CHELTENHAM PROBE AFTER DEATHS OF HORSES AT FESTIVAL

THE deaths of six horses at last month’s Cheltenham Festival have prompted a review of falls, fatalities and injuries at the course over the past 20 years. Data from all Cheltenham fixtures will be part of the British Horseracing Authority inquiry, which will invite input from the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare. It should be finished by the summer, with any recommendations acted on before the 2018-19 season. Seventeen horses have suffered fatal injuries over the past three Festivals and there have been calls for the number of runners to be reviewed. Starting positions could be changed in a bid to slow race tempo. It is unlikely the size of the fences will be reduced. Such a move has been rejected before because it could speed up races. A similar review into the Grand National at Aintree proved a success, with no deaths in the race since 2012. DAVID WARNER has accepted a 12-month ban for his role in cricket’s ball-tampering scandal. The former Australia vice-captain was regarded as the ringleader when the tourists were caught manipulating the condition of the ball against South Africa at Cape Town last month. He posted on Twitter: ‘I will now do all I can to be a better person, team-mate and role model.’ SPAIN could automatically qualify for rugby’s 2019 World Cup after World Rugby launched a probe into possible ineligible Romania and Belgium players in the Six Nations B competition. World Rugby had earlier ordered a replay of Spain’s 18-10 defeat by Belgium on March 18. Spain complained about the Romanian referee, whose own country was set to qualify as a result. LEWIS HAMILTON will keep Mercedes waiting until after today’s meeting about F1’s future before signing his new contract. Engine specifications and prize money are up for debate. Hamilton (left), who is contracted to the end of this year, said: ‘It is an interesting time. I won’t be rushed into anything.’