LUXEMBOURG (116) displayed another glimpse of his undoubted talent, while at the same time leaving questions to answer on his classic potential as he provided Aidan O’Brien with a record-equalling 10th Group 1 Vertem Futurity Trophy.

In recent times, the master of Ballydoyle landed the Doncaster feature with Magna Grecia and Saxon Warrior who both went on to secure 2000 Guineas glory the following season without a prep run, so it may transpire the son of Camelot may not be seen again before next May at Newmarket.

The case that can be built to strengthen his classic pretensions from Saturday’s performance is based on the speed he showed both at the Curragh and on Town Moor although, as in the Beresford, the early pace and therefore the race time-figure was unsatisfactory for a contest at the highest level.

Sissoko (111) took the field along at his leisure, covering the opening four furlongs in a pedestrian 54.04 seconds.

In comparison Mo’Assess who led the 0-95 handicap over seven furlongs earlier in the afternoon covered the same ground in 51.13 seconds, while Luxembourg was slower than his lead as he clocked 54.40 seconds.

Ryan Moore was aware of the modest pace and moved his mount to the wing to avoid any traffic issues.

The sharpest furlong of the race was the sixth as the sprint for the line began, Luxembourg was the fastest of the main protagonists, who all dipped under 12 seconds, with an 11.87-second furlong which carried him to the lead. The question is how much the unbeaten colt was doing in front as his sectionals then slowed to 12.12 and 12.99 to complete his closing three-furlong split time of 36.98 seconds.

My view is he was idling, hence Ryan Moore administering a couple of sharp reminders as the line loomed and the likelihood remains, given a winter to strengthen and grow into his formidable frame, that Luxembourg will realise his enormous potential in the spring.

Dead-heat

The only horses on the day to achieve a faster sectional time from the three-furlong marker all contested the five-furlong sprint which saw Boundless Power (105) (35.41) and Copper Knight (105) (35.80) dead-heat.

Bayside Boy (111+) was denied a clear passage during the sixth furlong so his effort can be upgraded slightly. The son of New Bay stopped the clock in 37.23 seconds for the sectional and would likely have been second if David Egan could have extricated the partnership from the pocket they found themselves in sooner.

Roger Varian’s colt ran faster on my ratings when third to Native Trail at Newmarket in the Dewhurst.

Pattern-class

After winning a Salisbury maiden Hannibal Barca (110) was taking a sharp rise in class producing a performance of a future pattern-class winner, if repeated. Brian Meehan’s colt produced the second fastest finishing effort as he posted 37.10 seconds in coming from the furthest back of the first five home. He has subsequently been sold for 500,000gns at the Tattersalls Horses-in-Training Sales at Newmarket but as yet his new trainer is unknown.