A DOUBLE from jockey Nigel Tutty was the highlight of the York and Ainsty point-to-point at Easingwold last Sunday.

The first leg came when the Liz Clark-trained Claire's Nomad (D Jones/York & Ainsty) took the young horses maiden, a deserved win for a mare that has been knocking on the door all season.

The seven-year-old made most of the running, but there were plenty in with chances at the second last, where Henry Murphy fell and brought down Frankie Valentine.

The favourite, Red September (S Horner-Harker/Hurworth), ridden by Phillip Kinsella, was lying second, but he could make no impression on Claire's Nomad, who kept up the gallop to the line for a two-length win.

Second place went to Soon Or Late (R Woodhouse/Sinnington), ridden by Ben Woodhouse, and a length back in third was the outpaced Red September.

Tutty completed his double, which has taken him to within four points of championship leader Grant Tuer, when his own Darak, the outsider of five, took the men's open.

Darak took up the running from the ill-fated Brighter Shade four from home and quickened the pace approaching the third last as the favourite, the Grant Tuer-owned and trained Golden Chimes (Hurworth), closed in.

But Golden Chimes could make no impression as Darak pulled away in good style to win by ten lengths.

Golden Chimes finished second, two lengths clear of the Chris Dennis-trained Knight Templar (C Orton/Zetland), who stayed on late under Lee Bates.

There was drama in the members race. Glacial Dancer looked to be getting the better of the 1-5 favourite Buddy Girie when jumping the last in front, but the leader ran out and Buddy Girie followed.

This left Dinan, owned and ridden by Joanne Brown, in front and led to an exciting finish with the Michael Morley-ridden Abinger (D Wilkinson), who got up to beat Dinan by half a length. Buddy Girie re-traced to complete a distant third.

Silver Groom (K Barron/Holderness), trained by David Easterby, looks right back to his best form after completing back to back ladies open victories.

Howard Thompson's Sally Scally (Cleveland), ridden by trainer Tina Jackson, jumped the last in front, but Silver Groom swept clear under Jo Foster to win by five lengths.

Sally Scally finished second, six lengths clear of the Tessa Gray-ridden Miorbhail (F Gray/Cleveland).

The Sarah Duell-trained Mr McDuck (South Durham) had to wait 13 races for his first win, but he didn't have to wait long for win number two.

His 14th appearance saw him take the restricted race under Lee Bates, winning by eight lengths from the Mick Brown-trained Bohemian Spirit (P Armitage/York & Ainsty). A further seven lengths down in third was Lord Aivinru (G Flintoft/Bedale).

At 4-5 Bob Woodhouse's Far Glen (Sinnington) looked the bet of the meeting and so it proved as he destroyed the field in the open maiden.

Ridden by Ben Woodhouse, the eight-year-old made every yard of the running to win by a distance from Richard Morley's In The Van (Derwent). Three lengths back in third was Borleagh Pilot (Cleveland), who kept on at one pace under owner P Collins.

The finish of the day came in the confined when brother and sister David Easterby and Cherry Coward trained the first two home.

Scottish Roots (C Weatherby/Middleton), ridden by Tom Greenall, got up to beat Nordic Crest (T Rose/Middleton), ridden by Gino Carenza, by a head.

They were 15 lengths clear of the Michael Brown-owned and trained Upon A Wish (York & Ainsty).

* The Zetland point-to-point takes place at Witton Castle on Monday, first race 2pm.