Timing, who found herself tapped for speed in a tactically-run race at York last month, can bring her stamina into play at Haydock tomorrow.

Tim Easterby's mare goes for the Shank Lane Showcase Handicap over two miles and is napped to register her first success of the season in the hands of smart apprentice David Allan.

A good fourth to her stablemate Bourgeois on her reappearance, after finding trouble in running, Timing was a popular choice among punters to get her head in front on Knavesmire.

But that race, over a mile-and-threequarters, was run at a muddling gallop and Timing, trying to come from the rear, could never quite land a threatening blow before finishing a close-up sixth to Landing Light.

Tomorrow's longer trip should be ideal for Timing, who is expected to take all the beating.

Crow Wood has plenty going for him in the Angel Handicap.

A debut winner this season, James Given's progressive four-year-old ran a blinder in the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar on his latest start.

Denied a clear run inside the final two furlongs, he stayed on stoutly after being switched to the inner, to finish a close-up third.

There is probably even better to come from Crow Wood and, with Given in such fine form, his chances tomorrow seem good.

Jim Goldie can do little wrong at present and the Glasgow trainer can take the opening Dean Moor Handicap with River Falcon, the mount of Tony Culhane.

The three-year-old came good in pleasing style at Redcar on his latest start and promises to make a bold bid here, despite a 6lb penalty.

Kevin Darley, who will be aboard Magistretti in Saturday's Vodafone Derby at Epsom, can figure on the scoresheet at Haydock, the scene of his first winner more than 20 years ago.

Darley can score on Bridgewater Boys (2.45) and Armagnac (4.45), two horses who look to be coming into form.

At Chepstow, Decisive can complete a hat-trick of wins in the Weatherbys Travel Handicap.

The two-and-a-quarter miles trip should be ideal for Paul Webber's in-form gelding, who has recently chalked-up wins at Lingfield and Kempton through front-running tactics.

Another pillar-to-post success could be posted here, with Eddie Ahern again booked to do the steering.

Tomorrow's tips:

Haydock

2.10 River Falcon, 2.45 Bridgewater Boys, 3.15 Timing (Nap), 3.45 Qabas, 4.15 Crow Wood, 4.45 Armagnac.

Chepstow

2.30 Gwalhir, 3.05 Isengard, 3.35 Kirk Wynd, 4.05 Loweswater, 4.35 Decisive, 5.05 Hebenus.

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Perth, Sandown and Uttoxeter.

Updated: 14:58 Wednesday, June 04, 2003