Punters fail to feel the love as bookies try to cope without long-term partner

The relationship between racing and the betting industry is a soap opera, with bookmakers constantly reminding racing of all the other options available and the sport wincing at just how costly the divorce would be.

But with racing staying home this particular Saturday with a runny nose and flu-like symptoms, the betting industry finds itself out on the town and testing the pull of all those pretty alternatives.

Bookmakers have certainly done a lot in recent years to diversify their offering in an attempt to reduce their reliance on horseracing, but walk into any one of seven betting shops on Stratford high street in east London and it was clear they better resembled the lady sat at the bar sobbing over her absent partner than the dancefloor delight.