Newmarket winner Cognac looks a progressive Mark Johnston's horse who should be kept on side in the coming months, according to Peter Naughton.
Sound Of Iona rewarded any Notebook readers who backed her each-way at 20/1 in the 6f handicap at Haydock on Saturday.
She was drawn wide in stall one and raced away from the favoured stands' rail but was no match for highly progressive Aristocratic Lady. This form looks strong as the runner-up Wedding Date was eighth in the Stewards' Cup and Sounds Of Iona was clearly suited by this return to 6f, although she led a furlong out, so has speed for the minimum trip too.
This performance creates options for the final months of the season.
Goldie revealed here prior to the Haydock race: "She's progressive and well worth following off a mark of 73."
Before adding a couple of horses to the Notebook, here's a quick reflection on Teddy Boy's defeat from Sunday's card at the Curragh.
The handicapper clearly agreed the gelding would have won a week earlier at Naas because he raised him 4lb for finishing a luckless third.
Well backed again at the weekend, the speedy type was ridden patiently in midfield and switched left to ensure a clear run at the leaders but ran out of time. Teddy Boy finished fourth, nearest at the line, and connections will try again this weekend - he's entered over the same course and distance on Friday and over 6f at Dundalk on Saturday.
Cognac looked very progressive when making all in the 1m6f handicap at Newmarket on Saturday.
Mark Johnston's relentless galloper set out to make it a test of stamina under very positive tactics from William Buick. The winning trainer thought Cognac had gone off too fast, as did this observer, but there is obviously sufficient ability to gallop relentlessly at high speed.
Racing against his elders, the tough son of Invincible Spirit exploited his impressive stride on this galloping track and proved his stamina with this step up in trip. True, the colt ran off a true line when joined over a furlong out but overcame that greenness to go away again in the final strides.
Unexposed, this quality three-year-old can win more races.
Forecast fell in the 2m4f handicap chase at Perth on Tuesday. Very well backed, Dr Richard Newland's eight-year-old raced towards rear on this second start for his new trainer.
Making steady headway and only three lengths behind the leader when going easily, he fell at the eleventh.
Forecast, who wears a hood and tongue-tie, was a useful hurdler and finished a fine third at Market Rasen on his previous outing a month ago.
There is more to come.
Also over sticks, Memphis Bell didn't enjoy the run of the race when a fast-finishing third in the second division of the extended 2m handicap hurdle at Stratford on Thursday.
Evan Williams' six-year-old didn't perform well in novices and maidens in deep ground last season but was well backed on handicap debut on better ground at Southwell when fifth.
The well bred daughter of Yeats was well fancied here too.
Chasing the leaders, she was pushed along and lost ground after two-out while the winner and favourite Glendun enjoyed a clear passage.
Stuck behind horses, before the home turn, Memphis Bell eventually found room but it was too late and she ran on well without troubling the winner. There will be other chances and a step up in trip will be highly beneficial.
