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April 6, 2003

WINNER!

Having all placed bets on the Grand National, Simon H, Shaun H, Mark R and I all journeyed off to White Hart Lane to watch the Spurs v Birmingham Premiership match yesterday afternoon, and what an afternoon it turned out to be.

Despite being a very passionate Spurs fan, I hadn't been to the Lane for two and a half years but you can imagine my glee when the god-like Robbie Keane cheekily stole the ball from under their keeper's nose and rolled it in the empty net after only five minutes. Everybody went mad and I shouted until I went hoarse.

When the half-time whistle went, the stadium's big screen showed the Grand National. The horsey man sporting a tweed jacket, corduroy trousers and flat-cap in true horsey stereotype, lowered the flag and they were off, galloping away for no other purpose than to win a few punters some cash. Horses fell at jumps, others unseated their riders and a few refused to carry on.

As the race entered the final stages, it began to get exciting. Mark R's horse had been leading most of the way, mine wasn't far behind, Shaun's had pulled up and Simon couldn't remember which one he'd bet on. "GO MONTY GO!" I yelled in my very best posh horsey voice, as I took out my betting slip from my pocket and shook it vigourously in front of me. "GO MONTY GO!". People stared and laughed, it was the final few jumps and Mark R's horse and mine were neck and neck. "RUUUUUUUN!" I yelled, jumping up and down, still flapping the betting slip in front of me, "RUUUUUUUN!". Gradually, my horse edged out in front, "GO MONTY GO!" I encouraged "GOOOOOOOO!" and finally Monty crossed the finish line in first place, wrecking Mark R's £75 potential win and providing me with a £30 profit. "YEEEEEEEESS!" I shouted, gleefully adding a few 'WOO HOO's for effect and I eventually sat down, utterly exhausted.

During the second half of the football, Birmingham equalized and the match looked like it was heading for a draw until Gus Poyet popped up with a dramatic volley with only three minutes left. The whole stadium erupted and you could sense the hysteria all around. Marvellous.

Some of you know that I am fairly superstitious about the number 14. WELL, Monty's Pass was 14/1 to win the Grand National - it won the race and made me a tidy £30, and Gus Poyet scored the winning goal for Spurs in a much-needed win in my first match for nearly three years - he wears number 14. Coincidence? Surely not?

Posted by jonola14 at April 6, 2003 10:53 AM