Jackpot punter turns £2 into £1.4million
Over £2m was in the pool (his win share was £1.4m) but Black Phantom (12-1), Ammunition (16-1) and Mr Bennett (16-1) had seen off the vast majority of the tickets after the first four races.
When Lundy Sky (5-1) got the better of odds-on favourite Glitzy D’Ocala in the penultimate race the whole bet was down to just £1.
Lupita, trained by Derrick Scott and ridden by Jessica Lodge, who had only ever had one point-to-point winner previously, ground down Only Hope after the last flight in the Upton lakes And Lodges Amateur Riders’ Handicap Hurdle to change winning punter Whiteley’s life forever.
Whiteley, 61, from North Tawton, placed just £2 on the bet and only goes racing once or twice a year – he even got into the track for free.
“It’s difficult to say how I came up with them. The first few selections I had two in each race and that was going to cost £32 so I scrapped that,” said Whiteley.
“Why did I pick the last one? Lodge is just a name that sticks in my head. I didn’t know anything about her. I’m not a horse racing man, I only go once or twice a year.
“I’m a heating engineer – well I was!
“I’ve actually won about £300 betting today as well.
“The most exciting bit was after the fourth race when my mate said only seven people in the whole country were still in it. I couldn’t watch the last race.
“I’m shaking like a leaf, I can’t believe it.”
Lodge said: “I’m very pleased for them, it’s brilliant news. Mr Scott told me to leave it as late as possible. It’s my first winner under Rules so it’s a nice story all round.”
The jackpot had not been won since February 27 at Fontwell.
