Dubai Duty Free chief Colm McLoughlin wants the Irish Open prize fund raised to €7 million and the European Tour event pushed further into the summer.

Epsom runner-up Jack Hobbs turned in a brilliant performance to take the glory in the 150th Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh.

You would be forgiven for not recognising many of the players on top of the leaderboard going into the Irish Open final round yesterday.

The buzz around the media centre yesterday left you in no doubt as to the status of the Irish Open, with a who’s who of golf gracing the interview room in quick succession.

The Irish Open is a subject and tournament close to my heart, not just because I’ve been fortunate to play in it but because it has, at best, only limped along, with its sponsor status never fully guaranteed from year to year.

When John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote “With a Little Help from My Friends” they never have imagined it would become one of the biggest sellers of all time. 

One more piece of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe jigsaw slotted into place on Wednesday when Frankie Dettori was confirmed as the rider of Ruler Of The World.

California Chrome, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, could finish only sixth on his return to action in the Pennsylvania Derby at Parx racecourse on Saturday.

Owner Barry Hurley is dreaming of Group One glory in Dubai after Captain Cat strutted his stuff in the betfred.com Superior Mile at Haydock.

Marco Botti is optimistic that Al Thakhira can put a nightmare trip to America behind her when she has her first run of the season in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes at Newbury.

James Doyle spoke of his “great honour” at being appointed retained jockey for Khalid Abdullah’s UK-trained horses as he prepares to kick off the new association aboard 2000 Guineas favourite Kingman at Sandown tomorrow.

Shergar Cup ‘veteran’ Hayley Turner is relishing the prospect of captaining the first all-female team at Ascot today.

Curragh general manager Paul Hensey believes the first ever Irish Derby to take place on a Saturday evening has to go down as a big success.

Camelot will face just six rivals in his bid to become the 16th horse tocomplete the Epsom and Irish Derby double at the Curragh tomorrow.

Camelot will face just six rivals in his bid to become the 16th horse to complete the Epsom and Irish Derby double at the Curragh on Saturday night.

Dubai Duty Free will renew its sponsorship of the Irish Derby festival at The Curragh for a further three years until 2015 — with an option for a further two years thereafter.

Roger Charlton has all but ruled out the Irish 2000 Guineas for Top Offer following the colt’s disappointing run in the Newmarket version on Saturday.

Roger Charlton’s Dubai hero Cityscape has been given the green light to run in the BMW Champions Mile in Hong Kong on May 6.

Hayley Turner is to join North American stars Chantal Sutherland and Emma-Jayne Wilson to form the first ever female team at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup at Ascot on August 11.

Richard Hannon’s Dubawi Gold may have the bet365 Mile at Sandown on April 27 as an aim after being withdrawn before the start of the Dubai Duty Free.

Joseph O’Brien believes So You Think can scale even greater heights this season as he kicks off his campaign in the Dubai World Cup at Meydan.

So You Think and Aidan O’Brien’s large contingent of Dubai runners have arrived safely in the Gulf ahead of Saturday’s World Cup meeting.

Dirar is likely to be in action at the Punchestown Festival next month following his victory over hurdles at Downpatrick on Sunday.

CURRAGH racecourse manager Paul Hensey admits he is “disappointed” the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby will clash with the Leinster football semi-final between Kildare and Dublin, but is confident that a combination of the racing, social pursuits and the chance of winning a 5-star holiday to Dubai will pack them in at Flat headquarters.

Japan claimed a first ever victory in the Dubai World Cup as Victoire Pisa led home a one-two for the nation at Meydan yesterday.

Connections of Presvis are cautiously optimistic ahead of tomorrow's defence of the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup.

Irish-born trainer Carl O’Callaghan could be a new face at Royal Ascot in the summer after hitting the big time with his American raider Kinsale King in the Golden Shaheen at Meydan.

Al Shemali sprung a huge surprise when landing the Dubai Duty Free at Meydan under Royston Ffrench.

Ahmed Ajtebi is in confident mood as he prepares to get the leg up on Gladiatorus in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot next week.

Saeed bin Suroor always seems to have his string primed for Dubai World Cup night and the Godolphin trainer was rewarded with a double on the high-profile card at Nad Al Sheba.

Gladiatorus (10-1) benefited from an enterprising Ahmed Atjebi ride to win the Dubai Duty Free at Nad Al Sheba.

Luca Cumani is under no illusions about the task facing Purple Moon when he lines up in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Nad Al Sheba this weekend.

Paco Boy is said to be “flying” in his preparation for the nine-furlong Dubai Duty Free at Nad Al Sheba on March 28.

Ramonti makes a belated seasonal debut in the Group Two Plymouth Gin Summer Mile at Ascot tomorrow before trying to improve on his four victories at the highest level.

THE Aga Khan may run Sageburg against his daughter’s Darjina in the Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp tomorrow.

Godolphin are hoping the rain stays away from Newbury ahead of Creachadoir’s bid to give them a fourth victory in the Juddmonte Lockinge tomorrow.

Connections of Curlin were satisfied after the American Horse of the Year was handed stall 12 for Saturday’s 6million Dubai World Cup.

TRAINER Jim Bolger insists four-year-old filly Finsceal Beo is “back to her very best” ahead of Saturday’s Dubai Duty Free at Nad Al Sheba.

Trainer Jim Bolger insists four-year-old filly Finsceal Beo is “back to her very best” ahead of Saturday’s Dubai Duty Free at Nad Al Sheba.

JIM Bolger is confident Finsceal Beo is back to something approaching her best ahead of Saturday’s eagerly-awaited $5m Dubai Duty Free.

The colours of the legendary Vincent O’Brien were carried to victory in the Group Three Al Rashidiya, the feature at the third meeting of the 2008 Dubai International Racing Carnival at Nad Al Sheba.

Connections of star Japanese filly Daiwa Scarlet are considering a tilt at the Dubai World Cup.

Brian Meehan is aiming for a second victory in three runnings of the Dubai Duty Free with his one-time 2000 Guineas hope Diamond Tycoon.

Mick Kinane was the toast of Hong Kong today with a brilliant Group One double for trainer John Moore at Sha Tin.