GOOD weather pulled in the crowds to Sheriff Hutton for the Staintondale Hunt point-to-point, which was also raising funds for the new rehabilitation centre being built in Malton.

Harry Bannister had a double on the day and scored in the first race, the Browns of York Intermediate, aboard Banny’s Lad.

A good pace was set by Avinapaddy and Richard Smith.

However, Banny’s Lad drew level at the last and went on to win by two lengths. Larkhall finished 20 lengths further back in third for Russell Lindsay.

The second leg of Harry’s double came in the Connolley’s Red Mills Mixed Open Race aboard My Old Piano, the horse’s first win this season.

My Old Piano started to make a move with three fences to go and was pushed out to win by eight lengths. Bitter Blue and reigning national champion Jacqueline Coward were second with her cousin, Becky Mason, riding Nosecond Chance finishing in third.

Mistissio, who looked reluctant to win at the recent Bedale meeting, obliged in the Calverts Carpets Restricted Race for Richard Smith. Berystede ran his best race of the season so far to come third for Russell Lindsay.

In the Malton Trainers Association Confined Race there was a battle all the way to the line.

Zitenka and William Easterby with Total Rebellion, ridden by Jack Teal, had a battle from two out, but it was the latter that landed the spoils. There were only four runners for the C W Strickland and Son Open Maiden Race and Skimbleshanks finally lost his maiden tag at the 15th time of asking. Shabach and Will Milburn tried a change of tactics, but he could not quite stay with the winning pair and was two lengths further back in third.

The final race was the Frontier Agriculture Maiden Conditions Race for horses that have never been placed second or third. Dix Hill, who was fourth at Hutton Rudby, was able to take this by the shortest of margins for Max Johnson, a nose from Lady Nefertiti and Joanna Mason. Kayjaydee and Tom Broughton were third.

Results were:

Intermediate – 1 Harry Bannister & Banny’s Lad, 2 Richard Smith & Avinapaddy, 3 Richard Lindsay & Larkhall.

Restricted – 1 Richard Smith & Mistissio, 2 Harry Bannister & Roycano, 3 Richard Lindsay & Berystede.

Mixed open – 1 Harry Bannister & My Old Piano, 2 Jacqui Coward & Bitter Blue, 3 Becky Mason & Nosecond Change.

Confined – 1 Jack Teal & Total Rebellion, 2 William Easterby & Zitenka, 3 Richard Smith & The Wayward Lord.

Open Maiden – 1 Joanna Mason & Skimbleshanks, 2 Harry Bannister & Billy Two Tongues, 3 Will Milburn & Shabach.

Maiden Conditions - 1 Max Johnson & Dix Hill, 2 Joanna Mason & The Nefertiti, 3 Tom Broughton & Kayjaydee.