COLIN HADDON'S career in the saddle has taken off big-time over the past few months, aided and abetted in no uncertain terms by Sorbiesharry, fancied to make it three-in-a-row at this afternoon's Wolverhampton all-weather fixture.

Haddon, a little-known apprentice jockey attached to Bill Turner's stable in Dorset, first caught the eye by slotting in a few two-year-old winners for his boss throughout the summer of 2004.

At first not many other trainers apart from Turner were prepared to give him a chance, but Norma Macauley was an exception and her judgement proved spot-on as Haddon set up a money-spinning partnership with her stocky grey gelding, Sorbiesharry (3.20).

Colin knows exactly when to press the button on Macauley's six-year-old, who won in a common canter over course and distance three days ago. He's incurred a 6lbs penalty for that facile success, however judged by the way he pulled clear of the opposition, today's Red Button Apprentice Handicap looks to be at the mercy of the selection.

Mick Quinn's move from Lambourn to Newmarket has brought about a pleasing change in fortune for the ex-striker-turned-trainer.

Quinn sent out Foley Millennium to claim a decent sprint at Lingfield on Saturday, and Byo (4.50) looks to have equally good prospects in the Gameon ITV Handicap over five-furlongs.

Byo is the type of horse guaranteed to pay his way, picking up a fair share of win and place money with every season that goes by. He's a multiple winner on turf and has run a couple of cracking races when finishing third on the polytrack this winter, on each occasion giving the firm impression it was only a matter of time before he got his head back in front.

David Thompson has kept his versatile eight-year-old, Sovereign State (3.30), sweet by switching him between hurdles and the flat for the past couple of years.

Having run a more-than-respectable fourth in a competitive handicap hurdle at Musselburgh earlier this month, Sovereign State now tries his luck on the level Lingfield in the one-mile-and-five-furlong Spot The Ball Handicap.

The Bolam-near-Darlington handler has already placed his horse to win a similar event on the turf at Catterick, so provided the gelding takes kindly to the man-made surface, he'd have a decent shout in a fairly weak event.

Paul Nicholls' habit of plundering Plumpton shows no sign of abating with Chef Tartare (3.10) a likely winner of their feature contest, the £10,000 John Smith's Novices' HandicapChase.

Chef Tartare has been a model of consistency this term, culminating in a fast-time win at Chepstow recently, a reproduction of which should be sufficient to allow him to complete well-deserved double.

l Snow and freezing temperatures threaten Plumpton's fixture, which must pass a 7.30am inspection if racing is to get the go-ahead.HOUSE HEADS FOR DONCASTER IN TOP TRIM

By Robert Pratt, PA Sport

Grand National winner Amberleigh House remains on course for the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase at Doncaster next Saturday as he continues his build-up for another tilt at the Aintree marathon.

The 13-year-old worked after racing at Haydock Park during the week and trainer Ginger McCain said: ''He's very well indeed.

''He galloped at Haydock after racing on Thursday and Tony Dobbin rode him over two and a quarter miles. Tony rode him in his last bit of work before last year's National.

''He got off him on Thursday and said 'I don't like saying this, but I think he is better now than he was then', which was very encouraging. But we don't want to be there too early, that's the point.

''This will be the ninth time he's been over those Grand National fences.

''Only two 13-year-olds have ever won it, but in the last few years there have been two 12-year-olds, and I'm certain if Red Rum had gone there fit and well as a 13-year-old he'd have taken all the beating.

''This horse is joint-favourite now and I wouldn't swap his chances for anything.''

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