BACK at the end of March I mentioned in my editorial that the turf season was starting in Ireland and Britain. The French were a little ahead of us, and had staged the first juvenile race of the year in Europe that week.

That was the Prix du Premier Pas at Lyon Parilly and it was won by Con and Theresa Marnane’s Bottle Of Bubbles, a daughter of Cotai Glory (Exceed And Excel). Bred by Donal Boylan, the filly sold from Rockton Stud for £18,000 (€20,160) at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale which was held in Newmarket.