LATCHING onto an improving horse is a tried-and-tested formula as far as keeping one step ahead of the bookies is concerned.

For such individuals, punters normally turn to the likes of Messrs Johnston and Easterby to provide the ammunition.

But it is not always the big boys who turn on the style. Take for instance the much more unfashionable Malton-based handler Neville Bycroft, responsible for Beverley-bound Efidium (3.50).

Having looked to be nothing more than a modest-selling plater up until the start of this season, Efidium has turned over a new leaf and won three of his last five starts.

The upturn in the gelding's fortunes seem to rest on two factors, beginning with the dispensing of the pair of blinkers he wore for the majority of his 2002 campaign.

But the far more important part of the equation has been completed by the excellent partnership struck up between Efidium and his now ever-present jockey, Suzanne France.

Suzanne will always have cause to thank Efidium as it was the selection that provided the 7lb apprentice jockey with her maiden winner at Ripon in April. And she has since added victories at Redcar and latterly Doncaster, where the pair landed a nice 15-2 winning nap for this column.

Equally effective from the front or when held up, France knows she'll have to bide her time from an unpromisingly wide draw in the early stages of the Betfair.com Handicap.

Nonetheless that isn't to say she won't be on the premises at the conclusion of affairs since Efidium showed when scoring at Ripon that when it comes to shovelling on the coal he's not afraid to get down and graft.

The £10,000 mile-and-a-quarter Showcase Handicap features a strong southern challenge in the shape of The Judge and Factor Fifteen. The former, trained by Paul Cole at Whatcombe, is a previous winner of the always-competitive Newbury Spring Cup.

The latter, despite being successful last time out at Sandown, has never won anything like such a prestigious prize.

It was Kieren Fallon who booted home Factor Fifteen at Sandown and his presence back in the saddle will doubtless sway the market in his favour.

However, I still prefer Kevin Darley's mount, The Judge (3.15), only beaten by a whisker by a decent filly of Luca Cumani's at Nottingham. Fallon and Darley's day does not end there because both are due to make the dash by air to Hamilton's evening meeting.

The high-profile duo each hold a fistful of chances at the Scottish track. Kieren's night more than likely is poised to end in triumph on Linda Perratt's course specialist Viewforth (9.20), a leading contender for the closing Saint And Sinners Handicap.

l Champion jump jockey Tony McCoy yesterday led the tributes to Michael Caulfield, who has announced he is stepping down as chief executive of the Jockeys' Association of Great Britain, writes STEVEN TILL.

Caulfield, 42, who has been a tireless worker on behalf of the JAGB's members in the 14 years he has held the position, is to become an associate of Trained Brain, a sports psychology company working to assist other sportsmen and women to achieve their maximum potential.

McCoy, joint-president of the JAGB, admitted it would be a difficult job finding someone to take over from Caulfield.

''Michael will be sorely missed by both Flat and jump jockeys and he will be very hard to replace,'' he said.

''He has given jockeys tremendous support both in their professional and personal lives.

''I have known him since I first came to England and he always offers good, sound advice and has become a good friend.

''I'm sure that he will be very successful in his new career and many other sportsmen as well as jockeys will benefit from his knowledge and experience.

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