THE great weather imp, whose mischief seems to strike racing at this time of the year without fail, sent so much rain last week that many meetings were off through the sheer volume of water.

Not content with a week of squelch, on came the frost, snow and other seasonal stuff.

Catterick, Wetherby, Hexham...the list of cancellations was long and even the so-called all-weather was affected.

Wolverhampton on Monday found that the Fibresand had lumps of ice and was called off. Trainers and owners were angry and called for the surface to be stripped and replaced - and today's action there was in doubt as we went to press.

One of the casualties of the wintry weather was Haydock, where the starter Gerry Scott was to have had his last day's work before his 65th birthday on Sunday. There was even a bumper in his honour, but alas that was not to be.

Scott, who lives not far from Masham, is well remembered for his days as Capt Neville Crump's jockey and is the only man to have won a Grand National - including on Merryman III in 1960 - and to have also started the great race - in 1999. Everyone in North Yorkshire - and well beyond - will join us, we are sure, in wishing him well in his retirement.

Before the great freeze, Peter Niven sent out his second winner as a trainer when Talarive followed up last week's Leicester success at Ayr. Niven paid tribute to Richard Fahey for his help in this early part of his training career.

Ferdy Murphy and stable jockey Davy Russell continued their good week as Native Legend landed the three-mile hurdle, revelling in the testing ground.

On the all-weather tracks, David Nicholls sent out an early new year double when Franny Norton partnered two, Arpeggio - thwarting Ann Stokell's Flying Treaty in a repeat win bid - and Loyal Tycoon. This was at Southwell's meeting on Thursday last.

Brian Ellison, with Ronnie From Donnie, and James Hetherton, with Dash Of Magic, added Malton area wins there too.

Saturday at the same course saw Mark Johnston open his 2003 account with a Joe Fanning-ridden double, Herne Bay landing the maiden over 11 furlongs and Miss Holly taking the second division of the handicap over the same trip.

Division one went to the versatile Richard Fahey runner, Inch Perfect, fit from hurdling, with Paul Hanagan up.

Karl Burke's Golden Brief took his seventh Lingfield win over seven furlongs on Tuesday, but for the first time with apprentice Darren Williams aboard.

At the Surrey course on Wednesday, punters were incensed when the stewards disqualified Fahey's Altay from a four-lengths win and placed the Yorkshire runner last.

Paul Hanagan, who edged left at the home bend and interfered with Neil Callan's mount, Waverley Road, was judged to have done so deliberately. The move was considered "irresponsible riding of a major nature" because Callan's mount interfered in turn with two other runners.

Hanagan was stood down for six days (January 17-23) and he and the trainer are considering an appeal.

On the better news front from the track, Patrick Haslam continued his usual annual early winners when Tuscarora landed the claimer under young Lee Enstone.

THE WEEK'S WINNERS

Thursday last week. - Ayr: Talarive (trained by Peter Niven, at Malton; owned by Ian G M Dalgleish), ridden by Tony Dobbin; Native Legend (Ferdy Murhpy, West Witton; J D Gordon), Davy Russell.

Southwell AW: Ronnie From Donny (Brian Ellison, Norton; Keith Middleton), Dane O'Neill; Arpeggio (David Nicholls, Sessay; HE Lhendup Dorji), Franny Norton; Loyal Tycoon (D Nicholls; Michael A J Hall & Mrs Mandy Hall), F Norton; Dash Of Magic (James Hetherton, Malton; 21st Century Racing), Chris Catlin.

Friday. - No DST area winners.

Saturday. - Southwell AW: Inch Perfect (Richard Fahey, Butterwick; Exors of the late T P Staunton), Paul Hanagan; Herne Bay (Mark Johnston, Middleham; Roy Clemons), Joe Fanning; Miss Holly (M Johnston; Mrs B Ramsden), J Fanning.

Monday. - No DST area winners.

Tuesday. - Lingfield AW: Golden Brief (Karl Burke, Coverham; Hb, John Kelsey-Fry), Darren Williams (claiming 3lbs appr allowance).

Wednesday. - Lingfield AW: Tuscarora (Patrick Haslam, Middleham; Middleham Park Racing XVIII), Lee Enstone (3lbs)