As a perfectionist wrapped up in an obsessive, Aidan O’Brien must torture himself even thinking about it. For more than a decade, he has been mopping up prestigious Flat races with a regularity that has bordered on the monotonous. Yet, somehow, the autumn showdown in Paris most of us regard as the biggest race in Europe has eluded him.

Not, perhaps, for much longer, to judge by the reactions of O’Brien and Kieren Fallon to a typical monopoly of the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes. Dylan Thomas’s facile victory led Fallon to declare he “has to be the best I’ve ridden” and O’Brien to say he is “looking forward” to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Given their respective histories, these were weighty statements.

On the face of it, this was not a win to stir the blood. The size of the field was as disappointing as the size of the Leopardstown crowd and O’Brien’s runners filled the first three places. Dylan Thomas won without over-exertion, as his price of 8-15 suggested he should.

What followed was more revealing. An unusually forthcoming O’Brien said he had wanted to run Dylan Thomas in the Arc last year but “had to stand back” to allow Hurricane Run, also in Coolmore ownership though French-trained, to defend his crown.

O’Brien’s charge was diverted to a futile fact-finding mission on American dirt and began this season lacking a public profile. To some extent, he still does, for he won a poor King George and was then eclipsed by the fervour surrounding his York conqueror, Authorized.

Though Authorized is 2-1 favourite for the Arc, there is a thinly disguised belief in the O’Brien camp that the form can be turned around if the going is good or quicker in Paris next month. The trainer went so far as to say of Dylan Thomas: “He’s an unbelievable horse. With fast ground and a solidly-run race, he’s nearly unbeatable.” Powerful words.

O’Brien is also likely to run Soldier Of Fortune, the Irish Derby winner, in the Arc and refuses to discount a third candidate, the mighty mare Peeping Fawn. Both could run first in the so-called trials day at Longchamp next Sunday.

The track staged the Prix du Moulin yesterday, with Fallon and O’Brien combining for the 6-4 favourite, George Washington.

Parked on the rail with the brakes on, and extricated too late, he could finish only third behind the French-trained filly, Darjina, and Godolphin’s Ramonti.

Fallon will be back in Paris next weekend but says nothing that happens there will change his mind. “I couldn’t choose to ride anything but Dylan in the Arc,” he said. “He’s something special. He seems to have gone from strength to strength this year and I don’t think I’ve ever been beaten on him.”

His memory (five rides, five wins) is rather better than his timekeeping, which again caused concern on Saturday. Never one to arrive early, Fallon marched in 20 minutes before the first race at Leopardstown, with Ballydoyle representatives showing signs of panic.

Fallon, though, does not do panic. Outwardly, he does not even look troubled by the extraordinary situation he finds himself in, knowing he will spend the fortnight before the Arc – and potentially many weeks afterwards – facing charges of conspiracy to defraud at the Old Bailey. Whatever his attachment to Dylan Thomas, that outcome is rather more important.

Consummate professional Moore needs to be merrier

Ryan Moore seems to have everything a jockey could want – strength, finesse, positional instinct and utter dedication. Everything, maybe, except the charisma and sunny nature we relish in our sporting stars.

Moore won two group races at Leopardstown on Saturday but still found cause to scowl, at least until Sir Michael Stoute, his most important admirer, gently joshed him to “smile, Ryan” during the presentation for Echelon’s win in the Matron Stakes.

Stoute, who has provided Moore’s three group one winners, sees no urgency to retain him. “We’re getting along nicely as we are,” he said. But he thoughtfully summarised the assets of his man. “I saw early on the tactical awareness that all the best jockeys have. But most of all I like his professional attitude.”

It is this that gets close to explaining Moore’s personality. Unlike many jockeys, he is a deep thinker about his sport and, as he explained late on a Dublin afternoon, much of what he sees troubles him.

Naturally, it gets personal. Right now, he is angry over a three-day suspension imposed at Lingfield last week. “I wanted to appeal but they [the British Horseracing Authority] said it could only be heard on Thursday. That’s the day before the ban is due to start and meant I’d have to miss group rides at Doncaster without being able to commit to riding in the Goffs Million the next day. There should be more flexibility in the hearings system.”

He has a point. But Moore was equally lucid on the broader worries of British racing – the midweek overkill of bad horses running for paltry prize-money. He sees it all as a recipe for integrity problems, not to mention the sort of accident that broke his arm back in March.

It was a while since I’d heard a jockey speak so passionately about the problems of British racing. Moore genuinely cares. If, in time, he can cultivate the constructive, above the cranky, he will not just be the best rider around, he’ll be the full deal.

Firm approach is needed to prevent overwatering

Just like football referees, clerks of the course are routinely abused by the “players” in their sport when things go against them. Thankless jobs, both of them. But no matter the level of sympathy for officials, there are times when criticism is justified and, in the racing parish, it has happened twice in a week.

Warwick’s meeting on Thursday was abandoned after two races due to unsafe patches of ground. Overwatering was believed by many trainers to be the cause. Then, on Saturday, Haydock’s showpiece sprint was compromised by ground conditions softer than advertised, despite no rain in the area.

Hughie Morrison believed the watering conducted after declaration time cost Sakhee’s Secret any chance of following up his July Cup triumph, while Peter Chapple-Hyam was doubtless fulminating, having scratched Dutch Art through the predicted fast ground. Surprises like this are unwelcome and unnecessary.

Trainers need to know where they stand, especially in the biggest races. If the ground is good to firm, so be it. And inaccurate going reports also leave punters infuriated. Jockey Club Racecourses, who operate both Warwick and Haydock, should be asking some serious questions this week.