Others who have investigated the bombings (such as Mr Shchekochikhin) have come to a sticky end.

ECONOMIST: Russian poisonings

To them, Mr Shigeta will always be a spiv with a flaky past a high-school drop-out who was bound to come to a sticky end.

ECONOMIST: Japanese high-tech

They point out that one cause of the new competition is that bookmakers were allowed to set up in Tattersalls, the big-money ring on courses, without serving an apprenticeship in the quids-and-dollars Silver Ring: when these neophytes come to a sticky end, competition will simmer down.

ECONOMIST: Racecourse betting