THE West of Yore staged their meeting at Whitcliffe Grange last weekend, and despite torrential rain and testing ground, numerous runners turned out.

One who did appreciate the stamina- sapping ground was Elusive Swallow.

The Mixed Open again went to the 12-year-old Elusive, owned by Michael Broad and trained by his daughter, Lucinda Atkinson.

Partnered by a confident Jacqueline Coward, the pair travelled strongly to the lead three out and dually drew clear.

However, Poppy Day ran her best race for a long time and chased the winner all the way to the line for Joanna Mason, while third place went to Harry Bannister aboard Borero, who was promoted after Lord Multiplex was disqualified for not weighing in.

There are no immediate plans for the winner and connections seem under no pressure as to where she will run next “were just going to have fun with her” said the winning trainer.

Jo Mason managed to go one better on the day in a spectacular ride aboard Royal Deal in the opening Confined race.

Tailed off and looking a no-hoper, Royal Deal swooped past his rivals to dispute the lead approaching the last and stayed on passed the favourite Sportingfriendship and Harry Bannister. The pair were nicely clear of Playing The Field back in third.

The final race the Open Maiden was divided and with ground deteriorating through out the day, it became hard work for these young horses.

Division One went to Pebbleglen and Will Easterby, running consistently this season the pair led down the back straight and stayed on to deny Ed Glassonbury a double aboard Desert Sting. Ballyanrahan who went off favourite was back in third.

The final race and division two went to Wizadora, who strolled away under Jacqueline Coward and was recording a double on the day and was a belated winner for Cherry Coward, who was recording her first training performance of the season.

Smart Act was back in second, while favourite The Millar Man plugged on for third after hanging badly entering the home straight.

The Masons good form continued in the Conditions race where sister Laura Mason piloted Chip N Pin, however only into second on this occasion. The victory went to the southern raider Stonemaster and Emily Rucker. The Rucker team made the seven-hour round trip to Yorkshire in search of better ground. Third went to Nalim and Harriet Bethell.

Ed Glassonbury made the trip up from Cheshire worth, while after Our Crusade battled on well to hold off T C Spitfire and Max Johnson.

The Restricted race saw the good form of the Sowersby team continue, as mud lover Max My Boy strode to victory under Will Kitchman.

Narrowly leading over the last, the pair battled on strongly to hold off favourite Drivehomeregardless and Carlton Ryan, who again didn’t look straight forward and lacked fluency.

Results as follows: Confined – Royal Deal & Joanna Mason Club Members – Stonemaster & Emily Rucker Mixed Open – Elusive Swallow & Jacqueline Coward Open Maiden 2m 4f – Our Crusade & Ed Glassonbury Restricted – Max My Boy & Will Kitchman Open Maiden Div1 – Pebbleglen & Will Easterby Open Maiden Div2 – Wizadora & Jacqueline Coward