MEGAN CARBERRY, making a name for himself in North Yorkshire since switching to Brian Ellison's Norton yard earlier this year, can play a starring role at Haydock this evening.

The teenage apprentice comes from a famous racing family and is a cousin of top jockeys Paul and Nina Carberry. Furthermore, she was an ace pony-rider before entering the professional ranks and racked-up more than 100 winners while still at school.

She has enjoyed a tremendous run since moving from Ireland to England and has ridden eight winners from 34 rides at a strike-rate of 24 per cent. Carberry can add to that impressive haul aboard nap selection Merchant Of Medici in the Betdaq Haydock Park Apprentice Training Series Handicap.

Trained by Micky Hammond at Middleham, Merchant Of Medici has been running well in defeat of late and is overdue a winning turn. This looks a suitable race for the seven-year-old to secure a victory and provide Carberry with another opportunity to highlight her talents.

North Yorkshire jockey Paul Mulrennan, pictured, is enjoying a fine season and he can add to his tally of winners aboard Trinity Star in the Visit Silk Mill Ripponden Handicap.

The three-year-old, trained by Michael Dods, came good at Redcar last time out and, off only a 4lb higher mark, is fancied to be competitive once again.

Paul Midgley has his horses in fine form and the Westow trainer may have found a good opening for Oldjoesaid in the Silk Mill For Great Beer Handicap.

Now at the veteran stage of his career at the age of ten, Oldjoesaid has, nevertheless, been running creditably, not least when a close-up fourth to Keep It Dark at Redcar last time out. He is not one to underestimate here over a course and distance where he has won in the past.

The well-bred Songeye (7.10), trained by Kevin Ryan, and the evergreen Hydrant (8.40) are two others to consider.

At Newbury, David Nolan, who has had a steady stream of winners this season, has good prospects of clinching the opening honours on Flying Machine in the Pheasant Inn Maiden Stakes.

The juvenile, trained by Richard Fahey, has finished runner-up in both his outings this season, at Ripon and Doncaster, running sound races each time.

There could well be some useful unraced talent against him this afternoon, but Flying Machine has experience on his side and will relish this step up to six and a half furlongs. He is marginally preferred, among those with form, to Paul Hanagan's promising mount Estidhkaar, who shaped well on his debut at Goodwood.

Nolan and Fahey also team-up with Latenightrequest in the Lord Weinstock Memorial Stakes. The three-year-old has each-way prospects, but the vote goes to Eastern Belle, trained by John Gosden, who chased home Marsh Daisy in Listed company at Goodwood three weeks ago.

Lacock is an interesting runner in the Be Wiser Insurance Handicap.

Trained by Henry Candy, the three-year-old showed a fair level of ability in his three outings in maiden company last season. He now starts his second campaign in handicap company and may be able to prove himself off a fair-looking mark of 72. Fergus Sweeney has the mount.


Selections

Newbury today

1.50 Flying Machine, 2.20 Hoop Of Colour, 2.50 Stella Bellisima, 3.25 Eastern Belle, 4.00 Spirit Raiser, 4.30 Lacock, 5.05 Winter Spice, 5.35 Hector's Chance.

Haydock today

6.10 Merchant Of Medici (NAP), 6.40 Trinity Star, 7.10 Songeye, 7.40 Regiment, 8.10 Oldjoesaid, 8.40 Hydrant.

Today's other meetings

Nottingham, Uttoxeter and Yarmouth.

Tomorrow's meetings

Aintree, Chepstow, Goodwood, Musselburgh, Sandown and York.