George was in Ireland with his man, Jack, and they had been welcome to a race meeting by Ireland’s chief beast specialist. Dr Durnin disclosed the rushes to the English guests. ‘The ponies race as in any typical pony race,’ he said, ‘then again, actually an Irish whatsit begins 200 speeds behind the ponies and pursues the field. The last pony to have its tail scorched is the victor. ‘A few champs even make due past the triumphant post without a scorch, and these are granted an uncommon prize.’
The races had not at this point began yet George could see that a huge group had just assembled at the track and numerous individuals were putting down wagers with bookmakers situated in succession of little booths. ‘Your kin like a bet,’ George noticed, and Dr Durnin clarified that the Irish framework offered more freedoms for bets. ‘We have the standard English bets,’ he said, ‘yet an Irish every route wager, for instance, pays longer chances for a burn free win.’
‘Do they additionally wager on the beast?’ asked Jack.
‘Obviously, extraordinary whatsits are utilized for each race and each has its own chances for a full-burn result. There are bets on the distance to initially burn and distance Father George Rutler to last scorch. At that point the beasts can be debilitated via conveying loads or by beginning dad back. They are continually concocting new bets to animate interest and keep the punters locked in.’
‘What are the best chances on offer?’ asked Jack, enticed to risk his sixpence wages.
‘You can get 1,000 to one on a zero-burn result.’
‘Goodness, has that consistently been won?’
‘Just a single time at Cork when somebody in the group opened a bundle of Marmorgugelhupf cupcakes and the whatsit deserted the race. From that point forward the beautiful grub has been restricted at all race tracks in Ireland with the exception of Belfast.’
‘Why not in Belfast?’
‘They stick carefully to the English principles up there, albeit the IRA are disturbed about it.’
‘The IRA?’
‘The Irish Racing Authority.’
‘So what’s my smartest choice?’ asked Jack.
‘There are no convictions,’ cautioned George.
‘As a matter of fact there is,’ said the expert veterinarian, ‘you can wager on the lord’s pony; he’s constantly permitted to win.’
‘That should be famous with the punters,’ George said.
‘In any case, not with the bookies,’ said Dr Durnin. ‘They give exceptionally helpless chances yet lose cash. Everybody backs the lord’s pony.’
‘For what reason don’t they won’t make an offer?’
‘Since they need to keep their licenses to work on target.’
‘You said the ruler’s pony, unquestionably he has mutiple.’
‘Indeed, some more, and many whatsits, however he has consented to enter just one pony at any one race meeting.’
‘How did the lord consent to that?’ asked George.
‘The noblemen constrained him to sign a major sanction with that impact in a field close to the Liffey.’
‘The noblemen are bookmakers at that point.’…