Minister for Tourism etc. James McDaid is known as such a successful gambler that Olive Braiden of the Rape Crisis Centre asked him to place bets on whatever horses he fancied when he was at Cheltenham this week. The centre collected £50 each from four companies and McDaid matched their £200 with another £200. He picked Decoupage (came 3rd) and Flying Gunner (pulled up) on Tuesday, Flagship Uberelles (3rd) and Dr Goddard on Wednesday and See More Business (4th) on Thursday.
Braiden said the Minister has always been very supportive of the centre's work and he didn't hesitate at her suggestion. She will meet him at the pre-rugby Wild Geese Ball in aid of the International Fund of France in Paris tonight where she hopes to collect her winnings.