Top tipster sued over bill for 2 racehorses.

Byline: CAROLINE WATERSTON EXCLUSIVE

ONE of Scotland's biggest gamblers is being sued after failing to pay for two racehorses.

Tipster Alex Gorrie, who owns Northern Racing Services, bought the horses, Queen's Bench and Total Care from auctioneers Tattersalls. They cost more than pounds 58,000.

But the auctioneers lodged legal papers at the High Court in London last week after Gorrie, of Paisley, failed to settle the bill.

The telephone tipster, who netted a mammoth pounds 1million treble win in August 1999, still owes around pounds 39,000.

Last night, Gorrie, pledged to pay up and said: "I had no idea papers had been lodged at court.

"I would prefer this to be dealt with between myself and Tattersalls. I knew something like this could happen but I am still surprised."

Gorrie bought the horses in October 2000.

Two months later, he paid pounds 2873 followed by another pounds 10,000 in January 2001. Later that year, he paid an additional pounds 5000.

But he failed to make any more payments, claiming financial difficulties from the foot and mouth crisis.

Gorrie added: "I will pay the bill, but I am currently trying to raise the funds.

"Foot and mouth truly affected my business. When the racing stopped, so did it. Since then, we have had to restructure the business.

"Tattersalls is a company I want to deal with again and so I will pay the bill. I am still trying to raise the cash."