JOES Edge, who went off joint favourite for the Grand National, was never going well to finish pulled up after the 19th and was found to be lame.

But Ferdy Murphy sent down Aces High to land the Mildmay Novices' Chase on Friday under a fine Graham Lee ride, while Alan Swinbank took the bumper with James Nelson's homebred Turbo Linn, Tony Dobbin in the saddle.

John Quinn won the Grade 2 novices' hurdle on the same card with Blythe Knight, his former Lincoln winner, who was partnered by Tony McCoy.

Kings Quay won the Listed handicap hurdle on Saturday, partnered by Dougie Costello. This is another good Flat horse and Quinn said: "To be fair to the horse he needed drier ground as he's been running without getting the ground they've got out there today. Dougie has given him a great ride. I told him to drop him in as they would go too quick and that the ones who play their cards late would have a better chance.

"Paul Taylor was my first-ever owner. He has been with me through thick and thin. It's great to have a winner for him today and maybe now we'll be able to go for the Galway Hurdle."

Both Quinn and Murphy have strong entries in the Scottish National at Ayr tomorrow, but the Settrington trainer warned that, if the ground was too fast, Character Building would not run. He recommended not backing the ante-post favourite until he is in the parade ring.

Murphy's entry is Nine De Sivola who, the trainer thinks, has an excellent chance following his good second places in the Eider and the Irish National.

Murphy said: "He'll be a good novice for next season if he gets beat at Ayr, but I think the track up there will suit, the trip will suit and the ground is going to be okay. Unless they get some rain, I think it will ride pretty fast and the field will cut up a little bit. He must have an outstanding chance."

Graham and Andrea Wylie's string, trained by Howard Johnson, have come good of late and last Thursday's pleasing novice hurdle win by Tidal Bay at Aintree was among this week's successes.

Their Bewleys Berry was running a big race in the National, well to the fore, when crumpling after jumping Becher's on the second circuit. And for the record, our other tip, Ted Walsh's Jack High, partnered by our local man, Richie McGrath, fell at Becher's the first time round, so our each-way support collapsed early doors.

Both Johnson, with the Wylies' Sculastic and Gringo, bred by Yorkshireman Guy Reed, and Murphy, with Lucky Nellerie, won at Kelso's Sunday meeting, while five of the seven races at Market Rasen went to trainers from around Malton.

John Quinn, in irrepressible form, won with Ahmedy, Tim Easterby with Pay Attention, bred by his dad Peter, and Malcolm Jefferson took no less than three. He went on to more success the next day at Wetherby, where Keith Reveley was also in the winner's circle.

Permit-holder John Wade and Tracey Corrigan-Clark also won there, while Peter Maddison had a first Cheltenham winner on Wednesday when Robert Walford partnered Lothian Falcon.

Sir Robert Ogden's Guineas hopeful Sander Camillo was beaten on her seasonal debut at Newmarket on Wednesday, but the Yorkshire owner had enjoyed better fortune over the jumps at the Aintree meeting. Exotic Dancer, partnered by Tony McCoy and trained by Jonjo O'Neill, won the Betfair Bowl, a Grade 2 chase, on Thursday last.

Meanwhile, the Flat season on turf gathered pace and Kevin Ryan and stable jockey Neil Callan hit the ground running. Kersaint, a two-year-old debutant, opened the Leicester card on Thursday last and the pair added a second win by He's A Humbug in the 6f sprint later.

They added another at Southwell on the sand when the juvenile filly, Well Informed, gathered herself after a slow break to win well. David Barker's Whinhill House was also on the Southwell scorecard.

Mark Johnston and hot-pot rider Joe Fanning also continued their recent good run. Shiekh Mohammed's Zar Solitario dead-heated for first at Leicester.

On Tuesday, Fanning donned the Gainsborough silks to land the 5f maiden for the owners and his boss on Grand Fleet, a half-brother to Lend A Hand. With the trainer's ammunition of some 100 two-year-olds, this looks set to be a season to savour.

Richard Fahey's recent Brocklesby winner, Mister Hardy, won again at Newcastle on Saturday when taking the juvenile novice event under Jamie Moriarty. "He's crying out for six furlongs, and he will now go for the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom," Fahey's assistant, Robin O'Ryan, said.

Another Yorkshire winner on the Newcastle card was owner Jack Hanson, whose Barry Hills-trained Celestial Halo took the 10f maiden. Hills has been in top form all week.

Karl Burke took a brace at Wolverhampton on Monday, both Blue Sky Thinking and Ashes running well.

Fahey's Flying Clarets won at Warwick on Wednesday, while at Nottingham good old Cripsey Brook, whose late owner-trainer Don Enrico Incisa only ever used women riders, showed he still goes well for the girls. Danielle McCreery partnered the Keith Reveley-trained nine-year-old to win again, following up the previous week's apprentice race win at Pontefract for the duo.

At Beverley, it was left to David Barron, with the improved Pietersen, and a rare Tim Walford winner to keep the local backers happy.

THE WEEK'S WINNERS

Thursday last week. - Aintree NH: Tidal Bay (trained by H Johnson, at Billy Row; owned by A and G Wylie), ridden by P Brennan.

Leicester: Kersaint (K Ryan, Hambleton; B P Hayes), N Callan; He's A Humbug (K Ryan; D Fravigar, K Dixon), N Callan; Zar Solitario (in a dead heat) (M Johnston, Middleham; Sheikh Mohammed), J Fanning.

Fri. - Aintree NH: Aces Four (F Murphy, West Witton; The DRP Aces Partnership), G Lee; Blythe Knight (J Quinn, Settrington; Maxilead Ltd), A McCoy; Turbo Linn (A Swinbank, Melsonby; Hb (homebred by owner or connections), J Nelson), A Dobbin.

Southwell AW: Whinhill House (D Barker, Scorton; trainer), P Cosgrave; Well Informed (K Ryan; K Lee and D Barlow), N Callan.

Sat. - Aintree NH: Kings Quay (J Quinn; Mrs M Taylor), D Costello.

Newcastle: Mister Hardy (R Fahey, Musley Bank; The Cosmic Cases), J Moriarty (claiming 5lb).

Sun. - Kelso NH: Sculastic (H Johnson; A and G Wylie), P Brennan; Lucky Nellerie (F Murphy; The DPRP Nellerie Partnership), PJ McDonald (5); Gringo (H Johnson; Wylies), P Brennan.

Market Rasen NH: Ahmedy (J Quinn; Lady Ann Bentinck), Mr M Walford (7); Pay Attention (T Easterby, Gt Habton; Hb, Ryedale Partners No 6), R Garritty; Honest Endeavour (M Jefferson, Norton; W Butterworth and T Pryke), F King; Vital Spark (M Jefferson; D T Todd), Mr O Williams (5); Issaquah (M Jefferson; Mr and Mrs J M Davenport), F King.

Mon. - Wetherby NH: Wot Way Chief (M Jefferson; Concertina Racing), F King; Trading Trouble (J Wade, Morden; permit holder), P Aspell; Brave Rebellion (K Reveley, Lingdale; Christiana's Crew), P Kinsella (3); Imps Way (Mrs T Corrigan-Clark, Scarborough; Mrs T Corrigan-Clark), Mr C Mulhall (3).

Wolverhampton AW: Blue Sky Thinking (K Burke, Wensley; Triple Trio Partnership), A Elliott; Ashes (K Burke; Bryce, Dower, Morgan), P Mulrennan.

Tue. - Nottingham: Grand Fleet (M Johnston; Hb, Gainsborough), J Fanning; Cripsey Brook (K Reveley; Reveley Farms), D McCreery (7).

Warwick: Flying Clarets (R Fahey; The Matthewman Partnership), P Hanagan.

Wed. - Beverley: Pietersen (D Barron, Maunby; Sporting Occasions No 8), P Fessey; It's Moon (T Walford, Sheriff Hutton; Jaass One Racing), G Gibbons.

Cheltenham NH: Lothian Falcon (P Maddison, Skewsby; P Maddison), R Walford.