'You can't knock her' - tough Gale Force Maya storms to Garrowby Stakes success

Sunday: York

Michael Dods hailed the consistent Gale Force Maya as a "superstar" after she continued her love affair with York with a win in the Garrowby Stakes.

The Frank Lowe-owned six-year-old was an authoritative two and a half-length winner under Connor Beasley in the 6f Listed contest to make it three course-and-distance wins this season, having won the Sky Bet Dash on the Knavesmire two starts ago.

Dods said: "She's a superstar. She's getting on a bit now, but she seems to be improving. She never has an easy time as she's always there in the finish. You can't knock her. She turns up every time and is so consistent.

"Frank was away the first time she won here this season and he's in America now. He'll be listening to it anyway and I have no doubt he'll be delighted."

Gale Force Maya was cut to 10-1 (from 20) for the Ayr Gold Cup later this month, but will be aimed at the Listed Arran Scottish Fillies' Sprint at the same meeting instead.

"That's the plan, unless it goes soft," Dods added. "She's pretty straightforward and because she races so often, we don't have to over-gallop her and she goes out in the field every day."

In the luck

Lucky Man could be in line for a chance at big-race glory in the Ayr Gold Cup following his narrow win in the 6f handicap.

The Richard Spencer-trained three-year-old hit the frame in his two previous starts at York, including when defeated by a neck in the Sky Bet Dash last time, but came out on top by that margin this time under Danny Tudhope.

"He's very consistent and ran well here twice before. He's a great horse to train and I thought it'd take a good thing to beat him today," Spencer said.

"I do think the best is yet to come with him. He's nearly earned £80,000 for us already and always runs good races, even in defeat."

Richard Spencer: trainer of Lucky ManCredit: Edward Whitaker

Lucky Man is a 40-1 chance for the race, but is likely to be seen at the Western meeting next even if he does not make the cut for the lucrative handicap.

Spencer added: "He's in the Ayr Gold Cup and hopefully he can sneak into that. If not he'll either go for the Silver Cup or Bronze Cup, so all being well he'll be heading to Ayr anyway."

Squealer makes the right noises

Squealer will be aimed at the Future Champions festival at Newmarket next month after he got off the mark with a stylish win in the opening 5½f novice.

The son of Mehmas was not beaten far in the Roses Stakes at the Ebor meeting last time and teed up a tilt at the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes following his one and a quarter-length triumph under Rowan Scott.

Winning trainer Nigel Tinkler said: "He's a lovely colt who has done little wrong in his career so far. It was a good place to win today and I'm delighted for his owners [Martin Webb and Syps (uk) Ltd].

"He'll go to the Cornwallis Stakes next as there aren't many other races left this season for horses like him."

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