Spacedout's Tipster of the Year 2010

[BC]

Tipster of the Year 2010

January

The snow and lost meetings didn't stop the 2009 runner-up from making a fantasmagorical start. Nofinepix storms away as the tape goes up and is the first to rise.

Old-Timer carried on where he left off in December, by making an excellent start to this years campaign and is foot perfect at the first, with newcomer Skyrack also putting in a decent leap and taking the third place profit bonus points.

No one else managed a profit in the conditions, and so our January table looked a bit like this:

Nofinepix	8,715.00
OldTimer	6,490.91
Skyrack	5,782.10
Ginger	4,893.41
BlackCat	4,537.50
Les	4,200.00
Michael	4,100.00
Spacedout	2,950.00

And so to February...

[BC]

February

Nofinepix didn't handle the ground quite so well in February, but with other results going his way, maintains most of his easy lead. Les came whizzing by on the stands rail, and goes into a handy second after an excellent February score.

Old-Timer kept NFP company, and maintains an early podium position. Do we have an early casualty? Skyrack who started so prominently last month, may have fallen (for pastures new). Whilst the forum's cat saw a little improvement on last month, and with the 2nd place bonus points gripped in his paws, made a little ground on the leaders.

Atticus returned from sunnier climes to find the going a little cold and sticky. Michael is a little slow to get going this year and may need to be bustled along at this early stage, and the same, too, could be said of Ginger. Spaceout is still struggling to overturn a poor January, and at the moment, is in the wooden spoon position.

Nofinepix	13,371.67
Les	11,250.00
OldTimer	11,015.91
Skyrack	10,462.29
BlackCat	10,329.38
Atticus	8,939.87
Michael	8,875.00
Ginger	8,636.36
Spacedout	7,400.00

Good luck for March everyone.

BC

[BC]

March

Despite looking a little shaky at one or two of the fences this month, Nofinepix retains his lead, although Old-Timer is now within only a length of the leader after another solid month.

Side note "within a length of the leader" and "another solid month"... Imposter! What have you done with the real OT?

BC finished the month well, and goes on into the podium places, but racing alongside is Les, who slips back to fourth after a poor month.

Spacedout is making eyecatching progress through the field after a very impressive March tally, and he goes on ahead of Atticus, who also finished the month well.

Ginger and Michael are being outpaced at the moment, although we know they are better than their current scores indicate.

The TOTY table as at 31st March looks remarkably like this:

Nofinepix	17,188.08
OldTimer	16,875.91
BlackCat	15,340.28
Les	14,850.00
Spacedout	14,850.00
Atticus	14,484.87
Ginger	13,421.59
Michael	12,975.00

Month Average: 4,802.19

Also Played:
Skyrack

Good luck to everyone for April.

BC

[BC]

April

With the monthly averages being reasonably ok this year so far, coupled with some up-and-down performances by the existing competitors, the door is wide open for the newcomers to triumph in this year's TOTY.

Despite not winning the month after all, his performance this month compared to Nofinepix sees Old-Timer rise to the top of the tree, and knock NFP off his lofty perch for the first time this year.

The house cat still trundles along in third, with Andyor close behind after a solid month that saw him claim the second place bonus. Less than 1,000 points separates top four.

Les and Spacedout find themselves in joint-fifth with Michael just behind and right back in the race after picking up the winners bonus. Kimmy and Banger are finding their feet after being away from this competition for a couple of years - good to see you back.

Atticus is just a length or two behind them at present. Indeed, only 3,000 points separate the 10 mentioned. A little off the pace is Ginger, after undergoing a horrendous month. However, we remember previous years when Ginger has produced a fast-finish, so all to play for as we head into May...

All of that leaves the table looking like this:

OldTimer	20,950.91
Nofinepix	20,786.56
BlackCat	20,600.53
Andyor	20,020.58
Les	19,052.59
Spacedout	19,052.59
Michael	19,025.00
Kimmy	18,815.17
Banger	18,623.92
Atticus	18,109.68
Ginger	16,145.98

Hilda did make one selection. So can I just say, please do feel free to participate - you'll be most welcome. And that goes for any other members who might want to join in too.

As a reminder to Les, please remember you need to make a minimum of 5 selections in the month.

Good luck for May everyone.

BC

[BC]

May

Those of us that sat the month out must look at this as an opportunity lost. None of the players finished in profit and the opportunity to earn some easy bonus points has gone begging.

In the context of those that did play, Old-Timer and Andyor have done themselves no harm, and Nofinepix is none the worse really, with less than 1,000 points separating the first four.

Kimmy made a little headway. Banger treading water. And Michael and Ginger finding the going not to their liking.

All that leaves the TOTY 2010 table looking like this.

OldTimer	25,450.91
Andyor	24,989.21
Nofinepix	24,778.38
BlackCat	24,567.43
Kimmy	23,748.64
Les	23,019.49
Spacedout	23,019.49
Banger	22,520.80
Atticus	22,076.58
Michael	21,725.00
Ginger	18,923.48

Good luck in June everyone.

BC

[BC]

June

The whole field are pretty tightly bunched, apart from Ginger who is not finding the firm going to his liking and is currently being outpaced.

Andyor consolidated his position at the head of affairs, and goes on by a couple of lengths.

Old-Timer, Nofinepix and Spacedout are racing keenly in behind, and that group are a short way ahead of Kimmy, Les, Michael, Banger and Atticus.

All that leaves the TOTY 2010 table looking like this.

Andyor	32,005.69
OldTimer	30,525.91
Nofinepix	29,062.38
Spacedout	28,752.49
Kimmy	28,108.24
Les	27,635.17
Michael	27,179.00
Banger	27,136.48
Atticus	26,864.97
Ginger	20,888.48

We're half way there with everything to play for... so good luck for July everyone.

BC

[BC]

July

In a month that they'd all like to forget, at least Nofinepix and Spacedout shared a small consolation with 750 bonus points each.

Ginger could have really used the points and was taking them along at a strong gallop until half way, when the lactic acid must've kicked in. Atticus held a brief early lead, only to see it dwindle away.

With nothing else of note to report, the TOTY 2010 table is left looking like this.

Andyor	36,578.39
Nofinepix	34,812.38
Spacedout	34,502.49
OldTimer	34,125.91
Kimmy	32,625.64
Atticus	31,739.97
Michael	31,279.00
Banger	30,761.48
Ginger	24,927.98

Better luck in August everyone.

BC

[BC]

August 2010

It looked at one stage as if Andyor was going to put a distance between himself and the chasing group. In the end, he has still managed to stretch his lead by a few lengths over the pre-race favourite Nofinepix.

With Spacedout taking a break, a good opportunity was wasted to steal third in the TOTY, with OT and KP failing to capitalise on his absence.

Atticus didn't enjoy the best of months, and with Banger and Michael also resting, the month was made notable after a fantastic surge by Ginger to capture the 1,000 monthly winning bonus and with a great score to boot. Although at the foot of the table, Ginger has certainly thrown himself a life-line.

All that means this:

Andyor	42,697.39
Nofinepix	40,312.38
Spacedout	39,603.03
OldTimer	38,325.91
Kimmy	37,254.64
Michael	36,379.54
Banger	35,862.02
Atticus	35,684.22
Ginger	32,888.98

With four months of the year remaining, it's now or never to be considered for TOTY 2010 for anyone thinking of joining in!

---

A reminder of Rule 15

15. Again to try and level the playing field, I think it’s only fair to request a minimum of four (4) months involvement during the year, coupled with a minimum of 60 selections made during the year. allowance will of course be made for people going on holiday etc, providing prior notice is given. I also have to make allowances for possible newcomers who wish to join later in the year. However, to win the coveted “Tipster of the Year” award, participation in three (3) of the last four (4) months is obligatory, as is in the final month of December.

---

To Les and BlackCat (oh, that's me, but I often talk to myself) you two have until October. You'd both be sitting roughly where KP is, give or take a few points.

Good luck in September everyone!

BC

Edited - spotted an error!

[BC]

September 2010

He may have had a good August. But he had a great September! Ginger has staged a remarkable turnaround over the last two months and from being adrift in last place, now finds himself in fourth.

With no one else picking up bonus points, there isn't much else to say really, except that Andyor had a terrible time, and sees Nofinepix and Spacedout slip past into the premier positions.

The table:

Nofinepix	44,620.38
Spacedout	44,353.03
Andyor	43,159.39
Ginger	41,911.98
Kimmy	41,436.79
OldTimer	41,050.91
Michael	40,679.54
Banger	39,910.76
Atticus	39,324.02

Although the top three are closely bunched, there's only a little over 5,000 separating the whole field, so it's all to play for in the last three months.

For Banger, Les and BlackCat, continued participation in the TOTY 2010 requires activity in each of the final three months.

[BC]

October 2010

At the top of the table, Andyor closed the gap a little as Nofinepix comes under pressure, while Spacedout slipped back a place, and KP's treading water.

Atticus stole the show in October and makes dramatic strides up the table.

OT, Ginger and Michael all need to get their whips out. (Whatever turns you on! )

With only just over 1,200 covering the top three, a little under 1,700 covering the bottom 5, and around 5,600 covering the whole field, there is absolutely everything to play for going into the final two months.

The table is now looking just a little bit like this:

Nofinepix	50,064.38
Andyor	49,211.89
Spacedout	48,853.03
Kimmy	46,169.29
Atticus	45,913.40
OldTimer	45,650.91
Ginger	44,782.98
Michael	44,479.54

Good luck for November.

BC

[BC]

November 2010

What a dramatic month November was.

Last month I said "OT, Ginger and Michael all need to get their whips out". Well two out of three heeded the call.

Now, I usually start out at the very top of the TOTY, but this time, I have to look at Michael, who has surged into contention (3rd) from last place after a massive month.

Nofinepix still leads, but the distance is far from conclusive. Although having said that, NFP has actually extended the lead slightly in actual points, as Andyor slips back to 4th. Spacedout didn't play, but is the beneficiary of a very good "month average" after sitting the month out, and quickens into 2nd.

Ginger, who had another superb month, passes Atticus, Kimmy and Old-Timer, who seem locked together. Atticus will be keen not to finish bottom after last year, and Old-Timer looks to have his heart set on adding to his wooden-spoon collection.

With only a shade over 2,000 covering the top three, and around 5,700 covering the whole field, there is every chance of picking up the coveted Tipster of the Year 2010 virtual trophy!

In the words of the motivational Delia Smith "Let's be 'aving you".

And so, the table:

Nofinepix	55,036.38
Spacedout	53,991.03
Michael	53,379.54
Andyor	53,032.89
Ginger	51,632.98
Atticus	50,843.90
Kimmy	50,499.29
OldTimer	49,313.41

Good luck for December everyone.

BC

[BC]

DECEMBER 2010

Well, you could say that Spacedout's Tipster of the Year 2010 Comptition had his name all over it. But I'm I not going to stoop to doing cheap gags like that.

Amazingly, at no point did Spacedout lead the TOTY board until the last few strides of December (judging by the Dec scores), where he got up to pip Nofinepix who had the lead from September. Andyor, who led during the summer months, finished third.

Michael put in some good performances in the latter months to come fourth. Atticus was determined to avoid bottom spot, and topped the December month's table to comfortabley avoid the wooden spoon presentation.

Talking of which...

Oooh.. if it was close at the top, then it was a three-way photo for last place!

You'll have to scroll... cruel aren't I?

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Kimmy and Old-Timer narrowly avoid this years free kitchen utensil delivery... which means that Ginger wins the prize that nobody wants. Congratulations!



So all of that means the TOTY 2010 table at the end of December looks, just a little bit, like this:

Spacedout	59,991.03
Nofinepix	58,886.38
Andyor	58,162.89
Michael	57,929.54
Atticus	57,368.90
Kimmy	55,367.29
OldTimer	55,275.91
Ginger	55,041.98

And now the fun all starts again!

Have a great New Year everyone, and the best of luck in the competition.

BC

[Old Timer]

Well done Spaced, richly deserved for all the hard work you've put in.

I must admit though that I' can't ever remember it being this close, less than 5,000 pounds between top and bottom.

Thanks BC for your work too in keeping tabs on us all.

OT

[atticus]

Close indeed and hearty congrats and thanks to Spaced. As the recipient of last year's kitchen utensil I humbly pass it on to Ginger who I know will, temporarily, use it with pride.

[andyor]

Congratulations Spacedout on your excellent result....Very Well Done!


Andyor

[Ginger]

Congratulations Spacedout good tipping over the year.
Ginger

[Nofinepix]

Well done Spaced - top tipping.

Thanks to BC for keeping tabs.

[Spacedout]

thanks all - but as BC says a very tight field it was..

lets see what 2011 brings

cheers
spacedout

[Walter Pidgeon]

Well done spacedot... not the first time that you have won a tipping competition either.

[Walter Pidgeon]

NFP right up there as usual... well done.

[BC]

Jan 1, 2011 18:46:43 GMT Walter Pidgeon said:

NFP right up there as usual... well done.

Will you be entering this year Walt?

[Walter Pidgeon]

[BC]

[Walter Pidgeon]

Well you do have a few guys who always warrant the greatest of respect & also some dark horses that could educate me about the game.