An Irish pensioner managed to bag over half a million euros from bookies Paddy Power after placing one of the most remarkable Cheltenham Festival bets ever on Friday (March 13).
Despite being the dreaded Friday the 13th, the 69-year-old punter landed the colossal payout from a 50 cent each-way Lucky 63 bet, which cost him €63 (around £54) to place, as all six of his picks won, netting him an astounding €558k ( around £483,000).
A Lucky 63 is a combination wager consisting of 63 separate bets of the same value placed on six selections, resulting in a massive payout as a series of bets all came up trumps with winners continuing to come in.
The bet got off to a fantastic start with huge outsider Apolon De Charnie winning the first race before Wilful and Dinoblue took top honours in the next two races.
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Johnny’s Jury then clinched victory in the fourth at long odds before Gaelic Warrior triumphed in the highlight race of the Festival – the Cheltenham Gold Cup – setting up an extraordinary climax for our savvy gambler, reports the Irish Mirror.
Barton Snow duly delivered in the sixth race of the day, narrowly beating Its On The Line by a neck to secure an incredible payout for the Irish customer, and complete one of the greatest Cheltenham betting coups of all time.
Paddy Power said: “What a sensational way to round off Cheltenham week – it’s one of the greatest bets of all-time.
“When a huge outsider wins the opener the groan from punters can usually be heard all across the Cotswolds, but this customer would have been cheering to the rafters, although little did he know then what was to come.
“I’ll be popping around his house later for his lotto numbers this weekend. Seriously, well played, and enjoy the winnings.”
Meanwhile, Willie Mullins was fulsome in his praise of Paul Townend having watched his jockey become the most successful in Cheltenham Gold Cup history with his victory aboard Gaelic Warrior.
Townend pulled clear of Pat Taaffe who also won the race on Fort Leney as well as his three successes on the mighty Arkle.
The 35-year-old was coolness personified on the eight-year-old – who barely came off the bridle – as he added to his two wins each with Al Boum Photo and Galopin Des Champs.
In seeing Gaelic Warrior win, Mullins has joined Arkle’s trainer Tom Dreaper on five victories in the blue riband.
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