Racing showed its best side to the world at the Curragh on Sunday and it had nothing to do with the 'Irish Champions Weekend' action. The money-raising effort around Pat Smullen's Champions For Cancer Trials event was carried out with a style synonymous with the man at the centre of it. The only bum note was AP McCoy's after his ill-advised attempt at a flying dismount! Nevertheless, on a notable championship occasion it was this singular event that exuded class.

It is a slow, long haul but this season has been our most successful to date, the string is the biggest we have had and we have had more winners than ever before. Once you’re moving in an upward direction you can’t complain, even if you’d love it to happen more quickly maybe.