Expert Steve Mullington gives his daily racing tips, including a NAP, NB and a Longshot. Scroll down now to find out horse racing tips Tuesday 21st June at Newton Abbot, Newbury and Sligo...

---

Today's NAP (Best Bet)

8.00 Newton Abbot - Kauto The King

The Tizzard-trained Kauto The King has really picked up the winning thread again of late and can be taken to make it a first place hat trick on Monday evening.

A fairly comfortable winner here 11 days ago, Kauto The King has been jumping his fences with aplomb in his most recent outings and it would come as a major surprise if he fails to figure in the finish here.

Now rated 128, the seven-year-old will be ridden once again by Brendan Powell Jnr who is no stranger to winning aboard the Jenny Perry and Celia Goaman-owned gelding.

Today's NB (Next Best)

7.10 Newbury – Miramichi

Tom Dascombe’s Miramichi ran too badly to be true last time out at Windsor but I can see him bouncing right back to form here.

A great run at York on May 13th showed the four-year-old was coming to hand and that another victory was probably imminent, but Windsor was a big letdown to say the least.

Dascombe and Kingscote have been a formidable pairing over the years and it would be great to see Dascombe back in the winner’s circle after his recent botherations.

Dangers to our pick include Grand Scheme and Zain Nights.

Today's Longshot

7.50 Sligo – Kartayaz

In a race full of several long time maidens, it’s well worth delving deep into the form to find horses that have actually won a race (or two) under rules.

Hidden away towards the bottom of the handicap is the John McConnell-trained Kartayaz and the five-year-old has won twice in his career, on both occasions at Dundalk.

Jockey Cillian McConnell takes a further 7lbs off his 9st 1lb weight allocation and he could well be an each-way longshot for you punters betting on horse races online. At the time of writing he’s a 25/1 chance.

---

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

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 19th June 2022

• Between them, Paul Scholes and Andrea Pirlo won the Champions League four times
• Each were influential in teams that won their respective leagues multiple times
• Both were midfield geniuses but who was better? 

---

Paul Scholes was unquestionably one of the best Premier League midfielders of all time, making one shy of 500 appearances for Manchester United across an era that saw the Reds dominate the English footballing landscape. 

Blessed with outstanding technical ability, he initially excelled in advanced roles before converting into a box-to-box specialist of high repute, a valuable fixture of a famed United midfield that also contained Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham.

In later years, the Salford Schemer was deployed in a deeper ‘quarterback’ role, a position that got the most out of his extraordinary passing range. 

Andrea Pirlo also began his trophy-laden career as an attacking midfielder, even occasionally pushed up as a second striker, but a notable lack of pace – a shortcoming shared by both players – inevitably resulted in the baller from Brescia dropping into a deeper-lying role, play-making ahead of Serie A defences.

There he accrued the nickname of l’architetto (‘the architect’) for his ability to build attacks, typically from a wand of a foot that could find team-mates in space. Pirlo’s metronomic passing later gained him a second moniker, quite simply he was ‘Mozart’. 

Both were sublime practitioners of their craft. Both became benchmarks for other midfielders to aspire to. But who was ever-so-slightly better?

Achievements

Unsurprisingly, given their rare gifts and the calibre of clubs they played for, both players amassed considerable silverware over careers that when combined adds up to 42 years at the top.

That’s another factor that sets this remarkable pair apart: their longevity.

Breaking into the Manchester United set-up at the start of two decades of supremacy under Sir Alex Ferguson, local lad Scholes won 11 Premier League titles at Old Trafford, along with a handful of domestic cup competitions.

In 1999 and 2008, he was a Champions League winner though he was suspended for the final of the former. 

Pirlo was also a regular league winner, accumulating six Scudettos, split between his seasons at AC Milan and Juventus, in addition to other domestic trophies. He too raised the Champions League on a couple of occasions, both times with the Rossoneri.

🇮🇹 The 'Professor' Andrea Pirlo = football genius 😎 #UCL | @Pirlo_official pic.twitter.com/rUzLvaPKYr

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 1, 2020

If their club trophy hauls put Scholes marginally ahead, the pendulum swings to Pirlo when we consider the international stage although caveats are necessary.

Famously, Scholes was criminally under-used and under-appreciated by a succession of England managers, as they obsessed over making a Steven Gerrard/Frank Lampard midfield combination work.

Subsequently, the Three Lions never got the best out of their best player.

By contrast, Italy treasured Pirlo, recognising him as the maestro he was, with coaches building their teams around their creative gemstone. In 2006, the Azzurri won the World Cup with Pirlo influential throughout. 

Incidentally, the bulk of the Italian’s league winners’ medals derive from his four years in Turin, following a crazy transfer that saw him leave Milan on a free.

Juventus are currently long-priced in the Serie A odds for next term and what they wouldn’t give for a similar coup this summer to help them turn the tide. 

Personal Accolades

While their clubs hoovered up trophies in England and on the peninsula, these two generational talents were busy breaking records and picking up individual merits, though perhaps not as many as you may think, a consequence of their unselfish playing styles.

Still, Pirlo was named Serie A Footballer of the Year for three seasons running between 2012 and 2014 and was short-listed for a Ballon d’Or a trio of times too.

As for records, no other player has scored more free-kicks in the Italian top-flight, not ever, a trait that would have made him a prominent feature in our 888 soccer prediction page back in the day. 

Scholes was also widely acclaimed though it’s interesting to note that most of his accolades came at the tail-end of his long service.

In 2002, the Ginger Prince was included in a Premier League Team of the Decade, surrounded by a ludicrous array of legends. This year he was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame. 

Testimonials

If official garlands strangely eluded Scholes until he entered his thirties, the same cannot be said of peer recognition, with a glittering cast of admirers lining up to sing his praises. 

“My toughest opponent? Scholes of Manchester. He is the complete midfielder.”

Those were the learned thoughts of Zinedine Zidane, who according to the latest online betting odds is almost certain to imminently take charge at PSG. The Gallic giant went on to describe the England international as the ‘greatest of his generation’.

Pirlo meanwhile can call on a pantheon of footballing legends for glowing references, including Johan Cruyff who once accredited the midfielder as a ‘genius’.

A favourite quote however is from Carlo Ancelotti who insisted his Milan charge could, ‘spot passes in a split-second that lesser players could spend a whole lifetime waiting to see’. 

What is particularly heartening is that both players seem to have formed a mutual appreciation society in recent times. Scholes has said of Pirlo that he is, “a cool customer who does things in his own time. He could run a midfield with a glass of red wine in one hand.”

The Italian maestro by way of returning the compliment has said the following: “I have played with so many incredible players throughout my career, but if I could pick one that I never got the chance to play with, it would be Paul Scholes. He was one of the all-time greats. A genius on the field”

Memorable Moments

Pirlo’s World Cup success with his country obviously stands out. At the time he was very clearly the best of his ilk in the world and it showed in every game.

His clever assist for Fabio Grosso in a semi-final victory over Germany lives long in the memory. Elsewhere, a YouTube session concentrating on his finest free-kicks and goal-involvements is an hour well spent.

A 40-yard screamer into the top corner against Parma is compulsory viewing, especially as it shows team-mate Ronaldinho shocked at its audacity. 

Scholes too was no stranger to spectacular efforts with a long-range volley at Villa Park in 2012 defying physics and belief.

A sweet strike at Barcelona’s expense in a Champions League semi-final is proof enough that he could perform magic on the biggest occasions when needed. 

Scholes vs Pirlo - Verdict

Our Premier League predictions have Manchester United chasing a top four spot in 2022/23. Put Scholes in his prime into their midfield however and they would be tipped for the title.

That’s how impactful the 5ft 6 magician was with a ball at his feet yet still he pales slightly to Pirlo, a player who can lay claim to being the very best of his type in the modern age. 

The Italian’s World Cup winning medal is also a consideration and perhaps ultimately it comes down to something that sounds a bit silly but really isn’t.

For much of his imperious career, Scholes was nicknamed by some as the ‘Ginger Pirlo’. The Italian however, was always incomparable.

---

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

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 19th June 2022

Expert Steve Mullington gives his daily racing tips, including a NAP, NB and a Longshot. Scroll down now to find out horse racing tips Monday 20th June at Southwell, Chepstow and Windsor...

---

Today's NAP (Best Bet)

1.50 Southwell – Captain Ivan

The Laura Morgan stable has hit a little purple patch of form in the last couple of weeks and their Captain Ivan looks fit and well to do himself justice here.

A bout of seconditus has dogged the eight-year-old on his last three runs but he’s running well and hopefully he won’t run into a better horse today.

Jockey Adam Wedge has ridden him twice around Southwell already and should have all the tactical nouse to get a win out of him on this occasion.

Take both Zoffalee and Salley Gardens to complete the podium positions.

Today's NB (Next Best)

7.05 Windsor – King Of The Kippax

The Middleham Park-owned King Of The Kippax has certainly been knocking on the door of late and he was unfortunate not to win here last time out when sent off the 8/13 favourite.

Connections will be hoping he can finally shake off his maiden tag on Monday evening and the field has certainly cut up since the original list of entries was published, giving the youngster an enhanced chance of scoring.

Let’s Fly Again and A La Francaise look the most obvious dangers to our selection, but King Of The Kippax looks a place certainty to include in your horse racing online bets.

Today's Longshot

2.45 Chepstow – Wiff Waff

Wiff Waff is yet to finish any better than fifth position in his three previous visits to this Welsh racecourse but he wasn’t beaten by many lengths in any of those races and can figure in the finish here.

A four-time winner on the turf, Adrian Wintle’s seven-year-old has enjoyed successes on both the grass and the all-weather and will be right at home in this Class 6 affair.

If we can get a double-figure price on Monday morning then Wiff Waff is certainly worth an each-way play.

Danger: Jackmeister Rudi

---

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

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 18th June 2022

Expert Steve Mullington gives his daily racing tips, including a NAP, NB and a Longshot. Scroll down now to find out horse racing tips Sunday 19th June at Chantilly and Pontefract...

---

Today's NAP (Best Bet)

3.00 Chantilly – Nashwa

Oaks third Nashwa heads over the English Channel on Sunday for another attempt at Classic glory in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly.

After victories at Haydock and Newbury earlier in the season, the John and Thady Gosden-trained filly loomed up dangerously at Epsom under Hollie Doyle but just faded out of it in the dying embers behind Tuesday and Emily Upjohn.

Sunday’s French Oaks is an altogether different scenario in terms of the track and the depth of the race, and I have a feeling Nashwa will be far superior to many of these.

Of the home challengers, Andre Fabre’s Prix Marcel Boussac scorer Zellie looks interesting now she has been stepped up to 1m 2½f.

Today's NB (Next Best)

5.15 Pontefract – The Rutland Rebel

The Micky Hammond-trained The Rutland Rebel ran in two of Pontefract’s Stayers Championship races last season and acquitted himself very well, finishing runner-up in both of them.

He returned earlier this month to take part in the series again and ran valiantly to finish third behind Overhaugh Street and looks sure to go well again under Billy Garritty.

Overhaugh Street reopposes again on Sunday and it would come as no surprise to see the pair of them finish one-two up the Pontefract hill.

Today's Longshot

6.45 Pontefract – Golden Apollo

A maximum sprint field of 17 go to post in this six furlong handicap and I am going to take a chance with a previous course and distance winner in Golden Apollo.

The Tim Easterby-trained eight-year-old captured the Mr Wolf Handicap back here in 2017 and last summer was only just touched off by Corinthia Knight in the Class 2 Richard III Handicap.

Today’s contest is a Class 3 affair, and racing off just 8st 7lb with James Sullivan aboard, he simply cannot be ignored as an each-way candidate in your horse racing online bets.

Dangers: Corinthia Knight and Music Society.

---

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

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 18th June 2022

Football expert @SamRCox_ tackles the Jose Mourinho vs Arsene Wenger debate but who comes out on top?

---

• Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger are two of the greatest managers of the 21st century

• Contrasting personalities and coaches, the pair were fierce rivals for prolonged period

• We’ve pitted Arsene Wenger vs Jose Mourinho below – but who gets our vote?

---

Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger were natural rivals. Mourinho arrived in the Premier League ready to upset the established order, making Wenger a clear target for the Portuguese provocateur.

Their footballing ideals were/are galaxies apart – the ultra-pragmatism of Mourinho a clear contrast with the philosophical Wenger.

This was all conducted in the already fearsome arena of a London rivalry between Chelsea and Arsenal. Mourinho was an instant success in England, as Wenger had been years before.

It took the Frenchman 14 attempts to secure a win against his Portuguese foe, and he finished with just 0.68 points per match when duelling with Mourinho.

For context, that figure was 1.18 when facing Alex Ferguson, 1.27 versus Mauricio Pochettino and 0.86 against Pep Guardiola.

The story of Jose Mourinho vs Arsene Wenger goes far deeper than title races and touchline confrontations, though. Both endured spells where they were in the discussion to be the next Premier League manager to leave.

Of course, it is a debate that has become reality for Mourinho on multiple occasions, departing Chelsea (twice), Manchester United and Tottenham in acrimonious circumstances.

The Rivalry

Chelsea were on the charge when they hired Mourinho in 2003. Money was being spent at an unprecedented rate, and Roman Abramovich had set his sights on breaking up the Arsenal and Manchester United duopoly.

Wenger had already done his best work when Mourinho arrived, winning doubles, overseeing an Invincible season, and forging a rivalry with Ferguson.

Mourinho was a genius in the biggest matches, an area late-career Wenger often struggled in.

When you think of the most heated rivalry in Premier League history, which fixture comes to mind and why? #TheEyeTest pic.twitter.com/i1NzLOXEVe

— 888sport (@888sport) April 19, 2022

Mourinho’s record against Wenger was the most extreme example of this, and he took great joy in firing shots at the Arsenal manager, with ‘specialist in failure’ becoming the most famous of his countless barbs.

The most devastating moment in their direct contests was Mourinho’s Chelsea hammering Wenger’s Arsenal 6-0 in his 1000th match.

The tension continued into Mourinho’s spell at Old Trafford, though it was lacking the intensity of his days at Stamford Bridge. The stakes were lower, with both sides far from favourites for the title in online betting.

For all the drama of Mourinho versus Wenger and its soap-opera-style coverage on the touchline, it would be an oversight to reduce this rivalry to the matches against each other.

Respective Successes

Wenger has three league titles and seven FA Cups. Where Mourinho’s career could be compared to a world tour, Wenger opted for a more settled existence.

As a result, a direct comparison of trophies only tells a portion of the Mourinho vs Wenger tale.

Mourinho’s eight league titles, two Champions Leagues and two UEFA Cup/Europa League wins are both a mark of his relentless winning during his prime and a reflection of a short-term manager.

The contrast in trophy haul is partly a choice. It’s also a clear representation of their personalities. The consistent, calm Wenger kept things ticking over in north London through the loss of key players and a costly stadium move.

Mourinho is a fierier character, a manager addicted to winning, which brought some sensational highs and equally brutal lows.

As of June 2022, Wenger has managed over 600 matches more than Mourinho.

The latter is still only 59 and will close that gap over the years, but even after a Conference League triumph with Roma, there are murmurs that he could be on the move again.

Wenger’s longevity is a feat in itself. There was plenty of deserved criticism at the time, yet how he kept the Gunners in the top four was impressive.

Mourinho is notoriously impatient, chasing silverware and rarely willing to wait on players to develop. Wenger was patient to a fault, often placing too much faith in players and not always possessing that same insatiable drive for silverware.

In a shootout on medals accumulated, Mourinho’s career is hard to match. He is miles ahead of Wenger, though the Frenchman achieved consistency and stability at Arsenal in a way that Mourinho has never managed.

Where Mourinho’s legacy is cemented in the record books, Wenger’s is less quantifiable.

A nod should be given to Wenger’s French title with Monaco. If we want to delve deeper into individual accolades, Wenger has almost five times as many Premier League Manager of the Month awards.

He also won the Onze d’Or Coach of the Year in four of five years at the start of the century. Fittingly, it was Mourinho who ended that run with his lone win coming in 2005.

Back in the sphere of Premier League predictions, they are tied on three Manager of the Season awards apiece, though Mourinho also won the equivalent award twice in Spain and twice in Italy.

Mourinho vs Wenger - Verdict

Wenger achieved things at Arsenal that Mourinho has not and arguably could not. Mourinho took Europe by storm with Porto, made Chelsea one of the most successful clubs in England, and made history with Inter and Real Madrid.

Both endured decline. Wenger’s teams became almost a parody of themselves, yet he collected FA Cups through his final seasons.

Mourinho’s prickly nature has often slipped from motivating to problematic. Their respective, and vastly different, styles of play have seemed outdated at times.

Still, Mourinho has also found ways to win trophies, lifting a third league title at Chelsea, the Europa League with Manchester United and guiding Roma to their first piece of continental silverware.

There is considerable subjectivity to a discussion of this ilk. It ultimately comes down to taste in personality, style of play and what an individual values most from a manager when there is so little to choose between them.

Both are unquestionably in the top five greatest Premier League managers ever.

Perhaps Wenger’s 1,235 matches in charge of Arsenal give him the edge in that category, but Mourinho’s glories around Europe will probably be enough to put him ahead of Wenger in the all-time rankings when he finally calls it a day.

---