THE Newcastle Emlyn owner of a 40/1 outsider which sensationally won one of the biggest steeplechases in the National Hunt calendar is celebrating his £84,000 winnings.

Einsley Harries, of Llandyfriog, bought Henllan Harri as a four-year-old colt for just £29,000 in Ireland in 2012.

And spectators at Sandown Park watched in disbelief as the rank outsider pulled off an almighty upset to win the legendary Bet365 Gold Cup after leading throughout the race.

Henllan Harri’s name now joins a distinguished list of former winners including Arkle, Mill House and Desert Orchid, when the race was known as the Whitbread Gold Cup.

Mr Harries, 73, a well-known supplier of agricultural equipment, has revealed the decision to enter the horse was only made by Fishguard trainer Peter Bowen four days beforehand.

“Myself and Dafydd Jones, the ex-Wales rugby international who’s a big friend of mine, were heading up to Ludlow to race on the Tuesday,” Mr Harries told the Cambrian News. “We were going through Aberaeron when Peter rang to tell us to turn around.

“When we asked him what was going on, he said he’d entered Henllan Harri in the Gold Cup, so we weren’t going to argue with that!”

Henllan Harri is more accustomed to racing at Ffos Las, near Llanelli, so it had seemed a daunting step up in class for the nine-year-old who, having won just once in 11 previous starts this season, was 4lb out of the handicap.

But Peter’s son, Sean, capped an excellent season by producing an attacking ride which saw his unfancied mount dictate the pace from the start.

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