MIDDLEHAM wonder horse Attraction flew to Hong Kong last week and her trainer, Mark Johnston, took to the air on Tuesday to join her there - but in his absence came a surprise new stable star as Secret History landed the Musidora Stakes in decisive fashion at York's May meeting.

Under Joe Fanning, this daughter of Bahri made all and won by five lengths in what has always been regarded as an Oaks trial. Secret History is not entered in that Epsom Classic, but owners John Shack and Gawain Barnard might be minded to pay the supplement to run her there.

Deidre Johnston said that it was a nice problem to mull over, but they would want soft ground at Epsom. The filly is also entered in the Ribblesdale at York, so options are open.

And reports of her stablemate, Attraction, are good. She has been working well at Sha Tin for the first leg of the Asian Mile Championship.

At The Races (satellite channel 415) will show a recording at about 9am tomorrow.

If she wins, she will go on to Japan, but if not, she'll probably come home to run in the Queen Anne.

The Johnstons were missing from Tuesday night's Middleham trainers' annual press dinner, but Deidre made sure she sent in the stable's two to follow - we will report next week on the event at East Witton.

David Barron took the York opener with Zero Tolerance, part of a riding double for Jamie Spencer.

Kevin Ryan sent out Amber Glory to win the novice stakes under Neil Callan. The trainer is in cracking form and with a Hamilton double on Saturday, and a Redcar pair on Monday, is worth backing.

He and his jockey went on to Newcastle's evening meeting, where Tom Forest won for the Hambleton team.

THE WEEK'S WINNERS

Thursday last week. - Wetherby NH ev: Mr Mischief (trained by P Haslam, at Middleham; owned by Middleham Park Racing I & Mrs C Barclay), ridden by P Merrigan (claiming 5lb); Ashnaya (G Moore, Middleham; B Bradshaw), D Costello (5); The Butterwick Kid (T Tate, Tadcaster; R Tate), Mr R Tate (7); Mr Bigglesworth (R Guest, Brancepeth; Bache Silk), H Oliver.

Fri. - Chester: Fire Up The Band (D Nicholls, Sessay; Hb (homebred by owner or connection) P Crane, A Barker & S Short), A Nicholls; Into The Shadows (K Reveley, Lingdale; Hb, R Mayall), R Winston.

Nottingham: Banjo Bay (D Nicholls; Middleham Park Racing XXIII), P Benson (5).

Hamilton ev: Straffan (J Hetherton, Norton; K West), P Makin (3); John Forbes (B Ellison, Norton; Mrs C Ellison & R Wagner), T Eaves (3); Dispol Veleta (D Barron, Maunby; W Imison), P Makin (3).

Sat. - Beverley: Seifi (B Ellison; A Carr), C Hayes (7); Philharmonic (R Fahey, Musley Bank; Hb, R Crowe), P Hanagan; Fangorn Forest (K Ryan, Hambleton; J Hames, P Saxton, RJH Ltd, D Hale), J Carroll; Wayward Shot (M Easterby, Sheriff Hutton; R Priestley Developments Co Ltd), P Mulrennan (3); Blue Patrick (K Ryan; S Turner), Miss N Carberry.

Haydock NH & Flat: Coat Of Honour (H Johnson, Billy Row; A & G Wylie), G Lee; Welsh Emperor (T Tate; Mrs S Clegg), R Winston.

Hexham NH: Portavadie (M Jefferson, Norton; Ashleybank Investments Ltd), A Thornton; Tina's Scallywag (H Hogarth, Stillington; Hogarth Racing), D O'Meara; Polished (R Guest; The Cherry Blossom Partnership), L McGrath (3).

Warwick NH ev: Vincentio (T Etherington, Malton; Shaw Thing Partnership), G Lee.

Thirsk ev: Shifty (D Carroll, Warthill; WRB Racing 39 (Wrbracing.cm)), D Tudhope (5).; Mecca's Mate (D Barker, Scorton; D Metcalfe), R Winston.

Sun. - Plumpton NH: Time Marches On (K Reveley; Hb, Mrs M Thwaites), Mr J Reveley (7).

Mon. - Redcar: Up Tempo (K Ryan; Yorkshire Racing Club & D Blackhurst), A Mullen (5); Kelly Nicole (K Ryan; Mrs Mairead O'Keeffe), N Callan.

Southwell AW: Mystery Pips (N Tinkler, Langton; Paglia & Fiero Racing), K Tinkler; Gracie's Gift (P Haslam; Middleham Park Racing XXVII), R Kennemore (7); Miss Bear (B Smart, Hambleton; Pinstripe Partners Two), F Lynch.

Towcester NH ev: Flintoff (R Guest; A Flintoff & P Beck), H Oliver; Polished (R Guest; The Cherry Blossom Partnership), P O'Neill (7).

Tue. - Capital Lass (D Nicholls; Baltic Stone Ltd), A Nicholls; Valiant Romeo (R Bstiman, Cowthorpe; Mrs P Bastiman), R Ffrench; Eddies Jewel (I McInnes, Catwick; Horses 4 Courses), R Ffrench; Seifi (B Ellison; Ashley Carr), T Eaves (3)

Wed. - York: Zero Tolerance (D Barron; The Hornsey Warriors Racing Syndicate), J Spencer; Secret History (M Johnston, Middleham; J Shack), J Fanning; Amber Glory (K Ryan; Wooster Partnership), N Callan.

Newcastle ev: Sir Loin (N Tinkler; W Burton), J Fanning; Apache Point (N Tinkler; P Drinkall), K Tinkler; Tom Forest (K Ryan; B & K Systems Ltd), N Callan.