Digest RACING

MOTORSPORT

THE female employee suspended by Red Bull has appealed against the decision to clear team principal Christian Horner of controlling behaviour, it is understood.

Red Bull’s investigation dismissed the complainant’s grievance this month but she has lodged a formal appeal with the Formula One team’s parent company GmbH.

The employee is understood to have been suspended on full pay as a direct result of Red Bull’s inquiry, which concluded at the end of last month. The complainant was told she had acted dishonestly and received a legal letter, which gave her five working days on receipt of the letter, to appeal against the outcome of the investigation.

Horner, 50, who has always denied the claims made against him, was allowed to continue in his role when GmbH cleared him of any wrongdoing.

JORDAN NAILOR enjoyed one of his biggest days in the saddle when steering Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Beauport to bet365 Midlands Grand National glory at Uttoxeter.

The 25-year-old has regularly partnered the Bryan and Philippa Burrough-owned eight-year-old and was aboard when landing the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase in the autumn of 2022.

However, having been narrowly denied in the London National in December and then disappointing when last seen at Warwick in the Classic Chase in January, the duo’s triumph in the £150,000 contest was the perfect way to get back on track.

“It was really brilliant and really exciting,” said Twiston-Davies. “It’s brilliant for Jordan as he’s had a bit of a quiet season and it was great, we’re all really happy. Jordan has won a few big races on him before and it all went well on the day. We have no idea why he ran so bad at Warwick but it all went better for him this time.

“I hope it will be the Grand National one day.”

TENNIS

NOVAK DJOKOVIC has pulled out of this week’s Miami Open to balance his “private and professional schedule”.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion, who suffered a shock defeat to world No.123 Luca Nardi at Indian Wells last week, posted on X: “Hi Miami! Unfortunately I won’t be playing the @MiamiOpen this year.

“At this stage of my career, I’m balancing my private and professional schedule.

“I’m sorry that I won’t experience some of the best and most passionate fans in the world. I’m looking fw competing in MI in future!”

MARIA SAKKARI is set to face top seed Iga Swiatek in today’s final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells after fighting off a Coco Gauff fightback.

She beat the third seed 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, in a lengthy, rain-interrupted battle which finished after 1am.

Gauff broke the Greek ninth seed early, but Sakkari fought back to take a first set interrupted by a short rain delay.

A lengthy break for the weather delayed the start of the second set, Sakkari settling quickest on the resumption to take a 5-2 lead. But she could not serve out the match, despite having a match point, as Gauff broke back and took the set on the tie-break.

Gauff broke again at the start of the third set, but Sakkari dug in and rattled off four games in a row to take control again. And this time she was able to complete the job.

Swiatek’s path to the final was more straightforward as she saw off Martya Kostyuk 6-2, 6-1.