AS the jumps season closes Norman Mason nearly pulled off another coup, running Yorkshireman Robert Ogden to the wire to become the leading National Hunt owner.

Although the Brancepeth permit holder had good wins at Perth's three-day meeting, Ogden was once again top of the list, helped when Marlborough took the Tote Gold Trophy.

Mason's Perth win by King's Country introduced a new Eddery to riding wins - Ciaran, the nephew of Pat and Paul Eddery. Red Striker under Richard Guest was second in Saturday's Mitsubishi Shogun Handicap Chase at Sandown, with Ferdy Murphy's Native Wit in fourth.

Barton was fourth to Landing Light in the Coral Eurobet Champion Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday, and Scotton Green was a respectable third in the 45th Whitbread Gold Cup, both under Tony Dobbin. For Micky Hammond, the race was no fairytale ending to his career, Heidi III finishing ninth.

Tonight sees a welcome return to Sedgefield, now that racing authorities have relaxed the bans because of foot-and-mouth. Racing starts at 5.15, but the course advises punters to arrive early in suitable footwear because of disinfecting procedures.

The highlight is the Foster's Durham National at 7.15, with Mary Reveley's duo Seven Towers and Sad Mad Bad among the entries.

On the flat, David Barron and David Nicholls continue to crack in the winners, while Les Eyre has struck fine form. He sent out Mr Fortywinks to win Ripon's televised race, the C B Hutchinson Memorial Race.

THE WEEK'S WINNERS

Key: All meetings are now Flat on turf, except where marked: NH=National Hunt (jumps) meetings; and AW=all-weather flat racing. f=furlong (8f=1mile); chs=steeplechase; hdl=hurdles race; NHf=National Hunt flat race (bumper). Hb=homebred by owner.

Thursday last week. - Perth NH: (hdl) Tyneandthyneagain (trained by N Mason, at Brancepeth; owned by permit holder), ridden by R Guest; (chs) Impertio (P Beaumont, Brandsby; bred by J Sunter, owned by Mrs S Sunter), D Grattan; (hdl) Ernest William (F Murphy, West Witton; bred by G A Hubbard, owned by Exors of the late G A Hubbard), A Maguire.

Friday. - Southwell AW: (5f) El Dolor (R Fahey, Butterwick; Mrs M W Kenyon), P Hanagan; (11f) Kauri (M Johnston, Middleham; J David Abell), J Fanning.

Perth NH: (hdl) Call Me Jack (B Ellison, Malton; R G Fell), V Keane; (hdl) King's Country (N Mason), C Eddery.

Saturday. - Ripon: (8f Ladies pro-am) One Dinar (D Nicholls, Sessay; Mrs T L Lund), A Greaves; (16f) Mr Fortywinks (L Eyre, Hambleton; Hb, Miss N Cassidy), D Gibson.

Southwell AW: (6f ) Westfield Star (D Barron, Maunby; Hb, R Riorden), L Hanna

Market Rasen NH: (hdl) Altapeter (P Beaumont; Miss J Hey), R Garritty; (chs) City Gent (N Wilson, Malton; Miss J Atkinson), V Keane

Monday. - Southwell AW: (7f) Barefooted Flyer (D Barron; P Jones), K Darley; (12f) Pickens (Don Enrico Incisa, Coverham; trainer), K Tinkler.

Tuesday. - Nottingham: (6f) Charming Lotte (N Tinkler, Langton; M Gosse), W Ryan; (10f) Cashmere Lady (L Eyre; Mrs S Howe), D Holland.

Wednesday. - Pontefract: (5f) Lord Merlin (D Nicholls; N Smith), O Pears