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Madgwick 'over the moon' with 100-1 winner - and 125-1 shot scores at Wincanton

Michael Madgwick: trained the second 100-1 winner of his career at Brighton
Michael Madgwick: the trainer of Big 'n Better, who scored at 100-1 at Fontwell on MondayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Michael Madgwick joked he will never be brave enough to back his runners when they are rank outsiders, but that did not dampen the local trainer's celebrations following 100-1 shot Big 'n Better's shock victory in the 2m3f maiden hurdle.

The big-priced winner theme continued at Wincanton, where Catchin Time struck at 125-1 for Laura Hurley and amateur jockey Peter Summers in the 2m5½f handicap hurdle.

Madgwick, who is based at Denmead in Hampshire, was enjoying his first winner of the season. The success ended a 513-day barren streak in terrific style, with the nine-year-old putting up a fine front-running performance under Marc Goldstein to win for the first time under rules.

It was a remarkable sense of deja vu for the trainer and the Goldstein family as Marc's brother Jamie rode a winner for Madgwick at the same three-figure price at Lingfield in October 2012.

'We're keeping it in the family lines'

"I've never been a betting man as I'm not that brave! I think one or two of the boys had a few pounds on him but not me. I'm over the moon with that," a delighted Madgwick said.

"It's funny because Marc's brother Jamie won on a two-year-old for me called Multitask at Lingfield at 100-1, and their dad Ray rode winners for me too, so we're keeping it in the family lines!"

Despite the lofty odds, Madgwick was confident of a bold showing from Big 'n Better, who is owned by the Queen Mother's former stable jockey Bill Smith.

He added: "He actually ran really well at Newbury last time as he'd been off the track a long time. I said to Bill that he's so well and will run a big race whatever happens. It's wonderful when horses like him can do the job for us."

The two big-priced winners on Monday means there have been 21 winners at odds of 100-1 or greater in Britain and Ireland since racing resumed in June. In the previous 33 years, there were 179 such winners.

Moore hits landmark

Fontwell has been a happy hunting ground for the Moore family and Grade 1-winning jockey Jamie brought up his 150th winner at the track aboard Episode in the 2m3½f handicap chase, before doubling his tally for the day on Furlough Me in the bumper.

Quinlan given week ban

Jack Quinlan was given a seven-day ban following his winning ride on Friends Don't Ask in the 3m2f handicap chase for using his whip with excessive force after the final fence.

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