The Morning Sports Briefing

Racing: Cheltenham

Bookmakers were counting their blessings after having losses cut considerably by the untimely exit of Annie Power on an eventful opening day of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday.

A day in which Willie Mullins redesigned the parameters of Cheltenham dominance with a opening day Grade 1 four-timer - Faugheen led home an unprecedented '1-2-3' for Ireland's champion trainer in the Stan James Champion Hurdle.

The big one today though is the Queen Mother Champion Chase and Brian O'Connor is backing Sire de Grugy to prevail as three former winners to go to the line in a clash of champions 'festooned with ifs'.

One of the biggest ifs; questions whether Sprinter Sacre is back to the form that took this crown two years ago.

“I don’t think he’ll ever be back to what he was two years ago when he was unbeatable,” says trainer Nicky Henderson, “ but he might not need to be.”

Rugby: Six Nations

Paul O'Connell is by any measure, one of the great locks. The Ireland captain is set to reach the 100 cap milestone against Wales in this weekend's Six Nations encounter.

Former Munster and Ireland hooker Frankie Sheahan says his old team mate, and the rest of us, won’t realise how important he is until he’s retired from the game.

Ahead of that game in Wales Ireland's kicking coach Richie Murphy says that outhalf Johnny Sexton has followed up modified training on Monday with a full session on Tuesday prior to a kicking session - "We are really happy where he is at and we're expecting him to be fit at the weekend."

Soccer: Champions League

Real Madrid, the competition's reigning champions, remain in this year's Champions League after last night's Round of 16 second leg against Schalke, by the skin of their teeth.

The German team edged them in the Bernebeu but were a goal short on aggregate on a night when Cristiano Ronaldo broke the tournament’s goalscoring record with a fine brace - but had to be reminded by his captain to thank his home supporters as he stood on the half way line, deflated, in front of a camera, after the final whistle.

Tonight Chelsea take on PSG in their second leg, Nemanja Matic returns after serving his domestic ban and his manager Jose Mourinho has been explaining his importance as the London team face their biggest test of the year thus far.

Cricket: George Dockrell

Losing to India was a big blow for the Irish cricketers but now it's all about beating Pakistan says young George Dockrell.

Off the back of a tough travel day flying from Hobart to Hamilton via Sydney and with a few hours on buses added in he says “the guys were clearly lethargic. This isn’t an excuse for how we played but it definitely was a factor.”

Le Bron record

Meanwhile early this morning LeBron James scored 27 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers sustained their recent dominance of the NBA Western Conference by beating the Dallas Mavericks.

The Cavaliers (41-25) won for the 12th time in their past 13 games against Western Conference teams and appear to be peaking with the regular season winding down. James set the Cavaliers’ career assists record in the victory.

What to watch out for:

There’s a big Wednesday of GAA action ahead as both the Fitzgibbon Cup final replay and the Munster, Connacht and Ulster Under 21 championships get underway.

Tony Kelly's UL take on reigning champions WIT in Páirc Uí Rinn at 7.30pm in search of Fitzgibbon glory.

While Limerick, Cork at the Gaelic Grounds and Clare versus Waterford in Milltown Malbay both throw in at 7.30pm in the Munster Under 21 quarter finals.

In Connacht a fancied Mayo play Leitrim in Castlebar at 7.30pm. While throwing in at the later time of 8pm in Ulster is Derry versus Down at Celtic Park.

The main event again today though is day two of the Cheltenham festival. At 3.20pm the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase gets underway.

Channel 4, from 12.35pm-4.20pm

RTE 1, 1.20pm-4pm

RTE 2, 7pm-7.30pm

Chelsea welcome PSG to Stamford Bridge for their crunch second leg Champions League last 16 tie.

RTE2 from 7.30pm