10p becomes £9,000 for March student after bashing the bookies during Cheltenham races

Christmas has come early for one happy punter after he landed £9,000 from a bet of just 10p.

Student Lewis Sindle (19) from March plans to make it a special holiday period for his mum after recording the huge pay-out from betting on the horse-racing at Cheltenham.

Lewis made correct predictions in six races after placing his toteplacepot selections alongside grandad John Dickerson at the Betfred store in Whittlesey last Friday.

And the University of Birmingham student, who had only broken up for Christmas a day before placing his bet, is looking forward to spending a few of his winnings on friends and family in the coming days.

Lewis said: “I have some friends coming over to see me in March next weekend and you never know I might get a few extra rounds of shots in at the pub.

“My mum Michelle works tirelessly helping my sister on her morning paper round, cleaning at an old folks’ home and working in the corner shop.

“Normally I get her chocolates or candles or something like that for Christmas but this year it will be something just a bit bigger!”

Lewis, who has a part-time job as a children’s entertainer at a farm attraction near March, is still unsure what to get his mum for Christmas, but he admits he “still can’t stop smiling” as he celebrates his winnings with a Wetherspoon’s breakfast.

And reflecting on the moment when he realised that he had won the huge prize, while sat watching the races in the Betfred store, he said: “I sat there in silence and stared at the screen. I was in shock.”

Human biology student Lewis took 25 minutes to make his toteplacepot selections alongside John, and four hours later he was “shaking with excitement and in desperate need of a glass of water“ after winning £9,177 from a 10p stake.

And such was the magnitude of his win that Channel 4 betting expert Tanya Stevenson even interviewed him on the phone on Saturday during their live broadcast, and he has also had people asking him on Twitter for some tips.

Lewis said: “I keep getting texts off my friends asking ‘is that actually you’?

“I just can’t believe what has happened. My grandad who is my best mate was so proud.

“He said he had been trying to do something like that all his life and he was just glad he knew someone who had achieved it.

“Usually what happens is I make my selections and grandad might give me some advice but on Friday he didn’t. We just did our own and then went to Betfred where he’s a regular to watch the racing which I love.”

The final totepot dividend of £91,774.50 to a £1 stake was a record at Cheltenham.

Tote boss Fred Done said: “Well played Lewis you are obviously a student of form! This is what Tote betting is all about - winning big from such a tiny bet.

“You are clearly a generous young man buying your mum a big Christmas present but I hear you are only treating your grandad to extra onion rings with his steak and chips. Surely you can do better than that!”