THE scattergun approach was how David "Dandy" Nicholls tackled the Epsom sprints last Saturday and his tactics paid off as usual at the Surrey course with two top winners.

Fire Up The Band scooped the five-furlong Vodafone Dash under a strong Richard Hughes front-running drive, with stablemate Peace Offering (Adrian Nicholls) a length and a half behind in second.

This was the fourth time in ten years that Dandy had landed the Dash and this year's winner now carries top weight in the Wokingham (6f) at Royal Ascot at York, a tough task.

Nicholls also had Colonel Cotton (fifth), Plateau (seventh) and Atlantic Viking (tenth) in the race, won last year by Lynda Ramsden's Bishops Court, who was hampered this time and could only beat three of the 20 home.

Gift Horse landed the Vodafone Sprint Handicap later over six furlongs, partnered by Keiren Fallon, with David Barron's Rising Shadow third (Andrew Mullen) and Dandy's son Adrian fourth on Native Title. Stablemate Danzig River chased Gift Horse about two furlongs out and looked likely to take a hand, but faded to 11th, while Continent was last after a sluggish start.

Mark Johnston sent down Nero's Return to be third under Joe Fanning in the Vodafone Mile at Epsom last Friday, when Richard Fahey's Realism was a close second in the Vodafone Rose Bowl over ten furlongs.

Nicholls had winners almost every day this week and is in great shape for the York Ascot meeting. Plateau and Lucayan Dancer both won at Chester's evening meeting, while Strike Up The Band, half brother to the Saturday Epsom winner, holds strong hopes (Norfolk or Windsor Castle) and Gift Horse is entered in the Wokingham.

Both Nicholls and Mark Johnston are not afraid to front run, and York, unlike Ascot itself, suits that style of going. Do not expect hold-up horses to prevail and look for proven form on the course, rather than at the Ascot meeting.

Johnston had but two winners, Emerald Bay and Michaels Pride, but note that they were both ridden by Kevin Darley, whom we consider one of the best jockeys for York. We do hope that Attraction has recovered from her Hong Kong trip and will be ready for the Queen Anne on Tuesday.

In the Queen Mary, we have two promising fillies, Karl Burke's Clare Hills and Vicky Haigh's Ooh Ah Camara. Owner Willie McKay had his colours carried to victory on Les Arcs at Chester this week, so should be hopeful that the latter can go close. Patrick Haslam's Kinnaird, so unlucky at The Curragh, should land the Windsor Forest, particularly if ridden closer to the pace.

Other course specialists are the Easterby family and both uncle Mick Easterby and nephew Tim Easterby have been in top form this week, while their riders Dale Gibson, Paul Mulrennan and David Allan all know their way at the Knavesmire. Tim's brother-in-law, Richard Fahey, is also in good form at present.

Tim's Somnus should land the Golden Jubilee. James Bethell's Mine hopes to recapture the Royal Hunt Cup, but his wins have all come at Ascot, Newmarket or Doncaster.

David Barker's string are in great form and Whinhill House was beaten only a head last Thursday evening at Sandown. Celtic Mill could land the Kings Stand and Brian Smart has live hopefuls in Titus Alone and Sir Xaar.

THE WEEK'S WINNERS

Thursday last week. - Haydock: Distant Times (trained by T Easterby, at Great Habton; Hb (homebred by owners or connections), owned by Times of Wigan; Lucys Lady (K Burke, Wensley; Mrs E M Burke), A Elliott (claiming 7lb); Strong Hand (M Easterby, Sheriff Hutton; Hb, Mrs J Turpin), D Gibson.

Hamilton: Woodwee (J Weymes, Coverham; Dandyjack Racing), K Darley; Brave Bear (T Easterby; W H Ponsonby), K Darley; Mezuzah (M W Easterby; The Woodford Group Ltd), P Mulrennan (3); Futoo (G Moore, Middleham; M K Roddis), J Fanning.

Friday. - Thirsk: Triskaidekaphobia (K Burke; A Rhodes Haulage Ltd), D Williams; Toss The Caber (K Reveley, Lingdale; Hb, P D Savill), T Culhane; Makcheek (T D Easterby; Mrs S Dicker), D Allan; Ice Planet (D Nicholls, Sessay; D Faulkner), P J Benson (3).

Haydock ev: Fizzlephut (T Easterby; Mr & Mrs W J Williams), F Lynch; Emerald Bay (M Johnston, Middleham; L Wosskow), K Darley; Inchnadamph (T FitzGerald, Malton; R N Cardwell), R Winston.

Saturday. - Epsom: Fire Up The Band (D Nicholls; Hb, P Crane, A Barker & S Short), R Hughes; Gift Horse (D Nicholls; Alfi & Partners), K Fallon.

Doncaster: Queen's Lodge (J Wainwright, Kennythorpe; Horses 4 Courses), T Hamilton (3); Top Dirham (M W Easterby; S Hull), D Gibson.

Sunday. - Perth NH: Farne Isle (G Harker, Wensley; Steer Arms Belton Racing Club), W Kennedy (7).

Monday. - Pontefract ev: Paradise Flight (K Ryan, Hambleton; Iona Equine & John Browne), R Winston; Lord Of The East (D Nicholls; The Wayward Lads), D McCabe.

Tuesday. - Redcar: Solo Star (J Camacho, Norton; Hb, G B Turnbull Ltd), R Ffrench; Sake (N Tinkler, Langton; Mrs L Dales), K Tinkler; Takes Tutu (K Burke; B Bagh, J Hamer, S Henshaw), S Sanders; Late Arrival (M Hammond, Middleham; Mrs A G Findlay), K Darley; Michaels Pride (M Johnston; Dalua Racing), K Darley.

Chester ev: Les Arcs (R Guest, Brancepeth; W McKay), F Norton; Plateau (D Nicholls; I Hewitson) F Norton; Lucayan Dancer (D Nicholls; J E Greaves), A Nicholls; Tedstale (K Ryan; Yorkshire Racing Club & D Blackhurst), Miss N Carberry.

Wednesday. - Beverley: Woodford Consult (M W Easterby; The Woodford Group Ltd), P Mulrennan (3); Bollin Edward (T Easterby; Hb, Sir N Westbrook), D Allan.

Hereford NH: Master Nimbus (J Quinn, Settrington; J H Hewitt), Mr T J O'Brien (7).

Market Rasen NH: Beseiged (R Fahey, Musley Bank; M Caulfield), P Whelan (3).

Hamilton ev: Original Source (H Johnson, Billy Row; Transcend Bloodstock Ltd), R Winston; Golden Spectrum (D Nicholls; T G Meynell), A Nicholls; Dark Charm (R Fahey; M A Leatham), P Hanagan; Tetragon (A Swinbank, Melsonby; W A Powrie), R Winston; Dance To My Tune (M W Easterby; Hb, R S Cockerill (Farms) Ltd), P Mulrennan (3)