LIKE a ship in full sail Baileys Dancer (1.15) is expected to go full steam ahead of her rivals in the opener at Haydock, the one-mile Freephone Stanley Nursery.

Running in the same colours as 2,000 Guineas hero, Mister Baileys, owner Paul Venner hasn't had a great deal of luck since that magical sun-drenched day in May 1994 when his mercurial colt claimed trainer Mark Johnston's one and only Classic success to date.

Baileys Dancer isn't in that sort of league, but by gum she showed some true grit to repel the challenge of her highly-touted stable-mate Badr at Hamilton in August. Although Badr towered over the diminutive Baileys Dancer when they clashed at the Scottish course, the little lady wasn't for turning as she courageously made all the running to floor the 5-4 favourite.

Joe Fanning, the best front-running jockey currently in the business, is almost sure to adopt identical tactics aboard Baileys Dancer, who with her lightweight and potential to improve rates a rock-solid each-way bet in the £25,000 two-year-old contest.

Big fields combined with a strong early pace over ten furlongs are the three prime requisites for Kempton-bound Polish Corridor (2.00) to show what he's really made of.

All of those vital criteria have been fulfilled in the Coral Telebet Handicap and there is further cause for optimism judged by the terrific form of the Michael Dods' yard. "The horses are all flying and I wish the season had another five months to go," revealed Dods following his 100-1 winner with Doctor One at York earlier this week.

Given the smart bunch of youngsters assembled for the Group 3 Coral Sirenia Stakes there might well be some clues to be gleaned for next year's Classics.

Using the clock as the sole arbiter, Pastoral Pursuits has an outstanding opportunity to complete a valuable three-timer, however I'm going stick with the ever-reliable Mick Jarvis, who appears to have saved Cartography (2.30) specifically for this event.

Cartography hasn't been seen out since June when he spread-eagled a decent field on his debut at Doncaster. By Zafonic out of a Deisis mare, the Newmarket raider has the pedigree to go right to the top of the thoroughbred tree.

The main hope of Thirsk's Hambleton Cup remaining in the locality almost definitely rests fairly and squarely on the shoulders of Sporting Gesture (3.30).

Just like Doctor One, Sporting Gesture triumphed at York on Wednesday, a rousing victory due in the main to the pulsating late surge produced by Mick Easterby's gelding. Despite the fact that Thirsk are York and like chalk and cheese, Sporting Gesture has won at both venues and with only a 3lb penalty to carry must be a leading contender for the £10,000 mile-and-a-half race.

Channel 4 thankfully cover by far and away the top race of the weekend, the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

Jockey Darryll Holland has been moaning a bucketful about the course being watered since he reckons it will not suit his charge, Falbrav, so impressive when scooping the Juddmonte Stakes at the recent Ebor Festival.

Darryll would be better advised to concentrate on the opposition which includes Alamshar, who don't forget whipped the pants off Holland and Falbrav in the King George at Ascot.

Even though Almashar (4.00) has to drop back a couple of furlongs, I still believe the result will be the same, confirming the Irish Derby winner's status at the head of the current middle-distance rankings in Europe.

For the die-hards still frantically betting into the evening, Aries (8.30) could well be the star of Wolverhampton's evening meeting

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