SOUTH Wales Argus racing writer Melissa Jones is still in the running to be crowned Britain’s top tipster as a national competition draws to a close on Thursday.

Our Melissa has led the Racing Post/Coral £6,000 NAPS contest for nearly two months as its newest entrant, but was overtaken by Paul Kealy of the Weekender on Monday.

But she is still in contention to win the £4,000 first prize, the £1,500 for second place or £500 for third, ahead of writers from the Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph and newspapers all over the country.

Each tipster has picked one horse per day since October 25 as their best bet of the day (NAP) running through until the final hurdle on Thursday.

The Argus scribe backed Talkonthestreet in the 3.00 at Ludlow today and Kealy went for What A Warrior in the same race.

What A Warrior was pulled up and Talkonthestreet finished second after leading for most of the race.

“He was clear on the turn for home and I was all but going back to the top until the run in, when he tired and got caught,” said Melissa.

“That's racing for you. Paul had a great 22-1 winner on Monday and it must be exciting for followers of the Naps table to see it go right to the wire.”

So what is her secret formula? “I just go through all the cards and identify a race where I can pick the winner,” she said on Bet Racing Nation TV in March.

“I’m quite familiar with the day to day form anyway so I’ve got that to back me up but sometimes it is horses I’ve been following. But I can’t give too much away!”

Melissa’s top tip for tomorrow is Tonvadosa in the 3.15 at Perth.