Doyle kicks off four-year-old campaign with another Belharbour win

I combined a trip to ride in a couple of the early races at Ballinaboola with the big meeting at Leopardstown on Sunday. With the ground riding quick, Joseph O'Brien had no option except to withdraw last year's winner Edwulf from the Irish Gold Cup, so the only ride I had was on Botani for Willie Mullins, in the Grade 2 bumper.

For a mare having her first race in an event of that standard, she did well to finish fourth behind Santa Rossa, a lovely prospect for Dermot McLoughlin and the Conway family, who have had some fine chasers with Jim Dreaper, including Harcon and Notre Pere.

I always enjoy being involved in the action on a big occasion like the Dublin Racing Festival, but at the same time it was a pity this one clashed with the Bellharbour fixture, always a good day-out in my part of the country.