It was during a racecourse gallop at Leopardstown on Thursday that Aidan O’Brien’s Irish Derby hero Fame and Glory managed to delight stable jockey Johnny Murtagh. So far, over a career of six career starts, the Montjeu colt has tasted defeat only once.

This defeat was brought about by Johnny Oxx’s great charge and one of my favourite current horses, Sea The Stars, during the Investec Derby at Epsom in June. However Fame and Glory did not let this defeat discourage him, and he managed to regain his winning form with an impressive display during the Irish equivalent.

He now looks forward to the rematch slotted with his Epsom conqueror during the Tattersals Millions Irish Champion Stakes that will be held on September 5. I heard Murtagh commenting that Fame and Glory had worked brilliantly, and that they were all happy with his performance.

In the meantime, I picked up some interesting news on the grapevine, where connections of Naqoos are all waiting to find out if the son of Oasis Dream will suit sprint distances during Sunday’s Prix Maurice de Gheest, to be held at Deauville.

Freddie Head, his trainer said that the horse had a great attitude, and was worth bringing back in trip to find out if he was a sprinter as he had lots of speed at home.