International Horse Racing

• Royal hope heads Derby contenders

  The Queen’s Carlton House heads 17 hopefuls remaining in Saturday’s Epsom Derby following the confirmation stage.

   
• All systems go for Bunting’s Oaks bid

  Connections of Blue Bunting report the 1000 Guineas winner to be in top form ahead of the Oaks at Epsom on Friday.

   
• Ascot or France next for Botti ace

  Marco Botti is seriously considering giving Excelebration a second crack at Frankel following his colt’s fine win in the German 2000 Guineas.

   
• Aidan O’Brien to saddle up Derby quartet

  Aidan O’Brien is poised to have four runners in Saturday’s Derby at Epsom, with Irish 2,000 Guineas hero Roderic O’Connor set to wait for the French Derby the following day.

   
• Fame And Glory on target for Gold Cup

  Fame And Glory continued his march towards the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot with a workmanlike display at Leopardstown.

   
• Ouija Board’s first foal breaks through

  Ed Dunlop declared himself thrilled after seeing Ouija Board’s first foal Voodoo Prince record his first career victory at Haydock.

   
• Cup hope Mighty High may join Xtension in Melbourne

  Melbourne Cup hope Mighty High may join stablemate Xtension in Australia.

   
• Royal Ascot still prescribed for Overdose

  Hungarian superstar Overdose remains on course for Royal Ascot and a clash with Australian Star Witness despite his disappointing show in the Temple Stakes at Haydock last weekend.

   
• Animal Kingdom to run in Belmont Stakes

  Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom has been confirmed as a starter in the Belmont Stakes.

   
• Blue is the colour for Godolphin

  Godolphin’s 1000 Guineas winner Blue Bunting is favourite to complete a famous double in the English Oaks.

   
• James Given eager for Coronation charge

  James Given is excited about pitching his two stable stars, Dandino and Indian Days, against the big guns at Epsom on Friday.

   
• Pat Smullen Passage made of Rite stuff

  Pat Smullen is looking forward to partnering Gold Cup hero Rite Of Passage in the Saval Beg Stakes on Sunday.

   
• Frankel joins Black Caviar as world’s best

  Champion Australian sprinter Black Caviar has been joined at the top of the World Thoroughbred Rankings by another unbeaten star, English three-year-old Frankel.

   
• Aidan O’Brien full of praise for So You Think

  Irish training wizard Aidan O’Brien has described his star Australian import So You Think as a horse “you don’t see very often”.

   
• Force is with Derby hero on return

  Last year’s Derby and Arc winner Workforce made the perfect start to his four-year-old career with victory in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown.

   
• Godolphin keen on Classic double

  Godolphin expect Blue Bunting to improve considerably for the step up to a mile and a half (2400m) in the Oaks next week.

   
• Pour Moi pleases in Epsom spin

  French raider Pour Moi looks set to take his place in the Epsom Derby field after he pleased trainer Andre Fabre in a spin at the track.

   
• Carlton House shortens as Epsom bid looms

  Pre-post favourite Carlton House came through his final serious piece of work ahead of the Epsom Derby with flying colours.

   
• Akmal bids for Sandown double

  Akmal will try to emulate staying greats Double Trigger and Persian Punch by landing back-to-back victories in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown on Thursday evening.

   
• Fame And Glory and Passage head Beg possibles

  Fame And Glory and Rite Of Passage feature among 12 possible runners in Sunday’s Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown.