10 JUNE 1972, Page 18

Faites vos jeux

Busily coping with the Epsom races, Ladbrokes haven't yet altered their odds on the Poet Laureateship, and this may be the opportunity for readers of Bookend to make a quick killing. Auden is still 5-4 on, but he seems an unlikely favourite. Roy Fuller at 2-1 against, Betjeman at 6-1 against and Spender at 8-1 against are the other quoted runners, and William Plomer, Philip Larkin and Robert Graves make up the field as rank outsiders. Ladbrokes want small, friendly bets and are regarding large bets with grave suspicion. Presumably all wagers from Buckingham Palace are disallowed. Bookbuver's horse is Philip Larkin, especially after his poem written for the Department of the Environment.