PUNTERS were in for a shock at Windsor as the season started with a 150-1 stunner.
Arboy Will was a surprise winner for small-time trainer John Bridger – who managed to get a few quid on himself.
It was Bridger’s first ever debut juvenile winner in nearly 50 years training.
However, the horse was almost pulled out before the race after he banged his head on the saddling stable.
But after some cream was applied to the small cut, the vets allowed him to race… luckily for Bridger and the delighted owners.
Under jockey Willie Carson, he bounced out the stalls and nothing was able to pass.
Bridger, who had never had a debut juvenile winner from 49 attempts, beamed: “I got a silly bet on, only a few quid. I didn’t see any of the big odds though!
“A couple of the owners managed to back it, 20 quid or so each-way.
“We put a bit of cream on him after he hit his head, it looked worse than it was, so they told me hold him back [in the pre-parade ring].
“But it did bleed, it was on his white patch so looked a lot worse. But there you go, it was well worth it! We’ve got a happy bunch of owners now!”
Aside from the magic cream, Bridger also took the horse for a barrier trial at Lingfield beforehand. The two did certainly did the trick.
Bridger added: “He went well when we took him to the trials, he wasn’t far away there at all.
“It was a good job we went there, he knew his job and jumped out well.
“I’ve got a few more two-year-olds but there more backwards and will need some more time.”
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