#BettingPeople

Interview: PATRICK ENGLISH is a professional psephologist, political forecaster and lecturer in data analytics at the University of Exeter. Patrick has worked on the UK election Exit Poll in the past and crated a forecast for the Presidential Election that was won by Joe Biden. Meeting Patrick English. (interview by William Kedjanyi)

Interview: CLAUDE DUVAL Claude Duval owes his start in Fleet Street to his skill as an off-spin bowler. He went on to an illustrious 47 year career with The Sun, billed as ‘The Punter’s Pal’. In this series of interviews he looks back fondly on the characters and horses that have enlivened his career: Lord Oaksey, Barney Curley, John McCririck, Jenny Pitman, Shergar, Arkle, Frankel and many more get a mention. Kick back, relax and let Claude Duval regale you. Meeting Claude Duval.

Interview: BRENDAN DUKE Sarah Kinsella met up with Brendan Duke in Navan on February 17th to talk about all things racing, his days on Countdown and his trading years at Paddy Power towers. He now writes a blog for Paddy Power, records podcasts and videos with Racing Post on horse racing and is a regular racegoer and a ‘Paddock Judge’ punter. His father is a well known dual purpose trainer and he talks about his biggest success. Meet Brendan Duke.

Interview: MICHAEL DUGHER Michael Dugher is the CEO of the Betting And Gaming Council. Formerly the Chief Executive of UK Music, he also served as a Labour MP for the Barnsley East constituency between 2010 and 2017, during which he held senior positions in the Shadow Cabinet including Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Meeting Michael Dugher. (interview by William Kedjanyi)

Interview: ADRIAN and DAVID DENT Brothers and Equine Artists Adrian & David Dent are as renowned for their art as they are bon viveurs. In business together as Dent Fine Art they display their work on racecourses around the globe. Their love of music and fashion shines through in their eclectic mix of artistic styles. In this interview with Simon Nott, they talk passionately about their work and in part two with equal zeal on their campaign ‘Save Kempton Park’. Meeting Adrian and David Dent.

Interview: ALAN DELMONTE Alan Delmonte went to a comprehensive school in Stoke Newington, loved horse racing and football from an early age. He was determined to work within racing professionally and now holds the position of Chief Executive of the Levy Board. In this series of three interviews with Simon Nott, his discusses his role, that of the Levy and the issues that surround them. Meeting Alan Delmonte.

MEET THE TRAINER: In an interview with Simon Nott, National Hunt trainer Victor Dartnall talks about his background, his father’s career held up by WW2, his own love of racing, moving to Devon to start training. He has a lot to say about the current state of racing, how banning pony racing after the War was a bad decision still resonating through racing today, how to ban the whip and appease the public by…. you’ll just have to watch it! Meeting The Trainer – Victor Dartnall.

Neil Channing is one of the most successful professional gamblers of recent times. He’s also one of the most versatile. He’s succeeded at Poker, Spread Betting, Horses, backing and laying sports betting and racecourse bookmaking.

It’s not all been plain sailing though, there have been some magical highs, winning $1,200,000 in the Irish Poker Open in 2008, and some crushing lows, losing his entire tank laying horses thanks to a Martin Pipe purple patch.

In this series of interviews with Simon Nott Neil tells it warts and all from his humble beginnings winning money playing cards with older kids more interested in getting drunk and having sex, though on-course bookmaking, working in the spread betting industry and winning a fortune playing poker.

He also talks candidly about the mentality of gambling, how to deal with a losing run and advice to those who may be watching his career starry-eyed and ambition to emulate him burning in their hearts. It’s all here, all you wanted to know about the life and times of the modern day professional punter. Meeting Neil Channing. 

Interview: JERRY CROXFORD: In this series of five interviews, Simon Nott talks to professional dog punter Jerry Croxford. From his first introduction to Greyhound Racing with his father to becoming the scourge of the ring and a marked man in betting shops. Meeting Jerry Croxford.

Interview: ALAN CROWHURST Alan Crowhurst is an award-winning horseracing photographer contracted to Getty Images. His life has always involved racing, his grand father was a racecourse bookmaker. In this interview Alan talks about growing up in Brighton, taking up photography, his passion for his profession, what it takes to get an award-winning ‘Crowhurst’ shot and his hopes for the future with Star Sports' Simon Nott. Meeting Alan Crowhurst.