THE race to be crowned Wetherby's top trainer could hardly be closer.

Bingley's Sue Smith leads the race with an impressive tally of 256 but reigning champion and Durham handler Howard Johnson lurks just 12 points back.

The Wetherby Trainers' Challenge, now in its fourth season, offers bonuses totalling £10,000 for trainers and stable staff, depending upon winners and placed horses obtained throughout the campaign, which ends with the evening meeting on June 5.

Smith and Johnson have a commanding lead over third-placed, and West Witton-based Ferdy Murphy (who has notched up 196 points), but Great Habton-based Tim Easterby (on 146 points) is unlikely to give up the chase.