With the clocks going back this weekend it's time for racing to warm our winter days. However the Mazars report into matters of grave financial concern at the IHRB still has not appeared

Simply put, anything that affects the result must be dealt with on the day, and how the decision is reached, like the TMO and the ref do in rugby, must be live for all to see

It has tied itself up in knots over the competition of National Hunt racing and is trying to curtail the exploits of the “big four” but when good PR is required to keep the investment coming, surely these four are best placed to provide it.

The dual Stayers' Hurdle hero ticks every box for this assignment 

The next two days are undoubtedly the showcase events for Ireland, and they have elevated themselves to where they should be in the global Flat racing programme.

Risk Belle and Fascile Mode also warrant consideration in the Ballybrit feature 

The history of the Galway races is deep and fascinating, and the only three-time winner won his third Plate 122 years ago.

I can't put him forward as the choice to get some spending money for Galway and would prefer Bluestocking as the each-way alternative, but at 1.50, Simmering should collect in Ascot's Princess Margaret Stakes.

Why have the Curragh decided that a nine-race card is the way forward when the downtime between races is the biggest turn-off for racegoers?

On page 69 of the IHRB annual report, on the right-hand side, on a side note, it read: 'In January 2022, a transfer of €350,000 was made from the Jockeys Emergency Fund to the IHRB; this was subsequently reversed in April 2022.'