Regulars celebrate Festival win
Racing fans at a Black Country pub were quids in after a horse owned by a fellow regular romped home to an unlikely win at the Cheltenham Festival. Racing fans at a Black Country pub were quids in after a horse owned by a fellow regular romped home to an unlikely win at the Cheltenham Festival. Loyal punters at the Gate Hangs Well in Bridgnorth Road, Wollaston, were celebrating after Netherton-bred Joe's Edge won the William Hill Trophy on Tuesday – despite odds of 50/1 against it. Owner Chris Massey, of Netherton, drinks at the pub and the horse has long been a favourite with regulars who always back him – no matter what the race or his odds. Their faith was rewarded when the horse secured the victory and a massive payout from William Hill bookies next to the pub, where most of the bets were made. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
Loyal punters at the Gate Hangs Well in Bridgnorth Road, Wollaston, were celebrating after Netherton-bred Joe's Edge won the William Hill Trophy on Tuesday – despite odds of 50/1 against it.
Owner Chris Massey, of Netherton, drinks at the pub and the horse has long been a favourite with regulars who always back him – no matter what the race or his odds.
Their faith was rewarded when the horse secured the victory and a massive payout from William Hill bookies next to the pub, where most of the bets were made.
Anyone placing a £10 either way bet on Joe's Edge would have received £645 return because of the odds.
A special celebration was held at the Gate Hangs Well yesterday, with Mr Massey bringing the winner's trophy along. It was placed beneath a picture of Joe's Edge which has pride of place on a pub wall.
"I am absolutely over the moon with the win because I have to admit it was unexpected," he said.
"Everyone here at the pub loves the horse and always back him so I am really glad for them as well.
"It was a great feeling and we are now hoping for a good result in the Grand National which is the next race Joe's Edge competes in. He has now been placed as third favourite to win."
Mr Massey, a keen horse-racing fan, brought Joe's Edge when he was only young as a tribute to his beloved grandad Joseph Edge, also of Netherton.
"I have wonderful memories of my grandad looking after me when I was younger and I wanted to have his name out there," he said.
"Tuesday was my mother's birthday and she told me to bet on the horse because she felt grandad was with us on that day. It turned out to be spot on."
Alison Moore, manager of William Hill, said staff were pleased for Mr Massey.
"Chris is really well-known and it was brilliant to see a locally-bred horse winning big at Cheltenham," she said. "Everyone was glued to the screen in here for the race. It was the biggest race of the day around here as it turned out."
