IT was once commonly believed that a part from, death, Irish life offered only three other absolute certainties, the non existence of either a poor protestant, a poor bookmaker or a protestant bookmaker. The bookmaker, of whatever religion, continues to prosper despite moans about competition from the National Lottery.

Stanley Racing (Ireland), with 50 outlets in the Republic, this week finished well ahead of the field in terms of its profit to turnover ratio last year. The company, a subsidiary of the Liverpool based Stanley Leisure, found the going to its liking and put in a thoroughbred performance achieving 71 per cent growth in pre tax profits to £1.1 million on a modest £1.4 million rise in turnover to £36 million. The reason is simple. As with all well managed bookmakers, losing punters far outnumber winners. Thank you very much, and better luck next time.