The whole of Ireland is basking in beautiful sunshine but I’m doing a rain dance. It’s getting warm and dry now, and Fairyhouse is drying up and Punchestown are pouring water on the course to beat the band. Let me be a spoilsport, I hope this weather breaks. I want it to rain.

After a mid-season lull trainer Willie McCreery has returned to form with a vengeance, and he recorded a 29-1 double on the opening day of the Killarney’s August festival, including taking the listed Vincent O’Brien Ruby Stakes with the game Erysimum.