JOCKEYS Nicky Tinkler and Niall Saville both rode doubles as the Yorkshire season got under way with the Old Raby meeting, held at a very cold Witton Castle last Sunday.

Tinkler got off the mark in the members' Maiden on the Chris Dennis-trained Magic Performer (M Harland/Hurworth). This race was won in the fastest time of the day and will probably prove to be an above average Maiden.

Magic Performer, who was held up early, drew level with the prominently ridden Stormy Sunrise (P Hodgson/Bedale) in the hands of his trainer Annabelle Armitage. As Stormy Sunrise kept on at one pace, Magic Performer pulled clear on the flat to win by eight lengths.

Jill Jones' Bobby Buttons (Cleveland), ridden by Nigel Tutty, finished third after being well placed throughout.

The second leg for Tinkler came when his mother's Mr Pendleberry (Middleton) justified favouritism in the men's open. The Frear Hartley-trained point debutant San Francisco (Sinnington) tried to make all and very nearly succeeded for Guy Brewer.

Mr Pendleberry, under strong driving by Tinkler, just got up to win on the line by half a length. The David Coates-trained and ridden Blank Cheque (Pendle) finished a distant third.

Saville was successful in two of the Maidens. He took the first leg on the Sue Smith-owned Ten Bob (Pendle). The impressive six-year-old was heavily eased and was value for far more than the two lengths would suggest.

Trish Russell's Ravenscar (Middleton) finished strongly but never threatened the winner. Graeme Russ's Oaklands Luis (Cleveland) made an eye-catching debut back in third.

The second division of the Maiden saw Saville complete his double with victory on another Sue Smith-owned horse Cross River (Pendle), winning by three lengths from Myria Myco's Sir Alf (South Durham).

Eighteen-year-old Jacqueline Coward gained the first win of her career on Silver Groom (K Barron/Holderness), who is trained by her uncle David Easterby, while Eric Elliot's Place Above (South Durham) looked a good prospect in taking the Restricted under Lee Bates.

Miss Royelo (I Hamilton/Tynedale), trained by Ann Hamilton, took the third Maiden under Dale Jewitt. Ludlow raider Just Cliquot (K Hanmer) was the winning favourite in the intermediate race.