Image source, AP

New British number two Aljaz Bedene is out of the Casablanca Open after losing 6-1 6-4 to Jiri Vesely of the Czech Republic.

The Slovenia-born 25-year-old switched countries last month

Brian Hughes records his 99th win of the season when leading the 8-1 shot Cyrus Darius to victory in the E-Lites Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree.

The horse, trained by Malcolm Jefferson, was having his fifth run over hurdles in five weeks and beat Vago Collonges (7-1), ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies into second with Qewy (5-1)and Tony McCoy in third

Image source, AFP

South Africa bowling all-rounder Vernon Philander has said playing for Nottinghamshire is a "great opportunity".

Philander will feature in six County Championship and three T20 Blast matches before being replaced by Australian seamer Ben Hilfenhaus.

The 29-year-old last played county cricket for Kent in 2014, and has also had spells with Middlesex and Somerset.

"I've always enjoyed playing county cricket," he told BBC Radio Nottingham.

Sussex captain Ed Joyce is feeling no ill-effects from the Cricket World Cup, despite cricket manager Mark Robinson expressing concerns about his workload.

The 36-year-old left-hander, Sussex's top run-scorer in 2014, played in all of Ireland's pool matches.

"My fitness is very good," the 36-year-old told BBC Sussex.

"The weariness of having being involved in a such a big tournament has hit in the last few weeks but I feel ready and raring to go."

Image source, Getty Images

Sticking with Yorkshire and England cricket, bowler Tim Bresnan has been trying his hand at plastering and plumbing this winter as part of a weekly course at the YTA centre in Bradford. Bresnan, along with his Yorkshire team-mates Richard Pyrah and Andrew Hodd, took part in the sessions.

"I don't think it would get me a job at the Plumb Centre or anything like that but it will be useful in doing jobs around the house," said Bresnan. So don't expect to see Tim et al fixing your U-bend anytime soon.

We've been talking to Yorkshire bowler Ryan Sidebottom about England's dismal showing at the World Cup, the new County Championship season, and the passing of legendary commentator Richie Benaud, who has died aged 84.

Image source, Getty Images

"England were very predictable at the World Cup, with no left-arm seamer, no left-arm spinner, no mystery spinner. When you look around all the other countries, even the minnows had all variations covered, but we were very samey. I'd like to think we won't make that mistake again because we have a lot of variety in this country.

"There are players like Adil Rashid, Scott Borthwick, James Vince has been very consistent, scoring heavy runs and is becoming more and more mature. Ben Stokes, England were very quick to drop him but he adds that variety, he smacks the ball out of the park, is a brilliant fielder, and bowls heavy pace. Mark Footit, if they do look at a left-armer, is still young, has got pace and can swing the ball into right-handers. He's the type of player that we have really missed."

Here are some more of your suggestions for boasting bosses, via Twitter...

The Tea in Team: Tim Sherwood. He salutes himself more often than Redknapp reminded us that #thfc only had 2pts when he took over.

Jack Cummins: "Rome wasn't built in a day. But I wasn't on that particular job" - Brian Clough

Send your opinions via Twitter using #boastingbosses and via the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

Image source, AFP

We've already heard from Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini ahead of this weekend's Manchester derby. Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal will be addressing the media at around 15.30 BST. Before that, though, here are the views of BBC pundit Robbie Savage on Sunday's big clash...

"Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is wrong when he says Sunday is a good time for his side to be facing local rivals Manchester United.

"Yes, the derby is a chance for City to give themselves a much-needed lift by putting in a big performance in a massive match that would make a statement about how they still can finish a disappointing season on a high... But the bad news is they are playing United about four weeks too late."

Image source, The FA

Manchester City men's team may well end this season trophyless but the manager of the Man City women's team, Nick Cushing says his side have an "addiction" to winning silverware as they look to add to the Continental Cup they won last year.

Cushing's side host Birmingham City in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.

"Winning that trophy has given us a real infectious, addictive feeling that we want more of," he told BBC Sport. "We know it's not easy but last year provided us with that experience of having to work unbelievably hard to gain that trophy."

Theinval wins the opening race - the Alder Hey Children's Charity Handicap Hurdle - of Ladies' Day at the Grand National Festival. The 7-1 shot held off the late challenge of AP McCoy's horse, The Saint James, with Daneking third.

• 1. Theinval (J McGrath) 7-1

• 2. The Saint James (A P McCoy) 11-2 Fav

• 3. Daneking (R Walsh) 8-1

Image source, Getty Images

Speaking of boasting, Kell Brook has had this to say on the subject of his newly-announced IBF world welterweight title defence against Frankie Gavin on 30 May...

"I feel like I'm unbeatable right now and Gavin isn't going to be able to cope with my speed and power on fight night."

You have been quick out of the blocks with your boasting bosses. One Brian Clough has received the early backing...

Adam Taylor: "I wouldn't say I was the best manager in the business. But I was in the top one" - Clough. Hard to top that even for Jose.

Michael Bell: Pardew or Allardyce. Photo finish, but maybe Allardyce edges it.

Rojo Fan: Mourinho. Best manager in the Prem and second worldwide.

Send your opinions via Twitter using #boastingbosses and via the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

Image source, Getty Images

It is Ladies' Day at Aintree today and as you would expect it is a colourful affair at the course. The action is set to get under way at 13:40 BST, with the first race; the Alder Hey Children's Charity Handicap Hurdle. We'll bring you the results as they happen throughout the afternoon.

John Madden (American football) - former NFL head coach and media pundit, born 1936.

Ian Callaghan (football) - midfielder who made a record 856 appearances for Liverpool, born 1942.

David Moorcroft (athletics) - former 5,000 metres world record-holder and former chief executive of UK Athletics, born 1953.

Steve Claridge (football) - much-travelled veteran striker, now a media pundit, born 1966.

Mario Stanic (football) - former Chelsea and Croatia utility player, born 1972.

Ian Harvey (cricket) - former Australia, Gloucestershire and Yorkshire all-rounder, now an assistant coach with Gloucestershire born 1972.

Roberto Carlos (football) - former Brazil and Real Madrid full-back, born 1973.

Fernando Gago (football) - Boca Juniors and Argentina midfielder, born 1986.

Vincent Kompany (football) - Manchester City and Belgium defender, born 1986.

Image source, Getty Images

1916: The Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA) was established in New York.

1989: Nick Faldo won his first Masters title, beating Scott Hoch in a play-off at the second extra hole in Augusta.

2002: England captain David Beckham suffered a broken foot during Manchester United's Champions League match against Deportivo La Coruna, sparking fears he would not be fit for the World Cup. However, the midfielder recovered to lead his country out against Sweden in Saitama on 2 June.

2010: Don't Push It, trained by Jonjo O'Neill and ridden by Tony McCoy, won the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree.

2014: Owner Assem Allam's application to change the name of Hull City to Hull Tigers was rejected by the Football Association. The decision was later set aside by an arbitration panel due to the involvement of Football Supporters' Federation chairman Malcolm Clarke.

Image source, Getty Images

"I think I have a problem, which is I'm getting better at everything related to my job since I started" - Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

"I knew it would be a tough job at Tottenham and it proved that. But I was very successful, both as a development coach and as a manager" - Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood.

"I don't think there is any coach more sophisticated than me any more" - West Ham's Sam Allardyce.

Considering these quotes from the last week, we want to know your views on boastful bosses. Which managers have mastered the art of self-aggrandising? Are they justified in their bragging or deluding themselves? Send your opinions via Twitter using #boastingbosses and via the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

More from Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini on Sunday's derby against Manchester United.

"It's an important game as we're close in the table but I don't think the season is finished for either side after," he said.

"I think that they have a lot of respect for us - in the last few years we dominated the derby and the Premier League.

"The derby gives the game an extra boost - I hope that not only the intensity is high but the quality too - for the fans."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini says he will leave it until Saturday to see whether captain Vincent Kompany will play in Sunday's derby against Manchester United.

Kompany, who turns 29 today, has a hamstring injury.

Pellegrini also told his pre-match news conference that Stevan Jovetic has a muscle injury while Wilfried Bony twisted his ankle and knee before last Monday's Crystal Palace game and will not be fit.

Image source, PA

Jose Mourinho also had some interesting things to say about Chelsea's reported interest in Japan international striker Yoshinori Muto. In February, Premier League leaders Chelsea announced a new shirt sponsorship deal with a Japanese tyre manufacturer worth a reported £40m a year and Mourinho was asked about the possibility of signing players for commercial reasons...

"That is modern football. It is modern management. In modern management you cannot close the door to a bit of commercial interests. But at the same time a football club is always a football club and a top club only has space for really good players or prospects. We would not bring in a player who does not have the capacity to perform or potential to do so."

Image source, Getty Images

Jose Mourinho was also asked about the situation at the top of the league, which sees his side hold a seven-point advantage over second-placed Arsenal, with a game in hand. The Chelsea boss played down the significance of this, while also commenting on Manchester City's faltering challenge (they were beaten at Crystal Palace on Monday).

"Mathematically it [the league] is open. Any team with less than 21 points distance from us is mathematically in the race. A team with seven, eight points is still in the race.

"I am not surprised [by what happened to Man City]. This is the Premier League. For a top team to lose six, seven games in any other league in the world is difficult. But not here. We have more points than the others. We have been top of the league since day one - which shows, consistency, stability, dominance. We deserve to be there."