IF the postponed Vertem Futurity at Doncaster threatened to be something of a non-event, with only one runner not trained by Aidan O’Brien, then the Criterium International at ParisLongchamp last Sunday more clearly was.

It ended as a match, after only four were declared and two were subsequently withdrawn, and a 20-length victory for the German-trained Alson.

It is easy to dismiss this form, but the clock suggests that may be hasty. Despite facing just one rival, Alson ran the fastest 1400 metres (actually a bit short of that) of six on the card, including some extremely hot mid-race sectionals. He would probably have taken some beating even had Armory turned up on form. Alson is now rated 116 by me.

The other Group 1 on the Longchamp card, the Prix Royal-Oak, went to Technician from Call The Wind and probably represents high-class form in a race which included some other good stayers.

Technician now figures on 125 – equal to Kew Gardens and just two behind Stradivarius – though it seems he needs ground softer than good to show it.

Another juvenile Group 1, the Criterium de Saint-Cloud, took place on Saturday and went to the French-trained Mkfancy, running to 112 in beating the O’Brien-trained pair Arthur’s Kingdom (108) and Mythical (106).

Despite being by the Guineas winner Makfi, Mkfancy looked all stamina here over 2000 metres on particularly testing ground.