Pub regulars set to cheer onTobefair

A bookies in Pembrokeshire is preparing to be cleaned out after taking a huge flurry of bets on a horse owned by regular pub-goers in Cresswell Quay to win a race at the Cheltenham Festival today.

Tobefair is one of the favourites in the Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle at 2.10pm and has been heavily backed to bring the prize back to Wales.

The seven-year-old horse, trained by Debra Hamer in natycaws, is half-owned by Michael Cole, with the rest being shared by a syndicate of 17 regulars at the Cresselly Arms in Cresswell Quay.

And having seen the horse win its last seven races in a row, more than 150 customers at Betfred’s shop on Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock have lumped cash sums on Tobefair to emerge victorious in tomorrow’s race.

Fred Done of Betfred said: “Every time Tobefair runs we’re wiped out.

“But this time if it wins we’ll be having to go straight round to the bank. It will be a complete wipeout with more than 150 customers already putting money on the horse and more than double that will put something on by the time it runs.”

Most customers have placed bets of around £10 and £20 for the horse to win although one punter has gambled £140 for Tobefair to win its eighth race in a row which could see them land £980.

Tobefair secured victory on its debut in a novice handicap hurdle at Worcester in June 2015 and has gone on to taste success at Ffos Las, Warwick and Newbury as well as earning brace of wins at Chepstow and a second triumph at Worcester.