GEORGE Duffield is known for his shrewdness and, before last Christmas, he told wife, trainer Ann Duffield, that Indigo Nights could be the best two-year-old at their Constable Burton yard.

So it is proving. On Saturday at Chester, the young filly landed the five furlong juvenile sprint under top jockey Michael Hills to continue her trainer's good run, and a follow-up success for a Carlisle win earlier in June.

Ann said: "I am very pleased with her. George was right. He has ridden her in all her work and has always been pleased with her."

And to ice the cake, Sweet Cassie won under Tony Culhane for the Duffields in Catterick's five furlong sprint for two-year-olds. This was a shock win for punters at 33-1, but it is clear that the team have some useful youngsters.

David Barker sent out the winner of the Northern Sprint at Newcastle on Saturday, but it was not his expected Mecca's Mate, fourth under Fergal Lynch, but the longer-priced Sierra Vista under Robert Winston, his sixth winner in three days, who prevailed.

Winston should be backed to land the jockeys' championship, considering the flood of winners he has been having. Alas, though, for local supporters, Alan Swinbank's Far Pavilions was not among them as the well-backed Melsonby runner could only finish a brave third in the Northumberland Plate, the "Pitmen's Derby".

Consistent old Quito was a close second in the opener and Mark Johnston won with Crime Scene, while Tom Tate's Dancer's Serenade beat the favourite Cripsey Brook, trained for the executors of the late Don Enrico Incisa by Chris Thornton in the ten furlong handicap.

Winston went on to Doncaster to win for David Nicholls, with Tim Easterby also on the mark, young David Allan in the saddle. Allan also shone at Pontefract on Monday, winning on Satin Rose for his boss.

Eddie Ahern partnered Lynda Ramsden's Along The Nile to win. Johnston and Darley won there with Emerald Storm and at Musselburgh with Luberon. Darley doubled up with a John Quinn winner.

Dandy's lad Adrian Nicholls fared well all week, taking a Thursday Leicester double among his hits. He partnered his father's True Night to win at Newcastle on Friday night and both Vicious Knight and Bailieborough at Musselburgh Monday evening. At Chester, he was on his father's Handsome Cross in a particularly fine ride from a poor draw.

It was Jamie Spencer, the other leading contender for the title, who rode Nicholls' Hiccups at Catterick on Wednesday, part of a double, including one for John Quinn.

Mick Easterby has been under the weather and admitted himself to York hospital with pneumonia last Friday, but Monday wins at Pontefract, thanks to amateur rider and solicitor Serena Brotherton, and at Wolverhampton by Terry Lucas, added to get well wishes for the Sheriff Hutton trainer. His son David said at Catterick on Wednesday that he was much better and might be home soon.

Young riders have been making their mark all week. Kelly Burke, 16, the daughter of trainer Karl, rode her second winner in a fortnight. A week last Wednesday evening she won for her father on the consistent Platinum Charmer and on Thursday last she won at Leicester for her grandfather, Twyford trainer Alan Jarvis, partnering Effective.

Platinum Charmer won his fourth in a fortnight at Musselburgh, young Andrew Elliot, son of former jockey and trainer Bobby, in the saddle for his guv'nor, who also won at Windsor on Sunday with Ashes.

Apprentice Greg Fairley, 17, who joined Mark Johnston just over a year ago after his father had telephoned to get him a week's work experience, rode nine winners in pony races in his native Scotland.

He earned his boss's praise last week when winning on Real Cool Cat at Beverley and followed up with another classy ride on the filly to score at Leicester. This was his fifth win this year, three for his boss, and one each for Mark Sowersby and Ann Duffield.

The same evening up at Hamilton, Leanne Stead, a Ripon trainee accountant, 24, won on her first ride in public, riding her father Barry's Top Style, trained in Bolton Park, Wensley, by Geoff Harker.

In third was Kelly Harrison, daughter of former trainer Alan and his equestrian wife Gill from Middleham, riding for Chris Thornton on East Cape. She went one better for Stillington trainer David Chapman on Friday at Wolverhampton, partnering Gem Bien.

At the all-weather course, Easingwold trainer Simon Griffiths had his first winner, Count Cougar.

THE WEEK'S WINNERS

Thursday last week. - Newcastle: Sildan (trained by T Tate, at Tadcaster; owned by S M Racing), ridden by R Winston; Thomasina (K Reveley, Lingdale; Hb (homebred by owner or connection), P D Savill), D McKeown; Kool Ovation (A Dickman, Sandhutton; The Marooned Crew), R Winston.

Salisbury: Michaels Pride (M Johnston, Middleham; Dalua Racing), F Dettori.

Thirsk: Korolieva (K Ryan, Hambleton; Mrs A Bailey), N Callan; Strensall (R Barr, Seamer; trainer), R Fitzpatrick; Charlotte Vale (M Hammond, Middleham; P Davies), T Culhane; Malcheek (T Easterby, Gt Habton; Mrs S Dicker), D Allan.

Hamilton ev: Top Style (G Harker, Wensley; J B Stead), Miss L Stead (claiming 7lb allowance).

Leicester ev: Real Cool Cat (M Johnston; Syndicate 2003), G Fairley (7); Blue Bajan (A Turnell, Norton; Hb, Dr J Hollowood), A Nicholls.

Fri. - Wolverhampton AW: Count Cougar (S Griffiths, Easingwold; M Grant), A Nicholls; Gem Bien (D Chapman, Stillington; J Chapman), Miss K Harrison.

Market Rasen NH: Lone Soldier (S Clark, Sutton on the Forest; S B Clark), C Sharkey (7); Qualitair Pleasure (J Hetherton, Norton; Qualitair Holdings Ltd), K Mercer (3); Lindgergh Law (A Swinbank, Melsonby; Mrs F H Crone & Mrs J A Lawson), D Costello (5).

Newcastle ev: Mister Arjay (B Ellison, Norton; K Middleton), Mr E Whillans (5); First Rhapsody (T Etherington, Norton; Ownaracehorse Ltd), P Makin (3); True Night (D Nicholls, Sessay; Mrs L Scaife, Mrs S Radford), A Nicholls; Inter Vision (A Dickman; trainer) M Halford (5); Sentiero Rosso (B Ellison; Get Into Racing), R Winston.

Sat. - Newcastle: Sierra Vista (D Barker, Scorton; D T J Metcalfe), R Winston; Crime Scene (M Johnston; Maktoum Al Maktoum), K Darley; Dancer's Serenade (T Tate; SM Racing), J Egan.

Chester: Indigo Nights (A Duffield, Constable Burton; Middleham Park Racing XVI), M Hills; Handsome Cross (D Nicholls; Cereal Partners), A Nicholls.

Doncaster: Ice Planet (D Nicholls; D Faulkner), R Winston; Most Definitely (T Easterby; B Bailey), D Allan.

Sun. - Uttoxeter NH: Dewasentah (M Jefferson, Norton; Mrs J U Hales & Mrs L M Joicey), G Lee.

Windsor: Ashes (K Burke, Wensley; Bryce, Dower, Morgan), S Sanders.

Mon. - Pontefract: Wachi (M Easterby, Sheriff Hutton; trainer), Miss S Brotherton; Along The Nile (L Ramsden, Sandhutton; J Musgrave), E Ahern; Satin Rose (T Easterby; Ryedale Partnership No 3), D Allan; Emerald Storm (M Johnston; Maktoum Al Maktoum), K Darley; Fairlie (K Reveley; Minser Commercial Leasing & D Green), A Culhane.

Wolverhamton AW: We'll Meet Again (M Easterby; K Wreglesworth), T Lucas.

Musselburgh ev: Vicious Knight (D Nicholls; McCauley Boys), A Nicholls; Luberon (M Johnston; B Yeardley Continental Ltd), K Darley; Bailieborough (D Nicholls; Middleham Pk Racing XVIII), A Nicholls; Fantasy Defencer (J Quinn, Settrington; Fantasy Fellowship), K Darley; Platinum Charmer (K Burke; Spigot Lodge Partnership), A Elliott (7).

Tue. - Hamilton: Wahoo Sam (D Barron, Maunby; C A Washbourn), P Makin (5); Dizzy In The Head (P Johnson, White le Head; trainer & Mrs D M Johnson), D Tudhope (5).

Wed. - Catterick: Hiccups (D Nicholls; J & Mrs E Ranson), J Spencer; Smart Cassie (A Duffield; Hb, Mr & Mrs D Smart), A Culhane; Hilltime (J & Mrs S Quinn), J Spencer.

Perth NH: Cheery Martyr (P Needham, Marwood; P Needham), B Keniry.