JAMES BETHELL took the trainers' honours last weekend, sending out Pintrada to land the Hambleton Cup at Thirsk, the horse's first run in more than 400 days.

The six-year-old, who holds an entry at the same track on Tuesday, was given a confident ride by Tony Hamilton who said: "Mr Bethell told me he's done plenty of work with him and he went to the start really well. He's carried me round there nicely and has won well."

It was York's turn to race on Sunday and there was a cracking finish in the staying handicap when Alan Swinbank's Entihaa showed a good attitude to win under Robert Winston.

Afterwards the winning trainer said: "Entihaa is a lovely horse and has been unfortunate to meet one or two too good."

Swinbank was also on the mark at Redcar on Tuesday afternoon, this time it was Crakehall Lad's turn to come home in front, also showing a willing attitude.

The last race of the day went for the third time to track specialist Broctune Papa Gio and his delighted winning trainer Keith Reveley said: "I thought it was a furlong too short for him but he loves it here and he knows where the winning post is. He is not qualified for the final here and he will go to Newcastle at the end of the month now."

Doncaster's St Leger Festival burst into life on Wednesday and Paul Mulrennan teamed up with Mecca's Angel to run out a hugely impressive winner of the John Smith's Original Scarbrough Stakes at Doncaster, showing incredible speed to burn off her rivals and record a two and a quarter length victory over 15/8 favourite Reckless Abandon.

The 7/1 shot had been off the track since running in France four months ago but that proved to be no obstacle as she blitzed her rivals with a smart front-running performance.

The three-year-old filly also clocked 57.73s which was just outside the five furlong course record of 57.31s set by Tabaret in August 2010.

Many thought that the extended five and a half furlong trip was to blame for the three-year-old's defeat at Maisons-Laffitte last time out but the jockey felt that the ride he gave her was the reason for her poor showing.

"She's got incredible speed and that was a really smart performance," said Mulrennan.

"She is a filly with loads of pace. I spoke to Michael (Dods - trainer) this morning - the last time I rode her in France we just tried to hang on to her a little bit but I threw the reins at her and it worked a treat. She is a very smart filly.

"I just rode her wrong last time. I was in front but was hacking along and I was pulling and dragging it out of her. Today was the way to ride her and you have seen how good she was there beating older horses.

"Fair play to Michael - she has not run for four months and he has kept her ticking over.

"She was not stopping there and she could be anything. I have only given her two backhanders and I couldn't pull her up afterwards.

"She has always worked well at home and we think that she is above average."

Ladbrokes have reported strong support for the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Snow Sky ahead of tomorrows Ladbrokes St Leger.

The three-year-old is currently their 5/1 second favourite behind long time ante-post favourite Kingston Hill and there has also been each-way for Stoute's other runner King's Fete, who will also carry the silks of Prince Khalid Abdullah.

King's Fete was 16/1 this morning but has been cut to 12/1 by the Magic Sign following some interesting support.

"Although Kingston Hill heads the betting for the Ladbrokes St Leger, it is the Sir Michael Stoute-trained pair of Snow Sky and King's Fete that are attracting all the interest in the build-up to the race," said Ladbrokes spokesman David Williams.

"King's Fete is proving to be particularly interesting and it's not inconceivable that we see the current favourite drift if the ground continues to dry out on Town Moor."

William Buick will be bidding to land his third Ladbrokes St Leger in five years following victories on Arctic Cosmos (2010) and Masked Marvel (2011) and the Norwegian-born jockey has chosen to ride Romsdal over recent Listed winner Forever Now, who is set to be ridden by Frankie Dettori. The Italian is the most successful current jockey in the Ladbrokes St Leger, with five wins.

Joe Fanning has also confirmed his Ladbrokes St Leger mount and has chosen to pilot Hartnell over the other Mark Johnston-trained runners in the shape of Alex My Boy and Somewhat.

Alex My Boy will now be ridden by Silvestre De Sousa while Franny Norton will be reunited with Somewhat.