Gary O'Brien was delighted to win the Ladbrokes 2015 Nap Table, his first victory in the competition.
The At The Races presenter was in front since late summer and finished over 10 points clear of runner-up Cathal Gahan, with Ron McKnight a clear third.
"I'm thrilled to have won it," beamed the winner, revealing that he was never tempted to 'play safe' after learning a tough lesson in a previous competition. "I was in a great position in the table a few years ago but I made a bad 50-50 call one weekend, and it all went to pieces after that."
Pilgrim Way, a 12/1 winner at Navan in September, put Gary clear of the field and he never looked like being caught. "That was a horse who had caught my eye on a couple of occasions, particularly in Tipperary one day. I try to watch every Irish race and my nap is usually a horse with that kind of profile, one that hopefully isn't going to shorten too much in the betting."
Gary has a share in a few high-profile horses but says he always steers clear of their races when making selections. "We're looking forward to Vics Canvas running in the Welsh National next Saturday. Bayan is sadly injured but Ibsen, the other horse I am involved in, should be back in the spring if all goes well."
Two new names gunning for Gary's title in 2016 are Tommy Lyons of the Irish Examiner and Gary Carson from the Press Association.
HORSE Meeting Tipster From
Tudor City 2.50 Naas Sun Gary O'Brien At The Races
Bellshill 1.50 Naas Sun Cathal Gahan Weekender
The Conker Club 3.20 Naas Sun Ron McKnight The News Letter
Robin Thyme 2.20 Naas Sun David Jennings Racing Post
Bellshill 1.50 Naas Sun Peter O'Hehir Irish Mirror
Bellshill 1.50 Naas Sun Alan Magee Press Association
Courageous Cry 2.50 Naas Sun Dave Keena The Irish Field
Fairly Legal 2.20 Naas Sun Neville Ring Irish News
Uranna 12.50 Naas Sun Ryan McElligott The Irish Field
Hurry Henry 2.20 Naas Sun Donal Murphy Press Association
All You Need 12.50 Naas Sun Gary Carson Press Association
Stone Hard 1.50 Naas Sun Eamonn Murphy Press Association
Tudor City 2.50 Naas Sun Kevin O'Ryan At The Races
Vicangelome 2.50 Naas Sun Kevin Murphy Evening Echo
Hurry Henry 2.20 Naas Sun Alan Sweetman Racing Post
Hurry Henry 2.20 Naas Sun Billy Nash Timeform
Irish Bulletin 3.20 Naas Sun Margie McLoone The Irish Field
Hurry Henry 2.20 Naas Sun Shane Redmond goracing.ie
Rolling Rocket 3.20 Naas Sun Vincent Finegan irishracing.com
Fairly Legal 2.20 Naas Sun Johnny Ward Racing Post
Bellshill 1.50 Naas Sun Niall Cronin Evening Herald
Fairly Legal 2.20 Naas Sun Tommy Lyons Irish Examiner
Rolling Rocket 3.20 Naas Sun Justin O'Hanlon Racing Post
Shaneshill 1.20 Naas Sun Brian Fleming Racing Post
Courageous Cry 2.50 Naas Sun Tony O'Hehir Racing Post
Bellshill 1.50 Naas Sun Brian Gleeson RTE TV
Uranna 12.50 Naas Sun Michael Fortune Sunday World
Vicangelome 2.50 Naas Sun Thomas Weekes Press Association
Kitten Rock 1.20 Naas Sun Brian Flanagan Irish Daily Star
Bellshill 1.50 Naas Sun Karl Hedley The Irish Post
Fairly Legal 2.20 Naas Sun John O'Riordan The Irish Field
Dean Ryan Racing FM
Fairly Legal 2.20 Naas Sun Richard Forristal Irish Independent
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