LOVE Everlasting won her first Group 3 race at Ascot on Saturday when Kevin Darley, who was in treble form, partnered Mark Johnston's runner in the Princess Royal Wilmott Dixon Stakes.

This added to the filly's three Listed wins for her owner-breeders, Gary and Lesley Middlebrook, and Johnston said she will carry on to the end of the season, possibly to run in the Prix Royal-Oak, a Group 1.

Johnston completed a double thanks to the Darryll Holland-ridden Robandela, but the trainer had flown to Milan by then for Mister Cosmi's run in the Premio Vittorio Di Capua.

Darley finished out of the frame in this race on the Middleham runner, but up in Cologne, Keith Dalgleish was second by a short head on Murghem in the Preis der Ford Werke AG, a Listed race, only losing in the last stride or two.

Darley brought up his ninth seasonal century last week - twice! On Monday last at Pontefract, a double brought up his 100, but as one was on the all-weather, it was not until Thursday that his turf ton came. York racecourse treated him to a bottle of bubbly as a result.

Footnote to Darley's "first" century, when his double included winning for John Weymes on Linden's Lady: this was the Middleham handler's tenth for the year and fiance Kirsty Buckle and he are now to marry. They have been engaged for six years and said they would set the date when Weymes won a Group race or had ten in a season.

Tomorrow's big race is the Cesarewitch at Doncaster and Mary Reveley's Tees Components is ante-post favourite, Darley up. Johnston has Double Honour and Mana D'Argent entered, with Joe Fanning and Keith Dalgleish respectively booked to ride. A fascinating contest!

York's final meeting saw Wilf Storey's Colway Ritz successful on the Thursday, while on the Friday, two Davids brought local joy.

David Chapman, master for many years of sprint races, sent out Paddywack to a good victory under Tony Culhane.

David Nicholls, who owes much of his skill as the modern sprint king to his former boss Chapman, proved again he can also train middle distance runners. The busy Suave Dancer gelding Eton landed the showcase handicap over a mile and two under another good ride by Adrian Nicholls, continuing the father and son summer success story.

Saturday was thin on the ground for local backers, but Artie (Tim Easterby) impressed in second in the Coral Eurobet Sprint. But Halmahera (Kevin Ryan) looked to be feeling the effects of his long season and couldn't finish closer than fifth.

Ayr on Monday saw a rare visit by Frankie Dettori, who rode a four-timer, including one for David Barker on Peter Asquith's homebred filly Penny Ha'penny. Richard Fahey surprised with Altay, another homebred, belonging to John Robson. Fahey also landed the Leicester maiden with Mafruz, well partnered by apprentice of the year Paul Hanagan.

Hanagan added one next day at the Scottish course for Malcolm Jefferson, while Mel Brittain had only his fifth winner this season as Erupt landed the seller.

On the jumps front, Mick Easterby is one to back in the bumper (NH flat) races, especially when he puts his amateur Gino Carenza up. Malcolm Jefferson, Mary Reveley and George Moore are also in top form.

Richard Fahey has added jumps to his Flat form and Tim Easterby notched one, too. John Wade and Howard Johnson look set for a good winter. Kate Milligan has done well this summer and Kate Walton added a Sedgefield winner.

New boy Simon Magnier, who is in Jimmy FitzGerald's second yard, sent out winners on successive days. Harry Hogarth, farmer, breeder and owner from Stillington, had his first winner as a permit holder.

Tim Walford had a lucky escape after his Hexham win with Guilsborough Gorse, as he was involved in a crash in his horsebox not far from his Sheriff Hutton base. Horse and driver were fine, while stable lass Kerry Harston suffered a broken nose.

THE WEEK'S WINNERS

Thursday last week. - York: Colway Ritz (trained by Wilf Storey, at Muggleswick; owned by Mrs M Tindale & Tom Park), ridden by Clare Roche (claiming 3lbs allowance).

Friday. - York: Eton (David Nicholls, Sessay; D Metcalf), Adrian Nicholls; Paddywack (David Chapman, Stillington; T S Redman), Tony Culhane.

Carlisle NH: Stormy Lord (John Wade, Mordon; permit holder), Tony Ross; Covent Garden (Howard Johnson, Crook; Ada Partnership), Wilson Renwick (3lbs); Amjad (Kate Milligan, Middleham; trainer), Paul Robson; Jackson's Bay (Mick Easterby, Sheriff Hutton; Hb, W H Jackson), Mr Gino Carenza (7lbs).

Saturday. - Ascot: Love Everlasting (Mark Johnston, Middleham; Hb, Mr & Mrs G Middlebrook), Kevin Darley; Robandela (M Johnston; Robert Aird), Darryll Holland.

Hexham NH: Guilsborough Gorse (Tim Walford, Sheriff Hutton; Hb, Mrs E C York), Robert Walford (5lbs); Westgate Run (Richard Fahey, Butterwick; Mark A Leatham), Padge Whelan (5lbs).

Southwell AW: Pertino (Malcolm Jefferson, Norton; W Fouracres, T Pryke & D Willis), Vinnie Keane (3lbs).

Monday. - Ayr: Altay (R Fahey; Hb, John T Robson), T Culhane; Penny Ha'penny (David Barker, Scorton; Hb, P Asquith), Frankie Dettori.

Leicester: Mafruz (R Fahey; C Rosbottom), Paul Hanagan.

Tuesday. - Ayr: Erupt (Mel Brittain, Warthill; Northgate Racing Club), Tyrone Williams; Clarinch Claymore (M Jefferson; John Donald), P Hanagan.

Sedgefield NH: Argento (George Moore, Middleham; J B Wallwin), Russ Garritty; Over The Hill (Simon Magnier, Langdale; A Hartgrove), Tom Siddall (3lbs); Jokers Charm (Norman Mason, Brancepeth; Hb, permit holder), Mr Liam McGrath (7lbs); Royal Castle (Kate Walton, Middleham; Stan Clough & Dudley Bendall), P Robson (5lbs); Keiran (Harry Hogarth, Stillington; Hogarth Racing), David O'Meara (3lbs).

Wednesday. - Tunstall (Tim Easterby, Great Habton; M J Dawson), R Garritty; Left Bank (Mary Reveley, Lingdale; C C Buckley), Alan Dempsey; Welsh Main (S Magnier; Marcus Reeder) T Siddall (3lbs); Latensaani (G Moore; Keith Nicholson), R Garritty; The Merry Mason (M Jefferson; Ashleybank Investments Ltd), Graham Lee