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NICKY HENDERSON has hinted at a stunning Cheltenham entry for a horse banned from one of the big races at the Festival.

Legendary Seven Barrows boss Hendo had mapped out a route to the Morebattle Hurdle for awesome William Hill Hurdle winner Joyeuse.

PA

But she wasn’t among the 23 entries for Saturday’s big contest at Kelso.

And now Henderson says ‘everything is under consideration’ – including a shot at the Mares’ Hurdle – for the JP McManus-owned, £200,000 half-sister to former Champion Hurdle winner Epatante.

Joyeuse hasn’t met the five-run criteria for the County Hurdle, the race for which she was cut to 8-1.

She has raced four times over hurdles altogether, three times this season, winning her latest by eight lengths from Lump Sum and being put up 15lbs to 138 in the process.

Now a possible supplementary entry to the Mares’ Hurdle at a cost of £4,800 could be on the cards.

Henderson said: “She’s fine but she’s not going to Kelso.

“Everything is under consideration for her I would say, we can put it like that, we haven’t got any further.

“We did think about Kelso but it was only three weeks ago and she would have had an awful lot of weight, so we’ve decided to leave that.”

Any supplementary entries for the Mares’ must be made by noon on March 5, with declarations four days later.

Joyeuse was immediately introduced at 5-1 for the Mares’ with Unibet while William Hill and 888 went 7-1.

Gordon Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead is 1-2 fav for the Grade 1 but could be Champion Hurdle-bound.

The Betfair Exchange knows what’s happening before it’s official – as was the case with Kawaboomga being ruled out of the Festival.

And it could be telling that Brighterdaysahead is no longer favourite on there for the Mares’, having been replaced by Jade De Grugy.

Brighterdaysahead was matched as low as 1.8 but has drifted all the way out to 4.5, while she is 4.7 for the Champion Hurdle.

On the sportsbooks, Willie Mullins’ pair Lossiemouth (5-4) and Jade De Grugy (5-2) are second and third-favs respectively for the Mares’.

While Henry de Bromhead’s July Flower is a best-price 6-1.

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A MAJOR motorway used by 120,000 drivers every day is set to close over two weekends next month.

The M27 will close on several nights in March, April, and May, National Highways has announced.

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As part of a £83 million project, the M27 near Southampton is being resurfaced with 180mm of lower-noise asphalt.

The work is set to take place on the eastbound carriageway, between junctions 5 and 7.

It will begin in February 2025 and its estimated finish is Spring 2026.

This comes after years of complaints from local residents regarding road noise.

National Highways also plans to “clear vegetation” and “prepare the westbound carriageway for the next traffic management phase”.

An update on its website said: “This project will provide a low-noise surface along the M27 between junctions 5 and 7.

“We’re also making significant drainage improvements to the road and safety improvements to the central reservation.

“All together these measures will ensure a smoother ride for drivers, make the road quieter, improve safety and ensure the road lasts longer.”

The M27 is a motorway in Hampshire which connects Cadnam and Portsmouth.

It is 27.9 miles long and opened around 1975.

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LUXURY hotels always look immaculate, but the secret to keeping them spotless isn’t expensive cleaning products or high-end solutions.

According to an ex-hotel cleaner, the real secret weapon used in five-star hotels is a cheap £1 supermarket staple.

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A former hotel cleaner says staff swear by bicarbonate of soda[/caption]

Speaking to Hyperion Tiles, specialists in flooring and maintenance, the former hotel cleaner revealed that bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) is a go-to cleaning essential across high-end hotels.

And that’s all thanks to its versatility, stain-removing power, and odour-neutralising properties.

The handy product can be used to lift stains from carpets and upholstery without the need for harsh chemicals.

It also neutralise odours in rooms, bathrooms, and even inside mini-fridges.

You can even use it to keep bathroom grout and tile looking fresh by removing built-up dirt.

Other uses include gently polishing metal fixtures without scratching surfaces and absorbing moisture in humid environments to prevent musty smells.

According to Hyperion Tiles, bicarbonate of soda is particularly useful for cleaning high-end tiles and flooring, as it breaks down grime without damaging delicate materials—something many chemical cleaners fail to do.

And they say this is perfect for luxury hotels focusing on long-term maintenance, as they can avoid harsh chemicals that can damage surfaces over time.

Many professional cleaners find that commercial cleaning sprays leave a sticky residue or strong chemical odours, whereas bicarbonate of soda cleans gently and absorbs unwanted smells without overpowering fragrances.

So if you want to clean like a luxury hotel professional, here’s some baking soda tricks you can try at home:

Carpets & upholstery: Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over the fabric, leave for 30 minutes, then vacuum to remove trapped odours.

Grout & bathroom tiles: Mix bicarbonate of soda with a little water to form a paste, apply it to grout lines, let sit for 10 minutes, then scrub with a brush.

Fresh-smelling fridges & bins: Place an open container of bicarbonate of soda inside to absorb lingering odours.

Scuff-free floors: Lightly sprinkle on marks or stains, wipe gently with a damp cloth, then buff clean.

A spokesperson for Hyperion Tiles added: “Bicarbonate of soda is one of the most effective and affordable cleaning solutions, and it’s surprising how many high-end hotels rely on it.

“It’s proof that expensive doesn’t always mean better when it comes to cleaning.”

The Carolina Panthers are beginning to take shape under head coach Dave Canales. Carolina finished the 2024 season with a 5-12 record, three games better than the 2023 season. The Panthers dealt with some early-season controversy, including the polarizing benching of QB Bryce Young. Despite this, the Panthers rallied to win four of their last […]

The post Panthers tell 10-year veteran they’re parting ways appeared first on ClutchPoints.

We’re back for another betting prediction and pick as we head to the Midwest for this initial meeting between two teams for the first time this season. The Denver Nuggets (37-20) will visit the Indiana Pacers (32-23) in an exciting matchup on Monday’s slate of action. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series with a Nuggets-Pacers prediction and […]

The post Nuggets vs. Pacers prediction, odds, pick – 2/24/2025 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have impossibly high expectations. After a historic postseason and another high-spending offseason, it is World Series or bust for Los Angeles. The move that started this spending spree was a trade for Red Sox superstar Mookie Betts. Two World Series titles later, the future Hall of Famer is starting the season […]

The post Dodgers’ Mookie Betts sheds light on latest position change to shortstop appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Recently, NBA legend and current Los Angeles Lakers player LeBron James launched an E1 Series powerboat racing team, which includes Rusty Wyatt and Catie Munnings. The former. had high praise for the Lakers star. Speaking to TMZ, Wyatt praised James for his involvement in the series. Given his stature, there will be eyes on anything he […]

The post Star of LeBron James’ new team sounds off on his impact appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Boston Celtics continued their season-long stretch of dominance over the New York Knicks on Sunday, coasting to a 118-105 victory over one of their top rivals in the Eastern Conference. Jaylen Brown had another solid game for the C’s, but what wasn’t as solid was his performance in a game that saw if he […]

The post Crowd reactions to Celtics’ Jaylen Brown failing to identify star musicians are priceless appeared first on ClutchPoints.

A MAJOR broadband and mobile provider is to hike bills by up to £36 in a matter of weeks.

A number of Vodafone‘s 18.3million customers will see prices increase come April.

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Vodafone will increase products[/caption]

The price hike comes as part of the firm’s annual mid-contract price rise, which means bills will go up automatically for many customers.

It follows similar increases from Sky, BT and EE with some providers hiking bills by as much as 13%.

If you signed your Vodafone contract before, July 2 2024 your price rise will be based on December’s Consumer Prices Index (CPI) which hit 2.5%.

There will also be an additional 3.9% increase set by the company.

Now for customers whose contracts started before July 2nd 2024 their average broadband contract will increase by £22.73 to £378.

Meanwhile for customers whose contracts started after July 2 2024 their annual bill will rise by £36 to £391.

Vodafone mobile customers – who started their contract before July 2 2024 – will see their £284.40 yearly bill rise by £15.90 to £264.

While those who started after, excluding Vodafone Basic customers, will see their bill rise by £21.60 to £270.

The new pricing system follows an Ofcom crackdown on mid-contract price rises that catch customers out.

As of January 15, providers have banned from doing this in percentage terms and now have to include an exact pounds and pence figure in your contract – but this will still mean customers have to pay extra.

Vodafone said back in June 2024 that it would no longer apply these price hikes for consumers and some small businesses.

However, the change will only affect new customers of those renewing a contract with the telecom provider after this date.

For instance, customers who sign a contract in August 2024 will have their bills adjusted in April 2025 and and then again in April 2026 by a predetermined amount.

This works out as:

• From £1 more per month for mobile services
• £3 more per month for broadband

Vodafone has previously said that price increases will not be applied to customers identified as financially vulnerable or those on social tariffs.

This includes customers on Vodafone’s social broadband tariff dubbed “Vodafone Essentials”.

Pay-as-you-go users won’t be affected by the change as they aren’t signed up to a fixed contract.

OTHER PROVIDERS ALSO HIKING PRICES

Vodafone is not the only broadband and mobile firm hiking bills for customers.

For example, BT which also owns EE and Plusnet, said that from March 2025, the price of mobile contracts will rise by £1.50 a month (SIM-only) or £4 (handset plans).

Broadband tariffs will go up by £3 a month and £2 for TV.

But, the provider has assured vulnerable customers on BT Home Essentials contracts that they will be exempt from any price rises.

For those who took out a deal before this, a 6.4% rise will apply (3.9% and December’s inflation rate, which was 2.5%).

Plusnet will also increase its broadband price by £3 per month from the end of March for contracts taken out after July 11, 2024.

For contracts started prior to this date, a 6.4% hike will apply.

Sky customers face a 6.2% increase from April 1, adding up to £38 more per year

While the new Ofcom rules require providers to specify future price rises in pounds and pence upfront, it only applies if they are linked to inflation.

Sky’s are not, so it can go ahead with a percentage increase.

For example, if you currently pay £39 per month for Sky TV, Netflix, and Full Fibre 150 broadband, your bill will increase by £2.42, bringing the total to £41.42 a month.

The same rises will apply to NOW Broadband, which is owned by Sky.

If you’re on a broadband and mobile social tariff, you won’t see an increase to your bills because Sky and Now has frozen its tariffs.

Out of contract Sky Mobile customers will see bills rise by £1.50 a month.

You can read more about individual broadband firms hiking prices by clicking the link here.

POLICE have reportedly arrested two people for questioning over the alleged kidnapping and murder of British businessman Campbell Scott.

Scott, a senior director with the data analytics company FICO, was last seen in Nairobi on February 17 as cops launched an extensive search before finding his body dumped in a sack.

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Campbell Scott, a senior director with the data analytics company Fico, has reportedly vanished in Nairobi[/caption]

More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online

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