Dan Barber

Murky Tuesday and Thursday nights at Belle Vue Greyhound Stadium, accompanying a friend and his dog-owning parents, marked Daniel's first steps into a career of racing and betting, followed soon after by an interest in Jack Berry’s stable due to a relative’s long-running association with the yard.

While studying journalism at The University of Sheffield, Daniel's first break arrived courtesy of a week-long placement at the Racing Post, which preceded a further three-month Spotlight stint there in 2005.

A move back up North to Timeform came about that October, where he's been ever since, working as a National Hunt race reader while contributing to the successful ‘Timeform Jury’ tipping service, and he now heads up Timeform’s Jumps department. Passions outside racing are also sport-related, most notably following Manchester City.

• Exeter Placepot: Tuesday March 20