Over lunch, the rain which had almost disappeared late in the Mackinnon threatened to return for the Final of the Queen’s Prize. Return it did, with a vengeance, as the hundred competitors started to prepare for their shoot and their scorers tried in vain to keep the scoreboards fairly dry. There was even some brief lightning to make the Range Officers consider whether a postponement might be needed. Thankfully shooting was able to commence; the rain presented just as much of a challenge as the wind, such that scoring was fairly high but not universally so, and with very few 75s. Ellie Charlton briefly led the Queen’s Prize, but only by virtue of finishing first at 900 yards after her shooting partner Colin Johnston unfortunately had to retire because of a rifle malfunction, earning him 100th place.

By the end of 900 yards, however, Parag Patel had extended his overnight lead of six V bulls to a full point, ahead of several rivals. With the wind (and to a large extent the rain) having abated, scoring at 1000 yards was mostly as high as at 900 and Parag, who scored 74.8, never gave up his lead. Parag’s 297.37 was enough to win by a clear point from David Crispin (296.40), Jacqui Rankin and Nick Healy (both 296.38), Glyn Barnett (296.37) and David Luckman (296.36) – extremely close competition, with Parag’s advantage having been earned the day before. The victor was chaired off the range by the Old Epsomians behind the marching band, having also won the British Open TR Championship by three points from David Luckman and Glyn Barnett, with Chris Watson and David Armstrong close behind. Parag will now enjoy being chaired from clubhouse to clubhouse all night, enjoying their hospitality until the wee small hours. Well done Parag – there could barely be a more deserving brand new ‘queen’!

Written by Matt Charlton

There are two videos due their being a break in the broadcast.

Content with thanks National Rifle Association of Great Britain

Video Commentary Paul Deach & Alun Lewis

Image Alistair Wilson