16-year-old Samantha Martin’s enthusiasm for horse racing and her involvement in the racing site “for young people, by young people” ‘Rein It In’ is captivating
Unlike so many who go online on Twitter especially, Samantha Martin is a fine example of someone actually using social media for good.
This 16-year-old from Leicestershire contributes to the horse racing site “for young people, by young people” Rein It In and states that she became interested in the sport after watching Channel 4’s coverage of it with her grandfather.
In her biography on the online news site dedicated to young people enthusiastic about the turf, Miss Martin shares: “Smad Place and Mulcahys Hill are my all-time favourite racehorses. I realised I wanted a career in racing when I was about nine or ten. I would love to be a journalist on TV as well as for a newspaper.”
On Rein It In, Martin’s interview subjects thus far have included Oli Bell and Ed Chamberlin and there also she’s shared thoughts on young people getting into racing and previews of the upcoming big races as well.
Elsewhere on her popular Twitter handle – where she is followed by nearly 4,000 other accounts – Martin gives daily updates about the sport and when faced with quite uncalled for criticism sensibly responded:
“After I got abuse for tipping Monkfish at 1/3, I made a promise to myself that I would never let trolls stop me from doing what makes me happy. I love discussing the racing with you all and 99% of the time Twitter is an amazing place. Don’t let that 1% ruin it. Enjoy the racing x”
Sadly, her statement that: “My biggest aim is to be the first female jockey to win the Grand National” has now been surpassed by the brilliant female jockey of 2021 Rachael Blackmore so spectacularly winning at 11/1 at Aintree last month, but be sure to watch out for the always enthusiastic Samantha Martin – there’s going to be a lot more to come from her.
Cheltenham to quite rightly honour the life of the amateur jockey Lorna Brooke with a race named in the late 37-year-old’s honour on Friday
This morning, the Mirror shared news that Lorna Brooke – whom tragically passed away aged just 37 on 19th April after a fall on her mother Lady Susan Brooke’s horse, Orchestrated, at Taunton on 8th April – is to have a race named in her honour at tomorrow’s Hunter Chase meeting at Cheltenham.
Brooke, a rising star amateur jockey, rode 17 winners and took more than 400 rides from February 2002 onwards and celebrated her first victory in April 2007 on her mother’s horse, Super Nomad.
She subsequently secured her biggest victory at Fairyhouse in 2015 at odds of 25/1 on Moonlone Lane for Paul Stafford – even beating rider of 2021 and first woman to win the Grand National Rachael Blackmore – in the process and represented Great Britain in Arabian racing in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Poland that year also.
Of Brooke, fellow amateur jockey David Maxwell, told the BBC earlier this month:
“Amateurs do it for love – the love of the game and more importantly the love of the horse.”
“There’s such passion in the sport. At the amateur level nobody has to do it. Lorna was at the forefront of the Corinthians.”
Tomorrow, this much -oved lady will be remembered in the 7.45pm at Cheltenham. It has been named the Lorna Brooke Open Hunters’ Chase and separately on the 24th May a celebration of her life will be held at Ludlow Racecourse.
Brooke celebrating the biggest victory of her career at Fairyhouse in 2015.Brooke with Moonlone Lane after their historic victory.Lorna Brooke on Radius Bleu in 2016.
“Roy’s the boy” raged commentator Simon Holt as this legendary French born co-holder of the most number of wins at Brighton romped home after achieving nine 1st places along with two 2nd and six 3rd places at the course also.
With 1,300 followers on Twitter, grey gelding Roy Rocket was universally loved and to support him an octogenarian named Iris would “as he went to post… produce from one of her many voluminous handbags a flask of gin and tonic and insist that trainer John Berry took a swig for luck. It sometimes worked.”
In May 2018, racing history was made when transgender jockey Victoria Smith – formerly known as Vince – rode Roy Rocket in a one-mile charity race as a woman at Warwick and became the first person to have competed in both male and female categories.
Of Roy Rocket, in July 2018, John Berry told the Racing Post: “He’s the most incredible horse… If I took him to a place he wasn’t used to going, we probably wouldn’t get there… He’d hate going somewhere different to where he normally goes and he hates not having a whole horse box to himself… He knows the yard so well, you could open up the French windows and bring him in the house… You can give him so much freedom without him being a danger… He loves carrots, his whole life’s a treat. The way the whole yard is run is pretty much around suiting him.”
A winner of the ROA Award for Flat Special Achievements also, Roy Rocket is eulogised by John Berry Racing as having “[given] some of the best days of racing of our lives.” This great favourite of punters everywhere will be forever missed.
Hollie Doyle achieved a remarkable 5 wins in a row at Kempton Park last night at odds of 2,522-1; her success brings cheer to racing a time when the sport most needs it
Whilst the inexcusable Gordon Elliott scandal has brought the worst kind of shame to the racing community in the last week, news that Hollie Doyle has continued her winning form and landed five wins last night in a card of eight races at Kempton Park is truly to be celebrated.
“It’s great as these things don’t happen very often so you have got to make the most of them.”
“I seem to do quite well here but I’ve had some good rides here today. Charlie Appleby’s horse [Highland Avenue] has got a lot of potential and I thought if I get beat on that I’ll give up!”
“I thought Archie’s [Watson’s horse, Laos] should go close and to be honest when I spoke to Tony [Carroll] he filled me full of confidence with all three of his rides. You just need a bit of luck and I have had that. My agent has done me a good job in getting a good book of rides.”
“I’m never satisfied with what I’ve done and I always want to achieve more and when you get on these sort of runs you always want to do better.”
Women’s British record holder for wins in a calendar year.
First Royal Ascot winner with Scarlet Dragon in the Duke of Edinburgh.
Winner of £1.9 million in prize money.
Record-breaking first woman to win five races on a card at Windsor.
Broke her British record in October 2020 after 117th winner and achieved a total of 151 wins in the year.
First woman to win at the QIOCO British Champions Day at Ascot.
Nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year and came third behind Lewis Hamilton and Jordan Henderson.
All at The Steeple Times again celebrate this true heroine’s latest success and look forward to lots more to come from the brilliant champion that is Hollie Doyle.
Many congratulations to @HollieDoyle1 on her five successive winners on this evening's card. An amazing effort. 👏👏
🐴 Della Mare 15/8 🐴 Laos 7/2 🐴 Highland Aveniue 4/9 🐴 Sir Titan 14/1 🐴 Madrinho 8/1 pic.twitter.com/lowDfpEiVo
— Kempton Park Racecourse (@kemptonparkrace) March 3, 2021
Heroine of the Hour 2021 – Hollie Doyle pictured with her fellow jockey boyfriend Tom Marquand. She has quite rightly been lauded as “at the peak of her game” and deserves the nickname ‘Historymaker Hollie.’
‘The Steeple Times’ examines the tipsters’ selections and offers 4 options for The Classic Chase 2021 at Warwick – as well as a 15/1 at Market Rasen
Today, after a second day this week finishing 99% up for our racing followers on email with a 1st for Majaam at 4/1 (£5 to £17), a 4th for International Law at 8/1, a 3rd for Socru at 11/2 and a 1st for Crazy Spin at 12/1 (£5 to £41) yesterday, we are looking at EACH WAY BETS in The Classic Chase 2021 at Warwick.
3pm Warwick – The Classic Chase 2021 (13 runners, 4 places with Ladbrokes ‘The Grid’)
The Classic Chase 2021 is a Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase that is open to horses aged 5 years or older. It runs over a distance of 3 miles and 5 furlongs and features 22 fences.
Last year’s winner was Kimberlite Candy for Tom Lacey and in 2017, it was won by another favourite horse of ours, the Lucinda Russell trained One For Arthur.
Today in The Classic Chase 2021, we are favouring a punt on another old favourite, Twiston-Davies double The Hollow Ginge at 13/1 from 20/1 earlier (Racing Post ‘Ace Tipster’, At The Races ’Top Tip’)
Callum Jamieson for The Sun says: “We return to an old friend, The Hollow Ginge, who I actually fancied to go well in the Welsh National at Chepstow last weekend.”
“He was kept in the rear much of the way before unseating jockey Jamie Bargary at the 13th fence. That race shouldn’t have taken too much out of him and he’s now been found a much easier spot.”
“On top of that, he’s trading around a 16-1 poke at the time of writing –a similar price to the one he has chalked up at originally last week. He’s been dropped another pound, but the booking of Sam Twiston-Davies catches the eye more than the minimal lenience offered by the handicapper.”
“Twiston-Davies has partnered the horse to three of his four wins and this has to signal some form of intent He gets in off a perfect racing weight of 10’9, largely thanks to stablemate Ballyoptic heading the weights at a whopping 11’12. All the same positives apply from last week. Plenty of rain is forecast and conditions should suit. His fourth in the Ladbrokes Trophy remains a rock-solid piece of form and showed a step up in trip and further emphasis will be right up his street.”
“The bet has to be The Hollow Ginge at big odds. He looks a cracking each-way poke in an open race.”
At The Races adds: “A chance is taken with THE HOLLOW GINGE in the Classic Chase 2021. He was creeping into contention when unseating his rider in the Welsh National last Saturday and he is able to race off a 1lb lower mark on this occasion.”
Racing Post says: “Fourth in major handicap at Newbury in November, his sole completion this season.”
Keith Rose for Racing Post adds: “A marathon trip and deep ground look right up his street. Can improve on his Ladbrokes Trophy fourth.”
Also in The Classic Chase 2021, Tom Cannon – Alan King combo Notachance at 18/5 from 7/2 earlier (The Sun NB, Daily Mail ‘Robin Goodfellow’)
The Sun says: “Impressive at Bangor on comeback and should stay this far… He has every chance after taking a big step forward at Bangor last time. He relished the heavy ground at the Welsh track and had plenty left in the tank at the end of three miles. The handicapper hasn’t gone mad with a 7lb rise and he looks a real marathon runner in the Classic Chase 2021.”
Racing Post adds: “Progressive sort; won useful handicap at Bangor in November; should have more to offer.”
Also in The Classic Chase 2021, Skelton double Captain Chaos at 11/2 from 7/1 earlier (Telegraph)
Racing Post says: “Should revive with blinkers refitted (good record in the blinds); second in this last year.”
Also in The Classic Chase 2021, Kielan Woods on Le Breuil at 19/4 from 6/1 earlier (Racing Post ‘Spotlight NAP’, Radio 4, At The Races ‘Watch Out For’)
Racing Post says: “The 2019 NH Chase winner LE BREUIL (nap) is taken to beat the improving Notachance… Had wind surgery since his third in the Becher Chase; this may well be his time to shine.”
At The Races adds: “Le Breuil shaped well for a long way when third in the Becher Chase at Aintree and a wind operation is likely to aid his cause with connections needing a victory to ensure him every chance of making the Grand National line-up.”
Richard Austen for Racing Post adds: “Bravely won the 2019 National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham and remains the type to win a big staying handicap, for all that he’s 0-6 since. Had wind surgery since finishing third in the Becher Chase six weeks ago and runs off a handy mark, so this may well be his time to shine.”
Elsewhere today in other races, we’re keen looking at:
1.50pm Warwick (3 runners, WIN only)
Old favourite producer for us, Jonjo O’Neill – Colin Tizzard combo Fiddlerontheroof at 21/10 from 2/1 earlier (Sporting Life, At The Races ‘Watch Out For’)
Ben Linfoot for Sporting Life says: “FIDDLERONTHEROOF can get the better of Next Destination and Golan Fortune in the Grade 2 Hampton Novices’ Chase at Warwick on Saturday.”
“The Colin Tizzard stable is down in the doldrums a bit at present but Fiddlerontheroof has the fencing experience to get the better of his two rivals on Saturday.”
“Second to a good horse in Allart at Ascot last time, he just lacked the winner’s extra gear that day but it was another good run over an intermediate trip and he can improve going up to three miles at this track.”
“Jonjo O’Neill Jr should be able to dominate on the front end and make the most of the 5lb he receives from Next Destination, as well as his extra experience (has had four chasing starts already) which could prove vital.”
Racing Post adds: “FIDDLERONTHEROOF who, strictly speaking, has the best chance at the weights… Solid chase record, albeit over shorter trips; has a good chance on ratings.”
At The Races less enthusiastic: “Fiddlerontheroof is best treated at these weights but looks second best.”
Moving on to two other races, we suggest EACH WAY bets at 2.40pm and 3.15pm Market Rasen:
2.40pm Market Rasen (8 runners, 3 places)
Old favourite producer for us, Bryony Frost – Neil King combo Lil Rockefeller at 13/5 from 5/2 earlier (Daily Mail ‘Gimcrack’)
Racing Post says: “Runner-up in a 3m handicap on return from a year out; these terms are favourable.”
Also in the same race, Nico de Boinville – Nicky Henderson combo On The Blind Side at 7/5 from 11/8 earlier (GG.co.uk, The Sun TREBLE)
Racing Post says: “Hard to fault back over hurdles this season and solid claims, even with his penalty. “
The Sun adds: “Cracking second in Grade 2 last time and one to beat… He has been in great form this season and followed two top efforts at Cheltenham with a gutsy Grade 2 second at Kempton last weekend. Trip and ground are ideal so only coming back quickly can stop him.”
3.15pm Market Rasen (7 runners, 2 places)
Nico de Boinville – Willie Mullins combo Grangee at 33/20 from 13/8 earlier (Radio 4, The Sun NAP, Racing Post, Telegraph NB)
The Sun says: “Impressive at Galway and comes from bumper king Mullins.”
Racing Post says: “With the emphasis on stamina, GRANGEE, representing last year’s winning trainer Willie Mullins, is preferred to Eileendover… Won in a big field at Galway and seems sure to go well for last year’s winning trainer.”
Also in the same race at bigger odds, Olly Murphy trained Chosen Port at 15/1 from 18/1 earlier
Racing Post says: “Well-bred point winner; second at Wetherby on rules debut; could well outrun her odds.”
Happy racing and may we wish you huge success with whoever you choose for The Classic Chase 2021 at Warwick today.
Pictured top: Our favoured pick of the day for The Classic Chase 2021 at Warwick has to be The Hollow Ginge.
The Classic Chase 2021, Warwick – Though an analysis of the tipsters’ choices across the board in the Classic Chase 2021 at Warwick generally favour Notachance, The Hollow Ginge, Captain Chaos and Le Breuil are all worth a look in our view.
‘The Steeple Times’ examines the tipsters’ selections and offers a couple of options for the rescheduled Welsh Grand National 2020 at Chepstow– as well as a 66/1 each way option with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 place possibilities at Kempton
Our racing followers did remarkably well at Lingfield yesterday with a 1st at 11/2 for Jumping Cats, a 2nd at 31/10 for El Kaldoun and a 1st at 17/4 for our late tip Rose of Aghaboe yesterday.
The Coral Welsh Grand National 2020 at Chepstow was due to take place on the 27th December 2020, but as the course was waterlogged, it is now taking place today, 9th January 2021 at 3.10pm. A Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase over 3 miles 6½ furlongs on turf, this race was inaugurated in 1895 and features a total of 23 fences.
Whilst, like its somewhat chavvy English counterpart, there is a crowded field of 18 today and anything could happen, we suggest spreading your bets and select three options each way (with, for example, Ladbrokes ‘The Grid’ a payout will be made on places 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5):
3.10pm Chepstow – Welsh Grand National (18 runners)
In the Welsh Grand National 2020, David Pipe trained Vieux Lion Rouge at 22/1 (Radio 4)
Racing Post says: “Ran away with the Becher at Aintree five weeks ago; due to go up another 8lb; stays 3m4f.”
Also in the Welsh Grand National 2020, Bryony Frost – Paul Nicholls combo Yala Enki at 15/1
Racing Post says: “3rd off 5lb and 4lb lower marks in the last two Welsh Nationals; short-headed two runs ago.”
Also in the Welsh Grand National 2020, Colin Tizzard trained Christmas in April at 9/1 (Racing Post ’Spotlight NAP’)
Richard Austen says: “Made a satisfactory reappearance eight weeks ago and his smooth win in last season’s Devon National gives him plenty of appeal.”
Racing Post adds: “The vote goes to CHRISTMAS IN APRIL (nap) whose sparkling win over this trip on heavy in the Devon National is very persuasive evidence… February’s smooth win in the Devon National (3m6f, heavy) gives him plenty of appeal.”
Elsewhere today in other races, we’re looking at each way bets on:
12.50pm Chepstow (12 runners)
Clyne at 10/1 (Racing Post ‘Dark Horse’)
Joe Casey says: “Second in this race last year off a higher mark, this veteran will relish the testing conditions and can go well for a jockey in top form.”
Also in the same race, Bryony Frost – Paul Nicholls combo Storm Arising at 5/1 (The Sun, At The Races ‘Watch Out For’)
Racing Post says: “Good second last time and looks ahead of the handicapper.”
1.25pm Chepstow (8 runners)
Tom George trained Bannister at 35/1 from 33/1 earlier
Our man in the knowledge says: “At a big price Bannister catches the eye. He was also entered at Kempton today, but the trainer must prefer his chances at Chepstow.”
Racing Post adds: “20l winner in September and has run well in France since; toughest assignment to date.”
1.40pm Lingfield Park (9 runners)
Shelia at 31/10 from 7/2 earlier (Guardian, The Sun, Sporting Life ’NAP of the Day’)
Matt Brocklebank says: “A first crack at Lingfield’s mile and a half looks destined to suit SHEILA, Hugo Palmer’s Australia filly who was showing progressive form in 10-furlong all-weather handicaps late last year. She won well when sent off favourite at Chelmsford and has done precious little wrong in two starts since, only going down by the narrowest of margins at this course when last seen on November 21.”
“The assessor has only raised her 2lb for that agonising defeat and, given her pedigree, she should still be a few steps ahead of the game as she tackles this new trip, something she looks to have been crying out for. I’d expect her to pick up a handy early position behind likely leader Fraser Island before winding it up on the turn into the home straight.”
The Sun adds: “Went down in a head-bobber here last time out.”
Also in the same race, Tom Marquand – Michael Appleby combo Oslo at 19/4 (Telegraph, At The Races ’Top Tip’)
At The Races says: “OSLO followed up his 1m2f victory at Chelmsford with a respectable second over C&D on New Year’s Eve and is expected to mount another bold bid from this 1lb higher perch now lowering his sights.”
3.30pm Kempton Park (20 runners)
(Ladbrokes ‘The Grid’ paying out on places 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
Racing Post says: “THE WHITE MOUSE has twice asserted in good style this season. Taking handicap wins at Wincanton (2m5f, good) and Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) this season.”
Also in the same race, Johnson – Hobbs combo Everglow at 8/1 from 15/2 earlier
Racing Post says: “This is a hot race for handicap debut but he is an unexposed novice with clear potential.”
Also a small bet (having had success in the past and in spite of recent failures) in the same race, Nicky Henderson trained The Cashel Man at 35/1 from 33/1 earlier
Racing Post less than enthusiastic: “Three heavy defeats before a bit better last time but the excuses are wearing a bit thin.”
Finally, a late extra tip comes in the form of Lilly Pinchin on Gerolomo Cardano at 66/1 from 125/1 earlier
Our man in the knowledge says: “I am intrigued that Gerolomo Cardano is running in this race, up in trip. He’s a massive price at 125/1 and I must admit I might be tempted to have a small wager.”
Racing Post adds: “Ran poorly last two runs last term; first cheekpieces; trip is interesting on best effort.”
Enjoy today’s Welsh Grand National and happy racing.
Pictured top: Christmas in April landed the Sussex National at Plumpton in 2020 and the Devon National at Exeter. Assistant trainer Joe Tizzard remarked of him in November: “He’s in lovely form at home and he loves these stamina tests… He could have a tilt at the Welsh National.”
Jockey who “died for six seconds” in 2013 Brian Toomey set to make a remarkable return to racing as a trainer in 2021
Given only a 3% chance of survival after falling from his mount Solway Dandy “with such force that he was left clinically dead for six seconds before being resuscitated on course” at Perth in 2013, jockey Brian Toomey revealed to The Sun yesterday that he intends to become a trainer in 2021.
Mistakenly declared dead by the British Horseracing Authority after the fall three flights from the finish, Toomey was put in an induced coma and had part of his skull removed to make way for a titanium plate.
Though nicknamed the ‘Miracle Man’ after remarkably returning to the track after regaining his jockey licence in 2015, his comeback was short-lived as few “trainers were willing to give him rides over concerns for his welfare in the event of another fall.”
Speaking to the paper yesterday, Brian Toomey remarked:
“I’m always going to be known as the ex-jockey with the injury but I want to be known for my hard work and my racing mind – rather than a broken brain.”
“I had a titanium plate put in my head. It doesn’t stop me doing anything – apart from being a professional sportsman – but I have been very lucky.”
“I was put in an induced coma. I had to have part of my skull removed. I shouldn’t be alive and I feel lucky to have made the recovery I have.”
“What I’m going through now is not very tough but it’s frustrating how long it’s taking for a dream to come true.”
“My bank balance isn’t where it should be – as a jockey you drive round in flashy cars like a footballer – I would have been more mature if I thought the second part of my career was going to come this soon. But I’m keen to get started.”
“I have been assistant trainer to Dr Richard Newland and learned a lot, but now actions must speak louder than words. I want to do it and prove to people I can do it.
“Back when I spoke about becoming a trainer for the first time I was still feeling sorry for myself. I wasn’t as focused as I wanted to be. I am way more focused and mature now.”
“I have been on every TV show bar Jeremy Kyle feeling sorry for myself. I’ve only got one life left now and I’m focused on it. I have a dreaBm to sell. Before when I was talking about going into training it was a case of ‘what if’… I never had an idea. Now, I have an idea.”
“It’s hard to sell the dream to owners now because they’re not even allowed to go the races due to the pandemic. But if you are focused and being a realist, you have more of a chance.”
“The guys I have learned from, Clive Cox and John Francome are legends, but they started out just like me.”
“Obviously you need luck but I’m now more focused and have more of a chance. When I do find a small yard where I can make a start… in my mind you get one chance at this and I want to have everything right and give it my best shot.”
Here is an example of positivity that deserves to be celebrated and for that reason, today we make Brian Toomey our ‘Hero of the Hour’ and wish him all the best with his quest.
Hero of the Hour 2021 – ‘Miracle Man’ Brian Toomey was riding the 11-4 favourite Solway Dandy when he fell and suffered life-threatening head injuries in July 2013. His remarkable recovery defeated all odds and today he joins the ranks of our ‘Hero of the Hour’ alongside the likes of the remarkable child refugee turned groom-rider Abdul Musa Adam.
Clinically, @@BrianToomey15 was dead after a fall at Perth six years ago.
He got back in the saddle and is now is set for the training ranks.
‘The Steeple Times’ chooses the 25 best and 25 worst people of the last year and the 25 who’ll be missed and the 25 who won’t
Happy New Year to all our readers. Our ‘Heroes & Villains’ list was well received in 2019 and as we move into 2021, we join all celebrating ‘good riddance’ to the monstrous mess that was 2020.
Whilst many bombed, most especially Dominic Cummings and Donald Trump in the sphere of politics, for example, the likes of the heroic footballer Marcus Rashford and his campaign for free school meals for poor children showed that even a footballer can make a difference in a pandemic.
HEROES OF 2020
Obvious heroes of the year: Jacinda Ardern for being a leader capable of acting with good sense, Captain Sir Thomas Moore for raising £32 million for the NHS, Lord Sumption for arguing for lockdown liberty and Joe Wicks for keeping the nation healthy and turning down a £2 million deal with a supermarket.
WINNER – Bob Grace
Eternally cheerful groom Bob Grace led out his first winner after 38 years of racing at Royal Ascot in June when his trusty steed Battaash romped home in the King’s Stand. He raised the spirits of the nation and of this humble hero, one Twitter user concluded: “Bob is wonderful, be like Bob.”
Emily Bolton
One of “Britain’s most powerful civil rights lawyers,” Emily Bolton boldly fought for the likely wrongly convicted ‘Freshwater Five’ fisherman in 2020. She is tenacious and dedicated and a force for genuine good.
Steve Cotton
Alongside his cat named Hitler as his barman, “Britain’s grumpiest landlord” proved the spirit of Victor Meldrew was well and truly still alive in 2020. Summing up his approach to business and life in general, Steve Cotten remarked:
“I just make it up as I go along. I might not know how to run a pub but I know what’s wrong with every pub I’ve ever been in. There’s no landlord anywhere, nobody talks to each other. I involve the whole community – everyone knows it’s not my pub, it’s everybody’s pub… We are a dark and cold and miserable boozer – and that’s what people like about it.”
“They all know you can do what you want here, use it for what you want, come here on your own at any time of the day or night and help yourself to a tea or coffee. Everybody will talk to everybody… You can discuss any topic under the sun here, nothing is taboo… Everyone has a go serving behind the bar, we all have a laugh and everyone joins in… No one else talks to them like crap like I do.”
Bilkis Dadi (real name: Bilkis Bano)
This 82-year-old crusader and anti-Modi protester became the “voice of the marginalised” in India in 2020 and was escorted away from the farmers’ protest by the police. This heroine was included in Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of the year and remarked: “We will not stand for this division.”
Alfie Diaper
Ten-year-old “little star” Alfie Diaper recovered from a ruptured spleen in 2019 and “came back fighting” with riding successes in 2020. One Scottish reader of The Steeple Times quite rightly termed this pint-sized hero a “talented, spirited wee soul.”
Julia Donaldson
The author of The Gruffalo went down in literary history as the biggest seller of the last decade in any genre in 2020 and now sells a book about every 11 seconds. JK Rowling did not even make the top five.
Hollie Doyle
Whilst she was ridiculously robbed of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2020 and came third, Hollie Doyle amazingly scored 151 wins in 2020. She also broke another record in becoming the first woman to win five races on a card at Windsor and our money is on her to become a hero of 2021 too.
Alain Ducasse
In January, Alain Ducasse spoke complete sense is echoing Iris Apfel’s “more is more and less is a bore” mantra. This culinary remarked: “I’ve noted [the Dry January] trend, but I don’t want to see or hear of it, I am opposed to it… “[I want to] rid consumers of their inhibitions [with regard to wine drinking].”
Lord Fowler
The Lord Speaker of the House of Lords quite rightly argued “there are too many Lords” in December. He added: “As we have just seen, its recommendations can be overridden by No 10. The result is that a prime minister has the power on his or her own to add peers to a house of parliament that can make and, within limits, unmake laws. Is this what the public expect in the third decade of the 21st century?”
Bryony Frost
Rising-star jockey Bryony Frost became the first woman ever to win the King George VI at Kempton on Boxing Day. This true heroine of the year is undoubtedly going to break many other glass ceilings in 2021.
Lady Glenconner
The former lady-in-waiting to the late Princess Margaret declared of coronavirus: ““I’ve been through the second world war and lived with someone with Aids at the beginning [of the Aids crisis]. I’m not scared of a little virus, you know.”
Agnes Gund (AKA ‘Aggie’)
A “put-your-money-where-your-mouth-is” philanthropist, Agnes Gund was described as “the last good rich person” by the New York Times in 2018 and in 2020 used money from the sale of one the most valuable artworks from her collection, a Roy Lichtenstein worth £120 million, to fund US prison reform. She has also given more than 900 significant works to the Museum of Modern Art in New York in the last 50 years.
Anders Holch Povlsen
Asos billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen led the way in rewilding in 2020. He also paid back the government £300,000 of furlough money during the year voluntarily and thus made a mockery of the likes of Sir Richard Branson and Sir Philip Green.
Patrick Hutchinson
Compassionate “fitness buff” Patrick Hutchinson carried an injured far-right racist protestor to his safety in spite of being himself black in June. Sensibly, he remarked: “Living with the image of a man being beaten to death isn’t something I could stomach. How do the police do that? They just seemed to be standing there watching it and filming with their selfie sticks. One of them said ‘well done’ to me, but I couldn’t really comprehend it.”
Jeremy King
The co-owner of The Wolseley rightly slammed Boris Johnson repeatedly during 2020. He rightly described lockdown Tier 2 coronavirus restrictions as “another knee jerk, ineffective, window-dressing, butt-covering initiative that hasn’t been thought through properly.”
Abdulkareem Musa Adam
This child refugee from a war zone in Darfur shone at Royal Ascot 2020. Accompanied by Shadn, this 22-year-old’s story was described by Clare Balding as “[showing] the incredible power of sport to bring people together and help them to heal, even after the most appalling suffering.”
Dolly Parton
In 2020, Dolly Parton gave £733,000 to fund a COVID-19 vaccine. The Guardian rightly said of her: “She understands that money is something you do, rather than something you have.”
Sister Norma Pimentel
Described as the “pope’s favourite nun,” Sister Norma Pimentel featured on Time magazine’s “100 most influential people of 2020” list. She has supported over 100,000 people seeking refuge at the border between Texas and Mexico and of her Julián Castro, former United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, remarked: “Sister Pimentel will keep changing the world, one act of kindness at a time.”
Dr. Ugur Sahin and Dr. Özlem Türeci
The “dream team” husband-and-wife team behind the leading vaccine to solve COVID-19 were amongst the ultimate healthcare heroes of 2020.
MacKenzie Scott
The ex-wife of Jeff Bezos gave £4.3 billion of her fortune to charity during 2020. In doing so, she became one of the biggest single donors to charity in a single year ever.
Santosh Shah
He didn’t win, but the unlikely star of MasterChef Professionals 2020 was this Nepali chef. He was eternally positive and widely lauded as the “people’s champion.”
Shirley Sherwood OBE
Britain’s leading botanist, after losing her tycoon husband at the age of 87, has become an unlikely star of Facebook with her videos sharing positivity and her passion for plants. She has rightly been described as the “driving force behind a revival of interest in botanical art.”
Micheline Stephen
A martini drinking 90-year-old and Dame Maggie Smith-lookalike, Micheline Stephen fought off a burglar and told him: “You’re a wee shite” in 2020.
‘Window Twerky’
Spotted on both the Fulham Road and Kings in Chelsea, this unknown woman amused many with her maniac moves during Lockdown 1.0. Her Fifty Shades of Crazy antics during that Strictly insane time were batshit bonkers but brilliant.
Tobias Weller (AKA ‘Captain Tobias’)
This heroic 9-year-old with cerebral palsy and autism raised over £150,000 for a children’s hospital during Lockdown 1.0 by completing marathons. He remarked: “It feels amazing to have completed both marathons. I feel fantastic. Thank you for clapping and cheering me every step of the way. You are all awesome. I love doing challenges so who knows what will be around the next corner?”
VILLAINS OF 2020
Previous list makers, but repeat offenders included Sir Philip Green, Sir Richard Branson, Tim Martin, Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson, Darren Grimes, David Starkey, Sir Cliff Richard, Prince Andrew, Matt Hancock, Ghislaine Maxwell, Larysa Switlyk, Liz Hurley, Owen Jones, Richard Madeley, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Michael Barrymore, Vivienne Westwood, Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump and Ferne McCann, but our winner just had to be:
WINNER – Priti Patel
When she wasn’t “minglin’” and “movin’” and misusing the English language, Priti Patel was angling for a return to the death penalty in the UK in 2020. Asked what kept her going in 2020, when even Emily Thornberry declared “gin,” the most awful Home Secretary in generations ridiculously responded: “Showing the perpetrators of crime that they have nowhere to hide and joining our police on early morning raids – reminding the criminals that we’re coming after them.”
James Abbott-Thompson
The son of calculator lacking Diane Abbott MP appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in January after “spitting at a police officer and biting his colleague.” He’d previously exposed himself on a hospital ward and had crystal meth delivered to his mother’s £1.2 million home.
Victoria Baker Harber and Inigo Philbrick
Though ‘Mini Madoff’ Inigo Philbrick was deservedly was dragged to the clink by the FBI in June and remains in custody, his latest ‘baby mama,’ Victoria Baker Harber, couldn’t keep her almightily large trap shut. Shortly afterwards, she turned on one of his many victims, Kenny Schacter, and crudely tweeted: “Are you crying about cash or cock?”
Brian Basham
Bombastic PR peddler Brian Basham didn’t manage to get the mucky madam Ghislaine Maxwell out of jail in 2020. In response he angrily ranted to his friends at the Daily Mail and called Finding Ghislaine podcast host John Sweeney a drunk and someone he “despises.”
Scott Borgerson (AKA ‘Scott Marshall’ and ‘Mr Ghislaine Maxwell’)
This tech company CEO was revealed to be Ghislaine Maxwell’s “secret husband” in December. He then tried and thankfully failed to use their millions to get her out on bail in time for Christmas.
Benjamin Clark
After attacking the Winston Churchill statue in Parliament Square in September, son of a pastor Benjamin Clark deservedly got fined. His solicitor’s attempts to try to defend him quite rightly fell on deaf ears.
Lizzie Cundy
Desperate-and-will-do-anything-for-attention Lizzie Cundy, 52, turned coronavirus into a photo opportunity in a bikini made out of face masks in October. For her, nothing isn’t worth using for self-publicity.
Ellen DeGeneres
The wheels fell off for goody two shoes Ellen DeGeneres when she was shown to be anything but nice. Her attempt at an apology for allowing workplace bullying was mocked as “underwhelming.”
Alan Dershowitz
Having defended multiple rapist Harvey Weinstein in 2018, Alan Dershowitz went one stage further in 2020 when he leapt to the defence of Ghislaine Maxwell and trashed the reputations of the victims of Jeffrey Epstein.
Tamara Ecclestone Rutland (AKA ‘Miss Piggy’)
Banshee-like billionairess Tamara Ecclestone Rutland appeared on ITV1’s This Morning in April. This daughter of a man whom once disgustingly described Hitler as someone who “was able to get things done” pestered people far poorer than her to donate to the NHS. Of this shameless attention seeker, a Twitter user remarked: “No offence but this feature on #ThisMorning is embarrassing. Trying to raise £1m but they have a family net worth of almost £4bn? Good publicity stunt though…”
Charlie Elphicke and Natalie Elphicke OBE MP
Ex-MP turned sexual predator and “Naughty Tory” Charlie Elphicke and his replacement MP wife Natalie got caught out after urging fellow parliamentarians to pester the judiciary after he got sent down. She was also very nasty about immigrants.
Laurence Fox
Actor Laurence Fox morphed from a housewives favourite and telly box treasure into a tedious twerp in 2020. His Reclaim Party became a laughing stock online and his decision to tattoo “freedom” and “space” on his hands was mocked unsurprisingly.
Mark Francois MP
This tedious Tory was pilloried online when he “disappeared” after an MP was accused of rape. He returned just-in-time to bang on and bore about the brilliance of Brexit in December. We can only hope he’ll “disappear” again in 2021.
Art fraudster Angela Gulbenkian attempted to flee to Portugal to escape going on trial in June. She was quite rightly extradited back to the UK and victims including Percy Bass of Walton Street should finally get justice against this blonde bimbo in 2021.
Julia Hartley-Brewer (AKA ‘Julia Heartless-Brouhaha’)
She’s awful every year without a doubt and will never be a hero to anyone, but in ignorantly defending a right-wing thug who’d relieved himself on a memorial to murdered constable Keith Palmer, this tedious twerp made a total prat of herself. In response, one Twitter user asked her: “Why do you as a woman think it is ok for a bloke to expose himself by getting his dick out and urinating in a public place?”
Michael Heaver
In blubbering like a baby after Nigel Farage failed to make the New Year’s Honours List, “milk bottle white” Westmonster co-owner Michael Heaver again showed himself as just one thing: “A remarkably unpleasant child.”
Lady Victoria Hervey (AKA ‘Toff Totty Vicky’)
Accurately described by the late Tara Palmer-Tomkinson as “unpleasant” and “a right snob,” dimwitted dope Lady Victoria Hervey defended Prince Andrew in 2019 and then stated: “Fuck BLM [Black Lives Matter]” in 2020 on her Instagram page. The world hope she remains silent in 2021.
Eamonn Holmes
Crackpot conspiracy theorist Eamonn Holmes morphed into the David Icke of 2020 when he declared that the “mainstream media’ was hiding a link between 5G technology and coronavirus. Him and his wife were unsurprisingly subsequently dropped from their weekly presenting roles on ITV1’s This Morning.
Dr. Walter Palmer (AKA ‘The Driller Killer’)
Having slayed ‘Cecil the Lion’ in 2015, deranged dentist Dr. Walter Palmer returned to his barbaric ways when he massacred an endangered ram in July 2020. Though he claims to be “looking forward” to his next “adventure,” one can only hope that this monster meets a sticky end in 2021.
Stephanie Pratt (AKA ‘Shady Steph’)
One-time crystal meth addict demanded shoplifters be shot in May 2020 on Twitter. Unfortunately for her, the public were on hand to remind her she’d been arrested for stealing a £1,000 of clothing from Neiman Marcus in May 2006.
Phillip Schofield
Aside from “claiming to have been murdered in a past life because of a debt” in October, Phillip Schofield attempted to rival Sir Cliff Richard and launched quite possibly the most loathed collection of boxed wines ever in September. What a plonker!
Carrie Symonds (AKA ‘Carrie Not On Regardless’ and ‘The Duchess of Downing Street’)
Boris Johnson’s wine chucking puppet mistress proved herself to be a total busybody in 2020. Despite not being elected herself, that the PM’s latest ‘baby mama’ got her own cronies into Downing Street during the year was a total disgrace.
Alexandra Tolstoy
Miserable moaning Minnie Alexandra Tolstoy bleated about not being able to live on £10,000 per week before getting £606,000 for a few of her possessions in a Christie’s auction in November. Loopy to her core, she remarked: “We’re just surviving.”
Dominic West
Aside from being caught kissing actress Lily James in October, actor Dominic West got caught breaching social distancing rules on a shoot in Wiltshire in December. He also claimed to have “jumped for joy” when he found out Donald Trump had coronavirus.
Heroes & Villains 2020 – Lizzie Cundy (left) and Inigo Philbrick and Victoria Baker Harber (right) – Examples of the worst people of 2020 without a doubt.
THOSE WHO’LL BE MISSED
Sadly, many great people were lost in 2020 and amongst those most widely mentioned were Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Honor Blackman, Chadwick Boseman, Kobe Bryant, Jack Charlton, Sir Sean Connery, Des O’Connor, Kirk Douglas, George Floyd, Dame Olivia de Havilland, Eddie Van Haylen, Irrfan Khan, Dame Vera Lynn, Diego Maradona, David Prowse, Gene Reynolds, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sachs, Jackie Stallone, Larry Tesler and Bill Withers.
WINNER – John le Carré (born David Cornwell)
Having sensibly summed up Donald Trump’s election and the banality of Brexit, novelist John le Carré died from pneumonia aged 89 in December. Of his passing, his agent Johnny Geller remarked: “[He was] an undisputed giant of English literature. He defined the cold war era and fearlessly spoke truth to power in the decades that followed… We will not see his like again.”
Michael Angelis
Liverpudlian actor Michael Angelis brought happiness to many. He was the narrator of Thomas & Friends for 21 years and also appeared in Bergerac and Z-Cars. He died in May aged 76.
Lady Elizabeth Anson CVO (married named Lady Elizabeth Shakerley)
This first cousin-once-removed of Queen Elizabeth II was “discreet and professional.” She observed that “the very rich, the very idle, the very busy and the ones who simply haven’t a clue what to do” didn’t have the skills to organise events, so set up a party planning business. She died in November aged 79.
Sir Terence Conran
Multi-skilled and described as “the most passionate man in Britain when it comes to design,” Sir Terence Conran died in September aged 88. He once remarked: “It’s thrilling as a designer when you see something you’ve designed and built actually being used. Seeing a shop filled with people, or a restaurant with people smiling away happily, it’s like, gosh, all my dreams have come true.”
Alan Davidson
This legendary newspaper photographer captured stars at play from 1969 until his death in March aged 70. Of him, the Daily Mail’s Richard Kay remarked: “No event was off limits to Alan.”
Sir Harold Evans
Described in an obituary in the Guardian as “the most admired newspaper of his generation,” Sir Harold Evans died aged 92 in September. He will be best remembered for exposing Robert Maxwell as a fraudster and Kim Philby as a traitor. In doing so, he became the first editor to order a D-notice and summing him up, here was someone who’ll be remembered as someone “loved by his staff.”
Lynn Faulds Wood
The wife of fellow television presenter John Stapleton was best known for co-hosting the BBC’s Watchdog with him. She died after a stroke in April aged 72.
Derek Fowlds
Affable actor Derek Fowlds was best known for his roles in Yes Minister and The Basil Brush Show. He died as a result of complications from pneumonia in January aged 82.
Desmond Guinness
Brewing heir Desmond Guinness was an author and expert on Georgian architecture. He will be remembered as a “great dandy of his generation” and saved countless buildings from the wrecking balls of property developers. He died in August aged 88.
John Hays
Having doubled his workforce and saved thousands of jobs when him and his wife bought Thomas Cook in 2019, “high street hero” John Hays died suddenly at his offices in November aged 71. He considered his workers “family” and laughed off people comparing him to a “country bumpkin.”
Shere Hite (born Shirley Gregory)
Twice married sex educator and feminist Shere Hite renounced her US citizenship in 1995, was briefly stateless and then became German. She posed in the nude for Playboy whilst at university and died of corticobasal degeneration in September aged 77.
Thomas Hoare (AKA ‘Mad Mike Hoare’)
This fervently anti-communist British mercenary leader died in February having led campaigns in the Congo and a failed “package-holiday coup” in the Seychelles. Of him, his son remarked: “Mike Hoare lived by the philosophy that you get more out of life by living dangerously, so it is all the more remarkable that he lived more than 100 years.”
Tony Hooper
A founder member of the Strawbs, singer and guitarist Tony Hooper died in December aged 81. He left the band after argument over whether they should be more folk or rock in 1972 and became an educational author and book jacket designer in the 1990s.
Knut Kloster
With a name that sounded like a brand of breakfast cereal, “visionary” cruise line king Knut Kloster died in September aged 91. He was best known for co-founding the hugely successful Norweigan Caribbean Line in 1966, but his attempt to build a “world peace boat” eventually came to nothing.
Sir Stirling Moss OBE
“Who do you think you are? Stirling Moss?” will go down in history as a much-quoted punchline of policemen, but this racing driver will be remembered for two other quotes also: “If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?” and “There are two things no man will admit he cannot do well: drive and make love.” He died in April aged 90 having survived falling down the lift shaft of his Mayfair home in 2010.
Geoffrey Palmer OBE
As Time Goes By star Geoffrey Palmer died in November aged 93. Of him, his co-star Dame Judi Dench concluded: “Geoffrey was master of comedy.”
Julia Peatling
This Stockwell based medical secretary loved a gin and tonic at PJ’s on Fulham Road and her Downton Abbey star dog, Poppy.
Margarita Pracatan (born Margarita Figueroa)
Cuban novelty singer Margarita Pracatan, who died in June in New York aged 89, was best-known for performing on Clive James’ television show Saturday Night Clive in the 1990s. Of her, he remarked: “She never lets the words or melody get in her way. She is us, without the fear of failure.”
Carl Reiner
Born in The Bronx, actor, author and comedian Carl Reiner joined Twitter at the ripe old age of 90 in 2012. Two days before he passed in June, he tweeted: “Nothing pleases me more than knowing that I have lived the best life possible by having met and marrying the gifted Estelle (Stella) Lebost – who partnered with me in bringing Rob, Annie & Lucas Reiner into to this needy & evolving world.”
Michael Russell
“Publisher, wit and author” Michael Russell was the creator of the spoof memoirs of J. R. Hartley, he of Yellow Pages fame. He also published Richard Spitzy’s How We Squandered the Reich – a book that described Hitler as being “like a cross between a head waiter and a chimney sweep.”
James Sherwood
Buccaneering American businessman James Sherwood revived the Orient Express, built up a chain of hotels and created the Sea Containers empire. He died in May aged 86 having once been stranded at 16,000 feet in the Andes with Princess Michael of Kent after his helicopter had to make an emergency landing.
Barbara Smoker
This “promoter of many causes now take for granted” died in April. Barbara Smoker will be best remembered for saying: “Don’t always be obedient. Obedience is overrated. You’ve got to work out your morality for yourself, not do everything you’re told. Obedience can be more of a vice than a virtue.”
Alexandra Sykes (born Alexandra Sotomayer)
The third wife of businessman Mark Sykes was vivacious and bubbly. “Wise and kind” Alexandra Sykes loved to keep fit and at a party, hers was always the liveliest voice in the room.
Helen Taylor-Thompson OBE
After having worked as a spy in occupied France in the Second World War as part of Churchill’s “secret army,” Helen Taylor-Thompson co-founded Europe’s first AIDS hospice. She died in September aged 96.
Alexander Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath
Polygamous Lord Bath was as famed for his ‘wifelets’ as he was for his erotically styled paintings. He played an aristocrat in the 1987 video for the Pet Shop Boys song ‘Rent’ and died of COVID-19 in April aged 87.
The late Margarita Pracatan is exactly the kind of person we could do with now.
THOSE WHO WON’T BE MISSED
WINNER – Peter Sutcliffe (AKA ‘The Yorkshire Ripper’)
This evil HGV driver claimed he’d “heard voices that ordered him to kill prostitutes while working as a gravedigger” as an excuse for slaughtering at least 13 women and attempting to murder 7 more between 1975 and 1980. He died as a result of complications from COVID-19 in November.
Tariq Aziz
Saddam Hussein’s principal spokesman died in June aged 79. He had been found guilty of “deliberate murder and crimes against humanity” in October 2010.
Donato Bilancia (AKA ‘The Liguria Monster’ and ‘The Killer on the Trains’)
This Italian serial killer murdered 17 people between October 1997 and April 1998 on the Italian Riviera. A compulsive gambler with a passionate hatred for night watchmen and sex workers, Bilancia died of COVID-19 in Due Palazzi prison in Padua in December.
George Blake
This remorseless British MI6 officer turned double agent for Soviet Union believed he was not a traitor and once remarked: “To betray, you first have to belong. I never belonged.” He died on Boxing Day having caused the deaths of at least 40 British agents in Russia as a result of his treachery.
Alfred Bourgeois
This trucker molested and murdered his 2-year-old daughter and then joked about it. He was given a lethal injection of pentobarbital in December at a prison in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Anthony Casso (AKA ‘Gaspipe’)
An American mobster and serial killer considered a “homicidal maniac.” He confessed involvement in upto 36 murders and was imprisoned for 455 years in 1998. Casso died from complications related to COVID-19 in December.
Brian Daniels
A bus driver turned paedophile serial rapist, Daniels was approaching the end of an 18-year sentence for attacks on four young girls in May when it was discovered he had further victims. He died in prison in October having remarked: “I did something against kids and I was punished. I don’t deserve to live. My final punishment will be death.”
Roy Den Hollander
This American lawyer shot himself in July after being made a suspect in the murder of fellow lawyer Marc Angelucci in California and the son of Judge Salas in New Jersey earlier that month. He had been a member of the National Coalition for Men, but after being kicked out called them “wimps and whiners.”
Terry Dicks (AKA ‘Phil’)
Possibly the most bigoted ex-Conservative MP ever, Dicks termed Nelson Mandela a “black terrorist” and ridiculed a Somali refugee family buying water in a supermarket by saying “where they come from they’re happy to drink out of puddles.” He referenced himself as a “spastic” due to his cerebal palsy and said of an Observer journalist sentenced to death by his hero Saddam Hussein: “He deserved to be hanged.” He loathed gay people and was nicknamed ‘Phil’ – for “elevating Philistinism to an art form.”
Vikas Dubey
An Indian gangster and history-sheeter turned murderer, Dubey was “killed” in July after “the police vehicle carrying him met with an accident and overturned.” He snatched a pistol from a policeman trying to fix a flat tyre, tried to run away and was then shot by another officer.
Scott Erskine
This American serial killer and rapist was responsible for the death of at least 3 child victims. He died in July after contracting COVID-19 in July.
Lonnie Franklin (AKA ‘The Grim Sleeper’)
This LA born serial killer committed at least 10 murders between 1984 and 2007. The majority of his victims were black women.
Dustin Honken
This serial killer was responsible for the murders of 3 adults and 2 children in Iowa in 1993. Before being executed in July, his last words were: “Hail Mary, Mother of God, pray for me.”
William LeCroy
This former soldier murdered a woman he believed was a witch in Georgia in 2001. He never showed any remorse for his actions and his last words were to his “spiritual adviser.” He remarked: “Sister Battista is about to receive in the postal service my last statement.”
Daniel Lewis Lee
This American white supremacist murdered a gun dealer and his family in Arkansas in 1996. He claimed to be innocent until the end.
Samuel Little
An American serial killer responsible for the deaths of at least 60 women, Little claimed to have killed as many as 93 between 1971 and 1997. He died in a Los Angeles County area hospital in December.
John Lowe (AKA ‘Keepers Cottage Stud Murderer’)
This puppy farm owner fatally shot his partner and her daughter in February 2014. He claimed he wanted them “put down” and himself died in a hospice in August.
Ba Ag Moussa
A Malian militant and jihadist, Moussa was shot and killed by French Armed Forces in November.
Roy Norris (AKA ‘The Toolbox Killer’)
Along with Lawrence Bittaker, Norris kidnapped, raped, tortured 5 teenage girls in 1979 in Southern California with pliers, ice picks and sledgehammers. He died of natural causes in February.
Abel Ochoa
High on crack, Ochoa killed five members of his family and tried to justify it due to being “intoxicated and in a delirium.” His final words were: “I would like to thank God, my dad, my Lord Jesus savior for saving me and changing my life. I want to apologise to my in-laws for causing all this emotional pain. I love y’all and consider y’all my sisters I never had. I want to thank you for forgiving me.”
Gordon Pinkerton
An RAF serviceman turned child abuser, Pinkerton sexually abused 6 young girls between 1963 and 2011. He was jailed in 2013 and died of coronavirus in prison in April.
Wesley Ira Purkey (AKA ‘The Claw Hammer Killer’)
Executed by lethal injection in July, Purkey raped and killed a teenager in 1998 and beat an 80-year-old to death with a claw hammer later that year.
Omar Sadiq (AKA ‘Roger’)
This Glasgow gangster and racial hatred inciter was killed by two of his associates in September. A floral tribute at the location of his shooting read: “Absolutely devastated. There was a better plan for you.”
Cathy Smith
This Canadian backup singer injected Saturday Night Live’s John Belushi with a fatal dose of heroin and cocaine in 1982. She died in August and had received a further drugs conviction in 1991 after serving 15 months between December 1986 and March 1988 for involuntary manslaughter.
Howie Winter
This mobster and leader of the Winter Hill Gang was implicated in a number of slayings in the 1960s and 1970s, but never charged. Of his demise in November aged 91, Thomas Foley, a retired Massachusetts State Police colonel, remarked: “It’s the end of a legend, but not a good legend… He is a guy that actually got away with murder.”
Pictured top: Winning Villain of 2020 Priti Patel and winning Hero of 2020 Bob Grace.
‘The Steeple Times’ examines the tipsters’ selections and offers a couple of options for Boxing Day’s King George VI Chase 2020 at Kempton
Our betting followers did well on the last day of racing, 23rd December, with four out of four each way tips coming home in the form of 1st for The Tin Miner at 11/2 at Huntingdon, a 3rd for Poldark Cross at 14/5 in the same race, a 1st for Paddys Motorbike at 11/4 and a 2nd for Protected Guest at 13/2 at Lingfield.
Today, it’s time for the highlight of the Christmas racing calendar, the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park. Inaugurated in 1931 and covering a distance of 3 miles on turf, this Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase is open to horses aged years or older.
Dominated in recent years by Paul Nicholls with eleven wins from 1997 to date with such stars as Silviniaco Conti and Kauto Star, our favoured option in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase 2020 at 3pm has to be his 2018 and 2019 winner, Clan Des Obeaux.
Of the 9/4 favourite in the King George VI (pictured top), which will be ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies, the tipsters are confident (Guardian, Radio 4, Racing Post NAP and ’Spotlight NAP’, The Sun, Telegraph NB, Daily Mail ‘Robin Goodfellow’).
Racing Post says: “A fine race in prospect. CLAN DES OBEAUX (nap) can land the hat-trick in this race. Particularly well suited by this track and has won the last two runnings of this race.”
Richard Austen adds: “Grade 1 credentials are rather thin elsewhere but he’s reigned supreme in this race for the last two years and a very good second at Haydock last month suggests he may raise his game further back on the track that suits him best.”
The Sun adds: “Looking for three King Georges in a row and loves it here.”
Also in the King George VI, is old old favourite, the Power – Tizzard combo Lostintranslation at 7/1.
Racing Post says: “Close 3rd in the Gold Cup; excuses for high-profile defeats in last 12 months; respected.”
Finally in the King George IV, going for something a bit more punchy at 16/1 from 20/1 earlier, Paul Kealy of the Racing Post suggests Saint Calvados.
Kealy remarks: “If this race was being run over 2m4f he’d probably have only Cyrname ahead of him in the betting. It’s not, but Saint Calvados was improving rapidly last season and he certainly got 2m4f well when just denied by Min in the Ryanair. He’s won first time out every season and can go well at a big price.”
Racing Post adds: “Improved chaser at about 2m4f; off since close 2nd in the Ryanair in March; first 3m run.”
Three trainers have dominated the King George VI Chase since 2006 – Paul Nicholls, Nicky Henderson and Colin Tizzard.
Clan Des Obeaux won the King George VI Chase in 2018 and 2019.
Elsewhere for our Boxing Day bumper today, we’re looking at:
12.40pm Kempton (6 runners)
Skelton double Third Time Lucki at 11/8 (Racing Post ‘Handicappers’ NAP, GG.co.uk, Daily Mail ‘Robin Goodfellow’, Guardian, At The Races ’Top Tip’).
Steve Mason says: “Last season’s Champion Bumper fourth may have lost his unbeaten hurdle record last time, but he was the only horse to make ground on the talented tearaway For Pleasure and he can resume winning ways.”
At The Races remarks: “THIRD TIME LUCKI lost his unbeaten record over timber when runner-up in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham’s November meeting, but he is more than capable of regaining the winning thread with a sounder surface to aid his cause.”
Racing Post adds: “Has leading claims provided this race pans out better than last time.”
1.15pm Kempton (10 runners)
Tom Cannon on William H Bonney at 14/1 (Racing Post ‘Dark Horse’).
Mark Friar says: “Ran well for a long way on his chase debut at Newbury last month and that experience, plus the additional half mile, should bring about plenty of improvement. Alan King’s runner is well handicapped on his best hurdles form and should enjoy ground conditions.”
Racing Post adds: “Five hurdle wins at 2m; pulled up sole attempt at 2m4f; creditable chase debut; needs more.”
Also in the same race, Scudamore – Channon double Hold The Note at 6/1 from 7/1 earlier (The Sun NB).
“The Sun says: “Runs over this trip for the first time since his third at the Cheltenham Festival in March. He has failed to see out three miles this season after travelling well earlier in the races. He is 5lb lower than that Prestbury Park effort as a result and is capable of bouncing back.”
2.05pm Wetherby (8 runners)
The Dutchman at 8/1 from 17/2 earlier (Radio 4).
Racing Post says: “Cruelly denied in Haydock veterans’ chase recently; could do with ultra-testing conditions.”
Also in the same race, Spiritofthegames at 11/2 (GG.co.uk, Guardian).
Racing Post says: “Unraced at 3m but admirably consistent in 2m4f h’caps at stiff Cheltenham on last 4 starts.”
Guardian adds: “This is a better chance than Spiritofthegames usually gets, as he has been repeatedly sent to Cheltenham, and he gets to run off the same mark as when second in the Paddy Power, beaten only by a well-treated rival who got the run of the race.”
Enjoy the King George VI, bet sensibly, and, as ever, happy racing.
For once, the normally “condescending cow” Karren Brady got it right in supporting the tremendous jockey Hollie Doyle to become BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2020
“Appalling role model” Lady Brady of Knightsbridge CBE (AKA ‘Lazy Brady’ and ‘The Overpainted Aunt Sally’) can normally be relied upon on a Sunday to pen a toxic column for The Sun in which she savagely slams people she has utterly no knowledge of. Today, she actually, unpredictably, did something decent for a change and saluted the shortlisted for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2020 nominee, jockey Hollie Doyle.
In an unusually pleasant opinion piece, Karren Brady remarked of 24-year-old Doyle, “[she] gives hope for women’s sport” and added of the ‘Female Frankie’:
“Hollie Doyle reminds us that something positive is happening with women’s sport. The playing field is levelling… [She] is an emblem of hope for all sportswomen… A symbol of positive change – of women succeeding and being taken seriously in sport. As positive omens for the year ahead go, I’ll take it.”
Hollie Doyle’s remarkable achievements in her “whirlwind” 2020 number:
Women’s British record holder for wins in a calendar year.
First Royal Ascot winner with Scarlet Dragon in the Duke of Edinburgh.
Winner of over £1.7 million in prize money in 2020.
Record-breaking first woman to win five races on a card at Windsor.
Broke her British record in October after 117th winner and is closing in on 150 wins this year in total.
First woman to win at the QIOCO British Champions Day at Ascot.
Speaking to Sportsmail, Doyle, herself, modestly remarked of her nomination alongside Lewis Hamilton and Tyson Fury and commented:
“I was quite amused by it – I just didn’t believe it – it’s crazy.”
“When you’re younger and you’re growing up you have these ambitions in your brain but this year when we were delayed with the whole season because of Covid I just wrote it off but I just can’t believe it really.”
“I just take it as it comes but I rode over 100 winners last year for the first time and I really wanted to back that up so it wasn’t a one off. “
“With the delay I thought whatever I do this year, however many winners I have is a bonus under the circumstances. It’s been pretty crazy, I never thought it would have been this good.”
“I don’t even see this for me personally. I hope to just represent the industry as a whole and I hope it can open doors and showcase the sport to a broader audience.”
“I just want to better myself every year and I realise how hard it’s going to be after this year. But I don’t want this to be the best year of my life. I want to do better.”
Elsewhere, trainer William Haggas summed up the mood of the nation most accurately with a simple sentence: “There is none who deserves this success more than Hollie.”
