From its inception, back in 1951, it’s been attacked by femenists, criticised by the media, boycotted by countries, has had all its participants seek “World Peace”, it is of course, “Miss World”.

To understand just how powerful this beauty pageant is, try this fact -Miss World still brings in massive television audiences around the globe. It’s estimated that the viewing figures are around 2 billion that’s one third of the World’s population watch the crowning ceremony.

With over 100 countries represented, there is some fervour in the Miss World betting stakes. Top favourites to win the Miss World pageant this year is between Miss Peurto Rica, Miss Mexico and Miss South Africa (coming from the host nation counts for something in this competition). Of course with such a bevvy of beauties on display there undoubtedly will be a few others that will catch the judges eye.
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One of the most exciting races of the racing calendar takes place on Saturday the 28th of November at Newbury : The Hennessy Gold Cup. Hot favourite for the race is the well-travelled, Denman ( 2007 winner of the Hennessy Gold Cup, 2008 winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and runner-up in 2009 ). Although Barber Shop ( owned by The Queen ) is expected to give stiff competition to Denman.

Others worth a flutter in the Hennessy Gold Cup include My Will ( 3rd in the Grand National and 2nd at Royal Down ), Sate of Play ( 4th at the 2009 Grand National ) and What A Friend ( finished 1st at Stratford back in April ).

Heavy rain is expected at Newbury for Saturday’s Hennessy Gold Cup, which could make the going heavy and punters betting on known names that have previous for staying the course.
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There are fewer big sporting stories around this morning than Thierry Henry’s France qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa next summer. I watched the game live on Sky while monitoring the real time feed coming from Twitter (this is turning into my favourite pastime, I do it with X Factor and I’m A Celebrity as well, it adds an extra dimension to the shows).

Ireland courageously took the game to France in their own backyard and really should have won the match if they hadn’t squandered their chances. As it was, the game was fast approaching penalties when Thierry Henry controlled the ball with his hand before setting-up Gallas for the crucial equaliser and ultimately sending France through 2 – 1 on aggregrate.

Henry has since admitted that, yes the ball hit his hand as he said, “The ball hit my hand and, I will be honest, the ball hit my hand. It was a handball!” But then goes onto say, “I know, the ball hit my arm, I played it, and the ref allowed it.”
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A new era is due to begin with the Scottish International football team. Yesterday, the SFA terminated George Burley’s contract and you can be assured there was no tear wept by this Scotsman. Harsh perhaps but when it comes to supporting your country there can be no mild-mannered decisions when it comes to the Scotland managers job.

Which now brings us full circle prior to Burley’s appointment 22 months ago. Back then Scottish football was in a much more healthier state, the mood of the nation was one of optimism for the future. Today, however, after Burley’s reign, the mental state of Scottish football is more akin to depression than optimism, although the news of Burley’s exit, welcome as it was, offers some Prozac induced moment… we still have a very tough time ahead to overcome before we can escape International football’s sick list.
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It’s the show that gives you the willies as you watch things that are creepier than the creepiest thing imaginable crawl all over a C-List Celebrities head. Yep it’s “I’m A Celebrity Get me Out Of Here 2009” and it starts this Sunday the 15th of November at 9pm on ITV1. The line-up was revealed late last night on the official celebrity website and today we are publishing the bookies early I’m A Celebrity betting odds, so you can pick your favourite while the odds are still pretty generous.

This year’s show has a head-scratching line-up, with a couple of names I’m not familar with, such as Camilla Dallerup (Strictly Come Dancing) who has a ‘creepy crawly’ phobia which if your going to try and beat such a said phobia then this is the show to do it in. Others that vaguely ring a bell are Gino D’Acampo (Chef), Sabrina Washington (Singer) and Stuart Manning (Actor from Hollyoaks).
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Everywhere you look over the last few days, has The X-Factor stamped all over it – and it’s not all good either. Simon Cowell’s decision to allow John and Edward (Jedward) to sneak through via the public telephone votes, when he had the perfect opportunity to boot the twins off the competition, has not been received well with the British public. In fact the decision was so controversial that it now has TV watchdog Ofcom investigating to see if the X-Factor results are fixed.
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On Saturday, the WBA Championship is up for grabs between the current World Champ, Russia’s Nikolai Valuev and Britain’s David Haye. Billed as ‘David Vs Goliath‘, it’s easy to see why this fight has captured the publics interest. In the red corner stands the Russian champ Valuev, a 7ft 2″ giant known as the ‘Beast from the East’ with 50 wins under his belt from 52 bouts. In the blue corner stands our very own British hope, David Haye, a 6ft 3″ trash-talking, former undisputed cruiserweight champion with 22 wins from 23 professional fights.

The lead-up to this fight has been bizarre, to say the least. Haye has been in hyperdrive promoting this contest. Spewing forth trash talk at every opportunity, some of which would have made Tyson blush. The surreal press conference where Haye squared up to a 7ft man in a gargoyle mask and then proceeded to knock the head off a Valuev cardboard cut out was at best a tacky wind-up.
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Liverpool are playing for Champions League existence tonight at Lyon’s Stade de Gerland. Rafa Benitez’s team are on their knees and are a poor shadow of the team that played other teams off the park last season. Liverpool quite frankly are a team in crisis. They have lost 6 of their last 7 games (the 2-0 home win against Man U being Liverpool’s only crumb of comfort.) Fact is, anything apart from a win against Lyon will see their Champions League dream become an impossible task.

With both Gerrard and Torres injured, Liverpool m,ust look elsewhere within the team for players to win matches and that seems the sticking point, because no-one looks likely at the moment to step into their boots and deliver the performances that win matches.
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