ALREADY John Foston, of Ladbrokes in Goodramgate, York, has beaten huge odds to get to the final 50 competing for the title of Betting Shop Manager Of The Year.

But the 58-year-old, who has worked for Ladbrokes for more than 30 years, says he is stumped as to why he should have beaten more than 750 applicants to reach the final.

The finalists were selected on the basis of a detailed test paper about the betting industry and his shop's service. Soon, John will fill out another test paper for the judges to whittle down the numbers from 50 to 15 managers who will be invited to a day out at Doncaster races on October 21.

There six will be chosen to face a final judging panel, chaired by Brough Scott, editorial director of Racing Post, at a lunch at London's Carlton Tower on November 27.

The winner will jet off to Hong Kong on December 8 - in time for the World Turf Championships at Sha Tin racecourse.

John, who has managed Goodramgate for the past three-and-a- half years, said: "My clientele are really multi-ethnic, many of them staff at nearby restaurants - Greeks, Italians, occasdionally Indians and it's a real social lounge. When I arrived here all the clients made me feel welcome.

"I have no idea why I should have been seledcted. All I know is that I do enjoy my job and that rubs off."

The most interesting bet he has accepted? "Hard to say, but I can tell you one that I definitely turned away.

"I was working for Ladbrokes in Nottingham when a bloke came in wearing a haversack. He wanted to know what odds I would accept against Nottingham Forest Stadium burning down."

Updated: 09:55 Friday, September 02, 2005