A LUCKY punter from York has won £35,320 after picking six winning horses on an £8 bet – and he could take his winnings to more than £300,000 today.

Building labourer George Marwood, 60, from Huntington, has paid off his mortgage after predicting six winners at Haydock and Newmarket last weekend.

If he can predict the winning horse in the totescoop6 Scottish Sprint Cup in Musselburgh near Edinburgh today he will win a further £292,866.

Mr Marwood said: “I would say that I have got a spring in my step. I will be very nervous when I watch the race.

“I should think I will have butterflies. If I win I will be ecstatic – I think we will have a nice holiday. We have done what we wanted and got rid of the mortgage and I am over the moon about that.”

Mr Marwood, who works for Sorrell Building Construction in Layerthorpe, successfully predicted the six winners as part of the totescoop6 and is in the running to win the bonus prize.

Last night he travelled to Scotland with his partner Jean Hill, 61, and is being escorted to the races today by a Totesport representative.

Mr Marwood said he still had not made his selection from the line-up of 17 horses. “I will start thinking about which horse to back in the morning.”

It is not the first time he has been in this position – a few years ago he won £5,000 in the first round of the totescoop6 bet, but missed out on the £64,000 bonus.

Alex Malham, from Embassy Racing in Heworth, where Mr Marwood placed his bet, said: “He is a great bloke and I hope he has a great day and wins.”

Today’s £292,866 is a bonus fund for winners of the totescoop6 each week. It has rolled over for several weeks.

Mr Marwood will win it if he picks the winner today, irrespective of its odds – although he is up against another punter, David White from Barnsley. If they both choose the right horse, the pot will be split.

Six winners that led to £35,000

Mr Marwood’s winning selections so far have been: 2.05, Haydock – Activate (9/4 favourite); 2.20, Newmarket – Maywood (8/1); 2.35, Haydock - Show Rainbow (5/2); 3.05, Haydock – Ferdoos (4/1); 3.25, Newmarkey - Majestic Myles (17/2); 3.35, Haydock - The Cheka (6/1)

York Press: The Press - Comment

Winning streak

BEING mortgage-free is most people’s dream and what could be better than getting the bookies to pay it off for you?

That’s what George Marwood did when he predicted six winners last weekend. Now he could increase his winnings tenfold if he picks the winning horse in a major race.

We don’t condone gambling, but you have to take your hat off to George and if he succeeds, he says a holiday is on the cards.

A fortnight away and no mortgage, courtesy of the bookies.

Imagine that.

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