That euro is all Irish to punters

The euro conversion of Irish punters on the road to Tramore had many of them praying for divine intervention.

A small Flat and jumping track in the south-east corner of Ireland, with just seven days racing annually, was not the most auspicious place to launch that country's betting switch to the euro from the punt, and Ireland being Ireland, the change-over was yesterday met with a variety of reaction, owing more to human nature than financial know-how and dexterity.

For instance, there are financially talented people who have an instinctive eye for new niches in the money-making market. But the man who operated the tea and sandwich bar in Tramore's weighing-room was, perhaps, not one of them.

For a start, how many sandwiches did he think he could shift to jockeys who watch their waist-lines more intently than a catwalk model?

Yet was he such a mug? Deciding the cash conversion was too much of a hassle, he gave his stock away free and then asked for donations in any currency. I would think he ended up with more than his usual take after playing the charity card, knowing the legendary generosity of the Irish.

Identifying with the rebel, I also applaud local bookmaker David Hyland's stand in refusing to conform to the change thrust upon him. He proclaimed his pitch was a "euro-free zone", and continued to bet in punts. But, as ever, when a bookie does something, there is a method in his madness.