MIDDLEHAM'S great success on Good Friday with the annual open day was also reflected on course, as the town's trainers had a sparkling holiday week.

Mark Johnston, who has had - for him - a quietish time of late, sent Desert Deer to Newmarket for the Sefton Stakes as we went to press last week and the northern raider was only beaten a length and a half by John Dunlop's Olden Times.

Fourth was Guy Reed's Lincoln winner, Pablo, who, with the runner-up, looks destined for greater heights.

Johnston's winner that day was at Beverley, where Hans Christian pleased Deidre Johnston, who said the colt was much stronger this year.

At Catterick, Kevin Darley rode a Johnston double, both on Maktoum Al Maktoum's homebreds, Stunning Force and Shanty Star. Epsom saw Theorist win under Dalgleish for the Kingsley House team.

Karl Burke also has his string in top form and Marcus Eile was his second juvenile winner this term, landing races at both Beverley last Wednesday and Newcastle on Easter Monday.

The Tuesday card at Gosforth Park saw a maiden win by Swift Alchemist for the Spigot Lodge trainer, but it was somewhat controversial. George Baker on Burke's runner dead-heated with John Dunlop's Bhutaina, under Richard Hills, who was judged to have failed to ride for the win and earned a 21-day ban. He is considering appealing.

George Moore sent out a first juvenile winner for the year when Iron Temptress won at Beverley, his first winner for seven weeks.

Ann Duffield has also had a thin time with last year's illness problems, but husband George rode two winners for her this week, Rifleman at Ripon and Give Him Credit at Catterick.

On the jumps front, the Middleham area also fared well. Ferdy Murphy had winners at Cheltenham, Fakenham - where Jedd O'Keeffe also added one - Huntingdon and Perth.

Micky Hammond won at Wetherby and Ben Orde-Powlett wore his father Lord Bolton's colours on Enzo De Beaune to win at Carlisle.

Malton and the Vale of York trainers also had a sparkling week. Tim Easterby won with Bourgeois at Haydock on Saturday, while uncle Mick Easterby is in cracking form.

The Sheriff Hutton handler has been joined by apprentice Paul Mulrennan, who had a first win for his new boss at Beverley on Trouble Mountain, adding a second on William's Well at Newcastle, where Tim won with Tedstale. Mick also had a Wetherby jumps double for Lord Daresbury, both ridden by Tom Greenall.

Lynda Ramsden sent Lingo down to Epsom for a winning run, while David Nicholls sent out Pax to win at Newcastle and Pays D'Amour at Catterick.

The Week's Winners

Wed last week. - Beverley: Night Market (trained by B Smart, at Hambleton; owned by P M Rose), ridden by P Scallon (claiming 3lbs); Iron Temptress (G Moore, Middleham; D Parker), J Mackay; Hans Christian (M Johnston, Middleham; Mrs R Dick), K Dalgleish; Trouble Mountain (M Easterby, Sheriff Hutton; Mrs J Turpin), P Mulrennan (5); Marcus Eile (K Burke, Wensley; D Fehan), D Williams.

Thur last week. - Ripon: Baltic Wave (D Barron, Maunby; Mrs J Hazell), J Spencer; Rifleman (A Duffield, Constable Burton; S Adamson), G Duffield.

Cheltenham NH: Tribal Venture (F Murphy, West Witton; Network Training III), D Russell.

Sat. - Haydock: Bourgeois (T Easterby, Great Habton; C H Stevens), R Winston; Miss Opulence (B Ellison, Norton; Gallant Denco Wallace Whittle), T Hamilton (5).

Carlisle NH: Montessori Mio (M Reveley, Lingdale; P D Savill), A Demspey.

Mon. - Newcastle: Marcus Eile (K Burke; D Fehan), D Williams; Tedstale (T Easterby; M J Dawson), R Winston; William's Well (M Easterby; Hb, Mr K & Mrs J Hodgson), P Mulrennan (5).

Carlisle NH: Enzo De Baune (G Harker, Wensley; Lord Bolton), B Orde-Powlett (7); Atomic Breeze, (D Forster, Heighington; trainer), R McGrath; Random Native (T FitzGerald, Malton; J Ennis), P Robson (3).

Fakenham NH: Strait Talking (J O'Keeffe, Coverham; E Rider), B Harding; Artemesia (F Murphy; Beautifully Bred Partnership), N Mulholland (3).

Huntingdon NH: Barrow (F Murphy; Janet & Myrtle), P G Hourigan.

Market Rasen NH: Beseiged (R Fahey, Butterwick; M Caulfield), T Dobbin.

Wetherby NH: Frankie Anson (M Hammond, Middleham; F Hanson), R Garritty; Noshinnanikin (M Easterby; Lord Daresbury), Mr T Greenall; Red Hustler (C Grant, Wolviston; W Raw), D Elsworth; Loop The Loup (M Reveley, Lingdale; Mr & Mrs J D Cotton), P Aspell (3); Gastornis (M Easterby; Lord Daresbury), Mr T Greenall.

Tue. - Newcastle: Consensus (M Brittain, Warthill; Northgate Lodgers), T Williams; Pax (D Nicholls, Sessay; trainer), A Greaves; Swift Alchemist (K Burke; Khalil Alsayegh), G Baker.

Wed. - Catterick: Pays D'Amour (D Nicholls; The Inglenookers), C Roche (3); Stunning Force (M Johnston, Middleham; Maktoum Al Maktoum), K Darley; Shanty Star (M Johnston; Maktoum Al Maktoum), K Darley; Give Him Credit (A Duffield; Mrs L J Tounsend), G Duffield.

Epsom: Lingo (L Ramsden, Sandhutton; Swisspartners), K Fallon; Theorist (M Johnston; Jumeirah Racing), K Dalgleish.

Perth NH: Toulon Rouge (F Murphy; Racegoers Club Owners Group), T Murphy; Hunters Tweed (P Beaumont. Stearsby; T Hemmings), R Garritty; Property Zone (C Grant; Mrs A Meller), R McGrath.