FRANKUUS made all the running to impressively win the Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock.

Given a bold ride by Joe Fanning, the grey son of Frankel dictated affairs from pillar to post to score at odds of 8/1.

Frankuus set a brisk gallop in the Group 3 over an extended mile and a quarter and gained an even greater advantage at the top of the home straight.

Mount Logan emerged from the ruck as his nearest challenger, but Mark Johnston's inmate had flown and held on by three-quarters of a length. Laraaib had won three on the spin for the Owen Burrows team, but the 2/1 favourite could only finish third, another five lengths in arrears.

Johnston said: "I thought he was a little bit stuck between two stools in that he wasn't quite top class, but he was too high for handicaps.

"He's been running good races, but last time was definitely his best run of the season. On paper he had a bit to find today, but we knew he liked the track - he won here last year - and he had conditions in his favour.

"He does handle cut in the ground. All horses like good ground, but not all appreciate some give.

"I will have to go back and think about what to do next, but it would be nice to get another group win out of him because its been frustrating for his owners."

Sea Of Grace gained a first win for William Haggas and set herself up for some loftier targets in the autumn with a straightforward success in the Betfred TV/EBF Stallions Dick Hern Stakes.

A Group 3 winner as a juvenile for John Oxx last season, she was second in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 1,000 Guineas) before finishing fourth in the Falmouth at Newmarket.

Dropped markedly in class for this listed assignment, Andrea Atzeni had her settled at the rear of the field but with two furlongs to run she still had plenty of ground to make up on Lincoln Rocks.

It did not take her long to pick up the admirable runner up, though, and she scooted four and a half lengths clear as the 8/11 favourite. A step back in class now awaits, but such an easy win will have done wonders for her confidence.

Atzeni said: "She was entitled to do that, really, as she was down in grade. She really enjoys that (soft) ground. That the second time I've ridden her and she was much more relaxed this time.

"It was a bit like a piece of work, really. She settled well and picked them up no bother. You need them to settle in that ground, it makes it so much easier.

"That will set her up for some nice races in the autumn but she needs that ground."

Haggas was thrilled to see Sea Of Grace return to winning form and is now planning to step back up in class with the daughter of Born To Sea before the end of the season.

He said: "It was terrific. She has had some racing on ground that doesn't suit her, but she was in really good form and it has been pouring with rain so I was very keen to run her.

"I know it is a retrograde step going to a listed race, but I was very keen to get her on that ground and that should do her the power of good. It was just a morale booster.

"She is a lovely filly and that was really good today. It was a smooth win on her ground. I want to give her a try over further as I'm sure she needs it. We will look at some nice races in the autumn.

"She is in the Blandford Stakes which is a Group 2 at the Curragh and she will also be put in the Prix de l'Opera."

Tajaanus fended off all-comers to take the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket.

Richard Hannon's young filly made a seamless graduation from winning a listed race at Sandown last month to securing victory in this seven-furlong contest.

Dane O'Neill executed a no-nonsense ride aboard the 10/1 chance, who was sweetly pitched towards the stands side rail from the get-go.

Tajaanus continued to improve as the race went on and ended up winning by a snug length from Juliet Capulet. Poetic Charm, the 11/4 favourite, was disappointing.

Hannon said: "I'm delighted. She has done nothing wrong all year. She is a lovely, tough filly with a great attitude.

"She was very unlucky here against Dance Diva when she couldn't get a run in the listed race (Empress Stakes). That's only her fourth run and she has won three of them now. She has been a star.

"We will probably have a look at the Rockfel and also the Fillies' Mile. It's always a pretty good race and I managed to get Sky Lantern beaten in this and she won the Guineas.

"I am very pleased for Sheikh Hamdan as she is a homebred by his stallion out of his mare. I think she will get as far as you like as she is very willing and doesn't pull. She does pretty much what you want. She has got loads of ability.

"Of course at this stage you would like to say she is Guineas filly, but there's a lot of water to go under the bridge between now and then. She has won her Group 3 and listed race you couldn't ask for more. We will treat her like a Guineas filly until she proves otherwise."