“I’ve never taken horse racing seriously enough to need an out,” says multiple Group 1-winning trainer Jim Bolger, who yesterday afternoon opened his Coolcullen yard to the press for a preview of Longines Irish Champions’ Weekend, which takes place on Saturday September 10 and Sunday September 11 at Leopardstown and the Curragh respectively.

Epsom hero Harzand heads a field of nine runners in Saturday’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh.

At Royal Ascot on Tuesday Ronan Whelan offered more evidence that he is a young man rapidly going places when guiding Jennies Jewel to success in the two-and-a-half-mile Ascot Stakes.