Sergio Garcia's 'fried chicken' remark overshadowed Wentworth

The only remedy for despair is to remember darkest clouds blow through

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Frankie Dettori may not return in time for the Epsom Classics

Frankie Dettori’s hopes of Derby comeback fade

With just a week remaining until the greatest race on British turf, much of the build-up has been culpably diverted to a jockey now depending for a mount on the indulgence not only of the regulators, but also of trainers and owners. For even if Frankie Dettori duly regains his licence next week, the timetable would make it impossible for him to ride before the very eve of the Investec Derby.

Declaration of War makes his first Group One start today

Fencing can make mark in Lockinge

Heavy support during the week suggests a new officer is ready for promotion to the elite corps at Ballydoyle.

Saeed Bin Suroor is targeting a fifth victory in the JLT Lockinge Stakes

Bin Suroor and Godolphin hope to put scandal Farhh behind them

Since agreeing to part company, last autumn, Frankie Dettori and Godolphin have each been tainted by unexpected scandal. Both, however, are now hoping for a fresh start. Next Monday, Dettori returns from a six-month drugs ban for his first freelance mounts following nearly two decades with Godolphin. In the meantime, however, Sheikh Mohammed’s elite stable – rocked by an eight-year suspension for the trainer Mahmood al-Zarooni, over the administration of anabolic steroids – is itself beginning to stir back into life. Saeed bin Suroor, the trainer who had been leapfrogged by Zarooni prior to his former assistant’s disgrace, hopes to resume business as usual at Newbury on Saturday by winning the JLT Lockinge Stakes for a fifth time.

Magician wins the Bet Victor Dee Stakes at Chester yesterday

Greatwood ready to justify Derby aspirations for the home defence

Cumani colt can prove Classic credentials against dominance of O’Brien contenders

Mile looks making of Moohaajim against unbeaten market leaders

Betting on the Qipco 2,000 Guineas is so skewed towards the two favourites that neither retains any vestige of value.

Jason Collins, of the Washington Wizards, came out this week

The Last Word: Advancement of equality in sport is not inevitable – players have to make a stand

Jason Collins became the most eminent figure to come out of the mainstream American locker room and admit he is gay

Henry Cecil, by Brough Scott

"That's Henry Cecil… he should have retired years ago." The words of a young trainer drifting across the Heath at Newmarket must have stung, but during Cecil's dog days in the Noughties it was not an isolated view.

French trainer André Fabre runs Intello at Newmarket today

Morpheus and Co stir Flat from slumber

Never mind that Menorah and Hunt Ball meet at Cheltenham today; or that the National winner is to be boldly returned to the fray at Ayr on Saturday; or even if Sprinter Sacre himself tops the bill at Punchestown next week. Always and unmistakably, Newmarket's first card of the season marks the formal transfer of centre stage from jump to Flat racing.

A Newcastle fan appears to aim a punch at a police horse

Video: Police horse punched on nose as Newcastle and Sunderland fans clash after Tyne-Wear derby

The horse in question is back in work today, unharmed

Aidan O’Brien often tests Epsom contenders in the Ballysax Stakes

Aidan O'Brien marshals Marengo for potential Derby squad

Ryan Mania, having been detained a second night in hospital, was discharged in time to head home to Galashiels for a celebration of his breakthrough success in the Grand National. Scans did reveal that the young Scotsman suffered a minor fracture of his C7 vertebra when taking a fall from his very next mount after Auroras Encore, at Hexham on Sunday. But Mania described himself as no more than "a bit tired and sore", having otherwise suffered only soft tissue and ligament damage, and stressed his determination to be riding again sooner rather than later.

Another triumphant raid for O'Brien

Whatever differences may persist between them elsewhere, on Dubai World Cup night at least Coolmore and the Maktoums seem to have become best of enemies. Since finding the prize-money at Meydan too lavish to resist, three years ago, his patrons have sent Aidan O'Brien to the homeland of their traditional antagonists with decorous compliments and sharp racehorses.

Donald McCain was pleased with Ballabriggs’ Aintree prep run

Flat converts promise to fulfil aim to prosper at Festival

Doing something different is trending at racecourses, it seems. It was good to see Kauto Star strutting his new stuff under event rider Laura Collett in the parade ring at Newbury on Saturday, even if his so-called dressage display – a few basic flatwork moves at walk, trot and canter – has as much to do with top-level grand prix work as the Shetland pony grand national franchise that does the rounds of summer horse shows has to events at Aintree. The 13-year-old, though, apparently enjoyed being the focus of adulation as much as he ever did when with Paul Nicholls.

Investment View: Whitbread still a favourite despite horse-meat scare

Chicken is not only better for you than beef, it's cheaper. So are Whitbread's shares
Frankie Dettori: Owner Sheikh Mohammed ended the rider’s 18-year retainer this autumn

Frankie Dettori backed to return stronger than ever after being hit with six-month ban for failing drug test

Jockey failed a random drugs test at Longchamp in September

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Andrew Mitchell: 'It's no good feeling hard done by'

Andrew Mitchell: 'It's no good feeling hard done by'

In his first interview since 'plebgate', the former Chief Whip opens up just enough to concede that, in politics, you have to take the rough with the smooth

Johnny Marr talks relationships and reunions

He's worked with Modest Mouse, the Pet Shop Boys and Beck, to name a few, and recently released his first solo album. So why, wonders Johnny Marr, do people still hark on about The Smiths?
Corruption and the FCO: Blue skies, white sands, dark clouds

Corruption and the FCO: Blue skies, white sands, dark clouds

Special report: Met police call for criminal inquiry into former diplomat's Cayman Islands rule
Fallen angel: Winona Ryder on bouncing back from her decade in the wilderness

Fallen angel: Winona Ryder bounces back

She owned the 1990s... but then she disappeared. Now, Ms Ryder is back with quite the bang in her latest role, as the wife of a notorious real-life Mob hitman.
Roman Polanski shakes Cannes Film Festival

Roman Polanski shakes Cannes Film Festival

The director's new film, 'Venus in Fur', is one of the raciest on offer
Rev Richard Coles: 'I don’t have any concerns that God is cross with me for being gay and eventually the Church won’t either'

Rev Richard Coles on the Church and homosexuality

The mellifluous, erudite and witty Coles is the nation's most pop-culture-friendly priest
'Baghdad likes to live from crisis to crisis': Civil war looms in Iraq

Patrick Cockburn: Civil war looms in Iraq

The governor of Kirkuk - one of the country's most violent but successful provinces - fears the worst
Written on the body: Tattooists at pains to point out their artistic credentials

Written on the body

Tattooists at pains to point out their artistic credentials
Conquering Everest: 60 facts about the world's tallest mountain

Conquering Everest: 60 facts about the world's tallest mountain

The IoS marks the sixtieth anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first reaching the peak of the highest mountain on Earth
A new, and irreversible, Dust Bowl looms

Rupert Cornwell: A new, and irreversible, Dust Bowl looms

The destructive power of tornadoes will be as nothing once the Great Plains' vast underground water reserve dries up
Every creature's needless death diminshes us all

Philip Hoare: Every creature's needless death diminishes us all

A 60 per cent decline in our national species should alarm us, yet few of us act. But to mind more about animals would reflect well on society
Killing with kindness: Burma's religious battleground - and the monks at the heart of it

Killing with kindness: Burma's religious battleground

Six years ago, the world cheered the monks behind Burma’s Saffron Revolution. Now, a horrific new eruption of religious slaughter is being blamed on a 'Buddhist Bin Laden'.
Let's take it outside: Bill Granger's Bank Holiday feast

Let's take it outside: Bill Granger's Bank Holiday feast

You can’t always depend on the weather – but you can avoid the pitfalls of the British barbecue by preparing an elaborate outdoor feast indoors ahead of time...
The Calvin report: Stirring Champions League final shows how far English game must advance

The Calvin report

Stirring Champions League final shows how far English game must advance
10 big questions for the British & Irish Lions to answer

10 big questions for the British & Irish Lions to answer

Warren Gatland's squad fly Down Under aiming to do justice to the expectations – and hoping the Wallabies stay in the pub