Expert Steve Mullington gives his daily racing tips, including a NAP, NB and a Longshot. Scroll down now to find out horse racing tips Thursday 9th June at Haydock and Newbury...
Today's NAP (Best Bet)
3.10 Newbury – Elegant Verse
The price may not be overly attractive to some punters but the Gosden’s have found a great little opportunity for their three-year-old to score in this Listed Abingdon Stakes over 1m 4f.
Elegant Verse, who is by Galileo and out of Special Duty, is an exciting Juddmonte filly and it would be an absolute dream if she could follow in the footsteps of their former high achieving filly/mare Enable.
On paper, the main danger to our 888sport NAP appears to be from the Haggas-trained filly Golden Lyra and I would be pretty confident the pair of them will finish one-two in this Thursday afternoon feature.
Today's NB (Next Best)
5.25 Haydock – Dark Desire
Betting on two-year-old unraced fillies is a dangerous pastime to say the least – some would say foolsome, but sometimes you just have an inclination that one will be primed and ready to go on their first public outing, and that horse in Dark Desire.
Trained by Karl Burke and to be ridden by Andrea Atzeni, Dark Desire is owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum for whom Atzeni has ridden alot of winners for down the years.
This triumvirate of trainer, jockey and owner always do well with their runners together, and Haydock tends to be a happy hunting ground for all three of them.
Alternatives to the pick are Coral Reef for Watson/Doyle and Transfer Affection for the Kevin Ryan stable.
Today's Longshot
5.55 Haydock – Not On Your Nellie
The ever smiling Faye McManoman has a great working relationship with trainer Nigel Tinkler and she is no stranger to Haydock’s winner’s enclosure either, boasting a 21.43% strike rate at the Lancashire racecourse.
Not On Your Nellie has certainly been knocking on the door of late and last season she was just touched off here by Dapper Man in an apprentice handicap.
All the signs are there that she will run another big race here under Faye’s 3lb claim and she is a confident each-way selection for those of you placing your Thursday horse racing online bets.
Danger: Good Luck Fox
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
Steven is a sports and horse racing enthusiast and is a member of the Horseracing Writers and Photographers Association (HWPA) in the United Kingdom.
He is a regular visitor to Paris Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and a lifelong fan of the Aintree Grand National, a subject he writes about 52 weeks of the year. Last year he reached the impressive milestone of attending the last 30 renewals of the Grand National.
Steven graduated from the University Of Lancaster in 1996 with a B.A (Hons) in Urban Policy & Race Relations (major) with Contemporary Religions & Belief Systems (minor) and still wonders if any of these help him find the winners?
He writes for a number of websites and online publications and you can sometimes hear him at the weekend discussing racing on a number of local radio stations.
Gareth Bale vs Ryan Giggs is a popular debate surrounding two of the best left-sided players in Premier League history
The two compatriots have an array of medals between them
Read below for our Gareth Bale vs Ryan Giggs comparison
Gareth Bale and Ryan Giggs are two of the best Premier League midfielders of all time. Both are winners of PFA Player of the Year, both have lifted numerous trophies, both were long carrying the hope of Wales.
They spent their peaks playing similar positions, albeit in different eras. The comparison of Gareth Bale vs Ryan Giggs is an inevitable one, and the conclusion a fan reaches could be seen as an indicator of their footballing philosophy.
Their career paths are contrasting, as are some of their strengths. For all the betting success each has enjoyed, even the manner of those glories reflects the diversity with which footballers can contribute to team achievements.
Giggs and Bale were scintillating at their best. Their career highlight packages contain moments of majesty both from a technical and athletic perspective.
They have represented arguably the two biggest clubs in the world, lifting Champions Leagues and often been at the centre of debate comparing them to many of their peers.
Whether it was choosing between Giggs and Robert Pires, or pitting Bale against Eden Hazard and Neymar, both were in the spotlight throughout their senior careers.
Peak Performance
There is no question that Bale has the edge when it comes to peak performance.
Bale was among the top five players in the world during his final season or so with Tottenham, and his talismanic efforts for Wales can only be rivalled by a handful of players on the international stage.
The decision to depart Premier League odds for the glamour and prestige of Real Madrid shaped Bale’s career, perhaps robbing fans of an extended spell of prime years.
Injuries took their hold, of course, but Bale was always going to be a different player alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
He was a complementary piece on those Europe-conquering Real Madrid teams, even if he was every bit as important to Los Blancos in the biggest games.
Giggs’ career was always that of excelling in his role rather than taking centre stage as Bale did for Tottenham and does for Wales.
He had his own stint next to Ronaldo. There was Eric Cantona, Andy Cole, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov.
Even in the midfield hierarchy, Giggs was often overshadowed by the box-to-box exploits of early-career Paul Scholes or the set piece mastery of David Beckham.
While a player has to be an impressive individual talent to make the PFA Team of the Year on six occasions, Giggs was not the same irresistible force as peak Bale.
Some of this can be attributed to being in a more traditional winger role, focused an attacking down the outside rather being given the freedom to drift centrally.
He was always on the left too, where Bale spent much of his career nominally on the right to enhance his threat when cutting inside.
Giggs was a long distance from Bale as a goal threat – the former Manchester United man had just five seasons with double-digit goals in all competitions, three of were before 1996-97. Bale has nine such campaigns.
Longevity
Giggs checks the longevity box. He featured in Premier League predictions for over two decades, ultimately ranking second all-time in appearances behind Gareth Barry.
He finished his career with over 670 league appearances, while Bale is still a distance shy of 400 amid rumours he could retire after Wales’ World Cup venture in Qatar.
Not only did Giggs extend his career to span three decades, but he was extraordinarily durable on a week-to-week basis.
From his first season in 1991-92, he clocked 37 or more matches each season until 2009-10. His first and final campaigns were the only ones where he registered fewer than 32 total appearances.
Injuries have been a part of Bale’s story.
For the three Champions League final goals and his torching of Marc Bartra in 2014, fitness issues have plagued Bale since leaving Tottenham, and have contributed to him falling out of favour at the Santiago Bernabeu.
He made just 58 appearances in all competitions across 2015-16 and 2016-17.
The following season, 2017-18, saw the Welshman score 21 times, including a stunning bicycle kick in the Champions League final, yet he still made fewer than 40 appearances.
Playing Legacy
A glance at Giggs net worth and a reminder of his mammoth medal collection makes it clear he will be happy with his playing days. Still, a footballing legacy is obviously far beyond honours and riches.
Judging purely on their on-field achievements, Bale’s impact on the game will be remembered far beyond Giggs.
The record books will always reflect Giggs’ endurance at the top of the sport, and the way he adapted his game deserves some credit.
But Bale delivered for Real Madrid when it mattered most, and the stark contrast in their attitude and influence for Wales should never be downplayed.
Giggs missed 18 consecutive friendlies for Wales – he was willing to pull out of international matches to prioritise his club career and made no secret of it.
Bale has been the inspiration for a generation of Welsh players and fans, leading his country to the last four of the 2016 Euros and a knockout appearance at the continental tournament five years later.
In June 2022, it was Bale’s free kick that led to Wales qualifying for their first World Cup since 1958.
Playing for The Dragons always seemed an inconvenience for Giggs – he retired with just 64 caps as a result. Bale is already into three figures.
There has to be a substantial bias towards medal hauls to pick Giggs’ career over Bale’s. He will play for longer, and has 10 more league titles, yet Bale is a national hero, and a five-time European champion with Real Madrid.
Bale has shone as an individual with Tottenham, Wales and occasionally Real. He has the individual accolades to reflect his talent, but he’s also enjoyed the benefit of playing, and starring, on some special teams.
It might not be quite the career he dreamt of when he became the most expensive player in the world, yet it is still one that few can rival.
Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.
He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.
Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.
Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.
The Liverpool defender also notched a second-place finish in Ballon d’Or voting, making him the highest-placed defender since Fabio Cannavaro won the award back in 2006.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have achieved unprecedented things, and van Dijk has followed that trajectory on a personal level, too. With Liverpool among the sports betting contenders for domestic and European glory in recent years, van Dijk’s stock has soared.
The transfer fee when he arrived from Southampton was met with widespread derision.
Since then, van Dijk has become the best central defender on the planet, and pushed his way into consideration as one of the greatest Premier League centre backs ever.
John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell, Nemanja Vidic, Tony Adams and Vincent Kompany are generally considered as the six top centre-backs in Premier League history. Van Dijk has already cemented himself in that group.
We’re pitting van Dijk against that sextet – here’s how he compares.
Strengths Compared to PL Greats
Van Dijk requires different strengths to most of the others due to Liverpool’s possession dominance and high line. While his pace and ability to defend when running towards his own goal is invaluable, those situations are crisis management.
The main reason Liverpool defenders are a must in any team selection is van Dijk’s positioning.
Even when outnumbered, he always places himself in the perfect spot to either slow down the attack or force his opponent into a decision. Of course, the physical attributes enhance the impact of that positioning.
The tactical evolution of the Premier League means we didn’t see Ferdinand or Campbell in systems quite like this. Both had the mobility to play in a defence like Klopp’s, which couldn’t be said for Adams, Terry, or to a lesser extent, Vidic.
Vincent Kompany in his pomp might be the closest to van Dijk in peak performance and style of play.
The Belgian’s injury woes derailed a career which looked set to take him to the top of the pile for Premier League era centre-backs, however.
Other than an unfortunate cruciate ligament injury, van Dijk has been remarkably durable at Liverpool. The coming seasons will reveal how his body holds up with 40+ matches per season into his thirties.
More is asked of defenders in possession than ever before. Ferdinand was a ballplayer for his time, and his game would have slotted into Liverpool or Manchester City in the 2020s.
Terry’s passing ability was underrated. Adams was more limited, as was Vidic.
Van Dijk is the best of the lot, however, combining vision and technique to pick out opponents from the back with the confidence and skill to drive forward with the ball and commit opponents.
Where some from previous decades would look all at sea in the modern game, van Dijk would be able to adapt to a deeper defence. He’s even got the added bonus of being a threat from set pieces.
Liverpool aren’t the richest club in the world - they took a real gamble on van Dijk. It has proved to be a bargain, and one of the best signings of the last decade given how the team has evolved since his arrival.
Weaknesses Compared to PL Greats
Perhaps the biggest compliment one can pay van Dijk is how hard it is to identify a weakness. Where mobility, ball-playing or error proneness can be picked for fellow Premier League era greats, van Dijk has a complete game.
Van Dijk generally does a good job of defending in space, and his reputation alone often deters ball carriers from taking him on.
Stats have been flung around about van Dijk not being dribbled past, but this could be his lone weakness at his peak.
Given his sheer size, quick-footed attackers can occasionally cause him some problems when they’ve got space in behind to attack.
Compared to others, though, this is hardly an issue. Terry was all at sea when asked to defend as high as van Dijk does. Adams would have struggled. Vidic benefited from Ferdinand’s pace alongside him.
Most towering central defenders can feel uncomfortable when left isolated against a nimbler opponent. Van Dijk isn’t often in that situation, and he generally comes out of it pretty well.
A large part of what makes van Dijk great is how complete his game is. He’s superb on the ball, far ahead of most of the other six we’re comparing with here.
He’s quicker than Adams, Vidic and Terry. There is no obvious hole in his game, which isn’t the case for most of the others.
Van Dijk Legacy
With just one Premier League title so far, van Dijk is outdone by Ferdinand, Campbell, Vidic, Kompany, Terry and Adams.
There is the opportunity for van Dijk and Liverpool to lift the trophy multiple times in the coming seasons, but few will be picking them in Premier League predictions over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City juggernaut.
There is a fair question of how much team success should matter when comparing players.
Then again, would Jamie Carragher be elevated into this conversation if Liverpool had won a couple of titles during his career? How would Terry or Ferdinand’s careers be viewed if they were on less competitive teams?
Separating individual performance from team results is an ever-present challenge in football. In this case, there’s also the added layer of Manchester City’s brilliance.
Van Dijk and Liverpool have been good enough to win at least three titles at most other points in Premier League history – how can we hold City’s winning machine against his legacy?
Ultimately, Virgil van Dijk at his best is as good as any defender in the Premier League era. He is yet to match the longevity of Ferdinand or Terry, though he should have three or four peak seasons remaining.
His game is without obvious weaknesses, and his immediate impact on Liverpool’s defence upon signing cannot be overstated.
If you were drafting a team of Premier League players at their respective peaks to win one fixture or dominate for a season, there’s a good chance van Dijk would be the first central defender off the board.
Sam is a sports tipster, specialising in the Premier League and Champions League.
He covers most sports, including cricket and Formula One. Sam particularly enjoys those on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean – notably MLB and NBA.
Watching, writing and talking about sports betting takes up most of his time, whether that is for a day out at T20 Finals Day or a long night of basketball.
Having been writing for several years, Sam has been working with 888Sport since 2016, contributing multiple articles per week to the blog.
Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson has heavily criticised UEFA and the French police after Reds supporters endured chaos and ill-treatment ahead of their Champions League final in Paris at the weekend.
“They don’t like us, that’s the bottom line and it was just a case of them thinking, ‘some of these are animals so let’s treat them like animals’. The way supporters were herded in through two turnstiles.
"What is that all about? They know there is twenty thousand people coming in and they also know that fans are there two or three hours before the game these days having food and drink and soaking up the great atmosphere.
"And they’ve just gone, ‘you know what, this is Liverpool, there is always a problem’. In fact, they were a bigger problem than any Liverpool supporter.
"Something should be done about it, but I don’t think anyone is expecting that, which is ridiculous because I saw one interview with a dad and his lad who had special needs, and they got pepper-sprayed. What on earth? And then there were people – obviously locals – climbing over the fence to get in. Bonkers.”
A five-time league winner during his playing days, as well as lifting the European Cup in 1984, ‘Lawro’ then turned his hand to broadcasting, becoming one of the most well-known and respected pundits around until he announced this month that he is hanging up his opinions after 25 years of service.
Who better to ask therefore, for old time’s sake, how this current, phenomenal Liverpool collective compares with the celebrated red sides from the past?
“They’re up there. Yes, they didn’t win the Champions League and yes, they lost out to City in the league, but I think I’m right in saying they are the only team ever to play every single game that is possible.
"They played 60-odd games this season and even if they have a big squad, towards the end of the season one or two of them were getting a bit leggy. But they’ve been brilliant.”
If that is a ringing endorsement of the standards presently being set at Anfield it should be noted that Lawro rightfully insists that several from his generation would walk into today’s side.
When it comes to the manager however, he reserves nothing but the highest accolade.
“Klopp is up there with Shanks. He is definitely up there with Shanks. This German guy has walked in and from day one he’s got it; he’s got the whole Liverpool thing.
"And it’s not just about having great teams and winning loads of trophies. It’s about Hillsborough. It’s about Heysel. It’s why so many people have Liverpool as their second team, it’s because they’ve seen what Liverpool have been through.
"When I signed in the early-Eighties, the Government cast the place aside. And he’s got that.
"He also has the complete respect of all of his players. He has a laugh and joke with them and puts his arm around them. But when he needs to be strong with them, he is.
"His recruitment has also been absolutely brilliant. I’ve never seen anything like it. I mean, this is the best squad that Liverpool have ever had. There is no doubt about that. It’s easily the best.”
With world-class players competing for every position it’s hard to disagree, yet there is a very real danger the squad may diminish in stature in months to come with Sadio Mane publicly declaring he intends to leave this summer and with Mo Salah’s contract impasse ongoing.
Concerning the latter, Lawrenson believes his former club are stuck between a rock and a very expensive hard place.
“It all comes down to how much money Mo wants. Because you can’t be thinking of just one player but all of them. And if you suddenly say to Mo, here’s whatever it is you want per week, then Klopp’s office door will be hanging off its hinges.
"Van Dijk will be in, saying I want more money, and understandably so because he’s brilliant. The goalkeeper will be the same. They have to prioritise running the football club.
"It's an interesting one because Mo has said he will be staying for next season and that sounds like he’s not going to sign another contract. The real issue began when City signed Jack Grealish for £100m and everybody knows his wages.
"Mo’s agent probably then thought, well if Grealish is going there for £100m then my boy – who is a much better player and scores tons of goals – should at the very least be on what Grealish is.”
All of which leaves a very pertinent question: Can Liverpool afford to let the Egyptian hot-shot go at any price?
“Salah is absolutely and totally up there with the best. He plays on the right, and he’s left footed, and he scores goals for fun. I can’t remember Liverpool ever having a player like that before. It’s almost a guarantee of goals if you have Mo.”
Salah’s 23 strikes in the top-flight last term contributed to yet another outstanding league campaign for Liverpool, ultimately missing out on a Premier League title by a single point to Manchester City.
It’s a duopoly that is seemingly set in stone, with the awesome duo miles ahead of the rest and Lawrenson dismisses the possibility of any side directly competing with them in the near future.
He does however suspect Tottenham may come closer than the others.
“You can just tell that Conte is a proper manager. He has said some strange things along the way, but he is really bright and says things for a reason, goading his players to get a reaction.
"He’s also made one or two great signings and he’s got two of the best strikers in the world. If he can sort them out defensively, they can be the best of the rest; better than Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester United.”
The latter of course entertain a new manager this summer in the form of Eric Ten Hag and with many big names expected to leave, a significant rebuild awaits at Old Trafford.
Even so, Lawrenson insists that the Dutchman’s first order of business won’t involve new transfers.
“The first thing that Ten Hag will do is make United super-fit. They are not super fit right now and when you watch them play, they fade away. So that will be a priority.
"Just look at Liverpool and City, who are the yardstick. They work their socks off and if a player doesn’t, he doesn’t get into the team.
"Giving a minimum of 100% will change how they play but he also has to wheel and deal if he wants them to challenge for the top four next season. The title is beyond them though.”
Straight talking and always good value for an interesting take. We will miss Lawro a lot.
Expert Steve Mullington gives his daily racing tips, including a NAP, NB and a Longshot. Scroll down now to find out horse racing tips Wednesday 8th June at Hamilton, Fontwell & Wexford...
Today's NAP (Best Bet)
8.20 Hamilton – Chookie Dunedin
The Keith Dalgleish-trained Chookie Dunedin is in the form of his life at the moment and is well fancied to take this 6f handicap at Hamilton.
Already boasting 13 victories from his 78 career starts thus far, the gutsy seven-year-old was last seen giving a 13-strong field a series beating over seven furlongs at Ayr.
Regular jockey Ryan Sexton takes another 5lb off his back which makes him one of the most attractive horse race bets online on Wednesday.
Of the others, the only conceivable danger appears to be from Jordan Electrics who is a course and distance winner.
Today's NB (Next Best)
1.35 Fontwell – Our Three Sons
He may be at the veteran stage now but Our Three Sons is enjoying a little purple patch of form in this sort of grade and can pick up top honours here.
Trained by Charlotte Fuller and ridden by Page, the eleven-year-old had a productive month in May, winning at Plumpton then running another blinder at Southwell the time after.
Rated 97, Our Three Sons has the standout form in this field of just seven runners, and it would come as a surprise if he doesn’t dominate proceedings.
Those of you looking for a forecast banker should perhaps consider Age Of Wisdom for the Moore’s.
Today's Longshot
4.55 Wexford – Trans Wood
It was June 2018 when Trans Wood tasted his last and sole success at Listowel, but the ten-year-old definitely has an outside squeak in this 2m 4f handicap chase.
Racing off just 10st 10lbs when you include Philip Donovan’s claim, the veteran could well capitalise on his last run at Limerick where he was fairly prominent for most of the race.
He looks certain to be overlooked by many punters down there at the bottom of the handicap, and should be trading around the 16/1 to 20/1 mark come the off. I make him an each-way dark horse for sure.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
Steven is a sports and horse racing enthusiast and is a member of the Horseracing Writers and Photographers Association (HWPA) in the United Kingdom.
He is a regular visitor to Paris Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and a lifelong fan of the Aintree Grand National, a subject he writes about 52 weeks of the year. Last year he reached the impressive milestone of attending the last 30 renewals of the Grand National.
Steven graduated from the University Of Lancaster in 1996 with a B.A (Hons) in Urban Policy & Race Relations (major) with Contemporary Religions & Belief Systems (minor) and still wonders if any of these help him find the winners?
He writes for a number of websites and online publications and you can sometimes hear him at the weekend discussing racing on a number of local radio stations.
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 7th June at Wetherby...
Today's NAP (Best Bet)
7.35 Wetherby – My Little Queens
The Richard Fahey Ebor Racing Club appear to have a found a great little opener for their filly here at Wetherby on Tuesday evening.
The four-year-old grey was a three time winner last season and has really taken to racing over this 1m 2f distance.
She looks sure to go well again under jockey Oisin Orr in what isn’t a particularly deep race.
Vindobala and Saulire Star are probably her main dangers on paper but the pair of them have become very expensive to follow for punters.
Today's NB (Next Best)
8.40 Wetherby – Calvinist
It was interesting to see Calvinist entered for the Stayers Series at Pontefract on Monday night but his trainer Kevin Frost opting for this race instead.
Calvinist has run 13 times on the Flat and won two races and comes here off the back of a hurdles run 29 days ago.
He’s clearly useful under both codes on his day and can reward his each-way supporters here with another solid effort with Callum Hutchinson doing the steering.
Of the others, Infiniti is worth keeping a cautionary eye upon after she rocked up at odds of 40/1 at Market Rasen in early May and is clearly in good heart.
Today's Longshot
6.25 Wetherby – Acoustic
Even though Richard Fahey’s runner has three duck eggs to his name he shouldn’t be underestimated running in handicap company for the first time.
In fact, this is exactly the kind of race that Fahey targets and his Titanium Club owners should have a great day out with their Kodiac colt.
Online horse racing betting is already available on this 1m 0-60 contest and I wouldn’t personally take the current 12/1 price on offer as I think he will possibly drift and get overlooked in the betting.
He has to be considered as an each-way longshot however to small stakes.
Copperline has a not too dissimilar profile to our pick and can be taken for the forecast spot.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
Steven is a sports and horse racing enthusiast and is a member of the Horseracing Writers and Photographers Association (HWPA) in the United Kingdom.
He is a regular visitor to Paris Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and a lifelong fan of the Aintree Grand National, a subject he writes about 52 weeks of the year. Last year he reached the impressive milestone of attending the last 30 renewals of the Grand National.
Steven graduated from the University Of Lancaster in 1996 with a B.A (Hons) in Urban Policy & Race Relations (major) with Contemporary Religions & Belief Systems (minor) and still wonders if any of these help him find the winners?
He writes for a number of websites and online publications and you can sometimes hear him at the weekend discussing racing on a number of local radio stations.
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 6th June at Pontefract and Southwell...
Today's NAP (Best Bet)
8.30 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 looks sure to go well again under Billy Garritty and we make him our 888sport NAP of the day.
Plenty of form lines closely link The Rutland Rebel, Flint Hill, Arabescato and Wynford and they should be the main protagonists here.
Perhaps some combination forecasts/tricasts are in order with the aforementioned names?
Today's NB (Next Best)
1.35 Southwell – Atlantic Storm
Now classed as a veteran, the Rob Summers-trained yard stalwart Atlantic Storm looks sure to run his usual game race in this 2m Handicap Chase.
The ten-year-old is already a course and distance winner having won here back in June 2018.
A browse through his back catalogue of form tends to suggest that he puts in most of his better performances in the summer months which is a highly encouraging trend for betting purposes.
Regular pilot Charlie Hammond is in the plate once more and Atlantic Storm is one of our more fancied horse racing online bets on Monday.
Today's Longshot
6.30 Pontefract – Mr Orange
Mr Wolf was an eight times winner at Pontefract, hence this Mr Wolf Handicap in his honour, and wouldn’t it be apt if fellow prolific Ponty scorer Mr Orange (7 wins) could emulate his fellow Yorkshire sprinter hero?
Mr Orange has yet to fully sparkle so far this season, but his fairly close-up fourth at Thirsk showed that there is still plenty of fight left in him and Monday night’s race could well be his big stage to bounce back to form.
Jockey Graham Lee is as strong as an ox up that Pontefract hill and if anyone can galvanise the nine-year-old in the closing sprint to the line, it’s the former Grand National winning rider.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
Steven is a sports and horse racing enthusiast and is a member of the Horseracing Writers and Photographers Association (HWPA) in the United Kingdom.
He is a regular visitor to Paris Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and a lifelong fan of the Aintree Grand National, a subject he writes about 52 weeks of the year. Last year he reached the impressive milestone of attending the last 30 renewals of the Grand National.
Steven graduated from the University Of Lancaster in 1996 with a B.A (Hons) in Urban Policy & Race Relations (major) with Contemporary Religions & Belief Systems (minor) and still wonders if any of these help him find the winners?
He writes for a number of websites and online publications and you can sometimes hear him at the weekend discussing racing on a number of local radio stations.
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 5th June at Chantilly, Perth and Musselburgh...
Today's NAP (Best Bet)
3.00 Chantilly – Modern Games
In what could potentially be a massive weekend for the Godolphin Stud operation in Europe, the Charlie Appleby-trained Modern Games can take the Group One Prix Du Jockey Club (i.e the French Derby) at Chantilly on Sunday.
An impressive juvenile season culminated with victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, and just three weeks ago Modern Games roared into his 3-y-o season by taking the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) at ParisLongchamp.
I have every respect for the Jean-Claude Rouget pairing of Vadeni and Al Akeem, but I can only envisage them fighting it out for the podium spots behind Modern Games,
Betting suggestion: Modern Games, Vadeni and Al Akeem (combination forecast).
Today's NB (Next Best)
4.01 Perth – Minella Trump
This Donald McCain-trained eight-year-old went a small way, and I say small because of his prohibitive odds, to helping me secure a prize berth in the Racing Post Naps Table last season.
Clocking up seven strategically placed victories last season, Minella Trump was only ever beaten the once, and on his last success here in April he looked even better than ever.
If like me, you fancy him in your horse racing online bets to take this valuable Perth Gold Cup, then get on early as his price is sure to shrink come the off.
Today's Longshot
5.15 Musselburgh – Raymond
Everybody at the Keith Dalgleish yard loves Raymond because the versatile seven-year-old stayer has registered victories over both codes and on all surfaces.
He may have to shoulder top weight here but Raymond looks sure to run a big race under his very tactically astute jockey – Billy Garritty.
Dalgleish saddles four runners here and I will personally be perming them all in some small exacta/trifecta bets.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
Steven is a sports and horse racing enthusiast and is a member of the Horseracing Writers and Photographers Association (HWPA) in the United Kingdom.
He is a regular visitor to Paris Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and a lifelong fan of the Aintree Grand National, a subject he writes about 52 weeks of the year. Last year he reached the impressive milestone of attending the last 30 renewals of the Grand National.
Steven graduated from the University Of Lancaster in 1996 with a B.A (Hons) in Urban Policy & Race Relations (major) with Contemporary Religions & Belief Systems (minor) and still wonders if any of these help him find the winners?
He writes for a number of websites and online publications and you can sometimes hear him at the weekend discussing racing on a number of local radio stations.
Premier League legend Vincent Kompany is reportedly taking the reins of a recently relegated Championship side
For the four-time Premier League champion, this is the biggest risk of his career
Success does beckon for the Clarets however if they give Kompany time
It is no surprise to see Vincent Kompany returning to English football, this time in a managerial capacity. The raised eyebrows come from the destination and timing.
When the former Manchester City defender hung up his boots in the summer of 2019, it was widely anticipated that his career path post-retirement would mirror that of another Premier League legend, Patrick Vieira.
First off, the Belgian would earn his coaching stripes abroad, as Vieira did at New York City in the MLS, followed by a decent spell at Nice.
For Kompany this meant a sustained tenure at Anderlecht, the club where it all began for him and there in the Belgian Pro League, away from the brightest spotlights, he could make his mistakes in the technical area and learn how to implement his ideas into a disparate squad of players.
Should he prove to be successful, even to a certain degree, then surely, with his stature, and contacts, and potential, interest would come from the top 5 leagues in Europe and very likely a Premier League outfit, mid-table or below.
This is precisely what happened with Vieira and Crystal Palace and to date it’s an arrangement that is working extremely well for both parties. All the shrewdest football bets back the Eagles to soar next term.
For the first three years after departing the Etihad as a bona fide legend the game-plan played out exactly as expected, even if initially there was one hell of a hiccup.
In Kompany’s inaugural campaign with Anderlecht he oversaw a disastrous start, the club’s worst for over two decades and this resulted in the four-time Premier League winner having serious doubts about his coaching credentials.
Thankfully a recovery of sorts followed, with the Purple and Whites finishing fourth in 2020/21. This season just gone, they came third while altogether appearing to be a much more coherent proposition.
So far therefore, so straightforward, only then – seemingly out of the blue - Burnley came onto the scene, offering Kompany the hot-seat involuntarily vacated by Sean Dyche and to the surprise of many, the 36-year-old willingly accepted the opportunity, officially leaving Brussels via an emotionally-worded statement.
As per the BBC, talks have been ongoing between the Clarets and their respective new gaffer and supposedly the only reason it remains unconfirmed to date is due to red tape, with a work visa now required post-Brexit. It is said to be a routine procedure and his appointment is all-but-inevitable.
All of which leads us to two very pertinent questions, the first being whether this colossal figure, who for many years skippered one of the most successful clubs in England, has bitten off more than he can chew at too early a juncture in his managerial development.
Having just endured relegation to the Championship, Burnley are a club in need of severe overhaul and that’s just on the pitch.
Off it, they are in a financial mire, obliged to imminently pay back a sizable chunk of a £65m loan, a sum that will unquestionably wipe out Burnley’s parachute payments and then some.
Furthermore, a second query arises, as to whether Vincent Kompany and Burnley football club are a good fit for one another?
Let’s start with that conundrum first because when adhering to stereotype it instinctively feels like the pair are somewhat of a mismatch with Burnley famously favouring a direct and combative style of football while Kompany – a noted devotee of Pep Guardiola, who refers to his former charge as the ‘professor’ – is an unswerving advocate of possession-based football with a defence that plays out from the back.
So far therefore, so not-so-straightforward, yet scratch a little deeper and we find that Burnley’s new owners prescribe wholly to data and analytics regarding player recruitment with an overall blueprint designed around developing young talent and selling them on for a profit. This is entirely within Kompany’s wheelhouse.
A natural-born leader, who was always a great captain back in his playing days for the manner in which he would influence proceedings, the Belgian loves working with emerging talent and bringing them through.
Indeed, the chief reason for Anderlecht’s initial and hefty stutter was a direct consequence of Kompany’s dedication to youth as he immediately set about dramatically lowering the average age of his new team.
In the opening weeks alone he either gave debuts to, or brought back into the fold, 13 players who were all under the age of 23 and if this was in hindsight too broad a change, too quickly then hopefully lessons will have been learned.
As for recruitment, as opposed to development from within, again Kompany comes to the fore, with a contacts book and a stature – an important consideration when attracting new players – that is the equal of anyone.
Already we are seeing the Clarets heavily linked with Manchester City’s bright defensive prospect Taylor Harwood-Bellis wholly because of their incoming boss. The England Under 21 captain would absolutely thrive in the second tier.
If all this suggests that Kompany and Burnley would both swipe right on a dating app what of the mess that awaits the new manager? Has the former Belgian defender bitten off more than he can chew when he is essentially still learning his trade?
To a large extent, only time will tell on this, yet it certainly feels like a risk. And his well-laid plans and career trajectory wasn’t supposed to contain any long shots.
It's a risk because frankly Burnley cannot afford to hang around in the Championship for very long at all, and their necessity to again feature in the Premier League odds the season after next completely contrasts with the gradual, sensible evolvement they are bringing Kompany in to administer.
A culture change takes time, and the Clarets don’t have a great deal of that.
As for the man at the helm, from a personal perspective this is a move that is entirely logical for the popular Premier League great. His wife and extended family are all from Manchester and he retains strong links to the North-West.
From a professional standpoint however, that incremental rise to the top of the managerial tree is sure to be accelerated, one way or another.
Stephen Tudor is a freelance football writer and sports enthusiast who only knows slightly less about the beautiful game than you do.
A contributor to FourFourTwo and Forbes, he is a Manchester City fan who was taken to Maine Road as a child because his grandad predicted they would one day be good.
Expert Steve Mullington gives his daily racing tips, including a NAP, NB and a Longshot. Scroll down now to find out horse racing tips Saturday 4th June at Epsom and Musselburgh...
Today's NAP (Best Bet)
4.30 Epsom – Nations Pride
For me York form generally stacks up well when the runners race elsewhere but I was not overly enamoured by the way Desert Crown won on the Knavesmire.
His drifting to the right over the last furlong rang alarm bells for me and I am keen to take him on with something else.
The Charlie Appleby-trained Nations Pride was supplemented into the Derby field at the cost of £75,000 on Monday and connections will be keen on getting a return back for their initial outlay.
The Godolphin-owned three-year-old became a major contender for the Epsom showpiece after his impressive win in the Newmarket Stakes last month.
There is no denying the “boys in blue” pairing of Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick are currently the go to people when it comes to bringing home big race winners, and Nations Pride can follow on in the hoofprints of Adayar last year and Masar in 2018, by landing the Derby.
Today's NB (Next Best)
3.21 Musselburgh – Danzeno
Top weighted and top rated handicapping veteran Danzeno can put his younger rivals to the sword here in this 5f Scottish Sprint Cup.
Even as a ten-year-old, Mick Appleby’s gelding was still mixing it with some of the fastest sprinters around and managed to pick up three more victories last season.
Already a course and distance scorer, Danzeno looks sure to give his supporters a great each-way run for their money and he will be a popular pick amongst the horse racing online bets.
Those of you considering some forecast options should pencil down the serial York scorer Copper Knight plus John Kirkup right down at the foot of the handicap.
Today's Longshot
3.45 Epsom – Mulzim
Eight-year-old Mulzim has clocked up eight career wins on the all-weather thus far, but to date his nine turf starts have borne no fruit.
However, his ½ length second to Copper Knight at York in May of last year leads me to believe he could be the each-way dark horse in this line-up.
Looks carefully through his form and you will find the note “trainer's rep could offer no explanation for the apparent improved form”. Will the same question be posed after this 5f dash? I hope so.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
Steven is a sports and horse racing enthusiast and is a member of the Horseracing Writers and Photographers Association (HWPA) in the United Kingdom.
He is a regular visitor to Paris Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and a lifelong fan of the Aintree Grand National, a subject he writes about 52 weeks of the year. Last year he reached the impressive milestone of attending the last 30 renewals of the Grand National.
Steven graduated from the University Of Lancaster in 1996 with a B.A (Hons) in Urban Policy & Race Relations (major) with Contemporary Religions & Belief Systems (minor) and still wonders if any of these help him find the winners?
He writes for a number of websites and online publications and you can sometimes hear him at the weekend discussing racing on a number of local radio stations.
