Sir, As someone who has been going to the Irish Derby since 1975, I warmly support Patrick Cooper’s renewed and eloquent call for reducing the length of the Irish Derby from 12 furlongs to 10 (The Irish Field, January 25th, page 22).

It is clear that the race has declined steadily in quality and public interest. No doubt, several wider factors are involved, not least the gradual tilting of the season to later in the year: but length is one which can be controlled.

A change to 10 furlongs would fit well into the European Pattern. Top-quality three-year-olds, who now might be aimed at the Eclipse, could well find the Curragh a tempting alternative and a springboard to later all-aged races at York and Leopardstown.

Speedier French colts could come to Ireland instead of going up in trip for the Grand Prix de Paris.

As Patrick has pointed out, winners of a reformed Irish Derby would be in more demand as flat stallions.

It may be that such a change would, in practice, achieve little. But it is surely worth trying something new for a reasonable trial period. Yours etc.

Rory Montgomery

Stillorgan Road

Co Dublin