An island off West Cork has chosen a grand marshal with a difference to lead what is likely to be one of the smallest St Patrick's Day parades in the world.

The competitive edge to delivering babies is never more to the fore than New Year’s Eve when maternity units around the country vie for the title of “first baby”.

Stable jockey William Buick believes John Gosden’s pair of Izzi Top and The Fugue will fight out the finish in today’s Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.