1. Don’t give up on Twomey’s Deepone

THERE was a definite emphasis on speed, as opposed to stamina, in the KPMG Champion Juvenile Stakes, and no horse was faster in the final furlong of any race during the whole day at Leopardstown than Diego Velazquez, who clocked 11.83 seconds in the closing section (according to Coursetrack data).

Compared with the Dullingham Park Stakes over the same trip (won by Flight Plan, who carried the same weight), Diego Velazquez’s winning time was 1.57 seconds slower overall despite being nearly half a second quicker than Flight Plan over the last three furlongs.

The big effort of fourth-placed Deepone is worth paying attention to. Paddy Twomey’s colt was faster than any horse in the race over the final three furlongs, and was particularly fast from three out to the furlong pole. However, that big move took its toll late and the winner was better placed on the whole.

2. Al Aasy catches the eye behind Adelaide

IT paid to be handy throughout the afternoon at Leopardstown and that wouldn’t have suited Al Aasy, who tends to be ridden patiently.

Despite his run coming in over a mile and a half in the Paddy Power Stakes, his final-furlong sectional of 12.03 seconds was the second-fastest of any horse in the last furlong of any race on the card, which featured two seven-furlong contests and three over a mile.

The damage appeared to be done early here as Adelaide River put his stamp on the race by nabbing the lead quickly and making all. The winner was actually the slowest of the first four home from the three-furlong pole to the line. Al Aasy shaped like the best horse in the race.

Adelaide River’s connections are contemplating a drop in distance and that makes sense, though he could be well suited to the demands of Australian racing over this trip.

3. Ladies Church run needs upgrading

THERE are definite grounds for Ladies Church’s fourth in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Flying Five Stakes to be upgraded.

She was drawn in stall two in this 10-runner contest - well away from the big guns Art Power (stall 10), Bradsell (stall nine) and Highfield Princess (stall seven) - and after breaking a little awkwardly, Ben Coen opted to take back and switch to behind the field.

As it turned out, though, she might have been better served staying where she was, having been drawn beside the second and third, Get Ahead and Equality.

Additionally, after being slowest in the first furlong, the sectional timing data shows she was actually the fastest or joint-fastest in the second and third furlongs of the race, clocking 10.93 and 11.06 seconds. Her final furlong was also the third fastest on offer, so this can be deemed a fair effort in the circumstances.

4. Head-scratching tactics from Amo

THERE have been some excellent results on the track this season for Amo Racing but their collective tactics in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes won’t be looked back on with much fondness by the growing operation.

Given Bucanero Fuerte has been excelling over six furlongs and was stepping into unknown territory by trying seven furlongs for the first time, it was extremely perplexing that they opted to make this four-runner affair such a test with pacemaker Cuban Thunder.

Gary Halpin really shovelled on the coal on the front runner from early - nothing went faster than him in each of the first four furlongs - and Bucanero Fuerte was emptied out when it came down to the finish with the more stoutly-bred Henry Longfellow.

The Phoenix Stakes winner could likely have been better served by bowling along in front without a pacemaker.