EPSOM glory went, not unnaturally, to Kieren Fallon, who landed the Derby on the English-trained Kris Kin, but our glory boys were Mark Johnston and David Nicholls.

The Middleham trainer, who has been in amazing form of late, won the Listed Woodcote Stakes and the Group 3 Diomed on Saturday. Kevin Darley partnered Parkview Love in the former, a furiously paced six furlongs which Johnston's winner led nearly all the way.

Keith Dalgleish, who is riding out of his skin at present, pressed the leader most of the way and took command on Gateman at about the two furlong pole, staying on in game style in the Diomed.

The nine-year-old had won at Epsom as a juvenile and clearly its undulations suit the Kingsley House toughie. Johnston said he will ultimately run the Arlington Million.

Dandy Nicholls lived up to his nickname again as Seb Sanders landed the 5f Vodaphone Dash, another Listed race, on David Faulkner's Atlantic Viking. This earned an 8lb penalty for the Wokingham at Royal Ascot next week. Nicholls had won this fast and furious race in 1997 with Ya Malak and last year with Rudi's Pet.

The Sessay trainer was, as is often the case, mob-handed for the 6f handicap later. Loyal Tycoon won, under son Adrian Nicholls, with stable-mates Onlytime Will Tell (Sanders) and Watching (Tony Eaves) not far back in second and beaten a short head for third respectively. How does a poor punter choose? Only back one, back all will suit!

Mind you, the writing was on the wall in more lowly, but very friendly, circles on Friday, when Nicholls took two on the card. This, of course, was Oaks day in Surrey and Richard Fahey nearly landed the 10f handicap with Danelor, caught close home. Johnston's Bandari and Zindabad were in the prize money if defeated in fourth and fifth respectively in the Coronation Cup.

Johnston had winners at Haydock on Friday evening, another useful looking winner for Swiss owner Markus Graff, Financial Future. Royston ffrench had the ride, while Dalgleish won for his boss on Stagecoach Ruby at Redcar and Venetian Pride at Hamilton on Saints and Sinners night.

The yard has a clutch of entries for Royal Ascot, including Pearl Of Love and Jebel Suraaj, which is also listed for the Yorkshire Rated Stakes at York tomorrow, along with Cake It Easy. Both have a strong chance, as does Fisio Therapy if running at Sandown in tomorrow's opener, and both races are televised.

Tim Easterby also has Royal Ascot entries aplenty and has continued his excellent form, with Roman Mistress and Gladys Aylward winning at Haydock and Catterick respectively on Friday, a Willie Supple-ridden Haydock double on Derby day (Louisiade and Tough Love) and a Doncaster victory to make it three across the country when Richard Hills partnered Danesmead.

Mick Easterby keeps springing surprises, including Blue Spinnaker at Doncaster, Acomb at Redcar and Strong Hand at Hamilton.

Robert Winston, who has got back on the winning trail after his brief break from race riding, has landed wins for Malton area trainers Linda Stubbs, Julie Camacho - a welcome success after a long absence - and John Wainwright.

Others from the same neck of the woods to score this week included John Quinn and James Hetherton, while Brian Ellison won a chase at Perth with the versatile Torrid Kentavr.

Kim Tinkler can still conjure a tune out of Don Enrico's McGillycuddy Reeks and did so again at Catterick, while Karl Burke took the last on Wednesday night at Hamilton when Tetragon won under Darren Williams. Former champion rider Emily Jones had a first ride for David Barron on Blakeset, landing the amateurs' sprint.

Tomorrow, lady amateurs have their chance at York in the Queen Mother's Cup (C4). Among the entries of note are Brian Ellison's Court Of Appeal, ridden by daughter Lorraine, and Mick Easterby's Sporting Gesture, with Sarah Brotherton booked. One which could spring a surprise is Karl Burke's Party Ploy, to be ridden by Kelly Harrison. Lynda Ramsden's daughter Emma has a ride, as does Middleham's Carole Williams.

THE WEEK'S WINNERS

Thursday of last week. - Haydock: Roman Mistress (trained by T Easterby, at Great Habton; owned by W H Ponsonby), ridden by K Darley; Cute Cait (L Stubbs, Malton; D Thurlby), R Winston.

Perth NH: Torrid Kentavr (B Ellison, Norton; B Sandhu & Partners), V Keane.

Fri. - Catterick: Gladys Aylward (T Easterby; Mrs J P Connew), D Allan (claiming 3lbs); Ballybunion (D Nicholls, Sessay; I Blakey, M Gosse, D Nicholls), A Nicholls; McGillycuddy Reeks (Don Enrico Incisa; trainer), K Tinkler; Jubilee Street (D Nicholls; D Holdsworth & J A McMahon), L Treadwell (3).

Haydock ev: Financial Future (M Johnston, Middleham; M Graff), R ffrench; Lauro (J Camacho, Norton; Shangri-La Racing Club), R Winston.

Sat. - Epsom: Parkview Love (M Johnston; C Nicholson), K Darley; Gateman (M Johnston; A Holder, Daily Mail), K Dalgleish; Atlantic Viking (D Nicholls; D Faulkner), S Saunders; Loyal Tycoon (D Nicholls; M A J Hall & Mrs M Hall), A Nicholls.

Doncaster: Danesmead (T Easterby; S Dicker, H Lowrey & S Tindall), R Hills; Blue Spinnaker (M Easterby, Sheriff Hutton; G H Sparkes & G C Hart), P Mulrennan (5).

Haydock: Louisiade (T Easterby; Mr & Mrs W J Williams), W Supple; Tough Love (T Easterby; The Gordon Partnership), W Supple.

Mon. - Southwell AW: Hov (J Quinn, Settrington; G A Lucas), L Fletcher (5).

Tue. - Redcar: Stagecoach Ruby (M Johnston; Hb, Mrs J Conroy), K Dalgleish; Acomb (M Easterby; G W Pritchard-Gordon), D Gibson.

Wed. - Beverley: Ivory Bay (J Hetherton, Malton; trainer), J Quinn; Le Meridien (J Wainwright, Kennythorpe; trainer), R Winston.

Hamilton ev: Blakeset (D Barron, Maunby; N Shields), Miss E Jones; Venetian Pride (M Johnston; Maktoum Al Maktoum), K Dalgleish; Strong Hand (M Easterby; Hb, Mrs J Turpin), D Gibson; Tetragon (K Burke, Wensley; I Bartlett), D Williams.