a and Oman.Australia is attempting to win the Asian Cup for the first t

Nicky Henderson hailed Sprinter Sacre as the horse of a lifetime after confirming on Sunday that the dual Cheltenham Festival hero, one of the most popular modern-day steeplechasers, is to be retired due to a minor leg injury. Fake Penguins Jerseys . Hendersons charge had bounced back to form on this day 12 months ago at Cheltenham when landing the Shloer Chase, sparking emotional celebrations in the winners enclosure.He went on an unbeaten run following that victory, winning three more times including his second Champion Chase victory at Cheltenham in March. His final racecourse appearance was to be at Sandown in April, where he demolished Un De Sceaux by 15 lengths. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. Sprinter Sacre had returned to work ahead of a planned reappearance in Sandowns Tingle Creek Chase next month, but after exercising on Tuesday was found to have some heat in his near-fore leg, prompting connections to make the decision to retire him.At a specially-convened press conference at the racecourse, an emotional Henderson said: Hes been a great part of our lives. Nico de Boinville celebrates winning the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase What happened last year was something that will never be repeated in my lifetime. In terms of emotion it took us all to the brink.He will be here today and he looks as well as hes ever done. Hes in staggeringly good form. The sad thing is that he is doing everything right. The delighted rider gives Sprinter a hug If you saw him now, you wouldnt know which leg it was, but theres a little bit of heat in his near-fore that has shown up on the scan. If he was seven, youd say give him a year off and hed be back. But hes not seven any more and this is the right thing to do.For a long time I protected See You Then and said he was our best horse but during Sprinter Sacres best two years, he was unbeatable. Literally unbeatable. Sprinter Sacre (left) beats Cue Card to win the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase Im sad for him because hes come here today thinking hes going to have a race and hes all excited and ready to show his public what he can do, but at least people will have the opportunity to see him again today.Sprinter Sacres most recent partner and the jockey under whom he took last seasons Champion Chase was Nico De Boinville, and Henderson went on: Nico has been with Sprinter from the start. He rode him every day at home when Barry Geraghty was his jockey and they have always been great friends. Sprinter Sacre soars over a fence earlier in the contest I had to ring him this morning to let him know just before he went into surgery for the arm he broke here yesterday. It wasnt the easiest conversation to tell him his mate wont be there for him to ride when he comes back.Sprinter Sacre won 18 of his 24 starts and amassed £1,136,000 in prize-money.In between his two Champion Chase victories, however, he was plagued with problems before returning to something approaching his best last season.Joining the Henderson stable from France, he made a winning debut in an Ascot bumper in February 2010 and went novice hurdling the following campaign.After winning two of his first three starts, he was then third in the Supreme Novices Hurdle in March 2011.It was a chaser he really made his mark, though.He created a big impression in his novice season which saw him defeat Cue Card in the Arkle Trophy in 2012.Sprinter Sacre went on to win his first 10 races over fences, including the Champion Chase at the 2013 Cheltenham Festival.But his successful streak came to an abrupt halt when he was pulled up in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton that December, after which it transpired he had an irregular heartbeat.He made a full recovery and returned to action in January 2015 when he was second to Dodging Bullets in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot.But when he was pulled up in that seasons Champion Chase it seemed his best days were behind him.However, he came back in tremendous form last season and after wins in the Shloer Chase and the Desert Orchid Chase, Sprinter Sacre reclaimed his two-mile crown with a convincing defeat of Un De Sceaux at the Festival in March.He wound up the campaign with a similarly authoritative victory in the Celebration Chase at Sandown in April in what turned out to be his swansong.Explaining Sprinter Sacres career-ending injury, Henderson said: It all crept up yesterday. He worked on Tuesday and everything was grand.We were just a bit worried on Wednesday night as he was warm in one leg. I was going to work him yesterday but we couldnt work him.We cant ask him to come back, not at his age.Hes in the same stable he has always spent his days in here (at Cheltenham) and you wouldnt know which leg I was talking about. In fact, if I was thinking about working this afternoon him I would.It (the injury) wouldnt hold up in the short term and when you cant go for the long term, you have to sadly bite the bullet.Barry Geraghty rode Sprinter Sacre 17 times, winning on 13 occasions, and said his old ally was just unbelievable.The jockey said; Hes something special and he is to be celebrated. Ive never sat on a horse over fences like him - he was electric.The first day he won here (in the 2012 Arkle), just to see him sail away on the way to the last, Ive never seen that before.He was just unbelievable. Also See: Live results service Full racecards Get Sky Sports ￡10 completely free bet! Stitched Penguins Jerseys . A top pitching prospect, one who the ball club is pinning some of its future hopes, takes the spot of a veteran who once was viewed as a future ace but who, to this point, hasnt realized his potential and may never. Penguins Jerseys China . While the pair of Spain internationals return, midfielder Xavi Hernandez will not be included in the squad after failing to recover from a muscle strain to his left leg. https://www.cheappenguinsjersey.com/ . -- Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice tweeted an apparent goodbye after a report about his pending release.MELBOURNE, Australia - Tim Cahill sparked an Australian fightback after an early deficit as the hosts beat Kuwait 4-1 in the opening match of the Asian Cup on Friday.A vocal sellout crowd of 25,000 at the Rectangular Stadium, dressed predominantly in Australias green and gold colours, was stunned into silence after eight minutes when Kuwait defender Hussain Fadhel opened the scoring by diving to head in a low corner at the near post.The players were told in no uncertain terms that (conceding) that kind of goal was unacceptable, Australia coach Ange Postecoglou said. They were pretty disappointed in themselves and we need to ensure it doesnt happen again.The equalizer didnt appear until the 33rd minute when three-time World Cup veteran Cahill deftly met a Massimo Luongo pass just outside the box and drove it into the top of the net.Cahills goal energized the Australians, who pinned Kuwait deep in its half over the ensuing minutes.By halftime it was 2-1, man-of-the-match Luongo himself rising above the defence to head in a long pass over the outstretched hands of Kuwait goalkeeper Hameed Youssef for his first international goal.It was amazing, Luongo said. It felt the world to me, and scoring it on home soil was even better. I couldnt imagine a better day.Kuwaits stoic defence turned to desperation in the second half when Robbie Kruse was brought down by Salah Sheikh Alenezi in the area, allowing Australia captain Mile Jedinak to slot home the penalty.Australia was very strong and took advantage physically and with their speed, Kuwait coach Nabil Maaloul said. Pittsburgh Penguins Shirts. There was a big difference between the level of the Australian team and the Kuwait team.Australia ruthlessly hunted for a fourth goal. Substitute Nathan Burns came close with two shots on goal until James Troisi delivered in the 90th.I would have preferred we didnt concede the (opening) goal, but from the perspective of seeing the reaction, it was the right kind of reaction, Postecoglou said. They didnt go into their shells and, if anything, it made them more determined to overcome their opponents.With the win, Australia took the early lead in Group A, which also includes South Korea and Oman.Australia is attempting to win the Asian Cup for the first time since joining the Asian Football Confederation from Oceania in 2006. The Socceroos lost the 2011 final to Japan.Kuwait is ranked 15th among Asian teams. Although it won the Asian Cup in 1980, Kuwait finished 14th in 2011.Australia next plays Oman in Sydney on Tuesday, while Kuwait takes on South Korea in Canberra.___Lineups:Australia: Matthew Ryan, Ivan Franjic, Tim Cahill (Tom Juric, 95), Matthew Spiranovic, Mathew Leckie, Robbie Kruse (Nathan Burns, 72), Aziz Behich, James Troisi, Mile Jedinak, Trent Sainsbury, Massimo Luongo ( Mark Bresciano, 84).Kuwait: Hameed Youssef, Ali Hussain Fadhel (Amer Almatoug Alfadhel, 57), Fahad Alhajeri, Khaled Alqahtani (Bader Almotawaa, 74), Salah Sheikh Alhendi, Abdulaziz Alenezi (Yousef Naser, 64), Faisal Zayed Alharbi, Ali Almaqseed. ' ' '