Ruler Of The World won the Derby and Talent landed the Oaks at the Investec meeting at Epsom – offering clues for upcoming races at Royal Ascot and the Curragh.

Ruler Of The World heads the betting at 15-8 for the Irish Derby on June 29 at the Curragh, while the Irish Oaks in July is the target for Talent.

Meanwhile the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, taking place from June 18 to 22, is the probable aim for St Nicholas Abbey, who thumped a boutique field to record a hat-trick of victories in the Group 1 Investec Coronation Cup.

“He is a great horse,” said Aidan O’Brien said. “He has everything you want in a racehorse – he settles, travels and quickens. It’s a joy to be around him and it’s a real privilege to be involved with him.”

The six-year-old looks set to be joined at Royal Ascot by Thunder Strike, who extended his unbeaten record to three wins with an impressive victory in the Woodcote Stakes.

“Now that he’s won a Listed race the Windsor Castle Stakes is out, so we’ll look at the Coventry and Norfolk Stakes,” said assistant trainer Richard Hannon jnr.

Royal Ascot is also the target for Thistle Bird, winner of the Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom last Friday.

“I think she goes on any ground, except for extremes, and we will head to Royal Ascot for the Duke of Cambridge Stakes,” said her trainer Roger Charlton.

Simon Jackson is a freelance racing journalist based in north west London. He can be reached at jacksonsports1@yahoo.co.uk for press and PR enquiries, or racing/betting related news stories and features.