6 JANUARY 1990, Page 21

Heads I win

I HEAR that the Government's latest wheeze for restoring its popularity is to sponsor a horse-race. The novel feature will be that all winning bets will be paid out in full in the normal way, but that all losing tickets may be brought back to the Tote, at the public expense, for a refund. The race will keep a fragrant memory green by being named the Barlow Clowes Free Handicap.