CERTAIN trainers have the happy knack of getting the best out of their juveniles and Thirsk-based David Barron has a record second-to-none in that particular department over the past few years.

No matter whether he's competing for top prizes such as Redcar's Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy, or more modest contests such as today's six-furlong Trent Nursery at Nottingham, David cleverly makes the most of the available ammunition.

This afternoon he goes to war with Happy Camper (2.15), who opened his account in really courageous fashion at Musselburgh last month when just getting the better of a thrilling bunch finish.

A large horse blanket would have covered the first four home in that event, but it was Happy Camper who showed the most tenacity when the chips were down inside the final furlong.

Because the margin of victory was so small, Barron's youngster has not been harshly treated, and it will be no surprise if Happy Camper takes full advantage of his feather-weight at the Midlands' venue.

The later Lord Mayor of Nottingham Handicap is scheduled to take place over the much longer distance of one-mile-and-three-quarters.

Kieren Fallon's booking for Garw Valley will ensure he will not go unbacked, but the one I just prefer is Ruwaya (3.50).

Clive Brittain's raider has finished runner-up on all three starts this term and as a consequence some cynics would say she's something of a professional loser.

But it's not for the want of effort since Ruwaya has been trying her heart out only to keep on finding one too good.

Following Milton Bradley's sprinters has proved to be a profitable policy and there could be more money to be farmed from his stable at Brighton with Mutasawwar (4.40) in the Jimmy Heal Memorial Handicap.

Milton gave Mutasawwar a short six-week midsummer break in order to "freshen up" the eight-year-old sprinter and showed the benefit of his holiday when powering home to snatch third place at Wolverhampton ten days ago.

In the closing Saffie Joseph Apprentice Handicap, Theatre Lady (5.10) has an excellent opportunity to maintain the recent excellent form of trainer David Evans and jockey Fran Ferris.

Evans and Ferris teamed up successfully to land Ripon's big race on Saturday, the Great St Wilfred Handicap, with Deceitful.

They also picked up a nice two-year-old race at Kempton yesterday and Theatre Lady has the ability to make it three in three days judged on the way she has handled Brighton's tricky downhill track on previous visits to the seaside course.

* Channel 4 Racing's betting guru John McCririck hit out at officials following a controversial National Horseracing Museum Rated Stakes at Newmarket when the winner's stall appeared to have opened early and the favourite unseated his rider before the start.

The David Barron-trained 4-1 shot Impressive Flight broke from stall one but the gates on his stall appeared to open before those of the other runners.

Meanwhile, 3-1 favourite Fayr Jag reared moments before the stalls opened and jockey Willie Supple was left gripping the sides of the stall as his mount, who was virtually on his haunches at one point, broke from the gate.

Fayr Jag ran loose down the course after sustaining a head injury when rearing and Willie Supple escaped unscathed while Impressive Flight got the verdict over Pic Up Sticks in the finish.

After a lengthy stewards' inquiry the officials allowed the result to stand as the starter had not signalled the recall man and so there was no false start.

McCririck stormed: ''This is outrageous, I cannot believe what we are coming to.

''If this had happened in greyhound racing the race would have been declared void.

''You cannot have a mechanical advantage being given to a horse over the others.

''If both punters and bookmakers knew that a stall would open before the others then the horse in that stall would be favourite in every race. It's bizzare.''

McCririck also called for horses who are kicked in the stalls and take no part in the race to be declared non-runners and stakes returned to backers.

''In the case of Fayr Jag he was kicked and wasn't able to race. Backers should get their money back and a rule four declared.

''Our racing is now televised all over the world and those watching must be laughing at us. It doesn't happen anywhere else."

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