JUMP racing has the Grand National, Flat racing has the Epsom Derby, and tomorrow the prestigious race takes place in what should be perfect conditions.

While trainer John Gosden looks to hold a couple of aces in Jack Hobbs and Golden Horn, jockey Andrea Atzeni says he "wouldn't swap Elm Park for anything" in the race as he seeks his first win in the premier Classic.

Qatar Racing's first rider finished second in last year's Derby on Kingston Hill and feels Elm Park has a strong chance of success at the weekend, especially if rain arrives at Epsom.

Winner of the Racing Post Trophy, Elm Park belatedly returned to action in the Betfred Dante Stakes at York last month, having missed the Qipco 2,000 Guineas due to the good to firm ground at Newmarket, and finished third to Derby favourite Golden Horn and Jack Hobbs.

Atzeni is optimistic of turning the tables on the pair and, speaking in a special Q&A with the Racing Post, he said: "One of the main reasons I can see the Dante form being reversed is that Elm Park will come on a lot for the run. Also, the mile and a half trip could bring out the best in him at Epsom.

"I'm a big fan of Golden Horn and Jack Hobbs. Jack Hobbs seemed to work well at Breakfast with the Stars and looked potentially good. But I wouldn't swap Elm Park for anything to be honest."

Elm Park was one of the horses to get a feel for Epsom during the Breakfast with the Stars event last week and Atzeni believes that workout has helped put his mount "spot on" for the Derby.

"I'm very happy with Elm Park's work and he's come on a lot since York," Atzeni said. "I was very pleased and I think it has put him spot on for the Derby. I don't think he has to have soft ground, good ground will probably be fine for him."

Back to domestic action and plenty of our local trainers have their horses in top form, including Ann Duffield, who saddled a fine treble last Friday, with My Amigo winning like a very smart horse at Newcastle before Landing Night and Song Of Norway were successful at Catterick, all thee ridden by stable jockey PJ McDonald, who is also enjoying a real purple patch.

Staying at Catterick, it was great to see Joe Fanning back in the winners' enclosure on Fireglow, three weeks after a fall at the track which left him on the sidelines.

Fireglow is trained by Mark Johnston and the pair have since teamed up for plenty more success, including a double at Newmarket last Saturday, with Watersmeet and Mukhmal.

Looking at the weather at Carlisle on Monday night, it was hard to believe it was June, with heavy and persistent rain throughout the evening.

There was some good action on the track, including a winner for Karen and Gemma Tutty with Percy's Gal in the sprint handicap.

The best finish of the night came in the one mile handicap when Get Knotted got up in the shadow of the post under a fantastic ride by Paul Mulrennan.

The winner, who fluffed his lines when unseating at Haydock on his previous start, is trained by Michael Dods, who was on hand, saying: "Get Knotted is a nice horse. I don't know what went wrong last time, but we put cheekpieces on him this evening."

Ripon raced on Tuesday and there was a brace of Middleham trained winners as Jedd O'Keeffe saddled Instant Attraction to win before Ben Haslam did the same with the tough Moon Over Rio.

While we are in the middle of the Flat season, a special mention must go to John Weymes, who had a very impressive winner over hurdles at Southwell on Tuesday evening.

The winner was ridden by Adam Nicol, who said: "Bigindie was very consistent in bumpers and was a bit too keen here over hurdles last time. But this was his handicap debut and I quietly fancied him off this mark."