A PUNTER'S racing knowledge cleaned out a bookmaker's shop with an inspired triple selection.

The middle-aged man, who wishes to remain anonymous, is more than £20,000 better off after a £4 bet came up trumps. The punter is a regular at Reuben Page's Consett branch, in County Durham. He selected the winners of the first three races at a meeting at Hereford on Tuesday, with Champagne Harry coming in at 25-1, Another Joker romping home at 33-1 and Dealer Del completing the treble at 20-1. It meant the accumulator bet, three £1 doubles and a £1 treble, succeeded on all fronts, giving a pay-out of £20,708.

Austin Carney, joint owner of the Reuben Page chain, believes it may be the biggest win at one of the firm's 27 shops.

"It's certainly the biggest we have had for a number of years, probably the biggest.

"It was an outstanding bet, he obviously knows his racing as he was not backing some of the better-known horses at one of the big meetings such as York. He's a regular customer who likes to put a few coppers on, but he is not by any means a big punter."