HORSERACING: Ronan McNally said he was “deeply disappointed and dissatisfied” after the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board ruled the handler breached a number of regulations, including one charge of running and training his horses in a manner “prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct and good reputation of horseracing”.

McNally will face a sanctions hearing in due course, but expressed his dismay at the findings and will “almost certainly” appeal.

MEN’S CRICKET: Saqib Mahmood is targeting a return to the England side before the start of next summer.

The Lancashire paceman has been sidelined since suffering a stress fracture of the back in May.

The injury curtailed the 25-year-old just after he had broken into the England Test side, having won his first two caps against the West Indies in the Caribbean in March.

MEN’S RUGBY UNION: Wales boss Warren Gatland says he is relishing the prospect of a “fantastic” Six Nations opener against world number one team Ireland.

Gatland’s second spell in charge of Wales will begin with a fierce reintroduction to Test match rugby.

After the final year of his previous reign delivered a Six Nations title and Grand Slam in 2019, Gatland will be reunited with a tournament he describes as “the best rugby competition in the world”.

Gatland is expected to arrive in Wales next week, as he builds towards the Ireland clash on February 4.

MLB: St Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt believes Major League Baseball’s return to the UK next summer could boast strong similarities to a Premier League derby.

In June, his crimson-capped side will take on historic National League nemeses the Chicago Cubs at London Stadium in a two-game series.