TOM EAVES takes some beating in a finish these days, so his booking for Miss Dixie (2.00) represents a major plus for her supporters at Haydock.

In common with many trainers Julie Camacho has picked up on the giant strides made by Tom in the saddle this season - improvement gained as a result of his determination to prove he's in the same league as the likes of Dettori and Fallon.

Julie's juvenile was a rank 50-1 outsider when she made her track and trip debut in August, but the filly defied those long odds by running a race full of promise to fill third spot.

Miss Dixie is bound to be much more streetwise for the outing, which combined with the extra fitness she'll have acquired, should be sufficient to ensure another prominent showing from the daughter of Bertolini.

Since being claimed out of the Dandy Nicholls stable, Bailieborough (4.05) has simply gone from strength to strength.

There was something almost surreal about the way he drew six lengths clear of 16 opponents when annihilating what on paper at least appeared to be a useful field at Pontefract last time out.

New trainer Robert Grayston has clearly found the key to the rejuvenated Bailieborough, who in seeking a four-timer is going to take some pegging back for the one-mile Vale UK Handicap.

The decision to freshen up Nuit Sombre (4.40) by giving him a 40-day break looks an ideal platform from which to launch a serious assault in the Littleborough Handicap.

Nuit Sombre has been around the houses in his time, starting life with Mark Johnston, then moving on to a jumps campaign for Nicky Henderson, followed by his latest transfer of allegiance to John O'Shea.

All credit then to Nuit Sombre to have won under the care of all three handlers, including when scoring for current connections over track and trip in July.

Neither does the selection mind gluey ground, a potential bonus as a band of rain is expected to straddle the area during the next few hours.

* Constable Burton was firmly in charge at Perth yesterday, landing a corking 8-1 winning nap for Janus (Colin Woods).

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