We’ve been treated to some phenomenal racing in December, but no race has been more discussed than the King George. I have to say, though, the strength of the race was questionable.

L’Homme Presse was the one I fancied and would be the one to take out of the race for me. We saw a great performance from Bravemansgame, but I don’t know if he’ll do the same in the Gold Cup come March.

L’Homme Presse was beaten when he unseated Charlie Deutsch, but going left-handed with more of a stamina test at Cheltenham could see him turn the tables, and looks a fair each-way play in the current betting.

Conflated, similarly to Bravemansgame, performed brilliantly in the Savills Chase but, again, I think that was his Gold Cup and I wouldn’t be confident of him reproducing that at Cheltenham.

It’d be a step up for him in terms of test strength. Three miles two around Cheltenham is a very different game to three miles one around Leopardstown.

There’s not much more we can say about Constitution Hill – again, he was brilliant in the Christmas Hurdle. I thought it would be impossible for him to impress us more, but he went and did so anyway.

Kempton is a sharp, fast track and you don’t normally get a horse winning a Grade 1, especially a two mile hurdle, around there by as many lengths as he put in.

A 17 length win in a Grade 1 is almost unheard of. Him, and only him, might get me out of retirement (joking), but in all seriousness, Nico [De Boinville] is doing a great job with him.

Paisley Park is absolutely flying at the moment and he was brilliant in his win at Kempton, where I thought he might struggle. The Stayers’ looks wide-open, and he’s an interesting player at a double-figure price, despite his advancing years.

I think that the strength of the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown was questionable.

Home By The Lee, of course, did run a good race to get the win, but Flooring Porter, who was beaten three and a half lengths, just wasn’t running with the same enthusiasm he had last season. He didn’t turn up at all.

Meet And Greet, who was third in the race, throws a question mark over the strength of the form for me, he was 50/1 and this was a big step up on anything he has done to date..

State Man’s performance was very good, but I don’t think it was enough to give Nicky Henderson anything to worry about.

State Man’s run might be a concern for Henry de Bromhead and Honeysuckle, though with the Dublin Racing Festival their likely next stop.

Another from Leopardstown I’d watch in the future is Dysart Dynamo. He jumped beautifully and is definitely a contender in the Arkle.

Allegorie De Vassy, who ran on Wednesday at Limerick, also must be taken seriously for the Mares’ Chase. She was just brilliant, and she’ll learn from her race and improve.

Newbury on New Year’s Eve

I won the Challow Hurdle with Champ four years ago. It’s a tough race and takes a lot out of them. I think Hermes Allen is priced too short for it given the depth of the race.

I think the favourite is very much opposable and Attaca, who did it nicely at Cheltenham, would be the one for me, but you can make cases for any amount of the rest of them at good prices.

Jet Powered, who runs in the second race, was very impressive when he won last time out at Newbury. He’d be on my card, as would bumper-winner Inneston of Gary Moore’s, who could be a sneaky one.

His form from France ties in very well with a subsequent Grade 1 winner over there called Il Est Francais, and he could be the surprise package.

Pikar is the favourite for the Handicap Hurdle, and he’ll surely go well, as should Silent Revolution of Paul Nicholls’ in the same race.

The money has come for Pikar, and even though I think he’ll take all the beating, he’s not much of a price, so Silent Revolution could provide a bit of value.

For the Handicap Chase, I like the look of both Laskalin, who won last month at Ludlow for Venetia Williams, and Tallow For Coal who won at Lingfield last time by seven and a half lengths for Jamie Snowden.

Undersupervision is also a good horse, and he could run well at a decent price if getting his jumping together.

Cheltenham on New Year’s Day

The Relkeel Hurdle is wide open – there’s no stand out runner, but there are lots of very good horses in it and it’s very competitive.

Knappers Hill has been excellent this season, First Street won his reappearance at Newbury last month, I Like To Move It rarely disappoints, and Marie’s Rock has serious form too.

There’s very little between the top runners, so you’d have to look for the best price and hope for some luck. As things stand in the betting, Knappers Hill looks the value.

For the Dipper Novices’ Chase, I’m not totally convinced by Monmiral. He hasn’t quite delivered all of his promises. Thunder Rock, though, looks to be on the up and could tempt me because he is so progressive.

Lastly, the New Year’s Day Handicap Chase could offer a bit of value in Brave Seasca. Venetia Williams’ horses are in great form at the moment and he won well at Aintree earlier in December.

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Pelé is a name that is synonymous with football greatness. Throughout his career, the Brazilian football legend cemented his place as one of the greatest players of all time with a long list of impressive accomplishments and records.

Pelé began his professional football career at just 15 years old, and it wasn't long before he was making a name for himself as a goal-scoring machine.

In 1958, he scored an incredible 126 goals in a single season, a record that still stands today. The following year, he scored 107 goals in a single calendar year, another record that remains unbroken.

But Pelé's goal-scoring prowess didn't end there. He finished his career with a staggering 1,281 goals in 1,363 games, making him the all-time leading scorer in professional football.

His goal-scoring records extend beyond just his club career as well. Pelé scored a total of 12 goals in four World Cup tournaments, including a record-breaking four goals in a single match against Sweden in the 1958 World Cup.

He also scored six goals in the 1958 World Cup, a record for the most goals scored in a single tournament.

Pelé's impressive list of records doesn't stop there. He also holds the record for most goals scored in a single Copa America tournament, with nine goals in the 1959 edition.

He scored four goals in a single Copa America match against Paraguay in the same year, another record that still stands today.

Pelé's impressive performances in international tournaments extended to the Olympic Games as well. He scored a total of six goals in the 1964 Olympic Games, helping Brazil to win the gold medal.

Pelé's club career was just as impressive as his international career. He helped lead Santos FC to victory in the 1962 and 1963 Club World Cup tournaments, scoring a total of six goals in both tournaments.

He also scored three goals in a single match against Benfica in the 1962 Club World Cup, setting a record for most goals scored in a single Club World Cup match.

It's no surprise that Pelé is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. His impressive list of records and accomplishments speak for themselves, and his place in football history is cemented forever.

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

Match Information

• Horbury Town 3-2 Beverley Town

• When: Saturday 26th November 2022

• Kick-off: 3pm

• Where: Slazenger Sports and Social Club, Southfields, Horbury, West Yorkshire WF4 5BH

• Competition: Northern Counties East League Division One

• Attendance: 220

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I always like calling in on clubs who are newly promoted to the National League System. Just to briefly explain, this consists of the six tiers of our Non-League Pyramid structure below the Football League.

So by moving up to the NLS, teams are progressing from local county standard competitions that are mainly focused on player participation.

In effect, they are joining spectator football so facilities must improve dramatically to include floodlights, covered accommodation, hard standing, plus fully railed and enclosed pitches.

In years gone by, I would have called this “senior football” although the term is probably obsolete now.

Anyway it is really interesting for me to see how these essential amenity advancements are shaping up in view of strict ground grading requirements. One such club currently making the leap of faith are Horbury Town FC.

They are newcomers in the Northern Counties East League Division One courtesy of promotion via the West Yorkshire Association Football League Premier Division as runners-up in 2021/22.

Taking a break from watching the World Cup group stages on television, I decided to pay them a visit and set off on a 350 mile round trip.

Horbury is a West Yorkshire town containing 15,000 residents within the City of Wakefield local government district.

Ground Description

This is part of the overall Slazenger Sports and Social Club complex incorporating sections for tennis, hockey, archery and bowls.

My first impression of the football arena was that it is perched on top of a steep hill so I was able to savour stunning views of surrounding countryside stretching far into the distance.

There is a 50-seater grandstand alongside the sloping pitch and some concrete foundations had been laid for the imminent provision of more shelter to cater for a further 100 spectators.

I was particularly captivated by how bright the new floodlights are following their installation in September.

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Programme Details

A 12 page production on sale at the entrance hut for £1.

The content was good value for money containing the line-ups, manager’s notes, match reports, stats, action photos, the away team history and a player profile.

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The Match

This occasion was overshadowed by the sad passing of Horbury Town’s under-13’s coach and club vice chairman David Ford a couple of days beforehand. I noticed fitting floral tributes had been laid on the adjacent junior pitch.

And prior to kick-off, players from both sides solemnly observed a minute’s silence. What then unfolded after that was a truly pulsating game, ebbing one way and flowing the other.

Matchday opponents Beverley Town are also new recruits for the Northern Counties East League having ascended from the Humber Premier League.

Beverley led 2-1 at half-time by virtue of Harry Griffin (24 mins) and Matthew Plumber (42 mins).

But in the end, Horbury shaded a five goal thriller where Gibril Bojang (32 mins), Samuel Kyeremeh (58 mins) and Benjamin Agu (75 mins) etched their names on the scoresheet.

I loved the absolute worldie equalising strike by Kyeremeh! He picked up possession in the centre circle and then strode forward majestically to unleash a ferocious 25 yard thunderbolt into the top left hand corner.

If Lionel Messi had produced something similar over at the World Cup, we would still be witnessing hundreds of TV replays.

🤩 goal of the season contender from our very own, Samuel Kyeremeh?! @TonyIncenzo @NonLeagueNorth pic.twitter.com/NsIzA6jHPy

— Horbury Town FC (@Horbury_TownFC) November 27, 2022

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The People

Horbury Town are fortunate to possess an extremely enthusiastic media team. Indeed, it was unusual at this level of football to hear goal celebration music being played over the public address system which enhanced my matchday entertainment.

In addition, I enjoyed chatting to referee’s assistant John Hislop during the 90 minutes whilst he carefully explained certain key decisions being made.

At one point though, a very loud spectator inexplicably starting shouting that the match officials should learn the laws of the game properly by watching the World Cup.

And I had to laugh when John immediately turned to me and wryly said: “But we’re not sunning ourselves out in Qatar are we? We’re here in Wakefield on a freezing cold Saturday afternoon!”

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

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 14th December 2022

Davy Russell

Davy was a brilliant jockey, simple as that. He stood the test of time and to come back from his neck injury was incredible.

That was absolutely horrific. He had two weights drilled into the back of his skull to stabilise the neck. It was a brutal injury.

In terms of his riding, tactically, he was so aware. He was also so strong and always made life difficult to try to beat him. If I was to highlight one ride, I’d have to say Lord Windermere in the Gold Cup.

👏 One of Davy Russell's Greatest rides of all time

Davy lifted LORD WINDERMERE home to win the 2014 Cheltenham Gold Cup in tremendous style. 🏆

What a horseman, one of the all time greats of the racing world!! 🥇 🇮🇪pic.twitter.com/t2QU8CrF4v

— Stephen R Power (@racingblogger) December 18, 2022

That race was up for grabs and he made the difference. It was a brilliant, brilliant ride. Then there were the two Grand Nationals on Tiger Roll and he was Champion Jockey in Ireland three times.

He’s one of the best there’s ever been and I wish him a happy retirement.  

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Frankie Dettori

Frankie has always been a larger-than-life character. He’s been brilliant for racing. No one has got racing on the front pages more than Frankie.

Although it’s a different code, you’d watch what he’d be doing. His positioning, how he’d challenge, his timing – all of that is relatable with jumps and Flat. Nine times out of ten he was in the right place at the right time.

Personally, I found it hard to listen to or read the criticism aimed at him recently. How do you judge a jockey best? It’s not the ones where you should win, it’s the ones where you shouldn’t.

He won loads of races he shouldn’t and I hope he has a fantastic final year travelling around the world, riding in the best races.

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Punchestown, Monday

Galopin Des Champs was foot perfect in the John Durkan on Monday. The big positive was how relaxed he was. He was a little brave at one or two, but he didn’t race with the same level of enthusiasm that he did sometimes last season.

You need to relax and conserve energy if you’re going to win a Gold Cup, so it was a good sign. I think he’ll improve again in that department and he’s a worthy favourite.

Galopin Des Champs has made Fakir D’oudairies look very average there. I loved how relaxed he was and if you doubted before hand, you’d be far more confident he’ll stay the Gold Cup trip now 👏 pic.twitter.com/9YJCj71Q3X

— Joshua Stacey (@TheRacingJosh) December 19, 2022

He’s the one you’d want to be on. A Plus Tard is still the one he has to beat, but I think he could be more ground dependent than Galopin.

Appreciate It was very good on his first start over fences. He ran to a high standard when winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, even though that wasn’t the strongest of runnings.

He jumped really well and is very natural over a fence. He’d be a big threat to anyone in the Arkle or the Turners. Willie [Mullins] also has El Fabiolo and Dysart Dynamo, so they have options with Appreciate It. He’d have no problem going up in trip.

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Kempton, Boxing Day

The King George (2:30) is the big one and I’m all in on L’HOMME PRESSE. Some have been talking about a ground concern for him, but I don’t think there is one.

He has some very good form on good-to-soft. He beat Mister Coffey 21 lengths in the Scilly Isles last February with Pic D’Orhy another six lengths back.

Mister Coffey nearly won the Kim Muir and Pic D’Orhy has recently won the Peterborough. L’Homme Presse sets the highest standard.

The King George is best suited to a horse that can be competitive over two and a half miles and he’s proven that.

“L’Homme Presse is the one to beat” @BarryJGeraghty previews the King George on #OffTheFence – watch the full show with @BoyleSports here: https://t.co/solptfTfSR pic.twitter.com/wyGCm82BAh

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 20, 2022

Bravemansgame is a good horse. He ducked the festival when it went very soft and then disappointed in Aintree. He beat Eldorado Allen 3½ lengths getting 3lbs off him in the Charlie Hall and he’s 33/1.

You have to respect anything Paul Nicholls runs given his record in the race, but I think Bravemansgame and Hitman still have it to prove.

Envoi Allen showed a good level of form to win in Down Royal, but he will have to take another bit step up to win this.

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It’s good that they’ve managed to move the Long Walk Hurdle (12:45) to Kempton. There was very little between Champ and Paisley Park in Newbury, but I would side with Champ out of the two at this track.

Paisley Park is a horse who races behind the bridle and hits flat spots.

You need a strong cruising speed round Kempton, and I don’t think it will play to Champ’s strengths either. They’re also both ten-year-olds now so could be vulnerable to one with younger legs.

I’ll go with GOSHEN. I know plenty questioned the form of the Coral Hurdle the last day, but he beat Brewin’upastorm 8½ lengths giving him 6lbs.

I know Brewin’upastorm has had some disappointments, but he has a good level of form generally, so it was a good performance from Goshen. Going right-handed is essential for him and the step up in trip could be just what he wants nowadays.

Goshen grinds it out to win the Coral Hurdle

Quite the ten minutes for Gary Moore#ITVRacing | @Ascot pic.twitter.com/4W0TNzFqIf

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) November 19, 2022

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All being well, CONSTITUTION HILL should be very hard to beat in the Christmas Hurdle (1:55).

Epatante is second favourite, but she was well beaten in the Fighting Fifth and even though she has won two of the last three renewals of this race, it’s hard to make a case for her turning the form around.

They’re very happy with Constitution Hill at home. He has bags of pace and his jumping has been very good so far.

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Paul Nicholls looks to have a strong hand in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (1:20). Harry [Cobden] has gone with MCFABULOUS and he had to really given the way he won in Newbury the last day.

Gelino Bello is a very good horse as well and there shouldn’t be much between them, but I’d side with McFabulous. I don’t think chasing is Thyme Hill’s game.

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Wetherby, Boxing Day

There’s a strong field for the Rowland Meyrick (1:35) up in Wetherby. SHAN BLUE was going to win the Charlie Hall last year when he fell.

He then disappointed in the Ryanair before finishing second to Sam Brown at the Grand National meeting. He’s back in here off 148 and has a good record fresh, so I’ll go with him.

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Chepstow, 27th December

The Welsh National (2:50) is always one of the highlights over the Christmas period and it’s very hard to get away from the top of the market this year.

QUICK WAVE only has a 4lb penalty which is very attractive given the way she won in Sandown. She has now won both her starts since having a wind op and she has to be the one for me.

Winners across Chepstow, Aintree & @Sandownpark for @VenetiaWRacing as Quick Wave hacks up in the £60,000 London National under a motionless @charliedeutsch2 👀 pic.twitter.com/NpQ6x5Qvji

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 3, 2022

It’s a very competitive race, though. The Big Dog won the Troytown the last day and he’ll love conditions. He stays all day and goes on bottomless ground. He has a big squeak.

The Galloping Bear is back in off the same mark as when disqualified after winning the Grand National Trial in Haydock in February.

Eight of the eleven runners were pulled up that day, so he’ll have no problem if it the ground gets really bad. He had a prep over hurdles last month as well.

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We don’t know the final field for the Finale Juvenile Hurdle (1:40) yet, so it’s difficult to be too strong with your views.

There shouldn’t be much between Scriptwriter and Perseus Way again if they both line up, but I would take DIXON COVER against them.

She has won both her starts since moving to Ditcheat and she might just make it three here.

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Kempton, 27th December

The Desert Orchid Chase (2:30) looks like a battle between EDWARDSTONE and Nube Negra and you just have to side with the former.

It was a very good performance in the Tingle Creek earlier this month and as long as that hasn’t left a mark, he should have too much for the Shloer winner.

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THUNDER ROCK looks to be the one in the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase (1:20). This doesn’t look the strongest of runnings, but he is a horse on the up and it was a good performance in Ascot the last day.

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Leopardstown, 27th December

The big betting race of the day is the Paddy Power Chase (3:00) and I think it can go to AIN’T THAT A SHAME for the De Bromhead yard.

He was only beaten a head by The Big Dog in the Munster National back in October where he would have won if he hadn’t made a mistake at the last. It’s a very competitive race but for me he has the best chance.

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CHACUN POUR SOI won the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase (1:10) two years ago and he can repeat the feat here. Stablemate Blue Lord is probably his biggest danger, but I’d say he’d want further.

I’d like to wish everyone a very happy and healthy Christmas!

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I HAVE vivid memories of the very first live football fixture I went to when I was eight years old.

Let me take you way back to Wednesday 18th August 1971 as Chelsea lost 3-2 at home against Manchester United in the top flight. Prior to that, I had only ever observed matches on television.

The reason I went to this game was because my Irish mum totally idolised United’s Belfast-born star George Best.

So at 6pm on the evening in question, she arrived home from work and spontaneously decided that we should both go to Stamford Bridge. Therefore we dashed out and jumped on the tube near our house in Golders Green.

An hour later, we were outside the stadium ahead of a 7.30pm kick-off. I can visualise the excited hustle bustle caused by thousands of people swirling around en masse. 

And I was intrigued to hear distinctively raw London accents of assorted street traders near the main entrance:

“PRO-GRAMME! GET YER PRO-GRAMME!”

“ROASTED PEANUTS! ’OT DOGS! ’AMBURGERS!”

The pungent aroma of frying onions filled my nostrils. But as an impoverished one parent family we simply couldn’t afford to buy any of the delicacies on offer. Indeed, we had just enough money to cover admission.

Anyway, my mum thought we would easily be able to acquire seat tickets. However, Chelsea only had two grandstands in those days and we hadn’t anticipated the massive crowd of 54,763 that was present!

So we ended up paying to stand on the huge curved North Terrace behind one goal.

This was absolutely jam-packed so we couldn’t see any of the first half due to the sheer volume of heaving bodies in front of us. Chelsea opened the scoring and we were left to work out what had happened by the roar of the crowd.

A transmission chain of information followed. Lucky spectators with a good vantage point at the front of the terrace relayed the name of the goalscorer to those of us at the back who were totally oblivious as to what was going on.

We thereby discovered that Tommy Baldwin had put the ball in the net for Chelsea.

Undeterred, we strategically manoeuvred to a slightly less crowded spot during the half-time interval. And my mum lifted tiny me up on to her shoulders so that I could view the action at last.

My first impression was that the pitch seemed so vibrantly green bearing in mind I was used to a humble black and white TV set at home.

Then as the teams emerged for the second half, I remember counting up the players on both sides in my nerdy fashion.

George Best is the reason I was taken to my 1st ever football match. My Irish mum idolised George so we went to Chelsea v Man Utd in 1971

— Tony Incenzo - my 50th football season (@TonyIncenzo) July 2, 2017

I said: “Mum, I think Manchester United have only got ten men!”

I was right! It transpired that George Best had been sent-off five minutes before the break for swearing at referee Norman Burtenshaw. 

So we went through that whole complicated palaver to watch George in action but we didn’t actually see him kick a ball on the night!

My other main recollection was witnessing United’s Bobby Charlton score a trademark thunderbolt effort where he hammered into the roof of the net from 30 yards. It turned out to be the winning goal.

Well there is more to this story moving forward 28 years later! After I had progressed into my media career, I attended a Football Writers’ Association Dinner at London’s plush Savoy Hotel in 2000.

This was an official tribute event for George Best and - knowing that the great man was going to be present - I bought an extra ticket for my mum.

George sat on the top table with his wife and received a presentation for outstanding services to football. As soon as that ceremony had been completed, my 65 year old mum suddenly launched herself forward without warning.

She nipped around the back of the top table and tapped the special guest of honour on his shoulder. As he looked up in surprise, mum said: "George – a pleasure to meet you.

"My son Tony is a football reporter. When he was a little boy, I took him to his first match to watch you play. But you got sent-off before we could see anything…"

The look of bemusement on George’s face is still indelibly etched in my mind!

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

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 22nd December 2022

Frankie Dettori recently announced that he will be retiring from the saddle at the end of the 2023 Flat season, but whilst all the talk has been around his remarkable achievements in the UK, it has to be remembered that he is also the winning most rider in the entire history of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, capturing Europe’s greatest race a record-breaking six times during his stellar career.

Dettori's first Arc ride was in 1988, aboard Roushayd, the pacemaker for Kahyasi. Since then, the only time the Arc has taken place without him riding in it has been in 2013 and 2021.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if Frankie could win for one final time in 2023? #Arc #ParisLongchamp 🇫🇷🏇🏻 pic.twitter.com/YXrgPg4PQc

— Steve Mullington (@mulldog) December 17, 2022

In 2013 he broke his ankle in the week prior to the Arc weekend and was unable to partner Treve - ironically the eventual winner, and in 2021 his intended mount Love became a non-runner the night before the race.

Let’s take a walk down memory lane and revisit all six of Frankie Dettori’s Arc victories.

Lammtarra (1995)

Lammtarra was three from three heading into the 1995 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, with two of those coming in the Derby and the King George, so expectations were high.

Fortunately things went just as smoothly in Paris, with Dettori even having time to look over his shoulder rounding the home turn as he overtook his pacemaker Luso. Once he hit the front he never looked like getting caught.

Sakhee (2001)

Sakhee was sent off the 11/5 favourite for the 2001 renewal on the back of a seven-length win in the Juddmonte at York.

That price was entirely justified for the folks placing their horse racing online bets at home as Dettori on the Godolphin-owned Sakhee, powered away from the field to score by six lengths.

Marienbard (2002)

A horse that ran fifth in the Gold Cup at Ascot and fifth in the Melbourne Cup was speedier than the rest on Europe’s big racing day, and it was enough to give Godolphin and Frankie Dettori their second Arc in succession.

Golden Horn (2015)

In what is regarded as his best ever Arc ride, Dettori started from a difficult wide draw but decided to stay wide, away from the rest of the field for the first two furlongs before dropping in behind Treve’s pacemaker Shahah.

👏 @MCYeeehaaa nominates Frankie Dettori's 2015 Arc ride on Golden Horn as his best ever from the superstar Italian - do you agree? #RacingDebate pic.twitter.com/zBpWk61m2n

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 18, 2022

Hitting the front down the home straight, Golden Horn galloped all the way to the line, passing the post clear of the rest and shattering Treve’s dreams of a third victory. 

Enable (2017)

Enable ran in four Arcs, but nothing came close to her pure explosiveness that day when she sprinted away from her pursuers at Chantilly in 2017.

It may not have been Longchamp, but it was still an absolute thrill for Dettori to win aboard the top class filly at the French substitute venue.

Enable (2018)

Separated by a short neck, Enable held off Sea Of Class to become only the seventh dual winner of the Arc.

Dettori who was riding in his 30th Arc that year, needed all the strength he could muster in the saddle as Enable’s lead began to shrink at a rapid rate of knots as another filly, Sea Of Class, chased her down. 

🥊Enable vs Sea Of Class🥊

It's Arc day people! What better way to start the day than re-live Enable's epic battle with Sea Of Class in the 2018 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe... pic.twitter.com/FzvNBEBLkB

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 3, 2021

That result gave Dettori his sixth Arc victory and a place in the history books.

If the jumps happen to be be more your scene, then check out all our latest Grand National betting here. 

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

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 22nd December 2022

Novak Djokovic is the most successful man in Australian Open history, and he is once again the comfortable favourite tennis betting in 2023. 

It has been a tempestuous couple of years for Djokovic’s legacy, a period where off-the-court issues have often cast a shadow over his on-court performance. 

The Serbian wrapped up his sixth ATP Finals win at the end of 2022, defeating Casper Ruud in the final.

It concluded a year where he did not compete in either the Australian or US Opens, but won at Wimbledon. He also added further titles in Rome, Astana and Tel Aviv.

📆 The countdown is on: Who will be crowned King and Queen of Melbourne in 2023? 🏆🇦🇺#AusOpen | @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/xpHI6xxYKv

— Eurosport (@eurosport) December 16, 2022

Rafael Nadal got the better of Daniil Medvedev to win his second Australian Open title last January.

Both are among the chasing pack heading into the 2023 edition of the tournament, with Medvedev aiming to bounce back from a disappointing end to the year. 

Djokovic is owner of an 8-4 career record against Medvedev, including a win over the Russian in the 2021 Australian Open final.

He is 30-29 head-to-head with Nadal, but he’s 20-7 on hard courts and has twice beaten the Spaniard in Australian Open finals. 

Unstoppable in Melbourne

Only Nadal can better Djokovic’s tally of nine titles at an individual Grand Slam. Backing the Serbian in tennis betting tips has been a pretty safe option for the last decade, and especially so at the first major of the year.

James Anderson, who won three Australian Open titles in the 1920s, is the only men’s player who can better Djokovic’s 91.11% winning percentage at the event.

On hard courts overall, Djokovic has a record 655-121. That’s a winning rate of 84.41%, which again is second all-time behind four-time Grand Slam winner Jean Borotra, who won the final of his major titles in 1931.

Djokovic is the most successful male player on hard courts since the Second World War. 

The 2022 season was disrupted, and far from his strongest, yet Djokovic rightly enters Melbourne as the man to beat.

2023 Grand Slam winners prediction ft. Novak Djokovic & Iga Swiatek https://t.co/zNeKLKk8XO

— Sportskeeda Tennis (@SK__Tennis) December 19, 2022

This sort of track record is almost impossible to overlook, particularly after he cruised to glory at the ATP Finals, dropping a lone set in his five matches.

The decline has to come at some point, though, doesn’t it? 

Djokovic celebrates his 36th birthday in May. He was defeated by Holger Rune in Paris prior to the ATP Finals, and fell to Felix Auger-Aliassime in the Laver Cup in September. 

Even the seemingly ageless sports stars succumb to Father Time. Serena Williams and Roger Federer extended their peaks longer than most, yet both retired in 2021.

Djokovic does not appear to be close to that point, but some players see their performance levels tumble off a cliff edge. 

As yet, we can only go on what we’ve seen. The last sighting of Djokovic was an intimidating prospect for the rest of the tour, dismantling the world’s best at the ATP Finals. 

Main Challengers

For a while, tennis has been waiting for a new star to succeed Djokovic and Nadal. 

Carlos Alcaraz is the leading candidate at the moment, and the Spaniard is the second favourite in Australian Open betting behind Djokovic. Alcaraz overcame Djokovic in a classic at the Madrid Open last year.

At 19, he outplayed Ruud to win his first Grand Slam at the US Open. Ascending to superstardom in the closing months of the calendar year, Alcaraz is the youngest player of all-time to become world number one. 

Injury forced the teenager out of the ATP Finals, but he is healthy heading into the new season and well aware of the new challenges which come with being an established name. 

Alcaraz said, "I feel good finally. I had a month to recover well the ab and right now I feel almost 100 percent. I have been training normally this past week and I'm feeling great.

"Of course having a target on my back from everyone is going to be a little bit different for me this year and I have to be prepared for that. I'm going to try to finish 2023 at the same position as right now. It's going to be a long year but of course I'm going to enjoy."

2022's Most Improved Player: @carlosalcaraz!

Here's 10 times he blew our minds this year... pic.twitter.com/CDfBpv4brT

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) December 15, 2022

Part of Djokovic being such a clear favourite is down to the fitness of Alcaraz and Nadal. If both prove they are at the top of their game before and during the tournament, there is a much greater threat to Djokovic. 

Medvedev has been able to beat Djokovic in the past, but he fell short of his usual standards in the last few months of 2022. 

None of Djokovic’s three closest rivals enter 2023 at their strongest point. Of course, that is something which can quickly change, but it plays further into Djokovic’s hands after his ominous end to the calendar year.

Further afield, 21-year-old Jannik Skinner is destined for a breakthrough in 2023 after numerous impressive performances in 2022. Skinner, however, is yet to make it past the last eight of a Grand Slam. 

Rune, including the win over Djokovic, was in fine form over the last few weeks. Like Skinner, he lacks Grand Slam experience, with a lone quarter-final appearance coming at the 2022 French Open.

At 19 years old, though, the Norwegian is not a player to be overlooked and has beaten the world’s best players repeatedly, which bodes well for a deep run down under.

Djokovic’s To Lose?

The 2023 season is an exciting time for men’s tennis. Rune, Skinner and Alcaraz represent a fresh era, perhaps finally ready to topple the Djokovic and Nadal reign.

While the Australian Open could be a real test for Djokovic, one wonders if it is a little too early in their respective careers to take down the Serbian if he can reach the level he showed in the ATP Finals.

He might have sat out the 2022 tournament. He might only sit fifth in the world rankings. Djokovic, though, is still the man to beat heading into the Australian Open. 

It will take something really special, a performance for the ages, for one of the next generation to beat the nine-time champion should be maintain his standards from the season finale.

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