Be grateful for small mercies

I’ve given off-course bookmakers plenty of stick over the years, because, it seems to me, they often operate on the basis only mugs need apply and regular winners are frequently requested, nay told, to go and play with someone else.

But we must cross the bridge as we go and, as the beneficiary of an aspect of their system that works very much in favour of punters, it is only fair to record how it boosted the old bank balance at Punchestown last Sunday.