride like that.”

A third wrote: “I’m no doctor but that doesn’t look great.”

L’Eau du Sud is the 5/1 second favourite in the 14:00 race – behind only Majborough in the odds.

He then rides the 33/1 Take No Chances – with Lossiemouth tipped to win the 15:20.

Cheltenham Festival betting offers and free bets

Skelton heads to Cheltenham with some pedigree, having previously rode nine winners in Gloucestershire.

He had a great 2024 with four victories, including retaining the Coral Cup on the back of Langer Dan.

The 35-year-old is the son of two-time Olympic gold medal-winning show jumper Nick Skelton and his brother Dan is the trainer of Take No Chances.

He is married to fellow jockey Bridget Andrews and they have a baby together called Rory, who was born in April last year.

Nick Skelton, wearing a Team GB jacket, celebrates his gold medal win at the Rio Olympics.
AFP or licensors
His dad is showjumping legend Nick Skelton[/caption]

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2025 LIVE: LATEST TIPS AND RESULTS FROM THE GREATEST SHOW ON TURF

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2.00 Cheltenham result – day 1: Who won Arkle Novices’ Chase 2025? How every horse finished

DAY 1 of the Cheltenham Festival has gotten off to a thrilling start – with Jango Baie winning the Arkle!

We’ll bring you how every horse finished right here below, or check out Sun Racing’s Cheltenham live blog for the latest race updates.

Jockey Paul Townend celebrating after a horse race win.
Paul Townend aboard Gaelic Warrior won the Arkle Novices’ Chase last year
Sportsfile

2.00 Cheltenham result

1 Jango Baie 5/1

Cheltenham Festival 2025 schedule in FULL

Tuesday, March 11 – Champion Day

1.20pm: Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ (WINNER: KOPEK DES BORDES)
2pm: My Pension Expert Arkle Novices’ Chase (WINNER: JANGO BAIE)
2.40pm: Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
3.20pm: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
4pm: Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
4.40pm: Hallgarten And Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
5.20pm: National Hunt Novices’ Chase

Cheltenham Festival betting offers and free bets

Wednesday, March 12 – Style Wednesday

1.20pm: Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
2pm: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
2.40pm: Coral Cup Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
3.20pm: Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
4pm: BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)
4.40pm: Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
5.20pm: Weatherbys Champion Bumper

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2025 LIVE: LATEST TIPS AND RESULTS FROM THE GREATEST SHOW ON TURF

Thursday, March 13 – St Patrick’s Thursday

1.20pm: Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
2pm: Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase
2.40pm: Pertemps Network Final (Premier Handicap)
3.20pm: Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)
4pm: Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
4.40pm: TrustATrader Plate (Premier Handicap)
5.20pm: Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup

Friday, March 14 – Gold Cup Day

1.20pm: JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
2pm: William Hill County Handicap Hurdle Race (Premier Handicap)
2.40pm: Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Grade 2)
3.20pm: Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
4pm: Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1)
4.40pm: St. James’s Place Festival Hunters Chase
5.20pm: Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

How to watch EVERY race at Cheltenham Festival 2025

In the UK, ITV1 will be providing FREE coverage of the first SIX races of each day at Cheltenham Festival this year.

Fans in the UK will be able to live stream ITV’s coverage for FREE via the ITVX app/website.

ITV‘s broadcast of the event will begin at 12.45pm and end at 5pm each day.

Previously, ITV didn’t air the final two races of each day at Cheltenham, but this year, viewers are treated to an extra four races across the festival for absolutely NOTHING.

Racing TV is the only place to watch the Cheltenham Festival in its entirety, but you will be required to purchase a subscription to access the channel.

SunSport’s Cheltenham live blog will provide comprehensive coverage of EVERY race across the festival.

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

  • Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
  • Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
  • Never chase their losses
  • Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
  • Gamcare – gamcare.org.uk
  • GambleAware – GambleAware.org

Read our guide on responsible gambling practices.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.

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Who is YouTube star TBJZL? Everything we know about the internet personality starring in the Baller League?

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: Tobit "Tobi" Brown, better known as 'TBJZL' of the Sidemen, during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Manchester United FC at London Stadium on October 27, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 27: Tobit “Tobi” Brown, better known as ‘TBJZL’ of the Sidemen, during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Manchester United FC at London Stadium on October 27, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

TBJZL – aka Tobijizzle – is a streamer, rapper, businessman, and influencer but is probably best known as a member and co-founder of the Sidemen, the hugely popular YouTube group, which includes internet personality KSI.

His profile is expected to skyrocket later this month when he manages a team – VZN FC  in the forthcoming Baller League, which begins on March 24, and features a star-studded managerial line-up, including Gary Lineker and John Terry.

For The Times Magazine use only, for enquiries contact anna.bassett@thetimes.co.uk or greg.moss@the-times.co.uk . ,  Clockwise from top left: YouTubers Zerkaa, Vikkstar123, Wroetoshaw, Behzinga, KSI, TBJZL and Miniminter, collectively known as the Sidemen. Photographed by Tom Jackson
TBJZL, second left, with his fellow Sidemen

Early life, influence and business interests

Born Tobit John Brown in Hackney, London, on April 8, 1993, the 31-year-old’s business interests are as wide-ranging as his influence across YouTube, and include co-owning XIX Vodka, Sidemen Clothing, the restaurant chain Sides, and the cereal brand Best Breakfasts.

In September 2019, he was listed as the 38th most influential online creator in the United Kingdom by The Sunday Times. As of March 2025, his main YouTube channel had more than 5 million subscribers and 567 million views.

TBJZL – who is of Nigerian heritage – joined YouTube in 2011 while studying at university after seeing his friends’ success; after completing his degree he became a full-time YouTuber, before joining the Sidemen in 2013, having met future fellow Sidemen member Josh Bradley a few years earlier at Bexley Grammar School.

The Sidemen

https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/inside-season-2-release-date-news
TBJZL, far left, with his fellow Sidemen before their charity match at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, March 8

Music career

In December 2019, he released The Gift with the rest of the Sidemen, which reached number 77 on the UK singles chart, while in early 2020 he released his debut single, Destined for Greatness, with his brother Manny and featuring his sister Janellé.

The song charted at number 31 on the UK Singles Chart, making it his first UK top 40 single; it also debuted at number 18 in New Zealand; that year he also featured in a remix of his fellow Sidemen member KSI‘s song Wake Up Call.

What is his involvement in the Baller League?

He will manage a team – VZN FC in the league.

The Baller League began in Germany, created by entrepreneur Felix Starck and aided by Mats Hummels and Lukas Podolski. It is a six-a-side indoor football competition, with the first UK season taking place at the Copper Box Arena in London.

The influencer-led league – headlined by KSI for the UK version – sees former Premier League players, futsal players and celebrities face one another in 12 teams to win the Baller League.

TBJZL’s squad includes Henri Lansbury, Kurtice Herbert, Jerome Sinclair and Remy Mitchell.

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Emmerdale and Coronation Street SNUBBED at Royal Television Society Awards as rivals scoop nominations for best soap

ITV soaps Emmerdale and Coronation Street have been snubbed for the top gong at this year’s Royal Television Society Awards.

The fledgling programme have been brutally sidelined for this year’s industry awards amid ongoing chaos behind-the-scenes as a result of the cash crisis.

Still image from Emmerdale episode 10236: Rhona, Dylan, April, and Marlon stand outside a stone building.
Not known, clear with picture desk
Emmerdale has been snubbed for the eighth year in a row[/caption]
Scene from Coronation Street: Characters arguing in a pub.
Not known, clear with picture desk
Coronation Street has also failed to land a nom at this year’s RTS Awards[/caption]

Earlier this year, it was confirmed that both shows had been forced to axe an entire episode in order to limit costs with both shows also ditching around 10 actors each from its cast in recent months to combat their money woes.

Now, in a crushing blow to both programme, neither have failed to secure a nomination as this year’s awards.

In the category of Soap and Continuing Drama, the BBC‘s EastEnders and Casualty picked up nominations as did Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.

But for ITV, they were left with nothing once again.

Last year, neither Emmerdale or Corrie managed to bag the nomination too with the Beeb sweeping up all the nominations with its two aforementioned shows as well as Waterloo Road.

In fact, the last time that ITV did manage to receive a nod was for Corrie back in 2022.

Shockingly, Emmerdale has failed to be nominated for EIGHT years after it won the award back in 2017.

Emmerdale had won two years running before their shocking slew of snubs.

This year’s ceremony is set to take place on March 25 where the winner will be announced in a glitzy event at Grovesnor House Hotel.

Despite the snub, the shows will be hoping to win back at this year’s British Soap Awards.

The show is back after ITV mysteriously axed it last year.

Host Jane McDonald will be back for the ceremony this June after joining the show in 2022.

Hollyoaks cast photo.
Lime Pictures
Hollyoaks will be hoping to win on the night[/caption]
Linda Carter, Sharon Watts, Grant Mitchell, and Nigel seated at a table in a pub.
BBC
As will EastEnders too![/caption]

Soap's most harrowing teen storylines

We take a look at other harrowing teen soap storylines from soaps Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks.

Belle Dingle’s schizophrenia in Emmerdale – Belle’s (Eden Taylor-Draper) traumatic journey in Emmerdale took a dark turn when, after accidentally killing her best friend Gemma at just 16, her mental health began to spiral.

The storyline, which saw Belle struggling with her grief and guilt, showcased her battle with hearing Gemma’s voice inside her head, leading to a dramatic decline in her well-being.

Hannah Ashworth’s anorexia in Hollyoaks – Viewers were horrified as they watched Hannah (Emma Rigby), a seemingly innocent teen, spiral into dangerous behavior, starving herself in an attempt to achieve what she thought was the ideal body.

As Hannah’s condition worsened, the storyline became more intense, culminating in her being hospitalised for two months as she fought for her life.

Bethany Platt’s grooming ordeal in Coronation Street – Vulnerable schoolgirl, played by Lucy Fallon, was at the centre of one of Corrie’s darkest storylines to date when she fell under the spell of her older boyfriend and sexual predator.

The controversial scenes saw Nathan groom and manipulate the 16-year-old before coercing her into sleeping with his friends, with one of them raping her.

Whitney Dean’s abuse from Tony in EastEnders – Since the age of 12, she had been in a twisted relationship with her stepmum Bianca’s boyfriend, Tony King. The predator had groomed young Whit (Shona McGarty), making her believe she was in love and planning to run away with him.

On her 16th birthday, the traumatised teen finally revealed the years of abuse to Bianca. Tony was swiftly sent to prison sentenced for 13 years.

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