Weekend in pictures: Coral card at Leopardstown and cricket glory
Published:
Sam Barnard, Lee Gormley and David Metcalf | January 18, 2015
Following another exciting weekend of sport, with action from Coral-sponsored horse races, Premier League fixtures and cricket on the subcontinent amongst others, we provide another weekend in photos.
Henry Higgins the hero in Coral.ie Hurdle
Henry Higgins, one of eight runners for leading Irish owner JP McManus, ran out the easy winner of the inaugural running of the highly-competitive Coral.ie Hurdle at Leopardstown.
The Charles O’Brien trained six-year-old cruised into contention approaching the last under a confident Robbie Power and strode clear on the run-in to beat Kalkir by 2 1/4 lengths.
O’Brien said he would now love to have a crack at the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival with the improving gelding as it is named in memory of his late father, Vincent O’Brien.
Empire Of Dirt reigns supreme
Young rider Jonathan Moore enjoyed the biggest success of his career when partnering Empire Of Dirt to victory in the Coral.ie Leopardstown Handicap Chase.
One of three Gigginstown House Stud horses in an 11-runner line-up, Empire Of Dirt jumped well throughout and was produced with a perfectly timed run by Moore to take up the running two from home.
The Colm Murphy trained nine-year-old then winged the last before keeping on strongly to beat Killer Crow by 2 1/4 lengths in the feature chase on a superb day’s action at the Dublin venue.
Killultagh Vic in remarkable recovery for victory
Jockey Ruby Walsh stole the show on a tremendous Coral-sponsored card at Leopardstown with an amazing recovery to partner Killultagh Vic to victory.
The Willie Mullins trained gelding was cruising to success in the ‘Money Back On Fallers’ at Coral.ie Novice Chase but slithered on his belly and came to a virtual standstill after jumping the last.
This allowed Blair Perrone and Lord Scoundrel to go past, but Walsh somehow managed to gather up his mount despite having lost and iron and Killultagh Vic rallied gamely to get back up close home and land the spoils by 3/4 of a length.
Haye announces comeback in swift style
Former world heavyweight champion David Haye made a devastating comeback to the ring in front of his home support at the O2 Arena in London, as he rampantly stopped Australian Mark de Mori in the opening round of his returning bout.
‘Rocket’ surges to sixth Masters title
Ronnie O’Sullivan rocketed to his sixth Masters crown at Alexandra Palace to equal Stephen Hendry’s total tally, emphatically earning a dominant 10-1 victory over Barry Hawkins, the joint-biggest winning margin ever in the event’s final.
Sensational Broad skittles through South Africa
Stuart Broad inflicted a devastating series-winning spell with the ball on the hosts, as he claimed the first five wickets of the second innings at a loss of just one run at one point. The England paceman is now top of the Test bowling world rankings.
Terry makes amends with late equaliser
After helping Everton to an early lead by scoring in his own net, Chelsea captain John Terry left it very late to salvage a point in the match of the weekend which ended 3-3. Replays did later show that the former England defender’s goal should’ve been ruled out for offside, though.
Rampant Rooney continues scoring run
In an otherwise tame derby between bitter rivals Liverpool and Manchester United, Wayne Rooney came up with the goods after smashing home late on to claim all the spoils. A special mention should go to Red Devils keeper David de Gea, though, whose heroics kept the visitors in the game with worldly saves.
Related
Check out our previous weekend in pictures pieces.
