THE Derby prize might, just might, return to Middleham after more than half a century.

Campanologist won the Listed Fielden Stakes at Newmarket on Wednesday, beating Derby hopeful and race favourite Kandahar Run.

Mark Johnston trains the winner, who was given a splendid Joe Fanning ride to beat Henry Cecil's grey under Ted Durcan.

The Yorkshire Derby winner was, of course, Dante, but Johnston ruled out a run in the York race named after the Middleham hero for Campanologist.

He was disappointed in the colt last year in Group company, but after landing the Newmarket race, was better pleased.

He said: "I kept thinking he was that class. I think it has just been immaturity. I was worried he didn't handle give in the ground because, when he was raised in class, the ground was false and it was on the soft side at Ascot.

"There is no badness in him, but he was kicking the saddling boxes down, shouting and was a bit keen on the course.

"He is in the Dante, but he will probably go for one of the trials, but it is more likely one of the Group 3s. I can't say we are thinking about the Derby, but he has won a Listed race today and has earned another shot at a Group race. It could be Sandown or Lingfield and less likely to be York."

Fanning also took a Wolverhampton Saturday night brace for Johnston, Pentathlon and Chanteuse De Rue, the latter bred by Mark Johnston Racing.

He travelled on to Brighton for the Sunday meeting there and duly won on Captain Webb.

Greg Fairley, too, won for his boss at Musselburgh on Tajweed.

Robert Winston, who is riding well after his enforced break, partnered two Kingsley House winners on Wednesday, while Fanning was busy in Newmarket.

He won on William Blake at Beverley and went on to the Wolverhampton meeting that night to score on Always A Rock.

Winston also followed up as expected with a Doncaster win for Alan Swinbank on Puy D'Arnac, the recent Catterick winner. Swinbank is in flying form and won two for owner Steve Gray, Stevie Thunder at Musselburgh and Stevie Gee at Doncaster, both ridden by PJ McDonald.

Mick Easterby pulled off a coup with popular old Blue Spinnaker at Doncaster on Friday when granddaughter Jacqui Coward won the ladies' amateur race. The trainer said: "He was wrong all last season. It's hard to believe, but if they're wrong you just have to wait for them to come right."

Blue Spinnaker ran again at Beverley on Wednesday, but was just beaten by Tom Walford's Harry The Hawk. He's listed again today at Thirsk - see our tips below.

Also on the mark at Musselburgh were Mel Brittain, whose string has come to hand early this year, and Brian Ellison.

Michael Dods, with two winners, and David Nicholls both continued their recent good form at the Doncaster meeting.

Notebook horses: several have been thereabouts this week and should be worth backing next time. They were: Dandy Nicholls' Van Bossed, beaten a nose at Kempton; Malcolm Jefferson's Towcester bumper third, Quannapowitt; Mark Johnston's Fosool, a neck second at Nottingham in a hot race; and Richard Fahey's Kaldoun Kingdom, a near second in a good Newmarket race on Wednesday after his winter break.

Today's Thirsk tips are: 2.0 Saxford; 2.30 Nortune; 3.05 Blue Spinnaker; 3.40 Spinning; 4.15 Rebel Duke; 4.45 Orpenella; 5.15 Eseej.

Tomorrow at Ayr is the Scottish National, but alas we won't see the 2005 hero, Joes Edge, as he has been retired after disappointing runs and failing to impress.

Ferdy Murphy said: "We've retired Joes Edge after he failed to sparkle in a piece of work yesterday morning. I spoke to the owners and, while it's sad, we agreed that it was best to stop while he was in front."

Murphy has two runners, however, and both have good credentials. Leading Man is to be partnered by Keith Mercer and Noir Et Vert by 7lb claimer Campbell Gillies. Mercer, while still an apprentice, was Joes Edge's jockey in his 2005 win and Gillies has impressed us lately on Chris Grant's Theatre Belle. The West Witton stable warmed up for their Ayr assault with a winner on Sunday at Kelso, Tom Dreaper in the saddle on Supreme Builder.

Tom Walford and Brian Ellison, both of whom sent out winners on the level this week, were also on the Kelso scoresheet.

For the record, Tony Dobbin did sign off with a winner last Thursday at Carlisle, on Nicky Richards' Ballyvoge. We all wish him well in his new training role.

THE WEEK'S WINNERS

Thursday of last week. - No DST area winners.

Fri. - Doncaster: Blue Spinnaker (trained by Mick Easterby, at Sheriff Hutton; owned by G Sparkes G Hart S Curtis & T Dewhirst), ridden by Miss Jacqui Coward; The Oil Magnate (Michael Dods, Denton; Smith & Allan Racing), Phillip Makin; Puy D'Arnac (Alan Swinbank, Melsonby; Barrow Brook Racing), Robert Winston.

Musselburgh: Polish Pride (Mel Brittain, Warthill; trainer), Mark Lawson (3); Court Of Appeal (Brian Ellison, Norton; Spring Cottage Syndicate No 2), Tom Eaves (no bid at auction after); Stevie Thunder (A Swinbank; Steve Gray), PJ McDonald (3); Tajweed (Mark Johnston, Middleham; Hamdan Al Maktoum), Greg Fairley; Ansells Pride (Bryan Smart, Hambleton; Ansells of Watford), T Eaves; Rebel Duke (David Barker, Scorton; Ian Bishop), Fergal Lynch.

Wolverhampton AW ev: A Big Sky Brewing (David Barron, Maunby; Trevor Boanas), Neil Brown (5).

Sat. - Doncaster: Northern Fling (David Nicholls, Sessay; Jim Dale/Jason Berry), Sylvestre De Sousa; Stevie Gee (A Swinbank; Steve Gray), PJ McDonald (3); Honorable Love (M Dods; P Taylor), T Eaves.

Wolverhampton AW ev: Jun Fan (B Ellison; The Lucky Magpies), R ffrench; Pentathlon (M Johnston; Hb, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum), Joe Fanning; Chanteuse De Rue (M Johnston; Hb, J S Morrison), J Fanning.

Sun. - Brighton: Captain Webb (M Johnston; Hb, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum), J Fanning.

Kelso NH: Gypsy George (Tom Walford, Sheriff Hutton; Michael Thuey), Robert Walford; John Forbes (B Ellison; R Wagner), Fearghal Davis (5); Supreme Builder (Ferdy Murphy, West Witton; Mrs A N Durkan), Tom Dreaper.

Mon. - Newcastle NH: Deuteronomy (J Wade, Mordon; permit holder), B Hughes (3).

Wolverhampton AW: Valley Of The Moon (Richard Fahey, Musley Bank; T Elsey, S Elsey, R Mustill, J Tunstall), P Hanagan.

Tue. - Nottingham: Dorn Dancer (D Barker; The Ebor Partnership), F Lynch.

Wed. - Beverley: Vintage Steps (R Fahey; J C Parsons & J J Gilmartin), P Hanagan; Rowan Lodge (Ollie Pears, Norton; F K Baxter), Jamie Moriarty (3) (no bid after); Harry The Hawk (T Walford; David Dickson), Graham Gibbons; William Blake (M Johnston; Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum), R Winston; Duke Of Touraine (Patrick Haslam, Middleham; Middleham Park Racing & John J Maguire), Patrick Donaghy (7).

Newmarket: Campanologist (M Johnston; Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum), J Fanning.

Wolverhampton AW ev: Always A Rock (M Johnston; Always Trying Partnership IV), R Winston.