41.   His departure will, of course, be a serious blow to our hopes of pulling away from the foot of the table.

42.   His heart sank, his faint hope of creating an opportunity to escape crushed.

43.   His hopes of a chance to escape soared.

44.   His seat is safe but high hopes of Liberal Democrats holding the balance of power in a new administration have already faded.

45.   Hopes of a further interest rate cut boosted most other shares.

46.   Hopes of a peace deal are fading.

47.   Hopes of a peace settlement are beginning to fade.

48.   Hopes of a peaceful settlement have dimmed.

49.   Hopes of a title hat-trick hang by a thread, but all is not quite lost.

50.   Hopes of achieving peace are beginning to evaporate.