SPORT | IN BRIEF
Jump stars paraded at Sandown
RACING: This season’s equine champions over the jumps will be paraded at Sandown Park on Saturday for bet365 Gold Cup Day.
Four-time winner of the King George VI Chase Kauto Star heads the line-up, with 2009 Hennessy Gold Cup champion Denman, World Hurdle winner Big Buck’s and Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Imperial Commander all on show.
Just Amazing heads the betting for the bet365 Gold Cup with Hello Bud – fifth in the Grand National – also fancied.
Fraser on top in Korea
GOLF: Australia’s Marcus Fraser shot a seven-under-par 65 to take an opening day lead in the Ballantine’s Championship.
Fraser leads England’s Mark Foster by one shot with Wales’ Jamie Donaldson, sharing third a further shot back. Ernie Els is among a cluster of players on four-under.
Storm penalised for salary breach
RUGBY LEAGUE: Melbourne Storm have been stripped of two championships in Australia’s National Rugby League for breaching salary cap rules.
The Victoria club spent A$1.6m (£960,541) above the set limit over a five-year period in which they won the 2006 and 2009 titles.
They have been fined A$500,000 (£300,000) and ordered to return their A$1.1m prize money. They will also accumulate no points for the 2010 season.
Murphy cruises through
SNOOKER: Shaun Murphy, the 2005 champion, cruised into the last 16 with a comfortable 10-7 win over Gerard Greene.
World No2 Stephen Maguire is also safely through after beating Stephen Lee 10-4, while reigning champion John Higgins trails veteran Steve Davis 2-6 after their opening session.