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OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in March 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

ARIES

March 21 to April 20

So many elements of your work life you assume are fixed can turn more fluid – because you are ready to be more upfront with yourself about what you really need.

This wakes you up to at least one skill you see has not been properly used.

By tonight you can see a new way forward. Love blows a kiss that says so much.

 TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

You are even more creative than ever – and you can find solutions to even the longest-running situations.

The key is to keep nothing off-limits, and ask yourself those questions you have avoided before.

Secrets in a love sense may feel comfortable, but could cause you pain. Think twice before you agree.

Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

GEMINI

May 22 to June 21

No-holds-barred planet Uranus is active in the part of your chart linked to your hidden self.

So surprising thoughts and words can suddenly appear, and you could make new connections that break your usual pattern.

You have the resilience to cope, and succeed, in any circumstances, and this is a breakthrough.

Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

CANCER

June 22 to July 22

The lunar eclipse shakes up your communication sector and extra honesty is the result.

You can say things you may have held back before, perhaps in writing.

That personal story can find a wider audience. In love terms, big goals are good, if they are for both partners, not just one. Luck circles “41”.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

LEO

July 23 to August 23

You can see value in people, projects or items you may have discounted before – and this can include boosted confidence in your own abilities.

Recent knocks can be left behind, as you now have a strong sense of self.

Neptune can make you super-sensitive to others’ needs, but don’t leap in too soon.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

The full moon eclipse occurs in your own sign and increases your mystique and your sense of potential.

You have a special aura that draws people towards you – just stay aware that not everyone may be as they seem.

Passion-wise, you may not need words to express feelings, but they help to keep things clear

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

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Your chart underlines you have something special to share with the world, but only you can action this[/caption]

LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

A name or number from your past knocks on the door of your memory and has something important to tell you.

So be open to exploring this – the moon eclipse helps you break down barriers.

At work, the sun and Saturn are under stress and this can cause conflict – but the warmth to understand is still strong

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

Taking the plunge and sharing those images or words with the right audience can show you how much you matter.

What you do with this next can be a personal first. Your passion profile is primed to never give up, but it may be time to ask yourself

if you need to step away – or step up. Luck writes a message in code.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

The right ambition, at the right time, is your recipe for career success – bringing these elements together is easier.

You see where you may have spent too long chasing too little – and expand your horizons.

Wild health claims may be tempting to believe but a planned, personal programme can work better.

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

A new learning path is your full moon gift – at work, this can take you sideways, at least at the start.

But long-term, the road ahead can be more rewarding. In love, too, when partners learn together, even at different paces, passion can break out of a recent place.

Single? Spot your soulmate buying, or selling, books.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

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Whatever the twists and turns of your day, your chart shows inner resilience that keeps you firm and focused[/caption]

AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

Intimacy and intensity grow more powerful for you. There may be difficult truths to face, but also new ways to be together, and a sense of shared potential.

Switch off your logical mind and dive in.

If you start the day single, your perfect partner is someone who helps others look and feel their best.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

PISCES

February 19 to March 20

So much about a team, or couple, can change – and yet they stay linked together in the ways that matter.

This is the moon’s message today, and you are the sign who most benefits from it. Instead of resisting changes, celebrate them.

Prizes can link to “M” people born in “M” locations, or months.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.

THERE’S music talk . . . and then there’s music talk with Jim James.

Few artists have such a profound relationship with their craft as My Morning Jacket’s mercurial frontman.

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Jim James, far left, with his band My Morning Jacket[/caption]

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The band have just released their vibrant, genre-hopping tenth album[/caption]

For the Kentucky-raised, Los Angeles-based singer, “music is the invisible architecture that holds up the entire universe”.

He hopes that the ten songs on the band’s vibrant, genre-hopping tenth album, simply titled is, will help people “navigate the chaos in the world”.

That said, James believes music also means “a bird chirping or the wind blowing the trees”.

He says: “There’s this thing which nobody understands — we try to call it God — but, to me, the force of love and the force of music hold up everything. They’re what we’re all made of.

“You could listen to a new song every minute of every day and never hear them all.

“I love so many different genres and they all feed my subconscious and they feed into the soul of the universe. Then the universe filters musical ideas through this guy named Jim.”

Since starting out from Louisville more than 25 years ago, James has led My Morning Jacket on a cosmic journey, earning a reputation for thrilling, transcendent shows.

In the live arena, his group of sonic explorers has been able to draw on a boundary-pushing body of work, including their 2005 breakthrough album Z.

If the overall vibe is psychedelic rock with plenty of reverb, MMJ have a shape-shifting quality which finds them employing elements of pop, country, soul, reggae, you name it.

If their vision has always sprung from singer/songwriter James, he has finally begun to learn how and when to let go.

This explains why, for the first time, he has brought in an outside producer, namely the esteemed Brendan O’Brien, who counts Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam among his charges.

When it came to making album No10, the follow-up to 2021’s self-titled release, James realised, thanks to various forms of therapy, “how much my ego has been controlling my entire journey”.

He confesses: “I felt like I had to do it all or it wasn’t good enough. I had to produce it, play it, sing it, write it and engineer it — all this stuff!

“I used to base my entire self-worth on music. I obsessed over it and would beat myself up if I wasn’t working on it.”

After two full band sessions for what eventually became is “with me producing”, James sensed that things were not going to plan.

He says: “We had over a hundred demos and we needed help. There was some cool stuff but the album wasn’t going where we wanted it to go.

“So we came up with this idea of meeting producers — people that could be coaches — and I just loved Brendan’s vibe.

“With him, it’s all about the music. He doesn’t need to be your guru or your best friend but he’s full of great ideas AND great criticism.”

“Right off the bat, he was hilariously frank. You’d play him a song and he’d be like, ‘Ah, I don’t really see the point of that one’ or, ‘It’s OK but it’s too long’.

“You’d play him another and he’d say, ‘Oh, man, this one’s great!’ ”

James admits that he found the whole experience “mind-blowing and liberating” and that the resulting album feels like a fresh start.

He says: “Once I started working with Brendan, all these new songs started coming out. Some of my favourite ones on the record were written right at the last minute.

“Normally, if I’m not playing, I’m sitting at the desk, tweaking everything, so it was amazing to step back and focus on my own parts.

‘I sing into my phone’

“And Brendan was really respectful of our history, our sound and my love of reverb — our trademarks.”

This process coincided with James changing his relationship with music in general, meaning that he’s able to engage with it when the mood takes him.

“Now I can go for months without going to the studio or picking up a guitar,” he says.

“But when I feel the universe speaking through me — in dreams or while I’m doing the dishes or whatever — I get inspired.

“If a song comes to me in the middle of the night, I’ll wake up and voice memo it as best I can. If I’m out at dinner, I might run into the bathroom and sing into my phone.”

James says new-found ability to let things go — and the new album’s joyous music — has benefited from him making peace with himself.

“I took that first step about four or five years ago during the pandemic,” he says. “When I found this therapist, I realised I’d been at war with myself my entire life.

“I’ve been depressed, suicidal and I’ve hated myself. So how could I ever sit in judgment of anything going on in the world if I can’t even get right with myself?”

Without mentioning names, he alludes to the sandy-haired incumbent at the White House, back for a second term.

“We see a lot of chaos in the world springing from people who have not made peace with themselves,” continues James.

I can’t tell you how grateful I am for the beautiful moments we share.

Jim James

“You look at someone like him and he seems like a very unhappy person, not a very peaceful person.”

“And the more we fight and yell at each other online, the more advertising dollars are sold and the more clicks everybody gets.

“Everybody gets sucked into that but we need to remember to take care of ourselves and the people around us.”

Among the people around James are his bandmates, all of whom have been members of My Morning Jacket for more than 20 years.

Bassist Tom Blankenship is the only other founder member apart from the singer, and the other members are guitarist Carl Broemel, drummer Patrick Hallahan and keyboardist Bo Koster.

James says: “I can’t tell you how grateful I am for the beautiful moments we share, like when we huddle together before a show and say how much we love each other.”

But, as with so many bands, it has been a rollercoaster ride for

MMJ. “We almost imploded many times,” he affirms. “My depression almost ate me alive as did injuries, illnesses, fatigue — and I was a terrible communicator for years.

“Some bands try their best and still break up. For us, there is an element of luck, as if the universe wants us to continue.”

It’s strange too that James thought the acclaimed Z, one of Rolling Stone magazine’s top 500 albums of all time, might have been My Morning Jacket’s last.

“Z was a really heavy time in my life,” he says. “I had several friends commit suicide at that time and I was contemplating it myself.

“So Z felt very much like a sign off — it’s the last letter in the alphabet, the end. For a while, I thought it was a way of saying goodbye in a really simple way.”

Twenty years on, he says that is represents “the exact opposite”.

‘Minute-long ukulele riff’

“The title symbolises presence, nowness. There has been a beautiful healing and the band has never been more peaceful and more functional.”

One of the songs, written “half a lifetime ago” for Z, has finally come kicking and screaming into the sunlight on is.

“Of all the things that it could have been called, it’s so weird that it’s titled Half A Lifetime,” says James of the exhilarating, riff-driven anthem.

James says: “When we were doing the Z 20th anniversary, I started working through old files to see if we had any bonus songs.

“I found the session for that song, originally known as The Milking Song or Zebra Sauce, which none of us had heard in 20 years. I made a rough mix — the guys and Brendan loved it.”

Other standouts include first track Out In The Open, which started as “a minute-long ukulele riff” and blossomed into an emphatic anthem.

Its lyrics serve as a mission statement about “being open and truthful” despite the risk of exposure.

Elsewhere, there’s the playful pop of Everyday Magic and the airy, radio-friendly I Can Hear Your Love.

Things get altogether darker for the grinding, funky Squid Ink, which comes with a telling explanation from James.

“I was thinking about how much fear there is in the world and how a squid shoots ink into water to protect itself. We’re all swimming in these murky waters.”

With so many potential new live favourites in the bag, My Morning Jacket have dates booked across the US for most of 2025.

I’ve seen the Rolling Stones several times over the last few years, as well as Dylan and McCartney. It’s so insanely inspiring to see these artists.

Jim James

James is a formidable performer and takes inspiration from the greats who are still going into their Eighties.

He says: “I saw Joni Mitchell at the Hollywood Bowl and I’ve never loved her more.

“I’ve seen the Rolling Stones several times over the last few years, as well as Dylan and McCartney. It’s so insanely inspiring to see these artists. They just get better and better.

“I only hope that we have the good fortune to still be playing live and making records when we’re 80 years old.”

He reserves special praise for Bob Dylan, who is receiving much attention right now because of the biopic A Complete Unknown.

“For whatever reason, the universe [there’s that word again] chose to speak through him in a way that was so connected to almost everybody.”

Finally, I ask this intriguing soul for his views on a hot topic, the impact of AI on the music industry and the world in general.

His answer is typically thought-provoking. “I have no desire to have a robot help me with my music. It’s a puzzle I want to solve myself.

“But I like to fantasise about the peaceful possibilities. Perhaps if aliens come or AI takes over, they will be wise and say, “Y’all are really f***ing this up, let’s take a pause for a minute.

“Everybody learn to play along and love each other. That’s my AI fantasy!”

A POPULAR Dubai-based fast food chicken chain is set to touch down in the UK for the first time.

BonBird is looking to open 50 new locations across the country over the next five years, after its parent company signed a franchise agreement.

BonBird

Dubai-based BonBird is looking to open 50 new locations in the UK over the next five years[/caption]

BonBird

The fast food chicken chain is famed in the Middle East for its ‘juicy’ and ‘crispy’ meals[/caption]

BonBird

BonBird’s parent company Yolk Brands signed a franchising deal with City Restaurants Group to begin the process of opening new stores[/caption]

The deal between Yolk Brands and UK-based City Restaurants Group aims to take BonBird into Europe, following in the footsteps of its six stores across the UAE, Qatar, and Pakistan.

BonBird was founded in 2023 with the goal to “make chicken great again” and describes itself as a “community chicken shop where everyone can grab a bite and share a bucket with family and friends.”

The successful chain is looking at expansion not just in Europe but in Asia also.

UK national Steve Flawith, who is the founder and CEO of Yolk Brands, said: “Bringing BonBird to the UK is a proud moment for myself and everyone at Yolk Brands.

“It’s a bit like a home-coming for me in many ways.

“We’ve always believed in the global potential of the brand and this moment validates that vision.”

He added: “In City Restaurants Group we know we’ve found the
perfect partner to share in our passion for amazing fresh fried chicken.

“This is just the beginning and I can’t wait to fulfil our vision for this amazing concept”.

BonBird’s menu has everything you’d expect from a traditional chicken joint, including bone-in chicken pieces, chicken tenders, chicken burgers, sandwiches, and wraps.

All of these come with the option of five different spice levels, ranging from Lemon Pepper to XXX Hot.

If you’re not feeling like getting your hands dirty, there are also a range of rice bowls, snack-a-wraps, and sides and drinks available.

Burger options include flavours such as BBQ, Korean, BBQ, and Good Good.

These can all be paired with the chain’s Ck’n Salt Fries, Spicy Fries, Angry Buffalo Fries, BBQ Beans, Mac & Three Cheese, Mash, Pickles, or Bread.

The restaurants are well reviewed across the Middle East, with one in Dubai being rated 4.8 stars out of 5 on Google Maps from 384 reviews.

‘PERFECTLY SEASONED AND COOKED’

One happy customer said: “Bonbird is an outstanding place.

“The food was amazing – fresh, flavourful, and made with high-quality ingredients.”

Another laid heavy praise, saying: “Perfectly seasoned juicy in the inside and crispy on the outside.

“Their sandwiches so good all of them but I think my favourite is the melty sando.”

A third added: “Chicken was perfectly cooked—crispy and golden on the outside, yet tender and juicy on the inside.

“The fries were equally impressive: crunchy, perfectly seasoned, and clearly made with high-quality ingredients.

“Highly recommend BonBird for anyone looking for a delicious, freshly made meal.”

BonBird

Sides available with meals include pickles, mashed potatoes, and BBQ beans[/caption]

BonBird

Reviews of the chain are incredibly positive from its stores in the UAE[/caption]

BonBird

One of BonBird’s many chicken products[/caption]

TEMPLEGATE tackles the final day of Cheltenham confident of ending the week with a bang – even if it has been a rough ride for punters.

The big race of the day is the Gold Cup, which is due off at 4pm.

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

Willie Mullins’ all conquering hero Galopin Des Champs is going for a hat-trick in the big race.

Back any Templegate tip below simply by clicking their odds.

LULAMBA (1.20 Cheltenham, nap)

Hammered a big field on debut in France and was promptly bought by top connections and sent to Nicky Henderson who has an excellent record in this race. His first British run at Ascot last time was eyecatching as he showed high cruising speed to see off a nice prospect without breaking sweat. East India Dock is a much tougher nut to crack but there’s lots of improvement to come and he looks well up to Triumph standard.

BRIDES HILL (2.40 Cheltenham, nb)

She finished off last season really strongly with a 21-length victory in this grade at Punchestown the highlight. She has been brought along slowly this campaign by Gavin Cromwell with just two runs under her belt. She wasn’t asked too many questions when jumping around Huntingdon last time in second place. Her best efforts have come over this distance with a little give in the ground and she can show her true colours today.

ANGELS DAWN (4.40 Cheltenham, treble)

She can sprout wings to make up for last year’s disappointment in this race. That was the last time she ran under Rules and she was looking good for at least a place before departing at the second-last. She has been in prolific form in Irish point to points building up to this race and her mares’ 7lb weight allowance could make all the difference.

Templegate’s race-by-race guide to day four at Cheltenham

1.20 JCB Triumph Hurdle

LULAMBA can give Nicky Henderson a record eighth Triumph Hurdle win.

He looked brilliant when winning at Ascot with more to come. East India Dock clocked a fast time and is the one to beat with Hello Neighbour booked for third.

Here’s my guide to the field and ratings for each horse out of five stars:

BLUE LEMONS 3 stars

SHARP Lemons. Fair handicapper on the Flat and took well to hurdling when winning in a big field on debut at Gowran. He showed good pace and is no forlorn each-way hope.

CHARLUS 2

CHAR burned. Bits of form on the level in France including when second in a Listed. Cost nearly £300,000 looked decent when winning on hurdles debut at Naas. Needs a lot more for this.

EAST INDIA DOCK 4

EAST a beast. Had already won here before clocking a blistering time in taking the Trial for this in January. He jumps well and clearly has lots of speed. His 11 runs on the Flat is a bit of a worry as that’s more than usual. But he looks well up to the standard you need for this race and we know he likes Cheltenham.

GIBBS ISLAND 3

ISLAND no fantasy. Decent on the Flat and has won both hurdles runs with ease especially at Haydock last time. He likes this trip and trainer Tom Lacey is in decent form. Needs a big step forward to win but one of the better outsiders.

HELLO NEIGHBOUR 3

SAY Hello. Has already won a Grade 1 and 2 contest and was on the bridle for much of the way at Leopardstown last month. He likes this trip and decent ground suits best. Another one who looks short of the big two but is clear best of the rest at an each-way price.

LARZAC 2

ZAC attack. Has moved to Willie Mullins after being snapped up by JP McManus following a promising debut at Auteuil in October. This seems a little ambitious for his second outing unless the market really speaks in his favour.

LULAMBA 5

LAMB will chop ’em. Hammered a big field on debut in France and was promptly bought by top connections and sent to Nicky Henderson who has an excellent record in this race. His first British run at Ascot last time was eyecatching as he showed high cruising speed to see off a nice prospect without breaking sweat. East India Dock is a much tougher nut to crack but there’s lots of improvement to come and he looks well up to Triumph standard.

MARCHE D’ALIGRE 1

PROTEST Marche. Like most of these he started in France but on the Flat with little promise. He won on UK debut for Jamie Snowden and wasn’t disgraced in a Chepstow Grade 2 at Christmas before a disappointing run at Haydock last time. Plenty to find after that.

MONDO MAN 2

MAN hunt. Best of these on the Flat with a French Derby fifth last year. No match for Lulamba on hurdles debut for the Moores at Ascot last time and pulled too hard when third in the Adonis at Kempton. First-time hood should help but questions to answer after that poor effort.

PAPPANO 1

PAP snap. Flat handicap winner for John Gosden who moved to Willie Mullins for £200,000. Tall order on hurdles debut but have a market check.

PONIROS 2

ONE to Pon-der. Bought by super shrewd Brighton owner Tony Bloom for £200,000 despite fairly modest Flat form. Watch the betting for clues ahead of this hurdling debut.

TOO BOSSY FOR US 1

BOSSY told off. Modest handicapper on the Flat who cost £330,000 thanks to being by Golden Horn out of a High Chaparral mare. Makes his debut for Willie Mullins. Market will be the best guide.

WILLY DE HOUELLE 2

WILLY won’t. Beaten more than four lengths by Hello Neighbour at Leopardstown where he seemed to enjoy being held up. Would have been better off in a handicap.

LADY VEGA ALLEN 3

ALLEN key. Paul Townend’s pick of the Mullins team after a close third behind Hello Neighbour last time. Didn’t enjoy the muddling pace there and likely to get a more truly run race today which should suit. Can improve and has solid each-way claims especially with the extra-place bookmakers.

LUMIERE DU LARGE 2

LARGE one. Won on Flat debut in France and showed some promise when second jumping hurdles for the first time in Pau. Has moved to Mullins since but looks way down the pecking order on jockey bookings at least.

OPEC 1

PEC wreck. Won a Listed contest at Newbury in November but has been beaten a distance twice since.

PLACE DE LA NATION 2

IN his Place. Looked very novicey when second at Fairyhouse on his debut for Willie Mullins. Will need a lot more than that.

SAINTE LUCIE 2

SAINTE a sinner. Showed promise winning at Punchestown in December but was a distant last in a Grade 1 last time and hard to make a case for.

2.00 William Hill County Handicap Hurdle

HANSARD gets my vote. He was Grade 1 level as a juvenile for the Moores and landed a decent handicap at Newbury last season before missing a whole year.

It’s taken him a little while to hit top gear after that but he was an excellent third behind Champion Hurdle 1-2 Golden Ace and Burdett Road in the Kingwell at Wincanton last time and looks on a very fair mark.

This trip is ideal and he won’t be far away.

Last year’s winner Absurde has 8lb more to contend with this time but he has since run a brilliant race on the level in the Melbourne Cup and his quality will take him a long way.

It has to be telling though that Paul Townend gets off him to ride stablemate Kargese.

She was second in last year’s Triumph Hurdle and took Grade 1 honours at Punchestown.

She went close on comeback at Ascot and hasn’t been clobbered by the handicapper.

Emmet Mullins has a big player in McLaurey who scored in a big field on handicap debut at Leopardstown latest.

He’s a harsh 16lb higher today but looks progressive.

Ndaawi was last in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket on his latest run. He was second in the Galway Hurdle before that so should take to this test.

Valgrand won a Grade 2 by 17l here in October and has been aimed at this by the Skeltons.

2.40 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase

BRIDES HILL finished off last season really strongly with a 21-length victory in this grade at Punchestown the highlight.

She has been brought along slowly this campaign by Gavin Cromwell with just two runs under her belt.

She wasn’t asked too many questions when jumping around Huntingdon last time in second place.

Her best efforts have come over this distance with a little give in the ground and she can show her true colours today.

Dinoblue should really have won this race 12 months ago when beaten three-quarters of a length after leaving her challenge too late.

She has been kept to two miles since then and survived a mistake to win a three-runner Listed contest at Naas last month. She should be right there again.

Allegorie De Vassy was the close second to her last time and isn’t out of this.

She was beaten six lengths in this 12 months ago and something similar looks on the cards again.

Last year’s winner Limerick Lace has struggled on all three runs since and was 25 lengths off the pace when behind Allegorie De Vassy on New Year’s Day.

She didn’t look happy and the break needs to have done her good.

There’s a fair gap on form to the others with Shecouldbeanything yet to strike at this level.

She sees out this distance but needs to raise her game to hit the frame.

Fontaine Collonges has lost her way and needs a lot more cut in the ground.

Royale Margaux enjoyed returning to hurdles for a good Warwick win and isn’t usually as good when chasing.

Mayhem Mya and Je T’Ai Porte look well out of their depth with the latter falling in a modest handicap at Listowel when last seen in September.

3.20 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

JASMIN DE VAUX won the Champion Bumper here last year and can strike on his first run here since then.

He kicked off over hurdles with a good win against 24 rivals at Navan in December.

He has found things a bit trickier at Grade 1 level since but he shapes as though moving up to this three-mile trip will bring out the best in him.

It says a lot that Paul Townend has chosen him of the Willie Mullins team.

Wingmen finished ahead of the selection at Leopardstown last month when up with the pace for a long way over 2m6f.

He’s another who should have no worries getting home.

The Big Westerner has run just twice and started with a modest victory at Punchestown in November.

She left that form behind when taking a Limerick Grade 2 on Boxing Day over close to this trip.

Her 7lb mares’ allowance will come in very handy and could make all the difference.

Wendingo’s decent second behind The New Lion in the Challow has been franked this week and he was an easy winner at Wetherby last time.

He will be on the premises if seeing out this extra half-mile.

French raider Jet Blue got the job done nicely in a Grade 2 here in December.

He made a couple of errors but his engine got him up the hill for a convincing victory.

That was over this trip and he’s one of the few in the field who has no questions to answer about his stamina.

Fishery Lane took a big step forward when winning by nine lengths at Fairyhouse latest.

He was fifth in the Champion Bumper so handles Cheltenham and has an each-way shout.

Nativehill had 16 lengths in hand when getting off the mark over hurdles at Huntingdon earlier this month.

He still seemed pretty green but wasn’t stopping over 2m4f and should appreciate the longer trip.

Ballow Boy only had two to beat when taking a Grade 3 at Clonmel last time but he stayed well and should take a step forward on his fifth run over timber.

Flicker Of Hope has been busy and was third in a big-field handicap at Leopardstown after good wins at Galway and Navan. This is tougher but he may raise his game.

4.00 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS can join Best Mate and Arkle on three Gold Cup wins.

Willie Mullins’ star is in a league of his own and has beaten most of today’s foes before.

Banbridge will have to run the race of his life to trouble the champ and can take second ahead of the game Monty’s Star.

Here’s my guide to the field and ratings out of five stars:

AHOY SENOR 1 star

AHOY there. Fell in this two years ago and has been struggling this season. Is a Grade 1 winner but makes too many mistakes and hard to fancy despite his yard’s good form.

BANBRIDGE 4

BAN-tastic. Collared Il Est Francais to win the King George when he wasn’t stopping at the end of three miles. I’m not totally convinced of his stamina but he’s got a lot of class and is an excellent jumper. He must have nothing worse than good to soft ground though or he doesn’t win over any trip.

CORBETTS CROSS 2

CROSS off. Won the National Hunt Chase here last season so likes the track and won’t be wanting in the stamina department. Was a solid second in the Ascot Chase over too short last time and could do with the ground being a lot softer.

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS 5

GALOPIN into the history books. One of the best chasers of the 21st Century who has won his two Gold Cups with lots in hand. He has looked better than ever this season and goes on any ground. Would be the biggest shock in a week full of them if he’s beaten.

GENTLEMANSGAME 1

GAME over. Pulled up in this last year and little to suggest he’ll do much better this time around.

INOTHEWAYURTHINKKIN 3

WAY to go. Fancied for the Grand National thanks to his staying power, he was just getting going at the end of the Irish Gold Cup last time. Not quick enough to win but could pick up place pieces and get connections their £25,000 supplementary fee back.

MONTY’S STAR 3

STAR quality. Almost four stars because he’ll love this trip and has been staying on behind Galopin a couple of times this season. Another who could run into the frame.

ROYALE PAGAILLE 2

PAG not my bag. Has been fifth and twice sixth in this race and landed a Grade 1 win in the Haydock mud earlier this season. Likes the track and stays well but in his own time.

THE REAL WHACKER 2

UN-Real. Won 2023 Brown Advisory and usually runs well here. Distant fourth in the King George last time and he’s likely to stay this trip. But looks a way off this level.

4.40 St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase

ANGELS DAWN can sprout wings to make up for last year’s disappointment in this race.

That was the last time she ran under Rules and she was looking good for at least a place before departing at the second-last.

She has been in prolific form in Irish point to points building up to this race and her mares’ 7lb weight allowance could make all the difference.

Shearer boasts winning course form and trainer Paul Nicholls has won this four times in the past 20 years.

He looked a proper stayer when winning at Taunton and gets on well with trainer’s daughter Olive.

Its On The Line has Derek O’Connor in the saddle like 12 months ago when he was beaten less than a length in this race.

He went on to take the Foxhunter at Aintree and Punchestown.

It’s a slight worry that he’s been runner-up in the past two runnings but he’s only eight so should be right there again.

Willitgoahead is a regular winner in the pointing field and has moved to Gordon Elliott since his January win at Thurles.

He has plenty of staying power and has solid place claims.

Fairly Famous has won two lesser hunter chases around here and that proven liking for the track will be an asset.

He’s fit from pointing and could run into the places at fair odds.

Ryehill survived a bad blunder to win easily in the end at Naas last month.

He was fourth in the Championship race at Punchestown last season and a repeat of that would give him a place squeak again.

Allmankind has been hurdling at a high level but won both his point-to-points so could figure.

5.20 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

MINELLA SIXO was going very nicely at Haydock last time before taking a clumsy fall three out.

He’s back from the same mark here and he was performing with credit in Graded company earlier this season.

He likes this trip and trainer Gordon Elliott has a good record in this race.

Kopeck De Mee is the unknown factor for Willie Mullins and JP McManus.

It’s hard to know precisely how much more weight he should be carrying based on his French form, but it’s plenty!

He was an easy Listed winner at Auteuil last time out in May. The one potential spanner is that his form has all been on very testing ground so quicker conditions would be an unknown.

Wodhooh was impressive when winning a hot handicap here in December and the form has been franked. She’s up 11lb but looks a danger.

Act Of Authority has won a couple of times this season and is a threat over this trip, along with Park Of Kings who caught the eye at Leopardstown latest and should stay.

No Ordinary Joe is another to watch after a good Warwick fourth.

Templegate’s tips

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BOOTS is offering a major beauty bargain just in time for Mother’s Day offering customers a 60 per cent discount.

Beauty queens will want to rush to their nearest store with a No7 gift set worth £102 currently on sale for under £40.

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Boots has a range of Spring time beauty offers perfect for Mother’s Day (Stock)[/caption]

Facebook/Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK

Shoppers have shared the No7 bargain on social media[/caption]

The No7 Restore and Renew Collection containing five skincare treatments is currently £39.95.

The offer is part of the chain’s Spring Gifting range.

For the bargain price, shoppers will get a gift set made up of creams and serums for the perfect “introduction to No7’s FULL Restore and Renew Collection,” Boots stated.

They will also get “No7’s 0.3% Retinol Night Concentrate [all] presented in a gorgeous floral box.”

The kit contains:

• No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Day Cream 25ml
• No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Night Cream 25ml
• No7 Restore & Renew Multi Action Eye Cream 15ml
• No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Serum 30ml
• No7 Advanced Retinol 0.3% Complete Night Concentrate 10ml

Even better, if you’re running late on buying a gift for a friend, a relative, or just yourself, shoppers who are quick can still get the gift set delivered by this Saturday.

The kit has a customer rating of 4.1 stars out of five with many praising the quality of the products.

“Really nice on the skin and eyes. Not at all greasy, soaks into the skin well,” one said.

“My skin felt softer after one application. This is my new favourite collection for my ” mature” (60year old) skin. Worth the price!” another said.

Others who shared the offer on Facebook called it a “great deal” and a “bargain”.

Meanwhile, another major beauty retailer is also getting in on the action, slashing the price of a best-selling designer perfume.

The Armani Si Passionate Eclat Perfume usually costs £97 for a 50ml bottle, but it’s currently down to £57 in the Lookfantastic sale.

Described as a floral rose fragrance, the scent has notes of blackcurrant accord, white musks and vanilla.

Armani has five scents in its Si collection, including the original Si eau de parfum which launched back in 2013.

The Eclat perfume has received glowing reviews online, with a rating of 4.7-out-of-5 from shoppers.

Other retailers have also released deals on beauty gift sets ahead of Mother’s Day.

M&S recently launched a £55 bundle worth £130, with cult brands including Color Wow and Clinique.

And another retailer is offering free delivery on flowers for the occassion.

FANS hailed Patrick Dorgu after spotting the Manchester United star’s incredibly classy gesture against Real Sociedad.

The Red Devils cruised in the quarter-finals of the Europa League with a 4-1 win over their Spanish opponents on Thursday night.

Rex

The ace went down as his side smashed Real Sociedad 4-1[/caption]

Bruno Fernandes netted a hat-trick at Old Trafford, with two of his goals coming from the penalty spot.

Diogo Dalot put the finishing touches on a wonderful result as United sealed a 5-2 aggregate win to set up a final eight tie against French giants Lyon.

Meanwhile, Sociedad’s sole goal in the second leg also came via a penalty, making it three successful spot-kicks on the night.

But there were actually FOUR penalties given at the Theatre of Dreams.

Fernandes looked set for a stunning spot-kick treble against 10-man Sociedad when referee Benoit Bastien awarded United their third of the game.

January arrival Dorgu looked to have been fouled in the box by Hamari Traore.

But the left-back immediately made a classy gesture as he went over to the official to insist he had NOT been fouled.

VAR then got involved, with video replays showing Traore had indeed made contact with the ball during his challenge.

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The slow-motion action, along with Dorgu’s incredible sportsmanship, saw Bastien overturn his original decision.

And despite United missing out on the chance to score yet another penalty, fans revealed they were incredibly proud of Dorgu’s brilliant gesture.

One said: “It’s a shame this kind of thing is so rare in football, brilliant sportsmanship.”

Another declared: “Great sportsmanship, good kid.”

One noted: “At least bro is honest.”

Another added: “Great show of sportsmanship in a game that doesn’t have a lot of it, well done Dorgu.”

Boss Ruben Amorim was also pleased with Dorgu’s behaviour.

He said: “It is the right thing to do so I am quite proud of him but I cannot say if it is 0-0 or we are losing that I’d have the same response.”

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