A FAIRYTALE was expected in the Ayr Gold Cup, but it was the sorcerer David Chapman, not the apprentice David Nicholls, who was the man with the Midas touch.

Quito, partnered by Tony Culhane, landed the big race from stall ten, beating Seel Of Approval, Fire Up The Band and Fantasy Believer.

Chapman, the quiet Stillington trainer who is in his 37th season with a Flat licence, has long been known for his skill with sprinters, but had never landed the Ayr race.

Multiple winner Chaplins Club had come closest, second in 1988. His stable successor, Quito, wore the same half-blinkers on Saturday, as well as the breast girth worn by the stable star Soba, winner of the Stewards Cup in her time.

Stable jockey during Chapman's glory days of the Seventies and Eighties was David Nicholls, who later became a trainer himself and, having learned from his former mentor, has become the sprint king of the present era.

Saturday saw "Dandy" expected to land his fourth successive Ayr Gold Cup and, as usual, he saddled half a dozen runners for the race. Certainly, all the signs were auspicious at Ayr for the Sessay handler, as he won the Thursday five furlong with Brave Burt. Friday's compensation Silver Cup, for the horses balloted out of the Gold event, had a Nicholls one-two, Native Title under Joanna Badger beating Blackheath, ridden by Joe Fanning.

Last week we hoped that rain would assist Quito and John Quinn's Fantasy Believer and suggested Fire Up The Band would be best of Dandy's lot - all three repaid each-way support, the winner being best at 20-1.

Chapman joked afterwards: "I got sick of that Dandy winning year after year. I thought somebody's got to show him. This is about my biggest win. Soba won a Group Three, but this takes a bit of winning."

His former protg was one of the first to congratulate him after the race. He said: "I couldn't be more pleased. I have known him all my life and half of what I know I learned from him." And the winning jockey said: "I'm so pleased for David, I don't mind if I don't ride another winner this year. This is like winning the Derby to him."

Quito may run again tomorrow in the Toit Trifecta Handicap at Ascot. Chapman said that his winner came back in great form after Saturday, that the step up to seven furlongs would suit. He hoped for more rain at the Berkshire course and if the ground is not too fast, this could make a speedy follow-up for our northern hero.

Don Enrico Incisa's seasonal wonder Cripsey Brook was not disgraced at Newbury when an excellent third at 14-1 in the 10f handicap.

Ayr's first day gave Royston Ffrench another chance to shine for a northern trainer when he rode Xpressions for Richard Fahey. Man of the moment Joe Fanning had a double there the next day, winning for Mark Johnston on Tafaahum and Gold History. Fanning and his French winning partner of last week, Darasim, may try for the Group One Prix du Cadran at Longchamp, Johnston said this week.

Pontefract saw Emperor's Well, homebred by Mick Easterby and owners the Hodgsons out of that good old mare Catherines Well, win under Richard Quinn. Bryan Smart was also on the mark there with Atlantic Ace and followed up with Creskeld at Beverley later in the week.

At Catterick, George Duffield won for Johnston but the long odds-on Bloemfontain did not win as easily as might be expected. The Constable Burton jockey went on to take two more for "away" yards. Futoo won under Neil Pollard for George Moore and Mama Jaffa under Vince Halliday for Karl Burke to complete three for Middleham, while Dean Mernagh added a Malton winner for Andrew Turnell when partnering Little Tobias in the distance race.

Robert Winston had a Beverley double, winning for Bill Tinning on Life Is Beautiful and Smart Predator for John Quinn.

Today at Ascot, the fillies' sprint at 3.10 has an entry by James Bethell with True Magic, leading girl apprentice Lisa Jones booked. If running, this Middleham filly could spring a surprise.

In the next, the Showcase handicap, we hope Mark Johnston can win with top weight Royal Beacon.

THE WEEK'S WINNERS

Thursday last week. - Ayr: Xpressions (trained by R Fahey, at Malton; Homebred (Hb) & owned by J C Parsons), ridden by R Ffrench; Brave Burt (D Nicholls, Sessay; Lucayan Stud), R Hughes.

Pontefract: Emperor's Well (M Easterby, Sheriff Hutton; Hb, K Hodgson & Mrs J Hodgson), R Quinn; Atlantic Ace (B Smart, Hambleton; R Page), P Scallon.

Friday last week. - Ayr: Tafaahum (M Johnston, Middleham; Hamdan Al Maktoum), J Fanning; Native Title (D Nicholls; O McKenna), J Badger; Gold History (M Johnston; Abdulla Buhaleeba), J Fanning.

Sat. - Ayr: Quito (D Chapman, Stillington; M Hill), T Culhane.

Catterick: Bloemfontain (M Johnston; Sheikh Mohammed), G Duffield; Mama Jaffa (K Burke, Wensley; Mrs M Bryce), V Halliday; Futoo (G Moore, Middleham; M K Roddis), N Pollard; Little Tobias (A Turnell, Malton; Mrs C Hollowood), D Mernagh.

Mon. - No DST area winners.

Tue. - Beverley: Life Is Beautiful (B Tinning, Thornton-le-Clay; W A & Mrs J Tinning), R Winston; Creskeld (B Smart; Creskeld Racing), D Holland; Smart Predator (J Quinn, Settrington; Hb, B Shaw), R Winston; Melodian (M Brittain, Warthill; Hb, trainer), T Williams.

Wed. - Perth NH: Tagar (C Grant, Wolviston; Lord Daresbury), Mr T Greenall (claiming 7lbs); Xaipete (R Guest, Brancepeth; N B Mason), Mr L McGrath (5)