RACING in France is an example to others in some respects, such as with its widespread adoption of on-screen sectionals, but there have been more than a few malfunctions with timing equipment over the years and it is usually best to check figures where possible.

By my reckoning, the overall time at Deauville for the Group 1 Prix Morny (in which the sectionals failed to appear live) was not quite as fast as given, but it was still a good relative time from Unfortunately to follow up his win in the Prix Robert Papin.

I have gone with a timefigure of 116 for Unfortunately, 111 for Havana Grey and 108 (the same as at Royal Ascot) for Different League. A visor seems to have made a big difference with the first-named.

This year’s Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet looks somewhat substandard, with the British-trained Ajman Princess going one better than she had in a York listed race on her previous start. An unexceptional overall time (worth just a 91 timefigure) is another reason to view the form with some suspicion.

The success of Marmelo in the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay is more credible, with the Hughie Morrison-trained four-year-old worth a 115 timefigure by my reckoning. Runner-up Desert Skyline (113) did no harm for the form of the Goodwood Cup won by Stradivarius or the Bahrain Trophy won by Raheen House.