We are now on the verge of the most important part in the Irish greyhound calendar.

THE Paul Nicholls-trained Sam Winner was a big gamble in the JCB Triumph Hurdle, but it was his other runner, Zarkandar, who had all the answers.

Zarkandar gave champion trainer Paul Nicholls a second success in the JCB Triumph Hurdle when landing an emphatic triumph in the opening race on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Paul Nicholls could have three leading contenders in the JCB Triumph Hurdle after Zarkandar added his name to the trainer’s hopes for the juvenile championship with an eyecatching debut win at Kempton.

Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe favourite Behkabad is reported to be in rude health following his narrow victory in the Prix Niel at Longchamp on Sunday.

Rosanara lived up to the hype to claim the Total Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp today.

Alain de Royer-Dupre is expecting big things from Rosanara in Sunday’s Total Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp.

Christophe Lemaire will not ride Stacelita in Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe after suffering a bad injury on Friday.

John Oxx expressed himself "happy" with the draw after Sea The Stars was handed stall six in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday.

Eric Libaud’s Royal Ascot hero Vision D’Etat is being prepared for a second tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October.

Whether or not the fast pace and resulting stamina test of last weekend’s Irish Derby at The Curragh would have suited Sea The Stars will remain pure conjecture, but there are no such concerns regarding the pace in today’s ten-furlong Group 1 Coral Eclipse at Sandown.

Dar Re Mi just held Beach Bunny in a thrilling finish to the Audi Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh.

RALPH Beckett reckons Dar Re Mi is the unknown quantity in today’s Audi Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh as he prepares to saddle stable star Look Here.

John Gosden’s Dar Re Mi goes in search of her first Group One success in the Audi Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.

The red-hot run of trainer Jean-Claude Rouget and jockey Christophe Lemaire continued as Stacelita absolutely bolted up in the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) at Chantilly today.

ASK provided Michael Stoute with his second success in the Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup as the 2-1 favourite landed a significant blow for punters on the final afternoon of York’s three-day May meeting.

Ask provided Michael Stoute with his second success in the Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup as the 2-1 favourite landed a significant blow for punters on the final afternoon of York’s three-day May meeting.

DAR RE MI takes to the stage for the first time this season in a small field for the totepool Middleton Stakes at York.

Royal Ascot could come into the reckoning for Pointilliste, who created a good impression by dictating the pace in the Prix de Barbeville at Longchamp.

New Approach and Curlin shared top billing in the World Thoroughbred Rankings unveiled today at a ceremony in London.

Irish-trained horses have scooped four trophies at the Cartier Awards, racing's equivalent of the Oscars.

UNBEATEN filly Zarkava was crowned the Cartier Horse Of The Year in a glittering ceremony in London last night.

SUPERSTAR filly Zarkava has been retired to stud.

Ladbrokes St Leger runner-up Unsung Heroine is one of 12 possibles for the inaugural Pride Stakes at Newmarket this weekend.

Ladbrokes St Leger runner-up Unsung Heroine is one of 12 possibles for the inaugural Pride Stakes at Newmarket this weekend.

Zarkava, the unbeaten winner of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, has been retired.

THE Racing Post is a fantastic paper and having to go a day without it is a bit like walking around in the rain with only one shoe on.

Connections of Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Zarkava are set to meet this weekend to decide on the future of the unbeaten three-year-old.

TIMEFORM and the official handicapper are at odds over the merit of Zarkava’s victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday.

Future plans for the unbeaten super filly Zarkava have yet to be decided as the dust settles on her stunning Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe success at Longchamp.

PROPORTIONAL has a lot to live up to compared with last year’s Total Prix Marcel Boussac winner Zarkava, but still had the ability to humble a decent pack of two-year-old fillies in the Longchamp Group One yesterday.

ANTICIPATION and expectation gave way to awe and amazement as the incredible Zarkava confirmed herself a genuine champion with a stunning success in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp yesterday.

Zarkava wrote her name into the record books with a stunning victory in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

Star filly Zarkava is a doubt for this afternoon's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

Johnny Murtagh believes Duke Of Marmalade can overcome potentially unsuitable ground in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

Freddie Head's golden run continued as Watar landed the Qatar Prix Chaudenay today, the opening race of Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend at Longchamp.

Zarkava will face 15 rivals as she bids to become the first filly since 1993 to win Europe’s most prestigious race, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Jimmy Fortune has picked up a prized spare ride on Papal Bull in Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

GODOLPHIN are looking for ease in the ground before committing their sole hope Schiaparelli to Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

ANOTHER fascinating ingredient was yesterday added to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe when Ralph Beckett’s Oaks winner Look Here emerged a surprise contender.

Zarkava maintained her superstar status with consummate ease as she successfully stepped up to a mile and a half in the Qatar Prix Vermeille at Longchamp.

Goldikova showed a beguiling turn of foot to lower the colours of Henrythenavigator in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp.