I have been asked several times of late, by a number of punters, as to why there is such a lack of racing for much of December, on the lead-in to Christmas.

There are plenty, it seems, who think the bookmakers overreacted to Faugheen’s smooth success at Ascot last Saturday and that having him as the 9-4 favourite for the Champion Hurdle is far too tight.

Horses like Sizing Europe certainly don’t come around too often and when the veteran performed poorly at Clonmel recently his trainer, Henry de Bromhead, must have wondered, at least momentarily, if he might ever be lucky enough to come across one like him again.

Last Saturday at Naas the stewards flexed their collective muscles when a mare called Mount Corkish Girl was the medium of an inquiry, after finishing eighth of 25 in the maiden hurdle won by the impressive Free Expression.

Last Monday the Racing Post produced a pullout detailing the ammunition currently residing at Willie Mullins’ Co Carlow base.

There isn’t half a thin line in this racing game between emerging as a hero, or being torn asunder by the public and press alike.

The more you study the manner in which French stewards interpret their rules the more one is inclined to the view that the way they do things is the right way.

On Irish Derby day at the Curragh, Saturday, June 28, Aidan O’Brien had just trained his third winner of the afternoon, Giovanni Boldini, in a Listed race.

There is no doubt that the inaugural Champions’ Weekend was a success and HRI, Leopardstown and the Curragh can be well pleased with their collective efforts.

One of the more interesting horses in training right now is Willie Mullins’ Clondaw Warrrior.