UNDERWHELMING overall times, though often accompanied by swift closing sectionals, was something of a theme for the better races in the last week. The timefigures of Curragh group winners Sword Fighter (78, Curragh Cup), Roly Poly (64, Grangecon Stud Stakes) and Medicine Jack (95, Railway Stakes) all suffered on account of pace, though the last-named least so of that trio.

Medicine Jack beat the Norfolk Stakes fourth Peace Envoy and the promising British raider Dream Of Dreams on merit, with a 34.92s last-three furlongs time indicating the likelihood of more still to come.