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DAVID CARR

Weblog: What do you mean the Wi-Fi doesn't work? The life of a Racing Post reporter

DAVID CARR'S RSS FEED POSTED AT 4:06pm 3 NOV 2011

Will be sadly missed

By David Carr 4:06PM 3 NOV 2011

Sometimes you just have to ignore what people want and give them what they deserve - no matter how much they may protest.

Even people as good as Will O'Hanlon, a founding member of the Racing Post team who wanted no fuss made on his retirement last week and instead walked off unheralded into the sunset.

But as someone who has worked with him many a time down the years I certainly cannot let his departure go unmarked.
Will was a star. It came across in his writing but even more so in person.

A soft-spoken Irishman, the very embodiment of calmness under pressure, infinitely kind and patient and with expertise on a wide range of subjects - racing obviously but also Gaelic and American football. Though not, it has to be said, information technology.

His speciality used to be to appear in the press room as if by magic just as the last runner was going into the stalls, serenely unconcerned at the lateness of the hour and immediately ready for the fray.

He'll miss his visits to Southwell. Possibly.

David Carrr with Movember tash

PICTURE: David Carr

Today was a good day to come, with the remarkable La Estrella taking the headlines by making it a perfect ten wins from ten visits to this track in the claimer.

Though the press room was full to bursting - no fewer than three photographers on site with Paul Hanagan and Silvestre de Sousa going head to head as the jockeys' championship entered its final 72 hours.

At least there was some comfort for those able to get a seat. They have splashed out on new chairs since my last visit, proper wooden ones with cushioned seats and a decent back.

And the food was up to its usual standard. A choice in fact, beef stew or sausages. With chips, obviously.

Many, many thanks to those of you who have already given money to the Racing Post 'Movember' team - every penny is very gratefully received.

One of the country's leading experts on racing described my current outcrop as 'just bum fluff' this afternoon but we are only three days in - you can judge my latest progress in the photos.