It was a dry day in Dublin on Friday. The going for the races on Friday was good to yielding. The day has broken grey as I type this report Saturday morning. With no rain in the forecast, the going is expected to remain the same. A shower or two is expected on Saturday but nothing serious enough to warrant a change in the ‘going’ description.

Friday’s feature, the Saoire Stakes, a listed race, was won by the favored Shimah, ridden by Declan McDonogh. The 6-4 favourite, a filly by Storm Cat, raced third, struck the front with 300 metres to go and easily held Chintz, John Murtagh up. Shimah is two for two in her career.

Here’s news about the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, the feature on Sunday. It has been reported that trainer Jim Bolger has expressed concern about New Approach not being comfortable in the box. Speculation has it that the Epsom champion’s appearance may be in doubt. The price at Paddy Power eased to 4-5.

Trainer Bolger had this to say, “I am not sure about the extent of the problem. We think it’s a foot bruise. We will know more about the situation on Saturday, probably Saturday evening.”

Another reason for New Approach’s odds drifting is the optimism emanating from the Tartan Bearer camp. The Michael Stoute-trained three year-old was beaten one half lengths in the Epsom showpiece. Tartan Bearer’s connections have not made an effort to hold back their confidence. Ryan Moore will partner Tartan Bearer.

Casual; Conquest, ridden by Pat Smullen and trained by Dermot Weld is the third choice in the market. Trainer Weld is hopeful and has said that he expects his colt to race well.

The main event on Saturday is the Pretty Polly Stakes. Nine sophomore girls will answer the starter’s call. Finsceal Beo is the 13-8 favourite. Dual 1000 Guineas winner last year, Finsceal Beo, hailing from the Bolger yard, was second to Duke of Marmalade in the Tattersalls Gold Cup over 2000 metres. On June 17 at Royal Ascot, Finsceal Beo was a head and a neck behind Haradasun and Darjina in the Queen Anne Stakes over 1600 metres. Given her current form, I believe Finsceal Beo will give jockey Manning and trainer Bolger another Group I victory.

Mad About You was third in the Irish 1000 Guineas and was beaten two heads. She has a following. Sir Michael Stoute sends out Promising Lead who won the Middleton Stakes at York in mid-May. Ryan Moore rides Promising Lead.

The 2007 edition of the Pretty Polly was won by Peeping Fawn. Aidan O’Brien was the winning trainer and Peeping Fawn was ridden by Kieren Fallon.

An important supporting race on Saturday is the At The Races Curragh Cup. Septimus, from Aidan O’Brien’s stable, is the 4-7 favourite. John Murtagh, champion jockey at Royal Ascot, will ride Septimus.

The first race at the Curragh over 1400 metres has 30 runners. In Ireland, the fields are large. Very often, the favourite is at 6-1 and 7-1. The courses are different from one another and to a rider, every racecourse presents a new challenge.

In America, Belmont Park hosts two Grade I races on Saturday. Only four go in the Mother Goose Stakes and Proud Spell is my selection.

There are eight horses in the Suburban Handicap and A P Arrow gets top billing in my book.

The Northumberland Plate will be run at Newcastle in England on Saturday. There are 21 horses. The race is over two miles and 19 yards. I will be able to watch this race in the Ladbrokes wagering area at the Curragh this afternoon.

Jockey Royston French did a circus act in the last race at Doncaster on Friday. Fifty yards to go, jockey French found the saddle slipping on Sadeek leaving him dangling with both legs on one side before he hooked his right leg back over his horse’s back. He managed to win by a head and a neck in a three-way photo.

Do you remember Ursus and Silvestre de Sousa? Ursus won on June 21 at Redcar at odds of 33-1. That win came in a Class 6 race. On Friday, Ursus won again at 40-1. It was a Class 5 race at Newcastle. The margin was a neck.

The Irish Derby, sponsored by Budweiser until last year, has a new sponsor this year. Dubai Duty Free is the sponsor.

The Curragh is a breath-taking course and it has uphill parts that test a horse’s courage. The straight is 600 metres long. Sprints are run on a straight course.

It is cold in Dublin. The sun is not yet out. However, the forecast is comforting. Last year, there was heavy rain on Saturday and Sunday and in the Derby, horses were swimming. Soldier of Fortune, Seamus Heffernan up, won going away by nine lengths. Eagle Mountain, ridden by Kieren Fallon and the favourite, was a distant third.