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Jonbon Takes Ascot Chase Title Ahead of Pic D’Orhy

Jonbon emerged victorious in the Ascot Chase, edging out Pic D’Orhy in an exciting contest to secure his 12th Grade One win.

With 12 Grade One wins under his belt, Jonbon has amassed over £1.6m in prize money, cementing his position as a top contender in the world of horse racing.

On Valentine's Day, Jonbon secured a thrilling victory in the Ascot Chase, dealing a blow to Pic D'Orhy and claiming his 12th Grade One win in the process.

Trained by Nicky Henderson, Jonbon faced stiff competition from Pic D'Orhy, the winner of the previous two years, with the two horses jumping the final hurdle neck and neck.

Despite Harry Cobden's skilled riding, 5-2 chance Pic D'Orhy was ultimately outpaced by Jonbon, the 4-9 favourite, which Nico de Boinville rode to a length and a half victory.

Jonbon's impressive record over fences is surpassed only by that of Kauto Star, a two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner with 16 Grade One victories to his name.

Henderson praised Jonbon's bravery, saying, "It takes a lot of courage to perform like he did today, especially considering his intense battle in the Clarence House Chase just four weeks ago."

Henderson expressed his hope that Jonbon would emerge victorious at the upcoming Cheltenham Festival, stating, "He certainly deserves a win, doesn't he?"

The Ascot Chase saw Jonbon and Pic D'Orhy dominate the six-horse field, with Blow Your Wad finishing a distant third, 14 lengths behind the leaders.

Paul Nicholls, Pic D'Orhy's trainer, was pleased with his horse's performance, describing it as "one of his best races ever" despite the disappointing outcome.

In other racing news, Grand Geste delivered a strong finish to win the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at Haydock.

Under the guidance of jockey Danny McMenamin, the Sue Smith-trained grey Grand Geste made a late surge, taking the lead after the final fence and crossing the finish line nearly two lengths ahead at odds of 13-2.

Grand Geste's victory comes with a potential bonus of £500,000 if the horse goes on to win the Grand National at Aintree later this year.

The Grand National Trial Handicap Chase saw Top of the Bill finish second at 22-1, followed by Neo King and Deafening Silence, while favourite Myretown faded badly and was pulled up after initially setting the pace.

For the latest horse racing results, please refer to the updated listings.

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Scotland Secure Convincing Calcutta Cup Victory Over England

Scotland rebounded from their Six Nations loss to Italy the previous week, earning a bonus-point victory over England in a thrilling Calcutta Cup match at Murrayfield.

The scoring breakdown was as follows: Jones scored two tries, while Ritchie and White each added one. Russell successfully converted four and also kicked a penalty.

England's points came from tries by Arundell and Earl, with Ford converting one and kicking two penalties.

Following their Six Nations loss to Italy the previous week, Scotland rebounded with a bonus-point victory over England in the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield, in a match that was both intense and thrilling.

Led by the exceptional Finn Russell, Scotland played with a relentless intensity that left England struggling to cope.

Despite facing criticism prior to the match, Gregor Townsend's team made a strong start, taking a 17-0 lead within the first quarter of an hour.

Russell kicked a penalty, and Jones, Ritchie, and White scored tries, while England's response consisted of a converted try by Arundell and a penalty by Ford.

Arundell's match was marked by two yellow cards in the first half, resulting in England playing with 14 men for 30 minutes, during which time Scotland scored 14 points.

At halftime, Scotland held a 24-10 lead, which Ford narrowed early in the second half with a penalty, before Jones scored his second try after a charged-down Ford drop goal attempt.

Unlike in previous matches, Scotland maintained their intensity and did not let their lead slip, as they effectively countered England's pressure with strong defense and counterattacks.

Although Earls scored a late try to reduce the deficit, it had little impact on the outcome, as Murrayfield celebrated a convincing Scottish victory.

The loss marked a significant setback for England, who had been seeking their 13th consecutive win and first victory in Edinburgh since 2020.

Finn Russell played a crucial role in Scotland's win, demonstrating his skill and vision throughout the match.

After a disappointing performance in Rome, Scotland delivered a strong reaction, showcasing their intensity, accuracy, and ruthlessness from the outset.

The match began with Russell kicking an early penalty, which set the tone for Scotland's dominant start, as they played direct and physical rugby that England struggled to match.

Arundell's first yellow card, received within 10 minutes, proved costly for England, as Scotland capitalized on the numerical advantage, with Russell orchestrating the attacks.

Russell's clever playmaking created a try-scoring opportunity, which Jones exploited by sprinting past Maro Itoje after receiving a one-handed pass from Russell.

The Scottish fly-half extended the lead to 10-0, and his team continued to build momentum, addressing the lack of ruthlessness that had hindered them in Rome.

In their next attack, Scotland demonstrated their speed and skill, as Sione Tuipulotu's long pass found Ritchie on the left wing, and the blindside scored with ease.

Russell's conversion made it 17-0, and England, who had been heavy favorites, found themselves reeling from the intense Scottish start.

England eventually gained some traction, with their dominant scrum and powerful runners allowing them to penetrate Scotland's 22, and Arundell scored a try after a delayed pass from Ford.

Ford reduced the deficit to seven points with a penalty, but Scotland quickly responded with their third try, sparked by Russell's inventive play.

The Scottish fly-half's ingenuity created an opportunity, as he evaded several defenders and kicked the ball while falling, and Ellis Genge's error allowed White to score a try.

Russell's conversion extended the lead to 14 points, and Arundell's second yellow card, received just before halftime, further compounded England's difficulties.

The wing's indiscretion, which resulted in a 20-minute red card, left England facing an uphill task in the second half.

England's scrum superiority allowed them to narrow the gap early in the second half, with Ford kicking a penalty, but Scotland's defense held firm.

As England applied pressure, Scotland's defense remained solid, and Ford opted to take a drop goal, which backfired when Fagerson charged down the kick.

The loose ball was scooped up by Fagerson, who fed Jones, and the Scottish center scored his second try, securing a bonus point for his team.

Russell's conversion extended the lead to 18 points, and England's attempts to reduce the deficit were ultimately unsuccessful.

Although England emptied their bench and introduced several heavy hitters, they could only manage a late try by Earl, converted by Ford, which reduced the deficit to 11 points.

The final score reflected Scotland's dominant performance, as they secured a well-deserved victory, with the home fans celebrating a memorable win.

The Scotland team consisted of: Jordan, Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu, Dobie, Russell, White; McBeth, Turner, Z Fagerson, Brown, Cummings, Ritchie, Darge, Dempsey.

The replacements were: Cherry, Schoeman, Millar-Mills, Williamson, M Fagerson, Horne, Hastings, Graham.

The England team was: Steward; Roebuck, Freeman, Dingwall, Arundell; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Heyes, Chessum, Itoje, Pepper, Underhill, Earl.

The England replacements were: George, Rodd, Davison, Coles, Pollock, T Curry, Spencer, F Smith.

The match was refereed by Nika Amashukeli from Georgia.

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Italy captain Lamaro sees shift in public perception

Captain Michele Lamaro has spoken about the shift in perception surrounding Italy following their failure to secure consecutive Six Nations victories.

In the past, Italy captain Michele Lamaro was often questioned about the team's potential exit from the Six Nations, but times have changed.

Following Italy's narrow loss to Ireland, captain Michele Lamaro reflected on the shift in perception surrounding his team, which has made significant strides since its previous struggles in the tournament.

Italy's confidence was boosted after a win over Scotland in Rome, and the team carried this momentum into its match against Ireland in Dublin, where it dominated for large periods before ultimately falling 20-13.

After Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada expressed pride in his team's performance, Lamaro was asked about the growing sense of belief within the squad.

Lamaro, now in his fifth year as captain in the Six Nations, recalled his first year in the role, when the dominant question was about Italy's potential withdrawal from the tournament.

The Italian captain emphasized the importance of humility, recognizing the immense effort required to compete at the highest level against teams like Ireland.

The change in perception is significant for Lamaro, who noted that he didn't have the same level of belief when he was growing up.

Lamaro takes pride in the progress Italy has made, having risen from consistently finishing last in the table, and he hopes that one day his team will be championship contenders.

Ireland secured its first win of the tournament with a hard-fought victory over Italy.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell stated that his team was able to draw confidence from its win.

Lamaro, who was appointed captain by Kieran Crowley in 2021, emphasized the team's desire to inspire others, particularly the next generation of Italian players.

The 27-year-old captain hopes to create opportunities for young players and inspire those around him, providing a chance for them to succeed where he and his teammates did not.

Lamaro acknowledged that the journey to success can be challenging, but he believes that trusting the process is essential for achieving long-term goals and creating a lasting legacy.

The acknowledgement of Italy's improvement is a source of pride for Lamaro, who appreciates the recognition of the team's growth and the shift in perception.

After the match, Lamaro congratulated referee Hollie Davidson on her historic achievement as the first woman to officiate a men's Six Nations match.

Italy's previous visit to Dublin under Quesada and Lamaro ended in a 36-0 defeat, but this time the team was more competitive.

Ireland, still reeling from a loss to France, was vulnerable, and Italy sought to capitalize on this.

Lamaro recognized the importance of putting pressure on Ireland through the scoreboard, which would have made it difficult for the Irish to recover.

The Italian captain has experienced similar situations in the past, where a team's mindset can be affected by a difficult start to the game.

Lamaro praised Ireland's players, acknowledging their exceptional talent and dedication to their team and country, and expressed confidence in their ability to bounce back from recent setbacks.

He recognized that all teams face ups and downs, and Ireland is no exception, but he believes the team has the potential to regain its form.

At the conclusion of the post-match press conference, Lamaro took a moment to acknowledge Hollie Davidson's achievement in becoming the first female referee in the men's Six Nations.

He offered his congratulations, recognizing her contributions to the sport and her historic milestone.

Lamaro appreciated the opportunity to work with Davidson on the pitch and valued her efforts in officiating the game.

He expressed his support for her decisions during the match and commended her for a job well done.

Lamaro's tribute to Davidson was a heartfelt gesture, acknowledging the significance of her achievement and the importance of her role in the game.

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Ireland staged a second-half comeback to secure a narrow victory over Italy.

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Palmerston, Ex-Foreign Office Feline, Passes Away in Bermuda

Tributes are being paid to a former rival by various individuals, including Larry the Cat, who serves as the chief mouser at No 10.

The former "chief mouser" of the Foreign Office, Palmerston, has passed away in Bermuda, as reported by his social media account.

Palmerston stands on a green table looking around while Permanent Under Secretary, Simon McDonald smiles looking on.
Palmerston exploring his new surroundings in Simon McDonald's office in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London in 2016

Prior to his retirement in 2020, Palmerston spent four years serving at Whitehall, having initially been adopted from Battersea Cats and Dogs home.

In a surprise move, Palmerston's social media account announced in February 2025 that he had come out of retirement to take on a new role as a "feline relations consultant" in Bermuda, approximately 3,500 miles from his previous posting.

A tribute was paid to Palmerston on his X account, announcing his peaceful passing on February 12, remembering him as a "Diplocat extraordinaire".

According to the post, Palmerston was a beloved member of the Government House team in Bermuda and a cherished family member, known for his gentle nature and companionship, and will be deeply missed.

Palmerston the cat investigates a camera at ground level in front of 10 Downing Street
Palmerston often prowled Downing Street

Named after the 19th-Century Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister Viscount Palmerston, the black-and-white cat began his diplomatic career in 2016.

During the Covid pandemic, Palmerston relocated from the central London building, and subsequently retired from service in 2020.

Upon his retirement, a letter addressed to Lord Simon McDonald, the then-most senior civil servant at the Foreign Office, stated that Palmerston had been enjoying a more relaxed life, climbing trees, and patrolling fields, and wished to spend more time away from the public eye.

The letter, signed in Palmerston's name, expressed his contentment with the quieter life, saying, "I have found life away from the frontline to be more relaxed, easier, and quieter".

Palmerston's social media account claimed that he was coaxed out of retirement by a new role with Bermuda's governor, Andrew Murdoch, with whom he had been living since his initial retirement, prompting celebration among his 99,000 social media followers.

Tributes to Palmerston have been led by his former rival, Larry, the chief mouser at Number 10, who is marking 15 years in the position, having served under six prime ministers.

A farewell message was posted by Larry's unofficial X account, reading, "Farewell old friend x".

Palmerston and Larry were rumored to have had a long-standing feud, with several publicized altercations during their time in Westminster.

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