Mona Lisa, the woman depicted in Leonardo da Vinci’s 16th century masterpiece, was either pregnant or had recently given birth when she sat for the painting, a French art expert said today.

Actress Reese Witherspoon has surpassed Hollywood superstar Julia Roberts to become the highest paid actress of all time.

THE mysterious half-smile that has intrigued viewers of the Mona Lisa for centuries isn’t really that difficult to interpret, Dutch researchers said yesterday.

Coolmore supremo John Magnier believes Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf contender Mona Lisa “has a good bit to find” if she is to trouble the likes of Ouija Board at Belmont Park on Saturday.

Aidan O’Brien tightened his grip on the betting for the Classics with a Group One double thanks to Horatio Nelson and Rumplestiltskin at Longchamp.

Attraction heads the 14 fillies and mares still left in the Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes following the confirmation stage.

ATTRACTION heads the 14 fillies and mares still left in the Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes following the confirmation stage.

DERMOT WELD will only run Grey Swallow in the Baileys Irish Champion Stakes if there is significant rainfall ahead of the Group One contest at Leopardstown tomorrow.

MOTIVATOR is “highly unlikely” to run in Saturday’s Baileys Irish Champion Stakes if the ground remains firm at Leopardstown.

KIEREN FALLON will be a very welcome visitor to Tralee for the first stage of the Festival this afternoon and is fancied to guide Briolette to victory in the Irish Stallion Farms' EBF Fillies Maiden.

Kieren Fallon fears Kitten’s Joy will be hard to beat in the Arlington Million tomorrow as Powerscourt attempts to put the record straight after being disqualified from first place 12 months ago.

Powerscourt has another high draw to overcome in the Arlington Million tomorrow as he attempts to put the record straight after being disqualified from first place 12 months ago.

TWO Listed races on the programme and two wins for the the mighty Kieren Fallon was very much the story at Cork yesterday.

Kieren Fallon showed no ill effects from a sore neck that kept him out of action on Sunday as the former champion jockey landed a 13-1 treble at Cork this afternoon.

Luas Line justified significant market support when scooting to a comfortable victory in the Listed Platinum Stakes at Cork today.

MONA LISA, having her sights considerably lowered, gets the nod to take the Listed Irish Stallion Farms' EBF Give Thanks Fillies Stakes at Cork this afternoon.

Jim Bolger’s international star Alexander Goldrun heads 18 fillies and mares standing their ground in Saturday’s Vodafone Nassau Stakes at Goodwood on Saturday.

THE decision by the Aga Khan to suppplement Shawanda at a cost of €40,000 paid handsome dividends when the Alain de Royer-Dupre trained filly totally outclassed her rivals to win the Darley Irish Oaks by a whopping five lengths at the Curragh yesterday.

Three fillies have been supplemented for Sunday’s Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh, but Michael Jarvis’s Epsom heroine Eswarah is not among them.

Three fillies have been supplemented for Sunday’s Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh, but Michael Jarvis’s Epsom heroine Eswarah is not among them.

New Morning and Red Bloom form a two-pronged British attack on Saturday’s Group One Audi Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh.

JOMACOMI, formerly trained on the level by Mark Johnston, is fancied to take the Publicans and Restaurants Maiden Hurdle at Tipperary this evening.

Maids Causeway just got the better of Karen’s Caper in a thrilling finish to the Group One Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot at York today.

DAMSON goes in search of back-to-back successes at the Royal meeting when she attempts to justify ante-post favouritism in the Coronation Stakes at York today.

Damson goes in search of back-to-back successes at the Royal meeting when she attempts to justify ante-post favouritism in the Coronation Stakes at York tomorrow.

It was all in the breeding as Eswarah emulated her dam Midway Lady by winning the Vodafone Oaks at Epsom today.

Eswarah emulated her dam Midway Lady by winning the Vodafone Oaks at Epsom this afternoon.

Pat Keane

There were no surprise withdrawals from the Vodafone Oaks at today’s final declaration stage.

Aidan O'Brien has confirmed Oratorio, Gypsy King, Grand Central and Almighty as his four runners in the Vodafone Derby at Epsom on Saturday.

AIDAN O’BRIEN has confirmed Oratorio, Gypsy King, Grand Central and Almighty as his four runners in the Vodafone Derby at Epsom on Saturday.

Aidan O’Brien has confirmed Oratorio, Gypsy King, Grand Central and Almighty as his four runners in the Vodafone Derby at Epsom on Saturday.

Saoire could be Epsom-bound for a crack at the Vodafone Oaks next month after her surprise success in the Boylesports Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh on Sunday.

Michael Hills believes Maids Causeway has improved for her second place in the 1000 Guineas but is not sure whether his mount will be able to reverse placings with Virginia Waters at the Curragh on Sunday.

Aidan O’Brien confirmed yesterday that UltimatePoker.com 2000 Guineas winner Footstepsinthesand will not take his chance in the Boylesports-sponsored equivalent at the Curragh on Saturday.

ENGLISH 2000 Guineas hero Footstepsinthesand will miss the Irish equivalent at the Curragh on Saturday.

Aidan O’Brien confirmed this evening that UltimatePoker.com 2000 Guineas winner Footstepsinthesand will not take his chance in the Boylesports-sponsored equivalent at the Curragh on Saturday.

VIRGINIA WATERS is even-money favourite with sponsors Boylesports to emulate Attraction and complete the English/Irish 1000 Guineas double at the Curragh on Sunday.

Virginia Waters was one of 23 horses to stand their ground today at the final forfeit stage for the Boylesports Irish 1000 Guineas.

Fast-improving filly Secret History hammered home the dearth of serious Vodafone Oaks candidates as she made all to beat Quickfire in the Group Three Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York today.

Mona Lisa could tighten Aidan O’Brien’s grip on the Vodafone Oaks if she opens her account in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York tomorrow.

Aidan O’Brien’s Mona Lisa heads a list of nine entries for the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York on Wednesday.

Aidan O’Brien could unleash two more members of his powerful three-year-old squad at York next week with Albert Hall and Mona Lisa set to represent last weekend’s dual Classic-winning trainer on the Knavesmire.