THEY said it couldn't be done, that horses drawn high in the John Smith's Cup on Saturday could not possibly win. But Arcalis, at a rewarding 20-1 and drawn in stall 18, did just that under a finely-timed Robert Winston ride for racing's newest and perhaps nicest patrons, Graham and Andrea Wylie.

Trainer Howard Johnson is best known for his exploits in the jumping game and, as readers are well aware, has put together a cracking string of jumpers for the millionaire owners, whose sale of the Sage software company has funded their new hobby. That was not enough, though, and they have also amassed several Flat prospects.

Northern memories are long, and those of us who remembered Mr Confusion's win from the unfavoured high draw of 14 in 1992 for Steve Norton when ridden by Ollie Pears, were on the Johnson-Wylie star.

Bought from Lynda Ramsden's yard privately, Arcalis was destined for hurdling, but the team decided to take in some Flat races on the way.

Winston is in a superb streak of form presently and was completing a double on the day, having also won the John Smith's Extra Cold Sprint handicap earlier on Pieter Brueghel for David Nicholls, a first York win for local owner David Faulkner.

On Friday, Winston won the first on the card for Tim Easterby, partnering Artie, and on Saturday night he added a win for Tim FitzGerald up at Hamilton. On Monday at Ayr, he won for John Weymes on Gold Card.

Dandy Nicholls had won the Ascot seven-furlong event on Friday, when Darryll Holland partnered True Night. Holland had a bad fall on Sunday at Bath and spent some time on the sidelines this week. Nicholls' son Adrian was in the plate for the Chester Listed race on Saturday, another big win for the Sessay team. Fire Up The Band disappointed in the July Cup last week, but took the City Wall Stakes well.

There was no fairytale for Lynda Ramsden's Bishops Court, winner of this race twice in the past and also runner-up twice. He could only finish seventh and afterwards was found to have blood coming from his nose, a possible indication of a lung problem.

Richard Fahey's Opening Ceremony was also on the Chester scorecard, and he also sent out Boppys Princess to win at Beverley, another success for polished apprentice Tony Hamilton. Lynda Ramsden had her first winner for 45 days thanks to new Brazilian jockey Leandro Goncalves, 22. This was his first win since coming to Britain and only his fifth racecourse ride over here, although he has landed 218 wins in Brazil.

Mark Johnston has sent out several good youngsters again, some partnered by Royston Ffrench, while Joe Fanning took a double for him on Friday at York.

David Barron was also on the York scorecard, also winning at Hamiton, Haydock and Catterick, where Tancred Times scored her 15th win for local trainer David Barker.

The Week's Winners

Thursday of last week. - Warwick: I'm So Lucky (trained by M Johnston, at Middleham; owned by Mrs S J Brookhouse), ridden by R Ffrench.

Friday. - York: Artie (T Easterby, Great Habton; A Arton), R Winston; Blonde Streak (D Barron, Maunby; Mrs L Jones), K Darley; Carte Diamond (M Johnston; Mr & Mrs Heywood & Mr & Mrs Bovingdon), J Fanning; Elliots World (M Johnston; Atlantic Racing Ltd), J Fanning.

Ascot: True Night (D Nicholls, Sessay; Benton & Partners), D Holland.

Saturday. - York: Pieter Brueghel (D Nicholls; D Faulkner), R Winston; Arcalis (H Johnson, Crook; A & G Wylie), R Winston.

Chester: Opening Ceremony (R Fahey, Musley Bank; H Hurst), L Vickers; Fire Up The Band (D Nicholls; P Crane, A Barker & S Short), A Nicholls.

Nottingham: Generous Option (M Johnston; Maktoum Al Maktoum), R Ffrench.

Hamilton ev: Mickledor (M Dods, Piercebridge; Homebred (HB), D B Stanley & G C Stanley), M Howard; Speed Dial Harry (K Burke, Wensley; N Shields), D Williams; Wahoo Sam (D Barron; C A Washbourn), P Makin (claiming 5lb); Inchnadamph (T FitzGerald, Norton; R N Cardwell), R Winston.

Sunday. - Stratford NH: Looking Down (P Haslam, Middleham; Middleham Park Racing), T McCoy; Nocatee (P Haslam; Middleham Park Racing & Middleham Turf), B Keniry.

Haydock: Silverhay (D Barron; D Rutter, P Huntbach), K Fallon; Jimmy Byrne (B Ellison, Norton; K Middleton), T Eaves (3).

Monday. - Ayr: Shamardal (M Johnston; Abdulla Buhaleeba), J Fanning; Party Play (K Burke; Hb, I A McInnes), D Williams; Gold Card (J Weymes, Coverham; Mrs R L Heaton), R Winston.

Southwell ev AW: Downland (N Tinkler, Langton; A Graham), K Tinkler; Queen Of Night (D Chapman, Stillington; M Hill), T Culhane.

Tuesday. - Beverley: Fairlie (L Ramsden, Sandhutton; Hb, L C & Mrs A E Sigsworth), L Goncalves; Fairgame Man (J Wainwright, Kennythorpe; Mrs P Wake), G Parkin; Clarinch Claymore (M Jefferson, Norton; J Donald), T Eaves (3); Boppys Princess (R Fahey; Hb, Mrs S Bond), T Hamilton.

Wednesday. - Catterick: Lamh Eile (D Barron; Hb, Oghill House Stud), N Mackay (3); Tancred Times (D Barker, Scorton; trainer), L Enstone (3).

Kempton ev: Red Romeo (A Swinbank, Melsonby; J Yates), K Fallon.