Improved hygiene, sanitation, and surveillance, akin to that of John Snow in the 1850s, could save hundreds of millions of lives in the coming decades, writes Jim O’Neill            

Cromac Belle overcame a tough-looking draw to win the €7,000-to-the-winner Gain Dog Foods Christmas Oaks on Saturday night at Shelbourne Park. The bitch was most impressive from the inside box in the semi-finals, and a switch to the outside made little difference as she produced a similarly emphatic performance for Jim O’Kane, Belfast.