Since there are odds available on damn near everything now, what price there will be a controversial steward’s enquiry at some stage of the upcoming seven-day festival? Because if ever there is a place built for controversy it is Galway. (more…)

That seems to be that in terms of racecourse bookmaking. A few will probably survive, in glorified captivity, conserved for preservation purposes to show future generations what dinosaur betting used to be like before the digital meteorite struck. But others already look to be pretty much fossilised. (more…)

You don’t have to buy into a grand Orwellian conspiracy theory to recognise the truth in old Eric’s line about some being more equal than others. Sometimes it can happen in a little corner of anywhere, say Roscommon on a mundane Tuesday evening. (more…)

Overwhelming dominance in any area of competition can get tiresome, especially for those dominated, but those predicting the continual decline in reputation of the Irish Derby due to Coolmore’s hegemony are ignoring some salient realities. (more…)

Well, how was it for you? Did the long build-up work? Was it anticipatory, a long, lingering foreplay of suspense building up to the shuddering Derby climax? Or did it just go on too long and you lost interest? Either way, it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong. Everyone’s different. And there’s always next time. (more…)