The HWPA newsletter for July
Accreditation
A reminder that Accreditation for York is still open. If you wish to apply and don’t have the required form, get in touch at hwpacontacts@gmail.com, and I will forward one to you.
For the remainder of the year, the only meeting for which special conditions apply at present is for Kempton Park on December 26th and 27th.
Royal Ascot update
Thanks to everyone who got in touch with their comments about working conditions at the Royal meeting, particularly for those in the Media Marquee in the centre of the course. They were very helpful in presenting a rounded picture to the track.
Bill Selwyn, Jack Keene and I had a constructive meeting with Ascot last Friday. As a result, I am hopeful that next June there will be adequate space available within the Media Centre, by the weighing room, for those photographers and others that would prefer that position to the Marquee, but that there will still be a facility in the centre of the course for those that prefer to work from there.
Ascot seems well aware of the failings this time around and will do everything possible to ensure there is no repeat.
Jolly Robins
Stalwart HWPA Member David Smalley has recently published his autobiography. Entitled ‘A Head Full of Jolly Robins’, it’s about much more than The Professor’s life in racing, full of entertaining stories and the odd tale of woe as well.
For those who might like a copy, please get in touch with David directly or through the HWPA contacts email.
All proceeds from the book are in aid of research into Motor Neurone Disease (www.mndassociation.org), donations in honour of Margery Smalley, who was, as David puts it, ‘an amazing lady who I was privileged to call my wife.’
HWPA Tipping Competition – Generously sponsored by Sky Bet
There are two rounds to bring news of this month as the competition moves well into the second half. Three rounds remain, five days of Glorious Goodwood up next. With the worst score to be dropped and still 13 days on which to find that big-priced nap, it really is all to play for.
Tom Peacock writes:
Only one winner of the five-day Royal Ascot marathon and that was Nigel Spencer, who napped the 50-1 Norfolk shock The Ridler, and ensured he was home and hosed by finding 33-1 Platinum Jubilee winner Naval Crown on the final day. Mark Openshaw, who also found The Ridler, just held off a consistent Jason Heavey for second prize..
Royal Ascot Results (positive scores only)
Nigel Spencer – £110.58
Mark Openshaw – £26.98
Jason Heavey – £23.01
4. Daragh O Conchuir – £19.17
5. Ian Carnaby – £13.12
6. Pat Jupp – £4.83
7. Rory Delargy – £4.38
8. J A McGrath – £0.59
Some top-quality tipping from plenty of entrants through the latest round of the competition but hats off to Andrew Bladen with an astonishing run on the final two days at Newmarket including 11-1 and 16-1 winners and 11-1 nap Soapy Stevens followed by 25-1 nap Bless Him in the Bunbury Cup. Very hard lines to Ben Hutton, who napped 33-1 Sandown winner Arqoob for the sort of score that would win most rounds easily.
Sandown/Newmarket Results (positive scores only)
Andrew Bladen – £81.13
Ben Hutton – £65.60
Richard O’Brien – £42.38
4. Julian Armfield – £33.88
5. Keith McHugh – £33.50
6. Ian Carnaby – £27.00
7. Paul Jones – £20.78
8. John Hunt – £17.50
9. Johnno Spence – £11.75
10. Andrew Mount – £8.50
11. Ed Prosser – £7.50
12. Frank Keogh – £6.88
13. Emma Berry – £6.00
14. David Cleary – £3.50
15. Greg Wood – £1.10
Overall Standings (positive scores only)
Nigel Spencer – £76.09
Jason Heavey – £53.68
Andrew Bladen – £49.00
Andrew Mount – £38.83
David Cleary – £36.88
Johnno Spence – £29.79
Ben Hutton – £22.16
Jordan McBride – £5.04
JA McGrath/Emma Berry – £3.75
Ian Carnaby – £2.95
Keith McHugh – £1.79