ATTRACTION, the dual Guineas-winning filly last summer, lived up to her name and was the main draw at Middleham's open day on Good Friday, and as if to underline his prowess on the level for the town, her trainer Mark Johnston has set off with a bang this turf season.

Is nothing sacred? In years past, Doncaster was the traditional curtain raiser for that season, but this year, Kempton marked the start on Saturday - although we had no winners there - and the Yorkshire course's annual first meeting is yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Further, the Middleham trainers' open day is threatened because next year, there may be racing on Good Friday and it is not likely busy trainers can open their stables and get their horses to the track at the same time.

However, the town looks set to star in the season ahead. Johnston sent out a double at Musselburgh on Sunday, both partnered by Kevin Darley.

Swift Sailor won the staying handicap and will improve, while Alrafidain, a Derby entry, took the mile and a half maiden race with the rest 15 lengths behind. Newly appointed assistant trainer Jock Bennett, formerly with Bill Watts at Richmond, said this holds impressive entries.

Pontefract saw another Johnston double, Richard Hills donning the Hamdan Al Maktoum silks on Takhmin and Joe Fanning in the saddle on Nero's Return for Christine Budden. Also on the mark were Michael Dods with Bundy, partnered by Tom Eaves, and Richard Fahey with Danelor, Paul Hanagan up.

Both these young men should have a good summer, but one top face we won't see riding again is senior pilot George Duffield, who announced his retirement recently.

Also missing will be our leading lady rider, Alex Greaves, who began as an amateur, moved from her soubriquet "Queen of the Sand" gained at Southwell, to Group 1 success on the turf.

Starting her career with David Barron, she led the way for other women riders and never had the outside rides she deserved. In the memorable dead heat with Kevin Darley, she landed Group success at York with Ya Malak and as her husband David Nicholls said, if she had been a lad, her career would have taken off then.

She has lost her battle with the scales and has decided to concentrate on assisting her trainer husband with their Sessay training operation. They got off the mark on Sunday at Musselburgh with Hamaasy, ridden by Dandy's son Adrian Nicholls.

Alan Munro, who has returned to race riding in Britain, partnered Angelofthenorth to win there for James Bethell.

On the jumps front, it was very much business as usual for the Howard Johnson-Graham Lee-Graham and Andrea Wylie team. Tuesday last saw them with a double, while Lee sandwiched a winner for Micky Hammond in between, adding another for the Middleham handler at Carlisle on Saturday.

Lee is on the horns of a dilemma and was to chose yesterday which mount he will ride in the Grand National, Amberleigh House, on which he won last year for Ginger McCain and which is ante-post favourite or thereabouts, or Grey Abbey from his boss Johnson's stable. The trainer has built two National style fences and Lee was due to school Grey Abbey over them as we went to press before making up his mind.

Richard Guest had a cracking week, with wins for owner Paul Beck at Carlisle, three on Monday at Fakenham and Huntingdon, where Keith Reveley was also in double form. The jockeys riding doubles for them were, respectively, Henry Oliver and Jim Crowley.

THE WEEK'S WINNERS

Tues last week. - Wetherby NH: Rogues Gallery (Howard Johnson, Billy Row; Andrea & Graham Wylie), Graham Lee; Manbow (Micky Hammond, Middleham; Hope Springs Eternal), G Lee; Rayshan (JH Johnson; A&G Wylie), G Lee; Lord Rodney (Peter Beaumont, Brandsby; Eslip Racing), Russ Garritty; Wildfield Rufo (Kate Walton, Middleham; Mrs Carol Holroyd), P Buchanan (claiming 3lbs allowance); Abragante (Robert Woodhouse, Welburn; PJ Finn), Paul Flynn.

Lingfield AW: He's A Rocket (Karl Burke, Wensley; Spigot Lodge Partnership), Franny Norton.

Wed and Thurs last week. - No DST area winners. Fri. - No racing.

Sat. - Wolverhampton AW: Sir Bond (Bryan Smart, Hambleton; RC Bond), Fergal Lynch); Cleveland Way (Declan Carroll, Warthill; D Hardy), Daniel Tudhope (3)/

Carlisle NH: Fair Spin (MD Hammond; Mrs Lynn Thomas ), G Lee; Pendle Forest (Richard Fahey, Musley Bank; Hb (homebred by owner or connection), Mrs Linda Miller), JA McCarthy; Flintoff (Richard Guest, Brancepeth; Andrew Flintoff & Paul Beck), PC O' Neill (7).

Haydock NH: Black Smoke (RC Guest; R&H Burridge & Bard Entertainments Ltd), L McGrath (3).

Sun. - Musselburgh: Swift Sailor (Mark Johnston, Middleham; Hb. Maktoum Al Maktoum), Kevin Darley; Hamaasy (David Nicholls, Sessay; Hb, Mrs MS Treversham), Adrian Nicholls; Alrafadain (M Johnston; Hamdan Al Maktoum), K Darley; Angelofthenorth (James Bethell, Coverham; J Hamilton), Alan Munro.

Mon. - Fakenham NH: Tiger Talk (RC Guest; Paul Beck), Henry Oliver; Caribbean Cove (RC Guest; Paul Beck), H Oliver; Makeabreak (RA Fahey; trainer), L Fletcher.

Huntingdon NH: Grand Manner (Keith Reveley, Lingdale; ME Foxton), Jim Crowley; Page Point (RC Guest; Paul Beck), Sean Fox; Brave Rebellion (KG Reveley; Cristiana's Crew), J Crowley.

Tues. - Pontefract: Takhmin (M Johnston; Hamdan Al Maktoum), Richard Hills; Bundy (Michael Dods, Piercebridge; AJ Henderson), Tom Eaves (3); Nero's Return (M Johnston; Mrs Christine E Budden), Joe Fanning; Danelor (RA Fahey; Mark A Leatham), Paul Hanagan.

Wed. - No DST area winners.