KEVIN Darley, who had a rare blank day at Catterick yesterday, can get back among the winners at Haydock tomorrow.

The season's leading jockey has a host of fancied rides, including Astronaut, who can hit the heights in the Levy Board Handicap.

Trained by William Haggas, whose horses are doing little wrong this season, Astronaut won on the sand at Wolverhampton in May and has since then has run two solid races in defeat.

Runner-up to Zibeline at Chepstow, he occupied the same position behind Archie Babe at Pontefract, where he was unsuited by the muddling gallop.

With Darley on board, Astronaut has strong claims of returning to the winning thread here.

In the Threepwood Maiden Stakes, Darley teams-up with Aymara, who has a sound chance of success.

This once-raced three-year-old, trained by John Gosden, showed definite signs of ability when finishing fourth to May Ball at Ascot. That experience will not have been wasted on her.

Night Diamond could be yet another winner for Darley, in the Swan With Two Necks Claiming Stakes.

Although one of the lesser lights of Ian Balding's Kingsclere stable, Night Diamond has shown enough to suggest he can win a race of this nature.

The featured Tote Jackpot Handicap over an extended mile and a quarter looks good for Nap selection Polar Red, a winner over this course and distance earlier in the season.

Mick Ryan's charge trotted-up at Kempton recently and, although hiked up the ratings since then, looks sure to take plenty of beating tomorrow with the ground in his favour.

The consistent Armagnac (4.00) and Moonlight (4.30) are two others to consider.

Wetherby trainer Robin Bastiman sends prolific winner Were Not Stoppin on the long journey to Chepstow to contest the Mademoiselle Ladies Handicap in the hands of his daughter Ruth, who won on Were Not Stoppin last month at Pontefract.

Since then Were Not Stoppin has refused to go into the starting stalls at Hamilton, something he also did earlier this season.

Provided he is on his best behaviour tomorrow, the five-year-old, a much improved performer this summer, can come out on top.

Marlborough trainer Richard Hannon, who has his horses in excellent heart, can land the Levy Board Handicap with Diamond Geezer.

This four-year-old is nothing if not tough and consistent, and with the in-form Richard Hughes in the saddle, he can show his talent in this six-furlong dash.

Hannon and Hughes look set for a profitable afternoon.

Their well-regarded Saafend Rocket is not to be underestimated in the Signs 2000 Median Auction Maiden Stakes, while Leeroy has good claims in the Crescent Design Group Selling Stakes.