BRIAN ELLISON plans ahead, and plans well. When his charge Batswing was second at Epsom in early September, he decided to run the gelding in the Doncaster November Handicap.

And the plan certainly worked as Batswing romped home under Robert Winston to land the £30,000-added Tote Scoop6 November Handicap on Saturday for owner Ashley Carr and his group of friends, nicknamed the Brighton Boys.

A winner in Chester last May, Batswing had already been raised 14lbs by the handicapper in the meantime, so the former jumps jockey, who moved back to Malton in August after six years in County Durham, decided not to risk any further weight rise before the Doncaster run.

So Batswing had a two-month break on the flat, but popped over the Kelso hurdles a month back (finishing second) to keep him fit.

A fairytale ending for last year's race winner Flossy and trainer Chris Thornton was not to be. Darryll Holland waited with her to the rear and, on Doncaster's tacky going, the 11-4 favourite could not follow up to give Thornton a win with his last UK flat runner from Spigot Lodge.

The trainer said the filly may race in France on November 27, although she also has a date in the December sales.

Kevin Darley, who started the season with a Doncaster win, rounded off his championship year with a double there, including the final race of the year - but both were for yards outside the area.

The championship trophy was presented to him during the meeting by veteran jockey George Duffield, now also based in the north, and the warmest applause greeted this popular new champion.

For the record, Darley was also champion apprentice, gaining that accolade 16 months after riding his first winner. But it has taken him 22 years to reach the No.1 spot as a senior, the first northern jockey to do so since 1905. He is the first Englishman to land the title since Lester Piggott in 1982.

As far as the rest of the week's racing is concerned, there were only four other DST area winners as the deluge curtailed many of the meetings.

Patrick Haslam with Flambe at Southwell and Ann Duffield with Burning Truth at Lingfield chose all-weather meetings for their charges, while Brian Rothwell with Smudger Smith and Norman Mason with Red Striker had jumps successes.

In the hope that racing is on this weekend - although Sunday's Wetherby meeting looked doubtful as we went to press - we offer some tips.

Today at Cheltenham, Mason's Xaipete may land the 1.50, but James Hetheron's Home Counties is a more tentative choice in the 4.05 after consistent thirds.

Nearer home at Newcastle, Tim Easterby should land the 12.55 with Stone Cold against stiff northern competition as well as the 2.40 with Skillwise.

Adrian Maguire is booked for Mick Easterby's Belisario and Ferdy Murphy's Supreme Breeze in the 2.05 - we expect the finish to be between the two, if running, but not for this good rider to be on both! He should partner Murphy's Flight For Freedom to land the 3.15 and Jack Yeats in the 3.45.

Tomorrow at Ayr, Robbo (Mary Reveley) is chosen in the 1.40 with Wynbury Flyer (Murphy) in the 3.20.

At Cheltenham, Norman Mason sends out Red Marauder in the 2.20 and George Moore has Course Doctor entered, both with chances. Red Marauder also holds entries in the 2.55, as does Robbo, but that is a harder race.

Maguire and Murphy team up with Ackzo in the 3.30 (although Maguire is also booked for the West Witton trainer at Haydock) and we expect Donald Forster's Fireside Girl to take the 4.05.

Haydock choices are Boogy Woogy (Tim Easterby) in the 12.55, Mac's Supreme in the 1.25, Fornaught Alliance in the 1.55 and Truckers Tavern in the 2.30 (all Murphy/Maguire), although Murphy also has Supreme Breeze entered in the last, with Michael Naughton booked - a one-two is not out of the question.

ALL THE WINNERS

National Hunt (jumps) meetings are indicated by NH, all-weather flat, by AW. Other meetings are all flat meetings, turf. Evening meetings marked by an asterix *. Chs = steeplechase; Hdl = hurdles race; NHf = NH flat race/bumper. Hb = Homebred by owner.

Thursday last week. - Haydock NH: (hdl) Smudger Smith (trained by Brian Rothwell, at Musley Bank; owned by S P Hudson), ridden by Adie Smith.

Friday. - No DST area winners.

Saturday. - Doncaster: Batswing (Brian Ellison, Malton; Ashley Carr), Robert Winston.

Monday. - Southwell AW: Flambe (Patrick Haslam, Middleham; Mrs B M Hawkins), Royston ffrench.

Carlisle NH: (chs) Red Striker (Norman Mason, Crook; permit holder), Richard Guest.

Tuesday. - Lingfield AW: Burning Truth (Ann Duffield, Constable Burton; Middleham Park Racing IV), Lee Enstone.

Wednesday. - No DST area winners