I thought some of the reaction to Annie Power’s success at Ascot last Saturday was a trifle amusing.

Having had a half-decent wager on Hurricane Fly in last year’s Champion Hurdle, I resolved immediately after the contest never to back him to win the race again.

Danny Mullins must have felt like someone who had just been let out of jail after partnering The Tullow Tank to success in a maiden hurdle at Naas last Saturday.

There are three admirable horses a lot of punters will not want to touch with a forty foot pole the next time they appear, namely Sizing Europe, First Lieutenant and Long Run.

There was an extraordinary reaction from the public to yesterday’s meeting at Limerick, held to boost the Emergency Jockeys’ Fund and the stricken John Thomas McNamara and Jonjo Bright.

It wouldn’t be an great exaggeration to say that Tipperary last Sunday was a bit like racing used to be in this country!

It was particularly interesting to note just how much goodwill there was towards John Oxx after his My Titania had won a Group 3 at the Curragh last Sunday.

Ante-post betting has never held any great attraction for this observer, but have to say the 25-1 on offer with some of the firms about Leading Light for next weekend’s Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp was crying out to be taken.

When it comes to the Irish you simply cannot beat tradition.

The Government has again been urged to open an independent inquiry into the level of illegal adoptions carried out in Ireland going back decades.