Dan Skelton's Four-Timer Delivers Knockout Blow to Bookmakers' Profits
Champion jumps trainer-elect Dan Skelton executed a remarkable across-the-card four-timer on Tuesday, sending bookmakers reeling with what they described as a "fairly healthy sum" in payouts. Skelton dispatched five horses to the races—four to Bangor and one to Newcastle—with four emerging victorious, much to the delight of punters and the chagrin of high street and online bookmakers.
Blind Squirrels Syndicate Leads the Charge
Three of the four winners were owned by the Blind Squirrels syndicate, which saw their horses Coumeenoole and Palamon triumph at Bangor at starting price odds of 15-8 and Evens, respectively. Service Minimum, owned by Susan Johnson, added to the tally with a win at 8-15 at Bangor, before Tyson delivered the final blow at Newcastle, securing victory at 8-11. These successes were bracketed in numerous multiple bets, amplifying the financial impact on bookmakers.
Syndicate member Arvin Savage expressed his satisfaction on Sky Sports Racing, noting, "They have had three or four runs each and they’ve just improved. We didn’t do a whole lot with them, just ran them. Maybe two weeks ago they started coming to themselves a little bit more and it’s all good." Savage added with a smile, "I got a couple of quid on. I was happy with the double."
Bookmakers Feel the Pinch
With Skelton's horses always popular among punters, all runners went off at short odds, culminating in a combined 15-1 win. Paddy Power spokesperson Paul Binfield acknowledged the widespread action, stating, "We saw plenty of action on them throughout the day - mostly singles, though a fair number of multiples landed as well. Customers were quick to jump on the bandwagon as the prices continued to shorten. All told, we’ve paid out a fairly healthy sum - it looks to have been a well‑executed plan by those associated."
Welsh bookmaker DragonBet faced even steeper losses, having accepted 'multiple multiples' that included Skelton's three Bangor winners alongside the Christian Williams-trained Three Zambezis, who won at 5-4. Prior to Tyson's race, the firm posted, "We’ve got a Bogey in the 5.00 at Newcastle. If Tyson lands a knockout blow it’s beans on toast for dinner." After Tyson's victory, they conceded, "Tyson also won - that’s the biggest hit we’ve taken since we launched. Congrats to connections on a very well executed gamble."
Stewards and Integrity Checks Follow Wins
The success did not go unnoticed by racing authorities. At Bangor, stewards questioned Skelton's representative and trainer Christian Williams about Coumeenoole, Palamon, and Three Zambezis, who were noted to have "appeared to show improved form" compared to previous starts. Explanations included Coumeenoole benefiting from a step up in trip and reapplication of a tongue strap, while Palamon was aided by quicker ground and a similar tongue strap adjustment.
Williams attributed Three Zambezis' improvement to having lost a front shoe in a prior race and potentially appreciating the longer distance. Following Tyson's win, the British Horseracing Authority's integrity department conducted a phone interview with Skelton, and all three winners underwent routine drugs tests, with reports forwarded to BHA headquarters for review.
This four-timer not only highlights Skelton's training prowess but also underscores the high stakes involved in horse racing, where strategic gambles can lead to significant financial outcomes for both punters and bookmakers alike.
