missed it last _ cheltenham this year having missed it last year. — cheltenham this year having missedrgettable. my mind out— it last year, it was unforgettable. my mind out of— it last year, it was unforgettable. my mind out of won _ it last year, it was unforgettable. my mind out of won the - it last year, it was unforgettable. my mind out of won the race - it last year, it was unforgettable. my mind out of won the race butl it last year, it was unforgettable. | my mind out of won the race but i really felt — my mind out of won the race but i really felt like i _ my mind out of won the race but i really felt like i did. _ my mind out of won the race but i really felt like i did. preli- my mind out of won the race but i really felt like i did.— really felt like i did. well done to me that everyone pride - really felt like i did. well done to me that everyone pride and - really felt like i did. well done to| me that everyone pride and thank really felt like i did. well done to - me that everyone pride and thank you so much to both of you and as i say it has been a wonderful festival ju

yes, welcome to cheltenham — is it packed? yes, welcome to cheltenham when _ is it packed? to cheltenham when in a few - is it packed? yes, welcome to - cheltenham when in a few minutes we should hear the famous cheltenham roar as the first race of the festival gets under way. as you say, it is a noise we have not heard for a while because last year's festival had to take place behind closed doors because of covid restrictions. at this year it is very much back to business as usual. in fact, they expect record crowds with more than a quarter of a million people expected over the course of the week. organisers here say they are also very aware of the backdrop to this year's festival with the war in ukraine. manyjockeys are expected to wear armbands with the ukrainian flag and they are raising money to support the british red cross appeal for ukraine. as a's big race, the champion hurdle, once again all eyes will be on rachael blackmore and honeysuckle to cfa can repeat last year's honeysuckle to cfa can repeat last yea r�*s success. honeysuckle to cfa can repeat last year's

andy swiss, bbc news, cheltenham.z was sent off. it gave leeds hope, they scored two goals in three minutes before a stoppage time winner here from luke ayling sent the away fans wild. the win moves leeds seven points clear of the relegation zone, though they've played more games than the teams below them. wolves stay eighth. to barbados where it's been a frustrating day for england's cricketers on the third day of their second test against west indies. replying to england's 507—9, the windies resumed on 71—1. a couple of quick wickets, including this for ben stokes, gave england hope but after that, west indies dug in, captain kraigg brathwaite here hitting an unbeaten century. jermaine blackwood out for 102. the hosts resume tomorrow on 288—4. one other line from that tour to bring you, and its bad news for england fast bowler mark wood who's been ruled out of the rest of the series against west indies. scan results have confirmed he has a right elbow injury and needs to return to the uk for specialist treatment. ka

was the gold cup —— at cheltenham.ecord crowd of over 4 million founds, and certainly the famous cheltenham roar that greased the first race was louder than i can ever remember, but it was nothing compared to the reception for rachael blackmore after she came out after winning that champion hurdle to the second year running. it has been a good day for punters as well, because honeysuckle is a number of favourites —— one of a number of favourites —— one of a number of favourites and came through to win. for the bookies, what a day, and for the fans, what a day it has been. after last year's lockdown, finally, it is back to business as usual. it lockdown, finally, it is back to business as usual.— lockdown, finally, it is back to business as usual. it is. take you very much _ business as usual. it is. take you very much indeed _ business as usual. it is. take you very much indeed for— business as usual. it is. take you very much indeed for that, - business as usual. it is. take you very much indeed for that, andy | very

our sports correspondent andy swiss is at cheltenham., welcome to cheltenham where the early morning fog has cleared and we have glorious sunshine for the big race of the festival, the gold cup, which gets under way at half past three. and there is a real sense of anticipation because last year, remember, the gold cup had to be behind closed doors because of covid — this year tickets have sold out in record time and we are expecting more than 70,000 fans inside the course. as for the race itself, could we see another bit of history for rachael blackmore? last year she became the first female jockey to win the grand national. could she become the first female jockey to win the gold cap? she has an excellent chance on a horse who finished second in last year's race. all eyes will be on rachael blackmore and the gold up when the and it was saying the early morning mist and fog is cleared, that was some of it that we had across the peak district. and it has pretty much gone everywhere now. most of us have clear blue sky skies, with a little

what it is. bring and they make cheltenham what it is h_ bring and they make cheltenham what it is.y for the fans here, and another unforgettable i it is. a memorable day for the fans i here, and another unforgettable one for rachael blackmore. a storm just off the coast of portugal, france and spain has created a sandstorm across parts of southern europe and it has turned the sky orange. storm celia has brought dust from the sahara desert to large parts of southern europe bringing with it this orange haze and there is a chance that some of the dust will come our way over the next 24 hours as air currents move north and matt taylor is here to tell more about it. could be some interesting sunrises through southern england tomorrow morning and there will be sand on the cards tomorrow. let me show the extent of the dust cloud on the satellite imagery which extends over an area of one point 8 million square calamitous, huge extent of cloud and you notice in the north of france at the moment, but it good get close to southern areas as the weather system develops. also through the night w

certainly another dramatic day here at cheltenham| fairy tale finish.today is the forecast is a lot better for the next couple of days as we head closer and closer towards the highlight of the festival and the cheltenham gold cup which takes place on friday. let's have a quick look at some of the other stories making headlines today. england's charlie ewels has been banned for three matches, following the red card against ireland, in the weekend's six nations clash, ewels was sent off in the 2nd minute in the loss at twickenham — and misses the final game of the tournament against france on saturday. captain babar azam helped guide pakistan to a draw in their second test against australia in karachi. azam hit 196 as his side batted out the final day, leaving australia frustrated after they'd built a huge first innings lead. the series is level at one—all with the final test starting monday. mark cavendish has become the first british rider to win the world's oldest one—day bike race. the milano—torino race has been going since 1876 and the manx missile

our sports correspondent, andy swiss, has more from cheltenham.t for rachael blackmore on a dazzling day of gold cup glory. well, some 70,000 fans flocked here for what is always one of the biggest days in racing. and after last year's gold cup had to be behind closed doors because of covid, the anticipation was greater than ever. in its near 100 year history, no female jockey had ever won the race. but blackmore on a plus tard set off the favourite. as they approached the final fence, last year's winner minella indo led the way but not for long. as blackmore roared past and into the record books. 12 months ago, she was second, this year the most empathetic and emotional of victories. another big race for rachael blackmore! after her grand national win, another landmark moment for blackmore. cheltenham cheering her to the rafters after a victory even she could scaresly take in.

andy swiss, bbc news, cheltenham.reeta once again in lviv. 3 million people have now left ukraine and millions of others are moving around the country trying to reach safety. many have travelled on the country's rail system, one of the world's biggest. the network is also a lifeline that brings essential supplies into the country. our special correspondent fergal keane, who's here in lviv, reports on the massive effort to keep ukraine moving. train horn blares. one in three million. saved by the railways that are this country's lifeline. they come from across the second biggest country

coming up on the bbc news channel, the final day of cheltenham festival gets under way, with all sightsestigious gold cup trophy. good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. russian forces have carried out an air strike near ukraine's western city of lviv. a large plume of smoke was seen coming from an aircraft maintenance facility on the outskirts of the city. lviv�*s mayor said no casualties had been reported. lviv is about a0 miles from the polish border, well away from the main battle zones in the east and south of the country. fighting has also intensified in the besieged port city of mariupol, with russia's defence ministry saying its separatist allies are "tightening a noose" around the city with the help of moscow's forces. the ukrainian authorities say 130 people have so far been rescued from the basement of a theatre which was hit by an air strike in mariupol. 0ur kyiv correspondent, james waterhouse, sent this report. the closest this war has got to the western city of lviv — four miles towards the airport, an aircraft repair plant had been hit, with missiles launched

huge success for ireland at cheltenham on st patrick's day.ring porter" wins the feature race for the second year in row. and that's not all. i'm here at cheltenham, where history also repeated itself for a la ho in the ryanair chase. can frank lampard pull everton out of danger? he has a chance of three points tonight, but it's against a team in form. points tonight, but it's a magnificent century from ben stokes sees england firmly in control against the west indies in barbados. also coming up in the programme — despite pro—russia demonstrations in belgrade, sebastian coe doesn't foresee problems ahead of the world indoor athletics championships. i'm sure that these are world champions will win through. and a controversial winner last season — we'll hear from red bull's max verstappen ahead of the first formula one grand prix in bahrain. welcome to the programme. we're going to take you straight to cheltenham, where the crowds have been given a st patrick's day treat with big wins for irish jockeys and trainers. rachael blackmore won the tur

i felt that in cheltenham. i wasjust it really has. i felt that in cheltenham.ay my horse quickened up after the last, he was just incredible, he was. i think i could have done anything on him in that race in the manner that he finished, but i suppose i dread them in the race last year and finished second, so i wanted to do something tactically a bit different, you know, to change it to come to see if that would work. heading down to the second, i didn't want to be outside in front of the horse, so i was kind of happy to sit and suffer and hopefully a gap would come and it's, yeah, you're probablyjust working on your instinct at the time, 50% of the time it doesn't work out, so you are lucky when it does. who trains about the horse that won last year and this year, and they were first and second again. in reverse order, luckily for me, this year. it's incredible to be writing for such a good trainer as well. it's just when you cross the line you are just hit with so many different emotions you know commits such a special race, it was just a fantastic feeling. i'

_ were so many crowds two years ago at cheltenham-— cheltenham.s weather front is a cold front, so behind it, the air turns cold and there is a chance we could see some frost across parts of north—west scotland and northern ireland. we should remain frost free elsewhere. as we head into wednesday, we still have an array of weather fronts. this one is a weak front heading south, this one is heading north, but this one will rejuvenate, it has a tail on it. we have a front producing cloud and rain, in the south, and as it rejuvenates, you can see more rain coming in across the channel islands and southern counties. high pressure starts to build in across scotland and northern ireland, so bar a few showers in the west, we will start to see more in the way of sunshine. temperatures seven to about ia degrees. from wednesday into thursday, we still do have these weather fronts, thursday, we still do have these weatherfronts, yet thursday, we still do have these weather fronts, yet to clear, but then high pressure starts to build in. effectively blocking

last year's winner of cheltenham's champion hurdle, rachael blackmore, has successfully defended herors were allowed due to the pandemic but more than 250, 000 are expected over the next four days. blackmore described cheltenham as a special place and said she felt very lucky. it's absolutely incredible. you know, having the crowd back this year is so special, it really is. it was so special to have the winners here last year without a crowd, but when the crowd is back he just realise what they bring. they make it what it is and the atmosphere, you know, it isjust, you are surrounded by people the whole way down the chute, everyone is cheering you on. it's very heart—warming. as far as comebacks go, it really would be one of the finest, if england were to go on to win the women's world cup in new zealand. wicketkeeper amyjones said salvaging the defence of their crown is a chance to do �*something incredible' — after 3 losses from 3 in the tournament. they have to win all their remaining matches, to have any hope of making the semi—finals starting with india, in the early hours tomor

the bbc news channel, rachael blackmore makes history, becoming the first female rider to win the cheltenham gold cup. good evening. russia is continuing its assault on multiple fronts across ukraine, with one of the latest attacks a missile strike on an army barracks in the southern city of mykolaiv. reports suggest at least 45 ukrainian soldiers were killed. meanwhile, overnight there was another attack on an aircraft repair plant in relatively unscathed western ukraine, near the city of lviv. there were no casualties. lviv has been receiving hundreds of refugees from mariupol in the south, with many saying russia is trying to wipe the city off the face of the earth. after weeks under siege and battered by shelling, it's soon expected to fall. but amid the darkness, the authorities there say 130 people have been rescued from the bomb shelter under the city's theatre that was attacked two days ago. our special correspondent fergal keane has the very latest. the sense of security here is ebbing, after dawn brought this — a missile strike aimed at an aircraft repair plant. nobody was hurt, bu

to do it in front of crowds as well back at cheltenham, what a special time. as well back at cheltenhamou. she called it an impossible dream, but those dreams fast becoming reality forjockey rachel blackmore on a thrilling final day at the cheltenham festival, winning what is often called the world cup of racing. riding to victory on a plus tard, moving ahead of minella indo on the lastjump and racing clear to win in front of a record crowd at cheltenham. she was so far ahead of the field in the end, 15 legs. and so the jockey who only ever thought she might make it as an a amateur rider again underlines her status as one of the leading lights in her sport. it's just incredible. i it'sjust incredible. i really... when i was starting out as a jockey, riding at cheltenham was a big ambition, but riding here, not riding favourites here and winning champion hurdles and gold cups here. things havejust champion hurdles and gold cups here. things have just escalated and it is just incredible.— just incredible. what a brilliant da for just incredible. what a brilliant day for her _ just incredi

on the famous cheltenham slope.tigious trophy. it is like the world cup final ofjump racing, so prestigious. can rachel blackmore win. this time it will be extra special for her blackmore win. this time it will be extra specialfor her and blackmore win. this time it will be extra special for her and other jockeys because the will be a packed grandstand, waiting for this for two years. we can get the feel of the course. we are joined years. we can get the feel of the course. we arejoined by years. we can get the feel of the course. we are joined by the clerk of the course. how special has it been? louder, more emotional because of what the country has been through? this was the last big sporting event before the first lockdown. it sporting event before the first lockdown. . , , ., sporting event before the first lockdown. , ., ., . lockdown. it has been a fantastic atmosphere- _ lockdown. it has been a fantastic atmosphere. record _ lockdown. it has been a fantastic atmosphere. record crowds. - lockdown. it has been

national hunt legend tiger roll was denied a fairytale farewell at cheltenham festival today when hee returned on the winner. tiger roll almost added a fourth cross country win to victories at cheltenham in the triumph hurdle and national hunt chase. in the big race of the day energumean won a dramatic queen mother champion chase after favourite shishkin was pulled up. the 5—2 shot, ridden by paul townend for owner tony bloom — chairman of brighton and hove albion — handed trainer willie mullins a first win in the race. england lock charlie ewels has been banned for three games after being sent off in the six nations defeat against ireland on saturday. ewels was shown a red card after just 82 seconds following a clash of heads in an attempted tackle with james ryan. it was the earliest dismissal in the championship's history. mark cavendish has become the first british rider to win the world's oldest one—day bike race. the milano—torino race has been going since 1876 and cavendish has continued his good early—season form, outsprinting his rivals in turin, to celebrate his 159th caree

package claimed a �*surprise' victory at the imperial cup at sandown, the last big race before the cheltenhamrprise package is now fancied to win the county hurdle at the festival on friday. on to golf and the players championship will go on until monday — after heavy rain and storms ruined the first two days of action in florida. the tpc sawgrass course has seen a range of disruptive conditions — including three inches of rain on the course in the last 48 hours. despite that though — play has finally begun again — rory mcilroy one of those back out on the course — although he's had plenty of work to do to get himself up the leaderboard and amongst the pacesetters. and as the winter paralympics prepares for it's final day on sunday — the gb team have named their flagbearers for the closing ceremony. history makers neil and andrew simpson will be given the honour — after neil became the first british man to win a gold medal on snow in the men's super g vision impaired class — guided by his brother andrew. the pair also won a bronze too in the super combined event — and they are set to compete

i felt that in cheltenham, i wasjust really has.ck a winner, i think, maybe three fences out, and from somehow, that was a peach of a ride, did you know what you were going to do? talk us through the end of that race. h0. through the end of that race. no, absolutely _ through the end of that race. no, absolutely not. _ through the end of that race. mfr, absolutely not. the way my horse quickened up after the last, he was just incredible, he really was. so i think i could have done anything that race in the manner he finished, but i have ridden him in the race last year and finished second, so i wanted to do something tactically a bit different to change it, to see if that would work. i change things up if that would work. i change things up a little bit, and it works, and it is fantastic, the two courses were first and second again but the order reversed this year. incredible to be riding for such a good trainer as well. i to be riding for such a good trainer as well. . , , to be riding for such a good trainer as well. ., , , ., as

to cheltenham now where the crowds have been given a st patricks day treat with big wins for irish jockeyse shot was was given a superb ride by famous irish trainer willie mullins' nephew danny. the seven—year—old won by two and three—quarter lengths from thyme hill with paisley park, the 2019 winner, a nose away in third. rachel blackmore won the turners novices' chase, and there was a huge reception for paul townsend, winning the ryanair chase title. in super league, wigan warriors survived a fightback from castleford tigers to win 32—22 wigan raced into a comfortable lead and never looked back, luke farrell with his second try of the night here and that was enough for the win despite three castleford tries in the last 20 minutes. and that's all the sport for now. we had lots of sunshine across most of england and wales and dry weather into thursday. 1a degrees in a few spots. north there is more cloud around. some sunshine but there are a passing shower crowds across scotland and the far north of england. in the forecast for the rest of this week the weekend and lead into next week you

andy swiss, bbc news, cheltenham. with more on the plight of the many refugees leaving ukraine, let'sjoin reeta once again in lviv. 3 million people have now left ukraine and millions of others are moving around the country trying to reach safety. many have travelled on the country's rail system, one of the world's biggest. the network is also a lifeline that brings essential supplies into the country. our special correspondent fergal keane, who's here in lviv, reports on the massive effort to keep ukraine moving. train horn blares. one in three million. saved by the railways that are this country's lifeline. they come from across the second biggest country in europe after russia. it is war in my city. the children and i are scared of war. i don't like war. we went to meet the man leading the effort to rescue refugees. a former businessman, he's now in charge of the biggest evacuation in recent european history. oleksandr kamyshin heads a team of nearly a quarter of a million people keeping ukraine moving. this was hi

blackmore described cheltenham as a special place and said she felt very lucky.y down the chute, everyone is cheering you on. it's very heart—warming. as far as comebacks go, it really would be one of the finest, if england were to go on to win the women's world cup in new zealand. wicketkeeper amyjones said salvaging the defence of their crown is a chance to do 'something incredible' — after 3 losses from 3 in the tournament. they have to win all their remaining matches, to have any hope of making the semi—finals starting with india, in the early hours tomorrow morning. absolutely we can turn it around. we've had really close games, there's a lot that we can improve on, i think considering the loss, the moods not too bad, so hopefully we can bring that positivity to the next game. an opportunity to do something incredible now with our backs up against the wall, as he say, so i think that's yes we have all the motivation we need. england fast bowler mark wood has been ruled out of the second test against west indies in barbados and will be replaced by saqib mahmo

blackmore described cheltenham as a special place and said she felt very lucky.well. and, yeah, it'sjust incredible. as i said, it's a never ending sort of fairy tale for me. it's just mental, yeah, brilliant. fairy tale for me. it's 'ust mental, yeah, brillianth yeah, brilliant. quick word on rachael- _ yeah, brilliant. quick word on rachael. just _ yeah, brilliant. quick word on rachael. just some _ yeah, brilliant. quick word on rachael. just some of- yeah, brilliant. quick word on rachael. just some of what i yeah, brilliant. quick word on i rachael. just some of what she brings do not ride.— rachael. just some of what she brings do not ride. she's sublime, she's the ultimate _ brings do not ride. she's sublime, she's the ultimate professional, i brings do not ride. she's sublime, l she's the ultimate professional, and they're just a lethal combination, they're just a lethal combination, the pair of them. and honey loves her. look, it's great. congratulations to her. henrick stenson has been named as europe's ryder cup captain for next year's match in rome. t

he was seeking a record—equalling sixth cheltenham victory in his final race but it wasn't to be.dies is underway in barbados, england won the toss and chose to bat. 0pener zak crawley was out for a duck so captain joe root is at the crease with alex lees. there are two debuts today for england, bowlers saqib mahmood and a last minute surprise inclusion for yorkshire's matthew fisher with craig 0verton a late withdrawal. at lunch england are 47 for 1. good news for england at the women's world cup, they are still in it after beating india by 4 wickets in mount maunganui. after three straight defeats — it's their first win of the tournament — and means they're still able to qualify for the semi finals but can't afford any more slip ups. 0ur senior sports news reporter laura scott was watching: their backs against the wall, what else could england do but come out swinging? in the field, they look to transformed, how is that for precision? delivering under pressure, spending her way to four wickets in the second world cup match. india scheduled forjust134. match. india scheduled forj

the classic cheltenham roar. am definitely better today. that is what _ some long yesterday. i am definitely better today. that is what i - some long yesterday. i am definitely better today. that is what i keep - some long yesterday. i am definitely better today. that is what i keep my | better today. that is what i keep my mone in better today. that is what i keep my money in my — better today. that is what i keep my money in my pocket! _ you may remember the story about 12—year—old lowri whose letter to disney helped inspire encanto's glasses—wearing lead character mirabel. it lead to the film's director, jarred bush, inviting lowri to attend the bafta awards with him when she appeared on breakfast last week. while she was on the red carpet, she was surprised with a video call from her dad, who has been on a very different type of adventure on the moldovan border helping refugees crossing overfrom ukraine. we can speak to lowri's dad brad now. thank you for being with us this morning. it is amazing that while y

there's full coverage of day two of the cheltenham festival on the bbc sport website where you can followter. back to you, victoria. we are going to show you this photograph again of nazanin zaghari photograph. this is the recent photograph. she is smiling, of course she is, she's on her way home. that confirmed by liz truss. she is accompanied by another british iranian, anousheh ashouri. mrs zaghari—ratcliffe was arrested six years ago and convicted of plotting to overthrow the iranian government — a charge she's always denied. she said that was complete nonsense. this photo was tweeted by tulip siddique, her mp. they will return from iran today. this is the result of tenacious and creative british diplomacy, nazanin has been held for almost six years and anoosheh almost five. they will be reunited with their families and loved ones. there the result of result of years of hard work and dedication by our brilliant diplomats and intensive efforts over the past six months. "i pay tribute to our predecessors and the prime minister who have all worked hard to resolve this issue" and liz trus

to cheltenham now where the crowds have been given a st patricks day treat with big wins for irish jockeysold won by two and three—quarter lengths from thyme hill with paisley park, the 2019 winner, a nose away in third. rachel blackmore won the turners novices' chase, and there was a huge reception for paul townsend, winning the ryanair chase title. in super league, wigan warriors survived a fightback from castleford tigers to win 32—22 wigan raced into a comfortable lead and never looked back, luke farrell with his second try of the night here and that was enough for the win despite three castleford tries in the last 20 minutes. and that's all the sport for now. there's going to be a lot of dry weather for the next week or so. on thursday, we saw more clouds. we will see less of this and more of this, blue skies over the next few days. very colourful picture there. this was the cloud that gave us the rain on wednesday as well out of the way. this cloud is not reaching our shores. with clear skies like winds, it will be a chilly start to friday. maybe a few mist and fog patches across wal

. —— in cheltenham week. always _ the chaser. —— in cheltenham week. always chasing. like tonight, it's a nice one to have-— victories like tonight, it's a nice one to have. , , one to have. basically he is the top scorer away — one to have. basically he is the top scorer away from _ one to have. basically he is the top scorer away from home _ one to have. basically he is the top scorer away from home in - one to have. basically he is the top scorer away from home in the - one to have. basically he is the top l scorer away from home in the history of the _ scorer away from home in the history of the premier league so a nice milestone — of the premier league so a nice milestone for him to pass. now despite all the speculation about the future of chelsea, they are through to the quarterfinals of the champions league. despite new restrictions on what chelsea can spend on travel, their flights to northern france had already been booked before and, so far, the off—the—field issues don't seem to be affecting the focus of the team who travelled to lille with a 2—0 lead from

to cheltenham, st. patrick's day, floor and poor —— floor and one for the second day in a row.or covid. the driver will be replaced by nico holcomb berg, who hasn't been a permanent driver for the last three years. if the germans test negative, he will be to compete. some good news in the cricket — we haven't had that in a while — england have found the tour —— the scoring touch on the second day of the second test in barbados. joe root leaving the revival, making 150 before he was trapped by kemar roach. boy did england miss ben stokes. he'll to his best. his first since his father died. an emotional day for him. that's about it from me. that is in sportsday at 6.30. john watson there. uk military intelligence says russia's invasion has largely stalled on all fronts. it found that russian forces have been suffering heavy losses and making minimal progress on land, sea and air in recent days. joining me now is the military analystjustin crump, who is chief executive of the risk assessment company sibylline, and formerly a british army tank commander. we often show our viewers a

to cheltenham now and flooring porter has won the stayers hurdle for the second year in a row.eason is in saudi arabia on 27 march, and if the german tests negative by then he'll be able to compete. england are in the middle of a confidence—reviving display agaisnt west indies, just thee wickets down at lunch on day two of the second test. we didn't see much of this in that disappointing ashes series, ben stokes hitting a six here to bring up his fifty. he's on 89 not out. captainjoe root after his century yesterday, has let stokes do the major scoring today but he did bring up his 150 just before the lunch break. 369-3 369—3 for england, so firmly in control. that is it from me. let's return to the situation in ukraine. mason clark is the lead russia analyst at the institute for the study of war, and he joins fus from washington. thank you very much for your time today. the uk military intelligence is saying that the russian advance in ukraine has stalled on all fronts. do you agree with that assessment first of all? thank you for havinl assessment first of all? thank you for

last year's winner of cheltenham's champion hurdle, rachael blackmore, has successfully defended heri am extremely proud and humbled to be europe's next captain. rome, here we come!". leicester tigers have been fined more than £300,000 for breaching salary cap regulations, but have avoided a points deduction. premeirship rugby found that the league leaders had failed to disclose payments to image rights companies of the players. these third—party payments were found to be a breach of the salary cap in the 2016—17 season and the 2019—20 season. leicester has accepted the outcome and will not appeal. and in the six nations, dan biggar will earn his 100th cap for wales, while alun wynjones will return from injury for his 150th wales cap in their final match against italy. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. the tvjournalist who ran on set during the evening news on the country's flagship channel one last night in protest against the war on ukraine has been fined. marina ovsyannikova, has been fined 30,000 roubles — about $280 at the current rate — for "organ

he was seeking a record equalling six cheltenham victory in his final race, but it was not to be.at for precision? that is out! delivering under pressure, charlie dean spun her way to four wickets and her second world cup match. india skittled forjust 134. cup match. india skittled for “ust 134. �* , . ., , ., ., 134. putting them's chase that after a nervy start. _ 134. putting them's chase that after a nervy start, losing _ 134. putting them's chase that after a nervy start, losing two _ 134. putting them's chase that after a nervy start, losing two early - a nervy start, losing two early wickets. sometimes you just need a bit of luck. saved by the bails. she went on to score 45 and the captain added 53, helping england to secure victory with 18 overs to spare. really pleasing to get a win on the board. with a pretty good performance, and hopefully this is kind of hopefully the start of summer winds. kind of hopefully the start of summerwinds. it kind of hopefully the start of summer winds. it is one of four we know we need to win.— know we need to win. england relieved but _ kn

it's the final day of the cheltenham festival, on gold cup day, where all eyes are on rachel blackmoreer league survival. they went down to ten men in the second half against newcastle but alex iwobi's goal in the 99th minute sealed a massive victory. everton are 17th, three points from the relegation zone but frank lampard admitted he may have over—celebrated a bit. i think i have broken a bone in my hand. after the goal, i realised as the game settled, sort of settled, i was shaken, but so, for the three points we got in the end, not a problem. i won't complain too much. part of the reason there was so much added time in the game was because a protester tied himself by the neck to the goalpost. he was wearing a t—shirt that said "just stop oil" and was, after around eight minutes cut loose and taken away by the stewards. west ham also left it late to make it into their first european quarterfinal since 1981. ukrainian winger andriy yarmolenko scored an emotional winner in extra—time as they knocked out sevilla in the europa league. also in the europa league, rangers lost on the night

the 30—year—old has always said he wanted to return crowds will return to cheltenham today after last irish jockey rachel blackmore, who finished as top jockey — the first woman to do so — with six victories. she'll ride the favourite in the signature race today — the champion hurdle — a race she won last year. and blackmore will be hoping to go one better than her second placed finish in the gold cup on friday. in the english premier league manchester city dropped crucial points last night, which could be significant in their title bid. they drew away to crystal palace, meaning their gap at the top of the league is four points. city also hit the post twice, but it finished goalless. and that means liverpool can cut their lead to one point if they beat arsenal tomorrow. city had been nine points clear in december, and they next play in the premier league on the second of april. so now we have four points and one game more. international break, we are going to be leader, that we know, so we have to win a lot of games, with nine to go. there will be two derbies in the scottish cup semi—