Punter who won £60,000 following Pricewise sees dream year scale new heights

A punter who won £60,000 backing the selections of the Racing Post's Pricewise expert Tom Segal has seen his good fortune continue with a four-race winning streak this summer from the horse he bought with some of his winnings.

Mike Severs copped the huge payout after Segal tipped four winners at Haydock and Ascot in December 2021 at combined odds of 2,267-1. Severs had put Segal's five selections, two of which were in the same race, in a series of each-way doubles, trebles and two four-timers.

Alongside friend Andy Bell, Severs bought the Rebecca Menzies-trained Ask Paddington in May and just days later the eight-year-old won for the first time in more than a year.

"I always wanted to own a racehorse but winning that money is what made it possible," Severs said.

"I went down to Rebecca's yard and saw Ask Paddington, who I watched finish second at Hexham the week before. I found out he was for sale and within an hour I decided to buy him. My friend couldn't stop laughing at how quickly I decided.

"Two days after all the paperwork came through he ran for the first time for us at Market Rasen and I watched from my phone in a hotel room. He stormed home from last to first to win by nine lengths and I just couldn't believe it. It was so exciting."

Ask Paddington went on to score in all four starts for Severs this summer, climbing from a rating of 117 to 139 before being sold for a profit this month to Metahorse Racing to be trained in the US.

Ask Paddington: purchased with Pricewise winnings and now at Grade 1 level in AmericaCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"It's something I've never experienced," Severs said. "The wins kept coming. After the first success I was there every time. Some people wait years for their first winner and I got four in a row. He was carrying more weight each time and Rebecca kept warning us it would catch up to him, but he just kept going.

"He got some interest from America and it seemed like the right call to sell him as he really likes firm ground and we wouldn't be able to find many races for him. Two cracking Irish lads wanted to purchase him with the aim of heading for the American Grand National Hurdle."

Ask Paddington has now moved to Keri Brion, a four-time Grade 1-winning trainer best known for star hurdler The Mean Queen.

He made his debut in the Grade 1 Lonesome Glory Handicap Hurdle at Belmont on Thursday, just two weeks after making the journey to the US, and finished third under Danny Mullins in front of Cheltenham winners Song For Someone and Belfast Banter.

"The new owners have invited us to come across and watch him run whenever we like," Severs added. "It was the best decision for everyone involved and brilliant to be a part of.

"I wanted to put the money I won through punting back into the sport and it's been a phenomenal experience that is going to continue. We're just waiting for Rebecca to surprise us with the next superstar."

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