BEAUPORT NAILED ON IN FINAL SHOCK
Beauport sprang a 28/1 surprise in the EBF Final Hurdle at Sandown.
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ gelding was pushed along for most of the way but began to make rapid headway in the back straight.
The five-year-old was sent to the front two out by Jordan Nailor and he survived an error at the last to beat Riggs (20/1) by 11 lengths.
Nailor said: “This is my first winner at Sandown and my first Graded or Listed winner as well.”
Flirtatious Girl
(13/2) was a decisive winner of the Listed
EBF Mares’ Standard Open Bumper.
Kim Bailey’s horse was pushed along four out but she came with a powerful late run to beat Speech Bubble (40/1) by two lengths.
Tweed Skirt (10/1) showed that she has a bright future in third.
Wonderkid Ross Thompson admits he thrives on the pressure of being the decision-maker in a Warriors side full of older heads.
The 21-year-old orchestrated Friday’s 30-25 win over Ospreys, preserving Glasgow’s hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions Cup.
The stand-off slotted three penalties, a trio of conversions and set up fellow youngster Rufus McLean’s try with an inch-perfect grubber kick. Thompson, who only made his debut in January, said: “It’s a big step up but that’s the level I want to play at.
“I don’t mind getting chucked in at the deep end and hopefully I’ll float, not sink. I love the pressure of goal kicking.”
While happy to take responsibility, he does have plenty of support.
Thompson added: “I’m pretty lucky because I’ve got lots of experienced players around me. The forwards help by making decisions around the line-out and the backs like Robbie Fergusson, Nick Grigg and Sean Kennedy help as well with small decisions on the pitch.”
Warriors head coach Danny Wilson has recruited Duncan Weir and Domingo Miotti, Scotland and Argentina stars respectively, for next term.
But Thompson said: “I can’t wait to kick on next season and compete for the jersey.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has won a new £9million-a-year contract at Old Trafford.
Manchester United sources say talks are set to begin, with his current three-year deal set to click into its final year this month.
Solskjaer’s reward will be a healthy upgrade on his £7m-a-year salary with United’s hierarchy happy with the way the first-team squad is developing under the 1999 Treble hero.
Executive vice-chairman
Woodward believes Solskjaer has restored the club’s DNA missing under previous bosses Jose Mourinho and Louis Van Gaal with an emphasis on emerging young talent and attacking football.
David Moyes, meanwhile, has told Said Benrahma to be patient as he searches for his first West Ham goal.
Benrahma scored 17 times for Brentford last season but has yet to get off the mark since his £30m switch to east London.
Moyes said: “He just needs to calm down a bit and let it come to him.”