Colours can win again

9:50am Thursday 3rd January 2008

WETHERBY'S abandonment due to water-logging means we must search elsewhere for success and head to Lingfield where Karl Burke should be amongst the winners.

The Middleham handler has his team in prime order, most notably Geezers Colours (2.10), bidding to win for the fourth time in his last five starts.

Despite being burdened with a 6lbs penalty for his latest Wolverhampton victory, Geezers Colours could still have stolen a march on the handicapper.

Rider Fergus Sweeney has a tricky draw in stall one, but with only five rivals to worry about he should be able to avoid traffic problems on the inside rail.

Karl has also booked Sweeney to ride Pab Special (1.35), a leading contender for the lowly onemile Pontin's Selling Stakes.

If the official ratings are anything to go by, then the decision to drop the five-year-old in grade represents an open invitation for punters to get stuck in while they have the chance.

Unlike Karl's near 300-mile journey from North Yorkshire, John Best simply has to nip round the M25 from his base at Maidstone in order to compete.

John will have high hopes that Halsion Chancer (2.45) maintains the excellent run of his Kent stable by nabbing the Captain Croc Handicap.

Few would argue the toss concerning the progressive nature of Halsion Chancer, however he has yet to prove his effectiveness over today's trip of seven furlongs.

Triumphant at the course over both five and six furlongs during recent weeks, Best must believe his gelding is not simply an all singing-all-dancing speed merchant.

Much will depend on tactics, and supporters of the selection can at least rest in the knowledge that all-weather ace, John Egan, once again gets the leg up.

The show rolls on to Wolverhampton for the evening action where Elusive Lady (7.20) has her sights set on completing a hattrick.

Having previously run nine times without occupying first place, the John Weymes-trained raider has since won two on the bounce.

An integral part of Elusive Lady's dramatic change in fortunes is due to the presence of Chris Catlin, who has really clicked with the daughter of Clodovil.

Catlin's skill-in-the-saddle has not always been recognised within racing circles, a fickle world where the likes of Dettori and Spencer tend to hog the limelight.

While the majority of the field in the Classified Stakes are on a downward spiral, Kindkintyre (8.50) is thankfully heading in the opposite direction.

Richard Fahey's four-year-old has been knocking on the door of late, indicating in no uncertain terns that his turn is nigh.