Synchronised powered to Cheltenham Gold Cup victory and saved bookies from one of the biggest multi-million pound payouts in Cheltenham history.
Punters had backed favourite Long Run and Cheltenham legend Kauto Star to the hilt but were left gasping as Synchronised stormed to victory to ruin the script.
Had either of the front two in the betting won the bookies would have been returning upwards of £25 million to Festival punters.
David Williams of Ladbrokes said: "We're thrilled to bits with the Gold Cup result. The whole race revolved around Long Run and Kauto Star so Synchronised's win was very welcome.
"We never thought we'd be cheering a Tony McCoy-ridden Gold Cup champion back into the Winners' Enclosure but most of the roars came from the bookies."
Ladbrokes reported record turnover on the Cheltenham Festival as results on day four saw the bookies finish marginally in front.
"Times might be tough but at Cheltenham there were no signs of a recession. It gets bigger each year and 2012 was no exception" said Williams.
"We didn't deliver a knock-out blow as the battle between punters and bookies ebbed and flowed all week but we'll leave the Cotswolds feeling happy enough."