I WAS visiting a friend on Saturday 14th April at his home in Sandbanks and as I was leaving I received a phone call from a relative who resides in Canford Cliffs.

He asked if I was 'out and about' and I told him I was very close by to his home and did he want me to pop in.

He told me that he was now in Thailand with his girlfriend for a six-week holiday but could I put a bet on the Grand National for him.

Number 13 is lucky in Thailand and he wanted me to place a £25 each way bet on whatever horse that number was.

When I got to the bookmakers it turned out that the horse in question was Tiger Roll, the winner of the Grand National and after the race I duly collected his winnings of £331.25 and after deducting my £50 outlay he can still relax in Thailand knowing that he has £281.25 on his return for just making that phone call.

Furthermore, that same relative back in 2009 placed a £40 win bet on Mon Mone which came in at 100/1 and he won £4,000.

STEPHEN MCLAUGHLIN

Branksome Wood Road, Bournemouth