Spoke to him today, he says his wife is going to contact them, I think she is the diplomatic one. He had bought tickets but upon finding out he had won the comp in a shooting magazine, he sold them on to a couple he shoots with. He's just gutted because he'll miss out on the chauffeur driven buggy, bubbly, full breakfast and afternoon Pimms, but as you say, it's got to be worth a try with the organisers.
Can't believe the (lack of) summer this year. Think I've only been out shooting a couple of times the last few months. Tried my hand at water polo instead but my horse drowned !