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Horse Racing Stars Champ and Paisley Park Met Again Before Cheltenham Festival

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Cheltenham Festival

The Cheltenham Festival is right around the corner. In the middle of March, one of England’s (and the World’s) most iconic, popular, and important horse racing events will kick off its latest iteration. The world is waiting with baited breath for the Champions’ Hurdle, the Queen Mother Champion Chase, and possible the biggest event of the tournament, the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

For those who haven’t experienced the festival, it is our recommendation that you do so, if you are at all interested in horse racing. Cheltenham’s Festival has been noted for its vibrant and rambunctious atmosphere, often referred to as the Cheltenham roar.

Not to mention, Cheltenham is an excellent opportunity for punters to win it big. Already, betting sites have begun to create odds and focus on favorites. The expectations for Cheltenham 2023 betting are that it will exceed previous years by quite a margin, as many more people around the globe are becoming interested in horse racing.

Champ and Paisley Park Clash

But it seems that for two horses and their handlers, Cheltenham was way too long a wait. Two of the biggest stars in horse racing today, Champ and Paisley Park met for the 2022 Kempton Hurdle. The two beasts have clashed in numerous races throughout the past couple of years, with varying degrees of success against each other.

Champ

Champ is an Irish-bred horse, quickly closing on his 11th year. While most horses retire by the time they reach that age, Champ has continued running, to great success, it should be said. During the course of his career, he has won over 40 races, certainly a remarkable feat. On many occasions, the Champ has faced against Paisley Park, with the two developing a rivalry for the history books.

Paisley Park

Another 10-year-old, the Irish-bred and British-trained Paisley Park is one of the most notable horses of his generation. His track record as a hurdle horse is well established, and he has won plenty of Britain’s most notable races, including Cheltenham’s Stayers’ Hurdle. His rivalry with Champ is somewhat notorious, with the two having met in quite a few heated races throughout the years.

The Kempton Race

The most recent example of the two’s rivalry was seen on 26 December, when the horses met at the Kempton Ladbrokes Long Walk Hurdle. For most of the race, Champ maintained a steady distance, keeping Goshen, another star in the current world of horse racing, and Paisley Park behind him. For the longest time, Paisley Park was in third place, and many of his fans began to lose hope.

However, the 10-year-old veteran reclaimed his fans’ faith and trust, when a sudden burst of speed and energy took him to the front of the race. And though both Goshen and Champ did their best, Paisley Park crossed that finish line first, becoming 2022’s Long Walk winner at the Kempton event.

Many fans of the horse were ecstatic, but not surprised. After all, Paisley Park is a legend of his time. And while Champ fans may be disappointed, they ought not worry too long. In just two short months, the two horses will meet once more at one of England’s premier horse racing events, Cheltenham.

The 2023 Cheltenham Festival

The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most notable horse racing events in the world. The four-day event takes place in the middle of March, and as the name suggests, in the English city of Cheltenham. The Festival hosts quite a few of the most popular races in the country, most notably the Gold Cup race.

In 2023, the festival will begin on 14 March, and will go until 17 March. Four absolutely spectacular days of racing, with some of the greatest horses in the world. Paisley Park and Champ will of course be there. While these two aren’t as known as the stars from other sports, especially football, they are legends among the horse racing faithful, and may just go down in history as this era’s Sea Biscuit and War Admiral.

But it will not just be them two. Legendary horse, Honeysuckle will also be competing at Cheltenham, though her trainers may just decide to pull her from the really important races. Constitution Hill is another horse to look out for, as he is by far the favorite to win the Champions’ Hurdle.

Final Thoughts

Champ and Paisley Park are two of the best horses of their generation. Their career has been mainly ups, with very few roadblocks along the way. If you are in any way a fan of these two horses, or racing in general, you owe it to yourself not to miss their showings at the upcoming Cheltenham Festival.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via dipo.olowookere@businesspost.ng

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WAFCON Final to Air Live on GOtv as Falcons Seeks 10th Title

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WAFCON Final on GOtv

Today’s much-anticipated 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final between the Super Falcons and hosts, Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses, will air live on GOtv. With both teams bringing contrasting styles and histories to the pitch, the encounter is poised to deliver high-stakes football and national pride.

With nine WAFCON titles already, the Super Falcons are the most successful team in the competition’s history. Their journey to the final has been nothing short of dominant. They crushed Zambia 5–0 in the quarter-final, completely shutting down two of Africa’s most dangerous forwards and in the semi-final, they saw off South Africa, winners of the last edition.

Against the Bayana Bayana, the Super Falcons opened scoring with a first-half penalty from Ajibade. South Africa hit back, but in the dying minutes, Michelle Alozie broke their opponents’ hearts with the winner.

The Atlas Lionesses, backed by the roar of a home crowd, came from behind in their semi-final against Ghana. Stella Nyamekye put the Black Queens ahead in the first half, but Sakina Ouzraoui struck back after the break. The game ended 1–1 after extra time, and the hosts held their nerve in a tense penalty shootout, winning 4–2 to book their spot in the final.

Earlier, they stormed past Mali with a confident 3–1 win, showing just how far they’ve come under coach Jorge Vilda. With a mix of flair, tactical maturity, and fierce determination, Morocco is aiming to make history by becoming WAFCON champions for the first time.

The Falcons’ depth, experience, and hunger for a 10th title meet the Lionesses’ fresh ambition, home support, and newfound belief. It’s also a rematch of the 2022 semi-final, where Morocco knocked Nigeria out on penalties.

Catch the action live on Superport Laliga (Ch. 62) today at 9pm. Reconnect or upgrade your GOtv subscription and enjoy an instant upgrade to a higher bouquet at no extra cost.

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Lagos Campus Beach Soccer Commences July 26

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Lagos Campus Beach Soccer

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

All is set for the highly anticipated Lagos Campus Beach Soccer tournament, which kicks off tomorrow, Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Atican Beach, Lekki.

A statement from the organisers disclosed that all the teams expected at the contest have indicated their readiness to thrill football spectators.

The Lagos Campus Beach is the biggest campus beach soccer event in Nigeria. It is put together by the Lagos State Government in collaboration with BrandEscort Communications.

No fewer than 10 higher institutions from across the state are expected to compete in an exciting showcase of talent and athleticism.

Participating institutions include the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos State University (LASU), Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Lagos State University of Education, Federal College of Education Technical, Lagos State College of Nursing, and others

Lagosians have been encouraged to come out in numbers and support the next generation of football stars in what promises to be an electrifying and memorable sporting event.

The Lagos Campus Beach Soccer tournament—the first of its kind in Nigeria—is designed to discover and spotlight young football talents from tertiary institutions within Lagos State.

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Professional Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan Dies at 71

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hulk hogan

By Dipo Olowookere

The legendary professional wrestler, Mr Terry Gene Bollea, otherwise known as Hulk Hogan, has died at the age of 71.

The death of the American entertainer, who gained prominence after signing with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in December 1983, was confirmed on Thursday by Mr Donald Trump Jr, son of the US president Donald Trump, in a short message, “R.I.P to a legend.”

He accompanied the post with a selfie of himself and the late wrestler, at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Hulk Hogan began his professional wrestling career in 1977 and was best known for his work with WWE, World Championship Wrestling, and his massive physique.

He was also well known as for his trademark blond horseshoe moustache and bandanas.

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