THE tight turns of Chester found Bishop's Court in his favourite spot as the Lynda Ramsden-trained gelding repeated last year's success in the Listed City Wall Stakes.

Paul Fessey deputised on the winner as Fergus Sweeney fell and was later discovered to have a broken bone.

The winner may go to Deauville or to Goodwood for the King George, the trainer said later this week. She seems to be hitting form again and won at Haydock next day with Albany. Mrs Ramsden has an unusual jockey booking today at Pontefract, Irishman Johnny Murtagh up on New Mexico and Hiccups. Both have chances.

Darryll Holland was in irrepressible form at Chester, winning on Monsieur Bond in the conditions race for Bryan Smart and on Gralmano in the marathon for Kevin Ryan. He was also successful for Newmarket trainer Mark Tompkins.

Richard Fahey won two last Friday - at York with Definite Quest and at Hamilton that evening with Sharoura. Chester saw Market Avenue successful under Adrian Nicholls. At Beverley, Riska King did the business under Paul Hanagan, who also won for Malcolm Jefferson.

Tim Etherington sent out his first juvenile winner this term when Celtic Thunder won under Darryll Holland. John Wainwright also added a winner for the Malton area men.

Mark Johnston's superb run continues and winners came at Ascot, York and Hamilton on Friday last with Double Obsession, Morson Boy and Coolbythepool. Saturday at the Berkshire course saw Mana D'Argent in a gutsy win under Joe Fanning, who is on song.

Think Tank won the Catterick opener on Wednesday as expected, but Keith Dalgleish must thank quick-witted Dean McKeown. When Dalgleish pulled off the blindfold used to get his mount into the starting stalls and threw it backwards, it landed on his head. Just after the horses set off, McKeown pulled the blind off the hapless Scotsman's head.

To round off our report of last week's Newmarket July meeting, Johnston's Chester-le-Street was only beaten a head in the Weatherbys Superlative Stakes, a Group 3 event over seven furlongs on Thursday. Fellow Middleham trainer James Bethell only failed by the shortest of heads to take the Bunbury Cup for the second year running with Mine, with Tim Easterby's Tough Love not far behind.

Ann Stokell, whose base is at Brompton on Swale, used to train near Warwick and travelled back there for her first win at the course with Safranine.

l Racing has lost a great patron with the death of Lord Grimthorpe, 87, at whose Westow Stud the last northern Classic winner, Mrs McArdy, was foaled. Trained by Mick Easterby, the filly won the 1977 1,000 Guineas for her Wensleydale owners Bill and Edith Kettlewell. Lord Grimthorpe was a director of Thirsk racecourse and a steward at several Yorkshire courses. His funeral was held privately, with a service of thanksgiving at York Minster on Wednesday.

THE WEEK'S WINNERS

Thursday of last week. - Warwick: Safranine (trained by A Stokell, at Brompton-on-Swale; owned by Ms C Stokell), ridden by D Fox (claiming 5lbs).

Epsom ev: Border Artist (D Nicholls, Sessay; F F Racing Services Partnership V), P Dobbs.

Fri. - Ascot: Double Obsession (M Johnston, Middleham; R W Huggins, R B Huckerby, Atlantic Racing), J Egan.

York: Definite Quest (R Fahey, Butterwick; G H Leatham), F Norton; Morson Boy (M Johnston; G Mason & D Jackson), J Fanning.

Hamilton ev: Sharoura (R Fahey; Manor House Partnership), D Swift (7); Coolbythepool (M Johnston; H S Morrison), J Fanning; Winthorpe (J Quinn, Settrington; G A Lucas), L Fletcher (5).

Sat. - York: Sir Don (D Nicholls; Mrs D Plant), G Duffield.

Ascot: Mana D'Argent (M Johnston; Hb, D A Couper), J Fanning.

Chester: Monsieur Bond (B Smart, Hambleton; R C Bond), D Holland; Gralmano (K Ryan, Hambleton; Coleorton Moor Racing), D Holland; Market Avenue (R Fahey; Market Avenue Racing Club), A Nicholls; Bishop's Court (L Ramsden, Sandhutton; Hb, D R Brotherton), P Fessey.

Nottingham: Its Ecco Boy (K Burke, Wensley; Mrs E M Burke), D Williams; Twice Upon A Time (B Smart; Hb, J W Ford), T Culhane.

Sun. - Haydock: Cripsey Brook (D E Incisa, Coverham; trainer), K Tinkler; Albany (L Ramsden; Hb, J Gompertz), I Mongan.

Stratford NH: Sovereigh State (D Thompson, Bolam; J A Moore), D McGann (7).

Mon. - Ayr: Moulin De Moughins (P Haslam, Middleham; S A B Dinsmore), K Fallon; Brigadore (J Weymes, Coverham; White Rose Poultry Ltd), T Hamilton (5).

Wolverhampton AW ev: Hoh's Back (P Johnson, Stanley; P & Mrs D M Johnson), Lisa Jones (5).

Tue. - Beverley: Celtic Thunder (T Etherington, Norton; I Smith), D Holland; Riska King (R Fahey; Market Avenue Racing Club), P Hanagan; Clarinch Claymore (M Jefferson, Norton; J Donald), P Hanagan; Catch The Cat (J Wainwright, Kennythorpe; T W Heseltine), D Williams.

Wed. - Catterick: Think Tank (M Johnston; M Graff), K Dalgleish; Party Ploy (K Burke; Hb, I A McInnes), D Williams; Savile's Delight (M Easterby, Sheriff Hutton; J Finn), K Darley.

Worcester NH ev: Xaipete (R Guest, Brancepeth; N B Mason), H Oliver