I chose to take the bus to the Curragh on Saturday. I am with a friend in Cabinteely, a suburb of Dublin. A suburban bus took me from Cabinteely to the Dublin City Centre. A 10-minute walk (in my case) to Bussaras, the main bus station in Dublin and a bus from there to the Curragh. It is a 50-mile journey and a relaxing ride. The bus is parked about 150 yards from the main entrance. If you do not elect to walk, there are golf carts going back and forth you can avail yourself of.

It was a beautiful day. The sun was out. Twenty seven horses ran in the opener. Impossible Dream won the 1400-metre event with Patrick Smullen. The winner’s odds were 12-1. After the race, several jockeys expressed the opinion that the course was on the slow side of good.

As Curragh was racing, there were several British tracks going. Newcastle, Windsor, Newmarket and Chester were racing. A track from South Africa, Clairwood, was going. Doncaster and Lingfield were waiting in the wings for their late afternoon cards.

John Murtagh was aboard the 4-9 favourite, Westphalia, in the second race. Westphalia won easily.

Mick Kinane got Sharleez home in the third race for trainer John Oxx and the Aga Khan.

Moments after the third race, there was a ceremony in the paddock to honour Vincent O’Brien and Saddler’s Wells, two of the biggest names in racing. Film clips of Saddler’s Wells were shown and those were wins in Europe’s biggest prizes.

The fourth race was the Pretty Polly Stakes. I headed to the bookmakers’ ring after the parade. To my surprise, the favourite was Promising Lead at 9-4. Finsceal Beo, the only Grade I winner in the race and a strong third in Royal Ascot’s Queen Anne, was 5-2 and you could get 11-4. The bookmakers were telling you something. The best price for Finsceal Beo earlier in the day had been 13-8. As the race unfolded, the numbers played out the story.

Aidan O’Brien’s Ice Queen set a strong pace and had a long lead. Ryan Moore kept Promising Lead second and Mad About You followed. Finsceal Beo was in midpack. Moore closed the gap and hit the front with 350 metres to go. Mad About You picked up the chase. Finsceal Beo was beating a hasty retreat. As Moore and Promising Lead were solidifying their advantage and Mad About You was reconciling herself to second place, Finsceal Beo was eased up by Kevin Manning.

I got in a word with jockey Moore. “You are one of the most cerebral in this business. Very soon, you will be among the top jockeys in the world,” I said.

Promising Lead was beaten narrowly in the Prix Opeta at Longchamp on Arc day last year. She won the Middleton Stakes at York. Sir Michael Stoute said, “she’s a big filly. She is coming to herself. She will be better in the weeks to come.”

An examination by the track veterinarian revealed that Finsceal Beo was clinically abnormal. Whatever it means, it is obvious that all was not well with the Bolger-trained filly.

The time for the 2000-metre Pretty Polly was two minutes and 6.8 seconds. The Grade I race was worth 110,294 pounds to the winner.

King Of Westphalia won the fifth for John Murtagh. Septimus was the 8-15 favourite in The Races Curragh Cup. Jockey Murtagh waited and moved late in the stretch. Septimus won by two and one half lengths. The 2800 metre-race was run in 3 minutes 7.1 seconds.

House Rebel and Declan McDonogh won the last race at 6-1.

I chatted with Colm O’Donoghue. I was able to say hello to Danny Grant and Niall Mc Cullagh. I saw Chris Hayes but could not get in a word with him.

I was asked to appear on the track TV show. The host interviewed me. It took about five minutes. We spoke about Dr Mallya and Mr Poonawalla and about breeding in India. I gave a plug for Indiarace and said it is a ‘must’ read for racing fans.

At Newcastle, the 3200-metre Northumberland Plate was won by Arc Bleu, a 14-1 chance. Adrian Nicholls rode the A J Martin-trained Arc Bleu. Highland Legacy, the 4-1 faborite, was held up, impeded and failed.

In stakes action from America, the Hollywood Gold Cup went to Mast Track. It was jockey Tyler Baze’s first Grade I win. Mast Track returned $23.60. Jockey Baze who made the weight to ride Mast Track, said, “I did not know the horse. I have been watching my weight for the last two days. It was worth it and this is my biggest win.”

In the Suburban at Belmont Park, Frost Giant, a 40-1 chance, had the last laugh. Jockey Rudy Rodriguez rode the Richard-Dutrow-trained Frosty Giant. Frosty Giant and Solar Flare were in a duel with the former eking out a one half length-win.

The Mother Goose at Belmont Park saw Music Note, the 8-5 second favourite, emerge on top. Javier Catellano was the jockey. Music Note overcame an early stumble. Proud Spell, the odds on choice, also stumbled leaving, finished second and placed third after an inquiry. Saeed Bin Suroor was on hand at Belmont Park.

Dearest Trickski led all the way in Hollywood Park’s A Gleam Handicap. She was a 7-1 chance. She won the 1400-metre race by three lengths in a time of 1 21.55 seconds. Mike Smith rode for trainer John Sadler.

  New Approach’s status has not been confirmed for Sunday’s Irish Derby and it is 9 15 AM in Dublin. The Epsom Derby winner’s odds have drifted. You can get 11-10. Tartan Bearer has shortened to 9-4. Casulal Conquest continues to be at 5-1.

Curragh’s first race is at 1 30 P M. There are eight races. The Derby is at 3.50 P M.

In the third race, the William Fry Sapphire Stakes, my pick is Myboycharlie. To be ridden by John Murtagh, Myboycharlie is making his second start this year. The yielding track suits him.

The Railway Stakes is at 3 10 P M Six run and Intense Focus is a short-priced propostion. Kevn Manning rides for Jim Bolger.

In the Derby, I am going with Tartan Bearer. Moore has been riding with great confidence. After the Epsom Derby, Tartan Bearer has shown considerable improvement. Though he had first run, Tartan Bearer took the outside path at Epsom. In a smaller field, Moore can wait longer and get a ground-saving trip.

The going will be yielding. I do not think it will be a disadvantage for any of the Derby runners.

I am leaving my friend’s place about 10 AM. I hope to be at the Curragh by 12:30 P M. It is another bus ride today.