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‘MONEY has not stopped coming’ for a Guinness-drinking ‘People’s Horse’ in the Grand National – as bookies brace for a whopping Aintree payout.

Several horses have been seen their odds slashed in recent days but the surge of support for former King George hero Hewick has been seismic.

Trained by Shark Hanlon in Ireland, Hewick was bought for around £850 but has won owner TJ McDonald more than £750,000.

He’s a multiple Graded-level winner who loves good ground, a Guinness, and can finish with a real rattle, as his Kempton and American Grand National (yes, really) wins showed.

But a combination of Hanlon’s comments, Hewick’s jockey booking and the weather forecast have seen his odds crash.

From 20-1 he is now as short as 11-1 in places but a general 12-1 across the board.

Hanlon recently confirmed top pilot Gavin Sheehan will be in the saddle for his Aintee run on Saturday, April 5.

Sheehan rode Hewick to his King George victory and has struck up a brilliant partnership with the ten-year-old.

Hewick warmed up for the National with a win over hurdles at Thurles the week before last.

And bookies have taken him a pounding on him ever since, with fellow Irish runner and recent Cheltenham Festival winner Stumptown also popular.

Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “There seems to be a real buzz about Hewick at the moment and the money has not stopped coming for him for the Grand National.

“We were 20-1 last week, but he’s been backed all the way down to 12-1 off the back of some particularly strong comments from his trainer, Shark Hanlon.

“He’s now the second worst result in our Non-Runner Money Back book behind Stumptown and is one we anticipate could shorten up even further.

“Should we get the drier ground that the forecast indicates, this ‘people’s horse’ could be a shocking result for us on the day.”

The other notable mover is Nicky Henderson’s Hyland, who is bidding to give his trainer a first win in the world’s most famous race.

Hyland is into 16s from 40-1.

Phelps added: “He’d be Nicky’s first winner of the race, and it looks like many punters will be hoping history is made on National day.”

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• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
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• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
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Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

THE size of a man’s waist may be a better indicator of his likelihood of developing cancer than body mass index (BMI), a new study has revealed.

For years, NHS doctors have used BMI to assess obesity and its link to cancer risk.

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But now, Swedish scientists believe that measuring waist circumference is a more accurate way to assess cancer risk in men.

This isn’t the first time waist size has been tied to higher health risks.

A Oxford University study from 2022 found every extra inch on the waistline raises the risk of heart failure by 11 per cent.

In the latest study, experts from Lund University in Malmo analysed health records from 339,190 people between 1981 and 2019.

They followed participants for an average of 14 years, during which 18,185 developed obesity-related cancers, including those of the oesophagus, bowel, liver, pancreas, breast, and gallbladder.

Men with an extra 11cm on their waistlines by the end of the study increased their risk of developing cancer by 25 per cent.

By comparison, an increase in BMI of 3.7 – for example, rising from 24 to 27 – was associated with a 19 per cent higher cancer risk.

For women, the link between waist size and BMI was less strong.

However, both a 12cm increase in waist circumference and a 4.3 increase in BMI – moving from 24 to 28 – were associated with a 13 per cent higher risk of cancer.

The research will be presented at this year’s European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, Spain, in May, and published in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

The authors explained that waist circumference is a better measure because BMI “does not provide information on fat distribution.”

They explained that stomach fat builds up around the organs, making disease more likely.

Two people with the same BMI could have different cancer risks depending on where their fat is stored.

Waist size is a better predictor for men because they tend to carry fat in their stomach, while women are more likely to have fat spread across their body, they added.

Earlier this month, the NHS watchdog recommended that overweight patients be weighed annually to help doctors monitor their health.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is urging closer tracking of waistlines, advising that those with long-term illnesses have their BMI recorded at least once a year.

However, some experts argue that BMI leads to overdiagnosis of obesity and are calling for a “radical overhaul” in how it’s assessed and treated.

They propose a new approach that moves beyond BMI, incorporating waist circumference, waist-to-hip and waist-to-height ratios, and direct body fat measurements for a more accurate assessment.

This suggests that many of the 17.6 million Britons classified as obese under the decades-old BMI system may have been wrongly diagnosed.

A BELOVED clothing store has shuttered after 26 years of service, leaving shoppers gutted.

The store was considered a high street staple and was part of the town’s multi-million-pound regeneration scheme.

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Thankfully the store will be relocating to Rochester high street[/caption]

Red Menswear in Chatham in Medway, Kent, is shutting up shop after selling a handpicked selection of men’s clothing since 1999.

Partner of the store, Ben Hunt, who has lived in Medway his entire life, said he’s appreciated the store but believes “it’s time to move on.”

He said: “We really appreciate our loyal customers who have been with us over the years and would defend Chatham to the hilt, but it’s time to move on.”

Red Menswear announced its last day of trading in Chatham will be Saturday, March 29.

Based in an old HSBC branch on Military Road, the shop was in the middle of the council’s £4million long-term reinvestment of the town.

It was said to support the innovative plans for the future of Chatham however the owners have decided to sell up.

To the relief of shoppers, the iconic store isn’t gone for good and is relocating to Rochester High Street.

Ben continued: “Rochester is more of a destination town with its festivals, live concerts, bars and restaurants, antique shops, and it’s full of independent businesses – it’s where we need to be now.”

Rochester is a historic high street with a thriving shopping scene, cafes, pubs and plenty of independent stores.

Ben said they would be giving Red Menswear a revamp so it would suit the areas traditional environment.

“We want to give it an old-school tailors vibe in keeping with the history of the town,” he added.

The shop, known for selling names such as GANT, Tommy Hilfiger and Hackett, would hold onto to all their swanky brands as well as introducing some new labels.

Ben’s business partner Martin Johnson said the people of Medway have been “amazing” and hopes that their customers will support them in the transition to Rochester.

It will take over a venue that was once home to both Platoon, a military equipment shop, and Analogue, a music store.

Shoppers were disappointed to see the business relocate but were supportive of the shop owner’s decision.

Some shared their encouraging words with the menswear traders online.

One commented: “Best of luck lads at the new venue.”

Another added: “Good luck fella, will be more likely to visit at the new location – hopefully get more foot traffic.”

A third joked: “Just as you supported Chatham to the hilt sir, so will the dandy men of Rochester support you in your turn.

“All queueing up behind you sir, supporting you to the hilt sir.”

TROUBLE ON THE HIGH STREET

Plenty of other retailers are closing stores across the high street as households lean more towards online shopping and amid high business rates.

Soaring inflation in recent years has also dented shoppers’ pockets.

The Centre for Retail Research’s latest analysis suggests 13,479 stores, the equivalent of 37 each day, shut for good in 2024.

Of those, 11,341 were independent shops while 2,138 were shut by larger retailers.

The data also showed over half the stores that closed last year were shut due to the store or retailer going through debt.

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BRITS looking to holiday like an A-lister should consider booking a break to Doha for ‘cheap luxury’.

The capital of Qatar is often regarded as being an expensive destination, but both celebs and travel experts have hailed the city for its affordability.

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While Doha is often considered to be an expensive destination, it has been hailed as ‘cheap luxury’ by expert visitors[/caption]

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Five-star hotels in Doha can be booked from as little as £119 per night[/caption]

TV personality and former Big Brother winner Josie Gibson has hailed Doha as an affordable luxury destination.

She previously told Sun Online Travel: “I was really taken back by Doha, they had some of the best hotels I’ve ever been to.

“In London, they’d be something like £1,000 a night, but in Doha, you’re only looking at £200 – it’s very much a cheap luxury.

“They do everything bigger and better in the Middle East, the architecture is unreal, and everywhere’s so Instagrammable, it’s like being in another world.”

Sun Online Travel has found over-night stays at five-star hotels in Doha from £119 per night.

Stays at Raffles Doha start from £634 per night, which is nearly £200 cheaper compared to Raffles London at The OWO, with stays from £830 per night.

Raffles Doha is an ultra-luxury hotel set inside one-half of Qatar‘s iconic Katara Towers.

Set inside the other side of the building is Fairmont Doha, which has overnight stays from £384 per night.

Meanwhile, stays at Fairmont Windsor Park in London start from £418 per night.

There are other elements of cheap luxury dotted through the Qatari capital too, something the Sun’s Assistant Travel Editor, Sophie Swietochowski, knows all too well after visiting Doha Beach Club for just £6.

She said: “Doha Beach Club is less than a 20-minute drive from the airport and bang in the centre of the city with views of glimmering skyscrapers from the white sands.

“Entry prices vary, but mid-week and during off-peak times, such as Ramadan, you can gain access for just £6, or ladies can visit for free on a Tuesday.

“Entry gets you a towel to plonk on any number of comfy beanbags sheltered under a palm-leaf umbrella – there are also rows of four-poster bali beds, facing towards the sea and swaying hammocks.

“For children, there’s an inflatable obstacle course on the water (supposedly the largest of its kind in Doha), ping pong tables and even kids clubs at certain times of year, offering treasure hunts, sports games and competitions.”

The beach club hosts a brunch every Friday and Saturday for just under £60 per person, which includes all-day beach entry, a drinks package and enough grub to keep you full for the whole day from pizzas and mini sliders to salads and fried fish.

And because it isn’t a public beach, visitors don’t need to cover up or dress modestly.

Tripadvisor

Doha Beach Club has entry from £6 on set days and set times[/caption]

Tripadvisor

Doha Beach Club is less than a 20-minute drive from the airport and bang in the centre of the city[/caption]

Although Brits should aim to dress conservatively in Doha.

Despite its expensive image, Doha is home to several free attractions, including Katara Cultural Village and Hills.

The cultural hub is home to alleyways filled with galleries and artists’ workshops.

There’s also Katara North and South Hills, a group of manmade hills with scenic views overlooking landmarks like the Pigeon Towers and Katara Mosque.

The Al Thuraya Planetarium, which is free to enter, is also located at the Katara Cultural Village.

Visitors will learn about astronomy, geology, atmosphere, weather and all things science.

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Souq Waqif is regarded as a cultural treasure with stores selling perfume, jewellery, carpets, spices, souvenirs and traditional clothing[/caption]

Tripadvisor

Other free attractions in Doha include the Mina District, which is home to pastel-coloured buildings, and Souq Waqif.

Souq Waqif is regarded as a cultural treasure with stores selling perfume, jewellery, carpets, spices, souvenirs and traditional clothing.

There’s also the Corniche, a 7km-long waterfront promenade lined with palm trees and dotted with quirky public art pieces.

One-way flights to Doha start from £114 per person, with services taking 10 hours and having a stopover in Bahrain, or opt for direct flights which start from £377.

Meanwhile, these super cheap beach holiday packages are under £199 per person.

And here are a load of ways parents can save money during the summer holidays.

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One-way flights to Doha start from £114 per person, with services taking 10 hours and having a stopover in Bahrain[/caption]

VENUS WILLIAMS will be forced into paying £195 in order to keep playing professional tennis.

The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion is one of the modern greats of the sport.

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Venus Williams is at risk of being classed as inactive by the WTA Tour[/caption]

However, she has barely played in recent times.

And now the American is at risk of losing her professional licence.

Williams, 44, last played a competitive match as a wildcard at the Miami Open on March 18, 2024.

But after rejecting a wildcard for this month’s prestigious Indian Wells tournament – dubbed the ‘fifth Grand Slam’ – and also reportedly the ongoing Miami Open, she will go a full year without entering a competition.

Williams is understood to be fit and not injured and has turned down plenty of opportunities to return to the court – declining the Indian Wells offer because she had “already made commitments”.

She spends much of her time running her V Starr interior design business rather than playing tennis.

And now she risks being deemed inactive by the WTA Tour at the end of March.

Williams, ranked at world No1151, has not played enough to be a full or even an associate member of the WTA Tour.

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And therefore in order to make her comeback, Williams will need to fill out an annual player form and pay the £195 ($250) administration fee.

As of June 2024, Williams no longer needed to keep tennis’ anti-doping testers updated with daily details of her whereabouts.

She turned pro all the way back in 1994 – a staggering 31 years ago – and was diagnosed with autoimmune condition Sjogren in 2011.

However, despite not winning a tennis match since August 2023, Williams has still refused to retire.

And she could request a wildcard at Wimbledon in the summer, where she is a five-time singles champ.

Venus won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles plus three Olympic gold medals alongside sister Serena.

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Williams has won five Wimbledon singles titles[/caption]

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If there’s one big missed opportunity in Game of Thrones, it’s the fact that we never witnessed at least one Arya Stark and Daenerys Targaryen interaction. It’s a shame that the showrunners sort of forgot an important detail about the young Stark—her admiration for the Targaryen dragon queens. Aegon the Conqueror’s sisters-wives, Visenya and Rhaenys, […]

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Shojo anime rarely gets the recognition they deserve, competing in the mainstream pool with no dearth of Shonen and isekai, it is rare to find a Shojo anime that exceeds expectations. The trend is such that even if the occasional Shojo anime does pop up, it gets knocked down like whack-a-mole, becomes a seasonal one-time […]

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PSN users can claim a free God of War avatar to celebrate the series' twentieth anniversary, but they may want to act fast.