Bookmaker Neil Astor is a familiar face at point-to-point courses in the South Midlands and East Anglia, particularly at his beloved Kingston Blount, just down the road from Princes Risborough where he was born and brought up.
Neil (pictured with Alan and Joe Hill) has had pitches at points for over 30 years and formerly bet at several Rules racecourses, as well as holding the bookmaking licence at Oxford United FC (although he supports Chesterfield for family reasons).
Jake Exelby called him up to find out about his interest in pointing and how he’s been coping without it during lockdown.
How did you get into point-to-pointing?
I used to play football every weekend but got injured in the early 1980s. My mate Michael Collins had a few pitches so I went pointing with him on Saturdays instead and loved it. When one of his helpers packed up, I started clerking for him, then took over the licence in 1989 when he stopped.
What do you love most about pointing?
It’s the people more than anything else. It’s a friendly, relaxed, fun atmosphere and the racing isn’t the be-all and end-all.
Who have been your favourite horses?
The first one I really liked was Nostradamus. I remember him beating Jimmy Frost on Armagnac Princess at Kingston Blount in 1981, the year he was leading horse. He was always there or thereabouts in points.
More recently, it has been Alan Hill-trained horses. Harbour Court was special and I loved watching Broken Eagle run – it’s such a shame that both of them died at the races. But I also like some of the ordinary ones, like Fly Direct. He was an absolute bastard – you literally had to tow him out of the horsebox – but he still managed to win four races.
Which jockeys have you most admired?
James Tudor was the man. He always had his horse in the right place, he had an amazing will to win and he knew how to outride the other jockeys. His John Corbet win on Harbour Court was something else. Smashing bloke too.
In the past, Lucy King stood out among female riders – I remember her and Florida King. Currently, Gina Andrews is terrific.
What are your favourite courses?
Kingston Blount’s my local track and I know so many people there. I’ve only been to Bredwardine once but I loved it. Of those that have closed, Newton Bromswold was good and so was Mounsey Hill Gate, out on the Somerset moors.
What's been your personal funniest moment in the sport?
You couldn’t print most of them! I remember going to Black Forest Lodge with Alan one day when his daughter Gaby was riding. It was below freezing the whole day but racing went ahead. Gaby came off Ocean Du Moulin before the start and Alan shouted, “I haven’t come this far in this weather for a bloody non-runner” and raced all the way from the hill by the finish to the start on the far side of the course to make sure she remounted and took part.
What has been the highlight of your time as a point-to-point bookmaker?
I was at Clifton-on-Dunsmore one day when a big punter had £2,000 to £1,000 on one of Jimmy Tarry’s, which won. He didn’t collect, but left his winnings on the favourite in the next. I really got stuck in to the race and I laid all the horses apart from a 33/1 shot. I don't remember his name, but he led throughout, swishing his tail like a propeller, and just held on to win. That was a good result!
What changes, for better or worse, have you seen in your time?
I think it’s got better for participants – for example the standard of organisation, the medical cover, the fact we have running rails now!
However, I’m not a fan of 4yo maidens carrying very low weights against older horses – and I think they’d sell better if they’d won carrying 11st 7lbs or more, like they do in Ireland.
How has lockdown affected you from a racing perspective?
I’ve only been twice this season – I had a pitch at Kimble and went to Larkhill. I miss it – I often go National Hunt racing with the Hills too. Mind you, I’ve done a fair bit of punting online.
What else have you been up to during lockdown?
I’ve been walking every day, so have lost weight! It's more tricky finding time at the moment, as it gets dark earlier, and I spend the afternoon watching the racing.
What do you think about hunter chases with professional riders?
I don’t like it, but it’s the right thing to do. If we hadn’t done it, hunter chases would have been replaced – say – by veterans races and, if these had been successful, we’d have lost a few hunter chases for good.
What do you think we should do with the rest of the pointing season?
Peter Wright’s done a great job – I know how much work Alan does and Peter’s done ten times that! While I can’t see racing with crowds before April, it would be great to go pointing in May with spectators and decent weather.
Have you been watching the live streaming? What do you think?
I’ve seen some of it. It’s good for pointing enthusiasts and Kimble, with Luke Harvey, was great. It’s also not very expensive considering what you get.
What do you think the effect of lockdown on pointing will be?
I hope there won't be too much of an impact. I don’t think too many people will switch to Rules racing – pointing owners tend to stay in the sport – and horses will just be roughed off sooner. I do worry that some venues may be under threat though, if their meetings are cancelled.
What have you most enjoyed about lockdown?
In the summer, I played croquet with the Hills at Woodway Farm – that was something to look forward too.
Tell me about a book, film, TV series or some music you've enjoyed?
I’ve been watching Bosch on Amazon Prime – it's a serialisation of books by Michael Connolly about an LA detective. The best film I’ve seen has been Official Secrets with Keira Knightley and I’ve enjoyed reading the Irish Racing Yearbook, which Punchestown sent to all their members.
What are you most looking forward to when lockdown is over?
I’ve been missing my mates and the craic in the local pub, The Inn at Emmington.
What would you be doing if you weren't involved in racing?
Bugger all! I’d be retired.
Who are your non-racing heroes?
Mainly footballers. Though Chesterfield’s my team, deep down I’m a Man United fan – I saw them win the European Cup Final at Wembley in 1968. My favourite player was (sings), “Six foot two, eyes of blue, big Jim Holton’s after you!”