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This week's Goodwood meeting sees the last of the principal trial races for the Epsom Derby, which is now just a couple of weeks away. The results of these events so far have been fairly inconclusive. Certainly, they have produced no obvious star performer. The broad conclusion must be that the results confirm the previously stated impression that the 1993 crop of 2-year-olds was somewhat below par.

Peter Chapple-Hyam's Turtle Island, however, may be the exception that proves the rule. His weekend success in the Irish 2000 Guineas was one of the most spectacular classic wins since Shergar's Derby. He is now reported to be bound for Ascot. He clearly relishes soft going. It remains to be seen whether he can perform as well on better ground.

The weekend also saw some noteworthy efforts at the Newbury May meeting. Here the highly competitive 6-furlong Winchester Handicap went to Leigh Crofter, who had showed his well-being by scoring at Lingfield the previous weekend. Here Agwa was a very heavily backed favourite. But one to catch the eye behind the winner was Paul Cole's lightly-raced 3-year-old colt Darren Boy, who finished third. Last year Nagida filled the same position in this race before going on to take Ascot's Wokingham Handicap. Darren Boy could follow a similar route.

There was a pleasing Newbury performance by Castel Rosselo, who gave a lie to those who have been inclined to doubt his enthusiasm when battling back to beat Nashville Blues in the last strides. He likes a straight mile, so he could prove a candidate for Ascot's Hunt Cup next month.