Labrokes to pay double result on course Labrokes break new ground at Kilbeggan tonight, offering punters double result on all races on-course. The new initiative, so long a staple of most off-course betting shops, will now be standard for the firm at all Irish racemeetings. Darragh Fitzpatrick, Ladbrokes on-course representative, said the move was aimed at giving racegoers the same benefits as shop punters. Racegoers will now have the comfort of knowing they are covered 'first past the post' and official result in the event of any steward's enquiry. "Labrokes are now paying double result on all racecourses from tonight," said Fitzpatrick. "Normal rules apply of course. If a horse takes the wrong course or fails to weigh-in it doesn't apply. "We thought that we had to bring the betting ring in line with betting shops. Nearly every shop has it now. "I think it's wrong that a punter comes to the racecourse and doesn't get paid whereas a betting shop punter would. "We are seeing a significant fall in turn over and have to try and get punters back racing - this is one incentive." Other bookmakers look set to follow suit with Brian Graham, of Sean Graham saying:- "We're going to have to do it. We have to get the terms and conditions right though and maybe impose a limit. "It might be a case that we have to stop paying out before the weigh-in." Gary Carson
