The Yorkshire point-to-point season finished at the South Durham point to point at the Mordon course in much the same way as it started; plenty of runners, competitive racing and Jacqueline Coward and Richard Smith the leading jockeys in the area.

Jacqueline is still very much in touch to retain her national title and Apassionforfashion helped to keep her in the running in the opening 2m4f Maiden. Finishing second here twice last season and going well when running out at the Cleveland meeting there was no surprise she was sent off favourite and won in the same vein. Held up as usual, the pair made ground on the field on the final turn to win convincingly by 10 lengths. Castlegrace ran on for second under Richard Smith and Rush House took third place for Jack Teal.

Although there were only five runners in the Hunt Members race it had a thrilling finish with the two jockeys at the top of the gentleman’s leader board taking each other on to gain points. Chris Dawson knows the course inside out and is one of the best jockeys to ride it. He always had Sposalizio just where he wanted him but couldn’t quite get past Mistissio and Richard Smith even when switching to provide a fresh site on the run to the line. This pretty much sealed the championship for Richard and means Mistissio finishes the season as the leading novice horse. Pegasus Prince and Chris O’Mahony were the only others to finish.

In the Men’s Open, My Old Piano was sent off favourite but age seems to be catching up with him now on sharper courses. He was ridden more handily than normal but couldn’t quite get on terms with the winner. Chris Dawson rode his typical Morden race and managed to steal lengths on the other runners on the run up the hill for the final time to take this on Maria Myco’s Yes I Can, a winner here at the last meeting. My Old Piano ran on for second under Harry Bannister and northern raider Indian Print was third for Tristan Davidson.

The Ladies equivalent was won by leading novice lady Alice Petch who is really developing a race riding brain. Her tactics clearly thought out in advance put paid to the chances of her rivals as she led them in a procession on three circuits of the Howe Hills track. Not letting anything pass her, Alice went on to win by two and a half lengths beating the highly rated Scarlet Fire and Joey Richards into second. Third place went to Monogram and Cath Walton with Chernik and Harriet Bethell finishing in fourth.

The biggest field of the day went to post in the restricted race which went to course owner John Wade’s Newspage ridden by Chris O’Mahony. Always prominent the pair led the field but Colorado Kid and Richard Smith tried to challenge with three to go. After a quick breather, Newspage took his place back in front and ran on gamely. Wizadora finished third for Jacqueline Coward and Arch ran well enough in fourth under Andrew Glass after his shock win at the Zetland meeting.

Richard Smith made it a double on the day taking the Confined on Brother Mark who was given a very positive ride. The biggest challenge was coming from Eyre Square until he ran out at the last, showing the ups and downs of racing for Chris O’Mahony. Ballyboker Boy was left 10 lengths back in second for Andrew Bartlett with Run Forest Run and Toby Speke in third.

Racing finished with the Open Maiden over three miles and provided a shock win. Richard Tierney took over the reins on Totom Chief who has unseated on his two previous runs and his jumping was good. Pushed into an easy lead Totom Chief won by 15 lengths for his trainer Guy Brewer. Blue Lodge came home in second for his first season jockey Naomi Spalding with Ath Dara Boru in third under Jacqueline Coward.