VERBAL Dexterity’s 102 timefigure was easily the best by a juvenile in the period under review, followed by Cardsharp on 94 (though the Mark Johnston youngster earlier had timefigures of 99 and 95 to his name). With Royal Ascot just around the corner – after which the picture is likely to change considerably – this seems a good point at which to take stock.

Alpha Centauri remains best of the two-year-olds on 106, for her five-length listed win at Naas, a performance accompanied by notably quick sectionals, and that is the kind of figure which should make her very difficult to beat in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot. She had an impressive 95 on her debut on the same course on much firmer ground also.