Fancy a Bet on the Championship?

by Brian Elliott

Who, except perhaps Mystic Meg, would have foreseen a dead heat between those two gladiators Andrew Dalton and Julian Pritchard at the close of business last season?

Tim Mitchell, was my tip for the championship but, despite riding like a demon all season, had to take the bridesmaid's position once again. Andrew Dalton came, like a rabbit out of the proverbial hat, to force a deadheat with Pritchard, and he certainly deserved this position after some great riding performances, bringing his career total to 95 winners. Pritchard, as determined as ever, has ridden a staggering 171 career winners. while Mitchell, who deserves a change of fortune this season, has ridden 153 winners over the years. I was as happy as a lottery winner, (or OK, nearly), when Pip Jones landed the ladies' title with 30 winners. For sheer guts, determination and ability, this Welsh ace desrerves all the glory. The 'enemy' looked white-faced having taken a flood of money on Jones, but the Men's result saw them through this hard patch. Mark hill told me: 'Pip Jones was a bad result, but it was nice to see her win, and the Men's championship was a fair result.' Well said Mark.

This season who will take the honours? The bookmakers take no chances with Pip at 4/5 and make Pritchard and Mitchell joint favourites at 5/2. Jones must have another great chance but if Shirley Vickery could get a few more rides, this greatly talented rider could make a race of it.

At the time of writting Mark Hill offers the odds here, which are, of course, subject to fluctuation.

For my choice, I name Pip Jones to retain the Ladies' title, and Tim Mitchell to finally lay his bad luck to rset, and come up trumps.