Sports Digest

Yeats ruled out of Melbourne Cup/Racing: Aidan O'Brien's Yeats has been ruled out of the Melbourne Cup, according to Racing Victoria Limited.

The RVL have received official confirmation from connections of the five-year-old following his surprise defeat at the hands of Kastoria in the Irish Field St Leger at the weekend.

According to RVL's website, the Ballydoyle team indicated they believed Yeats to have peaked for the Ascot Gold Cup in June, and that it would be unfair to subject him to a long flight and the quarantine procedure.

"We are extremely disappointed with the news given the horse's credentials and the worldwide interest his presence would have brought to the 2006 Spring Racing Carnival," said Leigh Jordan, director of racing operations for RVL.

However, Jordan has been informed the race will form part of Yeats's planned 2007 programme.

O'Brien's five-year-old had impressed in winning both the Ascot Gold Cup and the Goodwood Cup before his reverse at the weekend.

Bookmakers William Hill now make Headhunter the 8 to 1 favourite for the race.

Ben Clarke of Hill's commented: "There had been significant support for Yeats, particularly in Australia, which had given the indication he would have a tilt at the Melbourne Cup so it's a blow for ante-post punters."

Doherty keeps Focus

SNOOKER: Ken Doherty gave himself a perfect 37th birthday present by winning the Pontin's Pro-Am grand final at Prestatynat the weekend. The Dubliner's victory over Ricky Walden was worth €7,500 plus a new Ford Focus car.

The 1997 world champion defeated Walden 4-2 with a top break of 88.

"The last time I missed a black to win a car," quipped Dubliner Doherty, recalling his blunder against Matthew Stevens in the 2000 Masters.

"This time I missed a ferry to win a car," he grinned.

Doherty travelled from Ireland on the Holyhead ferry. But his appearance in the final meant he missed his return sailing.

Turkish GP on the line

FORMULA ONE: Turkish Grand Prix organisers will today learn whether next year's event in Istanbul will be scrapped from the calendar.

Controversy erupted after organisers put forward Turkish-Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat to present the winner's trophy to Felipe Massa at last month's race at the Istanbul Park circuit.

The Turkish-controlled area of northern Cyprus is not recognised as a separate country by the UN, resulting in the FIA expressing anger their political neutrality had apparently been compromised.

Meanwhile, Formula One teams have thrown a lifeline to Italy's Imola circuit by agreeing to expand next year's calendar from 17 to 18 races.

No racism charges

RUGBY: English senior disciplinary official has decided there is "insufficient evidence" to charge Northampton scrumhalf Mark Robinson with making racially abusive remarks.

But New Zealander Robinson will receive a written warning from Rugby Football Union disciplinary chief Jeff Blackett after he swore repeatedly at Bath wing Andy Higgins during the Premiership clash between the clubs on Saturday.

Northampton and Bath found no evidence of their players trading racist abuse during the Franklin's Gardens encounter after conducting separate internal investigations.

Referee Wayne Barnes briefly stopped the game after fans' racist abuse allegations to fourth official David Rose.

Bradley aims for Gunners

RUGBY: Connacht coach Michael Bradley wants his side to bounce straight back from the Magners League defeat to Llanelli Scarlets when they entertain Edinburgh Gunners on Friday evening.

Bradley was disappointed as Connacht surrendered their 100-per-cent start to the league to a Scarlets side which, admittedly, produced one of the best performances of the campaign thus far to assume leadership of a nascent table.

"We were particularly disappointed with some of the tries we conceded," said Bradley yesterday.

However, he said, he now wanted Connacht to get back to their winning ways when they take on the Gunners at the Sportsground.