ACT THE WAG retrieved a day that looked to be heading for disaster for owner Robert Ogden at Newcastle yesterday. His victory in the Northern Racing Handicap Chase revived fortunes after odds on Colonel In Chief was overturned and then Royal York fell heavily.

Act The Wag's success was justification for trainer Martin Todhunter's decision earlier in the month to give the Eider Chase a miss.

Paul Carberry was supremely confident as the runners came into the straight and he allowed his mount to coast home by two and a half lengths from Stoney Burke.

Todhunter said: "We did think about aiming this horse at the Eider but the big guns were there and we decided to play things quietly.

His next race will be the Durham National Chase at Sedgefield on Tuesday week. I'm told the meeting will definitely be on."

Colonel In Chief was a big disappointment in the Gosforth Park Novices' Chase, being unable to hold chasing debutant Brighter Shade.

Ogden said: "The horse burst a blood vessel and that's why he ran badly. It is something he's done before."

Brandy Cross was even more of a let down, making several mistakes and being pulled up before the third last. His trainer Howard Johnson was unable to offer any explanation for the performance.

The omens looked bad for the newcomer Royal York, who crashed heavily at the third last in the Brandling House Maiden Hurdle.

The mare lay on the ground for several minutes before finally getting to her feet. Ogden reported her none the worse for the spill.

Victory in the race went to the heavily backed Nigel's Lad, who made all and shot clear in the straight to defeat Supreme Soviet by 10 lengths.

Trainer Pat Haslam is keen to run the gelding again quickly and may go for a race at Wetherby tomorrow.

Colin Parker, his jockey son David, and owner Ray Green combined to secure a double with Solba (John J Strake Challenge Trophy) and Latin Leader (Great North Road Selling Handicap Hurdle).

Solba, fitted with blinkers for the first time, turned the tables on his old foe Nicholas Plant.

Nigel's Lad's jockey Martin Foster clinched a double when Tribune landed the St Modwen Handicap Hurdle. The 11 to 4 favourite survived an error at the final flight to come one and a half lengths clear of Northern Squire.

. David Barron hit out at the inflated handicapping of all weather performers after watching his Bailieborough Boy complete a 7 day hat trick at Southwell yesterday. Barron's three year old slammed the odds on favourite Bonnie Lassie in the Rocky Claiming Stakes.

Bailieborough Boy, previously on the mark in sellers here and at Wolverhampton, romped home four lengths clear of Chris Thornton's filly to give jockey David Harrison his 12th success of 1997.

But although delighted to see the gelding extend his winning sequence, Barron was highly critical of the handicapping system. "They're getting carried away and rating winners of some maiden races on the sand, like Bonnie Lassie, in the 70's when they're nowhere near as good as that," argued Barron.

"Chris Thornton's filly is rated 77 but she couldn't possibly win a handicap off a mark like that."

Barron continued: "I haven't run a racehorse as such on the sand this year I've only run rubbish, and many of these races are garbage. Now I fear we could be clobbered by the handicapper after this latest win. Bailieborough Boy was on 63 before he started winning I dread to think what he'll be rated now.

"But he's won three times now and at least he's gained a bit of confidence, so we'll just keep plugging along with him in this company.