THE Betfred Derby Festival clearly has issues as to fan engagement. I was shocked to see the sight of the Hill devoid of the life and energy that has always accompanied and enhanced the Derby. It remains the most significant test of the thoroughbred in the world and will remain so, but we must not let it lose its soul.

The Coronation Stakes and the Derby are the centre of my attention with Jan Brueghel and Wayne Lordan taking all the plaudits. The data is clear that Jan Brueghel stamped himself as being top-class when winning the Group 1 Betfred Coronation Stakes at Epsom, without a doubt he put up the best performance of the meeting and any attempt to water it down by knocking the finishing effort of Calandagan is to miss the point completely.