25 NOVEMBER 1989, Page 28

Under starter's orders

ONE reform Mr Major should institute at once. His brilliant but perverse predeces- sor insisted on staging his Budget in Cheltenham week, as a rival attraction to the Champion Hurdle. Mr Major must reassure us that this nuisance will cease. This year, in the general interest, I asked Nigel Lawson to be my guest at Chel- tenham on Champion Hurdle day, but he pleaded a prior engagement. I hope next year he will be free.