The Derby remains among the world's best and most important races - it also deserves to be more of a global one

Epsom has long been one of my favourite tracks, but there is no escaping the fact it could do with a bit of a boost. 

While it was disappointing to learn the proposal for a week-long festival has been placed on hold for now, it was still heartening to hear the track's new general manager Jim Allen express his willingness to try new ideas. The one that caught my attention was his desire to attract more international runners, most notably from the US and Japan, which would no doubt help to broaden the Derby's appeal, particularly as a World Pool fixture.

Since 1988, there have been just 24 runners from outside of Britain and Ireland, including two from the US, and in that period the Classic has been won once by an international runner – Pour Moi in 2011 for French trainer Andre Fabre. It would be a real positive and improve the race's competitiveness if that number could grow and, with that in mind, it was a brilliant to see Midak supplemented for the Derby by Aga Khan Studs.