What would you do?

[TheOstrich]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/56435950

A punter stands to collect more than £500,000 from a £5 bet if hot favourite Envoi Allen wins at the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday.
Paul Dean has seen four legs of his five-horse accumulator triumph.
Now he has been offered the chance to cash out for £275,000 regardless of the final result.
"He told me he won't be able to sleep tonight. I'd say that's a massive understatement," said Betfair spokesman Barry Orr on Wednesday.

Take the money on offer or let it all ride on the final horse?

[JanB]

Difficult.

One half of me says take the money and run. But then there is that slight possibility....

[cromwell]

Take the money.

[saundra]

Between the devil and the deep blue sea???
Think I won't take the money if I'm honest

[miasmum]

I think Id take the money and cry if it won, a bird in the hand and all that.

Let us know what happens

[JoM]

I think I’d cash out, that’d pay off our mortgage and leave us with a huge amount in the bank

[Workingman]

Problems, problems!

I am a betting coward so I would take the money and run. £275k for a £5 bet, plus the stake money back, is life changing and risk free.

BUT, if Betfair are offering the buy-out they must be 100% 24 carat CERTAIN that Envoi Allen is the nailed on winner before the race is run.

He must have had some rank outsiders and long-odds bets to ge £5 up to £275k, a run of good luck so far, and placing an odds-on favourite as his last bet will have been his "banker" so....

Heart or head - the classic conundrum.

[TheOstrich]

And the result .......

13:21
Post update
13:20: Marsh Novices' Chase
AND THEY'RE OFF!!
No famous Cheltenham roar, of course. But the horses have come forward and dashed from the line...

13:23
Envoi Allen has fallen!
13:20: Marsh Novices' Chase
Unbelievable. Envoi Allen has fallen! The heavy favourite is out of the race

.

Posted at 13:2513:25
Post update
13:20: Marsh Novices' Chase
Well, I'm stunned. Thankfully Envoi Allen appears to be fine and is moving without rider Jack Kennedy, who also appears to be safe.

Result
13:20 Marsh Novices' Chase
1 Chantry House (Nico de Boinville) 9-1
2 Fusil Raffles (D A Jacob) 14-1
3 Asterion Forlonge (P Townend) 14-1
8 ran

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/horse-racing/55502421

And our punter?

Posted at 12:5912:59
Punter cashes out to win at least £250,000 from £5 stake
13:20: Marsh Novices' Chase
Frank Keogh - BBC Sport at Cheltenham
A punter will win at least £250,000 from a £5 bet after deciding to 'cash out' on the final leg of his accumulator at Cheltenham.
Paul Dean was eyeing a potential £511,000 payday on Thursday if the last runner in his five-horse wager - hot favourite Envoi Allen - triumphed.
But he has decided not to risk it all and will collect £300,000 from Betfair if Envoi Allen wins.
Dean will net £250,000 if the Marsh Novices' Chase favourite is beaten.
"So after celebrations last night, four hours sleep, an hour's walk at 5am, I've decided to take a partial cash out," he said.

Drinks on Mr Dean tonight, I reckon!

[saundra]

A wise decision

[Kaz]

Very wise! FWIW I would have taken the money too.