Ruby Walsh: Public getting short straw with extended Derby programme 

Why have the Curragh decided that a nine-race card is the way forward when the downtime between races is the biggest turn-off for racegoers?

CURRAGH CONTENDER: Emily Upjohn winning the Pretty Polly would be a timely boost for Kieran Shoemark, a man trying to fill the void left by Frankie Dettori.  Picture: Healy Racing

On Friday night at the Curragh, the Derby Festival started with a bang. A total of 120 runners spread across seven races in a little under three and a half hours with three maidens and four handicaps. It wasn't elite quality, but it was a mix for everyone, and it entertained.

On Saturday, 89 runners are divided into eight races, and the day will take four hours to run off. The mix is almost right, but for the eighth race, a five-runner maiden that, in all truth, could be run anywhere, but the other two maidens, two handicaps, and three group races make for a good mix.