Tipstar 2024: Find out more about the six finalists

The 2024 Tipstar: Search for a Broadcaster final takes centre stage at Cheltenham this Friday (December 13), live on Racing TV, and we are very much looking forward to the six finalists previewing and reviewing a race each on day one of The Christmas Meeting.

Liam Firkin, Lee Gibson, Sharon Hamilton, JoelRees, Dan Walsh and James Woods have all made it through to the final after impressing the judges with their knowledge and expertise via the entries they sent in for the three challenges.

A draw has taken place to determine which race each finalist will be covering, and the winner, who will receive a brilliant bundle of prizes, including £1,000 and a live shift on Racing TV, will be revealed after racing. Here are the races each finalist will be covering:

JAMES WOODS: Race 1 - British EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle - (12.10pm)

LIAM FIRKIN: Race 2 - SSS Super Alloys Novices' Chase - (12.40pm)

DAN WALSH: Race 3 – Catesby Estates Handicap Hurdle - (1.15pm)

JOEL REES: Race 4 – Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Coming Soon Handicap Chase – (1.50pm)

LEE GIBSON: Race 5 – Unibet Middle Distance Chase Series Veterans' Handicap Chase - (2.25pm)

SHARON HAMILTON: Race 6 - Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase - (3.00pm)

We would again like to thank everyone who sent entries in for each challenge, and our judges will no doubt have another tricky decision on their hands when deciding the winner of this year's competition.

Below, each finalist reveals a bit more about themselves. Make sure you tune into Racing TV to watch how the final unfolds!  

Age: 32. 

Occupation: Sales Manager for an automation and robotics company. 

Where does your interest in racing come from? Bizarrely, I first attended Cheltenham Racecourse to watch John Bishop’s stand up! On the way out of the Centaur Building, I noticed a brochure for the Cheltenham Festival and mentioned it to a friend, Shea. We then attended every Festival for the next decade, my first being when Denman, Kauto Star and Long Run turned for home together in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. I may have peaked too early! 

What is your favourite racing memory? Undoubtedly, Champagne Fever’s win in the 2012 Champion Bumper. We’d started backing him at 8-1 months before and were still having a few more quid on at 16-1 before the off. It wasn’t just that he won, it was the fact that I lived in a small, tight-knit village, and there was not one of our friends who hadn’t backed him!  It was incredible seeing everyone in the pub after that race. The closest feeling to owning a Cheltenham winner, I’m sure! 

Why did you enter Tipstar? I initially entered to put myself out of my comfort zone. If the truth is told, I wouldn’t have continued with Challenge Two as I’d left it to the last minute and on the morning of the deadline, I was also doing all the last-minute preparations for the engagement party I’d planned for later that afternoon, where I was going to propose to my long-term girlfriend! I did message my Dad saying “maybe next year” but fortunately, he insisted that I get the video done, and I’m glad he encouraged me to do so. 

Dream job in racing? As ambitious as this may sound, I’d love to assist with creating a brighter future for National Hunt Racing in the UK. Ideally, I’d like to represent a group who can be a contributing voice during the decision-making process, when the consultation process occurs, and around changes to the race programme etc. I believe that racing fans are underrepresented when these decisions are made, and there are many good ideas and opinions amongst us that need a voice and consideration. 

Age: 36.

Occupation: I host a YouTube channel, and a weekly Twitter show, with two amazing lads across at OFLHracing (Only Fools Love Horses Racing!). As a group, we continue to grow, and now three years in, the two lads have jobs within racing, and I write weekly columns for racing groups, alongside my successful tipping platform. 

Where does your interest in racing come from? I used to run to my Grandad’s house to watch the racing with him, and during every Cheltenham Festival my Uncle, and Cousin, would watch the racing together with us plus the Grand National has always been a family occasion. I’ve been going racing since I was around seven, with my Dad, Auntie and Uncle. It became a passion, and I loved it from day one. I first went to the Cheltenham Festival in 2011, and I’ve made the pilgrimage every year since. It’s my holiday and my time to relax - it’s my biggest joy in life. 

What is your favourite racing memory? I have a few “best memories” of racing. Firstly, being at that golden hour when Constitution Hill demolished the Champion Hurdle field, followed by Honeysuckle gaining her fourth Cheltenham Festival win. It was very special. The other memorable moment was witnessing Sprinter Sacre’s second Champion Chase win. I didn’t back him, but I clapped and cheered him back in, and the crowd appreciated his brilliance to regain his title. That’s what I love about racing the most. 

Why did you enter Tipstar? I’m thrilled to have reached the Tipstar final on Racing TV. Plenty of my racing friends encouraged me to enter the challenge this year, and I’m so pleased I did. It gives me an opportunity to explore different experiences and uncover hidden skill sets. I’ve enjoyed pushing myself out of my usual comfort zone. I also wish the best of luck to all the other finalists and would like to thank Racing TV for the opportunity. 

Dream job in racing? The area of racing I would love to continue to progress within, and gain a permanent role doing, would preferably be working on course. I seem to thrive and come alive most of all when on a racecourse! I have a real passion for the horses, and I love the care and attention given to them. I especially enjoy the behind-the-scenes build-up, the pre-parade, and the saddling up. Seeing that element of racing and the process of getting a horse to the track is amazing. 

Age: 54

Occupation: Marketing Director for a firm of Auctioneers. 

Where does your interest in racing come from?  An old boyfriend bought me a share in a racehorse as a birthday present: Magic Mistress trained by Stuart Williams (she won three times). It ignited a life-long love of the sport. From there, I started riding out and held an amateur flat licence for a while. 

What is your favourite racing memory? Can I have two?! The EPIC 2011 edition of the Cheltenham Gold Cup! I was there...and it was electric. With the bias of recency, the hour in which Constitution Hill and Honeysuckle both triumphed at The Festival in 2023 was also incredibly emotional.   

Why did you enter Tipstar? My son is an apprentice jockey and I find myself studying form and reading races to a greater depth than I ever thought possible. I thought I should put it to good use. 

Dream job in racing? To play a part in broadcasting - through whatever medium - the utterly compelling narrative of this incredible sport; the highs, the lows and behind the scenes. There are so many untold stories that deserve a platform. 

Age: 26.

Occupation: Packing & Distribution Assistant.

Where does your interest in racing come from? From a young age, I always looked forward to the Grand National, that was the only racing I saw each year but as we hit February/March, I’d start asking my parents, “Is the National soon?”. Picking my horses and then watching the events of the race unfold was thrilling. As well as that, my Grandad is a racing fan and from my mid-teens, it was something that brought us together more than anything. The first race I watched outside of the National was the 2014 Gold Cup. I had On His Own to win, who was just beat by Lord Windermere (gutting…!). I've been hooked ever since.

What is your favourite racing memory? Tiger Roll winning back-to-back Grand Nationals in 2019. I was at University at the time, and he was a legend within my circles. After the 2018 win, we had Five-A-Side teams, drinks and other random things named after him! Me and mostly everyone I knew backed him or was cheering him on in 2019, and it was a race everyone was interested in together plus it was brilliant watching him romp to history. We celebrated well and I missed a 6am pickup for a day at Alton Towers the following morning as a result!

Why did you enter Tipstar? Being able to get a job in a sport I love would be a dream. For years I’d seen the competition had been running and I always thought it was something I was capable of giving a good go, and could give me a chance to get into the industry. However, I’d keep finding excuses to stop me from putting an entry in. Truthfully, I have little media experience but I made a conscious effort to do something out of my comfort zone, and this felt the perfect time to enter.

Dream Job in racing? Being a pundit trackside and getting to travel around the country/world to talk about horses, races and give my opinion. Being at the heart of the atmosphere of racing’s biggest moments would be unbelievable. Furthermore, starting and being a part of a weekly racing preview show with a bit of a twist is something I'd enjoy. I have some ideas…

Age: 34.

Occupation: Freelance Media Producer/Editor.

Where does your interest in racing come from? I was initially introduced to racing as a kid via Saturday's tuned in to Grandstand on the BBC with my grandparents, and even fancied myself as a future jockey for what was likely a month or so before it was a chef or radio host etc. But height and, later, weight, as well as only ever sitting on a donkey, put paid to that dream. As I got older, noticeable patterns, mathematical aspects and the puzzle-solving element of finding potential or even a winner is what re-spiked my interest. I’m fascinated in each racing code for multiple different reasons.

What is your favourite racing memory? Which to pick…? I recently met an old punting pal in El Astronaute, a lovely gent by the way, and that experience was a big bucket list item ticked off. Seeing Frankel’s once-in-a-lifetime Juddmonte International win with my own eyes and not via a TV or a mobile phone screen was such an honour and a core memory that will be etched into my brain forever. And then there’s the tear-jerkers, such as Honeysuckle’s final Mares’ Hurdle win and Noble Mission winning the Champion Stakes - they both sent emotions all over the shop.

Why did you enter Tipstar? A particularly rough few years health-wise had unfortunately stunted my career path and confidence significantly, but that’s also led to me doing on-camera appearances as a backup to Mr Ross Brierley for the racing syndicate RaceShare. They put on regular exclusive shows for owners which include previews, commentaries and race analysis. Feedback had suggested those shows have been going down really well, so I wanted to see if I had what it takes to push on more publicly and build from the confidence those experiences had begun to instil in me.

Dream job in racing? I’m fortunate enough already to have rubbed shoulders with many of racing's biggest and brightest characters, while working behind the scenes on some of the sport's funnest shows. But my dream, in all honesty, would be to be part of a small informal stream where enthusiastic but 'respectful’ armchair jockeys like myself can follow the racing together. We could analyse it, discuss it in real time and share our favourite sporting stories, as well as be honest about our bad beats, and where a range of guests with specific expertise can lend that knowledge out to a community.

Age: 32

Occupation: Mechanical Estimator. 

Where does your interest in racing come from? I got into racing during my late teens and then as time went on, my grandad Bill got more into it as well. My connection with him was so deep and through the racing it grew stronger, as did my love for the sport. Since he passed, being part of racing now just makes me feel happy, and thinking of him as well. 

What is your favourite racing memory? Probably Champ winning the RSA (now Brown Advisory) in 2020. I was there with my wife Samantha and it was just an incredible moment and race to be a part of.

Why did you enter Tipstar? To have the opportunity to be a pundit on Racing TV at the Home of Jump Racing Cheltenham was simply a opportunity not to be missed. I believe I've got the ability to put on a good show for the viewers and hopefully I can show that on December 13.

Dream job in racing? That would definitely be just being a pundit in the sport, and being able to talk about racing on a daily basis plus on the TV. It would just be a dream come true, and they say it's never too late to go for it.

-A live shift on Racing TV

-£1,000

-A day behind the scenes at Racing TV HQ 

-Six-week vlog on Racing TV’s social media platforms

-An interview on Raceday TV

-A guest appearance on The Friday Club

-12-month Racing TV subscription

-A bundle of Racing TV merchandise

-Opportunity to preview the racing at a Racing TV club day (including free tickets so you can bring your family and friends along with you!)

-The Tipstar trophy plus a huge cheque! 

2014 - Richard Smith - @tipstarchamp

2015 - Nick Seddon - @NickSeddon_

2016 - Harry Allwood - @harry_allwood

2017 - Chris Baker - @chrisbaker1984

2020 – Ross Millar - @rosscojmill

2022 - Dan Overall - @OverandClear

2023 - Katie Midwinter - @KatieMidwinter