Fallon can have red letter day

RED Gulch made quite an impression when winning at Wolverhampton back in March and is one to follow as he takes the next step up the ladder in Haydock's Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet Classified Stakes.

He looked the part as an individual and those who had lumped on West Emirates to end a run of second places soon had that familiar sinking feeling as the Ed Dunlop-trained colt travelled powerfully for Kieren Fallon.

Sure enough, when Fallon gave the signal in the straight, he went right away to win with his head in his chest.

This is a tougher assignment, but he could prove a good deal better than this initial mark of 79 and really make the grade in the better quality handicaps this summer. A son of the high-class sprinter Kyllachy, the drop to six furlongs from seven is unlikely to hinder him given his style of running and he is napped with Fallon again in the plate.

Dunlop can also get among the winners at Chepstow where Satwa Laird has strong claims in the Bridgend Designer Outlet Fashion Handicap.

Not beaten far at all when eighth in the Britannia last year, he has plied his trade in decent handicap company ever since and has rarely been disgraced.

His latest effort at Warwick suggested he was coming to hand nicely and he remains feasibly weighted on that run at the Royal meeting.

Course specialist Nufoudh once more looks to hold all the aces in the PDM Handicap at Musselburgh this evening.

Tracy Waggott's six-year-old is on a three-timer over this course and distance and as things did not go without a hitch last time, he might be able to defy the handicapper again.

Brynfa Boy has yet to win on turf but has every chance of putting that record straight when he lines up in the Ward-Robes/K Mansfield & Co Ltd Handicap at Yarmouth.

The Paul D'Arcy-trained four-year-old is a hold-up horse so needs a bit of luck in running, but fast ground suits and he is on the same mark as when going close at Newmarket last time.

Mr Khan is the best bet on Catterick's card, where he goes in the European Breeders' Fund Maiden Stakes. Jimmy Moffatt's youngster showed definite signs of ability when third to the useful Saucy Buck at Hamilton earlier this month, doing his best work at the end.

At Haydock yesterday, Madam Macie ran out the most impressive winner of the day in the Betdaq The Betting Exchange Handicap, and connections will now be scanning the programme book to find a race at Royal Ascot.

The 8-1 chance made all the running in the hands of Graham Gibbons and kept up the gallop in good style to beat 11-10 favourite Gene Autry by four and a half lengths.

A daughter of Bertolini, the winner is trained by James Hetherton for Kevin Everitt and Roger Fell, and the latter said: "She is different class to any of the others we have and it would be nice to go to Royal Ascot in our top hats and tails.

"We will have a good look if there is anything suitable for her there."

Odds of 1-5 suggested that Acquainted was different class to her rivals in the Injured Jockeys Fund Maiden Stakes and so it proved as she won by six lengths in the hands of trainer Barry Hills' son, Michael.

Richard Hughes rode his first winner for Dr Marwan Koukash when getting Visions Of Johanna (5-2) home in front in the Classic Lodges Handicap, while

Richard Fahey reached his half-century for the season when Premier Clarets (2-1) landed the second division of the Sportech PLC Maiden Auction Stakes by two lengths with Paul Hanagan doing the steering.

However, Hanagan was suspended for two days (3 and 6 June) for using his whip with excessive frequency.