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Fri 03 Mar 2007An Irishman's DiaryIn a sobering coincidence, Allied Irish Banks and the bookmaking firm Paddy Power both announced their 2006 results this week. AIB's profits were up a whopping 60 per cent, while the bookies' profits whopped too, with a 51 per cent rise. It may be useful to reflect on this coincidence if you tune in to the Cheltenham Racing Festival next week and hear any of the horses described as a "banker".As it happens, I have been attending a series of financial advice seminars lately, known as "Cheltenham Preview Nights". These are held in pubs and hotels around the country during the run-up to the festival, and they bring together panels of investment experts with members of the public who need guidance. Many of those attending will have had SSIAs maturing around now. And of course there are literally hundreds of products available to them at Cheltenham next week, should they want to reinvest.