Former Jockey Club Estates chairman George Paul dies at 82

Former Jockey Club Estates chairman George Paul, a driving force behind the Palace House restoration project in Newmarket that led to the opening of the National Horse Racing Museum, has died at the age of 82.

The former chairman of Norwich Union was made an MBE for services to racing's heritage and received the award from the-then Duke of Cambridge in July, travelling to Buckingham Palace despite being treated for pancreatic cancer.

In a tribute quoted in the East Anglian Daily Times, his son Oliver said: "After the invigorating atmosphere of big business, George was not ready to retire and joined the Jockey Club Estates at Newmarket, applying his farming knowledge to improving the gallops.

"He showed great commercial aplomb and orchestrated the building of the Millennium Stand and the development of the interactive National Horseracing Museum.

"Earlier this year he was awarded an MBE for services to British horseracing heritage, for which he was immensely proud. He had a passion for horseracing. Horses and the countryside gave him the utmost pleasure throughout his life, which he more than repaid by helping to preserve the history, heritage and enjoyment for all."

Paul is survived by his second wife, Maggie Kilgour, along with three children, two stepchildren and nine grandchildren.

New man in charge of punters' body

Sean Trivass has been appointed chair of the Horseracing Bettors Forum, in succession to Colin Hord who has been at the helm since 2019.

Trivass writes about racing for various publications and has worked in the sport since the 1980s.

He said: "Colin and his predecessors will be very hard acts to follow, they have engaged enthusiastically with the industry looking to gain a say on behalf of the betting public, something I and the rest of the HBF are very keen to continue."

Explaining his decision to step down, Hord said: "I've been involved with the HBF since 2017 and chair since 2019. It has been a great experience, the HBF is now seen as the body that represents horseracing bettors and is increasingly being recognised by the horseracing industry as providing valuable insights on how bettors wish to see racing, both now and in the future."

The new chair takes on the role at a pivotal moment for betting, with the country awaiting publication of the government's long-awaited Gambling Act white paper.

Sean Trivass: 'Colin and his predecessors will be very hard acts to follow'Credit: Horseracing Bettors Forum

Racing Post's Expert Eye lead naps competition approaching final day

The Racing Post's Expert Eye tipping team lead the naps table standings heading into the final day of the summer season.

The team is composed of the Post's race analysts and they provide a nap as a section of the free-to-read daily email On The Nose.

Following the success of Kanakam at Newcastle at odds of 7-4, the Expert Eye go into the final day with a level-stakes profit of +41.34.

The Expert Eye's final tip is Sweet Believer in the 4.40 at Ascot.

Closest to chasing them down is the Daily Record's Garry Owen, who has a profit of £+38.67. He, along with fourth-placed Lambourn, tipped up Haydock outsider Maketh Believeth on Friday, but the 15-2 shot could finish only fifth.

Like Expert Eye, Owen is also relying on Saturday selection Sweet Believer.

That means all eyes will be on Mirror Online's Melissa Jones, who currently sits third in the standings with a level-stakes profit of +24.89. She has selected King's Lynn in the 2.00 at Ascot.

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Prominent bookmaker and former Mayor of Galway John Mulholland dies aged 76

Influential independent bookmaking figure and former Mayor of Galway John Mulholland has died at the age of 76.

Well known in racing circles for his running of family business Mulholland Bookmakers, which was started by his grandfather in the 1930s, Mulholland was a prominent figure in his local Galway community.

He was elected to Galway City Council in 1985 and worked in the role for 24 years, while also serving two terms as Mayor from 1986 to 1987 and 1996 to 1997.

Mulholland, a board member of Galway United FC in the early 1980s, sold the family's recognisable chain of betting shops in 2019.

Husband of Margaret (née Flynn) and father of Alan, Lisa, Eddie and Aoife, Mulholland will repose at the O’Flaherty Funeral Parlour, Munster Avenue, Galway on Friday October 14 from 4.30pm, with removal at 7pm to the Church of Christ the King, Salthill.

Requiem mass will take place on Saturday, October 15 at 11am before the funeral concludes at Rahoon cemetery.

Those wishing to watch Mulholland's funeral mass online can do so via www.salthillparish.ie

Mullins hoping Townend can return before end of month

Willie Mullins hopes Paul Townend could be back in action before the end of October, as he recuperates from a fall at the Listowel harvest festival.

Ireland's five-time champion jump jockey has been on the sidelines since being unseated from 5-1 favourite El Barra in the Kerry National on September 21, walking away gingerly from the tumble.

In Townend's absence, title challenger Jack Kennedy has been among the winners since returning at the beginning of October from a collarbone injury, while Townend also missed the month of August nursing a thumb injury from the Galway festival.

Mullins said: "I haven't been talking to Paul, I think he's away for a little break. It's been three weeks since Listowel. I'd be hoping he'll be back shortly, before the end of this month."

Before Thursday's action at Tramore, Kennedy, who had three rides, led the championship on 40 winners with Townend in fifth on 25.

Kennedy will miss five meetings from October 21 to 30 due to a whip ban from Downpatrick last Friday.

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