BREEDERS ARE currently looking around for options for their mares and Arctic Tack Stud, run by Eoin Banville, continues to offer real choice.

Currently on the roster at the Newbawn-based Stud are 'Trans Island', 'Arcadio', 'Bienamado' and 'Gold Well'. 'Trans Island' is probably the star of the show, with the 15-year-old son of 'Selkirk', a Group 2 winner of seven races, being particularly sought after. Covering 33, 66 and 169 mares in the years 2007, 2008 and 2009, this bay horse has been busy up to this year.

Also on offer from Banville is 'Arcadio', with the eight-year-old son of 'Monsun' covering 111 and 83 in his first two years at stud. This Germanbred Group 2 horse won up to a mile and three furlongs and was placed in the German Derby.

Other horses on offer at Arctic Tack include 'Bienamado', a 14-year-old Group 1 winning son of 'Bien Bien', who has been at the Stud since his transfer from duties in the U.S.A., while 'Gold Well', a nine-year-old by 'Sadler's Wells' and an unraced own brother to 'Montjeu', is also on duty.

Both of these horses have registered coverings of 151, 97, 74 in the three years for 'Gold Well' and 83, 53, 19 for 'Bienamodo'. It's a good choice for breeders and well worth a look.

REVIEW OF THE WEEK

Aidan O'Brien's stable in Ballydoyle really clicked into gear on the national scene over the Guineas weekend at The Curragh on May 22 and 23. While not striking the target in the two classics, his yard did have a number of Black Type winners.

'Samuel Morse' booked his place for Royal Ascot when taking the listed Marble Hill Stakes under Johnny Murtagh. This 'Danehill Dancer' colt just got the better of the Jim Bolger-trained 'Purple Glow' to win at 9/4.

The following day, the same partnership took the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes with the three-year-old son of 'Montjeu', 'Jan Vermeer'. Justifying favouritism of 6/4, this horse got past the 33/1 shot, 'Bobbyscot', over a furlong from the finish to win.

The biggest victor of the weekend was 'Fame and Gory' who took the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at oddson of 8/15. The 2009 Irish Derby winner really won this race impressively and looks set for a lucrative campaign for O'Brien, Murtagh and the wider Coolmore team.

Concluding their haul over the weekend, 'Bright Horizon', a three-year-old son of 'Galileo', won his maiden at 9/4. Staying on the flat, Jim Bolger followed up his double at Wexford on May 21 with victory for 'Carraiglawn' at Navan on May 29. This three-year-old son of 'Rock of Gibraltar' justified his odds of 2/1 on under Kevin Manning by a very easy five and a half lengths.

Over the jumps, John Cullen booted home a shock 50/1 winner at Punchestown on May 26. Riding 'Stanton Court', a five-year-old by 'Hubbly Bubbly' for Co. Wicklow-based trainer, Prunella Dobbs, in the maiden hurdle, this horse upset the Eoin Griffin/Barry Geraghty partnership on the favourite, 'Baracas'.

BETWEEN THE FLAGS

The point-to-point season comes to a halt next weekend with the Kinsale and Ballingarry meetings for the South Union Foxhounds and the Ormonds. No doubt there will be a big contingent from Wexford from Saturday to Monday of the Whit weekend, assuming the ground remains on the good side.

That's into the future of course, but it's good to record a nice 'Craigsteel' winner for Seán Doyle up in Toomebridge. Ridden by Barry O'Neill, 'Noble Steel', owned and bred by golfing legend Christy O'Connor Junior, nearly made all the running to win well.

Stradbally hosted the Laois Foxhounds on a ground that was good to firm. Normally this meeting is noted for its entries and high level of declarations, but on this occasion many trainers opted to keep their horses at home. Colin Motherway did pop up with a winner in the shape of 'Beg La Eile' to take the seven-year-old maiden on the daughter of 'Lahib'.

EPSOM DERBY PLANS

Plans for the big race on Saturday next remain fluid at the time of writing, with a lot of interest in who and how many horses will Aidan O'Brien send over. With 'St Nicholas Abbey', 'Jan Vermeer' and 'Midas Touch' all 'maybes', including a possible flotilla of pacemakers, O'Brien is not meant to announce his team until about the time you read this piece.

I can't foretell the future, but in my book with a bit of good ground, 'St Nicholas Abbey' looks the trick for Epsom, and if not Epsom, The Curragh on Irish Derby day, and if not that day the Arc De Triomphe in October.

I know, I know, I am hedging my bets, but the one thing I am certain about is that he won't run in, let alone win, the Galway Plate in July. So put your money on that one!

- With DickWhite