Fastnet Rock, West Cork’s emblematic lighthouse, casts a little of its long thin shadow over Ireland’s finest flat racing extravaganza this weekend.

The progressive Algonquin completed a four-timer with a typically gamebattling display in the listed Vincent O’Brien Ruby Stakes last night at Killarney last night.

In emphatically reversing Coventry Stakes form with Buratino and giving trainer Aidan O’Brien his fourteenth success in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes, yesterday afternoon at the Curragh, Air Force Blue was promoted to clear favouritism for next season’s Newmarket 2000 Guineas.

What have Dermot Weld, Jim Bolger and Aidan O’Brien in common, besides the fact they are three of the best trainers in the world?

Forgotten Rules hardened as favourite for next month’s Ascot Gold Cup following his gutsy defeat of Answered in the Group 3 Coolmore Vintage Crop Stakes, feature of yesterday’s action in Navan.

Ed Dunlop’s “strange entry” for Trip To Paris in the Betway Chester Cup yielded a princely sum as the emerging stayer delivered a show-stopping performance on the Roodee.

Diamondsandrubies might be capable of stepping-up on her recent maiden success in Tipperary to land the listed Irish Stallion Farms Salsabil Stakes in Navan today.

Fascinating Rock might be capable of conceding weight to his six rivals in the listed Heritage Stakes on Student Race Day in Leopardstown tonight.

Smuggler’s Cove was an impressive winner of the listed Star Appeal 2-Y-0 Stakes in Dundalk last night, giving Aidan O’Brien his third successive win in the race.

Orgilgo Bay, trained in Co Meath by John McConnell, put up a terrific performance to defy top weight in the valuable Lartigue Hurdle at Listowel yesterday.

As the Curragh prepares to stage the 100th running of the Palmerstown House Estate Irish St Leger, one famous horse can enjoy some down-time with his legacy secure for many more years to come.

Ireland houses two rather drab programmes this weekend, but a winner is a winner and Dessie Hughes’ Icy Reply is fancied to deliver in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Mares’ Hurdle at Navan this afternoon.

Aidan O’Brien’s Palace arrived late and fast to land the Listed Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Cairn Rouge Stakes at Killarney last night.

Aidan O’Brien’s Shell House, who has been a little costly to follow, can land the nap in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Maiden at Naas tonight.

Fascinating Rock looks the logical choice in the Group 3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown tomorrow.

Dermot Weld’s Fascinating Rock aims to build on the good impression he has made already this season in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Answered could provide the solution to a cracking renewal of the Group 3 P W McGrath Memorial Stakes at Navan this afternoon.

Aidan O’Brien’s Kingsbarns has to be fancied to outclass five rivals in the Listed Heritage Stakes at Leopardstown this evening.

Cherished racehorse and stallion Royal Academy died today at the age of 25.

Australian speedster Fastnet Rock has been retired after failing to recover from a bout of travel sickness following his arrival in England.

Top Australian sprinter Fastnet Rock will miss Royal Ascot at York next week as he has not recovered from a bout of travel sickness following his arrival in England.