Harry O'Potter bids to weave his Derby magic

Today was the big day, but Harry's mind was only partly concerned with those two and their friend Louisville, who had begged to go because he was never allowed out of school. He was worrying more about his youngsters. Given the chance, O'Potter would willingly lock himself behind the protective walls of Ballydoyle Castle and never venture out again. His scar was hurting because he knew that he had to leave his first years to finish today's classes on their own.

He would also have to be with people all day, giving interviews, being watched by strangers and bothered by the school governors. Added to that, any trip to the racecourse filled his head with a thousand nightmares because he had to listen to all the other horses shouting, unheard, at their trainers.

"It's no good you telling him that you don't want to make the running," he would whisper as he passed them, "he doesn't understand. I know you don't think that you will stay a mile and a half in a horsebox, but you'll just have to do your best." The rain had been worrying him. All year, O'Potter and his star pupil had been discussing the Derby and both were convinced that it was theirs for the taking, but now Harry had doubts.

He did not want to share these with Hawk Wing, who was a proud and confident horse. He did not want him feeling inferior, so he kept telling him that he was the best, that he shouldn't worry that his jockey had considered switching to his best friend, or that the Daily Haystack's front page said that he couldn't win.

Harry moved on to High Chaparral, whose self-assurance had been growing since his last race. He was a talented horse but a stargazer, watching the crowds rather than concentrating on winning. O'Potter had been kind to him throughout the year, never bullying him but now it was time to grow up.

"No messing about, Chappy," he said, "I don't want to see you even glance at those women today. Do you understand? We're here to work, not to pose."

As for Louisville, well, what could he do? The boy was so excited he could barely stand still. He kept rushing off to the other horses to ask them where they came from and what they did.

His ears were burning with exotic tales of life in Newmarket, while the two horses from Yorkshire were the friendliest he had ever met. He told them that they could happily finish in front of him, as long as he could visit their beautiful school during the course of his next half-term.

Harry had done all he could. He told his jockeys, Mickey-Jo, little Johnny and crazy Kieren what he had told the horses and left them to it. The headache started to ease as the horses arrived at the start and as the race unfolded, he knew this would be another day that he never wanted to end.

He didn't care which one finished in front, as long as they ran well. He was a bit concerned as they came neck and neck up the final furlong, each straining for the line but as long as they were sound tomorrow, he didn't mind. O'Potter was so proud of his boys that he wanted to burst into tears.

The only drawback was Louisville pulling up in the straight to let Fight Your Corner and Bandari past him.

He would have to have a stern word with that boy. Harry paused for a moment just to hear it on the public address system: "First, Hawk Wing; second, High Chaparral; third, Fight Your Corner."

He was the first trainer to have back-to-back Derby winners for 22 years and the first to train the first two in both the 2,000 Guineas and the Derby.

Not a bad day's work, and just wait until he could get home, God willing, to tell all the other pupils.

Records to be continued at the Curragh, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood, York, Leopardstown, Newmarket, Longchamp...

Who'll reign at the Epsom Derby?
Kinane to rely on Hawk Wing