1.   The Irish have won the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup just once in six runnings and were never in with a shout of improving that record.

2.   ICI is not complacent and is determined to improve its record still further.

3.   Arafat has ignored challenges from the freely elected Palestinian Legislative Council to improve his record on human rights.

4.   At the least, the Giuliani administration should join with the state to take advantage of federal funds to help improve computerized records.

5.   A first down would undoubtedly clinch the game for Philadelphia, improve its record and preserve its standing atop the National Football Conference East.

6.   But Safir ended up even improving the record in reducing crime and undercut the perception that he was merely a caretaker in the post.

7.   For all that, there are some signs that Nynex is intent on improving its record.

8.   France says closer cooperation with China will eventually bring Beijing to improve its record on human rights and better treat its political dissidents.

9.   He said he could put aside his opposition to communism if the regime improves its human rights record and becomes more cooperative in the search for missing American soldiers.

10.   If they do not improve that record in the next nine days, their wild-card dreams will turn into a nightmare.