THE Curragh’s meeting last weekend featured five group races in all but there were no real superior performances on the clock. Best of them was Rostropovich’s 102 timefigure for winning the Group 2 Galileo Irish EBF Futurity by a short-head from Coat Of Arms (101). That is still well outside the top-10 for juvenile timefigures in Ireland and Britain, with Expert Eye (114) continuing to lead the way, pre-York at least.

Rostropovich was the fastest of three two-year-old seven-furlong winners, albeit not by a wide margin. Next in was Magical, who gets a 93 timefigure for her success in a Group 2 Debutante Stakes that cannot have been truly-run (sectionals were difficult to get). It seems most likely that Magical, and 90-rated runner-up Happily, will rate a good deal higher than this given the chance.

September was below her Royal Ascot form (second-best juvenile timefigure of 112) and possibly unsuited by the much softer ground.

The opening maiden was the slowest of the trio, with winner Gobi Desert nonetheless looking a useful prospect in recording a 77 timefigure on his debut.

Treasuring (92 timefigure) was a workmanlike winner of the Group 3 Curragh Stakes, but Shamreen (89) and Order Of St George (95) won with more authority in the Royal Whip Stakes and Saturday’s Irish St Leger Trial respectively.

Order Of St George was on one of his better days, and that modest overall timefigure should be viewed in the context of a last three-furlong time that was sub-35.0s, which is notably quick in the conditions. The horse, who was third in last year’s Arc, still retains plenty of speed for a stayer.