Sport

The Morning Sports Briefing

Divine Douvan completes hat-trick, Yellow Submarine sink Liverpool, John Allen returns and big night for Connacht and Munster

Adrian Lopez celebrates his late winner. Photograph: Reuters
Adrian Lopez celebrates his late winner. Photograph: Reuters
Fri Apr 29 2016 - 08:35

Divine Douvan

The divine Douvan was the star of the show at Punchestown yesterday as the limitlessly brilliant six-year-old completed a rare Cheltenham-Aintree-Punchestown hat-trick with staggering ease.

Starting off at 2-9 the star of Willie Mullins’ stable had left punters and owner Rich Ricci alike slightly uneasy before the Ryanair Novice Chase but gave Ruby Walsh another effortless ride and routed Gordon Elliott’s The Game Changer by 11 lengths.

And what’s next for potentially the greatest chaser ever? Mullins said next year’s two-mile Champion Chase is most likely for Douvan, but he also has the stamina to win the Gold Cup.

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In today’s big race the promising mare Vroum Vroum Mag will be looking to emulate stablemate Annie Power and beat the boys in the Champion Hurdle.

Yellow Submarine sink Liverpool

Liverpool have a mountain to climb if they want to reach the Europa League final after a last gasp Adrian Lopez goal gave Villarreal a 1-0 advantage following an uneventful first leg of their last four tie. In the night's other game Sevilla earned a 2-2 draw away at Shakhtar Donetsk.

John Allen returns

Today sees the return of John Allen's column and he looks at the ever changing nuances of hurling and the tactics used ahead of this weekend's clash between Waterford and Clare, a game he says is "the meeting of two great tactical minds."

Liam Toland column

And in his column today Liam Toland looks at the duty of care governing bodies have to reintegrate sportsmen and women into normal life after their careers have ended, he writes: "Top level sport is amazing but cal also come with a heavy price emotionally, mentally and physically especially when you know nothing else before the end."

Pro 12

Elsewhere Connacht take on Treviso tonight knowing just a single point will be enough to secure a top-four play-off spot, while it's do or die for Munster as they face Edinburgh at Musgrave Park needing a win to keep their Champions Cup hopes alive.

What to watch out for:

Rugby

Connacht play Treviso (TG4, 6.30pm ko)

Racing

The fourth day of the Punchestown Festival (RTE 1 4-6pm, RTE 2 5.55-7pm)

Football

There are six League of Ireland fixtures tonight including Dundalk’s trip to play Bohemians.