In a Word . . .

. . . April

Love divided as European cities compete over St Valentine’s remains

Many European churches – besides one in Dublin – claim to hold relics of St Valentine

Tapestry can get four-year-old campaign off to a Listed race start at the Curragh

Top amateur jockey Colman Sweeney has confirmed his retirement from race riding

O’Brien to make late call on Ol’ Man River

Léan Cullinan on learning to love rewriting

This week, to mark the end of our How to Write a Book series, we have a daily Q&A with a debut author

O’Brien hopeful of big run from Adelaide at Belmont

Colm O’Donoghue will attempt to enhance his excellent American record on both raiders in New York

Curragh have delicate balancing act in run-up to Irish Derby

Weather threatens to be a headache before the €1.25 million Classic headed by Aidan O’Brien’s Australia

Powerful Irish contingent to contest renewal but Ebanoran has edge

O’Brien’s Australia favourite to oblige but Oxx runner slips in under radar

Ryan Moore gets Geoffrey Chaucer mount for Investec Derby

As expected, Aidan O’Brien keeps Joseph O’Brien on favourite Australia

Eat your words

With the Ballymaloe Literary Festival taking place this weekend, here are 20 literary quotations to whet the appetite

Ballysax shifts to Navan for renewal

‘Calandar’ considerations trigger move for Group Three race in which 13 still entered

Maverick of the Russian masters

A new translation of the stories of Nikolai Leskov confirms that although different, he is the equal of Tolstoy, Dostoevsky and Turgenev

Murtagh looks for Group One glory on Belle de Crercy at Ascot

Another clash with Geoffrey Chaucer likely

My Titania secures Group Three and will be aimed at next year’s classics

Chaucer will line up next in Doncaster’s Racing Post Trophy