BINT BALADEE stands out in the EBF Dransfleld Novelty Company Maiden at Doncaster today. Saeed bin Suroor's two year old takes a big drop in class after finishing fourth in the Group Three May Hill Stakes at today's venue and sixth to Boojum in a Listed race at Newbury.

And Bint Baladee's debut run, when a neck second to Reams Of Verse, the pair 14 lengths clear, at Newmarket in August, has turned out to be very good form.

Peter Chapple Hyam has not enjoyed the best of seasons in 1996, with Revoque's French successes the possible highlights. At least Robert Sangster's Grand Criterium winner will give the Manton handler something to look forward to during the winter months, as will Soviet State.

Made favourite for his debut in a Newbury maiden over six furlongs, the two year old moved unimpressively in his slower paces but once the race was underway the Nureyev colt was soon travelling smoothly.

He chased the eventual winner Za-Im from one furlong out and kept on well but failed by two lengths to catch Barry Hills' juvenile. With that experience under his belt, Soviet State can show he has a bright future by getting off the mark in the EBF Gibson Booth Maiden over six furlongs.

Royal Blackbird gets the nod in the AMCO Corporation PLC Nursery. Jack Banks' filly was beaten a short head by Dominant Air at Yarmouth last. week, where she would have won in another stride.

Henry Cecil saddles three in the RJB Mining Fillies' Conditions Stakes and it could be Omara, the likely outsider of the trio, who provides the value. Now she has got her act together she has won cheekily at Folkestone and Yarmouth and should be able to come off a strong pace here.

Time Leader is worth a small wager in the Flint Bishop and Barnett Novices' Handicap Hurdle at Uttoxeter. Having showed fair form on the Flat for Michael Stoute, the four year old was bought for 4,000 guineas but didn't fire in three starts over hurdles last season. But he comes here on a very lowly mark and, having had the benefit of a spin on the Flat at York last month, can spring a surprise in a weak race.

. Halling, who completed a unique "double double" with consecutive wins in both the Eclipse and International Stakes, has been retired. The five year old will become a stallion at Sheikh Mohammed's Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket standing there at a fee of £12,000.

The decision, announced yesterday by the Godolphin Management Company, had been widely anticipated following his defeat by Bosra Sham in the Champion Stakes last month.