MICKY Hammond has his horses in great form at the minute, and that was advertised to good effect by Chernik, who came home 23 lengths clear of his rivals at Carlisle last Saturday.

The Middleham trainer followed up with another winner on Tuesday when Industrial Star was successful at Market Rasen. The eight year-old was gaining his second success in eight days after winning up at Kelso last week; both times he was ridden by Leyburn-based Barry Keniry.

Redcar had a packed bank holiday crowd on Monday for their first meeting of the season and jockey Tony Hamilton was the man to follow as he rode a double, both trained by Scorton trainer David Barker. Hamilton kicked off by making all the running on Darcy’s Pride in the 5f sprint, before Wovoka was produced with a late run by the Hartlepool-born jockey in the penultimate race.

Last Saturday, Dandy Nicholls had sent Something all the way down from his Sessay base to run at Kempton, and supporters were rewarded with a 20-1 winner ridden by Paul Quinn.

Something was owned by Middleham Park Racing, and that syndicate teamed up again with Nicholls on Wednesday to win the 5f sprint at Beverley with Fol Hollow under Adele Mulrennan.

Adele has just gained her new surname since marrying fellow jockey Paul Mulrennan a couple of months ago, but before that she had also been successful under her maiden name of Rothery.

Fol Hollow gave her an 11th race course success, with the highlight coming last May when Masta Plasta won a Class 2 Heritage Handicap at York.

Philip Makin has enjoyed a great run since returning from injury last Month, and the Thirsk-based jockey was in double form at Beverley on Wednesday.

Makin, who suffered serious back injuries after a fall last June, has shown he still is a very talented rider since coming back, and his first winner on the Westwood was Sirvino who came home in front in the one mile two handicap, for Maunby handler David Barron. His second winner of the day came when Dispol Diva came home a well-backed favourite in the last race of the day.

Spare a thought for Hayley Turner, who was told this week she would not race ride again until next March.

Turner, 26, who was propelled to national fame when she became the first woman rider to ride 100 winners in a calendar year, faces the lengthy spell on the sidelines as a result of a head injury she sustained last month when falling off a horse on the Newmarket gallops.

The BHA’s chief medical adviser Dr Michael Turner was the person to break the news to the young jockey and in a report afterwards he said: “Having carefully studied the results of recent tests and consulted expert opinion, I was unable to recommend that her licence be renewed until 12 months from the date of the accident.”

Thirsk get their 2009 season under way by racing today and tomorrow with plenty of big stables being represented.

First race both days is due off at 2pm and the opening race today is for two year-olds, where Star Rover bids to make three out of three for trainer David Evans.

The last race of the day is a Median Auction Stakes over six furlongs and local trainer Ann Duffield has an interesting runner in Minturno. The threeyear- old was a staying on fourth at Catterick recently and is fancied to go close today.

Many of the jockeys riding at Thrisk on Saturday afternoon will travel down the A1 for the evening meeting at Doncaster.

For jumping fans, all eyes this weekend will be north of the border where The Scottish Grand National takes place at Ayr.

Ferdy Murphy saddles the well-fancied Nine De Sivola in the marathon race due off at 3.25, a race the eight-year-old was runner up in two years ago to stable mate Hot Weld.

Graham Lee will be on Nine De Sivola which is always an added bonus to anybody looking to find the winner of a big race.

Lee will be in action at Hexham on Monday, before travelling up to Perth on Wednesday for the first day of their three day annual Festival.

I highly recommend a trip to Perth races at any-time, the racing is fiercely competitive and the hospitality is second to none.

Closer to home next week there is plenty of local action as well. Pontefract stage a seven race card on Monday due off at 2.10.

The highlight of the day is The Pontefract Marathon Handicap run over an extended 2mi5f which is the longest Flat handicap run in Britain.

The Richmond Conditions Stakes is the major race at Catterick on Wednesday. A contest run over a mile and a half, and has the habit of throwing up decent winners in the past – Mark Johnston should be followed closely in whatever he runs as the Middleham trainer has won it four times in the past.

Beverley race again next Thursday first race due off at 2pm and, as always, keep an eye on horses with a high draw.