IT ended on Saturday at Sandown and Perth, and started again on Sunday at Wetherby - although you might be forgiven for not spotting it! The National Hunt season, that is.

And Graham Lee with Howard Johnson so nearly pulled off a fourth top jumps win for our area, setting off favourite in the seasonal big finale, the Betfred (formerly Whitbread) Gold Cup Chase with Scotmail Boy, who ran well and gave us great hopes, only to be pulled up and found lame. The 11-year-old was retired afterwards to go to owner George Tobbitt's home in Surrey.

The Esher course, with both jumps and Flat, blends the best of British racing at this meeting each year. Friday saw Lord Bolton's son, Ben Orde-Powlett, finish second on Enzo De Baune, trained by Geoff Harker.

The winner was champion Tony McCoy on the champion trainer Martin Pipe's Mondial, who only beat our northern raider three parts of a length.

On the level, Mark Johnston sent out Fielden Stakes winner Gold History to contest the Betfred Classic Trial, but the youngster could only finish third.

Johnston - helped by the Ripon racecourse officials - won all hearts by galloping 1,000 Guineas entrant Attraction between races.

ALL THE WINNERS

Thursday of last week. - Beverley: Why Harry (trained by J Quinn, at Settrington; owned by D Bloy), ridden by R Winston; Imperialistic (K Burke, Wensley; Bigwigs Bloodstock), K Dalgleish; Megan's Magic (W Storey, Muggleswick; S Howard & T Peters), J Bramhill.

Perth NH: Merryvale Man (K Key, Knaresborough; owned by Miss K Key, bred by A Symons Key), D McGann (claiming 7lbs allowance); Sir Storm (G Moore, Middleham; J R F (Management Consultants) Ltd), A Ross.

Friday. - Perth NH: Cyborg De Sou (G Harker, Wensley; J J Maguire), N Hannity (3 lbs); Hermes III (M Easterby, Sheriff Hutton; The Grand National Racing Club), Mr T Greenall (3).

Warwick banded H races, ev: Courant D'Air (P Haslam, Middleham; M T Buckley), G Faulkner.

Saturday. - Ripon: High Voltage (K Burke; Mrs K Halsall), D Williams; Hills Of Gold (M Easterby; G Hart, D Scott & G Sparkes), K Darley.

Market Rasen NH: Sister Anna (T Walford, Sheriff Hutton; A Preston), R Walford (3); Pornic (A Crook, Middleham; J Sinclair (Haulage) Ltd), Mr O Nelmes (7).

Haydock ev: Zoom Zoom (L Stubbs, Malton; D Thurlby), R Winston; Commitment Lecture (M Dods, Piercebridge; Mrs B Riddell), W Supple.

Wolverhampton AW ev: Daring Affair (K Burke; Homebred (Hb) by trainer and owner, N Shields). G Faulkner.

Sunday. - Wetherby NH: Giuliani (H Johnson, Crook; J R McAleese), G Lee; Comfortable Call (H Alexander, Hanging Grimston; P J Dixon), J P Byrne (3); Powder Creek (M Reveley, Lingdale; T M McKain), A Thornton.

Monday. - Hamilton: King Revo (P Haslam; D Renwick & Mrs C Barclay), G Faulkner.

Wolverhampton AW: Mizhar (J Quinn; A Page), R Winston.

Windsor ev: Lincoln Dancer (D Nicholls, Sessay; The Gardening Partnership), P Dobbs.

Newcastle ev: Mr Wolf (D Barker, Scorton; Hb, P Asquith), L Enstone (3); Raymond's Pride (K Ryan, Hambleton; Hb, R E Robinson), T Eaves (5); Next Flight (R Barr, Seamer; M O'Hair), R Fitzpatrick.

Tuesday. - Lingfield AW bnd H ev: Grand View (J Weymes, Coverham; Sporting Occasions), D Holland.

Southwell AW bnd H: Sunnyside Royale (R Bastiman, Cowthorpe; S Durkin, P Earnshaw & J Greenan), R Ffrench; Maromito (R Bastiman; Mrs P Bastiman), H Bastiman; Saros (B Smart, Hambleton; Pinnacle Desert Sun Partnership), F Lynch.

Wednesday. - Pontefract: King's Gait (T Easterby, Great Habton; Hb?, Mrs E J Willis), D Allan (3); Rocinante (J Quinn; Mrs M Taylor), R Winston; Woody Valentine (M Johnston, Middleham; Favourites Racing), S Chin; Master Wells (J Bethell, Middleham; J Ellison Lund), C Catlin; Jake Black (J Quinn; G A Lucas), D Tudhope.

Kelso NH ev: Bernardon (R Guest, Brancepeth; The Macca & Growler Partnership), H Oliver.