This year’s three-year-old crop is undoubtedly a moderate lot

Are we right in thinking that this season’s crop of staying three-year-olds are of the rather moderate variety, asks Pat Keane.

The two big tests so far have been the Epsom Derby and the Irish Derby and they have raised real question marks as to the quality that was on offer.

They were both great races to watch but, arguably, a long way removed from being great races! Aidan O’Brien’s scattergun approach reaped a rich dividend at Epsom, with his Wings Of Eagles beating stable companion, Cliffs Of Moher.