GOOD ground with lots of grass ensured plenty of runners took part in the Bedale point-to-point on Saturday.

Racing started with the Barkers of Northallerton Confined Hunts Race, which saw nine runners go to the post. Roman Cruise and Chris Dawson were up with the pace for most of the race with Chancery Lad and Stephen Cook.

However, it was a case of last to first where the winner was concerned. Royal Deal, who this season made a return to the pointing field from running under rules, has taken to dropping himself right out in his races. “I literally have to push him for two circuits,” said the winning rider, Joanna Mason.

Moment of Madness had a slight advantage going into the last but Royal Deal managed to get his head in front and beat the 16-year-old, piloted by Jack Teal. Code Blue and Fiona Needham finished in third.

Five of the eight entries went to post for the Strutt & Parker Bedale and West of Yore Hunt race and Jacqueline Coward made it a hat trick of hunt race wins on Lewesdon Tom. Brother Mark was second for Philip Dennis, with Lord Multifix, who was hard ridden by Chris Dawson, in third.

It was not long, however, before Chris Dawson was able to get his head in front and did just so in the following Mark Johnston Racing Ltd Restricted Race.

Ballyanrahan, ridden by Alice Petch, who also owns and trains him, led for most of the way and looked like they would be in with a good chance until slipping on the landing side of five out and coming down.

Mistissio, for the first time in head gear, was produced to win at the last by Richard Smith. However, he had to battle with Tambour Major and Chris Dawson, who got up on the line by half a length.

AGA made their first visit to the course and sponsored the Ladies Open. Ockey De Neulliac was the warm favourite but he bolted on reaching the start and a slight delay ensued as he was led back to the others.

Cantering in, he got a good start and took advantage of his lead, quickly asserting from the off. Andy Vic ran a cracking race and tracked Ockey De Neulliac for most of the way, but it was another former rules horse, Call Me Mulligan that took advantage of a tiring Ockey De Neulliac near the line for his new trainer George Moscrop and jockey Harriet Bethell.

The Makins Ltd Mens Open Race was the Yorkshire area feature race and attracted five runners for its £1,000 pot. As usual Drom set out to make all the running but did not quite get the lead he has been allowed previously, with Know The Rules and Zitenka hard on his heels.

Know The Rules showed his first sign of a return to last year’s form and finished second under Chris Dawson. However, Drom and Will Kitchman always had enough in the tank to stay at the head of affairs, particularly where it mattered, winning by three lengths. Racing finished with the largest field of the day in the Armstrong Watson Open Maiden Race and the crowd witnessed another pillar to post winner.

Billing and Jacqueline Coward were always towards the fore and managed to remain there to win by one-and-a-half lengths. The continually improving Skimbleshanks and Joanna Mason were in second.

Printing Press ran his best race to date under Max Johnson for Peter Foster and could be the one to take out of the race with Anddante and Jack Teal in fourth.