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MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin attacked the ban on his country from the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics as immoral and inhumane on Thursday, while six Russian athletes launched a bid to compete at next months games as individuals.Russia was suspended on Aug. 7 over what International Paralympic Committee president Philip Craven called a medals over morals culture with evidence of state-sponsored doping. The ban was confirmed Tuesday when the Court of Arbitration of Sport rejected a Russian appeal.The decision to disqualify our Paralympians is outside the bounds of law, morality and humanity, Putin said at an award ceremony for Olympic athletes at the Kremlin. He called the ruling against Russia cynical and claimed that it even humiliates those who take such decisions.Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova added to the criticism, calling the ban collective responsibility for an unproven crime. While Russia has accepted there were some shortcomings in its anti-doping system, it insists drug use was not systemic or supported by the government.The Paralympics start Sept. 7. On Thursday, six Russian athletes, including three gold medalists, wrote to IPC president Craven asking for a route into the games as individuals.I strongly believe that real perpetrators of the dirty system must be punished and banned from sport. I do not want to lose to cheaters and I dont want to compete with cheaters, even Russians, says the letter, which was provided to The Associated Press by Andrei Mitkov, an agent representing the six. However even more strongly I believe that innocent people should not suffer for actions of cheaters that tried to deceive clean athletes of the world.The athletes, who say they have been repeatedly tested outside Russia and found to be clean, asked for the IPC to provide criteria which could allow some Russians to compete if they can show they are clean. The approach is similar to the criteria that allowed U.S.-based Russian long jumper Darya Klishina to compete at the Rio Olympics when the rest of the Russian team was banned.I would be very grateful if you review my individual request for entry to the Paralympic Games in such exceptional circumstances or, alternatively, describe me conditions upon which my participation in Rio Games would be possible, the letter states. In the event of a refusal, the athletes say they may request a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport.On Thursday, Putin said special competitions will be organized in Russia for banned Paralympic athletes with winners getting the same prizes they would have had from success in Rio. Russia awards cash prizes to Olympic and Paralympic medalists and gave out dozens of BMW luxury cars to its Olympic medalists Thursday.Putin also attacked what he said was political manipulation of sport directed against Russia, whose team was reduced to a single athlete in track and field and banned entirely from weightlifting at the Olympics. That came after World Anti-Doping Agency investigations detailed widespread doping and evidence that senior sports ministry officials allegedly covered up hundreds of doping cases.You came through a tough test with honor, Putin told a room full of Olympic gold medalists. We know how difficult it was for our athletes in Rio. Ahead of the competition, the team was cut by almost a third, and was deprived of the chance to show what it can do in sports where Russia is traditionally considered one of the favorites. But our team, you, my friends, coped with all the difficulties, competed as a united team.Russia was fourth in the medal count with 56 medals, 19 of them gold.Earlier, Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko appeared to cast doubt on the achievements of second-placed Britain, suggesting it had won medals in Rio thanks to its lobbying power.Look at the comparative growth in results of some countries, such as Britain. I dont want to accuse them of anything, he said in comments reported by the state R-Sport agency. And look at the leadership of all the sports institutions. There are only British and Canadians there.Britain won 67 medals in Rio, with 27 golds, in its best performance for more than a century. Los Angeles Lakers Store . William Carrier opened the scoring for Cape Breton (6-4-2), but Andrew Ryan tied the game and Brent Andrews put the Mooseheads (8-6-0) in front for good with a short-handed goal at 13:49 of the second period. Custom Los Angeles Lakers Jerseys . After dropping their final six games of December, the Wild opened the new calendar year with four consecutive wins. Following a loss to Colorado on Saturday, Minnesota rebounded the following night to blank Nashville 4-0, but then had the tables turned on them Tuesday. https://www.lakersjerseycheap.com/ . Burris threw two TD passes, including a key 15-yard fourth-quarter strike to Bakari Grant that effectively countered a Toronto comeback bid and led Hamilton to a 33-19 victory. Stitched Lakers Jerseys . Cuban testified Thursday that he was upset when the companys CEO told him news that would reduce the value of his shares, for which hed paid $7.5 million. But he said he did nothing improper when he sold those shares over the next two days. Lakers Jerseys China . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night.Sky Sports News HQs Alex Hammond provides a race-by-race guide to Tuesday at the Cheltenham Festival. David Craig and Dale Tempest from Sky Bet look ahead to day one at Cheltenham 1.30 - SKY BET SUPREME NOVICES HURDLEMin looks like being an opening day banker for many but, as Sky Bet are offering money back as a free bet if your horse gets beaten in the opening race on each day of the Festival, it could pay to find a better value alternative. There is much more to come from Min though, who it is expected to appreciate better ground. Nicky Henderson has a couple of good-looking chances, but its Buveur DAir that excites me the most as he has plenty of untapped ability and at the moment the sky looks the limit. Hes a backable price in the market without Min if you want to take that route. Nicky Henderson trains leading Supreme contender Buveur DAir I was hoping to see Moon Racer, but last years Champion Bumper winner has missed the majority of the season after sustaining an injury in November and David Pipe has run out of time to get him to the meeting. 2.10 - RACING POST ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHYDouvan is odds-on and not a hugely attractive betting proposition, but theres nothing else that really catches my eye. Last years Sky Bet Supreme winner is an outstanding jumper and is a straightforward horse to ride. Hes the full package. Hes a lepper as the Irish would say! I wouldnt mind being a pound behind the agent that buys all these good horses from France for the Mullins team. Hes got to be a day one banker.His opposition dont look in the same league, with Vaniteux representing Nicky Henderson. He jumps well too, mind you, and as a race for novices at the Festival we know that anything can happen. He won the Lightning Novices Chase last time out but this will be a different kettle of fish. Sizing John is an each-way price for Henry de Bromhead and he jumps well, but I cant see him reversing placings with Douvan, given clear rounds from both. Each-way Arkle contender The Game Changer is put through his paces on the gallops The Game Changer is interesting wherever he goes for Gordon Elliott, although this is apparently the plan. He has been off since October in order to be freshened up for spring festivals and is entered in this, the County Hurdle and the Grand Annual. He will prefer spring ground but looks an interesting each-way proposition given his favoured conditions on Tuesday. He has had a breathing operation since his last run and is carrying some of my each-way cash. Sky Racing Tickets Fast, secure racing tickets: Exclusive racing offers near you 2.50 - ULTIMA HANDICAP CHASEIn-form Warren Greatrex trains exciting novice Out Sam, who had five entries at the Festival, including in the RSA Chase. He is rated 139 and enough have come out for him to get a run in this. Kruzhlinin can go well for Phillip Hobbs, his rating of 148 looks a winnable mark. He has had two starts for Hobbs, having formerly been with Donald McCain, and won nicely at Kempton last time despite jumping left, so the return to a left-handed track will suit. Holywell won this two years ago off an 8lb lower mark, but was pulled up in the Sky Bet Chase last time out. He needs good ground and is en-route to the Grand National. The promising Out Sam could have a say in the big handicap chase on the opening day 3.30 - STAN JAMES CHAMPION HURDLEWhat an absolute shocker for Willie Mullins when both reigning Champ Faugheen and Arctic Fire were ruled out of the race. While lessening the quality, it has made the race more competitive for us punters. Rich Ricci has forked out £20,000 to add Annie Power to the race, but by my reckoning he can just about stretch to that! She would have been a shoo-in for the Mares Hurdle, providing she avoids a catastrophic mishap like last year, and is still short enough for this after her stroll round Punchestown on her reappearance. She gets weight from the boys though and her reappearance showed us she still has a leg in each corner and that they are moving in the order that God intended. Shes too short for me but it would be a travesty if a mare as good as her never won a race at the Cheltenham Festival.Nichols Canyon never seems to get the credit he deserves, but he has won six Grade 1s. Hes not flashy and therefore not a headline grabber, but hes consistent and talented. He would be one Id get more excited about if he were to run in the World Hurdle. Identity Thief won the Fighting Fifth for Henry De Bromhead and was second to Nichols Canyon at Leopardstown over Christmas. He has only had eight starts, seven over hurdles, and is still improving, but he needs to in order to reverse placings with Nichols Canyon. My Tent Or Yours (left) could go well in an open Champion Hurdle My Tent Or Yours is the horse I tipped up each-way here a few weeks ago and I stand by that suggestion in an open year.ddddddddddddYes, its a big ask to win after almost two years off the track, but the vibes are good. He has decent Festival form having finished second in the Supreme and second to Jezki in this in 2014. He can be keen and thats a worry after such a long layoff, but hell wear a bridle to help that (he will be fitted with a net muzzle - I put one on an old horse of mine once and so effective was it he went sideways everywhere until I took it off!). My Tent Or Yours has had a couple of away days at the sports to help take the fizz out of him. How Nicky Henderson could do with a Grade One winner this season and as the master of all he surveys at the Festival, he could bounce back in style.The New One has the vote of confidence from Sam Twiston-Davies. Hes had problems and his jumping doesnt impress, but hes won plenty and has a great engine. Nigel Twiston-Davies has apparently had a clearer run this season with him but I cant get excited about him. At a decent price another of the supplemented runners could be worth an each-way wager. Lil Rockerfeller is trained by Neil King who has his horses in great heart, and this horse is only 3-4lb off the best in this.4.10 OLBG MARES HURDLEMy favourite horse in training, Vroum Vroum Mag, is favourite for this and surely the others may as well stay at home?! It wont be that straightforward sadly and Ill admit to being a bit blinkered as far as this mare is concerned. But theres no way Ill bet against her, as she has continued to brush her rivals aside with ease. Vroum Vroum Mag is Alexs favourite horse in training 4.50 146th YEAR OF THE NATIONAL HUNT CHASEJonjo ONeills Minella Rocco is the horse AP said he would particularly miss riding when he retired, having ridden him to win both his novice hurdles. Since then, the horse hasnt won, but he was a staying-on second in the Reynoldstown to RSA hope Vyta Du Roc at Ascot over three miles last time out - a much-needed, improved performance. The stable form is some way from being ideal coming into the Festival, but Jonjo targets this meeting and hasnt been running too many in bad ground over the past couple of months, so dont fear if you fancy any of his runners during the week. Jockeyship counts for an awful lot in this and owner JP McManus has claimed Derek OConnor to ride, which is a huge plus. Noble Endeavour looks a solid contender for the National Hunt Chase Ive had a decent each-way bet on Noble Endeavour. Gordon Elliotts seven-year-old has some very strong-looking form and Festival form to boot, as he was only beaten on the nod by Killultagh Vic in the Martin Pipe race last season and is a winner over fences this term. He doesnt look an easy ride, but will have Jamie Codd on board, who is one of the best amateurs, and the horse has loads of ability.Colin Tizzard has his team in great form coming into the meeting and saddles Native River here and the horse is likely to have headgear on to sharpen him up. Southfield Royale cant be left out of equations for Neil Mulholland, who has made his mark at the Festival before. He was second in the Feltham behind Tea for Two, one place in front of Native River. He jumped to his left there, so hopefully Cheltenham will suit, although he is yet to run there. The booking