The greatest show in town: kauto star v denman iii may be the best
Tony McCoy on Denman and Ruby Walsh riding Kauto Star, locked in the battle is billed as the greatest head-to-head in the sport since the 1960s.
Peter scudamore's view after day three of the cheltenham festival
Another big day for the bookies. Big Buck’s (5-6) and Ruby Walsh came to punters’ rescue in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.
The irish view of day four of the festival, with edward o'grady
The focus is firmly on the Gold Cup clash between Kauto Star and Denman but I’m hoping that my runner Alaivan will be one of the stars of the undercard.
Pride comes after two falls for iron man tony mccoy
The Cheltenham Festival boasts a proud history of throwing up heroes, both equine and human. It produced both on Thursday.
Starstruck: there's no stopping kauto in gold cup showpiece, says turner
Arguments rage over whether Kauto Star has surpassed the achievements of the mighty Arkle in the Sixties, but Paul Nicholls’ charge can seal his place in the immortals.
Liverpool 3 lille 0 (agg 3-1): cometh the hour, cometh gerrard and torres
Unconvincing Liverpool advanced to the quarter-finals of the Europa League thanks to yet another brace of goals from Fernando Torres and one from their talismanic captain.
Facebook snubs panic button call by home secretary
The company insisted it would not relent in its opposition to the button in the wake of the murder of Ashleigh Hall (pictured).
The bounty hunter: hot couple? even ant and dec have more sexual chemistry
In The Bounty Hunter, Gerard Butler is a thuggish bounty hunter whose job is to arrest his glamorous reporter ex-wife (Jennifer Aniston).
I love you phillip morris: not many people will love this dismal jim carrey comedy
The now reliably terrible Jim Carrey gurns his way through a dismal comedy based on a true story - not that that's any excuse.
Old dogs: a film so bad it should be put down
John Travolta - never smugger - and Robin Williams - never creepier - team up with notorious Hollywood hack Walt Becker, who gave us the appalling Van Wilder Party Liaison.
The search for a star to play Dorothy in the West End production of The Wizard Of Oz will be the fourth BBC talent contest to be hosted by the camp TV personality.
Baz bamigboye: guess who's having a ball with shrek as movie musical makes its way to the stage...
Michael Ball is in the early stages of negotiations to play the title role in the musical Shrek, which is expected to head this way next year.
She is appearing in Mrs Warren's Profession, George Bernard Shaw's 1893 drama about a well-heeled prostitute returning to England.
How the people's nancy won over the west end
She wasn't Andrew Lloyd Webber's first choice but Jodie Prenger was the viewers' favourite, picked out from all the hopefuls in TV talent show I'd Do Anything. Now her career has taken off.
The 40-year-old insisted 'the vast majority' of the allegations about him were untrue, he conceded he had 'poor judgement' after he was alleged to have had affair with Michelle McGee.
Ferguson keen to turn loan of united's james into permanent deal at preston
Darren Ferguson wants to sign Manchester United's Matty James. The 18-year-old has been outstanding for Preston side since arriving last month on loan.
The model quickly corrected herself when she described herself and her husband as 'me and Pete' on This Morning.
Racists target france centre mathieu bastareaud ahead of england clash
France coach Marc Lievremont revealed on Thursday that he has received anonymous letters containing racist comments about his star centre, Mathieu Bastareaud.
The former Prime Minister tried to keep the public in the dark over his dealings with South Korean oil firm UI Energy Corporation.
Hull must keep paying manager brown - possibly until the end of next season!
Phil Brown is still the manager of Hull City - and could remain so until the end of next season. Brown has been put on gardening leave but legally remains the manager.
Alex brummer: darling's windfall won't last if he bribes the electorate
Suddenly, as if by magic, Alistair Darling finds himself with wiggle room to dish out goodies to the young unemployed and pensioners.
Ephraim hardcastle: 'lord snooty' strikes again... at samantha cameron's accent
Margaret Thatcher's official biographer, Charles Moore, mocks Samantha Cameron's 'perfect estuarial' accent.
Martin samuel: bondi expats don't deserve fuel bonuses
To inflation-link expat pensions would cost an additional £500million a year. That is money that will disappear from the British economy.
Jan moir: newsflash sian williams! we don't care what you wear
Miss Williams is claiming her annual spend of £4,500 on hair and clothes is necessary for her job and therefore should qualify for tax relief.
Laid bare: the bloomsbury set revealed in fascinating collection of documents and nude photos
They were known as much for their tangled love lives as their intellect. Now a rare archive revealing photos has thrown fascinating new light on their scene.
Terrifying new species of dinosaur discovered in china by british student
The eight foot long creature with scythe-like claws is related to Velociraptor, one of the frightening stars of the film Jurassic Park.
Lord tebbit, 78, facing charges after 'kicking dancing dragon' during chinese new year
Officers are now preparing a report for the Crown Prosecution Service which will decide whether the peer should be charged with an offence after a member of public made a complaint.
Pressure on primary schools as 550,000 more places needed within eight years
Many local areas are already facing a squeeze fuelled by a rapidly rising birth rate and parents swapping private schools for state schools in the recession.
Former speaker michael martin uses arcane lords tool to delay limits on libel lawyers' fees
The crossbench peer, who was forced to quit during the expenses scandal, has tabled a 'motion of regret' against a statutory instrument laid by Jack Straw.
The peril of challenging litter louts, by charles
The heir to the throne voiced the dilemma many people face today over whether to make a stand against rising criminality.
George cross heroes: the bomb experts who kept on defying taliban death traps
Staff Sergeant Kim Hughes (pictured) received the award for gallantry while his colleague Staff Sergeant Olaf Schimid's widow listened to her husband's citation about his amazing bravery.
Students face fresh loan fiasco as watchdog warns 'substantial risks remain'
The system for processing loan applications 'continues to be very high risk', the National Audit Office said.
Hilary benn in climbdown on slopbucket scheme only hours after he makes boast
The Environment Secretary's retreat came just hours after he insisted families would be happy to take part.
We'll open a nuclear power station every 18 months, say tories
Shadow energy spokesman Greg Clark told the Daily Mail there would be 'no limit' on the expansion of nuclear power under a Tory government.
Mandelson opens door to another round of tax rises
Labour government will take the step if necessary to help plug the vast black hole in Britain's public finances.
Ba strike could be averted... but too late to reinstate flights already cancelled
BA's contingency plans have led to hundreds of schedules being rapidly rewritten meaning many planes and crews will simply be in the wrong place.
Boy, 5, takes father's 4x4 for four-mile joyride before crashing into a wall
The child, who would have been almost too small to reach the pedals, was spotted trundling along at low speed in the high-powered Mitsubishi Shogun automatic.
Hotter than greece: britain basks in warmest day of year so far
The Met Office says the time to pack away our winter woollies has come, with the mild weather here to stay. However, we will be getting our April showers early, with unsettled weather forecast for the weekend.
Police investigating the murder of Elisa Claps (pictured) believe there may be a link between her death and the murder of a British mother in 2002.
Speedy saints can make life hell for france when england travel to paris
One is the crosscode wing. The other is a converted full back who has grown frustrated and impatient at being held back by England. Together, they are lethal.
Lovenkrands blow for newcastle: striker ruled out by ankle injury
Newcastle striker Peter Lovenkrands has suffered an injury blow ahead of the Championship leaders' visit to managerless Bristol City.
Albert riera's stock plummets as it emerges spanish winger turned on youngster during training
Albert Riera fell out of favour with Rafa Benitez after turning on a young reserve player in a training ground flashpoint at Melwood.
Bonuses cause rift between boardroom and dressing room at st mirren
St Mirren will enter their first major cup final for 23 years amid a rift between the boardroom and dressing room over bonus payments and after-match arrangements.
Shawcross not afraid to tackle demons after breaking ramsey's leg
Ryan Shawcross insists he has not lost any sleep over the challenge that left Aaron Ramsey with a double fracture of the right leg, even though his opponent refuses to forgive him.
Arsenal boss wenger voices concern over gallas's 'endless calf strain'
Cesc Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky are fit to boost Arsenal's title challenge but Arsene Wenger admits he is still troubled by William Gallas's 'endless calf strain'.
Johnson's bristol city departure sealed by alleged bust-up with sproule
Gary Johnson lost his job as Bristol City boss after an alleged bust-up with winger Ivan Sproule. Johnson left City by mutual consent after two wins in the last 12 league games.
Mcleish: sullivan will face court if he tries to poach larsson and ridgewell
Alex McLeish has warned former Birmingham City owner David Sullivan that he faces a court battle if he tries to poach Liam Ridgewell and Sebastian Larsson.
P diddy bid to buy crystal palace dismissed by club administrator
Crystal Palace administrator Brendan Guilfoyle has laughed off suggestions P Diddy is ready to buy the club - even though he would be delighted to hear the rap star’s offer.
Fulham 4 juventus 1 (agg 5-4): old lady sunk by breathtaking comeback
They will talk about it for years. The night Fulham welcomed mighty Juventus, conceded a goal after a minute - and then scored four to toss them out of Europe.
Colin hendry faces ruin over gambling debt as he is forced to sell home
An online sports betting firm has filed a bankruptcy petition against the former Scotland World Cup captain. He is understood to owe the company £35,000.
How richer sports might learn from Gaelic games
Lloyds predicts a profitable 2010
Lloyds Banking Group says it expects to make a profit this year - having made heavy losses due to bad loans in 2009.
Moscow hosts key mid-east talks
Leaders from the international Quartet of Middle East peace mediators meet in Moscow to push Israeli-Palestinian talks.
Taliban arrests halt un contacts
A former UN envoy to Afghanistan says Pakistan's arrest of Taliban leaders halted a channel of secret UN contact.
Pope to sign letter on sex abuse
Pope Benedict is to sign a letter to the Catholics of Ireland on how to address the sexual abuse of children by priests.
Rio tinto announces guinea deal
Rio Tinto says it has signed a deal with China to develop a massive iron ore project in Guinea.
Srebrenica gay theory irks dutch
Dutch officials reject a US general's claim that troops failed at Srebrenica because of poor morale over gay soldiers.
Polanski lawyers file new appeal
Lawyers for Roman Polanski file an appeal over alleged judicial misconduct in his 1970s US trial for sex with a 13-year-old girl.
Castro supporters heckle marchers
Hundreds of Cuban government supporters heckle the "Ladies in White" protesters marking the 2003 crackdown on dissidents.
China unveils homemade helicopter
China's first domestically developed civilian helicopter takes off on a maiden flight in the eastern province of Jiangxi.
Clue in the claws: new dinosaur species related to velociraptor
Scientists discover a new species of dinosaur that was closely related to the Velociraptor.
Public sector 'is wasting £25bn'
The public sector is wasting at least £25bn a year because of a failure to reform, a report says.
Deutsche bahn confirms arriva bid
Deutsche Bahn, the German national rail company, has confirmed its bid for Arriva, the UK transport group.
Fears winter harmed uk wildlife
The harsh winter may have had a devastating impact on UK wildlife, British Waterways warns as it launches its annual survey.
Doctors at Hong Kong University call for greater regulation of the acupuncture industry and stricter hygiene measures.
Appeal after abandoned baby dies
Police say they are "extremely concerned" for the health of a mother after the death of her abandoned newborn boy.
Priest paid alleged abuse victim
Cardinal Sean Brady confirms a priest in NI paid compensation to a woman who had made allegations of sexual abuse.
Student loan delays 'may reoccur'
The public spending watchdog criticises the Student Loans Company and warns of another year of delays.
Obese maternity care risk warning
Maternity services for obese women are not good enough and may be putting mothers-to-be at risk, experts warn.
Acceptance over obama asia delay
Indonesia and Australia express understanding after President Obama pushes back a much-anticipated regional visit.
Birmingham social workers sacked
Six social workers at Birmingham City Council are sacked as the council works to turn around its children's services.
Music festival guide: let the wild rumpus begin
It's the time of year that festivals across the UK start to announce their line-ups. Glastonbury may already be sold out, but there are another 485 festivals to choose between. Here we present some festival Highlights: to help you make your decision.
Doctor who - has age withered this time lord?
Icouldn't make it to Cardiff this week for the press launch for the new series of Doctor Who, but then, although mildly intrigued, I'm in no desperate hurry to make the acquaintance of the Doctor's latest incarnation. With his long, ascetic face, rather like Mervyn Peake's sketches of Steerpike in his Gormenghast novels, the 27-year-old Matt Smith has all the makings of an interesting Time Lord. And, after all, this revived version of the venerable BBC1 classic, with both David Tennant and Christopher Eccleston, has a good track record with its principal casting. I can well imagine that he will continue the vein of English (even the West Lothian-born Tennant spoke with an English accent) eccentricity that has permeated the show since its inception. However, on the whole, I increasingly can't be bothered with Doctor Who.
Two Irish wedding receptions colliding in the same hotel isn't a bad idea for a comedy, but Stephen Burke's feature doesn't even clear the hurdles of basic competence.
Album: goldfrapp, head first (mute)
Having leapt feet-first on 2008's Seventh Tree into the spooky wyrd-folk world then being opened up by the likes of Bat For Lashes, Goldfrapp now suddenly effect a complete volte-face on Head First, heading back to the electronic pop of their three previous releases.
Nissan turns over a new leaf with a zero-emission family hatchback
With their new Leaf, Nissan are offering motorists a potentially revolutionary choice; a useable, practical, conventional-looking electric vehicle that will be in dealer showrooms by this time next year and for the price of an equivalent Ford Focus. It differs from petrol-electric hybrid models on the market now, such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, in that it entirely dispenses with the internal combustion engine. It is truly all-electric, and can be plugged in to the mains like any other appliance. As a zero emissions vehicle (not counting those produced at the power stations that generate its electricity) the Leaf is also far greener than the most fuel-miserly hybrids or small diesel and petrol models. Nissan describe their newest addition as "the world's first affordable, mass produced zero emission car".
Marco pierre white endorses firm behind turkey twizzlers
What links exquisitely cooked young leeks, girolle mushrooms and roasted guinea fowl, and factory-farmed turkey breasts? The chef-turned-stock-cube-salesman Marco Pierre White.
Texan accused of disabling 100 cars over internet
A man fired from a Texas auto dealership used an internet service to remotely disable ignitions and set off car horns of more than 100 vehicles sold at his old workplace, police said yesterday.
Econoblog: the seeds of a new british green motor industry
Good for Peter Mandelson. For just a few hundred million pounds he seems to have single-handedly created an entire new industry.
Facebook 'no objection in principle to panic button'
Facebook has "no objection in principle" to installing an anti-paedophile panic button on its site, Home Secretary Alan Johnson said today.
Mary dejevsky: it really won't be the internet that wins it
Not a day now goes by without someone dubbing the coming election the e-election, the Twitter election, the Facebook election, the first British election that will be won or lost in the virtual world. My inbox is stuffed with invitations to hear stars of the youthful e-establishment and their older acolytes expatiate on the theme. So far as I can judge, our revolutionary e-election has eclipsed climate change as the belief of the age – and it is being preached with similar evangelistic fervour.
Hamant verma: the british indian approach to business can help us escape recession
British Indians have a conservative culture, with a small "c", which means they are sceptical of change, resourceful and austere – perfect for dealing with a recession. While the regular sight of an Indian housewife parking a large new Mercedes saloon outside one of Ealing Road's modest vegetarian restaurants probably looks ostentatious to indigenous Brits, shrewd Desis will have the nagging feeling that her husband could probably have afforded a bigger one if he wanted.
Lives remembered: gillie johnson
Gillie Johnson, who died on 17 January aged 61 from pancreatic cancer, was a mentor, advisor, and friend to hundreds of people in the voluntary sector. A love of music, a commitment to social justice, and an expansive and varied community of friends and neighbours were central to Gillie's childhood in Wimbledon – she was born on 3 April 1948 – and remained central for the rest of her life.
Almagro collapse hands murray victory
Andy Murray eased into the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells after fourth-round opponent Nicolas Almagro was forced to retire with an ankle injury. Fourth seed Murray was leading 6-2, 1-0 when his unseeded Spanish opponent was forced to call it a day having already called a medical time out at the end of the first set. Next up for Murray is a tricky looking encounter with sixth-seeded Swede Robin Soderling.
Pietersen's relief as the old swagger comes back
All the England cricketers who came on this tour will remember Bangladesh. It is not a place – in many ways at least – that easily leaves the system. None, except perhaps Steve Finn who made one of the more unexpected recent debuts, will recall it more fondly down the years than Kevin Pietersen.
Grand Imam Sheikh Mohamed Sayyid Tantawi, Rector of Al Azhar University in Cairo and the leading cleric in Sunni Islam worldwide, often courted controversy. His most notable characteristics in office were his liberal reforming pronouncements, compared to many Sunni clerics, his great Islamic scholarship and his loyalty to the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who appointed him Grand Mufti of Egypt in 1986 and then Head of Al Azhar in 1996. This loyalty was seen in Tantawi's backing for some highly controversial stances of the President: his building a security fence to prevent smuggling of weapons into Gaza, his condemnations of the 9/11 attack and of al-Qaeda, and of his maintaining Sadat's Peace with Israel.
Charlie gillett: broadcaster and author who championed world music
Over the last four decades, the radio presenter, author and music publisher Charlie Gillett was one of the most influential people in the British music industry, a feat he achieved without a national media profile and no trace of an ego. He typically downplayed the excellence of The Sound Of The City – The Rise of Rock'n'Roll – the authoritative book he first published in 1970, and one which has sold 250,000 copies and has remained in print ever since, a rare feat in a market littered with cash-ins and remaindered titles. He made light of the part he played in the careers of Ian Dury, Graham Parker, Elvis Costello, Darts, and most famously Dire Straits, whose demo of "Sultans Of Swing" he aired on his legendary Honky Tonk show on BBC Radio London in July 1977, the first step on their way to a record deal with Phonogram and worldwide success.
Last night's television: masterchef, bbc1kings of pastry, bbc4the lady and the revamp, channel 4
"I am now at the outer limit of my publicity potential," whinnied Rachel sister-of-Boris Johnson mid-way through The Lady and the Revamp. Johnson, freshly appointed celebrity editor (celeditor?) of The Lady and not-so-secret weapon in the magazine's campaign for new readers – codename "get Rach on sofas" – could have been forgiven for thinking she'd done enough of the hard sell what with those perky appearances on BBC Breakfast and a 5,000-word profile in a Sunday newspaper. Not quite, Rachel. There's still a Channel 4 documentary to go. Still, if this hour about her attempts to give the blue-rinsed magazine a 21st-century makeover frequently came across as another plea for readers, it didn't make it any less enjoyable.
Button: mclaren are better suited to melbourne streets
The world champion Jenson Button says he can see plenty of room for improvement at next week's Australian Grand Prix after a disappointing debut with McLaren.
Warrington try to break knowsley road hoodoo
Warrington have their last chance tonight to break the longest losing streak in Super League.
Alex Butterworth's account of anarchists and their pursuers, The World That Never Was sweeps the reader through France, Russia, Britain, Italy, Germany and the United States. The well-known figures are all there: Louise Michel, incarcerated in New Caledonia after the 1871Paris Commune; Peter Kropotkin, the Russian prince who renounced privilege, and the Russian aristocrat turned revolutionary, Michael Bakunin. Many lesser-known figures flit through the pages too: Enrico Malatesta, who pinned his hopes on militant trade unionism; Sergei Kravchinsky, alias "Stepniak", who alerted liberal opinion in Britain to the oppression of Tsardom, and Elisee Reclus, veteran of the Commune, radical geographer and animal rights pioneer.
Tonight BBC4's Sacred Music series turns to France, and two vital figures of the late 19th and early 20th centuries: Gabriel Fauré and Francis Poulenc. Of all the sacred works of its time, none is better loved than Fauré's Requiem, which dates from 1888 and departed so radically from traditional Requiems that it has never lost its power to astonish us. In the film, Simon Russell Beale wanders through the Madeleine, church of Parisian high society where Fauré was first choirmaster and later "titulaire" (organist), pondering the factors that led the composer to create a piece often termed a "lullaby of death".
A ridiculously starry cast – including Helena Bonham Carter, John Hurt, Tom Wilkinson, James Corden and Robbie Coltrane – voice this witty adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's children's tale of a shrewd little mouse who outwits a ravenous snake, owl and a fox with the threat of a gruffalo, a creature with terrible claws, orange eyes and purple prickles all over its back. In the old days, one voice – Bernard Cribbins, say – would have voiced the whole lot, no trouble, but this was the centrepiece of the BBC's Christmas schedule so they threw the kitchen sink at it.
Ever wondered what your soul might look like if it was extracted and stored in a jar?
Storm thorgerson - my art on their sleeves
I have made over 400 album covers and as Pink Floyd said, "We've been trying to get rid of him for years, but haven't been able to." It took Pink Floyd three minutes to decide on the album cover for The Dark Side of the Moon in 1973. My memory is a bit hazy, but I think we gave them seven ideas to choose from, including a surfer on a big wave, based on a Marvel Comics superhero called the Silver Surfer. I wish I had kept them because, of course, they would have been a piece of history – but they are long gone. It's not as emotional as some of the other album covers I did for Pink Floyd, such as Wish You Were Here, or even as powerful as The Division Bell or as funny as Animals – but I feel proud of it because it is strikingly graphic.
Abdulrahman Zeitoun was born in Jebleh, on Syria's Mediterranean coast. Decades later and thousand of miles away, he awakes from dreaming of a fishing expedition out of his childhood home: "Beside him he could hear his wife Kathy breathing, her exhalations not unlike the shushing of water against the hull of a wooden boat." As so often in Dave Eggers's latest novel, the docu-drama Zeitoun, a caught image opens a window on an ocean of memory and a state of mind.
Terence blacker: the march of playground morality
"Simplistic" was the word used by the Advertising Standards Authority to describe an ill-fated government campaign to raise awareness of climate change. It was a polite way of describing the smoothing out of inconvenient truths in order to deliver a hard-hitting message in a series of public service announcements. But it was the advertisements themselves, with their use of nursery rhymes, kiddie-book pictures and primary school prose, that have raised a larger question.
Where your leading article (18 March) accepts and defends budget cuts in higher education, it positively flaunts the notion of making their institutions more like technical colleges than universities: "If, as is forecast, the number of university places overall is set to fall, it is right that students are gently channelled into areas where skills are most needed."
Leading article: hide and seek
Has ever a flower been so aptly named? The ghost orchid was presumed to have disappeared from these islands some 20 years ago. But now it has reappeared almost like, well, a ghost.
Leading article: the virtues of our armed forces
The armed forces seem to have become fodder for public argument of late. The Opposition accuses the Prime Minister of under-funding the military. There are fierce rows about the manipulation of bereaved widows by certain sections of the media. And, of course, bigger arguments still rage about the original wisdom of the military engagements in which the armed services are engaged.