‘The best ‘I nearly won’ story ever’ – punter sees £350,000 go up in flames on day of massive winners

ONE Longchamp punter missed out agonisingly on a life-changing pay out on Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe day.

The bettor placed the bet online with bookmakers Paddy Power - who were hit for over £10,000 by THREE small stakes punters on Sunday - but still managed to pocket an incredible win but will be ruing a 'what if?' moment.

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They stuck a 50p each way lucky 15 (£15 stake in total) on four horses.

And it could not have kicked off with a better start, with 50/1 shot Vertical Blue coming home first in the opener.

It was a 1-2 for French trainer Francis Henri Graffard, who was expected to scoop first prize with his first string and 1/2 favourite Zarigana, who lost by a nose under Mickael Barzalona.

The most incredible of starts for this punter, but it would get even better just over half an hour later.

Aidan O'Brien's charge Camille Pissarro (20/1) ran home strongly inside the final couple of furlongs having been held up early doors.

The 2yo was ridden out strongly by Christophe Soumillon in the final closing yards to win by a neck.

Two would become three in the very next race when Tom Marquand struck aboard Makarova for Ed Walker, seeing off his own wife Hollie Doyle on the favourite Bradsell.

The 16/1 shot hung left in the closing stages but just had enough in hand to see off Archie Watson's runner, who was slightly hampered in the process.

Three winners from three runners at remarkable prices left this Paddy Power punter needing Continuous to win the Arc at 33/1 - which wasn't inconceivable given the races that had come before - to scoop £360,000.

It was a nearly not quite effort in the end, with Continuous finishing 15th - second last - for Soumillon and O'Brien and over 20 lengths behind brilliant winner Bluestocking.

It wasn't all doom and gloom for this shrewd punter though as they scooped a cool £10,000 payout.

They weren't the only bettor winning big on Sunday, as Paddy Power were hit for another £19,000 pay out with a small stake multiple.

This time 9/1 winner Bluestocking was backed in a 10p each-way lucky 63 (£12.60 stake) alongside Camille Pissarro 16/1 (1.30 Longchamp), Makarova 14/1 (2.05 Longchamp), Rickety Gate 6/1 (4.25 Kelso) and Breizh River 15/2 (3.50 Kelso) who all won.

Unfortunately, again the final leg would let this punter down, when Mini Yeats finished 30 lengths behind the winner at 11/1 in the 5.20 at Uttoxeter, denying an seismic payday.

And a third punter scooped five figures when their antepost bet obliged, Bradsell to win the Nunthorpe Stakes at York at 7/1, Economics to win the Irish Champion Stakes at 12-1 and Bluestocking at 14-1 to win the Arc.

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “It’s been the most amazing day ever with more twists and turns than a snake with an itch!

“We’ve narrowly escaped two huge payouts in the last legs of multiples by the seat of our Paddy Power Pants, but the good news is that three of our punters have all trousered 10 grand or more for bets of £15 or less.”

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