Does Paddy Power know something we don’t? It’s offering odds of 4/11 that Courtown House, the one- time home of the late film director John Huston in Co Kildare, will sell for more than its €21 million price tag set by Christie’s. The house, on 433 acres, has planning permission for a 126-bedroom hotel as well as the customary golf course and 72 holiday homes.

It’s 5/6 with Paddy Power that it sells for between €20-€23million and 15/8 that it gets snapped up for over €26million. Sharon McHugh, spokesperson for Paddy Power said, “It’s not often a luxurious property like this comes on the market so it’s sure to attract plenty of attention.” Clearly Sharon has been out the country for the last three years and hasn’t noticed that we have more luxury houses, hotels, golf courses and holiday homes on the market than we could possibly need. Mind you, if you read the small print, it says the house must be sold by the end of this year or bets will be void. Seems like a safe bet for Paddy Power.