John Ferguson is hoping Godolphin can be in the mix “at the sharp end” in this year’s Investec Derby.

Perhaps not with a bang, but the Flat was back in Britain this weekend and it was Godolphin who were smiling at Doncaster as Secret Brief claimed the Betway Lincoln.

The Racing Post produced a fascinating front page story on Tuesday relating to Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation attempting to take on Ballydoyle-Coolmore in a far more meaningful manner.

Annie Power may have been supplemented for the Stan James Champion Hurdle but Nicky Henderson still intends to run all five of his entrants in Tuesday’s feature race.

Willie Mullins has a strong-hand at the five-day stage of the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury with four of the top six in the weights from 31 to stand their ground.

Hurricane Fly is collecting the pension. Douvan is going chasing and Jezki is injured and out for the foreseeable future so it looks like it is going to be a drab hurdling season. Think again. There will be a thousand great stories through the winter and ten of them could be here.

Barry Geraghty does not think the returning Hargam faces an easy task in the Masterson Holdings Hurdle at Cheltenham today.

Bowe was thrilled to saddle his first winner at Cheltenham as Shantou Flyer lunged late to win.

Air Force Blue was “very popular” on the eve of the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes - despite Aidan O’Brien issuing a cautionary note about ground conditions at Newmarket for his star two-year-old colt.

Watching Jim Bolger’s Smash Williams streaking away with a Group 3 at the Curragh last Sunday, it struck me that here is a man who hasn’t half stood the test of time.

Aidan Coleman has been appointed retained rider to Newmarket trainer John Ferguson.

Andre Fabre’s Territories has been ruled out of Tuesday’s St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot due to a setback.

Godolphin have snapped up Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Pleascach and she will carry their colours when she runs in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot next week.

Rathmore 2-8 Kerins O’Rahillys 2-5: John Moynihan’s goal two minutes from time was the gamebreaker as Rathmore edged out Kerins O’Rahillys in a high-intensity Kerry SFC first-round clash at Austin Stack Park on Saturday.

John ’Shark’ Hanlon is hoping Hidden Cyclone can show his true colours in the BoyleSports Champion Chase at Punchestown on April 28.

He may be more used to the delights of Royal Ascot but trainer Dermot Weld has always enjoyed the challenge of Cheltenham and despite only training a handful of hurdlers – and all of those double up on the Flat – the man who has broken boundaries worldwide is proving a dab hand at getting one right for March.

Willie Mullins admits Nichols Canyon puts him in mind of stable star Hurricane Fly as he bids to give the trainer a fourth Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle win in the last 10 years at Cheltenham today.

Un De Sceaux attempts to live up to his billing as the most exciting novice chaser around when he lines up for the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham today.

If the betting firms are to be believed then this year’s Cheltenham Festival could well be the one which sees John Ferguson break his duck and saddle his first winner at the iconic meeting, writes Graham Clark.

Annie Power is among 20 remaining entries for the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival next Tuesday.

Trainer Shark Hanlon is leaning towards the Ryanair Chase with Hidden Cyclone following Cue Card’s defection.

William Buick and James Doyle are set to clock up some considerable air miles in the coming weeks and months after John Ferguson confirmed Godolphin’s two principal riders are likely to be in action during the prestigious Sydney Autumn Carnival.

L’Ami Serge has done "seriously well" since winning the Tolworth Hurdle and appears among 84 entries for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham on March 10.

Swivel was unlucky to bump in Bivouac on his hurdling bow but compensation awaits in the Best Wishes For 2015 Juvenile Maiden Hurdle at Ludlow today.

Parlour Games strengthened his claims for the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival with a performance of sheer class in the Betfred Goals Galore Challow Hurdle at Newbury yesterday.

Ruby Walsh was delighted that Un De Sceaux put a fall on his chasing debut firmly behind him with an impressive victory at Fairyhouse on Saturday.

Garde La Victoire has been left with top weight following the five-day confirmations for The Ladbroke at Ascot on Saturday, in which a number of contenders have come in for support.

Reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Lord Windermere is one of the star names among 29 entries for the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28.

Trainer John Ferguson is eyeing "championship races" for El Namoose after the exciting youngster starred in a treble for Barry Geraghty at Huntingdon yesterday.

Godolphin have signalled their intent for 2015 by recruiting William Buick and James Doyle to ride as joint-number one jockeys.

Another season of top-level hurdling awaits The New One after he successfully returned to his now familiar starting point at Kempton.

There was a sensational start to the opening day of Book 2 of the October Yearling Sale yesterday, with 11 lots bettering the 200,000 guineas mark.

Another record was broken at Book One of the Tattersalls October Sales in Newmarket as the number of seven-figure purchases continued to rise.

Dermot Weld’s hugely exciting colt Free Eagle remains on target for the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot later this month.

Prize Exhibit can land the upgraded Country Gentleman’s Association Dick Poole Fillies’ Stakes at Salisbury today. She has two victories to her name already, both by nine lengths, but her most recent success was far more eyecatching than her win on the all-weather.

Ante-post favourite Thomas Edison heads owner JP McManus’ assault on the Guinness Galway Hurdle at the Ballybrit track on Thursday.