Eight entrants were still in contention after the first six races in Saturday’s free-to-play game and Noel Fehily guided Harry Fry’s 11/2 chance clear to the delight of two players, with Gary Butters and Damian Hunter each scooping a massive £50,000 after both predicted a ‘head’ as the answer to the tie-break question - the winning distance in the first race.
They weren’t the only ones to get off to a flying start with 33,286 players advancing after Big River, tipped by Simon Holt for sportinglife.com, took the opening leg in Kelso’s 2.40 – by 10 lengths - while Yala Enki (9/4), Sir Antony Browne (8/11) and Forest Des Aigles (6/4) were other very popular winners on the day.
Deauville Crystal was the biggest-priced victor of the seven when taking Newbury’s Juvenile Handicap Hurdle for Nigel Hawke and Sean Bowen at odds of 9/1, while Snow Leopardess (7/1 joint-favourite) got the better of market rival Copper Kay in the hugely competitive, 16-runner mares’ handicap hurdle at the Berkshire venue.
That left the bumper to decide matters and with four horses covered by at least one player, the strong-travelling Bullionaire kept on well after being given a prominent ride by the confident Fehily.
Gary, who wasn’t entirely sure of what the jackpot was, said: “I had a feeling the game was only for a grand!
“I’ve watched the first four races at home but had electricity problems and needed to get an electrician round as my power was off. I couldn’t believe it when I saw the email to say I’d won and checked the terms on the Pick 7 website – it was only then I realised it was for £100,000.
“I’m obviously absolutely ecstatic.”
Damian was equally delighted and was happy to share that he also played the accumulator.
He said: “I had a small accumulator on the selections and also a few other multiples, some of which I cashed out as I was worried about the bumper.
“I’m chuffed to bits and definitely owe Noel Fehily and Harry Fry a drink.”
Michael Shinners, speaking on behalf of sportinglife.com, said: “Congratulations to our lucky winners, who have done amazingly well to pin down all seven winners on what looked an exceptionally competitive day’s racing.
“Fehily was the toast of Cheltenham last week after winning the Champion Hurdle and the Champion Chase and now he’s made a couple more people extremely happy!
“Keep an eye on sportinglife.com for more games over the coming months – including Midweek Money, our Wednesday spin-off to add a little spice to the working week.”
For more information, visit pick7.sportinglife.com
