Curragh Derby: Today is Irish Derby day. The front page of today’s paper has just the masthead, then below that is the headline Sweeps Derby issue, and then the rest of the page is occupied by four photographs, each of a leading contender for the big race: Linden Tree, Grenfall, Parnell and Lombardo.

There is analysis of today’s field written by Raymond Gallagher, with one paragraph for each of the 16 runners. He describes Linden Tree, runner-up behind Mill Reef at Epsom, as “the one they all have to beat”. But Grenfall is “the dark horse of this field” and in the final summary, Gallagher selects Grenfall to beat Linden Tree.

Dave Baker goes for Parnell. He admits that “in my opinion at least two-thirds of today’s field might as well stay at home”. Irish Ball, writes Baker, “has to find over two and a half lengths improvement on Epsom running to beat Linden Tree”; plus the fact that Irish Ball will be ridden by Alfred Gibert, who has never ridden at the Curragh before. But Baker selects Parnell each-way as the best value bet. The other tipster, “Newman” goes for Irish Ball.

Another preview of the big race is on page 14. The headline is “la an Derby” and the article is in the Irish language. The author’s name is not given, and he/she tips Irish Ball.

Weekly columnist “Pandora” is also looking forward to today: “All we want to enjoy a perfect afternoon is sunny weather to allow us to wear our best clothes, just for a change.” But Pandora is especially looking forward to a critical subject: which famous people are going to turn up at the Curragh? Clearly, owners with runners are expected to be there, such as Mr John Galbraith (Grenfall), Emille Littler (Irish Ball), as well as the Senior Steward of the Jockey Club, Sir Randle Feilden. But the expected large crowd might make it harder for people-watchers: “Don’t be too disappointed if you don’t actually brush shoulders with people like famous film actor Fred Astaire, who is staying privately with friends for the weekend.”

Grassick clan: Racing report starts with Navan on Friday evening of last week, where the rain is heavy, making the going officially soft. Jockey Ken Coogan has a double. He rides War God to win the Slane Stakes and immediately follows up with victory on Bensham Bennie in the six-furlong Kentstown Handicap. Bunny Cox has a winner when Escari takes the opening handicap hurdle.

It’s a good day for the Grassick clan. Christy trains Noble Life, who wins the Bective Handicap in the hands of T.P. Burns. Later, Christy’s son Michael wins the bumper on Greenane Beauty at 10/1. This victory, being the sixth and last race, means that nobody wins the Jackpot of £623.

At Navan on Saturday, the weather is much better, but the going remains soft. Feature race is the Irish Chorus Stakes, worth £908 to the winner, and this is won by Eastern Ace, ridden by Ken Coogan, and trained by David Ainsworth.

Another in-form jockey is T.P. Burns, who wins the concluding race, the Whistlemount Handicap, over two miles, on the six-year-old gelding, Highway View. This 3/1 favourite survives a stewards’ inquiry, which takes half an hour to complete. Highway View is trained by a trainer in form, Bunny Cox.

There is no bumper, but the day starts with a handicap hurdle for amateur riders. Mr Edward Rice wins on Kildrum for permit holder Kelso Stewart.

The Jackpot pool reaches £3,221. Nine winners each take home £286.

Mallow racing: Mallow starts a double-fixture on Monday evening, and the going is good. Feature race on Monday is the Harp Lager Handicap, over a mile and a half, worth £491. This nice prize is won by Zeus Line, trained by Charlie Weld and ridden by John Smith. Zeus Line is fourth choice in the market at 4/1.

Johnny Roe has a winner when Crumlin Lodge, trained by Paddy Mullins, wins the five-furlong handicap.

A winning owner tonight is backbench Fianna Fail TD, Mr Charles J. Haughey. He is owner of a three-year-old filly named Innocence, and she wins the Mitchelstown Handicap over a mile and one. Richard McCormick trains the filly and Christy Roche is on board the 4/1 winner.

Mallow again stages racing on Tuesday evening, and going remains good. Trainer Clem Magnier has two runners in the Kilfinane Plate for two-year-olds. Both are owned by his wife Ursula, and they finish first and second. Flattery is a filly by Atan, and she wins by four lengths from My Dayan, thus proving that flattery can get you somewhere. It is Tommy Murphy who is in the saddle on the 4/6 favourite.

For the second evening, Johnny Roe rides a winner trained by Paddy Mullins. Tonight, it is four-year-old Ballon Valley, who wins the Blackwater Handicap at 7/2. Another jockey in form is T.P. Burns, and he wins the mile and a half race on 5/2 favourite Tudoretta.

Charlie Weld has another winner in the bumper, which is won by the four-year-old Spanner. The 11/10 favourite wins by two and a half lengths in the hands of the trainer’s son, Dermot.

Good at Ballinrobe: The action moves to Ballinrobe on Thursday afternoon, and the going is good. Of the six races, five are won by the favourite. Largest prize money is £306 for the Harp Lager Maiden Plate, over a mile and one furlong, and this is taken by Petite Rock at even money, trained by Clem Magnier, and ridden by Tommy Murphy.

Trainer John Bryce-Smith has a double. Bugillus wins the Stewards Handicap at 14/1, in the hands of Christy Roche. This is followed by 3/1 favourite Glycerizha and Buster Parnell taking the Ballinrobe Handicap.

Reporter Neville Ring concludes his piece with the news that “with its future still in jeopardy, the management must have been quite pleased with the size of the crowd, considering the unpleasant weather conditions.” Ring notices that Pat Walsh, secretary of the Racing Board, is present today: “Perhaps the pulse of western racing is going to be more thoroughly checked by Merrion Square.”

Demise of Milesian: The stallion Milesian has died, at the age of 18 years, at Palmerstown Stud, Co Kildare. Bred at Baroda, Milesian, a son of My Babu, was sold to Mrs Brewster for 6,000 guineas as a yearling. At two, he won the Imperial Produce Stakes, and was second in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood. As a three-year-old, Milesian won the Tetrarch Stakes, and finished fourth in the Irish 2000 Guineas. Aged four, Milesian won the Salford Borough Handicap over six furlongs at Manchester and the Rockingham Handicap at the Curragh. He retired to Palmerstown in 1958.

He has sired the winners of 275 races, to stake money value of £258,000. His progeny include Falcon, who now stands at Milford Stud in Co Carlow. So far in 1971, Milesian’s best winner has been Tandy, winner of the City and Suburban Handicap, and runner-up in the Lincoln.

British news: Correspondent “C. Mc A.” sends his weekly report on racing in Britain. Last Saturday, the main meeting is at Redcar, due to the calling-off of the Ascot Heath fixture.

After his three winners at Royal Ascot, Willie Carson rides three more winners at Redcar, including the featured Andy Capp Handicap on Song Of The Sea. The colt is owned by Mrs Charles Engelhard, and trained by Fulke Johnson-Houghton. Neither owner nor trainer are at Redcar, so Carson picks up the trophy!

TV and radio: Today, RTÉ cameras are at the Curragh and four races will be shown live. Commentators are Michael O’Hehir and Tony Sweeney. The BBC are also showing the Irish Derby with commentary from Peter O’Sullevan. RTÉ Radio will be broadcasting four of today’s races at the Curragh, commentator Noel Reid.

Today, ITV are showing four races from Newmarket, and three from Newcastle, including the Northumberland Plate. After today, next racing on television is on Friday. Three races from Sandown will be shown on ITV.