Racing Post Ratings team defend their National Press Challenge crown in style

The Racing Post Ratings teams have run out emphatic winners of the National Press Challenge for the second year running, picking up the winner's cheque for £2,000 in the process.

The challenge is ranked by return from £1 bet at SP on all selections, expressed as a percentage of turnover, and the RP Ratings team ended 2017 on 93.35 per cent.

They had 2,553 winners from 9,221 tips, a 27 per cent success rate, and finished the year strongly, being the only competitor in the 11-strong field to show a level-stakes surplus for December, of £12.63.

The RP Ratings team consists of Sam Walker – the newest member having joined in 2004 – Simon Turner, Paul Curtis and Steve Mason.

Walker said: "We're delighted to win by a wide margin for the second year running.

"We've had the same four handicappers in place for a long time now and we're as keen as ever to get it right. I put the success down to a combination of hard work and experience, and it's great to get this recognition."

Runner-up, and collecting £500, was the Daily Mail's Robin Goodfellow.