Naughton's Notebook: "he is certain to improve up in trip"

Following two great winners in the previous edition, it was fabulous to see ROCK OPERA producing immediate profit for the notebook (4-1) in the six-furlong handicap at Pontefract on Tuesday.

Drawn wide in stall nine, the six-year-old was in rear but switched right and made steady headway from two-out.  

He ran on well inside the final furlong to beat favourite Alpha Capture; front two clear.  

Rock Opera was winning off 7lb below his last winning rating, so has scope to defy a rise, or two.

Race: Second in the Get 100/1 on England At BetVictor EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes at Newbury (Monday)

Scommessa Sicura ran into a very smart rival when a close second in the extended 6f fillies' maiden at Newbury on Monday.

Rob Hornby's mount was prominent and disputed the lead a furlong out before keeping on well.  

She was beaten only a length by hot favourite Aperoll, who landed a major gamble, so this is strong form.  

Scommessa Sicura had been very green when drifting in the closing stages at Yarmouth on debut three weeks ago but looked much more professional this time.  

The well bred daughter of Cracksman can only improve, especially over further.

Race: Second in the British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies' Handicap at Nottingham (Sunday)

Sharp Romance justified good support in the 1m2f fillies' handicap at Nottingham on Sunday.

The classy daughter of Advertise was towards rear after a furlong but made headway when switched left over a furlong out.  

She led inside the final furlong and can improve again.  

Sharp Romance boasts strong form having been touched off by Folk Pageant (won again on Saturday) at Newmarket last time.

Race: Third in the Sky Bet For The Fans Handicap at Thisk (Sunday)

Across the card, Treasure Islands didn't enjoy a clear run when a close third in the two-mile handicap at Thirsk.  Cam Hardie's mount was making ground from midfield when unable to find a gap over a furlong out.  

He stayed on inside the final furlong and has improved since successfully stepping up to this trip at Ripon two outings ago.  

Treasure Island also ran very well when a close second over the same distance at Haydock two weeks ago.  

The lightly raced four-year-old son of Kingman could soon win again.

Race: Won the Pennine Brewing Company Novice Stakes at Catterick (Saturday)

I presented Racing TV from Catterick on Saturday and Forest Phoenix landed the on-screen nap (10-1) in the five-furlong novice.  

Tim Easterby's quality son of Lope De Vega was towards rear but made smooth headway against the far rail and needed only to be pushed out for a comfortable success.  

This was a weak race, so Forest Phoenix will start handicapping off a low base and is certain to improve when up in trip.

Race: Second in the Pennine Brewing Company Novice Stakes at Sandown (Thursday)

At Sandown on Thursday, Major Neigh Sayer endured a trouble passage when beaten less than a length in the 5f three-year-old handicap.

Fitted with a first-time tongue-tie, the quality son of No Nay Never was in rear and had to switch right over a furlong out before switching left and running on well inside the final furlong.  

Major Neigh Sayer won a Newmarket maiden over seven furlongs in October, but was beaten in heavy ground in a French Listed race next time.  

He weakened over a mile at Newmarket on reappearance, but is bred for this shorter trip.

Race: Second in the Napoleons Casino and Restaurant Leeds Handicap at Ripon (Thursday)

The same day at Ripon, So Alex ran well when a close second in the 1m4f handicap.  

Jack Doughty's mount ducked left at the start and was held up in rear before making headway on the outer three-out.  

He was soon outpaced and edged right before rallying inside the final furlong.  

So Alex was progressive on the all-weather and this was a highly encouraging return to turf.

He can build on this first start in 159 days.

Race: Fifth in the Ward Homes Yorkshire 10th Anniversary Handicap at Beverley (Wednesday)

Straight A deserves marking up for a close fifth in the extended seven-furlong handicap at Beverley on Wednesday.

Mick Appleby's consistent five-year-old was badly drawn in stall ten and slowly away.  

He made headway up the centre a furlong out and was nearest at the finish.  

Straight A was second at Doncaster and Redcar on his previous two starts and could soon get his head in front granted a better start and/or better draw.

Race: Third in Try Unibet's New Smartview Racecards Novice Stakes at Kempton (Wednesday)

Also on Wednesday, at Kempton, Slalom made a very pleasing start when third in the seven-furlong three-year-old novice.  Oisin Murphy's mount was drawn wide in stall nine, but made headway from midfield from over two-out.  He kept on inside the final furlong and wasn't beaten far by race-fit odds-on Erudition, who had the benefit of two outings.  

Slalom is a classy son of No Nay Never, who cost 130,000 euros as a yearling and the dam is a sister to multiple Group winner Echo Of Light.  

Expect plenty of progress.