GRANT Tuer's Son of Anshan (Hurworth), a faller in the Aintree Foxhunter's, gained some compensation when taking the four-mile Grimethorpe Gold Cup at the Middleton point-to-point at Whitwell on the Hill last Sunday.

This was a fine front-running performance from the 6-4 favourite, who put in some great leaps throughout. Former winner Prominent moved smoothly into contention four from home, but he soon weakened and the biggest danger to the ten-year-old was John Mackley's Erzadjan (South Durham), who put up by far his best performance between the flags under Lee Bates.

The 13-year-old looked to be going better than Son of Ashan at the third last, but the winner found extra reserves of stamina to gain the upper hand approaching the last and stay on to win by eight lengths.

The Sarah Dent-trained horse finished second at 33-1, 20 lengths clear of the Fiona Needham-trained Royal Crimson (Bedale). Ridden by owner Rupert Alers-Hankey, the 100-1 kept on well to the line.

Trainer David Easterby was in treble form, with two of those wins producing a double for jockey Gino Carenza. The pair completed their milestones when Only Wallis (Warwickshire) won the first division of the 2-mile maiden. Favourite backers collected eventually, but they were given a fright by the Michael Brown-trained Bohemian Spirit.

The five-year-olds fought out a great battle over the last two fences before Only Wallis responded to Carenza's strong urgings to win by two lengths. Bohemian Spirit finished a promising second, one length clear of Jill Jones' Bobby Buttons (Cleveland).

Easterby and Carenza had got off the mark in the day's opening race when the members went to the odds-on favourite Nordic Crest (T Rose).

He was pressed by Serena Brotherton on her own Legendry Line, but stayed on for a comfortable four-length win. Legendry Line finished second, six lengths clear of another David Easterby inmate Double Rich (Lord Daresbury).

The middle leg of Easterby's treble was Scottish Roots (Lord Daresbury/Middleton) in the restricted. Ridden by Tom Greenall, the eight-year-old ran on strongly for a three-length win.

The Mary Sowersby-trained John Rich (C Richardson/Holderness) kept on at one pace to take second under Guy Brewer. Back in third was Tracey Corrigan-Clark's Imps Way (Derwent).

There was a maiden double for trainer Mary Sowersby and jockey Guy Brewer. The first leg came in the second division of the 2-mile maiden when Schoolhouse Walk (M Watson/Meynell) put up a powerful front-running performance to win by 12 lengths.

The doubles were completed when Paul Clifton's Mighty Willing (Holderness) completed the course for the first time in the first division of the confined maiden to spring a 20-1 surprise. The favourite Farlington (Middleton), trained by owner Gill Walford, tried to make most, but the winner was on terms three from home and kept on well for a two-length win.

Sarah Duell's Mr McDuck (South Durham), ridden by Lee Bates, denied Farlington second place in the final strides.

There was an even bigger shock in the second division of the maiden when the Lynne Ward-trained Bunker Buster (A Jackson/Cleveland) won at 50-1. The Tina Jackson-ridden horse was clear when blundering at the last, but it didn't stop him running on for a five-length win. Lord Scoop (E Hardwick/Derwent) was second, 12 lengths clear of the Chris Dennis-trained Ellis Park (R Ogden/Hurworth).

Little Worsall (Hurworth), owned and ridden by Nigel Tutty, has claims to be the most improved horse of the season. He completed a hat-trick when taking the confined hunts race by five lengths from the Grant Tuer-owned and ridden Golden Chimes (Hurworth). Eight lengths back in third was Brighter Shade (Bluebell Partnership/Bilsdale).

l The Bedale point-to-point takes place at Hornby Castle tomorrow, first race 1.30.