Derby day: It’s the edition before the Epsom Derby. The odds-on favourite is Tenby, trained by Henry Cecil, on today’s front page.

The five-day declarations are printed on page 17, with Ian Carnaby’s column.

Seventeen runners are currently in the field, including Fatherland from the Vincent O’Brien stable; and Jim Bolger’s two runners, Blue Judge and Desert Team. There is a filler news piece beside the card stating that a half share in Fatherland has been bought by American owner, Robert Lewis.

Carnaby confidently selects Tenby: “Tenby will have many of his rivals in deep trouble at the two-furlong pole.” As Lester Piggott has now chosen to ride Fatherland, Carnaby says that punters’ money will come in for him. But Carnaby believes that Fatherland and Irish 2000 Guineas winner, Barathea, will not stay the mile and a half. Carnaby also mentions Tenby’s stable companion, Commander In Chief, who will be ridden by Michael Kinane. This colt, unraced at two, has won all three of his starts this year: “but is learning all the time and will not be disgraced.”

Dundalk features: Racing reports start with action from last Friday evening at Dundalk, where the going is good.

Feature race is the Grade 3 Carroll Trophy Handicap Hurdle, worth £5,822. The winner is Shankorak, at 9/1. Trained by Frank Berry and ridden by Terry Mitchell, Shankorak stays on well to beat the favourite I’ve Topped It by six lengths.

In the Mickey McArdle Handicap Chase, over three miles, Anthony Powell turns in a riding performance, which reporter Peter O’Hehir describes as: “a piece of riding to be savoured by all those who witnessed it.” Powell sends Harristown Lady to the front with perfect timing after the final fence, using hands and heels only and no whip. The 5/1 winner finishes three-quarters of a length ahead of Life Of A Lord.

On the Flat, Michael Kinane and Dermot Weld win the mile and one handicap with 9/4 favourite Saibot. In the next race, the seven furlong maiden, Kinane is on board the 2/5 favourite Daftari, but they are beaten a half-length by Flora Wood and Willie Supple.

Curragh classics: It’s a classic day at the Curragh on Saturday, where the going is yielding. Big race is the IAWS Irish 1000 Guineas.

There are 14 runners, headed in the market by Zaradi Sidi Anna, from the Michael Stoute stable, who goes off favourite at 3/1. But a furlong and a half out, it is Nicer, in the hands of Michael Hills, who makes her move, and she draws clear to win by two lengths from Goodnight Kiss, with Danse Royale finishing fast to be third. The winner is returned at 8/1.

Nicer is a daughter of Pennine Walk, and is trained by Michael’s father, Barry. Afterwards, Barry Hills tells reporter Cliff Noone that this is his best victory since winning the Arc with Rheingold in 1973. It’s the trainer’s first win in this race, but he has already won an Irish Derby and an Irish Oaks. For Michael Hills, it is a first Classic win in Ireland or Britain.

Dermot Weld is very happy with the run of Goodnight Kiss, who is only having her second racecourse outing.

Another horse having only his second racecourse run today is the three-year-old colt, College Chapel, who lays down his marker for sprint honours by easily winning the Group 3 Greenlands Stakes, over six furlongs. The son of Sharpo is 11/10 favourite, and Lester Piggott eases him down near the line to win by a length.

He is trained by Vincent O’Brien. Cliff Noone writes that the Ballydoyle maestro has just four three-year-old colts in training this season, and that the trainer today is attending his first race meeting since surgery last month. College Chapel might now go for the Cork And Orrery Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Of the nine runners for the Hotel Conrad Silver Race, a Listed contest over a mile and a quarter, four are trained by John Oxx. He wins it with Hushang, 7/2 second favourite, and Michael Kinane. After the 1000 Guineas, the next race is a bumper, and this is won by Sound Man. The 7/4 favourite is trained by Paddy Mullins and ridden today by his son Tom.

Trainer Kevin Prendergast and rider Willie Supple have a double. Ready wins the Maginn TV Handicap over a mile. By coincidence, Ready wins in the exact same official time as Nicer: 1m 44.8secs. The Prendergast/Supple double is completed by Tony’s Fen in the closing mile and a quarter handicap.

O’Dwyer double: Roscommon has its first meeting of the year on Monday evening, and the going is yielding. Conor O’Dwyer rides a double. He wins the feature Frank Hannon Memorial Chase on 5/4 favourite Lottobuck. Then in the next race, he wins the Derrane Handicap Chase on Joey Kelly, who actually makes the long trip from Willie Rock’s Antrim yard to Roscommon as first reserve, but gets in and wins by six lengths.

On the Flat, there’s an impressive win by Oenothera, in the colours of Robert Sangster, who takes the Athleague Maiden by two lengths. Stephen Craine is the winning jockey. The three-year-old beats Solas Abu and Christy Roche. Afterwards, there is a stewards’ inquiry. It turns out that Roche, after losing his whip on leaving the stalls, shouts out looking for help from his fellow jockeys. Johnny Murtagh, riding Safe Conduct, gives his whip to Roche. Safe Conduct finishes sixth. Afterwards, Murtagh admits to the stewards that he had been instructed not to resort to the whip on Safe Conduct, but adds that he regrets his generous action, saying that Safe Conduct might have finished closer. The stewards give Murtagh a two-day holiday, and instruct that his riding fee is forfeited.

The Mullins family win the bumper again this evening. This time it is Willie who is winning trainer and rider on Grunge, wearing the colours of his wife Jackie.

Tramore Crystal: Tramore stages racing on Tuesday evening. The going is yielding, and the weather is wet.

Feature race is the Waterford Crystal Handicap Trophy, over a mile and one furlong. Before this race, the starting area is inspected by the stewards and they decide that the race will be started by flag, as the course here is not wide enough to accommodate 15 runners in starting stalls. Fortunately, the flag start is successful. The winner is Sara Maurette, trained by Edward Lynam, and ridden by Niall Byrne.

Permit holder Benny Maguire makes the long trip from Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan, with his six-year-old Ballycann. The trip is worthwhile as Ballycann wins the opening handicap hurdle, and this is a first winner for both trainer and rider Paul Mulligan.

In contrast, James Pigg makes the shorter trip from his stables at Dungarvan, and wins the Brownstown Novice Chase. Afterwards, trainer David Kiely lavishes praise upon winning rider Charlie Swan.

Britain: In his weekly column, Ian Carnaby writes with news that Frankie Dettori will not be riding in Hong Kong, as the Hong Kong Jockey Club have turned down his licence application. It is more than likely related to the fact that Dettori was caught by police in London with a small amount of cocaine, and cautioned. The 22-year-old tells the Press at Leicester races: “Give me a chance. Obviously I’m disappointed but I shall now concentrate on building my career in Britain and Europe.”

France: Desmond Stoneham reports on the weekend action. At Longchamp last Sunday, Intrepidity wins the Prix Saint-Alary, thus a first Group 1 win this year in France for both Sheikh Mohammed and André Fabre. A daughter of Sadler’s Wells, she could run next in either the French or Epsom Derby, or the Epsom Oaks.

Aspell first: Kildare man Leighton Aspell, aged 16, has ridden his first winner. A son of trainer Paddy Aspell, he gets off the mark riding Prime Painter to win at Hamilton on Wednesday.

Congratulations: In her weekly “Inside Track” column, Claire Barry sends best wishes to Aidan and Annemarie O’Brien, after the birth of a son earlier this week.

Letter to the Editor: Bill Egan, of Thurles, writes about former jockey Johnny Rafferty. Egan is responding to words written by author Raymond Smith in the recently-published book, The High Rollers Of The Turf.

The letter is about the Champion Hurdle of 1961, won by Eborneezer and Fred Winter. Moss Bank, ridden by Rafferty, is beaten three lengths. But Egan writes that Moss Bank was badly hampered by a faller two out. More importantly, Egan states that he shared a bedroom with Rafferty the previous night, and is adamant that, contrary to rumour, Rafferty was not out drinking and went to bed at 9.30pm. Egan adds that, in the parade ring, Rafferty received “ten different sets of instructions from the owner”.

Egan’s letter concludes: “Johnny Rafferty cannot reply to his critics from beyond the grave. I feel, however, that I must defend him.”

Irish Horse World: Grania Willis reports that Ireland will be submitting a bid to host the 1998 World Equestrian Games. It is estimated that bidding will cost around £5 million. With both the RDS and Punchestown, no problems are foreseen regarding suitable locations and facilities, but “funding may prove to be a stumbling block.”

Three-day event: Last weekend, the Punchestown three-day event took place. Preparations are marred by a storm the previous Monday, which destroys the entire tented village, and it takes until Saturday morning for full operations to be restored.

The competition goes ahead, and is won by Karen Lende, from USA, riding Shannon. She is the first American to win the event. For good measure, she also finishes third with Enniskerry. Britain’s Mary Thompson is second on Star Appeal. Fourth place is David O’Connor (USA) riding On A Mission. He and Karen Lende are getting married next month.