THE fact that half of Leopardstown’s races took place on the inner course and half on the outer course, plus those doubts about race measurements, make timefigure compiling there difficult.

Nonetheless, it seems clear that the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes, won by Hydrangea, was not a well-run contest, with a race finishing speed (speed at finish as % of average race speed) of over 107% and a Timeform timefigure of just 101.

Third-placed Persuasive was fastest of all late on and arguably should have won, but the abiding impression was that second-placed Winter – who has two 119 figures to her name – will be back to her best with this behind her, having reportedly had an interrupted preparation.

The Matron was, all the same, 0.5s quicker than the Boomerang Stakes which followed it, with Suedois registering a nearer-to-par finishing speed of 105% and a timefigure of just 97 in winning the latter.

They finished in a heap here and the form looks weak for a Group 2. This was a missed opportunity for Sir John Lavery, on whom Ryan Moore got into all sorts of difficulties before finishing fourth.

An altogether healthier timefigure of 112 was recorded in victory by Eziyra in the Enterprise Stakes on the inner course (time comparisons with the handicap, officially run at 180 yards further, can be taken with a pinch of salt).

The Aga Khan colours were also carried with distinction by another Dermot Weld-trained filly, Shamreen, in the Blandford Stakes at the Curragh the next day, though this was a steadily-run race (110% finishing speed) and Shamreen got the run of things in returning a timefigure of just 71. Her trainer has done well to get two group races out of her.