Rio stunt sidelines Sky

BETFAIR didn’t help their chances of attracting TV attention from major spenders Sky for Rio Ferdinand’s entry into professional boxing by banning the network from the launch of the stunt at York Hall. A Pitch PR spokesman said it wasn’t ideal, but they had no alternative because of Ferdinand’s contract with BT Sport.

head coach Trevor Bayliss took his Ashes cricket squad to Spain for bonding and fielding practice ahead of the 2015 home series against Australia. But with the ODIs against West Indies not finishing until the end of September, and the Ashes tour beginning less than a month later, the management do not want to impact on the squad’s brief holiday period in October, even though improving their catching is a priority. THE petty MCC are not even allowing property developer Charles Rifkind and his architect David Morley into their SGM in Westminster next Wednesday, when members are sure to vote down Rifkind Associates’ £150million plan to build two residential tower blocks at the Nursery End in favour of MCC financing their own renovations. A Lord’s spokesman said only MCC members were eligible to attend.

jumps horseracing trainer Nicky Henderson is to marry long-time partner Sophie Waddilove, a former Newmarket florist. Henderson split from first wife Diana in 2006 after 28 years of marriage. Fellow trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, with whom Henderson had a spat in the car park during Royal Ascot, should not count on an invite to the big day.