A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Poolman to visit Bolt's doctor
RUGBY:Former Stormers winger Danie Poolman could make his debut for Connacht this weekend following intensive treatment from the German doctor who got Usain Bolt into shape for his triple gold medal haul at the Olympics. Poolman (23) signed for Connacht on a three-year deal but has been struggling with a hamstring injury picked up in his final game for the Stormers before leaving South Africa for the Sportsground during the summer.
The injury has not cleared up so Connacht turned to Dr Hans Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt in Germany, the specialist described by Bolt as the “best doctor in the world”.
It is the second time this season Connacht have turned to Dr Müller-Wohlfahrt, who has treated a variety of sporting celebrities including Bolt’s rival Yohan Blake, Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal and footballers Jurgen Klinsmann and Ronaldo.
In August Connacht coach Eric Elwood sent centre Eoin Griffin to Germany for treatment and since then the Galway native has had an injury-free run.
Dunguib faces another season on the sidelines
RACING:Philip Fenton has been dealt a blow with the news Dunguib needs another season on the sidelines. Winner of the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival in 2009, Dunguib was sent off an odds-on favourite for the following year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle when third to Menorah.
He was restricted to only two runs the following season, missed the whole of the last campaign with a leg injury and his absence is to be extended further.
“Unfortunately Dunguib won’t be running this season either. He’ll need another season off,” said Fenton. “He’s got a problem with one of his legs, it’s a different leg to what he missed the last season with. It’s very disappointing and they say it always happens to the good ones. We’ll just have to start looking for the new Dunguib, but they don’t come around like him very often.”
Fame and Glory set for Breeders' Cup
RACING:Fame And Glory is to be tried in headgear for what could be the decorated stayer's final start at next month's Breeders' Cup.
Last year’s Ascot Gold Cup winner, who also has an Irish Derby and a Coronation Cup on his CV, will be one of nine runners for Aidan O’Brien at Santa Anita in a week and a half’s time.
O’Brien felt Fame And Glory’s attitude could be called into question when he finished only fifth behind Rite Of Passage on Champions Day, and will test him on dirt for the first time in the Breeders’ Cup Marathon. “We are taking a bit of a chance I suppose,” he said. “He’s got a little bit clever – he handles fast ground but he’s a little bit older and wiser now and when the going gets tough he’s very happy to curl up and not to try very hard.”
Excelebration, the joint-second highest rated horse in the world on a mark of 130 according to British Horseracing Authority handicapper Phil Smith, will aim to build on his Queen Elizabeth II Stakes victory in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. “He’s in good form and I hope he travels there well,” said O’Brien.
Hamilton and Dennis meet for first time since switch deal
MOTOR SPORT:McLaren's Lewis Hamilton has spoken to former team boss and mentor Ron Dennis for the first time since the 2008 Formula One world champion's switch to Mercedes was announced last month. Hamilton, who has signed a three-year deal to drive for the German manufacturer from next year, said he had visited the McLaren factory in Woking on Friday but there had been no big farewell speech.
“I haven’t sat down and spoken to anyone just because we’re still in the motion of the year . . . it’s not the end yet,” Hamilton (27) told reporters yesterday ahead of the weekend’s Indian Grand Prix.
“It’s important now to try and keep the motivation up high, so when I went back I did the normal things that I do,” he added at a promotional event for team sponsors Vodafone.
“I spoke to Ron and me and Ron, we’re planning to meet up – I think it’s in Abu Dhabi.”
McLaren have backed Hamilton since he was racing racing go-karts at the age of 13.
The youngster walked up to Dennis at a gala awards event and told him he would drive for him one day.
