Tipstar 2022: Find out more about the six finalists

The 2022 Tipstar final has been postponed to Friday, February 25 due to The Friday Club being cancelled on February 18 following the abandonment of Dundalk.

Andrew Blair White, Ash Symonds, Dan Overall, Grant Bradbury, Michael Willoughby and Shamela Hanley, this year's finalists, will now preview a race each live on The Friday Club for Kempton's fixture on Saturday, February 26.

All six impressed us with their presentation skills and horse racing knowledge with the videos they sent in for both challenges, although the Tipstar judging panel admitted it was a tough decision given the calibre of the entries this year.

A live draw was held on Racing TV to determine which race each finalist will be previewing at Haydock on February 19 (before The Friday Club was cancelled) and the finalists will be previewing the same race number at Kempton that they were chosen in the live draw.

Dan Overall: Race One.

Grant Bradbury: Race Two.

Michael Willoughby: Race Three.

Andrew Blair-White: Race Four.

Ash Symonds: Race Five.

Shamela Hanley: Race Six.

A voting page will open after all the finalists have previewed their chosen race and we will be asking the public to provide their views before the winner is chosen by the Tipstar judging panel. The winner will be announced live on The Friday Club on Friday, March 4.

Best of luck to this year's finalists, and thanks again to everyone who entered.

Age: 22.

Occupation: Sports commentator.

Where does your interest in racing come from? My dad used to take me to the races when I was younger, and we only live up the road from Leopardstown, so he always had the bug.

What is your favourite racing memory? Watching Douvan and Faugheen win around Leopardstown stands out; they would be my two favourite horses I have seen in the flesh. Douvan beating Sizing John by 18 lengths on the bridle in the 2015 Racing Post Novice Chase was magic.

Why did you enter Tipstar? I liked the idea of the competition being a search for a Broadcaster this year, rather than it being focused on tipping, as my tipping can blow hot and cold at times! It’s an opportunity to put myself out there, and working as a racing broadcaster is a goal of mine.

Dream job in racing? I would like to be the Kevin Blake of horse racing, or be the main Irish correspondent like Gary O’Brien (who is a hero of mine) as he’s among the best in the business. If I could be called ‘the voice of Irish racing’ one day, then I would know I’m doing a good job!

Age: 19.

Occupation: University Student plus I write columns for my local newspaper.

Where does your interest in racing come from? My Mum is a secretary at Tony Carroll’s yard, and my dad is a massive fan of horse racing. I’ve been going to Cheltenham since the age of nine and my passion for the sport has built and built each year. I’m also a massive fan of AP McCoy and I used to watch all his rides when I was younger!

What is your favourite racing memory? The first day I attended the Cheltenham Festival in 2017. My dad asked me to pick one horse in the Champion Hurdle, and I went for Buveur D’Air. To see him cruising into the lead turning for home under Noel Fehily before powering clear will always be a special memory for me.

Why did you enter Tipstar? I only started sharing videos of my horse racing content on social media last year, so I’m fairly new to that. I saw Tipstar being advertised, so I thought I’d try and gain some exposure and see how far I could get. I enjoy doing pieces to the camera and I have recently started recording weekend previews on YouTube.

Dream job in racing? I would love to be a presenter. When I see presenters like Lydia Hislop and Nick Luck interviewing a trainer such as Paul Nicholls at the Cheltenham Festival, I always think it would be amazing if I could do that.

Age: 25.

Occupation: Account Manager.

Where does your interest in racing come from? A combination of my Grandad, and my stepdad. My stepdad used to take me to Cheltenham all the time and my Grandad always loved to have a punt on a Saturday, so that's where it started for me.

What is your favourite racing memory? The first year I went to Cheltenham, I backed Fayonagh who won the Champion Bumper. I thought she had absolutely no chance after blowing the start, but it sent me home happy when she came from last to first under Jamie Codd!

Why did you enter Tipstar? I got through to the final in 2020 which opened up some great opportunities for me, and I’ve been able to do work for various companies since. I got close last time, and I think I’ve improved on my speech and knowledge of racing since, so I thought why not give it a go again.

Dream job in racing? I would like to be broadcaster. I also like the idea of being live on course and previewing and analysing races plus it would be a great job that takes you to different racecourses.

Age: 30.

Occupation: Account Manager.

Where does your interest in racing come from? From my Grandad when I was a kid. He spent Saturday’s sat watching the racing with all of his bets in his little black book, and I used to sit there watching it with him.

What is your favourite racing memory? Sprinter Sacre’s comeback in the 2016 Champion Chase! I must admit, I did cry when he came back into the winner’s enclosure afterwards. I had been backing him ante-post as I couldn’t believe his price, and the atmosphere that day was incredible.

Why did you enter Tipstar? I can talk about racing all day long, so I thought this was a great opportunity to present what I’m like, and I’d love to get a job in racing. I’m buzzing to have got through the final!

Dream job in racing? To be a presenter on Racing TV! I’m fine writing about horse racing, but I get a bigger kick out of talking about racing. I would snap anyone’s hand off for a job as a presenter or pundit.

Age: 24.

Occupation: Director of a business.

Where does your interest in racing come from? My friend asked me to have a look at a race when I was watching the racing with him one weekend, and I ended up winning on a couple of races in a row, so it all stemmed from there. My interest also heightened when I attended the Cheltenham Festival, but I mainly enjoy the betting perspective of the sport.

What is your favourite racing memory? I would say Willoughby Court (my namesake!) winning at Cheltenham in 2017 when he beat Neon Wolf. He provided me with a really good day at the track that day.

Why did you enter Tipstar? I would love to work in the racing media and saw Tipstar as an opportunity to try and get my name out there. I’ve run a Twitter page posting videos for a few years now and would like to progress.

Dream job in racing? I would have to say a presenter. I still think there’s a gap in the market to create more content in horse racing, though, so I would also like to do stuff like that.

Age: 22.

Occupation: Work rider and photographer.

Where does your interest in racing come from? My dad was a jockey and my mum is an assistant trainer, so I’ve always been around racing, and racehorses, and my love stemmed from there. I’ve also been riding ponies since I was kid and taking photos at racecourses since I was 13.

What is your favourite racing memory? I went to the Cheltenham Festival in 2018 when I was working for Noel Meade, even though I had a broken collarbone, and Road To Respect finished fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, so that was pretty cool!

Why did you enter Tipstar? I wanted to represent the girls as I feel like there should be more girls willing to enter Tipstar. The competition seems really competitive, so I also wanted to see if I was able to do this sort of thing.

Dream job in racing? I always wanted to be a trainer, but I think my horizons have been broadened! I would definitely like to work in the racing media.