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With plenty of high-class racing having taken place over the last week, Sam King shares four horses that made it into his notebook…

York's Dante meeting produced some high-quality winners, but plenty of horses didn't find the winners' enclosure that should be doing so soon based on their recent efforts.

Soldier's Minute – Wednesday 17th May

Keith Dalgleish's charge is better known for his exploits on the all-weather, but he is a dual winner on turf and showed a current mark of 87 was almost certainly within range at York last week.

The Churchill Tyres Handicap looked like a competitive heat on paper, which certainly proved the case with just a handful of lengths separating the first ten horse's home. On paper, Soldier's Minute was soundly beaten when finishing back in thirteenth, but I'd have been astounded if he didn't finish in the first five given a clearer passage.

Jockey Joe Fanning was forced to hold his mount up following a slow start and found himself with absolutely nowhere to go entering the final two furlongs. The eight-year-old gelding was repeatedly denied a clear run in the closing stages and finished full of running.

A current mark of 87 would mean a drop back into Class 3 company could be on the cards and I don't think it will be too long before he's getting his head back in front on turf.

Kylian – Wednesday 17th May

The British EBF 40th Anniversary Novice Stakes saw Kevin Ryan follow up last year's success in the race as Royal Ascot bound Mon Na Slieve came away from the field for a comfortable one-and-three-quarter-length success.

However, Kylian shaped nicely back in third and would be the one I'd most like to take home going forwards.

The son of Invincible Spirit was all the rage in the market being sent off the 11/10 favourite on the back of some positive homework and a winning debut was clearly expected. Karl Burke's colt raced keenly in the early stages and probably did well to remain upsides the eventual winner until the furlong pole. However, those early exertions clearly took their toll in the closing stages, and he faded into third having also looked green under pressure.

I'd expect him to have learnt plenty from that initial outing and if getting off the mark at the second attempt a trip to Royal Ascot may well remain on connections' minds.

Newbury hosted some good quality action on Friday and Saturday including a handful of interesting novice events for the three-year-olds.

Believe You Me – Friday 19th May

Heather Main enjoyed a fine day at Newbury on Friday as she saddled a 150/1 winning two-year-old but I think her runner in the 7f Earl & The Pharaoh Novice Stakes should have a decent future going forward in handicap company.

It looked a warm enough novice event on paper with the well-backed favourite (finished third) seemingly held in high regard following his debut success. The winner looks almost certain to be plying his trade in pattern races at some point this season and the well-bred runner-up is likely also above average.

The Heather Main-trained Believe You Me showed ability in both outings at Kempton last year and shaped nicely when fifth at Newbury on Friday. She raced greenly throughout but stuck on well in the closing stages and was doing all her best work towards the finish.

A step back up to the mile trip should suit this daughter of Make Believe and depending on what mark she gets allocated I'd think she'd have to be of serious interest on handicap debut.

My Prospero – Saturday 20th May

The Group 1 Lockinge Stakes took centre stage at Newbury on Saturday and although Modern Games was a very impressive winner, I find it hard to believe My Prospero will not be taking high rank in the ten-furlong division for the remainder of the season.

Although sent off just 7/2 for Saturday's Lockinge trainer William Haggas had expressed his concerns over the mile trip heading into My Prospero's seasonal reappearance effort. It was clear from an early stage that the returning-to-action four-year-old was struggling to go the early tempo and Tom Marquand found himself exercising his arms as the pair approached the three-furlong marker. He became badly outpaced approaching the two pole, but the son of Iffraaj stuck to his task well and was ultimately only beaten two-and-three-quarter-lengths back in fourth.

The form of his third-place finish behind Bay Bridge and Adayar in last season's QIPCO British Champion Stakes (1m2f) at Ascot looks to be some of the best mile-and-a-quarter form on offer this year and he has to be taken seriously with the Prince Of Wales's Stakes a likely Royal Ascot target.