TACTICAL races, resulting in slow overall times, were plentiful in the last week. That is neither good nor bad but is just the way things are. Indeed, the degree to which tactics matter in horseracing, and become clearer when scrutinised, is part of the sport’s appeal and should arguably be emphasised more.

Nonetheless, the form in tactical races usually requires more interpretation than in well-run ones and overall times definitely do. That is where an understanding of sectionals helps greatly.