Ahead of the second World Pool Tote Betting Tournament of the 17-event Series, we caught up with the notorious Harry Findlay, who was victorious in the first competition of the flat season.
Findlay ran out a convincing winner on 2000 Guineas day, putting the tournament triumph all down to the classic winner, he said: “The only reason I won the tournament was because of Coroebus.”
“I was a massive fan when he got beat, believe it or not I put him up for the 2000 Guineas after he got beat.”
Speaking to Tote’s Jamie Hart, Findlay recalled watching the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes where Coroebus was beaten and says he changed the channel before the race had finished because he thought he won.
He said: “In my lifetime as a punter I don't think I've ever switched channels before the end of a race.
“When he went clear I was so cocky and lairy, because I put him up for the race. It was 15-minutes later when I realised he was beaten. Right there and then I thought I'll get that back.”
Findlay was reconciled at Newmarket as the James Doyle ridden three-year-old got the better of his stablemate, the well touted favourite, Native Trail.
“The vibes before the Guineas were great, '' said Findlay.
Aided by an attractive overpay, Findlay surged to the top of the tournament leaderboard, the industry SP of 5/1 being overshadowed by the handsome £7.70 Tote+ return.
Already booking his place in the £50,000 Tournament of Champions later this year, the former Denman co-owner has his eye on winning another Tote Betting Tournament soon enough.
Findlay jokingly said: “It reminded me of a little Poker tournament I won at the Outside Chance pub. It wasn't the most popular of victories but it came with a few quid and it was greatly appreciated.”
Making his love for Tote bets clear when speaking, the 60-year-old has been a great supporter of the Tote Betting Tournaments thus far and revealed he still gets a kick out of winning. He said: “The Betting Tournaments are great. I entered the one at Cheltenham, I didn't win that one but I still managed to get a few quid.”
“It's a great way of getting people betting on the Tote. I'm playing Jackpots nearly everyday now and certainly everyday with the 4-leg Irish Jackpot, whenever there’s a rollover.”
Perhaps more known for his exploits in the National Hunt sphere with connections to the aforementioned Gold Cup winner Denman and past Grand National favourite Big Fella Thanks, Findlay sounded rather excited when talking about all things Royal Ascot.
He said: “I’m obviously a massive fan of World Pool, I’m looking forward to Ascot this year.
“It’s great from a punter’s point of view, they can see the dividends. At places like Royal Ascot they will really notice the difference.”
The 60-year-old has already plotted further opportunities to back his Guineas Tournament winning Colt, he said: “I’ll be backing Coroebus at Ascot in the St James’ Palace.
“Him (Coroebus) and Baaeed are the two bankers of the first day of Royal Ascot. That will be the plan of attack for Ascot, I don’t know what they’ll pay on World Pool but I'll be on those two.”
Findlay will be involved again in this weekend’s Epsom two-day Tournament, where the likes of Andrew Mount and Rory Delargy will be bidding to punch their ticket to the Tournament of Champions.
Opt-in is now open for the Epsom Betting Tournament - See more here: Oaks Day and Derby Day Betting Tournaments (tote.co.uk)
