n. A large number (usually talking about goalscoring chances)
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
n. (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
n. as many or as much as a hat will hold
Word Usage
"He was in a very good temper, however, for he had won what his companions called a hatful of money on the steeple-chase, and he stood to win on other races that were to come off that afternoon."