FROM the front, Masta Plasta and his rider Robert Winston showed the rest of a high class Group 3 Norfolk Stakes the way to win in a near record time at Royal Ascot at York on Thursday last.

This was Howard Johnson's biggest win on the level and he and owners Graham and Andrea Wylie were thrilled with the success.

Johnson said: "This fellow stays six furlongs and is a hardy little devil. He was coughing all week, but he did not cough yesterday nor this morning, so we took a chance."

David Nicholls' Strike Up The Band, favourite, fell out of the stalls and made up great headway after a slow start to finish a two lengths second to the winner. The Sessay trainer said he wished that Howard had stuck to training jumpers, but he was delighted with this one-two for the North.

He turned his youngster out again on Saturday for the Windsor Castle Stakes, but Kevin Darley on Titus Alone, trained by Bryan Smart, forged a lone furrow towards the far rail and blistered home for the Listed victory. This was a hat-trick for the smart chesnut colt, while the trainer also had three other Saturday winners, one at Newmarket and two at Redcar.

Dandy's colt was again slow at the start under Adrian Nicholls, but got within a length of the winner.

Yorkshire owner Robert Ogden had planned a year ahead to have an Ascot winner since it was coming to his home county. The plot worked when La Chunga won the fillies' Albany Stakes (Group 3) on Friday. Ooh Ah Camara, now moved to Richard Guest's yard by owner Willie McKay, finished seventh after more controversy when it was alleged that the filly had been given bute, a banned substance in UK racing.

Later this week, it emerged that the Brancepeth trainer was likely to set up a second yard in Mr McKay's stables near Doncaster, where ex-model Vicky Haigh was formerly his trainer.

Mark Johnston finally cracked his Ascot winner on Friday when Melrose Avenue landed the Queen's Vase, another Group 3, under Kevin Darley, the first Yorkshire-trained winner of the meeting.

Saturday's Hardwicke Stakes Group 2 win by Bandari under Willie Supple was a 10-1 surprise, but those who kept faith with the in-and-out sort were well suited. As Johnston said, this Maktoum runner kept beating Group 1 winners, but not yet in a Group 1 race.

The Middleham trainer had been in the Ascot prize money all week, as well as winners all over elsewhere. Secret History was a creditable fifth in Thursday's Ribblesdale Stakes for fillies (Group 2) under Joe Fanning. Kevin Darley partnered Winged D'Argent to the same berth in the Gold Cup. Each way supporters of Elliots World were pleased with his third at 12-1 under John Egan in the Listed Hampton Court Stakes.

Sadly, the fast going on Saturday meant Tim Easterby's Somnus did not run - along with several others. But the weather improved throughout the week and the fashions on Ladies' Day, and the last two days, were as good as any seen in Berkshire.

Royal Ascot at York was voted a success. Only the going, loose at the start and having to be sanded, later lightning fast, caused complaints. But Mark Johnston said that he had met just as bad going at Ascot itself.

His Ascot Stakes runner-up Golden Quest has been made second favourite for the Northumberland Plate (Pitmen's Derby) tomorrow, but the favourite, Far Pavilions, trained by Alan Swinbank, is greatly feared on the lickety-split ground he favours. The Melsonby trainer landed two this week, including the Carlisle Bell with Hartshead.

THE WEEK'S WINNERS

Thursday last week. - Royal Ascot at York: Masta Plasta (trained by H Johnson, at Billy Row; owned by Transcend Bloodstock Ltd), ridden by R Winston.

Beverley (ev): Real Cool Cat (M Johnston, Middleham; Syndicate 2003), G Fairley (claiming 5lb); Lake Hero (K Ryan, Hambleton; Crown Select), N Callan; Love In Seattle (M Johnston; Mark Johnston Racing Ltd), J Fanning; Shankly Bond (B Smart, Cold Kirby; R C Bond), F Lynch.

Fri. - Royal Ascot at York: Melrose Avenue (M Johnston; Sheikh Mohammed), K Darley.

Ayr: Rare Breed (L Stubbs, Malton; Rare Breeders), M Fenton; Bingo One (M Dods, Denton; J M & Mrs E E Ranson), P Fessey; Society Music (M Dods; H Hewitson), D Tudhope (5); Pride Of Kinloch (K Ryan; Hb (homebred by owner or connection), Mrs M J Paver), A Mullen (5); Apache Point (N Tinkler, Langton; P Drinkall), K Tinkler; Bollin Thomas (T Easterby, Great Habton; trainer), D Fentiman.

Redcar: River Crossing (T Easterby; C H Stevens), D Allan; Spitting Image (K Reveley, Lingdale; Mary Reveley Racing Club), D Mearnagh; Wyatt Earp (R Fahey, Musley Bank; Los Bandidos Racing), R Ffrench; Go Solo (A Swinbank, Melsonby; B Valentine), D Allan.

Sat. - Royal Ascot at York: Titus Alone (B Smart; Hindlesham Racing), K Darley; Bandari (M Johnston; Hamdan Al Maktoum), W Supple.

Newmarket: Bond City (B Smart; R C Bond), C Catlin.

Ayr: Lets Roll (C Thornton, Middleham; A Crute & Partners), D Tudhope (5); Acomb (N Wilson, Upper Helmsley; J Watson & I W Glenton), D Tudhope (5); Mecca's Mate (D Barker, Scorton; D T J Metcalfe), F Lynch; Lobengula (I McInnes, Catwick; Ms I Bristow), A Elliott (7); Pertemps Magus (R Fahey; Pertemps Group Ltd), T Hamilton (3).

Redcar: Skiddaw Wolf (B Smart; J Willis), D McGaffin; Go Tech (T Easterby; Ryedale Partners No 4), D Allan; Redwood Rocks (B Smart; D Hall), D McGaffin; Let It Be (K Reveley; A Frame), D Allan; Mollie Marie (T Easterby; Vintage Partners), D Allan.

Warwick ev: Uhuru Peak (M Easterby, Sheriff Hutton; Hb, K Hodgson & Mrs J Hodgson), Miss S Brotherton; Nufoos (M Johnston; Hamdan Al Maktoum), R Hills.

Sun. - Hexham NH: Wet Lips (R Guest, Brancepeth; Concertina Racing Three), L McGrath (3); Inglewood (K Milligan, Middleham; The Aunts), M J McAlister (7); Fourth Dimension (D Nicholls, Sessay; The McCauley Boys), W Renwick.

Mon. - Nottingham: Wizard Looking (J Wainwright, Kennythorpe; T H Heckingbottom), K McEvoy; Emerald Bay (M Johnston; L Wosskow), K Darley.

Musselburgh: The Old Soldier (A Dickman, Sandhutton; The Maron Stud), M Haltod (5); Platinum Charmer (K Burke, Wensley; Spigot Lodge Partnership), A Elliott (7).

Ripon ev: Juniper Banks (A Stokell, Brompton on Swale; Ms C Stokell), P J Benson; Zomerlust (J Quinn, Settrington; P J Carr), S Sanders; Richtee (R Fahey; T Elsey & R Mustill), P Hanagan.

Tue. - Beverley: Barking Mad (K Ryan; The Fishermen), N Callan; Oldenway (R Fahey; J J Staunton), P Hanagan; Baylaw Star (K Ryan; T C Racing Partnership), J Fanning; Ashkal Way (B Ellison, Norton; A Carr), R Winston.

Wed. - Carlisle: Desert Realm (M Johnston; Maktoum Al Maktoum), J Fanning; Hardshead (A Swinbank; B Valentine), F Lynch; Graceful Air (J Weymes, Coverham; Hb, T A Scothern), J P Spencer; Why Now (K Ryan; Mrs S McCarthy), N Callan.

Bath ev: Platinum Charmer (see above), Miss K Burke.

Epsom ev: Acomb (see above), S Golam (7).