Past Smullen making his first return to the racecourse after being diagnosed in March with a tumour on his pancreas – everyone wishes him will in his fight
Curragh-based trainer Ken Condon landing the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas with 25-1 surprise victor Romanised, ridden by Shane Foley, giving him both his first classic victory and his first win for nearly a year…
… and Jessica Harrington training her first classic winner when Alpha Centauri, ridden by Colm O’Donoghue, hauls in long-time leader Could It Be Love to take the Irish 1000 Guineas
A 5lb penalty and a slow start failing to prevent Battasah taking Haydock’s Temple stakes, holding off a dashing challenge from Washington DC
A host of close finishes making for good Saturday afternoon’s viewing on ITV Racing, not least Sands Of Mali fending off Invincible Army by a nose in the Sandy Lane stakes- five races went to Racing Hub selections
At The Races presenter Hayley Moore bravely ducking under the running rail at Chepstow to grab the reins of runaway Give Em A Clump, being dragged to the ground but still holding on to the horse until help arrived
Silvestre de Sousa riding a four-timer at Ripon
ITV racing getting a very healthy 400,000 viewers for its coverage of Sandown’s Brigadier Gerard evening fixture
J P McDonald riding a treble at Carlisle’s opening fixture of the Flat season
The Racing Post’s Horse Welfare Week
Arc and Jockey Club Racecourses putting in bids to take over management of Musselburgh
Newbury posting an 11% increase in attendance for 2017 at 196,000, and a 5% percent increase in turnover to £17.8m
Chelmsford City leapfrogging Sandown to stage the richest evening meeting next month with a seven-race card worth £233,640, with a new feature race, the £75,000 Queen Charlotte Fillies Stakes over 7f for older fillies
Sponsors Investec’s Derby homage advertising campaign (above) “Winners run a different race”
Sixteen-year-old Ben Coen taking a day off school to ride John Honeyman to victory at Ayr, his 11th winner
Flat racing returning to Ayr after an eight-month interval for ground repair work after the abandonment of last year’s Ayr Gold Cup meeting, albeit the maximum number of runners is set at 12
Richard Hoiles writing in the Racing Post Weekender that the horse should be the centre of attention for an enjoyable day at the races
BHA investigating ways to track racehorses from birth to after their racing career as part of its horse welfare strategy
David Walliams starring in a series of videos for Great British Racings Under-18 Race Free campaign
STEWARDS ROOM
…and what hasn’t been so good
The BHA needing to find a new chairman after Steve Harman steps down from the post following an investigation into possible conflict of interest in dealings with the chief executive of the Tote-investing Alizeti consortium – a compromise means Harman will have a consultancy position liaising with Westminster on behalf of racing
Barraquero nearly unshipping jockey Tom Marquand on an erratic, out-of-control journey to the start of Haydock’s Sandy Lane Stakes, being allowed to run but being pulled-up after losing touch after two-furlongs and needing considerable time for post-race recovery
Thirsk Racecourse suffering two nights of vandalism when thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused by a toilet block being vandalised and the panoramic windows and metal framework of the under-construction owners’ and trainer’s building being smashe
Paddy Power running an ad during ITV Racing coverage of last week’s Sandown’s evening meeting offering money-back on losing bets if, er, Aiden O’Brien trains the winner of the 1000 and 2000 Guineas!
Goodwood charging £6 for a pint of lager, albeit that it could deter some from excessive drinking
Point-to-point jockey Sam Lee receiving a six-day ban for shouting obscenities at an uncooperative horse resulting in the horse bolting
