JOES Edge did it, in the most thrilling way, landing the Scottish Grand National at Ayr at 20-1 under a fine ride by Keith Mercer and edging out Ruby Walsh on Cornish Rebel by the shortest of short heads.

Tomorrow is the final day of this National Hunt season and you will see few better rides this term than that of young Mercer, who was chosen by his boss Ferdy Murphy to replace amateur Tom Dreaper, winner on the West Witton runner only the week before at Aintree.

For Walsh, who had taken the Welsh National on Silver Birch, the Irish on Numbersixvalverde and the Grand National at Aintree on Hedgehunter, the difference of a nostril spoiled his party in a bid for the fourth National.

Graham Lee has been hunting his annual century for days and could only pull up on Hussard Collanges in the big race, while he was third on the Johnson-Wylie Dalaram earlier. He had won on the Wylies' Mephisto at Ayr the day before, which brought up his 99th, but not until Wednesday did he crack the ton, for Scottish trainer Jim Goldie on Kid'Z'Play at Perth.

Youngsters Henry Oliver and David O'Meara were seen to good advantage on National day, winning on Admiral for Richard Guest and Imperial Dream for Harry Hogarth respectively.

Patrick Haslam sent Fiori down to Towcester on Tuesday evening and none other than champion Tony McCoy was in the saddle to win there.

ON THE LEVEL

Old boy Quito showed everyone at Newmarket a clean pair of heels as the veteran landed the Abernant, a Listed race over six furlongs on Thursday last, for trainer David Chapman under a fine Tony Culhane ride.

Even older at 11, Bishops Court, owned and bred by David Brotherton, landed a valuable Epsom sprint handicap on Wednesday. Trained by Lynda Ramsden, this was partnered by Seb Sanders.

THE WEEK'S WINNERS

Thursday last week. - Newmarket: Quito (trained by D Chapman, at Stillington; owned by M Hill), ridden by T Culhane.

Ripon: Secret History (M Johnston, Middleham; J Shack), J Fanning; Mynd (R Whitaker, Scarcroft; D & J Clee), R Kennemore (claiming 3lb).

Friday. - Ayr NH: Mephisto (H Johnson, Billy Row; A & G Wylie), G Lee.

Thirsk: Brace Of Doves (D Barron, Maunby; Dovebrace Ltd Air-Conditioning-Projects), P Makin (3); Nevada Desert (R Whitaker; J Barry Pemberton), D McKeown; Drum Dance (N Tinkler, Langton; P Alderson), K Tinkler; Karashino (R Fahey, Musley Bank; Hb (homebred by owner or connections), J E M Hawkins Ltd), T Hamilton (3).

Wolverhampton AW ev: Grand View (J Weymes, Coverham; Sporting Occasions Ltd), P Mulrennan (3).

Saturday. - Thirsk: Namir (T Barron; UK Letterbox Marketing Ltd), P Makin (3).

Ayr NH: Admiral (R Guest, Brancepeth; W McKay), H Oliver; Joes Edge (F Murphy, West Witton; Chemipetro Ltd), K Mercer (3); Imperial Dream (H Hogarth, Stillington; Hogarth Racing), D O'Meara.

Nottingham ev: Angelofthenorth (J Bethell, Middleham; J Hamilton), T Queally.

Sunday. - Carlisle NH: Jballingall (N Wilson, Upper Helmsley; WRS), W Renwick; Sharp Single (P Beaumont, Brandsby; W L Smith), B Harding.

Monday. - Pontefract: Penny Whisper (M Dods, Denton; Moneyleague Ltd), P Makin (3); Flying Bantam (R Fahey; The Matthewman Partnership), P Hanagan; Adoration (M Johnston; Durham Thoroughbred Racing), J Fanning.

Tuesday. - Folkestone: Speed Dial Harry (K Burke, Wensley; N Shields), F Norton.

Southwell AW: Why Now (K Ryan, Hambleton; Mrs S McCarthy), N Callan.

Towcester NH ev: Fiori (P Haslam, Middleham; Wilson Imports I), T McCoy.

Wednesday. - Epsom: Bishops Court (L Ramsden, Sandhutton; Hb, D R Brotherton), S Sanders.

Catterick: Melrose Avenue (M Johnston; Sheikh Mohammed), J Fanning; Stage School (M Johnston; Hb, Sheikh Mohammed), J Fanning; Royal Melbourne (J Camacho, Norton; J Spence), D McCabe; Legal Set (A Stokell, Brompton on Swale; P Byrne), P Makin.

Perth NH: Leading Man (F Murphy; Hb. Mrs C M McKeane), T Dobbin.