FOR the second successive year Grant Tuer owned, trained and rode the winner of the four-mile Grimethorpe Gold Cup, the feature race of last Sunday's Middleton point to point at Whitwell on the Hill.

The ten-year-old favourite Sad Mad Bad (Hurworth) was given a splendid ride by Tuer. They waited patiently in mid-field, crept ever closer in the final mile before moving smoothly up to challenge Doran's Magic (Pendle) and Mighty Willing four from home.

Showing an impressive turn of foot, Sad Mad Bad moved into a clear lead after the third last. The Annabelle Armitage-trained and ridden Doran's Magic appeared to weaken, but Nick Bannister's horse rallied again after the second last and looked as if he might mount a challenge approaching the last.

But Sad Mad Bad produced another fine leap and stayed on strongly to record a six-length win. Doran's Magic ran a fine race to finish second, four lengths in front of Cherry Coward's Clonshire Paddy (Middleton).

Making late headway for Tom Greenall, he was staying on well at the end and deprived Somerset raider I Am Said I of the minor placing.

Sad Mad Bad's win completed a double for Tuer after a win by Golden Chimes (Hurworth) in a very competitive Confined Hunts race.

Golden Chimes and the David Pipe-trained Canterbury Jack (P Finn/Middleton) disputed the lead five from home, but the former was always travelling well and went clear three from home.

Staying on strongly, Golden Chimes was never threatened in the closing stages as he recorded a six-length win. Canterbury Jack, ridden by Ashley Farrant, finished second, with the John Cranage-trained Chaos Theory (R Burridge/Sinnington), carrying the colours made famous by Desert Orchid, making late headway under David Thomas to finish third.

A good standard Restricted race went to Willie Bethell's Dolphin Square (Holderness), ridden by the very talented Niall Saville.

David Pipe's Somerset stable sent up the strongly-fancied Euwiluwil (P Finn/Middleton) for this contest. Ridden by Ashley Farrant, Euwiluwil was joined by Dolphin Square at the second last. Timing his challenge to perfection, Saville soon had Dolphin Square in front.

They held a three-length lead at the last and that advantage was extended to four lengths at the line. The Nicky Wilson-owned and trained Hellodock (Middleton) made a promising return after a lengthy absence, finishing strongly under Ben Woodhouse to deny Euwiluwil second place.

Oliver Greenall picked up his first winner when partnering the David Easterby-trained Scottish Roots to victory in the Members. The race developed into a battle between Scottish Roots and another Easterby inmate, Highfields, ridden by the winning jockey's elder brother Tom Greenall.

The pair disputed the lead two from home, but Scottish Roots was thriving on the soft ground. He shot clear approaching the last and maintained a strong gallop to record an eight-length win over the favourite Highfields.

First leg of the Young Horses Maiden went to John Wade's Devils Perk (South Durham). Ridden by Trevor Glass, who was recording the first leg of a double, he pulled clear of the very promising Search Party (Middleton), trained and owned by Trish Russell, on the run to the last.

Ridden by Simon Walker, Search Party finished second, 12 lengths clear of the Mary Sowersby-trained Civil Gent, who kept on well for Guy Brewer.

Glass completed his double when Graeme Russ's Oakland Luis won the first division of the Confined Maiden. Oaklands Luis made most until looking beaten when Maria Myco's Forty Shakes (South Durham), ridden by Lee Bates, took it up two from home.

But, as Forty Shakes tired coming to the last, a fine leap by Oaklands Luis handed him the advantage and he kept on for a one-length win.

The mare Samonia saw another of her offspring successful when John Barker's Sams Way (Hurworth) took the second division of the Confined Maiden. Sams Way went clear two from home and stayed on well for a three-length win. Rising Talisker (O Dukes/York & Ainsty) kept on to take second.

The second division of the Young Horses Maiden went to John Cornforth's Karinga Leap (York & Ainsty), ridden by Phillip Cornforth.

l There is plenty of point to point action over Easter. The Bedale meeting takes place tomorrow at Hornby Castle, first race 1.30, and on Easter Monday the Staintondale takes place at Charm Park, first race 2pm.