THREE WEEKS, three Nationals. It doesn't get much better than this for us, as Graham Lee took his second in a fortnight. Grey Abbey, trained by Howard Johnson, partnered by the tough Lee, was in the van all the way round Ayr for the Scottish version.

Ferdy Murphy had changed his mind about Irish National winner, Granit D'Estruval, and entered the game galloper. He was catching the long-time leader at the second last and looked a possible challenge.

As Grey Abbey headed towards the dolled-off fence, Brian Harding on the West Witton hero headed straight, but Lee managed to tug his front-running mount away from the wrong course.

The pair were side by side at the last, with Harding on the outer. Granit D'Estruval looked to slip, or made a tired error, and fell when in contention, leaving the Co. Durham runner to win in fine fashion for his Cumbrian farming folk owners, Ken, Elinor and Steve Roper, and Norman Furness.

Lee said: "Two Nationals in two weeks is unbelievable. I'm having some rollercoaster of a run at the moment." Harding was not sure whether his mount would have won if he hadn't fallen: "but I couldn't say either that he would have been beaten... It was a mighty performance, coming only five days after winning the Irish National."

Contrast the fortunes of the respective jockeys. Graham Lee had taken the novice hurdle for the Wylies the day before on Chivalry, and went on, on Saturday to win a similar event for them on Dalaram. Ending yet another great week, the jockey teamed up again with Malcolm Jefferson and won for the Malton based man on Moss Harvey at Perth.

Harding, on the other hand, is now out of action for a week or so. He cancelled his Perth four mounts having found a leg injury aggravated when Luzcadou (Murphy) fell at the first in the Grand National had worsened. He has a torn muscle and blood clot, his agent Richard Hale said, and will be out for about a week or so.

On the flat front, Lynda Ramsden has lost no time in big profile wins for owner-breeder David Brotherton. Bishops Court landed the Newbury sprint on Friday and Cape Royal followed suit at Epsom, both partnered by Frankie Dettori whose formerly slim chances of taking the jockeys' championship now look more likely.

Mark Johnston, whose Gold History ran a big race at Newmarket to land the Fielden Stakes under Joe Fanning on Thursday, is concerned to check if his star filly Attraction is ready for the 1,000 Guineas and will probably give her a racecourse gallop at Ripon tomorrow. Russian Valour and Nero's Return ran poorly in their races and Lucky Story is out of the 2,000 Guineas by injury, while Pearl Of Love has cracked hooves.

Of his Middleham co-trainers, Patrick Haslam, James Bethell and Karl Burke all had excellent weeks.

Hambleton's Bryan Smart upset the applecart with a 22-1 winner of the Ripon Silver Bowl Stakes on Thursday last, Bonne De Fleur making most under Fergal Lynch, the filly bred by her owner Nerys Jefford.

Brian Ellison pulled off a Pontefract double on Monday, both ridden by Robert Winston.

There were welcome returns to form this week for some. Ann Duffield has had a thin time lately, but was seen at Ripon with a promising two-year-old, Prince Namid. That evening, she sprang a 14-1 surprise on the all-weather at Ripon when Constable Burton was partnered by husband George, who took a double there next evening, including one for Tim Easterby.

Chris Grant has only had five jumps winners this year, but Roobihoo hinted that the yard may be heading for better things to come.

ALL THE WINNERS

Thursday of last week. -Newmarket: 9f Lstd, Gold History (trained by Mark Johnston, at Middleham; owned by Abdulla Buhaleeba), ridden by Joe Fanning.

Ripon: 5f mdn, Word Perfect (Mick Easterby, Sheriff Hutton; Homebred (Hb) and owned by Mrs Jean Turpin), Dale Gibson; 6f Lstd, Bonne De Fleur (Bryan Smart, Hambleton; Hb, Miss N A Jefford), Fergal Lynch; 8f hcp, Granston (James Bethell, Middleham; The Four Players Partnership), Richard Quinn; 5f appr hcp, Mynd (Richard Whitaker, Scarcroft; Derek & Jean Clee), Daniel Tudhope (claiming 3lbs allowance).

Cheltenham NH: mares' NHf, Golden Odyseet (Mary Reveley, Lingdale; Hb, Sir Robert Ogden), Tony McCoy.

Southwell AW ev: 7f mdn, Constable Burton (Ann Duffield, Constzble Burton; Turf 200 Ltd), George Duffield; 8f hcp, Mission Affirmed (Tom Tate, Tadcaster; trainer), Dale Gibson.

Friday. - Newbury: 5f hcp, Bishops Court (Lynda Ramsden, Sandhutton; Hb, D R Brotherton), Franki Dettori.

Thirsk: 8f hcp, Harry Potter (Karl Burke, Wensley; F Jeffers), Darren Williams.

Ayr NH: nov hdl, Chivalry (Howard Johnson, Crook; Andrea & Graham Wylie), Graham Lee.

Southwell AW ev: 7f bndd, Red Flyer (Patrick Haslam, Middleham; Mrs C Barclay), Gavin Faulkner; 8f bndd, Roman The Park (Tim Easterby, Great Habton; Middleham Park Racing II), George Duffield.

Saturday. - Thirsk: 5f clmr, Little Biscuit (Karl Burke; Mrs Elanie M Burke), Darren Williams; 6f cnds, Welsh Emperor (Tom Tate; Mrs Sylvia Clegg), Dale Gibson.

Ayr NH: Gd 3 hcp chs, Grey Abbey (Howard Johnson; Ken Roper, Elinor M Roper, Norman Furness), Graham Lee; juv nov hdl, Dalaham (Howard Johnson; Andrea & Graham Wylie), Graham Lee; nov hcp chs, Rosie Redman (Jim Turner, Norton-le-Clay; Miss S J Turner), David O'Meara (3).

Sunday. - Carlisle NH:L nov hcp hdl, Roobihoo (Chris Grant, Wolviston; Mrs H E Aitkin), Anthony Ross; mdn hntr chs, Black smoke (Richard Guest, Brancepeth; R Burridge), Mr D Jewett (3).

Monday. - Pontefract: 12f sllr, Ceasar (SIC) (Patrick Haslam; Wilson Imports), Gavin Faulkner; 21f hcp, Great As Gold (Brian Ellison, Norton; Keith Middleton), Robert Winston; 8f clfd, Torrid Kentavr (Brian Ellison; Graeme Redpath), Robert Winston; 10f hcp, Melodian (Mel Britain; Hb, trainer), Tyrone Williams.

Tuesday. - Newcastle: 5f mdn, Elsie Hart (Tim Easterby; C H Stevens), Willie Supple; 5f hcp, Raymond's Pride (Kevin Ryan, Hambleton; Hb, R E Robinson), Paul Fessey; 6f hcp, Mister Mal (Brian Ellison; Mrs Andrea M Mallinson), Paul Hanagan.

Wednesday. - Epsom: 5f hcp, Caf Royal (Lynda Ramsden; Hb, D R Brotherton), Frankie Dettori.

Perth NH: hcp chs, Moss Harvey (Malcolm Jefferson, Norton; Hb, J R Salter), Graham Lee.