‘I can’t believe he isn’t here to see it’ – Elderly punter lands £54,000 racing win thanks to late husband’s tips

AN 80-year-old racing punter said ‘I can’t believe he’s not here to see it’ after winning £54,000 thanks in part to her late husband.

The lifelong follower of the sport, who wanted to be known as Trish H, won the popular Tote Ten to Follow game.

PAFound A Fifty won an absolute thriller against Master Chewy at Aintree – landing 80-year-old Trish a massive Tote winner worth £54,000[/caption]

She and late husband Ken picked their fantasy squad of ten jumps horses last November – a month before he passed away.

The couple, who got into racing having lived and worked in Newmarket for 40 years, had been trying for decades to scoop the top prize, which rewards punters for how their picks do during the season.

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They always bought the Horses in Training annuals and were keen followers of the sport over jumps and the Flat.

But it was a bittersweet feeling for Trish as she celebrated the huge windfall without her dearly beloved.

And she couldn’t have done it in more dramatic circumstances, thanks to Found A Fifty’s incredible come-from-behind win at Aintree on Grand National day last Saturday.

Trish, who moved to Dorset after retiring, said: “I can’t believe after all these years of entering we’ve finally won it, and he isn’t here to see it.

“I was so excited going into the last day, because I had a look at the other entries near the top and realised if Corach Rambler didn’t win the Grand National and Found A Fifty won the Novices’ Chase it would put me on top spot, so I had a little bet on Lucinda Russell’s horse.

“I didn’t have to worry too long in the big race (after he unseated at the first), but the next hour was a bit stressful.

“I took the dog for a walk to calm myself down and watched the 5.00 on the Tote website.

“I thought the dream was over when Found A Fifty got the last wrong, but I cheered him home so loudly on the run-in that I scared the dog.

“What a way to win!”

Asked what she would do with the money, Trish added: “Now I’m on my own I was thinking about moving a bit closer to some of the family, and this is a massive help to make that possible.”

Trish’s winning horses

Galopin Des Champs 158.11 points
State Man 156.30
Jonbon 127.55
Fact To File 93.72
Gerri Colombe 82.07
Found A Fifty 76.28
Ballyburn 69.20
Sir Gino 64.50
Teahupoo 53.45
El Fabiolo 49.50

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