There was a dramatic conclusion to the 2018 Napchecker naps challenge with Templegate (The Sun) snatching victory away from the Sheffield Star's Fortunatus by less than a point after an agonising month of tension.
December began with Fortunatus clear by 10.9 points and, for much of the month, it looked as though he had done enough to claim the title, but five winning naps is a row from 16 December brought Templegate within striking distance. Then, on 29 December, came what proved to be the decisive moment of the whole year. Anna Jammeela’s 11/10 success at Southwell gave Templegate a valuable 0.91 points and the overall lead in the table for the first time since October. With neither tipster able to add to their winning tallies over the next two days, it was Templegate who lifted the crown by a minuscule margin of just 0.7 points.
Robin Goodfellow, who for much of the year was engaged in a rare tussle with Templegate, finished third, after a strong December showing, while Patrick Weaver (Daily Star) and Rob Wright (The Times) also ended 2018 in the black.