Author: Harry Howes

Can Rory McIlroy secure the Grand Slam at The Masters?

Posted on by Harry Howes

You know summer is just around the corner when the major golf championships come back. Luckily, we’re in for a treat because The Masters returns to Augusta next week for its 88th edition.

The world’s best golfers will flock to Georgia for four days of top-class sporting action, with one superstar set to receive the iconic green jacket. The Masters kicks off at Augusta National Golf Club next Thursday, with the final day taking place on Sunday 14th April.

The tournament features the smallest field of all four majors as it’s an invitational event, with strict conditions around who can compete across the four rounds of 18 holes. It kicks off a succession of major competitions each month, with the PGA Championship coming up in May before the US Open in June and the Open Championship in July.

Jon Rahm is looking to defend his title having come out on top last year, although he’ll face stiff competition from the likes of Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. If you fancy seeing the best golfers on the planet up close, there’s still time to take advantage of Engage’s exclusive hospitality packages.

You can join us in The Foundry at Rae’s Creek or in Augusta Country Club, with both facilities located just minutes from the action. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a premium bar and TV screens so you don’t miss a second of the action.

Enquire Now

Masters Hospitality

Who are the favourites?

The runaway favourite ahead of the tournament is world number one Scheffler, who’s enjoyed a strong start to 2024. The American has already won the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players Championship and became the first ever player to win the latter in consecutive years.

Scheffler won The Masters back in 2022 – it remains his only major win and he’ll be hoping to continue his form and add another one to his collection. Standing in his way will be McIlroy, who is yet to claim the green jacket at Augusta.

McIlroy came second to Scheffler in the 2022 competition and The Masters remains the only major that he’s yet to win. Although he’s claimed the other three, he’s not won one since landing the PGA Championship and the Open double back in 2014. Can he end his drought in Georgia next week?

Meanwhile, reigning champion Rahm will fancy his chances at defending his crown. The Spaniard is ranked third in the world and finished four strokes ahead of runners-up Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson a year ago. It would be just his third major title having claimed the US Open three years ago.

Who are the dark horses?

Hideki Matsuyama is an outsider for this year’s Masters title but he’s got history, having come out on top back in 2021 despite being ranked 25th in the world. He became the first ever Japanese golfer to win a major championship as he finished one stroke clear of Will Zalatoris.

Elsewhere, the likes of Brooks Koepka and Xander Schauffele will be hoping to upset the odds and win The Masters for the first time. Both golfers finished just one stroke behind Tiger Woods as he shocked the world by claiming a fifth title back in 2019.

The biggest sports events in the Middle East in 2024

Posted on by Harry Howes

Football, Formula One, Boxing and countless other sports are growing in popularity throughout the Middle East and with plenty of exciting events to look forward to this year, we’ve taken a look at the biggest events coming up.

Formula One

The new F1 season is alive and kicking, with Max Verstappen picking up where he left off last time out. The three-time winner has stormed to victory in two of the three opening races, including in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

There are plenty more races to go and racing fans in the Middle East will get to see the decisive moments at the tail end of the season. The current campaign will come to a close in December, with the Qatar Grand Prix on 1st December, followed by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 8th December.

Verstappen won both races last year on his way to winning the final seven events of the season. He’ll be looking to repeat the feat this time around and claim his fourth consecutive F1 championship.

Boxing

Combat sports have taken the Middle East by storm in recent years, including plenty of thrilling boxing fights that have taken place in Saudi Arabia. Next up is Tyson Fury’s highly-anticipated bout with unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

The pair are set to come face-to-face in Riyadh on Saturday 18th May, with Fury looking to inflict Usyk’s first ever professional defeat. The Ukrainian has won all 17 of his fights, including twice against Anthony Joshua. One of those fights took place in Saudi Arabia, which was also the setting for Fury’s victory against UFC star Francis Ngannou last October.

The undercard of Fury vs Usyk is packed full of boxing stars, including Jai Opetaia. The Australian is set to face Mairis Briedis to defend the cruiserweight belts he won from him two years ago. Elsewhere, Joe Cordina will face Anthony Cacace in a featherweight world title clash.

Golf

Much like with Formula One, the golf season’s climax takes place in the Middle East with the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. As the ‘Race to Dubai’ comes to a close, the world’s top players will compete to be crowned the DP Tour champion from 14th to 19th November.

Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard came out on top last year, beating runners up Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland and Matt Wallace. Previous winners include Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy, though the latter hasn’t tasted victory in Dubai since 2015.

The competition comes a week after the penultimate event of the tour, which sees the Abu Dhabi Championship get underway from 7th to 10th November.

Tennis

The NextGen ATP Finals returns to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia in December and will pit the tennis stars of the future against one another. The competition is open to the best players aged 20 or under and will take place from 18th to 22nd December.

Carlos Alcaraz won the NextGen finals back in 2021 and it took him less than a year to win the US Open. The Spaniard went on to claim his second Grand Slam last summer, beating Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final. Similarly, Jannik Sinner won the NextGen final back in 2019 and earned his maiden Grand Slam at the Australian Open earlier this year.

Football

The Asian Cup took place in Qatar earlier this year and the hosts made home advantage count as they went all the way, winning the competition for the second time in a row. They beat Jordan 3-1 in the final, with Golden Boot winner Akram Afiff scoring a hat-trick of penalties to secure the trophy.

The Saudi Pro League has gone from strength to strength since splashing the cash to bring in some of the world’s biggest football stars. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez and Sadio Mane have all swapped Europe for the Middle East.

Al-Hilal, whose squad includes Kalidou Koulibaly, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ruben Neves, are currently 12 points clear of Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr at the top of the league. The pair will meet in the semi-final of the Saudi Super Cup next week.

The biggest summer events to look forward in 2024

Posted on by Harry Howes

The evenings are getting lighter, the rain is slightly less frequent and it’s almost time to put the big coat back in the loft. It can only mean one thing – summer is just around the corner.

As well as holidays, ice creams, beer gardens and all the other joys summer brings, we’ve also got plenty of exciting events to look forward to in the coming months. From sport to music, we’ve got it covered, and you can enjoy it all from the best seats in the house with our exclusive hospitality packages.

Wimbledon

Perhaps the most iconic British sporting event, summer wouldn’t be complete without Wimbledon. Strawberries and cream, Pimm’s, Henman Hill and the best tennis players in the world.

We’ve got a wide range of hospitality options to choose from and you can join us for the final, where you may well witness Novak Djokovic cement his place as the most successful player of all time.

The Serbian has won 24 Grand Slams and can edge past Margaret Court by winning in SW19. He’ll be looking to make amends having lost in the final last year to rising star Carlos Alcaraz.

Cricket

Last summer we were treated to one of the most thrilling Ashes series in history and, thankfully, there’s loads more cricket action to look forward to this year.

England face both the West Indies and Sri Lanka in home Test series, with Ben Stokes and co. looking to bounce back from a disappointing trip to India earlier this year. They’ll also be taking on Pakistan and Australia in white ball series either side of the T20 World Cup in June.

Domestically, The Hundred continues, with the final taking place at Lord’s in August. Meanwhile, the T20 Blast gets back underway in June if you fancy some high-energy action with a party atmosphere.

British Grand Prix

The midpoint of the Formula One season sees the British Grand Prix once again take place at Silverstone, its permanent home since 1987.

Max Verstappen raced to victory for the first time last year on the way to a record-breaking third successive championship win. Join us trackside this year as Lewis Hamilton looks to win the grand prix on home soil for a record ninth time in what will be his final season with Mercedes.

ICON hospitality at the Formula 1 British Grand Prix 2023

Golf

This summer sees the Open Championship return to Royal Troon in Scotland for the first time since 2016. Brian Harman stunned the golfing world by winning the competition last year. This time around, Rory McIlroy will be looking to win it, 10 years after his one and only title.

The Scottish Open and the BMW PGA Championship will also take place later this year – enquire today to make the most of our hospitality options.

And if you fancy showing off your skills, why not join us for our ICON golf days at The Grove? Enjoy food and drink on every hole, expert tips from professionals and a whole lot more.

Royal Ascot

After the thrills of Cheltenham earlier this month, the horse racing fun keeps on coming and summer events don’t get much better than Royal Ascot.

As punters dress to impress and place their bets, it’s a chance to see members of the royal family, as well as racing royalty as the world’s best horses and jockeys go head-to-head.

Make the most of our Royal Ascot packages and enjoy eight Group 1 races, including the iconic Gold Cup, which was won by Frankie Dettori in his final appearance at the festival last year.

ICON Ascot Jockey

Henley Royal Regatta

The Henley Royal Regatta has been a staple of British summer for 185 years, with more than 300,000 excited rowing fans expected in Oxfordshire for this summer’s edition.

Rowers from all over the world will flock to Henley for six days of competitive action, with over 300 races set to take place. The racing action is enough to keep you entertained but to top it off, you can take in the event in our exclusive hospitality areas, with food, drink and plenty of entertainment on offer.

Concerts and festivals

Festival season is almost upon us but if you don’t feel like pitching a tent and getting your wellies out of the shed, you can still sing your heart out as the world’s biggest artists head off on tour.

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour continues this year and you can dance along in style in London, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Cardiff. Meanwhile, you can also catch Bruce Spingsteen, Take That, Green Day, Coldplay and Liam Gallagher. Plus, Adele is set to spend most of August wowing her European fans at her residency in Munich.

If you missed out on Glastonbury tickets, don’t worry – there are still top festivals in London to look forward to. Head to BST in Hyde Park to see the likes of SZA, Kings of Leon, Stevie Nicks, Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue. Elsewhere, Hampton Court Palace Festival and Kew the Music are also back for another year.

Music Event Diary

Everything you need to know about Salon Privé

Posted on by Harry Howes

Classic car fans, assemble – everybody’s favourite luxury car show is returning to London next month. The Salon Privé is heading to the Royal Hospital Chelsea for three days in April, giving car lovers the chance to take a closer look at some of the finest classic cars around.

The spectacular lawns will be transformed into a stunning presentation of luxury automobiles. From Aston Martins from the ‘60s to new and exclusive cars debuting at the show, attendees will have the chance to treat themselves to anything that catches their eye.

As well as the wonderful range of cars to enjoy, visitors to the Salon Privé can also take advantage of our exclusive hospitality packages, which offer a three-course lunch on days one and two, as well as a family-friendly buffet on day three.

As well as a complimentary bar to keep you refreshed in between exploring the thrills that the event has to offer, you can also enjoy a relaxed, comfortable environment, with attractions and performers guaranteed to keep you entertained.

The Salon Privé at Royal Hospital Chelsea is set to be an incredible event and if you enjoy it and fancy some more, we’ll be doing it all over again for the grand finale at Blenheim in August.

Day 1 – Thursday 18th April

The opening day of the Salon Privé will be a celebration of Porsches as we toast the 50-year anniversary of the 911 Turbo. For one day only, guests can peruse a vast collection of Turbos through the ages lined up along the lawn.

Thursday also represents the first day of the Concours de Vente. Learn the histories of all the classic cars on offer and, as they’re all for sale, there’s the opportunity to purchase the items as well.

Day 2 – Friday 19th April

While day one is dedicated to Porches, the second day is all about McLaren. Join us for Ladies’ Day and discover the biggest variety of McLaren models ever seen in London.

Meanwhile, the Concours de Vente continues for those in the market for a new car, or simply those interested in taking a look. There will be 75 classic cars for sale, including Bentleys, Ferraris and Aston Martins.

Day 3 – Saturday 20th April

The last day of the event, but certainly not the least, is Supercar Saturday. Enjoy a luxury display of supercars on the lawn in a collaboration with SCC Private Members Club.

The final day will also see awards presented to the models in the Concours de Vente, with attendees able to vote for their favourite in the ‘People’s Choice’ award. It’s also the last chance to see the best new cars and motorcycles debuting at the Salon Privé.

Salon Privé dress code

While the Salon Privé is a high-end event, they prefer to keep things relaxed and encourage a sophisticated dress code without being too formal. Gentlemen are advised to wear a comfortable suit or blazer with chinos, along with a pair of brogues.

Ladies are encouraged to don chic attire like a summer dress, trousers or a jumpsuit. They’re also advised to wear shoes that they can comfortably wear to walk on gravel paths and lawns. For this reason, wearing stiletto heels is not recommended.

ICON Legends – Rachael Blackmore – The Queen of Horse Racing

Posted on by Harry Howes

As the sun sets on another thrilling week at Cheltenham, it would be remiss of us not to honour one of the festival’s greatest jockeys as we continue our ICON Legends series.

Rachael Blackmore has made history throughout her career, often breaking records by becoming the first female to win countless races and accolades. The Irish jockey grew up on a dairy farm riding ponies and had her first amateur win at the age of 21.

Since turning professional in 2015, Blackmore has gone from strength to strength, riding her first winner just six months into her career. And after adding to her long list of Cheltenham winners last week, we’ve taken a look back at some of her greatest achievements.

Cheltenham Festival glory

The Cheltenham Festival wouldn’t be the same without Blackmore celebrating in the winner’s enclosure and she was back there again last week. The 34-year-old has ridden 16 winners there since 2019, smashing records on the way.

She’s made a habit of setting standards for female jockeys and in 2021 she became the first woman to be the leading rider at the festival, winning six races including the Champion Hurdle.

And the following year she picked up where she left off. Aboard A Plus Tard, Blackmore became the first female Cheltenham Gold Cup winner in 2022, dominating with a phenomenal finish to win by 15 lengths.

It wasn’t the first time that Blackmore and A Plus Tard celebrated together at Cheltenham. Her maiden festival victory came in 2019 aboard the gelding in the Chase Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase.

Last week saw another incredible Cheltenham Festival and once again, Blackmore wowed spectators as she rode to victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Her Queen Mother Champion Chase win aboard Captain Guinness came as something of a surprise. They set off at 17/2 but were able to take advantage when clear favourite El Fabiolo pulled up, opening up the field.

Grand National history maker

In a sport traditionally dominated by men, Blackmore has paved the way for women and she continued in this vein in 2021 as she became the first female jockey to win the Grand National, three years after her first appearance.

Blackmore made history aboard Minella Times, navigating the iconic Aintree course perfectly, having started the race as the 11/1 fourth favourite. Despite there being no fans present due to the pandemic, Blackmore remained focussed throughout to see off the challenge of runner-up Balko des Flos.

Minella Times was the first Grand National winner for trainer Henry de Bromhead, who also trained Balko des Flos, ridden by Aidan Coleman.

Honeysuckle heroics

Some of the best stories in sport are built on partnerships and for Blackmore, her career could have been so different without the incredible Honeysuckle. The dynamic duo won 17 of their 19 races together under the tutelage of de Bromhead.

It was with Honeysuckle that Blackmore completed another of her iconic ‘firsts’, becoming the inaugural female jockey to win the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2021. Not content with winning it once, the pair repeated the feat the following year.

Between them, Blackmore and Honeysuckle have won both the Irish Champion Hurdle and the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle on three separate occasions, as well as the Punchestown Champion Hurdle twice.

Regarded as one of the greats, Honeysuckle’s career came to an end last year. It was fitting that Blackmore took the reins for a final time as the pair raced to victory in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham to secure their fourth win together at the festival.

For Blackmore, there have been no whispers of retirement and fingers crossed she’ll continue to make history and be a role model for aspiring jockeys for many more years to come.

Six Nations Week 5: Ireland retain title on a dramatic Super Saturday

Posted on by Harry Howes

The Six Nations came to an end over the weekend and rugby fans were not disappointed. We were treated to a thrilling Super Saturday that ultimately saw Ireland crowned champions for the second year in a row.

England had faint hopes of winning the title at the start of the day but their dreams were dashed before they’d kicked off and they were ultimately stunned by France in dramatic circumstances. Meanwhile, Wales’s woes continued as they picked up the infamous wooden spoon.

Six Nations Table

 TeamPlayedWonDrawnLostPDBonusPoints
1Ireland540184420
2France53116115
3England5302-5214
4Scotland52030412
5Italy5212-34111
6Wales5005-5144
Six Nations 2025 Hospitality

Ireland beat Scotland to secure Six Nations

Despite having their Grand Slam dreams ended by England the week before, Ireland entered Super Saturday in the driving seat. They went into their clash against Scotland knowing that one point would clinch them a second successive Six Nations title.

Fittingly, they secured the championship just in time to party the night into St Patrick’s Day. But the Scots didn’t make things easy in a cagey affair that finished 17-13.

Ireland went into the break just 7-6 up and braced themselves for a battle to reclaim their crown. And luckily for their expectant home crowd, they rallied in the second half and managed to break down a stubborn Scotland defence.

Tries from Dan Sheehan and Andrew Porter got them over the line and while the Grand Slam wasn’t to be, they clearly didn’t dwell on it as they secured a fifth Six Nations title since 2014.

Scotland went into the game dreaming of a first Triple Crown since 1990 but the visitors weren’t able to add to Huw Jones’ solitary try, despite a formidable performance.

France’s late late show sinks England

England broke Irish hearts with a last-gasp kick in week four but the roles were reversed in Lyon at the weekend. England were a point ahead late on but Thomas Ramos’ ambitious halfway line penalty secured a 33-31 win for the hosts.

The dramatic win saw France leapfrog England and finish in second place in the table. England had fought back from 16-3 down, with two Ollie Lawrence tries putting them in the ascendancy. Both sides added further tries but it was Ramos who ultimately stole the show.

After Ireland had secured the title earlier in the day, it was a battle for second place and France had the edge in their first home victory since the World Cup. Despite finishing third, England showed good resilience throughout the tournament having trailed at half-time in every match.

They’ll be looking to build on their performances, with Steve Borthwick now with a clearer picture of how he wants to shape his squad ahead of the Autumn Nations series later this year. For France, they’ll be delighted to finish as runners-up having started this year’s competition slowly with defeat to Ireland before they were held to a surprise draw by Italy in week three.

France edge past Wales in tight affair

After being held to a draw by Italy, France put that disappointing result behind them with a comfortable win against Wales. They led by just three points at the break but kicked on to win 45-24 thanks to a masterclass from Nolann Le Garrec.

Fans in Cardiff were treated to eight tries but the home faithful will be mightily concerned looking at the table. Wales are bottom with four defeats from four and they’re in danger of their first whitewash since 2003.

It was Wales’ 11th defeat in their last 12 Six Nations matches and another one against Italy in their crunch clash this weekend will consign them to this year’s wooden spoon.

For France, the victory saw them record their highest-ever points tally in Wales. They now find themselves fourth in the table but are just a point behind Saturday’s opponents England and they’re still mathematically able to win the Six Nations, although it remains unlikely.

Italy condemn Wales to wooden spoon

The opening game of Super Saturday saw Italy and Wales go toe-to-toe in a bid to avoid this year’s wooden spoon. Remarkably, it was Italy who came out on top, condemning Wales to the booby prize for the first time in 21 years.

Wales lost all five of their matches in this year’s Six Nations, including a full throttle affair in Cardiff at the weekend. They were 11-0 down at half-time but a respectable second period gave them hope as they ultimately lost 24-21.

George North’s Wales career ended in disappointment as he was carried off the pitch with injury in his final game before retirement. But he maintains that Warren Gatland remains the right man for Wales, with question marks surrounding the coach’s future.

Italy finished fifth in the table in what was their most successful Six Nations in history. They went unbeaten in three matches for the first ever time and it’s the first time since 2015 that they haven’t finished bottom of the pile.

Tennis: Novak Djokovic crashes out of Indian Wells

Posted on by Harry Howes

While it wasn’t the most damaging defeat of his career, Novak Djokovic will be slightly frustrated at his early exit from Indian Wells.

The Serbian lost to 20-year-old Luca Nardi in the third round to continue his barren run in 2024. He’s yet to win a tournament this year, which isn’t ideal preparation for the remaining Grand Slams.

The quarter-finals get underway on Thursday and Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner is the favourite to go all the way. He’s yet to drop a seat in the tournament and he comes up against Jiri Lehecka in the final eight.

Should he progress, the likes of Daniil Medvedev will be standing in his way, as will Carlos Alcaraz, who won the tournament a year ago. Andy Murray was also among the stars to take to the court at Indian Wells but the Brit was beaten by Andrey Rublev in round two.

On the women’s side of the draw, world number one Iga Świątek is in good stead to claim her second title. She comes up against Caroline Wozniacki in the quarter-finals.

Świątek could face stiff competition from Coco Gauff, who is strong on home soil having claimed her first Grand Slam at last year’s US Open. Both Indian Wells finals take place on Sunday.

Can Medvedev defend his Miami crown?

There won’t be much time for recovery from Indian Wells as all the big hitters will be flying east for the Miami Open. Djokovic will be in action and the six-time winner is looking to go all the way for the first time since 2016.

Having looked strong at Indian Wells so far, Medvedev will be confident of defending his crown having seen off Sinner in the final a year ago. Sinner, meanwhile, will be desperate to turn his fortunes around. The Italian has lost two of the last three finals in Miami.

Murray is also set to take part and will harbour dreams of adding a third title to his collection, having won in 2009 and 2013. However, Rafael Nadal is unlikely to make it following his decision to pull out of Indian Wells.

Świątek’s only Miami title came two years ago and a strong finish at Indian Wells will put her in a strong position for the competition in Florida. Reigning champion Petra Kvitová is out of action for the foreseeable future as she prepares to have her first child.

Gauff is looking to win the tournament for the first time, while Australian Open winner Aryna Sabalenka is also on the entry list as she looks to continue her strong start to 2024.

Grand Slams are just around the corner

While the tour tournaments are coming thick and fast, all eyes will be on the two Grand Slams on the horizon. The French Open gets underway in May and having missed out in Australia, Djokovic is looking to become the most successful player of all time.

Nadal has made Roland Garros his playground in recent years, winning the French Open an incredible 14 times. He’ll want to play more than anything this year but as he struggles for fitness, there are fears that he’ll call time on his career if he misses out. On the women’s side, Świątek has won three of the last four French Open titles and she’ll be the favourite to go all the way this time.

Up next after the competition in Paris is the warm-up to Wimbledon at Queen’s Club, before one of the most iconic tournaments in world sport returns to SW19. Djokovic is targeting an eighth title having missed out to Alcaraz last year.

Elsewhere, Markéta Vondroušová shocked the world last summer as she became the first unseeded Wimbledon champion when she beat Ons Jabeur in the final.

Six Nations Week 4: England end Ireland’s Grand Slam hopes

Posted on by Harry Howes

After a two-week break, the Six Nations returned at the weekend and there were plenty of shocks. England secured a late win over favourites Ireland, while Italy claimed their first victory of this year’s competition.

Elsewhere, Wales’ misery continued as they slumped to another defeat. The Six Nations comes to a close this weekend with Super Saturday and, as ever, we’ve rounded up the best of the action.

Six Nations Table

 TeamPlayedWonDrawnLostPDBonusPoints
1Ireland430180416
2England4301-3012
3Scotland42024311
4France42114111
5Italy4112-3717
6Wales4004-4833
Six Nations Hospitality

England strike late to sink Ireland

While it didn’t quite have the same impact, there were shades of Jonny Wilkinson in 2003 as Marcus Smith’s last-gasp drop-goal secured a famous win for England. With the hosts two points behind at Twickenham, the Harlequins fly-half silenced the reigning champions.

Ireland thought they’d won it through James Lowe’s second try, which would have left Andy Farrell’s side just one win away from back-to-back Grand Slams. But in the game’s final phase, Smith had other ideas and booted between the posts to secure an iconic 23-22 victory.

It was Ireland’s first Six Nations defeat for two years and while they’ll likely still claim the championship against Scotland this weekend, they’ll always have to live with the ‘what if’ of the Grand Slam that never was.

England still harbour faint hopes of securing an unlikely title if results go their way. While it ultimately looks like they’ll finish second at best, their win over Ireland will at least put to bed talk of them not being up to standard.

They’ve flattered to deceive in the competition so far but they showed a fighting spirit against Ireland and they’ll travel to France this weekend with a renewed confidence that the new era under Steve Borthwick really has begun.

Italy beat Scotland to shock the world

After holding France to a draw last time out, Italy fans were in dreamland on Saturday as a second-half comeback saw them beat Scotland. It was just their second Six Nations win since 2015 and ended a run of 26 consecutive home defeats in the competition.

Scotland went into the half-time break 22-16 up but they weren’t able to hold on in the second half, with Italy ultimately securing a narrow 31-29 win. They now go into a crucial clash with Wales this weekend with both sides looking to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon.

Italy have never gone three consecutive Six Nations matches unbeaten and they’ll be looking to make history in Cardiff on Saturday. Meanwhile for Scotland, the defeat all but ends their hopes of securing the Six Nations title.

Gregor Townsend’s side were in the ascendancy at half-time but they collapsed and looked a shadow of the team that saw off England last time out. They’ll be licking their wounds this weekend as they face an Ireland side hungry to confirm their second consecutive championship.

France edge past Wales in tight affair

After being held to a draw by Italy, France put that disappointing result behind them with a comfortable win against Wales. They led by just three points at the break but kicked on to win 45-24 thanks to a masterclass from Nolann Le Garrec.

Fans in Cardiff were treated to eight tries but the home faithful will be mightily concerned looking at the table. Wales are bottom with four defeats from four and they’re in danger of their first whitewash since 2003.

It was Wales’ 11th defeat in their last 12 Six Nations matches and another one against Italy in their crunch clash this weekend will consign them to this year’s wooden spoon.

For France, the victory saw them record their highest-ever points tally in Wales. They now find themselves fourth in the table but are just a point behind Saturday’s opponents England and they’re still mathematically able to win the Six Nations, although it remains unlikely.

Week 5 fixtures

Wales v Italy – Saturday 16th March, 14:15

Ireland v Scotland – Saturday 16th March, 16:45

France v England – Saturday 16th March, 20:00

Cheltenham Festival 2024: Everything you need to know

Posted on by Harry Howes

Hold your horses – the Cheltenham Festival is less than a week away! Horses, jockeys and fans from all over the world are set to flock to Gloucestershire for the iconic event, with four days of incredible racing on the agenda.

With 164 years of history behind it, the Cheltenham Festival is one of the most prestigious race meetings in the world. It boasts 14 Grade 1 races, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which Galopin Des Champs and Paul Townend are looking to win for the second year running.

There may be an upset though, with Fastorslow and Shishkin looking to mount a challenge. It’s set to be an incredible race and for the best views of the finish, why not enjoy the day from the comfort of our ICON facility?

Our exclusive package offers a balcony view, where you can enjoy a Guinness (or two!) from the complimentary bar just in time for St Patrick’s Day. As well as that, you’ll also be treated to a four-course lunch, expert tipsters and racing legends to keep you entertained.

The action gets underway next Tuesday and as the anticipation grows, we’ve broken down everything you need to know, including a horse we think has a big chance in each race (prices correct as of Tuesday 5th March)!

Cheltenham Festival race schedule

The festival gets underway on Tuesday 12th March and if you want to see the world’s finest racehorses from the best seats in the house, you can make the most of our exclusive hospitality packages.

Tuesday 12th March

1:30pm – The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Firefox 5/1
2:10pm – The My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy – Hunter’s Yarn 6/1
2:50pm – The Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase – Twig 20/1
3:30pm – The Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy – State Man 2/5 (Boring we know!)
4:10pm – The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle – Lossiemouth 4/7
4:50pm – The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – Pacini 25/1
5:30pm – The Maureen Mullins National Hunt Novices’ Chase – Corbetts Cross 2/1

Wednesday 13th March

1:30pm – The Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle – Handstands 12/1
2:10pm – The Brown Advisory Novices’ Steeple Chase – Fact to File 4/5
2:50pm – The Coral Cup Hurdle – Ballyadam 25/1
3:30pm – The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase – El Fabiolo 4/9
4:10pm – The Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase – Minella Indo 2/1
4:50pm – The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase – Unexpected Party 16/1
5:30pm – The Weatherbys Champion Bumper – You Oughta Know 9/1

Thursday 14th March

1:30pm – The Turners Novices’ Chase – Ginny’s Destiny 3/1
2:10pm – The Pertemps Network Final Hurdle – Gowel Road 20/1
2:50pm – The Ryanair Steeple Chase – Envoi Allen 7/2
3:30pm – The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle – Crambo 6/1
4:10pm – The TrustATrader County Plate – Theatre Man 7/1
4:50pm – The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle – Jade De Grugy 5/2
5:30pm – The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup – Cool Survivor 12/1

Friday 15th March

1:30pm – The JCB Triumph Hurdle – Sir Gino 4/6
2:10pm – The Country Handicap Hurdle – L’Eau Du Sud 12/1
2:50pm – The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – Largy Hill 20/1
3:30pm – The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup – Galopin De Champs 5/4
4:10pm – The St James’ Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase – Ferns Lock 11/4
4:50pm – The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Steeple Chase – Dinoblue EVS
5:30pm – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle – Quai De Bourbon 4/1

Cheltenham Festival dress code

If you’re taking advantage of one of our exclusive hospitality experiences at Cheltenham, please be aware that there is a dress code in operation. Luckily it’s not the same as the jockeys, so leave your silks at home and get ready to dress to impress.

Men must wear a suit or jacket with a tie. Meanwhile, ladies should wear smart attire and while hats are optional (and classy!), they’re not compulsory. Fancy dress is not allowed.

Getting to Cheltenham

If you’re using public transport, Cheltenham Spa train station is four miles from the racecourse. Don’t worry, there’s no need to walk in your high heels – a shuttle bus service is in operation for £5 return and there are taxis available too.

Those driving from the north should exit the M5 at junction 9 and continue via Evesham Road (A435). Take a left into Southam Lane and enter the North Car Park via entrance 10. If you’re coming from the south, leave the M5 at junction 11, follow the A40 and A4013 and the signs for ‘Green Route’ will take you to the racecourse.

FA Cup: Can Man United end Liverpool’s quadruple dreams?

Posted on by Harry Howes

FA Cup fever is gripping the nation and following the quarter-final draw, we really are into the business end of the competition. Believe it or not, this season’s edition of the historic cup got underway way back in August last year as clubs up and down the country entered the preliminary qualifying rounds.

Now, seven months later, we’re down to our final eight teams, who will all fancy their chances of climbing those iconic steps at Wembley in May’s FA Cup final. Manchester City are among those that remain and the reigning champions will be keen to defend their crown.

But fierce rivals Manchester United, as well as long-term challengers Liverpool, are looking to stop them. Ahead of next weekend’s quarter-finals, we’ve taken a closer look at each of the teams left in the competition.

Manchester United v Liverpool

The tie of the round sees old rivals United and Liverpool come face-to-face in a mouth-watering clash at Old Trafford. Having already secured the Carabao Cup, Liverpool are targeting an historic (and ambitious!) quadruple as they prepare for life without Jurgen Klopp.

The pair have met four times in the FA Cup this century, winning twice each, with a spectacular Bruno Fernandes free-kick securing a 3-2 win for United in their last meeting three years ago.

For Liverpool, the key talking point of late has been their kids, with a young side managing to outfight Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final. Three days later, they rallied again to beat Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round.

Lewis Koumas and Jayden Danns, both sons of former Premier League players, scored in a 3-0 win at Anfield as they spearheaded a hugely inexperienced team. And while they’ve performed well for Klopp, he’ll be keen for the likes of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and co. to be fit and firing when they head to Old Trafford.

With a Champions League spot next season slowly looking less likely to materialise for United, an FA Cup win may be their final chance to salvage some glory this year. They edged past Nottingham Forest last time out as Casemiro’s late winner saved them from extra time. But they’ll need to step their performance up against a Liverpool side more determined than ever to fight for their manager.

Manchester City v Newcastle United

Man City will entertain Newcastle in the next round and the pair’s fifth-round matches couldn’t have been more different. For City, Erling Haaland returned to form in style, smashing in five goals before the hour mark to stun Luton in a 6-2 win.

However, Newcastle stuttered at Championship outfit Blackburn and struggled to break through their resilience. They ultimately won on penalties but their tired performance was indicative of their difficulties this year.

But cup ties aren’t won on form and City will need to be at their best as they look to defend their title following last season’s treble win. Newcastle missed out on their first piece of silverware of their new regime as they lost last season’s Carabao Cup final.

After securing Champions League football last term, they’ve failed to match those heights this year and have looked well off the pace in recent months. Eddie Howe is desperate for some glory to reignite the club and he’ll have his fingers and toes crossed that the FA Cup could be just that.

Liverpool face Chelsea at Wembley Stadium during the 2022 FA Cup Final

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Chelsea v Leicester

These two sides last met in the FA Cup in the 2021 final, where a Youri Tielemans strike secured the trophy for Leicester. Since then, Chelsea have undergone a massive overhaul both on and off the pitch, while the Foxes have suffered relegation to the Championship.

Chelsea are hoping to bounce back from their Carabao Cup final defeat as Mauricio Pochettino looks to end his trophy hoodoo, having lost all three of his major finals as a manager in England.

Meanwhile, Leicester are flying at the top of the Championship and look in good shape to return to the top flight at the first time of asking. A dream first season for manager Enzo Maresca would be topped with an FA Cup win, although no second division team has won the competition since West Ham beat Arsenal in 1980.

In the last round, Chelsea survived a potential banana skin as Conor Gallagher came off the bench to secure a last-gasp 3-2 win over high-flying Leeds. Leicester are looking to secure another Premier League scalp after knocking out Bournemouth last time out.

Wolves v Coventry

A Midlands derby completes the quarter-final line-up, with Coventry looking to spring an upset against Premier League counterparts Wolves. They’ve enjoyed a strong cup run so far, smashing Maidstone 5-0 last time out to add to wins against Sheffield Wednesday and Oxford.

In fact, the Sky Blues have scored 16 goals in the competition so far and Wolves will be wary of taking them lightly. They missed out to Luton in last year’s play-off final but are in the hunt for another top-six finish this season.

Wolves are enjoying a renaissance under Gary O’Neill following a slow start to the season. They edged past Brighton in round five thanks to a goal from Mario Lemina and they’ve also seen off Brentford and fierce rivals West Brom in a tricky run to the quarter-finals.

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