Author name: Lee Bolingbroke

No, not the late great Tommy Handley, who lifted the public’s morale during our spat with Mr Hitler, but a certain Aidan O’Brien who added to his ultra-impressive portfolio of Group races last weekend.

Top action last week came at the Curragh, the three day meeting climaxing on Sunday with the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, which saw the first three home in the Epsom equivalent cross swords again.

All over for another year, but five days of supreme racing, a colourful spectacle played out under sunny skies.

Many eyes were cast anxiously at the skies at Epsom on Saturday, when rain of biblical proportions was forecast prior to The Derby.

A fairly quiet week in the UK but a significant meeting at The Curragh, where the Irish 2000 & 1000 Guineas took place.

Main event of the week was the 3-day Dante meeting at York, with the eponymous race taking place on Thursday.

Story of the past week has involved the trials and tribulations of a certain Kieran Shoemark, who has had a few days to regret.