THE Bedale Point to Point held their meeting at Hornby Castle on Saturday (April 14) which staged two open races with a prize fund of £1000.

Neither races disappointed as we saw two of the hottest open races in Yorkshire at last this season.

Jess Bedi had a day to remember in the closing Dodson & Horrell PPORA Novice Riders race, aboard her own Iron Chancellor as she went on to score her first career victory. The pair looked booked for second as Abbeyview had a clear advantage at the last, however a bad blunder by eventual third Abbeyview handed the lead to Iron Chancellor and the pair stayed on well to win by ten lengths, Alta Rock ran on for second. "he's class, he carried me till four out" enthused Jess who is currently studying at university in between pointing her mount who relished the soft ground.

The Restricted saw a highly progressive performer in Matts Commission under Jack Teal, the pair led from three out and powered home their advantage despite a last fence blunder he easily galloped on to the line, with Snow Castle and John Dawson in second and Crazy Penguin under Will Easterby third. The useful son of Beneficial looks one to follow and his trainer/rider is keen not to let him go "unless someone comes along with the right money we'll keep him" said Jack who trains the 5 year old for his mother and aunt Rita Williams.

The Men's Open went to John Dawson and One Conemara for owner John Nellis and the Coward team, conditions were perfect for this out and out stayer, the pair were always handy and wet to the lead four out and stayed on strongly to win well, fellow favourite Ardea lost second on the run in to a staying on Prince Of Pirates and he ran a mighty race in defeat, Young Hurricane added to the star studded field but never looked like landing a blow when pulling up two out and has yet to hit form this season. The winner although full of class and in prime form can continue to strike between the flags, however has looked to struggle with regulation fences.

The Ladies Open was a close affair at the finish as Knocklong and Lottie Crane took the honours narrowly from Corrin Wood and Louise Bannister who is a partnership that continues to improve with every run. Knocklong and Lottie pressed home their advantage four out and drew clear and looked to have the race in hand, however Corrin Wood, who was a stout stayer under rules, rallied strongly towards the line to just be denied, Tasheba bounced back to his old form and ran on well for third under Amy Collier.

The opening race was a conditions race and there was a surprise winner with Shannon Silver under Billy Garritty for trainer Guy Brewer, the winner was hitting the front after a string of non-completions, the winner clearly appreciated the stiff test and soft ground and his rider did well to coax him to the lead "I was pushing him the whole way!" said Billy and cause a 20-1 upset, second went to the odds on favourite Wizadora, whilst Yoohoof and Will Easterby was third.

The Open Maiden saw a 17 strong field line up and it would go the way of the Tom Greewood ridden Whatsinaname trained by Gemma Walton, the pair were always prominent and led turning for home, the pair were stalked the whole way by eventual runner up One For Martha and Will Milburn, whilst Rock Me Zippo showed a massive step up on previous form to finish third under Joe Wright, the winner had made steady progress in points after a well held third last time out, but has shown plenty of ability in Ireland when third over hurdles "he earned himself a rating in the high 90's in Ireland so we were quite hopeful he'd at least win a maiden" said Tom who thought he could be forgiven his below par effort previously.

The Hunt Members race saw only three line up and despite the steady tempo odds on favourite Shantou Prince had no difficulty easing clear under Christy Furness to win, Taylormade Boy was second whilst Cheat Fairly completed in third.