JOINT-OWNER Sir Alex Ferguson was on hand to witness Nautical Haven break his duck at the third time of asking in the Sky Bet Making Betting Better Median Auction Maiden Stakes at York.

A promising sixth on his debut over this course and distance, he was then a little disappointing on his next outing at Chester.

But sent off at 5-1 under Tom Eaves, the Kevin Ryan-trained juvenile blasted out of the stalls and never saw another rival, holding off Storm Cry by three-quarters of a length.

"I'm not sure if he needed a run at Chester or what but we expected a bit more there," said Ferguson, who owns the Harbour Watch colt with Jack Hanson.

"His first run was very good and that's confirmed it.

"I'm not sure but he could go back to five furlongs looking at that as he had them all off the bridle fairly early."

Another to make every yard of the running was Brian Ellison's Full Day in the Sky Bet Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap.

In foal to Nayef, the five-year-old was gifted an easy lead and Ben Curtis judged the fractions to perfection.

The bottom weight was sent off at 8-1 and while Bulas Belle gave chase, she was beaten by two and a quarter lengths.

Curtis said: "She just kept on finding and she could have gone round again.

"She stays well and just kept plodding on.

"Normally she's caught out for a turn of foot but nothing could get to her."

Get Knotted (11-2) just got up in the final strides to win the Read Richard Fahey's Column At sportinglife.com Handicap.

The Michael Dods-trained four-year-old has been running consistently well all season but had looked in the grip of the handicapper since winning at Thirsk in May.

Paul Mulrennan bided his time before asking for everything on Get Knotted and with Calder Prince to aim at he was produced perfectly to win.

Above The Rest flashed home down the outside to claim second, beaten a neck.

"He's one of those horses who is getting quicker as he gets older," said Mulrennan.

"Mostly he's been running over a mile but he's not short of pace for seven (furlongs).

"Michael horses are really hitting form now. He's had plenty of seconds this week so it's nice to grab a decent winner for him.

"They've really hit top gear and I hope it continues."

Sir Michael Stoute's Playful Sound (11-4) remains unbeaten after Graham Gibbons finally found a gap in the Sky Bet Supporting New Beginnings EBF Fillies' Handicap.

Gary Coffey, of owners Newsells Park Stud, said: "She was unraced at two as she needed time so she's with the right man.

"Her dam won a Group Two so you'd like to think in time we'd go looking for black type but we'll let Sir Michael tell us when.

"She was locked in but picked up nicely and is learning."

The closing Sky Bet Nursery went to the fast-finishing Tahoo (3-1) for trainer Karl Burke and jockey Jordan Vaughan.