Report finds Mahmood al-Zarooni's assistant Charlie Appleby was unaware of what was going on

Though Britain’s premier league fillies were firmly repulsed by Chicquita in the Irish Oaks on Saturday, at least the second division came home with some honour from The Curragh yesterday.

The gauntlet laid down by the  maturing Al Kazeem at Sandown the previous day was promptly picked up yesterday by the younger colt who may yet lead the home defence in Paris this autumn. But the fact that Intello was dropped in trip, as well as grade, for a Group Three race at Maisons-Laffitte appeared to compound reservations about the suitability of the stamina test presented by the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

A look ahead to the Gold Cup

Trussed in a web of cables and microphones for his media open morning, the most prolific Cheltenham Festival trainer in history yesterday recognised his cue as he contemplated another three weeks of scrutiny and pressure. "I'm wired to the moon," Nicky Henderson announced cheerfully. "But you already knew that."

Amateur rider prevails after last-fence error to pick off Captain Chris in desperate duel to line

This could prove one of those occasions when there is no point complicating matters. Long Run, beaten only by the record-breaking Kauto Star in three Boxing Day starts over the course, is much the most likely winner of the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton tomorrow. And while the retirement of Kauto Star, who won the race for a fifth time last year, suggests the time is ripe for a changing of the guard, it is surely premature to make too much of the anomaly that Long Run – in approaching only his eighth birthday – increasingly represents the old order.

Big Buck's, Paul Nicholls' champion staying hurdler, and his Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Al Ferof are "unlikely" to run again this season, the trainer said last night.

Kauto Star and Silviniaco Conti shared the applause at Haydock yesterday, the former as he led the parade of runners before the Betfair Chase, the latter after he picked up the baton from his now-retired Paul Nicholls stablemate by winning the Grade One three-miler. And the old superstar should have thoroughly approved both the result and its execution as the young pretender Silviniaco Conti followed in his hoofprints in consigning Long Run to second spot with a virtually flawless round of jumping.

The novice chase won by Captain Conan has announced a number of elite steeplechasers over the years

Nicholls' next generation suggest they could fill the gap left by Kauto Star and Neptune Collonges

For Kauto Star to be retired yesterday, just 11 days after another paragon, should prompt due circumspection in assessing his own place in the Turf pantheon. Certainly, those who glibly saluted Frankel as "the greatest ever" on the Flat will surely feel abashed in according Kauto Star equivalent status in the history of steeplechasing, even with the customary rider "since Arkle". The sport incorrigibly anoints its latest champion as the best. In at least one respect, however, Kauto Star's career can be soberly acclaimed as an enduring benchmark – and "enduring" is very much the word.

A contagion of ill fortune appears to be sweeping through Europe's top middle-distance horses. A day after Danedream was suddenly confined to Cologne by quarantine regulations, the leading British contender for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe yesterday joined the defending champion on the sidelines. Nathaniel is running a temperature and will not be able to run at Longchamp on Sunday.