FLAT racing in Ireland and Britain was low-key in the period under review, also, with just the one listed race and no group races. That listed race was at Lingfield on Saturday and went to Fanaar, but in a modest time of 84.

Indeed, the time of every race on the card was underwhelming in the context of the abilities of the horses involved compared with Hurricane Alert’s surprisingly quick 57.98s in winning a poor five-furlong handicap. He gets a timefigure of 68 and the race is worth keeping an eye on at an ordinary level.

The smart Royal Birth was only 1.08s quicker at the same course and distance 40 minutes later and gets a 97 timefigure which he has surpassed a number of times previously.

It was a bigger weekend on the international stage, however, with Winx winning her 31st race in a row and 23rd Group/Grade 1 by taking the Chipping Norton Stakes at Royal Randwick for the fourth successive start.

WORTHY RIVAL

Don’t listen to anyone who claims this amounted to little, for she faced a worthy rival who was at the top of his game in Happy Clapper, and they pulled clear of some very useful types in a race that Happy Clapper ensured was run at a strong pace.

Winx was not quite at her 130-plus best, but it is perfectly justifiable to rate this as a high-120s effort, and she had a bit to spare after briefly looking as if she was struggling. What a fantastic mare she is!

CANDIDATE

Over at Gulfstream Park in Florida, the highly-touted Hidden Scroll could finish only fourth in the Fountain of Youth Stakes, a recognised trial for the Kentucky Derby. However, sectionals show that he did too much too soon, should still be regarded best in this field (120 rating) and is probably still a legitimate classic candidate.

Highlight of the Meydan card last Thursday week was the runaway win of Ispolini in a Group 3 staying race.

It is difficult to put a precise figure on this, but it probably needs to be in the 120s, and the Charlie Appleby-trained gelding could well be a player in Cup races back in Europe.