Peter Naughton updates his Notebook following the weekend's action with Frankenstella on his radar for a top prize in the autumn.
Maison De York landed some fabulous bets for the Notebook (9/1) in the 1m handicap at York on Saturday.
Held up behind the leaders, in-form Grant Tuer's progressive three-year-old responded when nudged along two-out and needed only to be pushed out for a win in this strong renewal. This victory proves his ability to handle a soft surface but drier conditions are fine too.
He previously impressed over the trip at Redcar last month; his first start since being gelded. I interviewed winning jockey PJ McDonald on Racing TV afterwards and he revealed: "My fellow was a bit enthusiastic early but that's only because it was his first start after a break and he will definitely improve because he's a big raw horse."
There is more to come from Madison De York.
Put a line through Chai Yo Power's defeat in the 1m2f novice at Lingfield on Tuesday.
Sir Michael Stoute's four-year-old was dropped-in from a poor draw in stall eleven and was never able to get anywhere near the leaders.
Still in rear turning for home, the French-bred was allowed to come home in his own time, yet easily passed beaten rivals in the home straight and wasn't beaten very far by the placed horses. He can be much more competitive granted a better start and in handicaps.
He previously caught the eye when third over course and distance last year on debut but didn't improve at Windsor on his first run back from a gelding operation.
Chai Yo Power can progress from this first start in 309 days.
John Quinn is a master trainer of horses over all distances, Flat and jumps, and Frankenstella showed gritty determination to overhaul rivals in the 2m handicap at Haydock on Saturday. This was a serious stamina test in deep ground and the four-year-old filly raced midfield before moving wide turning for home.
Pushed along to make headway over three-out, the daughter of Frankel hung left inside the final furlong but hit the front in the final strides; she stays very well.
The Cesarewitch could be an ideal autumnal target but there could be other races to win en route. Highly progressive winning three times last term, Jason Hart's mount was stopped in her tracks when challenging at York nine days earlier, so this was a welcome change of luck.
Watch Frankenstella's Haydock victory below
On Friday, Bleue Away did too much running too soon in the 2m4f mares' handicap at Worcester and would have won with a slightly delayed challenge.
Involved in a dual at a fast tempo with Dariya with a circuit to run, the seven-year-old was still leading after the final bend as his rival dropped away and was pulled up.
Although strongly challenged all the way up the straight, Bleue Away almost held Getaway Lucy but had nothing left halfway up the run-in.
An even tempo would surely have produced a different result for this dual point winner, who was a creditable fifth a Plumpton on handicap debut forty days earlier.
He could be jumping fences soon and is clearly in good heart.
Rhythm N Rock already looks ready for a step up in trip having made hard work of finishing third in teh 7f median auction at Kempton on Wednesday.
Slowly away from stall nine, the son of Fascinating Rock was scrubbed along in the first two furlongs and Luke Morris was still cajoling his mount early in the home straight when still in rear.
Switched wide, he gradually picked up to pass beaten horses and made significant progress in the final two furlongs but could never reach the leaders.
The newcomer finished third but can surely build on this when less green on his next few starts. Rhythm N Rock is a half-brother to winners African Beat and Chachacha out of a mare who won over 1m6f and this colt may have more stamina than speed.
Finally, Call Me Ginger looks extremely well treated off 77 in the 6f handicap at Hamilton today. Jim Goldie's five-year-old had been expected to win at a higher level last term but was often slowly away. The stiff finish in rain-softened ground should be ideal here. He looks a great bet at 6/1.
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