FOLLOWING in-form fillies at this time of year is a tried and tested formula for success so make sure you don't miss out on Chantress (2.50) in the ladbrokes.com Stakes at Doncaster.

Burn-out is a big problem for thoroughbreds, consequently with only four lifetime starts to date Chantress harbours the invaluable advantage of having fewer miles on the clock than any of her 17 opponents.

She's also proved extremely profitable to back, boasting a magnificent 50 per cent win-to-run ratio, notching the first of her two career wins at Carlisle and then last time out at Chester, where Mark Johnston's three-year-old galloped her rivals into oblivion.

The icing on the top of the cake as far as this column is concerned is the presence of Joe Fanning in the saddle. Joe has been like a godsend this season, knocking in huge-priced winners all over the show.

Of all the courses up and down the land Fanning rides Doncaster with exceptional brilliance, and over her ideal trip, plus on easy ground to suit, the fast-improving Chantress look sure to go well in the £20,000 contest.

Although many trainers use headgear solely as a last resort, that is not the case with David Loder, who spent enough time learning his craft in the USA to understand they are often an essential piece of kit.

Such was the case for Loder's Howick Falls, the runaway winner of the listed Costcutter Stakes at York when fitted with a visor for the first time. After that scintillating success Howick Falls (1.50) was immediately aimed at today's £60,000 Flying Childers Stakes, a Group 2 five-furlong race well within the compass of Sheikh Mohammad's pocket rocket.

There could be a surprise result to the Porcelanosa Handicap if Cornelius (2.20) bounces back to anything like his best.

Having put in three lack-lustre efforts so far in 2003 the bookies will likely be chalking up long odds about Paul Cole's six-year-old getting his head in front. But Cole might have found the answer by giving the former Group 2 scorer a 70-day break to freshen up his charge.

Not only has Cornelius proven in the past that he is capable of returning from long absences to win, he has also previously won over the track and trip, and to cap it all is at his peak when performing on the prevailing easy ground.

Frankie Dettori's fans will be lumping on Royal Cavalier in the hope that the Italian can steer Reg Hollinshead's gelding to a second successive victory in the twelve-furlong Torne Valley Handicap.

Sorry to be a party pooper, however I reckon this year's field is far stronger than the 2002 line-up and therefore the vote goes to Unigold (4.15). Considering Ed Dunlop's colt was quietly fancied for the Epsom Derby, this £20,000 handicap represents something of a fall from grace.

Truth be told Unigold was simply outclassed at Epsom, a scenario unlikely to be repeated now that he is being campaigned in far more suitable company.

From a purely betting point of view the only other meeting of interest is Musselburgh where Royston French is fancied to partner the first four winners on the card courtesy of Penny Cross (2.05), Chicago Bond (2.35), Kentmere (3.10), and Always Flying (3.45).

In the hope of hitting the jackpot, I for one will be putting that little lot into a Yankee and hoping for a decent weekend bonus. Of particular interest is Always Flying, who has generally thus far disappointed on the track having impressed in plenty of his work on the home gallops.

The selection finally began to show what he might be made of when narrowly beaten at odds of 50-1 in Nursery at Ripon last time out. The winner of that contest, Breathing Sun, has subsequently swooped to conquer once again in a far hotter event at Doncaster this week giving the owners of Always Flying just cause for further optimism.

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