WITH the Stan James 2,000 Guineas taking place this weekend, it is a very busy time for Middleham trainer Mark Johnston - and he kicked off the new week in the best possible way, with a double at Newcastle, both ridden by the ever reliable Joe Fanning.

Battlemaiden got the ball rolling in the fillies’ handicap and, half an hour later, Dancing Dude followed up in the 1mi 4f maiden. Lovelace, who used to be trained by Johnston, made a winning start for his new trainer David Nicholls, who bought him at the recent Doncaster sales.

The six-year-old was sent off the even money favourite for the Conditions Stakes and did not let punters down, under a strong ride from the trainer’s son Adrian. The father and son combination were also on the mark later in the day with Buachaill Dona, who ran out a ready winner in the five furlong handicap.

Nicholls was also on the mark on Tuesday, this time much further afield. Mister Manannan was the horse in question and the racecourse was Chantilly. Ridden by Adrian again, Mister Manannan took the Listed event in easy style and certainly looks progressive.

On Tuesday, Sedgefield staged their big meeting of the year and the feature race of the evening, totepool Durham National Handicap Chase provided a great local result as General Hardi came home in front for owner and trainer John Wade.

Ridden by Brian Hughes, the 11-1 shot was following in the footsteps of Devil Run, who was successful in the race four years ago for Wade.

It proved a great night for Hughes as he rode a further two more winners on the card. His first winner was on board the Howard Johnson-trained Knockavilla in the novices’ chase before Sir Frank got up in the closing stages in the bumper for Alan Swinbank.

Also on the Sedgefield card, Ferdy Murphy and Graham Lee got off the mark for the new season with Bewery Man in the selling hurdle, while the training performance of the evening came in the penultimate race when Kate Walton sent out Breaking Storm to win the 2mi handicap hurdle after a very long lay-off.

On Wednesday evening, Kelso was packed to the rafters and, yet again, Brian Hughes was the jockey to follow, riding a double. The Irishman got off the mark in the very first race when steering Saveiro to victory for the Alan Swinbank yard in the 2mi novices’ hurdle.

Later in the evening, Hughes rode an 18-1 winner for the Howard Johnson yard, this time the horse in question was Top Dressing, who showed a willing attitude to land the 3mi handicap chase.

Earlier in the afternoon, Jim Turner had a very welcome winner with Tharaya, who was an easy winner of the seller at Southwell in the hands of Keith Mercer.

The 2,000 Guineas takes centre stage at Newmarket tomorrow and Mark Johnston, who took the prize back in 1994 with Mister Baileys, looks to have a solid chance with the unbeaten Awzaan. Richard Hills will be on board the Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned colt and is very much looking forward to the ride.

As per normal with a bank holiday weekend, there is plenty of local action this weekend as well, starting this afternoon with a six-race card at Doncaster, due to get under way at 2.30pm.

Tomorrow, there is sure to be a big crowd heading to Thirsk, where the highlight of their eight-race card is the totesport.com Thirsk Hunt Cup. The 1mi handicap is sure to be run at a sound pace and Michael Dods has a solid chance with Tiger Reigns, who is already a course and distance winner.