Alastair Down: delight for disciples as miracle worker Martin Tate lands monster punt at Cheltenham

Legendary Racing Post writer Alastair Down has died at the age of 68. To celebrate his remarkable life, we will be republishing some of his finest work, including this piece remembering a huge Cheltenham Festival gamble executed by trainer Martin Tate.

This article was first published on February 17, 2011.

Okay, you are in Cana for a wedding. It's a bit of a dry old do and you are thinking of leaving to have a bet in the seller at Galilee when some bearded bloke, just turned 30, walks in and turns six stone jars full of water into wine.