Fan Boy To Reporter

As you’re probably all well aware by now, the Grand National is my favourite horse race over the Jumps, but when it comes to the Flat the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is not only my favourite race in Europe – it’s my best in the world!

From watching Dancing Brave (1986) win on the TV as a schoolboy, I’ve always held an infinity and a fascination with the Arc, and at the age of 40 I decided that I would treat myself to a solo trip to the old Longchamp before it was due to be redeveloped.

Well I loved that initial visit so much that I have attended every year since, and in recent years I have even had the honour of being able to cover the whole Arc weekend in a media capacity from the press room.

Unfortunately due to an administration error in 2022, I am unable to report on the weekend from a media angle, but I will still enjoy the weekend’s action as an ordinary patron.

What a fantastic result! The 100th Prix De L'Arc De Triomphe goes to prove that thoroughbred horse racing is a truly international affair. Germany do their nation proud with Torquator Tasso taking home the spoils from Parislongchamp. #QPAT #ParisLongchamp 🇫🇷🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/7SMoWdyhLM

— Steve Mullington (@mulldog) October 3, 2021

After studying the Arc results over the last century, aided mainly by Malcolm Pannett’s excellent book “Celebrating A Century Of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe”, I was totally enamoured to be in attendance for the 100th edition of the Arc in 2021, which was won by the German longshot Torquator Tasso.

Such was my excitement and appreciation of the 2021 result (NB - I made a few bob with my horse race bets online), that on my return home I had a had a specially commissioned framed collage made up for me that currently holds pride of place on my living room wall.

I bought my photographs from my press room colleagues, had them arranged in chronological order as they happened, and even chose a frame that mimics the colours of the new ParisLongchamp grandstand. I guess you could call me an Arc superfan?

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The Ambience Of Arc Weekend

As well as featuring Group races galore over the course of two days, Arc weekend is also a wonderful social event that brings together racing fans, and competitors, from all over the globe.

You cannot fail to be immersed by the whole ambience of the venue, from the infectious smiling and excitement of the Japanese, to the slightly tipsy singing from the Irish – especially after they’ve had a well punted winner! 

From going through the entrance gates early on Saturday morning, to exiting them as the sun begins to set on Sunday evening, you cannot fail to be totally immersed in the rich history of Longchamp Racecourse. I defy you not to go back!

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For those of you itching for the end of the Flat and the return of the Jumps, please check out all our Cheltenham Races Betting Odds here.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 26th September 2022

In the summer of 2004, Jose Mourinho rocked up at Stamford Bridge, immediately declaring himself to be ‘special’ and wasting little time in overhauling an already very decent squad.

The previous May, the Blues had finished second under Claudio Ranieri, their highest finish since Roman Abramovich took control of the club.

Indeed, it was Chelsea’s best league return for over thirty years as they looked to establish themselves firmly among the elite.

Yet Mourinho had no interest in being nearly successful. Nearly was anathema to him.

So the newly appointed ‘Special One’ ruthlessly took a flamethrower to his playing options, dispensing with under-performing fare as well as aging greats who could legitimately be viewed as club legends.

With sentimentality kept to a minimum, Marcel Desailly and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink were released that summer.

In their place, the coach who had just upset the betting by guiding Porto to an entirely unexpected Champions League triumph was quickly reunited with one half of its back-line, in Paulo Ferreira and Ricardo Carvalho.

The former remains one of the most under-rated full-backs in the Premier League era. The latter’s partnership with John Terry soon became the gold standard that all subsequent centre-back duos have been compared to. 

We're discussing the best defence of the Premier League era on #BTSportScore:

Arsenal (98/99): 17 conceded in 38 games.
Chelsea (04/05): 15 conceded in 38 games.
Man Utd (08/09): 14 clean sheets in a row.
Liverpool (18/19): 7 conceded in 18 games.

Who gets your vote?

— BT Sport Score (@btsportscore) December 26, 2018

Bolstering his attacking roster meanwhile, Mourinho signed Arjen Robben and Didier Drogba for a combined sum of £36m. That was a fortune in 2004. Within a year it felt like a steal.

As brilliant and fundamental as these purchases undoubtedly were, however, Chelsea’s most important recruit arrived in early July, when Petr Cech joined from Rennes.

Unflappable and seemingly unbeatable between the sticks, the giant Czech went on to smash all kinds of top-flight records for his goalkeeping feats, claiming the Golden Glove on four occasions. 

Looking back on this magnificent collective we are of course very familiar with what they went on to achieve. But perhaps back then it would have been sensible to expect a period of transition.

After all, here was a new manager, in a new country, assimilating several new faces into a squad adapting to a new style of play.

Instead, remarkably, Chelsea seemed fully formed right from the off. 

On the opening day they beat Manchester United 1-0, in a manner in which they bested many opponents that season, over-powering them and going in front, then relying on an impenetrable defence to see them home. And thus, a template was set. 

Because across a season that saw them defeated just once and crowned champions by April, Mourinho’s monsters of 2004/05 kept a record-breaking 25 clean sheets, meaning that in 65.7% of their fixtures they were not breached.

In 2004/05, José Mourinho's first season in charge, Chelsea set a bonkers record for fewest goals conceded in a single Premier League campaign:

❍ 38 games
❍ 25 clean sheets
❍ 15 goals conceded@CJSmith91 is going to tell you about them all. #ThrowbackThursday

— Squawka (@Squawka) April 23, 2020

They conceded a record low of 15 goals all season long, meaning that from August to May, a ferociously well-organised rear-guard was navigated every 3.8 hours. They won 30% of their games 1-0.

They were a machine, a highly efficient and formidable one at that and it really didn’t matter who they faced, whether it be title rivals or struggling teams featuring strongly in the Premier League relegation odds, the method and the result was the same.

They killed you with their firepower, then simply shut up shop.

We will likely never again witness such a beast and maybe that’s not such a bad thing. But still, it is perfectly possible to forever appreciate them, to marvel at their strength and structure.

And that especially applies to a defence that was rarely beaten back then and has never been beaten since.

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FIRST PUBLISHED: 26th September 2022

Entirely transformed and the old grandstands demolished, the new ParisLongchamp is a place to revel, whether you’re a fan of horseracing, gastronomy or music – the venue has something for all.

The racecourse hosts approximately 34 race days per season, from April through to October, culminating with the famous Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe fixture on the first weekend of October.

It’s a great opportunity to place some horse racing online bets.

What a fantastic result! The 100th Prix De L'Arc De Triomphe goes to prove that thoroughbred horse racing is a truly international affair. Germany do their nation proud with Torquator Tasso taking home the spoils from Parislongchamp. #QPAT #ParisLongchamp 🇫🇷🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/7SMoWdyhLM

— Steve Mullington (@mulldog) October 3, 2021

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From The Old To The New

Designed by architect Dominique Perrault, the new look ParisLongchamp was open to the public once again in 2018, after a hiatus of two years.

The gigantic white facades of the main grandstand had become dated and were crumbling away, so a massive rebuild was a thing of necessity for the future of Longchamp Racecourse.

• John Sandys on why he loves the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

The historic venue nestled in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne decided to break with tradition and make it a racecourse that could open up its grounds to the general public, not only for horseracing, but for open air concerts and food in the many restaurants.

It certainly looks the part when you view the site for the very first time.

Innovation

"Jeuxdi by Longchamp" has been a fantastic hit with young Parisians who like to be seen out and about and posting their fun times on their social media apps such as Instagram etc.

The twilight races on Thursday evenings coupled with a festive and musical atmosphere have had the patrons coming back to ParisLongchamp over and over. It’s amazing what you can achieve with a relaxed ambience and a top DJ.

France Galop market the Jeuxdi events on their ticketing site in the following way: "An original concept that offers the fun and relaxation of a hip Parisian night out and the adrenaline rush of horse racing as night falls.

"Fun after-work parties and a relaxed vibe to enjoy with friends, all in a superb setting complete with a food garden, live music and the chance to be at one with nature."

Sunday 12th September - Arc Trials Day @paris_longchamp #QPAT 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/ZpBvmvJLb4

— Steve Mullington (@mulldog) September 10, 2021

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Arc Weekend

The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend is something to really savour. Once you’ve experienced the thrill of it you’ll most probably want to keep going back.

Plenty of locals attend but it ultimately the thousands of racegoers from Britain and Ireland that lift the occasion and make the meeting one of the most exciting events in the annual Flat racing calendar.

For those who love their racing, elegant, modern, chic ParisLongchamp is a bucket list must.

If however the Jumps season is more your thing, then please check out our latest Grand National betting.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 26th September 2022

CHRISTMAS DAY FIXTURES

FOOTBALL fans nowadays are able to sit back and enjoy a lovely Christmas meal surrounded by all the family. 

Accompanied by a few drinks to wash it down, we then collapse on to the sofa to open our presents and watch Yuletide television programmes.

But until the late 1950’s, it was traditional for football matches to take place on December 25th – Christmas Day.

These were usually keenly contested encounters, with the return fixture against the same opponents staged back-to-back on Boxing Day.

And don’t forget that most clubs wouldn’t have been able to afford to stay overnight in hotels in those days so there was a lot of travelling going on.

Just to give you a couple of examples from my own team Queens Park Rangers...

Christmas Day 1950 saw QPR lose 4-1 at home to Preston North End. Following on from there, the R’s players travelled 225 miles through the night on a motorised charabanc and 24 hours later lost 1-0 away against Preston.

A year later on 25th December 1951, QPR played up at Barnsley and were beaten 3-1. Then the next day there was a home game against Barnsley that finished in a 1-1 draw.

1957 was the last time that a full programme of Football League matches took place on 25th December.

Supporters have become accustomed to spending time at home on Christmas Day ever since then, although the players have often been called in for full training sessions on the eve of their Boxing Day fixtures.

As some Premier League managers are vociferously in favour of scrapping festive fixtures entirely, the prospect of football taking place on Christmas Day in the modern era is absolutely unthinkable.

There would also be huge logistical problems in relation to matchday policing and public transport.

However, I can confirm that one match does take place every year on the morning of 25th December with a 10.45am kick-off.

It is the well-attended Steel & Sons Cup Final perennially held at Seaview in Belfast - the home ground of Crusaders FC.

In 2021, Newington beat Linfield Swifts 1-0 to lift the cup which is an intermediate level competition run by The County Antrim & District Football Association.

THE BIG FREEZE

MODERN day football features finely manicured playing surfaces and undersoil heating. Therefore postponements due to adverse weather conditions are kept to a bare minimum in the Premier League and Football League.

But back in 1962/63, the playing season was totally decimated by one of the coldest winters on record in the United Kingdom. A so-called ‘Big Freeze’ wiped out football for several months with hundreds of matches being called off or abandoned. 

Those arctic conditions arrived just before Christmas that year and the national list of postponements showed just how bad things were. For example, only three FA Cup Third Round matches were played on the scheduled date of 5th January. 

The Lincoln City versus Coventry City FA Cup game was cancelled 15 times and 14 of the other ties suffered 10 or more postponements. Indeed, the last fixture of that round was completed nine weeks late on 11th March.

In the famous "Big Freeze" of 1963, QPR managed to play only 3 League matches in the 2 months from December 23 to February 23

— Tony Incenzo - my 50th football season (@TonyIncenzo) January 25, 2013

Bolton Wanderers were the worst hit club. From 8th December to 16th February, Bolton did not play a single League or Cup match. 

Various ideas were tried to beat the freeze…including a tar-burner on the pitch at Chelsea and flame-throwers at Blackpool.

However it wasn't until 16th March - nearly three months after the Big Freeze started - that a complete programme of Saturday football fixtures could take place again.

The season was subsequently extended from the original final date of 27th April right up until the end of May to get all the games completed.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to @TonyIncenzo*

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 23rd September 2022

Match Information

• Droitwich Spa 2-0 Coventry Copsewood

• When: Bank Holiday Monday 29th August 2022

• Kick-off: 3pm

• Where: ‘Kingys’ Stadium, King George V Playing Fields, Briar Mill, Droitwich, Worcestershire WR9 0RZ

• Competition: Midland League Division One 

• Attendance: 285

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I really wanted to visit Droitwich Spa FC as the team have returned to their home town this season after a period of five years groundsharing some 10 miles away at Stourport Swifts FC.

That self-imposed exile was necessary because Droitwich didn’t have the necessary facilities to meet strict ground grading requirements for advancement within the national Non-League Pyramid system.

But extensive work has now been completed in developing a £2.5 million stadium at the King George V Playing Fields where the club originally played until 2017.

Result of my @MidlandLeague match today:@DroitSpaFC 2@copsewoodFC 0

Attendance 285, excellent double header glossy programme. Football grounds visited - 2,461@NonLeagueCrowd @NonLeaguePaper @nonleagueshow @WorcsFA pic.twitter.com/qIPwn2VFur

— Tony Incenzo - my 50th football season (@TonyIncenzo) August 29, 2022

This has coincided with promotion to the Midland League Division One for 2022/23 having been crowned champions of the West Midlands (Regional) League.

All in all, a fascinating story that captured my attention and I therefore decided to take a look at the brand new set-up for myself.

So I set off on a Bank Holiday Monday 260 mile round trip to the historic Worcestershire spa town which has a population of 23,500. My wife and daughter accompanied me for a nice day out. 

Ground Description

The football ground has been entirely transformed. It originally consisted of just an unenclosed pitch that had minimal spectator facilities.

But now the affectionately named ‘Kingys’ Stadium is fully fenced in and railed off with floodlights, hard standing underfoot plus a decent 100-seater grandstand.

The players’ changing rooms have also been improved and the surrounding community are benefitting from a newly laid 3G artificial pitch outside the main arena.

Droitwich Spa have received excellent Football Foundation and local council funding to carry out this major project.

Their homecoming match at the start of the current campaign attracted a bumper crowd of 510 whilst attendances since then have been approaching 300. So plenty of interest is being generated since these are very encouraging gates for Step 6 football.

In fact, I was impressed to see many schoolchildren enthusiastically cheering on their local team. A situation that is greatly helped by an admirable policy of admitting under-12’s into fixtures free of charge to entice the fanbase of the future.

Businesses in Droitwich are buying into the project too and I noticed scores of advertising boards erected around the pitch. All these fresh income streams will provide a sustainable future for the football club.

They have a five year plan which includes hoped for progress in the FA Vase and the FA Cup to supplement Midland League success. 

Programme Details

It was a double issue that sensibly covered Droitwich Spa’s two home games over the August Bank Holiday weekend. The 36 page edition sold at £1 which was good value.

A front cover headline of “SALTMEN” referred to the club’s evocative nickname which stems from the fact that salt has been extracted locally in Droitwich Spa since ancient times.

The rest of the programme contained a pleasing blend of match reports, statistics and action photos. An interesting map of the other Midland League Division One teams caught my eye.

It revealed that Droitwich will travel a total of 1,538 miles for their away fixtures during 2022/23 with the furthest trip identified as 62 miles to Haughmond FC in the Shrewsbury area. 

The Match

Droitwich started on the front foot and took the lead through Connor Collins with a close range header on 19 minutes. Then six minutes later, Coventry Copsewood’s Ben Atkins put through his own goal for 2-0.

Droitwich had plenty of chances to extend their advantage before the half-time interval. Copsewood tightened up after that so there was no further scoring.

On a personal note, I was delighted to capture one of the best photographs I have ever taken on my camera phone where a thicket of players from both sides appear to be inadvertently forming a rugby scrum following a corner!

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to @TonyIncenzo*

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 23rd September 2022

Former Manchester United and England defender Wes Brown believes Cristiano Ronaldo will soon vacate Old Trafford’s bench in a bid to further embellish his quite extraordinary career. 

"Ronaldo and Messi are on different levels to the rest and they’re breaking all sorts of records and he will want to carry that on.

"He’s also not the future of this club. So, when I look at it like that, if something happens in January, I’m pretty sure he might go. 

"Until then, I don’t think he’ll disrespect the players by having a sulk and a moan. He’s not that sort of character. He will come off the bench and score goals and give his dues and work hard for the team.

"He’s very respected and looked up to at the club but listen, he will want to play. It’s as simple as that. Ronnie is a different breed."

"I'm told that nothing is advanced with any clubs, nothing has changed around Cristiano Ronaldo, he's 100% focused on #mufc. That is important to clarify." [@FabrizioRomano, United Stand YT]

— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) September 19, 2022

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Brown played alongside the Portuguese megastar for several seasons during an era of supreme dominance that saw the Red Devils win the league most seasons, and if such successes feel a long time ago now, at least there have been grounds for optimism of late, namely in the arrival of Erik Ten Hag. 

From what he’s seen to date, the local lad from Longsight – a two-time Champions League winner no less – has been impressed.

"He definitely has a lot of focus and wants the players to work hard.

"A lot of people were saying United would struggle this season so you have to give Ten Hag an A grade, especially because after the first two games nobody would have thought we’d be where we are, on a nice little run. 

"To lose your first two games would have affected everyone, including the players, so to get them back and focused and winning is a really big achievement."

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A significant factor in United’s dramatic upturn in fortunes has been the impact made by Christian Eriksen, the Dane’s astute use of the ball lending some much-needed reassurance to United’s midfield. Brown is clearly a fan.

"He’s the player United have missed and that’s not hammering Fred or Scott. He’s always on the half-turn and ready to receive the ball.

"He’s different to Bruno (Fernandes) despite many saying they’re similar. Bruno will go for that magician ball, and you want him to do that, but in those deeper positions Eriksen is comfortable with little one-twos and there is more of a flow.

"He knows when to turn and when to pass it first time. We’ve missed that and he’s sort of steadied the ship in that sense.

"Since his incident he has been absolutely excellent for Brentford and that is continuing at United. He’s definitely opened up different areas of play for us."

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Perhaps it’s a coincidence, perhaps not, but another stand-out performer also arrived in the summer with centre-back Lisandro Martinez rising to the challenge so far, despite many highlighting his lack of inches. 

On 232 occasions Brown played in defence for Manchester United, putting his body on the line time and again, so few know better what is required to excel in that role.

In Martinez, he is more than hopeful that the club he still supports have signed a real contender.

"I like Martinez. We’ve missed someone who is really aggressive and plays on the front foot. Yes, he will get beat sometimes in the air – who hasn’t?

"But ultimately, he panics the strikers because he gives them no time. I’ve seen a few strikers turn him, but he can get back as well because he’s quick. 

"He’s always in your face and strikers don’t like that. Every time they have a touch, they know he’s going to be there."

Lisandro Martinez has been criticised because of his height - but does size really matter in football? pic.twitter.com/eQXw15VqNI

— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) September 22, 2022

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With Martinez immediately making his presence felt, and Raphael Varane finally fit and stringing a number of games together, a decent partnership appears to be forming at the back.

Where though does this leave the much-maligned Harry Maguire, who some insist was unfairly made a scapegoat for last season’s poor returns? Does the England international still have a future at Old Trafford?

"100%. He had a difficult season last year, like so many others did. Obviously by being captain he was picked out a lot, but it was the whole team.

"He’ll be able to take that criticism and I’m pretty sure he’s strong-minded. When he gets that next opportunity to start all he can do is his best and not let his head go down.

"Harry Maguire is a good player, but he’s had a lot of stick and at the moment he’s out of favour. But anything could happen, and the team and manager might need him. He needs to be ready when that happens."

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Which might very well be in a Manchester derby, that looms large on the other side of the international break.

It is a fixture that will tell us a good deal more about who Manchester United presently are, and what they might eventually become under the guidance of Ten Hag.

For now though, Brown is under no illusions as to the chasm that lies between these fierce rivals.

"There is still a long way to go to get to that standard and do it week in, week out. I watch City quite a bit and when they don’t play too well, just one attack and they score.

"That’s what a championship-winning team can bring and we did that in my time, scraping a win. City can do that. They can win both ways. 

"United right now are just trying to keep this run going, while working out what works and which players are best suited to the system. They’re still working out the movements being made.

"When you look at Kevin De Bruyne, he knows what Haaland is going to do and what Foden is going to do. When United get to that stage, then it might be a little different.

"City are higher at the moment quite obviously, but that’s the aim. That’s the challenge."

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 22nd September 2022

It would be unfair to name them, but there are plenty of retired players around in possession of numerous Premier League title medals, attained not from being especially talented, but because they just happened to serve a purpose at the time for a very, very decent side.

Good luck to them. Them’s the breaks.

Conversely, there are some extraordinarily gifted stars who never won the English league crown, not through any fault of their own. Not through the fault of anyone really. Again, those are the breaks. 

And if it’s possible to be charitable about the first disparity, it’s harder when acknowledging the latter. Frankly, it just plain sucks.   

Gianfranco Zola

In the most prosaic of descriptions, Zola was one of the best Premier League strikers around but there was infinitely more to the little wizard than that.

For seven thoroughly enjoyable years, the Italian lit up our pitches, with his mazy dribbles and propensity to score goals that made neutrals grin from ear to ear. He was a genius without all the baggage that usually comes with geniuses. 

Alas, the silky Sardinian graced Chelsea and beyond in the era immediately prior to the transformative Roman Abramovich takeover. Indeed, he left in the same week that the money arrived, with all the success that came with it. 

Liverpool on Sunday...

🤯 Gianfranco Zola! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/xP3V3EyBVp

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 17, 2020

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Steven Gerrard 

Famously there was ‘the slip’, a mis-control against Chelsea in 2014 that cost Liverpool so dear as a first Premier League title lay within their grasp. 

Famously too, the player affectionately known as ‘Stevie G’ never got to win the competition, a charge that has been levelled against him ever since as a skewed form of proof that he wasn’t the bee’s knees. 

Only he absolutely was. The marauding midfielder is the only player to ever score a goal in a FA Cup final, a League Cup final, UEFA Cup final and a Champions League final. 

In the latter, he single-handedly hauled his hometown club to one of their greatest triumphs on an unforgettable evening in Istanbul. 

Also, though it matters little compared to his footballing prowess, he did rather well for himself off the pitch too. Gerrard was unquestionably a special talent indeed. He just played for the right side, at the wrong time. 

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Matt Le Tissier

You may, or may not, be familiar with the bizarre tale of Ali Dia, the non-league non-entity who duped Southampton into giving him 50 minutes of top-flight action.

In a neat twist, Dia came on for an injured Le Tissier that day, meaning the finest talent the South Coast club has ever showcased was replaced by its worst.

That Dia and ‘Le God’ have won the same number of trophies makes us question the existence of a deity, ‘le’ or otherwise.

🔝 1️⃣0️⃣

Take a look back at @mattletiss7’s best strikes for #SaintsFC: pic.twitter.com/SeyT6q0ZIN

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) May 19, 2018

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David Ginola 

The French winger positively danced past opponents, his poise – even at full speed – leaving them twisting in the wind. With the ball at his feet meanwhile, he could regularly conjure up magic.

At Newcastle, his footballing devilment coupled with Kevin Keegan’s attacking mandate was a match made in heaven, while at Spurs, Ginola won the PFA and Football Writers' Player of the Year. 

He was untouchable that season. Sadly, so many of his team-mates were not.

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Gareth Bale 

A similar fate befell Bale during six years at Spurs that began slowly before exploding into ridiculous feats of individuality, including a hat-trick at the San Siro that will live long in the memory.

In North London, the Welsh golfing fanatic emerged as a bone fide superstar, capable of upsetting the football odds with a blistering turn of pace and a precise finish.

His was a skill-set rare enough to persuade Real Madrid to part with a then record sum of £85.3m. Alas, surrounded by the likes of Alan Hutton and Wilson Palacios no title was forthcoming.

The streets won't forget Gareth Bale's 2012/13 season 😍#GoalOfTheDay // @SpursOfficial pic.twitter.com/8VtRj8cy9f

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 2, 2021

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FIRST PUBLISHED: 22nd September 2022

Newmarket, Saturday:

The ground up at Newmarket is beautiful and we’re all set for a brilliant day of racing.

It looks a top-class card with the big two-year-old Group Ones as well as the ultra-competitive betting race, the Cambridgeshire Handicap.

The Middle Park Stakes is always a cracker, with the best young sprinters around blazing out of the dip, and I was lucky enough to win it a couple of times with Amadeus Wolf and Astaire.

It looks like a cracker this year and Blackbeard is the obvious favourite, but there’s no shortage of opposition either.

I’ve got just the one ride in the shape of Austrian Theory in the Cambridgeshire, and I’m pleased to see we’ve bagged what looks like a decent draw in stall 21.

A @HamiltonParkRC double for @Johnston_Racing ✌️

Austrian Theory (14-1) toughs it out under Joe Fanning to deny the long-absent Ghaly in the feature handicap over mile. pic.twitter.com/bsIei00CDj

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 28, 2022

All of the last six winners have been drawn in the twenties and two of the last four have come from 21, so hopefully that’s the bit of luck we need in what looks very tough handicap.

He’s had a bit of a break since Glorious Goodwood which will hopefully have freshened him up a bit, and though he’s a big price he’s got pieces of form that would give him a squeak.

I’ll be going in there with an open mind, and being a Johnston horse we’ll keep it straightforward - I’ll just let him get on with it.

There’s sure to be plenty of scrimmaging for position in a big field like this, but the Rowley Mile is a very open track.

I’d imagine we’ll split into two groups and then possibly merge later on in the race, which is when it can get a bit messy, but hopefully we get a good run.

Racing League win, but Levey’s loss

Earlier last week the Racing League came to a close and I was delighted to pick up a bit of extra prize money for being on the winning team.

Saffie [Osborne] had a big part to play in that, so well done to her – she works very hard, and like a lot of these young female riders just needs a bit of a break to get going.

As a concept I think it’s good and it needs to be backed going forward.

The team element makes it very competitive, and it’s offering good prize money and full fields which is something our sport has been suffering from for a long time.

Breaking: @LeveySean is seeking an investigation into his week-long ban from riding after a 'false positive' saliva sample.

Levey says "it's hard not to feel aggrieved" after missing the Racing League finale and a possible £20,000 bonus pic.twitter.com/ARVSvp2N2e

— Sky Sports Racing (@SkySportsRacing) September 21, 2022

On the flipside, Sean Levey missed out on the chance of claiming the Top Jockey prize, and whatever has happened there with the discrepancy of his saliva test is just not good enough.

What happened to Sean could happen to any one of us. Imagine if it’s Ryan Moore ahead of his Group One rides this Saturday, or ahead of the Arc, it can completely ruin things for us.

On the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, it’s looking wide-open with no Baaeed in there, and at this point in time I think Alpinista looks a very solid candidate.

She’s a multiple Grade One winner across Europe and is handled by a master in Sir Mark [Prescott].

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FIRST PUBLISHED: 22nd September 2022

I’ve been lucky enough to witness some fine finishes to horse races in person over the years and eventually they become too numerous to recall, however here are three that have really stood out to me.

Pridwell – Aintree Hurdle (1998)

It was a wet and miserable day on Merseyside by the time the Aintree Hurdle came around.

The first two races had gone to Bellator and Jeffell and this Grade 1 hurdle had all the hallmarks of a “no bet” race due to the rather cramped odds of the mighty Istabraq at 4/7.

However, I and my buddy were of the view that if Istabraq was ever going to get turned over it would be on a day when the weather conditions were atrocious – well they were exactly that so we sided with AP McCoy’s mount Pridwell at 6/1 to cause an upset.

In his autobiography, McCoy states that the ride he gave Pridwell that day was probably the best of his career, and I am inclined to agree.

When the “unbeaten in his last ten races” Istabraq took it up jumping the last flight, the writing appeared to be on the wall, but McCoy galvanised Pridwell to dig deep and he beat the Irish superstar in a head-bob on the line.

Feelings of euphoria like that on a racecourse – especially when you’re collecting, stick with you forever don’t you think?

1998 Aintree Hurdle - Pridwell #pridwell pic.twitter.com/AjMW6kA5XC

— History of Horse Racing (@horsevault) June 28, 2022

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Ballyoptic – Charlie Hall Chase (2019)

There must be something about manky stinking weather I like because the two-day downpour I experienced at Wetherby’s Charlie Hall meeting in 2019 played exactly into my antepost hands when Ballyoptic obliged for me in the mud.

Punted throughout the morning in anticipation of the forecast heavy rain, the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained Ballyoptic was knocked right off the boards,  from being 8/1 the previous evening to 11-4 second-favourite behind La Bague Au Roi.

In the race itself, Ballyoptic’s stamina reserves kicked into turbo in the closing stages as he wore down Top Ville Ben and Aso.

It was yet another fine race to savour in my muddy boots and it also shaped the Cheltenham Races betting odds for the 2019 Gold Cup.

ICYMI: A record sixth win for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies 👀

Ballyoptic wins the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase! #ITVRacing pic.twitter.com/V1PEbWoPLx

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) November 2, 2019

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Gordon Lord Byron – Haydock Sprint Cup (2013)

Now I’ve seen a lot of races at my local racecourse Haydock Park down the decades but Gordon’s victory in the Sprint Cup was pretty special under Johnny Murtagh for trainer Tom Hogan.

After just losing out in the same race in 2012, Gordon returned the following year to romp home convincingly by three lengths at an S.P of 7/2 – a popular result for those like me who had placed their horse race bets online.

Gordon Lord Byron - a much-missed stable star for Tom Hogan who was at his destructive best in the 2013 Sprint Cup at @haydockraces:

🏇 108 races
🥇 16 wins
🏆 G1 Prix de la Foret
🏆 G1 Sprint Cup
🏆 G1 George Ryder Stakes
✅ Over £1.9 million in prize money pic.twitter.com/0IveFF1OMO

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 2, 2020

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 21st September 2022