Punter wins £80,000 from just £2 after backing trainer to do the impossible with 1-2-3 finish

A PLUCKY punter was celebrating to the tune of £80,000 from just a £2 stake after selecting an ‘impossible’ racing bet.

Bookmakers Coral must surely be wondering how on earth they could have been taken to the cleaners as rough as they have been after a special tricast pick.

Lethal Levi leading home an almost impossible Karl Burke 1-2-3 in the Ayr Gold Cup

Jockey Clifford Lee with the prestigious trophy

Especially given the race that centred round the bet was the wide open Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup.

The punter – who actually placed the bet in a shop in Reading – opted for a Karl Burke training masterclass in the Scottish showpiece.

To even have a runner win the big race would have been some selection, given Burke hadn’t registered a winner for seven days in the lead up to Saturday’s huge 25-1 runner handicap over six furlongs.

But Burke has previously had a 1-2 in the race, although you’re going back to the late Nineties to find that.

Nevertheless, this genius punter was clearly an admirer of Burke’s and backed his three runners to finish in an exact order in the feature.

Lethal Levi was picked to finish first under Clifford Lee, who itself was a huge price at 20/1.

They stayed on best of all down the near side, kicking clear having nosed in front at the 1/2 furlong pole to win going away by three lengths.

It was a bit more of a bunched finish for the honours in behind, with several runners all in with a chance entering the closing stages.

Remarkably, Burke’s other two runners Silky Wilkie and Korker were split by a short head in behind at 66/1 and 40/1, respectively, and finishing just under a length clear of fourth.

And that was the exact order this punter heroically predicted, landing them a stunning tricast payout of £78,988.80 for their £2 stake.

Of his incredible training performance last Saturday, Burke said: “That was a nice result, wasn’t it?

“We did the 1-2 26 years ago when Always Alight beat Daring Destiny and Daring Destiny had won it four years earlier, and to get three Gold Cups is fantastic.

“A few had run a bit disappointingly. But we had a double last Saturday and were unlucky not to have four winners and at least we’ve managed to win a big one today.

“This was quite remarkable and fair play to the whole team, everybody works hard and the horses are in great shape. The season has been amazing and I hope it hasn’t finished yet.”

On the punter’s sensational win, Coral’s Dave Stevens said: “We don’t know if this Reading shop punter is a particular fan of Karl Burke, who trained the first three home in the Ayr Gold Cup, but if he wasn’t before, he surely is now, after scooping this wonderful windfall.

“With SPs of 20-1, 66-1 and 40-1, a tricast return of £39,494.40 for a pound would be incredible enough, but this customer had it for £2, making this a Saturday to remember.”

---

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk