COMPLETING four Group 1 victories in a season, and running on ground that was not ideal last Saturday, Attraction was tagged "the best horse I've ever trained" by her trainer, Mark Johnston.

Adding the Sun Chariot to her British and Irish Guineas brace and the Coronation Stakes, the filly with the so-called bad legs ran one of the most exciting races of the year.

The Duke of Roxburghe's Efisio filly, bred by him at his Floors stud, landed the Newmarket race in typical gutsy fashion. Kevin Darley, who afterwards called her "better than sliced bread" and "an amazing filly", and the trainer had done their homework beforehand, walking the course to find the best ground on a day when good to soft - remember she failed in France in the mud - was the case for most of the track.

Darley cut out the pace and, as soon as allowed, tracked over to the far rail, pursued by the other four. Celebration Mile winner Chic, trained by Sir Michael Stoute and partnered by champion Kieren Fallon, came to her a furlong out and looked likely to prevail. But the Middleham star battled on to win by a thrilling neck.

Johnston wondered what might have been if the ground had allowed him to run her over seven, or even six, furlongs this season and the delighted jockey said she would be stronger next year. She is due to go home to Floors about now, for a well-earned rest.

At Longchamp the same afternoon, Gateman was a valiant and close-up second in the Prix Dollar, a Group 2 race, partnered by Thierry Jarnet.

David Barron and Tim Easterby were the only local winners at Redcar's big meeting that day and, in the evening, Wolverhampton re-opened with a floodlit meeting on its new Polytrack surface. Richard Fahey took a quick double, ridden by man-of-the-moment Paul Hanagan. The jockey was injured on Monday when riding out for his boss, but hopes to be fit to ride at York today.

Catterick saw wins for John Quinn, David Nicholls, David Chapman and Nigel Tinkler. Dale Gibson, in his best-ever season, took a couple for Scottish trainers. Kevin Darley injured his foot coming out of the stalls in the second and gave up his remaining rides, while young Joanna Badger suffered a suspected fractured collarbone in a fall in the mile and a half race.

On the jumps front, Keith Reveley sent out his first NH winner since taking over from his mother Mary, to add to his recent Flat first, and rapidly made it two on Sunday when Hernando's Way at Kelso and Golden Odyssey at Market Rasen did the business.

Graham Lee is the man to follow and looks set for a fabulous winter, following his summer successes. He won for trainers as varied as Micky Hammond (twice) and Andrew Turnell, but the best was at Chepstow for Howard Johnson on Dalarim, another of Graham and Andrea Wylie's big buys.

Richard McGrath took a Kelso double, riding for Reveley and Kate Walton. Amateur Tom Greenall won twice for Mick Easterby during the week.

THE WEEK'S WINNERS

Friday last week. - Hexham NH: Freedom Now (trained by M Hammond, at Middleham; owned by F Hanson), ridden by G Lee; Allegedly Red (A Duffield, Constable Burton; Mrs L J Tounsend & S & G Scaffolding), K Mercer (claiming 7lb allowance); Gary's Pimpernel (M Easterby, Sheriff Hutton; Lord Daresbury), Mr T Greenall (5); Honest Endeavour (M Jefferson, Norton; W Butterworth & T Pryke), F King (3); Arctic Echo (A Swinbank, Melsonby; Hb (homebred by owner or connections) R P Dineen), D Costello (7).

Sat. - Newmarket: Attraction (M Johnston, Middleham; Hb, Duke of Roxburghe), K Darley.

Redcar: Mistress Twisted (D Barron, Maunby; D Scott), P Fessey; Go Tech (T Easterby, Great Habton; Ryedale Partners No 4), D Allan.

Chepstow NH: Dalarim (H Johnson, Crook; A & G Wylie), G Lee.

Wolverhampton ev: Riska King (R Fahey, Musley Bank; Market Avenue Racing Club Ltd), P Hanagan; Boppys Princess (R Fahey; Hb, Mrs S Bond), P Hanagan.

Sun. - Kelso NH: Hernando's Way (K Reveley, Lingdale; Crack of Dawn Partnership), R McGrath; Manbow (M Hammond; Hope Springs Eternal), G Lee; Wildfield Rufo (K Walton, Middleham; Mrs C Holroyd), R McGrath.

Market Rasen NH: Golden Odyssey (K Reveley; Hb, Sir R Ogden), T McCoy; Caulkleys Bank (M Easterby; S Hull), Mr T Greenall (5).

Mon. - Windsor: Hanseatic League (M Johnston; Sheikh Mohammed), F Dettori.

Tue. - Catterick: Harrys House (J Quinn, Settrington; Hb, N Bulmer), R Winston; Sessay (D Nicholls, Sessay; D & J Clee), A Nicholls; On The Trail (D Chapman, Stillington; J W Chapman), P Makin (3); Wesborough (N Tinkler, Langton; Mr Vennin, Mr Parks & Mr Raybould), K Tinkler.

Huntington NH: Kew Jumper (A Turnell, Malton; Robinson Webstar (Holdings) Ltd), G Lee.

Wed. - No DST winners.