PETER CROUCH found himself footing a colossal bar bill at the Cheltenham Festival after losing a light-hearted wager with bookmaker Paddy Power.
Crouchy, who serves as an ambassador for the Irish betting firm, appeared on ITV’s coverage ahead of the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle to reveal details of the playful bet.
Peter Crouch has bought the biggest round in Cheltenham Festival history[/caption]
“I’ve had a little bet with Paddy,” Crouch explained. “He wants the Irish horses, I want the British horses. I feel like I haven’t got much chance.”
Paddy Power then outlined the high-stakes twist: “We were going to have a bet for a pint of Guinness but we thought to make things interesting if he’s taking the British runners and I’m taking the Irish runners, what about a pint of Guinness for everyone in the Guinness Village?
“Everyone in the Guinness Village, so basically myself or Crouchy are going to be buying 1,000 pints of Guinness after the Stayers’ Hurdle. If an Irish horse wins, Crouchy’s buying the pints, if an English horse wins I’m buying the pints. I think I got the better of this one.”
Crouchy dishing out the beers![/caption]
Crouchy lost a gentlemen’s bet with Paddy Power himself![/caption]
A stunned Crouch responded: “That’s outrageous really. I don’t know loads about horse racing, I woke up, had a look at it and thought ‘we haven’t got a chance’ and now he’s upped it.”
Sure enough, Ireland came out on top, with Bob Olinger, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, claiming victory – leaving Crouch to settle the hefty tab before handing out free drinks to delighted racegoers.
Adding to his eventful day, Crouch also had an unfortunate slip of the tongue live on ITV. When asked by presenter Oli Bell if he had ever ridden a horse, the former striker responded: “Yeah, I’ve been on a few horses. Abbey likes to ride.”
Realising what he’d said, a laughing Crouch clarified “horses” before the pair burst out in laughter.
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