THE Derby on the same day as the Oaks, not four days before it or one day after it. The Eclipse the day after the Derby, on a Sunday, with no three-year-olds allowed, and not many people. Strange times indeed.

The Investec Derby may be a month later than it usually is, but we don’t have any more evidence than we usually have. Only four of the 16 runners have run more than once this season.