Latest news with #LiamDowling
Irish Independent
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Liam Dowling's De Ladedah one win from successful defence of English Derby title
De Lahdedah, trained by Liam Dowling for a Kerry syndicate, is just one successful run away from becoming only the fifth greyhound to win back-to-back English Derbies.
The Sun
13-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
I've found a beautiful 15-2 tip at York that can build the bank for Royal Ascot
THIS weekend is very much the calm before the Royal Ascot storm - but I still reckon I've managed to unearth a tasty punt. I'm hoping to warm up for the big meeting with a decent eachway run from Blue For You in the 7f handicap at York. 1 My selection is handicapped to go well for David O'Meara and Danny Tudhope. To be honest I don't often get this yard right, but I think Blue For You is worth taking a risk on as an animal who loves the track. Blue For You usually goes over a mile, and was a winner at York in July of last year off 95. Having not scored since, he's on 95 again now, and he had a perfectly decent run over 7f at Haydock in April. He's hard to predict but a few quid each-way is, in my opinion, well worth it. Elsewhere at York I wonder if some headgear will spark up Chillingham? Time will tell… but I'll give him a go each-way too. Meanwhile, the Greyhound Derby final is here and it's the defending champion against a fellow Irish champion in a right old smashup. That's what we get in the climax of the coveted £175,000 Starsports Greyhound Derby at Towcester on Saturday night, which promises to be an absolute belter. De Lahdedah, handled by Liam Dowling, bids to become just the fifth greyhound in history to achieve back-to-back successes. And remember those that have done so are names from yesteryear that will always live long in the memory of dog loving fans. Think Mick the Miller (1929-30), Patricias Hope (1972-3), Rapid Ranger (2000-1) and my personal favourite Westmead Hawk (2005-6). But to score, De Lahdedah will have to destroy Graham Holland's Bockos Diamond, who aims to make history and do something only Toms the Best has ever achieved, and that's to land the Irish and English Derby. This is a proper race, and after ITV duties at York I'm dashing straight to Towcester to enjoy the moment. I hope you will be there to. Those in charge have put on loads of entertainment and music throughout the day. It will be a party atmosphere. So come on down and say hello. If you can't get to watch the race live on track, then remember all the action can be seen on the Gone to the Dogs live channel. You'll find it with a simple 'Google' search. And if you are a dog lover, don't forget there is a Just Giving page to support the rehoming of greyhounds. Any support is always welcome and it's something the game takes very seriously. So who will win? And is this a two dog race? Well the answer to the latter question is clearly no. We have all been around too long to dismiss the unexpected. As is always the case in greyhound racing, though, the draw is crucial and Bockos Diamond is plotted up in the black and white stripes of Trap 6, with kennel companion Cheap Sandwiches next to him in the orange of Trap 5. That also happened in the semi-finals, when Bockos Diamond destroyed Cheap Sandwiches for early pace. The former doesn't always get out as quickly as he did that day, in an impressive 3.95s. But Trap 6 seems to be the spot where he traps best. Cheap Sandwiches also chased home Bockos Diamond in his Irish Derby victory, where the latter dashed better early pace despite not getting an electric start. Some have a theory that the inside of the track is the place to be at Towcester, and that means De Lahdedah will have plenty of supporters. He's in the white jacket of Trap 3, and that box holds no terrors for him, although he landed his semi-final from the blue of Trap 2. De Lahdedah will need luck in the early stages, as he's a strong stayer who lacks early dash. He does, however, have tremendous track craft and he'll keep plugging away. If Bockos Diamond gets away I can't see him being picked up, but we are talking narrow margins here. It just promises to be a wonderful event, and greyhounds are beautiful animals to watch in fluent motion. Their long, powerful legs, deep chest, flexible spine and slim build allow them to reach speeds of 40mph. Bockos Diamond will need to use all those attributes at 9.15pm tonight. Shine bright Bockos, like a diamond. Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
Daily Mirror
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Australian astounded after visiting UK as he says Brits are 'built differently'
An Australian who visited the UK said Brits are "built differently", and there's a key reason why. He was left astounded after stopping by as he ventured on a trip to Venice An Australian who visited the UK was left astounded when he touched down in the airport. Liam Dowling was left totally floored by one thing when he landed on British soil, and claimed there's a specific reason why Brits are "built differently" to other people around the world. Liam's video has gone viral after he shared it on TikTok and his explanation left people in total hysterics. In the clip, he admitted he was travelling to Venice, but stopped at an airport in the UK on his travels and, when he called by the Wetherspoons, he couldn't get over one thing. In the video, he said: "I'm here at the Spoons airport, on my way to Venice. It's 5am - there's not a single person in here not drinking. It's 5am. "I feel like in Aus, we kind of wait until like 7am/8am - you get some looks if you're drinking in the airport at 5am. No one here gives a f***. "I reckon you could come here at 4am, and it would not matter. Like, Britian just - they don't care. Maybe it's the Europe/Aus thing, but everyone here is boozing and I love it. Bit too early for me though, so, I'm just going to stick to my coffee." The video has been viewed over 100,000 times since it's been shared, and people have been left gobsmacked by it. Natually, some Brits just couldn't stop laughing. One said: "God forbid a nation has hobbies." Another wrote: "Time doesn't exist in the airport or on Christmas Day." A third replied: "I'm Polish (we're infamous for drinking a lot) and I have been living in the UK for 10 years, but even I can't hack how they do it. Brunch time, 11ish, I can get, but 5am is crazy business." Meanwhile, a fourth also commented: "Got to a NY airport at 6am. Asked for a Bacardi and they said no alcohol til midday. I was gobsmacked." One more also quipped: "Spoons in Birmingham airport was absolutely rammed at 2am when I last went." People had all sorts of stories about drinking at airports, but many seemed to agree on one idea - time doesn't exist when you're about to hop on a plane. Many Brits couldn't help but laugh in the comments, with a cheeky pre-flight tipple appearing to be the norm for many - no matter what time it may be. Thoughts and theories were super varied, but many Brits couldn't help but make jokes about it. The video really did make many people chuckle. Another wrote: "If you think about it, 5am is just really late at night. 7am would be more unacceptable, as I consider that morning. Regardless of time though, if I'm at an airport, then I'm at Spoons drinking." One more added: "Every time I fly from Manchester Airport, I choose as early as I can 4am/5am, grab a burger and sit in the bar with a few pints and watch the planes until my gate opens. Like my father, and my father's father." Meanwhile, someone else chimed in with: "Time does not exist in airports. Except the time you've got to catch your flight - that one's important."
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Aussie living in London shocked by $347 bill that doesn't exist back home
An Australian living in the United Kingdom has been shocked to discover that he has to pay to watch regular TV. While Aussies get to lap up multiple free-to-air channels, Brits don't get to enjoy the same type of service. YouTuber Liam Dowling moved to London in May last year and recently got a letter that revealed he had to cough up nearly £170 (AUD$347) for a TV licence. The 24-year-old told Yahoo Finance he initially thought it was a joke. "When I got the letter in the mail informing me that an officer would come to my house I immediately thought it was hilarious," he said. American tourist's $1,276 shock while visiting Australia Centrelink warning over common mistake that could impact your payments: 'We don't' ATO's $11 billion warning for these Aussie taxpayers: 'Moving harder and faster' In the UK, there are workers called TV Licensing Officers, who go around to peoples' houses to make sure they're paying the appropriate fees for watching or recording live TV. "This includes all TV channels, pay TV services like Sky, and live TV streaming services like Amazon Prime Video," the letter said. "You also need a TV Licence to be covered for everything on BBC iPlayer."Thankfully, you don't need the licence if you're watching shows on Netflix or other streaming services, as long as they're not live. If you're found to be breaking the rules by watching TV without paying the annual fee, you could be fined up to £1,000 (AUD$2,004). You could also be forced to pay for court costs and compensation. Officers will check if you have the right licence when they inspect your home, and they'll also check your TV for access to live television or BBC iPlayer, as well as any antennas, satellite dishes, or cable connections to see if you're watching live broadcasts. The former Victorian resident couldn't believe such a thing existed. "I understand that as a foreigner I can't really comment on this as I don't understand it at all... But I just think it hilarious that with all of the s**t you have to pay for, a TV licence just seems like the most outrageous made-up thing," he told Yahoo Finance. "Like its hard enough for people to pay rent, bills, council tax and for food, but now people can't even enjoy one of life's simplest (and some people's only) pleasures without paying. While the TV licence can be paid for in instalments starting from just £6.50 (AUD$13.30) per week, and he would be splitting the cost with his housemates, Dowling said it can still be a lot for some people. The licence was originally introduced more than a century ago in 1923 to cover radios in the country and was expanded in 1946 to include TVs. The £169.95 (AUD$347.95) annual cost was brought in on April 1 last year for colour TVs. There's a black and white TV licence that only costs £57 (AUD$116) and blind people can get a 50 per cent discount on the cost. The money raised helps fund the television, radio and online services of the BBC. The number of TV licences peaked at 26.2 million back in 2018 and has been on the decline ever since, with 23.9 million recorded in March last year. According to the most recent government figures, TV licence fee revenues in 2022-23 were £3.74 billion (AUD$7.65 billion).Sign in to access your portfolio
