Connections of Ectot and Avenir Certain remain unconcerned by ground conditions at Longchamp as Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe draws ever closer.

Three-time winner Frankie Dettori is increasingly likely to be teamed with Aidan O’Brien’s number-one hope Ruler Of The World as he bids to make his 26th ride in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe a winning one on Sunday.

David O'Meara's Watchable clung on to victory in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund "Bold Lad" Sprint Handicap at the Curragh.

Derby winner Australia, Leading Light, The Grey Gatsby, Gleneagles, Tapestry and Chicquitaheads a star-studded list of entries for the inaugural Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown on Saturday and the Curragh on Sunday.

Aidan O’Brien has two good reasons to give Tapestry her next start in the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on September 13.

Today’s Group 1 Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes looks an ordinary renewal of the race and there are sufficient doubts about those at the top of the market to look down the line for some value.

Aidan O’Brien and Frankie Dettori were among those to pay tribute to Johnny Murtagh after the multiple Group One-winning jockey announced his retirement from the saddle yesterday to concentrate on his training career.

Brian Toomey “continues to show positive signs of recovery” from serious head injuries he suffered in a fall at Perth on July 4.

Venus de Milo is hard to oppose in the featured Group 3 Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Give Thanks Stakes at Cork this evening.

You know the way you often hear Aidan O’Brien talking about horses he has in major races that like to bowl along in front.

Chicquita will be aimed at the Prix Vermeille and possibly the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe after surviving a dramatic drift to her left to land the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Saturday night.

Trainer Ralph Beckett is confident Epsom heroine Talent is in the best possible shape as she aims to complete the English-Irish Oaks double at the Curragh this evening.

Intello, France’s leading three-year-old colt, remains on course for a possible mouthwatering clash with Dawn Approach in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on August 11.

Johnny Murtagh will ride French challenger Chicquita in the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Saturday evening.