21 APRIL 1990, Page 20

Opportunity post

FROM Lombard Street comes word of a banker bet. The scene is Allied Irish Bank's temporary branch on Cheltenham racecourse. A customer comes in, just before the Gold Cup, and asks to cash a cheque for £20,000. The manager says that he will have to telephone London, and London refers him to head office. The manager dials Dublin, the customer fumes, the loudspeaker calls 'They're off!' Foiled of his chance to bet, the customer explodes with fury and storms out. Two races later he is back, carrying a case of champagne, which he presents to the manager. Vaysus' , he says, 'you saved me some money.'