THE prestigious four-mile Grimethorpe Gold Cup, staged at the Middleton meeting at Whitwell on the Hill last Sunday, was won by Lord Daresbury's Shackleton (Middleton).

The odds-on favourite was patiently ridden by Oliver Greenall. He waited in midfield until closing five from home. Three from home, Primitive Rites, Victoria's Boy (J Coates/Pendle), Wings of Hope (M Stancer/Cotswold) and Shackleton were all in a line.

Victoria's Boy, ridden by David Coates, was staying on strongly, but Shackleton, trained by David Easterby, was travelling sweetly and he cruised to the front.

Victoria's Boy kept tabs on the leader, who landed two lengths clear at the last and galloped on strongly to the line for a three-length win from Victoria's Boy.

Wings of Hope was always close up and finished a further three lengths back in third under H Fowler.

Greenall and owner Lord Daresbury completed doubles when the Ian Mason-trained Duggleby (Middleton) won the first division of the Open Maiden.

Five-year-old Duggleby and Mike Sowersby's Ask Bobby (Holderness) were clear of the field three from home. A mistake at the second last by Ask Bobby handed Duggleby a decisive advantage and he kept on to the line for an impressive five-length win.

Ridden by Ben Woodhouse, Ask Bobby finished a promising second. Mighty Rising (Derwent), kept on at one pace to finish third under owner Charlotte Cundall.

The most improved pointer so far this season is Alan Jackson's Wilfie Wild (Cleveland) and he reached a season's high when getting the better of the odds-on Legendry Line (Middleton) in the Confined Hunts race.

Legendry Line, ridden by owner/trainer Serena Brotherton, went clear in front three from home with Texas Ranger, but Wilfie Wild, ridden by trainer Lynne Ward, was staying on strongly and he came through to lead after the last. Running on well, he beat Legendry Line by one and a half lengths.

Serena Brotherton had better luck in the Members race when Mister Bromley, a horse she trains for her mother, justified favouritism. Mister Bromley led five from home, but was pressed by the David Easterby-trained Kings Boy after the fourth last.

Long-time leader Duchess Account (R Brader), ridden by Emma Brader, rallied after the third last, but Mister Bromley stayed on strongly to beat King's Boy, ridden by Oliver Greenall, by two lengths with the Charlie Brader-trained Duchess Account a further length back in third.

The Brader colours were successful in the Restricted when Skew Whip (R Brader/Middleton) was a comeback winner for House of Commons invader Richard Wakeham. Skew Whip led three from home, but despite blundering at the fence it failed to slow his progress. Following up his Easter Monday win, he landed three clear at the last, a lead he increased to four lengths at the line.

Graeme Russ' Oaklands Luis (Cleveland) raced prominently and finished an impressive second.

He was two lengths in front of the Tina Jackson-trained and ridden Magic Route (H Thompson/Cleveland), who was always in the leading bunch.

Five-year-old Mr Tee Pee (Speckled Partnership/Middleton), ridden by trainer Ben Woodhouse, marked his racecourse debut by taking the first division of the two and a half-mile Maiden.

Mr Tee Pee sprinted clear after the third last, landing eight lengths clear at the last. He eased up on the flat and was four lengths clear at the line.

Maxine Stirk's Clever Nora (West of Yore) made late headway to finish a good second under Freya Hartley.

Long-time leader Born Special (P Williamson/Bilsdale) finished six lengths back in third under Nigel Smith.

The second division of the two and a half-mile Maiden went to the Roger Marley-trained Bexley (R Marley/Middleton).

Ridden by Richard Tierney, the point debutant galloped clear of the favourite Black Leopard (P Finn/Middleton) after the fourth last and was 20 lengths clear at the line.

Ridden by trainer Ben Woodhouse, Black Leopard finished second.

Closest finish of the day came in the second division of the Open Maiden between the Paul Williamson-trained Shirostran (R Hopkins/Bilsdale) and the Gill Walford-trained Polyarnoe Bay (C Spencer/Sinnington).

In a great battle to the line Shirostan, ridden by Nigel Smith, got the better of Polyarnoe Bay, ridden by Mark Walford, by a head.

* The Bedale point to point takes place on Sunday at Hornby Castle, first race 1.30.