THERE were three National Hunt Flat (NHF) performances which caught my eye, two from Ireland and one in Scotland at Ayr.

The pace in the race won by Malone Road at Down Royal was a funeral-march (a finishing speed of 124.4%, and 20-seconds slower to three out than in the handicap hurdle won by Golden Spear) but he produced a blistering turn of foot from the point where the second last hurdle is: almost five seconds swifter than Golden Spear over a distance of only a furlong and a half. He’s clearly a very fast horse, although needs to be tested in a strongly run contest to be certain of his true level of ability. The race won by Royal Illusion at Cork featured a much stronger pace, but some smart closing sectionals to boot. Producing both the fastest sectionals of the day to ‘three-out’, and the fastest from that point to the line, he came clear in eye-catching fashion and looks a top-drawer prospect for Team Mullins.