Goodwill to all bookmakers was the re-written line for Yuletide 2018 as punters tiptoed through festive fields of Christmas carnage. A feast of racing there might have been during the holiday fortnight, but those who attempted to bank enough dosh to offset the Christmas expenses were knocked off course by an upset at virtually every turn. The number of fancied horses who bit the dust at the main meetings was extraordinary and, in many cases, left the markets for the upcoming Cheltenham Festival in a confused state of disarray.At least 16 horses that went into Christmas expected to make a big impact at the Festival in mid-March were turned over either in the UK or in Ireland, many at skinny odds.What now for the likes of beaten favourites BUVEUR D’AIR (1-4), GETABIRD (8/15), KALASHNIKOV (4/6), ADJALI (4/6), ANNAMIX (4/6), STORMY IRELAND (4/6), LIMINI (8/11), I CAN’T EXPLAIN (5-6), FOOTPAD (evens), SANTINI (11/10), SAMCRO (6/4), WHOLESTONE (6/4), MENGLI KHAN (7/4), ON THE … [Read more...] about Christmas Racing Review: carnage for punters in big shake-up of Cheltenham Festival markets
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Celebrity Edge Review: What’s it like on board the $1 billion cruise ship with its own ‘Magic Carpet’?
"They give you names!" We're in 'Eden', a concept lounge and restaurant that feels like Neverland-meets-A Midsummer Night's Dream, complete with a 20ft 'living wall' from which bartenders pluck garnishes for our drinks. Events are playing out somewhere between Miami and the Bahamas. Were it not for the occasional, corrective tilts of our cocktails, you'd hardly know we're on a cruise ship. Around us, performance artists dance and slink and interact with punters - catching their eyes, serving whimsical meals and drinks and, yes, giving them 'names'. Welcome to Celebrity Edge, a billion-dollar cruise ship designed "to leave the future behind". No, really. It's Celebrity's first new class of ship in a decade, and though I draw the line at being christened by Edenists, I take my hat off to the adult playground it has created. Walking from Eden through 'Avalon' (an immersive artwork of rose-gold trees) towards the giant LED chandelier flashing over its martini bar (pictured above), I have … [Read more...] about Celebrity Edge Review: What’s it like on board the $1 billion cruise ship with its own ‘Magic Carpet’?
Business review 2018: House prices soar, Ryanair and bank shares fall but food exports surge
Irish citizens faced challenges including rampant house prices, while Ryanair and Irish bank shares hit turbulence. But there were upbeat stories too as Irish food and drink exports surged, writes John Daly in his review of the yearJANUARYThe new year began much as the old year ended, with Brexit and housing dominating the headlines. Average house prices across the State climbed by 8.4% in 2017, following a hefty rise in the previous year. Dublin led the way but other cities were not that far behind. Galway, Cork, and Limerick posted price gains of 8.4%, 7.3%, and 7.4%.A strengthening economy, strong employment growth, and demographic pressures were in play, but the chronic lack of house-building of all types of homes for the previous 10 years would continue to push prices higher.“This is most notable in the established housing markets of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Galway, where the supply side pressures are most apparent,” said Sherry FitzGerald group chief economist … [Read more...] about Business review 2018: House prices soar, Ryanair and bank shares fall but food exports surge
‘Core offer’ explains what services East Sussex residents can expect in the future
A proposed ‘core offer’ detailing what services East Sussex residents can expect to be delivered in the future has been published. East Sussex County Council, which has already had to save £129m since 2010 due to increased demands and costs coupled with reduced Government funding, may need to find a further £46m over the next three years.The core offer does include a number of cuts, but would see a number of non-statutory alongside the statutory services being maintained.In her report chief executive Becky Shaw described how the core offer ‘is not the ideal that we would wish to be able to provide but seeks to capture what is most appropriate and possible in a time of austerity’.For example adult social care and children’s services will continue to be provided, roads and highway infrastructure will still be maintained, a library services will be provided and waste sites will continue to operate in the county.But monitoring of school performance … [Read more...] about ‘Core offer’ explains what services East Sussex residents can expect in the future
Paris motor show preview – what to expect from the 2018 Mondial de l’Automobile
The 2018 Paris Motor Show will take place in Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from Thursday October 4 to Sunday October 14, with two additional press preview days on the 2nd and 3rd. It’s one of the largest events of its kind in Europe, joining Geneva and Frankfurt on the continent's automotive calendar. This year, though, it’s noticeably empty – some high-profile brands have chosen to skip Mondial de l'Automobile in 2018. Some of the event will come as a surprise, but most will not. We have a fairly good idea about what to expect from the various brands who are turning up, either from industry intelligence or from their own press releases, and we've put together an A-Z of what you need ("need") to know ahead of the show's opening. We'll also be on the ground covering the Paris motor show live, with news and analysis from Telegraph motoring correspondent Andrew English. Audi One of the show’s most hotly anticipated models is the E-Tron all-electric SUV. … [Read more...] about Paris motor show preview – what to expect from the 2018 Mondial de l’Automobile