SUNDAY saw the Derwent Hunt run their annual six-race point-to-point at Charm Park, Wykeham - their venue since 1948.

In the first event, the Derwent & Staintondale Hunt Race, Tasheba was having his 60th career start - and finished the ready winner under accountant Amy Collier for the second year running.

Amy said: “He stayed on really well and the better ground suited him today, I would like to run him in a Hunter Chase.”

Travelling off the pace for the majority of the race, the pair began to make their move when the other runners started to tire. Harpsy Chord put up a game battle under Rosie Howarth but could not get to the winner. Zandino piloted by Jack Jordan finished back in third.

Emma Smith-Chaston, 18, has her horses in flying form. Following on from her win with Trop Fort last week, she entered the Winner’s Enclosure this week on Harris after winning a competitive Club Members Race, sponsored by DTW 1991 Equine Insurance.

Five Piers and Nick Orpwood dictated a strong pace throughout to finish second.

Emma, who works for National Hunt Trainer Malcolm Jefferson was taken by surprise at Harris’s win: “I saw that Five Piers was still on the bridle two out, so I was going to be happy for a place so I am shocked!” she said.

The favourite, Things Change, ridden by Will Easterby, finished third - and may have been un-done by the burden of his 8lb penalty.

The Mens' Open Race, sponsored by David Duggleby Auctioneers, went the way of three time Grimthorpe Gold Cup winner Monsieur Jordain and Will Easterby.

The five runners were tightly grouped with Klepht been the first to tire, this left Close House and Monsieur Jordain to jump the last together. Unfortunately Close House and Jack Teal crashed out, though both horse and jockey were both fine.

“I really didn’t know who would win", said Will. “My horse loves a fight though!”

The Grimthorpe Gold Cup at Sheriff Hutton on Sunday, April 2, will be the main target indicated owner Sarah Easterby. Prince of Pirates and Elliott Brooksbanks overcame a long layoff to finish second, third was Pertemps Network ridden by John Dawson.

Street Entertainer and Jess Gillam landed the Ladies' Open Race, sponsored by Andrew Jackson Solicitors, for Hutton-le-Hole based trainer Sarah Jane Stilgoe.

Only four runners went to post, but there was an exciting finish with the favourite Victor Hewgo (Alice Dawson) and A Country Mile (EJ Hills) challenging the winner.

Jess said: “The plan was to get some cover for as long as possible, but he took me to the front, Sarah (Stilgoe) had him really well today.”

Street Entertainer was claimed out of a Hurdle race at Perth in September 2015 from David Pipe. “We were lucky to get him, as Lucinda Russell and David Pipe also put claims in!” reflected Sarah’s father Terry Wharton.

Dance of Time looks to be shaping into a useful prospect after winning the Restricted Race, sponsored by Broadland Properties Ltd.

Piloted by John Dawson, the pair were always handy, taking the lead with a circuit to run. After the race John said: “He jumped and travelled nicely, he still has very few miles on the clock and hasn’t had much experience over obstacles so he’s coming along well.”

The win was a first for trainer Helena Reveley, the niece of recently retired trainer Keith Reveley.

Second place went to Path To Freedom, who couldn’t quite get to the leader, third was Our JJ and Jack Teal and both runners up should be gracing the Winner’s Enclosure again in what looked a hot race.

A field of 16 runners took part in the Open Maiden Race, sponsored by Smailes Goldie Turner. The winner was Maguires Bridge, who was having his first ever run for jockey Tom Strawson and was purchased by Nick Kent at the Doncaster May Sales for owner Victoria Cottingham for the bargain sum of £3000.

A delighted Tom said: “He jumped the first three in Puissance fashion, but became more efficient the further he went. He is an old fashioned chasing stamp and this was one big learning curve for him.”

Monsum Storm and Jack Jordan finished second and third place went to the Mary Sowersby trained Frosty Dawn under jockey Christy Furness came home in third.

The next fixture is The Holderness at Dalton Park on Sunday, March 12