TRAINER Alan Bailey's decision to snap up the services of Hayley Turner to partner his back-to-form three-year-old Infidelity (2.20) is fancied to pay handsome dividends at Haydock today.
Infidelity might not be the biggest filly in the world but she showed her heart is the right place when staying on in gritty style to snatch third spot over a mile-and-a-quarter at Ayr a fortnight ago.
This afternoon's extra couple of furlongs, plus Hayley's handy 5lb apprentices' allowance, all add up to Infidelity hopefully making a welcome return to the winners' enclosure in the opening Victoria Park Handicap.
Another young rider currently on the crest of the wave is Colin Haddon, who teams up with Turtle Magic (2.50) for his boss Bill Turner in the six-furlong Maiden Claiming Stakes.
"Colin is good, hard-working lad and decent value for his 7lb claim, so I decided to give him chance at the start of the season and it has really paid off," said Turner.
Anyone unfortunate enough to have been backing Brantwood (3.50) on the nose over the past couple of years would have long since gone broke due to a long losing streak which stretches back to his winning debut in May 2002.
As a punter you need the patience of Job for such horses, although I do believe now is time to strike on Bryan McMahon's sprinter. The reason for siding with Brantwood stems partly from a considerable amount of largesse shown by the handicapper, who has dropped him around 30lb in the ratings, and the ease in the ground, which will suit the selection admirably.
Sarah Brotherton gets on well with Golden Chance (5.00), potentially the best prospect of making money in the closing Amateur Riders' Handicap at Yarmouth.
The pair returned from a monster lay-off to run a promising race in the Ladies Derby at Ripon last month, when Golden Chance was a bit short of peak condition, not to mention a tad ring-rusty.
Sure to strip fitter and a little more street-wise for the outing, Mick Easterby's seven-year-old is worth a nibble in a contest which won't take much winning.
In view of the fact that Barry Hills generally excels with fillies, Primo Way (9.10) deserves much respect in the seven-furlong finale at Newbury.
Primo Way came up against a couple of smart cookies when narrowly touched off by Warden Complex and Flipando at Doncaster recently. She has a less exacting task this evening and represents good value in a wide-open betting heat.
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