Marriage is a fair bet

Cheltenham students Phil and Victoria Caton were hoping to win enough cash for a honeymoon at yesterday's races. The pair decided just three weeks ago to take the plunge and get married. The couple held a small, informal ceremony at Cheltenham Register Office with the bride only deciding at the last moment to get herself a wedding dress. After the service, attended by a small entourage of close friends, the newly-weds decided to go to the races in their wedding finery. Phil, 22, said: "We got married at the Register Office and then decided to walk up to the racecourse." Victoria, 24, (nee Evans) said: "It just sort of happened." The pair had been dating for a year and a half before deciding to tie the knot. Although neither Phil nor Victoria are Irish, they said they had been swayed by Irish friends to set a date for St Patrick's Day. Before trying their luck Phil said: "We haven't studied the card yet so we don't know which horses are running. But if we win we might be able to go on holiday." Possible runners the couple could have bet on yesterday included Supreme Lady, Phar Less Hassle, Splendid and Sounds Like Fun. Horses less likely to have been bet on included Celibate, Better Offer and Looks Like Trouble.