SAN FRANCISCO
This charming American city is like a real-life film set, with so many having featured the Painted Ladies, a row of painted Victorian houses (Mrs Doubtfire, Invasion Of The Body Snatchers). The steep streets have lent themselves to some sensational car chases on film too, including Bullitt and What’s Up, Doc?
Of course, offshore lies the imposing penitentiary Alcatraz, which you can visit today and relive scenes from Escape From Alcatraz.
In Downtown, relax in Union Square, which featured in Hitchcock’s Vertigo and The Birds.
Ride the cable cars that clatter down the vertiginous streets to the bay.
Make sure you stand on the running board for the full experience.
Catch one to Fisherman’s Wharf, home to dozens of sea lions, and dine at one of the many seafood restaurants. Don’t miss a trip over the Golden Gate Bridge. Do it on two wheels for views that will take your breath away.
IT WAS a victory for the Brits and Irish when Mishriff captured the world’s richest race – the £14.3millon Saudi Cup at Riyayd last night.
Partnered by Irishman David Egan and trained to perfection by Britain’s finest John Gosden, the colt mugged Charlatan on the winning line.
It was very much payback time for Egan, 21, as he missed the ride on the Prince Faisalowned colt after he was suspended, along with coronavirus restrictions preventing him from partnering the four-year-old for his retainer in France and also getting jocked off in favour of Frankie Dettori. Hollie Doyle (right) down the field on Extra Elusive in the nine-furlong blockbuster, earlier became the first female to partner a winner at the meeting on True Self for Willie Mullins.
At Wincanton Goshen showed that he is now a serious player for next month’s Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham after his faultless victory when taking the Kingwell Hurdle in the hands of Jamie Moore.
Since Goschen became famed as one of the most unfortunate losers in the history of the festival, little had gone right for the gelding. He failed miserably on the Flat and his recent poor show over hurdles was attributed to an irregular heartbeat. But he has been slashed from 20-1 to 5-1 for the hurdling crown. Cyrname was expected to get his career back on track in the Betfair Ascot Chase but presented victory to Dashel Drasher. It was a rewarding afternoon at the track for the Skelton brothers, trainer Dan and jockey Harry. The pair completed a treble.
SWINDON and Central Park both stage open races tonight with Sky Sports Racing and SportyStuffTV/RPGTV ensuring a busy night for greyhound racing fans.
The picks at Swindon are Kevin Hutton’s improving HEAVEN HELP (7.26) and kennelmate BOCA JUNIOR (7.58), while MASONSPEEDYMAC (8.17) in a Springbok trial stakes and LENSON AUSTIN (8.54) are tough to get away from at Central Park.
Towcester stages a 14-race card live on SIS, carried over from last week, where Tony Tuffin’s improving FABULOUS WORLD (2.12) can star in the S1, while TIFFIELD BEAUTY’S (5.08) leadability claims could prevail in a later A4.
Meanwhile, the Northamptonshire circuit has announced it will stage the RPGTV Juvenile Championship on Tuesday, April 20. The race brings together the puppy class of 2020 for a valuable one-off over the Greyhound Derby trip.
In association with www.towcester-racecourse. co.uk - home of the English Greyhound Derby
ENGLAND expect Kyle Sinckler to be targeted again in Cardiff. The England prop was substituted on their last Six Nations visit to the Principality Stadium after blowing a fuse and conceding two penalties inside a minute as Wales went on to win. And coach Eddie Jones (below) is anticipating a repeat dose behind closed doors on Saturday. “Wales got at Kyle in 2019 but he has matured a lot,” said Jones. “We were over-aroused in 2019, lost our mettle a bit and did not cope with that well. It’s getting the right balance.” Jones must attempt to ensure clear heads while at the same time solving England’s motivation problem – although the final responsibility will be passed onto captain Owen Farrell 48 hours before kick-off. “Owen and his leaders have to find the right arousal level for the team,” said Jones, an Umbro ambassador. “Owen loves the responsibility of being the captain. He is just a bit off his best but you will see a better version of him in Wales.”