James wins a day at the races

JAMES Murphy received his winning tickets from Ladbrokes manager Alan Marshall

LUCKY James Murphy will be hoping his good form lasts after winning a trip to Chester Races.

The 64-year-old van driver from Royton scooped the prize in the Evening Chronicle’s competition with Ladbrokes in Huddersfield Road — just weeks after winning a golf trip to Blackpool in the paper.

He correctly named New Approach as the Jim Bolger-trained horse which won last year’s Epsom Derby.

Mr Murphy goes to the races once a year and enjoys an occasional flutter on the Grand National, Ascot and Derby, but admitted that he was not that lucky. However, that seems to have changed and his latest prize includes two country concourse badges for the Cheshire course, a table reserved throughout the day, a four-course a la carte meal, French pastries and race cards.

He is taking his son Paul (42) along and said: “I have been to Chester many, many years ago and it is a wonderful, friendly race course. I am certainly looking forward to it.”