30 MARCH 1985, Page 18

Coal tip

Vigorous ante-post betting on the Coal Board Stakes suggest that the search is now on for Ian MacGregor's successor. Early favourite Sir Michael Edwardes is now drifting in the market. Instead,, shrewd money is coming for John Rais- man, who retires this week at 55 as chairman of Shell UK. There is talk of Mr MacGregor as a roving ambassador for coal — a nice one for collectors of business euphemisms.